bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In spite of good intentions: patients' perspectives on problematic social support interactions
Authors: Boutin-Foster Carla 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
In the setting of an acute coronary syndrome, the natural inclination of friends and family members is to provide social support. However, their efforts may be perceived as being problematic or unhelpful. The objective of this study was to identify the characteristics of problematic social support interactions from the perspectives of patients.

Methods
This was a qualitative study among a purposive sample of 59 patients who had been hospitalized for an acute coronary syndrome. Patients were asked: "Can you describe the types of things that your family members, close friends, and health care providers did during this period to try to be helpful or supportive but you felt was unhelpful or felt that it caused you more stress." Responses were analyzed using qualitative techniques and reviewed by two independent corroborators.

Results
The types of behaviors performed by social network members that were perceived as being unhelpful were grouped under 5 themes: (1) excessive telephone contact, (2) high expression of emotions, (3) unsolicited advice, (4) information without means for implementation, and (5) taking over.

Conclusion
Patients in this study described actions of their social network members that were intended to be supportive but instead were perceived as problematic because they were in excess of what was needed, they were incongruous with what was desired, or they contributed to negative feelings. Helping social networks to understand the potential problematic aspects of social support can aid in tailoring effective social support interventions.
Characterisation of parapoxviruses isolated from Norwegian semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)
Authors: Klein Joern , Tryland Morten 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
Two outbreaks of the disease contagious ecthyma were reported in 1999 and 2000 in Norwegian semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Contagious ecthyma is an epidermal disease of sheep and goats worldwide, which is caused by the zoonotic parapoxvirus orf virus. Characterisation of clinical samples from the two outbreaks in semi-domesticated reindeer in Norway by electron microscopy and PCR (B2L) revealed typical parapoxvirus particles and partial gene sequences corresponding to parapoxvirus, respectively. If contagious ecthyma in reindeer is caused by orf virus, the virus may be transferred from sheep and goats, via people, equipment and common use of pastures and corrals, to reindeer. Another possibility is that contagious ecthyma in reindeer is caused by a hitherto unclassified member of the parapoxvirus genus that circulates among reindeer herds and remains endemic in Norway.

Results
Genomic comparisons of one standard orf strain (orf NZ2) and the reindeer isolates, employing restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, demonstrated high similarity between the reindeer viruses and known orf virus strains. Partial DNA sequences of two different viral genes were determined for the different isolates and compared with corresponding parapoxvirus genebank sequences. The comparison/alignment and construction of phylogenetic trees also point to an affiliation of the reindeer viruses to the species orf virus.

Conclusion
The results of this work imply that the parapoxvirus causing contagious ecthyma in Norwegian semi-domesticated reindeer belongs to the species orf virus and that the orf virus crosses the host species barrier from sheep and goat to semi-domesticated reindeer.
Restructuring Primary Health Care Markets in New Zealand: from Welfare Benefits to Insurance Markets
Authors: Howell Bronwyn 
Published: September 2005

Abstract

Background
New Zealand's Primary Health Care Strategy (NZPHCS) was introduced in 2002. Its features are substantial increases in government funding delivered as capitation payments, and newly-created service-purchasing agencies. The objectives are to reduce health disparities and to improve health outcomes.

Analysis
The NZPHCS changes New Zealand's publicly-funded primary health care payments from targeted welfare benefits to universal, risk-rated insurance premium subsidies. Patient contributions change from fee-for-service top-ups to insurance premium top-ups, and are collected by service providers who, depending upon their contracts with purchasers, may also be either insurance agents or risk-bearing insurance companies. The change invokes the tensions associated with allocating risk-bearing amongst providers, patients and insurance companies that accompany all insurance-based funding instruments. These include increases in existing incentives for over-consumption and new incentives for insurers to limit their exposure to variations in patient health states by engaging in active patient pool selection.
The New Zealand scheme is complex, but closely resembles United States insurance-based, risk-rated managed care schemes. The key difference is that unlike classic managed care models, where provider remuneration is determined by the insurer, the historic right for general practitioners to autonomously set patient charges alters the fiscal incentives normally available to managed care organisations. Consequently, the insurance role is being devolved to individual service providers with very small patient pools, who must recoup the premium top-ups from insured individuals. Premium top-ups are being collected only from those individuals consuming care, in proportion to the number of times care is sought. Co-payments thus constitute perfectly risk-rated premium levies set by inefficiently small insurers, raising questions about the efficiency and equity of a 'universal' insurance system pooling total population demands and costs. The efficacy of using financial incentives to constrain costs and encourage innovation when providers retain the right to arbitrarily recoup costs directly from patients, is also questioned.

