bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an automated high‐volume extraction method for viral nucleic acids in comparison to a manual procedure with preceding enrichment
Authors: Hourfar M. K. , Schmidt M. , Seifried E. , Roth W. K. 
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives  Nucleic acid extraction still harbours the potential for improvements in automation and sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) testing. This study evaluates the feasibility of a novel automated high‐volume extraction protocol for NAT minipool testing in a blood bank setting.Materials and Methods  The chemagic Viral DNA/RNA Kit special for automated purification of viral nucleic acids from 9·6 ml of plasma by using the chemagic Magnetic Separation Module I was investigated. Analytical sensitivity for hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis A virus (HAV) and parvovirus B19 (B19) was compared to our present manual procedure that involves virus enrichment by centrifugation.Results  Chemagic technology allows automation of the viral DNA/RNA extraction process. Viral nucleic acids were bound directly to magnetic beads from 9·6‐ml minipools. By combining the automated magnetic beads‐based extraction technology with our in‐house TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, 95% detection limits were 280 IU/ml for HCV, 4955 IU/ml for HIV‐1, 249 IU/ml for HBV, 462 IU/ml for HAV and 460 IU/ml for B19, calculated for an individual donation in a pool of 96 donors. The detection limits of our present method were 460 IU/ml for HCV, 879 IU/ml for HIV‐1, 90 IU/ml for HBV, 203 IU/ml for HAV and 314 IU/ml for B19.Conclusions  The 95% detection limits obtained by using the chemagic method were within the regulatory requirements for blood donor screening. The sensitivities detected for HCV, HBV, HAV and B19 were found to be in a range similar to that of the manual purification method. Sensitivity for HIV‐1, however, was found to be inferior for the chemagic method in this study.
The use of a World Health Organization Transfusion Basic Information Sheet to evaluate transfusion practice in Croatia
Authors: Skodlar J. , Štimac D. , Majerić‐Kogler V. , Doughty H. , Sibinga C. S. 
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives  To assess the feasibility of using the World Health Organization (WHO) Transfusion Basic Information Sheet as a bedside tool for data collection and assessing transfusion practice.Materials and Methods  A prospective 6‐month audit of all transfusion episodes using the tool.Results  Eight hundred and twenty‐two forms were completed, capturing data on 59·7% of transfusion episodes. Completion of data fields was > 80%, except for the clinician's transfusion targets that were documented in only 58·5% of cases. Twenty per cent of patients received single red cell unit transfusions.Conclusions  The Basic Information Sheet can be incorporated into bedside clinical practice. We have identified the need to encourage clinicians to determine and document their transfusion targets before prescribing blood components.
Transfusion practice in massively bleeding patients: time for a change?
Authors: Johansson P. I. , Hansen M. B. , Sørensen H. 
Published: August 2005

Background and Objectives  We identified some fatal cases where massively bleeding patients received inadequate transfusion therapy. The aim of this study was to review and evaluate the transfusion practice in acutely multitransfused patients.Materials and Methods  Patients receiving > 10 units of red blood cells (RBC) within 24 h of admission and 30 blood components within 7 days of admission were reviewed.Results  Thirty‐nine patients were identified, 13 of whom were inadequately transfused (IT) and had a higher mortality (12/13) than adequately transfused (AT) patients 13/26 (P = 0·013). Ten of 13 IT patients developed a microvascular bleed compared to four of 26 in the AT group (P = 0·001) and had a lower platelet count upon arrival at the intensive care unit (40 × 109/l vs. 80 × 109/l, P = 0·024).Conclusions  An early balanced transfusion therapy is vital in massively bleeding patients, and a pro‐active approach from the blood bank is warranted. We have introduced an acute transfusion package (ATP) consisting of 5 RBC, 5 FFP and 2 PC units, indicated in massively bleeding patients, securing a balanced transfusion therapy.