Results
Initial evidence suggests that total costs are higher than initially expected, and prices to some patients have risen substantially under the NZPHCS. Limited competition and NZPHCS governance requirements mean current institutional arrangements are unlikely to facilitate efficiency improvements. System design changes therefore appear indicated.
Comparison of cough reflex sensitivity after an inhaled antigen challenge between actively and passively sensitized guinea pigs
Authors: Hara Johsuke , Fujimura Masaki , Myou Shigeharu , Oribe Yoshitaka , Furusho Shiho , Kita Toshiyuki , Katayama Nobuyuki , Abo Miki , Ohkura Noriyuki , Herai Yoriko , Hori Akihiro , Ishiura Yoshihisa , Nobata Kouichi , Ogawa Haruhiko , Yasui Masahide , Kasahara Kazuo , Nakao Shinji 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBackgroundLate asthmatic response is observed following antigen challenge in actively, but not passively, sensitized guinea pigs. Although cough reflex sensitivity is increased after antigen challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs, it is unknown whether the antigen-induced increase in cough reflex sensitivity develops in passively sensitized animals. The aim of this study was to compare the cough reflex sensitivity to inhaled capsaicin after an inhaled antigen challenge between actively and passively sensitized guinea pigs.MethodsMeasurement of number of coughs elicited by increasing concentrations of capsaicin (10-6and 10-4M) and bronchial responsiveness to ascending concentrations of methacholine, and analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were separately performed 24 h after an antigen challenge in actively and passively sensitized guinea pigs.ResultsPercentage of eosinophils in BALF and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were increased 24 h after the antigen challenge in both actively and passively sensitized animals compared with saline-challenged actively and passively sensitized animals, respectively. Absolute number of eosinophils in BALF from actively sensitized and antigen-challenged guinea pigs was significantly greater than that from passively sensitized and antigen-challenged animals. Cough response to capsaicin and concentration of substance P in BALF were increased 24 h after the antigen challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs, but not in passively sensitized guinea pigs. Bronchial responsiveness, cough reflex sensitivity and substance P concentration and total cells in BALF were increased in actively sensitized and saline challenged guinea pigs compared with passively sensitized and saline challenged animals.ConclusionThe results suggest that active sensitization per se increases cough reflex sensitivity accompanied by increased inflammatory cells and substance P level in BALF, and antigen challenge further increases them, while simple IgE- and/or IgG-mediated allergic reaction per se or the low intensity of eosinophil infiltration in the airway itself may not affect cough reflex sensitivity in guinea pigs.
Review of methodologies and a protocol for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of wheat
Authors: Jones Huw D , Doherty Angela , Wu Huixia 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Since the first report of wheat transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in 1997, various factors that influence T-DNA delivery and regeneration in tissue culture have been further investigated and modified. This paper reviews the current methodology literature describing Agrobacterium transformation of wheat and provides a complete protocol that we have developed and used to produce over one hundred transgenic lines in both spring and winter wheat varieties.
Absence of autoantibodies against correctly folded recombinant fibrillin-1 protein in systemic sclerosis patients
Authors: Brinckmann Jürgen , Hunzelmann Nico , El-Hallous Ehab , Krieg Thomas , Sakai Lynn Y , Krengel Sven , Reinhardt Dieter P 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAutoantibodies against short recombinant fragments of fibrillin-1 produced in bacterial expression systems have been found in tight-skin mouse, systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease, and primary pulmonary hypertension syndrome. In patients with scleroderma, the frequency of anti-fibrillin-1 antibodies was 42% in Caucasians. Until now it has been unclear whether this immune response has a primary function in disease pathogenesis or is a secondary phenomenon. In the present study we analyzed the frequency of autoantibodies against two overlapping recombinant polypeptides spanning the N-terminal and C-terminal halves of human fibrillin-1, which were produced in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells. Correct three-dimensional structures of the recombinant fibrillin-1 polypeptides were shown by electron microscopy and immunoreactivity with antibodies. Screening of fibrillin-1 antibodies was performed in 41 sera from systemic sclerosis patients and in 44 healthy controls with a Caucasian background. Microtiter plates were coated with the recombinant polypeptides of fibrillin-1 and incubated with 1:100 diluted sera. Positive binding was defined as being more than 2 SD above the mean of the control group. ELISAs showed that none of the sera of patients with systemic sclerosis contained autoantibodies against the N-terminal or C-terminal recombinant fibrillin-1 polypeptide. The data show the absence of autoantibodies against recombinant fibrillin-1 protein in Caucasian systemic sclerosis patients. Because the correct three-dimensional folding of the recombinant proteins has been substantiated by several independent methods, we conclude that autoantibodies against correctly folded fibrillin are not a primary phenomenon in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis.
Advanced experimental techniques in polymer thermodynamics
Authors: Grolier Jean-Pierre E. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Scanning transitiometry is at the center of several new developments to generate original unprecedented data over extended ranges of temperatures and pressures. Simultaneous in situ spectroscopic readings noticeably extend the performance of scanning transitiometry. The modulation of temperature superimposed to temperature scanning for thermal analysis is a major step forward to unambiguously identify glass transitions from other overlapping phenomena. The combination of a weighing technique (vibrating-wire technique) with a pressure decay technique (pVT technique) allows us to estimate simultaneously, in situ on the same polymer sample, the gas solubility and the concomitant polymer swelling.
The fascinating world of pure and mixed nonelectrolytes
Authors: Wilhelm Emmerich 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
In the first part of this work, the focus is on the molar heat capacity CV
at constant volume of fairly simple liquids. This quantity contains valuable information on the type of motion executed by the constituent molecules. Using the residual property formalism, the (hindered) rotational behavior of quasi-rigid molecules in the dense liquid phase will be discussed. To this end, the change of CV
determined for states along the saturation curve has to be resolved into the separated changes with temperature and volume, respectively. In the second part, the focus is on binary liquid mixtures containing one strongly polar component. Polar interactions constitute an important example of orientational forces between molecules, and substantial deviations of the properties of polar fluids from those of comparable nonpolar fluids are to be expected and indeed observed. At sufficiently low temperatures, these directional forces lead to significantly increased local structure. Extension of these ideas to liquid mixtures allows a semi-quantitative discussion of W-shaped excess molar heat capacities Cp