Mother–Child Conversations of Emotionally Salient Events: Exploring the Functions of Emotional Reminiscing in European‐American and Chinese Families
Authors: Wang Qi , Fivush Robyn 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis study explores the functional variations in mother–child conversations of emotionally salient events in European‐American and Chinese families. Thirty Chinese and 31 European‐American 3‐year‐old children and their mothers participated. Mothers were asked to discuss with their children at home two specific one‐point‐in‐time events in which they both participated. One event was extremely positive to the child, one extremely stressful. American mothers initiated more interactive and elaborative conversations that focused on the child's roles and predilections in the story, and they employed a ‘cognitive approach’ to emotional regulation by providing explanations for the cause of children's feeling states. Chinese mothers took a directive role in posing and repeating memory questions and focusing on social interaction, and they used a ‘behavioral approach’ to emotional regulation by emphasizing discipline and proper conduct to their children. Findings are discussed in light of cultural influences on the functions of emotional reminiscing for self and relationship construction and emotional regulation.
Characteristics of people providing family placements to adult persons with intellectual disabilities
Authors: McConkey Roy , McConaghie Jayne , Roberts Paul , King Diana 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe success of family placement schemes depends largely on the recruitment of suitable people who are willing to offer placements in their own home yet little research has been undertaken of their characteristics and the reasons for their involvement. Thirty providers of family based placements to adult persons with intellectual disabilities were individually interviewed. All but one were female; two‐thirds were aged 50 plus and just over one‐third were in employment. The majority of providers have been recruited from the care sector and many had experience of people with intellectual disabilities. Most had come into the schemes because of their personal interest in this client group. No one came solely as a result of seeing an advertisement and only one person explicitly mentioned the financial reimbursement. Over half had been involved for 3 years and more. All felt they gained a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment from their involvement but stressed the amount of commitment needed to become a provider. The placement providers overall were very satisfied with the way the schemes operated. The main complaint appeared to be in regard to the low payments. Proposals are made for the future development of family placement schemes particularly in the recruitment of providers.
Description and evaluation of a bereavement group for people with learning disabilities
Authors: Mappin Rachel , Hanlon Derek 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe present study evaluates the effect of a bereavement group for six people with learning disabilities. There was a significant increase in knowledge of the more ‘concrete’ aspects of death and dying and in participants’ awareness of emotional, behavioural and physiological responses associated with grief, as measured by the Knowledge About Death and Understanding Emotions Questionnaires, respectively. There was a small, albeit nonsignificant, trend towards increased understanding of the components of the death concept, as measured by the Death Concept Questionnaire. The study's outcome and its implications are discussed.
Violence against pregnant women: prevalence and characteristics. A population‐based study in Nicaragua
Authors: Valladares Eliette , Peña Rodolfo , Persson Lars Åke , Högberg Ulf 
Published: August 2005

Objective  This study aims to estimate the prevalence and characteristics of partner abuse during pregnancy as well as to investigate associated social factors in León, Nicaragua.Design  Cross‐sectional community‐based study.Setting  All pregnant women from 50 randomly selected geographical clusters out of 208 in the municipality of León, Nicaragua.Sample  A total of 478 pregnant women were included; only one woman refused to participate.Method  The domestic violence questionnaire from the WHO‐co‐ordinated Multi‐Country Study on Women's Health and Life Events was used with each participant being interviewed twice during pregnancy.Main outcome measures  Prevalence and characteristics of partner violence during pregnancy.Results  The prevalence of emotional, physical and sexual abuse during pregnancy was 32.4%, 13.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Seventeen percent reported experience of all three forms of violence. Two‐thirds of the victims reported repeated abuse. Half of the abused women had experienced punches and kicks directed towards the abdomen and 93% had been injured. Most women had not sought health care in relation to the abuse, but those who did were usually hospitalised. Factors such as women's age below 20 years, poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress were independently associated with violence during pregnancy.Conclusion  Violence against pregnant women in Nicaragua is common and often repeated. Although these women have poor access to social resources and high levels of emotional distress, they are rarely assisted by the health services. Innovative strategies are needed to provide support and counselling.
Fecundity and pregnancy outcome in a cohort with sickle cell‐haemoglobin C disease followed from birth
Authors: Serjeant Graham R. , Hambleton Ian , Thame Minerva 
Published: August 2005

Objective  To compare pregnancy outcome in sickle cell‐haemoglobin C (SC) disease with that in homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease and age‐matched controls with a normal haemoglobin (AA) genotype.Design  A cohort study followed from birth.Setting  Sickle Cell Clinic, University Hospital and other Jamaican hospitals.Population  Ninety‐five pregnancies in 43 patients with SC disease, 94 pregnancies in 52 patients with SS disease and 157 pregnancies in 68 controls.Methods  Systematic review of all pregnancies occurring in sample population. Kaplan–Meier analysis for interval to first pregnancy, and the t test, χ2 test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate; correction was made for multiple testing and multiple linear regression was used for analysis of determinants of birthweight.Main outcome measures  Age at menarche, interval to first pregnancy, outcome of pregnancy, maternal complications and possible predictors of low birthweight.Results  Menarche was marginally delayed in SC disease compared with AA controls (median age 13.7 vs 13.0 years, P= 0.02) but age at first pregnancy was similar (median age 22.5 vs 20.1 years, P= 0.32). Pregnancy outcome in SC disease did not differ from AA controls but compared with SS disease there were marginally fewer miscarriages, more live deliveries and greater birthweight. The prevalence of pregnancy‐induced hypertension, pre‐eclampsia, antepartum or postpartum haemorrhage in SC disease did not differ from AA controls but the prevalence of sickle‐related complications was similar to SS disease.Conclusions  Contrary to some claims, pregnancy outcome in SC disease is generally benign compared with SS disease.
Why are women still aborting outside designated facilities in metropolitan South Africa?
Authors: Jewkes Rachel K. , Gumede Tebogo , Westaway Margaret S. , Dickson Kim , Brown Heather , Rees Helen 
Published: August 2005

Objective  To explore why South African women still abort outside designated services where there is substantial legal service provision.Design  Descriptive study.Setting  Three hospitals in Gauteng Province in South Africa.Sample  Forty‐six women attending hospital with incomplete abortion who had abortions induced outside of designated facilities.Methods  An interviewer‐administered questionnaire with open and closed questions was completed. Induction status was determined from answers to a set of closed questions. Open‐ended questions explored the circumstances of induction.Main focus of interviews  Methods of induction used, barriers to legal service use.Results  Nearly two‐thirds of women (n= 38) had self‐induced or had consulted a traditional healer. A minority of these women (n= 11) indicated that they did this because they experienced barriers to legal service use. For others it was presented as a ‘natural’ response to a health problem (unwanted pregnancy). Several women (n= 10) were given misoprostol by a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Fifty‐four percent of the women had not used legal services because they did not know about the law, while 15% knew of their legal rights, but did not know of a legal facility. Others did know where to access legal services but feared rude staff (17%) or breaches of confidentiality (6.5%). Others (6.5%) had been unable to get a legal abortion early enough in pregnancy to comply with the law.Conclusions  Lack of information on abortion rights under the Act and perceived poor quality of designated facilities were the most important barriers to access and should be addressed by policymakers and health service management. The willingness of women to self‐medicate and visit traditional healers in these circumstances may influence the overall ability of the new legislation to reduce abortion morbidity.
A randomised controlled trial of empowerment training for Chinese abused pregnant women in Hong Kong
Authors: Tiwari A. , Leung W.C. , Leung T.W. , Humphreys J. , Parker B. , Ho P.C. 
Published: August 2005

Objective  To evaluate the effectiveness of an empowerment intervention in reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) and improving health status.Design  Randomised controlled trial.Setting  Antenatal clinic in a public hospital in Hong Kong.Sample  One hundred and ten Chinese pregnant women with a history of abuse by their intimate partners.Methods  Women were randomised to the experimental or control group. Experimental group women received empowerment training specially designed for Chinese abused pregnant women while the control group women received standard care for abused women. Data were collected at study entry and six weeks postnatal.Main outcomes measures  IPV [on the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS)], health‐related quality of life (SF‐36) and postnatal depression [Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)].Results  Following the training, the experimental group had significantly higher physical functioning and had significantly improved role limitation due to physical problems and emotional problems. They also reported less psychological (but not sexual) abuse, minor (but not severe) physical violence and had significantly lower postnatal depression scores. However, they reported more bodily pain.Conclusion  An empowerment intervention specially designed for Chinese abused pregnant women was effective in reducing IPV and improving the health status of the women.