E at constant pressure and M-shaped excess molar enthalpies H
E.
From colloidal dispersions to colloidal pastes through solid-liquid separation processes
Authors: Madeline J. B. , Meireles M. , Persello J. , Martin C. , Botet R. , Schweins R. , Cabane B. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Solid-liquid separation is an operation that starts with a dispersion of solid particles in a liquid and removes some of the liquid from the particles, producing a concentrated solid paste and a clean liquid phase. It is similar to thermodynamic processes where pressure is applied to a system in order to reduce its volume. In dispersions, the resistance to this osmotic compression depends on interactions between the dispersed particles.
The first part of this work deals with dispersions of repelling particles, which are either silica nanoparticles or synthetic clay platelets, dispersed in aqueous solutions. In these conditions, each particle is surrounded by an ionic layer, which repels other ionic layers. This results in a structure with strong short-range order. At high particle volume fractions, the overlap of ionic layers generates large osmotic pressures; these pressures may be calculated, through the cell model, as the cost of reducing the volume of each cell. The variation of osmotic pressure with volume fraction is the equation of state of the dispersion.
The second part of this work deals with dispersions of aggregated particles, which are silica nanoparticles, dispersed in water and flocculated by multivalent cations. This produces large bushy aggregates, with fractal structures that are maintained through interparticle surface-surface bonds. As the paste is submitted to osmotic pressures, small relative displacements of the aggregated particles lead to structural collapse. The final structure is made of a dense skeleton immersed in a nearly homogeneous matrix of aggregated particles. The variation of osmotic resistance with volume fraction is the compression law of the paste; it may be calculated through a numerical model that takes into account the noncentral interparticle forces. According to this model, the response of aggregated pastes to applied stress may be controlled through the manipulation of interparticle adhesion.
Control of spiral instabilities in reaction-diffusion systems
Authors: Liao Hui-Min , Jiang Min-Xi , Wang Xiao-Nan , Zhou Lu-Qun , Ouyang Qi 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Spiral instabilities and their controls are investigated in a reaction-diffusion system using the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction. Two spiral instabilities, the long-wavelength instability and the Doppler instability, are reported, which can lead to spatiotemporal chaos. The long-wavelength instability occurs in an oscillatory regime, while the Doppler instability occurs in an excitable regime. To control these two instabilities, two different strategies are proposed according to their defect-generating mechanisms. For the long-wavelength instability in an oscillatory system, the control can be achieved by introducing a local pacemaker, which emits stable traveling waves to sweep off the unstable spiral defects. For the Doppler instability, the control can be achieved by trapping the spiral tip with a local area of higher diffusion coefficient than its surroundings.
Critical evaluation of stability constants of metal complexes of complexones for biomedical and environmental applications* (IUPAC Technical Report)
Authors: Anderegg Giorgio , Arnaud-Neu Francoise , Delgado Rita , Felcman Judith , Popov Konstantin 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Available experimental data on stability constants of proton (hydron) and metal complexes for seven complexones of particular biomedical and environmental interest: iminodiacetic acid [2,2'-azanediyldiacetic acid, IDA], (methylimino)diacetic acid [2,2'-(methylazanediyl)diacetic acid, MIDA]; 2,2',2'',2'''-{[(carboxymethyl)azanediyl]bis[(ethane-1,2-diyl)nitrilo]}tetraacetic acid (DTPA), 3,6,9,12-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-3,6,9,12-tetraazatetradecanedioic acid (TTHA); 2,2',2''-(1,4,7-triazonane-1,4,7-triyl)triacetic acid (NOTA); 2,2',2'',2'''-(1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetrayl)tetraacetic acid (DOTA); 2,2',2'',2'''-(1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,8,11-tetrayl)tetraacetic acid (TETA), published in 1945-2000, have been critically evaluated. Some typical errors in stability constant measurements for particular complexones are summarized. Higher quality data are selected and presented as “Recommended” or “Provisional”.
Efficient production of native actin upon translation in a bacterial lysate supplemented with the eukaryotic chaperonin TRiC