A randomised controlled trial of 6 and 12 hourly administration of vaginal misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination
Authors: Herabutya Yongyoth , Chanrachakul Boonsri , Punyavachira Piyaporn 
Published: August 2005

Objective  To compare the effectiveness of vaginal misoprostol administered 6 or 12 hourly for second trimester pregnancy termination.Design  A randomised controlled trial.Setting  University teaching hospital.Sample  Two hundred and seventy‐nine pregnant women at gestations between 14 and 26 weeks undergoing pregnancy termination.Methods  Women were randomised to receive 600‐μg misoprostol tablets vaginally either every 6 hours or every 12 hours until abortion occurred.Main outcome measures  Induction–abortion interval, success rate within 24 and 48 hours and adverse effects.Results  There was no significant difference in the median induction to abortion interval 6 hours (16 hours) and 12 hours (16 hours; P= 0.80). The total dose of misoprostol was higher in the 6‐hour group (1800 vs 1200 μg). The cumulative abortion rates within 24 hours were 74% and 67% and within 48 hours 94% and 92%, in the 6‐ and 12‐hour groups, respectively. Fever was more common in the 6‐hour group (53%) versus the 12‐hour group (31%; P < 0.001). The incidence of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe bleeding and abdominal pain were similar.Conclusions  Misoprostol (600 μg) administered at 12‐hour intervals was associated with fewer adverse effects and was as effective as a 6‐hour interval.
N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate Injection Into the Massa Intermedia Facilitates Development of Limbic Kindling in Rats
Authors: Hirayasu Y. , Wada J. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe effect on limbic kindling of N‐methyl‐D‐ aspartate (NMDA) injection into the midline thalamus of rats was investigated. Repeated injection of 25 nmol/0.5 pl NMDA (experimental group) into the massa intermedia (MI), particularly into the reuniens nucleus, caused tonic and/or clonic generalized convulsion associated with temporal limbic EEG seizure discharge. This did not occur after injection of phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS, control group). When the animals were subjected to sub‐sequent kindling at either the hippocampus (HP) or the amygdala (AM), only the experimental group showed a significant facilitation of kindling rate. The results suggest that an NMDA receptor in the reuniens nucleus participates in modulation of temporal limbic excitability and seizure development.
Influence of Audiogenic Seizures on Synaptic Facilitation in Mouse Hippocampal Slices Is Mediated by N‐Methyl‐d‐Aspartate Receptor
Authors: Wieraszko Andrzej , Seyfried Thomas N. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:The influence of audiogenic seizures (AGS) on synaptic facilitation was studied in DBA/2J (D2) and C57BL/6J (B6) mice. AGS susceptibility is inherited in D2 mice, but can be acquired in AGS‐resistant B6 mice through acoustic priming. The experiments were per formed on hippocampal slices obtained from D2 and B6 mice both with and without seizures. Long‐term potenti ation (LTP) and low‐Mg2 +‐induced synaptic facilitation (LMISF) were evaluated after stimulation of Schaffer col laterals. The magnitude of LTP and LMISF was signifi cantly greater in slices obtained from mice with seizures than from mice without seizures in both strains. Seizure induced enhancement of LTP and LMISF was markedly reduced by the JV‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist AP‐5. The noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801 reduced the efficiency of priming in B6 mice and abolished AGS in D2 mice and primed B6 mice, the data suggest that audiogenic seizures can en hance synaptic facilitation through activation of the NMDA receptor.