Authors: Stemp Markus J. , Guha Suranjana , Hartl F. Ulrich , Barral José M. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Recombinant expression of actin in bacteria results in non-native species that aggregate into inclusion bodies. Actin is a folding substrate of TRiC, the chaperonin of the eukaryotic cytosol. By employing bacterial in vitro translation lysates supplemented with purified chaperones, we have found that TRiC is the only eukaryotic chaperone necessary for correct folding of newly translated actin. The actin thus produced binds deoxyribonuclease I and polymerizes into filaments, hallmarks of its native state. In contrast to its rapid folding in the eukaryotic cytosol, actin translated in TRiC-supplemented bacterial lysate folds with slower kinetics, resembling the kinetics upon refolding from denaturant. Lysate supplementation with the bacterial chaperonin GroEL/ES or the DnaK/DnaJ/GrpE chaperones leads to prevention of actin aggregation, yet fails to support its correct folding. This combination of in vitro bacterial translation and TRiC-assisted folding allows a detailed analysis of the mechanisms necessary for efficient actin folding in vivo. In addition, it provides a robust alternative for the production of substantial amounts of eukaryotic proteins that otherwise misfold or lead to cellular toxicity upon expression in heterologous hosts.
Hypothyroidism induces expression of the peptide transporter PEPT2
Authors: Döring Frank , Schmitt Roland , Bernhardt Wanja M. , Klapper Maja , Bachmann Sebastian , Daniel Hannelore , Groneberg David A. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
The kidney is a target organ for thyroid hormone action and a variety of renal transport processes are altered in response to impaired thyroid functions. To investigate the effect of thyroid hormone on the expression of the renal proximal tubular high-affinity-type H+-peptide cotransporter (PEPT2) in rats, hypothyroidism was induced in animals by administration of methimazole (0.05%) via drinking water. After 7 weeks of treatment, hypothyroidism was confirmed by determining serum free T3 and free T4 concentrations. Northern blotting was used to examine the expression of PEPT2 mRNA in kidney tissues from hypothyroid rats compared to control rats. Hypothyroidism resulted in an increased level of total renal PEPT2 mRNA (121.1±3.3% vs. control 100±2.8%; p=0.008). The mRNA results were confirmed by immuno-blotting, which demonstrated significantly increased protein levels (162% vs. control 100%; p<0.01). Immunohistochemistry also revealed increased PEPT2 protein levels in the proximal tubules of treated compared to non-treated rats. In summary, PEPT2 is the first proximal tubule transporter protein that shows increased expression in states of hypothyreosis. As PEPT2 reabsorbs filtered di- and tripeptides and peptide-like drugs, the present findings may have important implications in nutritional amino acid homeostasis and for drug dynamics in states of altered thyroid function.
Heritability of Life History and Morphological Traits in a Wild Pink Salmon Population Assessed by DNA Parentage Analysis
Authors: Dickerson Bobette R. , Willson Mary F. , Bentzen Paul , Quinn Thomas P. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractHeritability estimates were calculated for body size and shape, day of entry onto the spawning grounds, and egg size for two brood years (1997 and 1998) of a wild population of pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha based on parentage analysis of DNA samples from breeding adults and their mature offspring in a small creek in Southeast Alaska. The majority of heritability estimates for size and shape were not significantly different from zero, probably as a result of the close association of these variables with fitness. The even‐ and odd‐year brood lines are genetically isolated but heritability estimates from the two lines were significantly correlated, suggesting similar selection histories. Consistent with heritability estimates from controlled breeding and captive rearing of pink and other species of salmon, day of entry onto the spawning grounds had the highest heritabilities of the traits examined in this study, especially for males (h2 = 0.6– 1.38). One plausible method for the maintenance of genetic variation in entry timing (a trait important to fitness) is variation in the optimal spawning and emigration date from year to year owing to changes in flow rate, predation pressure, ocean conditions, and food availability for progeny.
Measurement of charge distribution around a rising bubble in a 2‐D fluidized bed
Authors: Chen Aihua , Bi Hsiaotao T. , Grace John R. , Kleijn van Willigen Flip , Ruud van Ommen J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA technique has been developed to determine the charge distribution around single rising bubbles in a two‐dimensional fluidized bed. Four induction probes positioned flush with the outside wall of the column and connected to charge amplifiers record induced charge signals as bubbles pass. The charge distribution surrounding a single bubble is then reconstructed with the assumption that the bubble is symmetrical and that the charge around the bubble remains constant as it rises. The emulsion phase far from the bubble in a two‐dimensional fluidized bed of glass beads was found to be charged negatively and, contrary to our previous assumptions, the charge density decreased gradually toward the bubble‐dense phase interface, with a nearly zero charge density inside the bubble. The wake of the bubble is more negatively charged than the emulsion phase, supporting our previous speculations. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006