Some Aspects of Prognosis in the Epilepsies: A Review
Authors: Sander J. W. A. S. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:The traditional view that epilepsy is usually a chronic condition in which the prognosis is consistently poor has been challenged in the last 2 decades. Evidence from population‐based studies and from intervention studies in newly diagnosed patients has produced a wealth of information of a much better prognosis. It is now generally accepted that as many as 70–80% of people developing seizures for the first time will eventually achieve terminal remission, whereas the remaining 20–30% will continue to have recurrent seizures despite all treatment. Despite the high recurrence rate after a first epileptic seizure, remission usually occurs early and for most persons, epilepsy is a short‐lived condition. The exact role of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in this good outcome, however, remains open to debate, because the natural history of the untreated condition is largely unknown. In this article, factors that may influence the prognosis of the epilepsies, including the problems of diagnosis, are reviewed. Special emphasis is given to the issue of spontaneous remission and the question of prognosis of different epileptic syndromes.
Status Epilepticus Related to Alcohol Abuse
Authors: Alldredge Brian K. , Lowenstein Daniel H. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:We reviewed the case records of 249 adult patients with generalized convulsive status epilepticus (SE) examined at San Francisco General Hospital between 1977 and 1989 and identified 27 patients (10.8%) in whom alcohol abuse was the only identifiable precipitating cause of SE. In 12 patients (44% of the study group), SE was the first presentation of alcohol‐related seizures. Seizures with focal features were observed in 11 patients (40.1%), but there was little correlation with localized computed tomography (CT) or EEG abnormalities. SE was controlled with phenytoin (PHT), with or without a benzodiazepine (BZD), in 18 patients (66.7%). Twentytwo patients (81.5%) were discharged with no new neurologic deficits, but time to recovery of baseline mental status was prolonged (>12 h) in 24 patients. With regard to alcohol abuse history, study patients did not differ from a comparison group with isolated alcohol withdrawal seizures. The results indicate that alcohol abuse is a common cause of SE and that SE may be the first presentation of alcohol‐related seizures. Furthermore, the outcome of patients with alcohol‐related SE compares favorably with that of patients with SE due to other causes, but recovery of these patients may be complicated by a prolonged postictal state.
Chronic Intractable Epilepsy as the Only Symptom of Primary Brain Tumor
Authors: Morris Harold H. , Estes Melinda L. , Gilmore Robin , Van Ness Paul C. , Barnett Gene H. , Turnbull John 
Published: August 2005

Summary:We identified 39 patients with chronic epilepsy (seizures ≥2 years) proven to have primary brain tumors. These cases represent ∼12% of the surgery cases for epilepsy in the same period. Mean age of seizure onset was 13.2 years: mean duration before operation was 10.5 years. Thirty‐eight of 39 had normal neurologic examination. Twenty‐six tumors were temporal, 7 were frontal, 4 were parietal, and 2 were occipital. Nine of 26 (34.6%) of the temporal group had contralateral interictal EEG spikes. Pathology was 15 ganglioglioma, 13 low‐grade astrocytoma, 4 oligodendroglioma, 2 low‐grade mixed glioma, 1 pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, 2 dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor, and 1 ependymoma. Postoperative seizure frequency (minimum follow‐up 6 months) ranged from 15 to 16 seizure‐free or auras only in patients with temporal tumors and total gross tumor removal (mean follow‐up 28 months) to 0 of 6 seizure‐free in patients with extratemporal tumors who underwent subtotal resections or biopsy.
Psychogenic Seizures in Old Age: A Case Report
Authors: Fakhoury Toufic , Abou‐Khalil Bassel , Newman Karen 
Published: August 2005

Summary:Psychogenic seizures are unusual after age 60 years, A 73‐year‐old woman had onset of psychogenic seizures at age 69 years. Five to six attacks occurred each month, usually at night, characterized by an initial subjective sensation and headache followed by generalized stiffening and shaking. Continuous EEG‐closed circuit television (EEG‐CCTV) monitoring clearly showed these episodes to be nonepileptic. Discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) did not increase the frequency or severity of attacks. Epileptiform discharges were not recorded during the awake, drowsy, or sleeping states. Psychiatric evaluation identified significant turmoil in the patient's life and a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse. Psychogenic seizures may begin in old age and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intractable seizures in the elderly. Predominantly nocturnal occurrence should not exclude the diagnosis.