bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computer‐mediated instructional video: a randomised controlled trial comparing a sequential and a segmented instructional video in surgical hand wash
Authors: Schittek Janda M. , Tani Botticelli A. , Mattheos N. , Nebel D. , Wagner A. , Nattestad A. , Attström R. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Video‐based instructions for clinical procedures have been used frequently during the preceding decades.Aim:  To investigate in a randomised controlled trial the learning effectiveness of fragmented videos vs. the complete sequential video and to analyse the attitudes of the user towards video as a learning aid.Materials and methods:  An instructional video on surgical hand wash was produced. The video was available in two different forms in two separate web pages: one as a sequential video and one fragmented into eight short clips. Twenty‐eight dental students in the second semester were randomised into an experimental (n = 15) and a control group (n = 13). The experimental group used the fragmented form of the video and the control group watched the complete one. The use of the videos was logged and the students were video taped whilst undertaking a test hand wash. The videos were analysed systematically and blindly by two independent clinicians. The students also performed a written test concerning learning outcome from the videos as well as they answered an attitude questionnaire.Results:  The students in the experimental group watched the video significantly longer than the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to the ratings and scores when performing the hand wash. The experimental group had significantly better results in the written test compared with those of the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to attitudes towards the use of video for learning, as measured by the Visual Analogue Scales. Most students in both groups expressed satisfaction with the use of video for learning.Conclusion:  The students demonstrated positive attitudes and acceptable learning outcome from viewing CAL videos as a part of their pre‐clinical training. Videos that are part of computer‐based learning settings would ideally be presented to the students both as a segmented and as a whole video to give the students the option to choose the form of video which suits the individual student's learning style.
Clinical significance of total and lipid bound sialic acid levels in oral pre‐cancerous conditions and oral cancer
Authors: B. Rajpura Kinnari , S. Patel Prabhudas , G. Chawda Jyoti , M. Shah Raksha 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Altered glycosylation of glycoconjugates is among the important molecular changes that accompany malignant transformation. The purpose of our study was to investigate clinical usefulness of circulatory levels of total and lipid bound sialic acid for early diagnosis and management of oral cavity cancer patients.Methods:  Blood samples were collected from 41 untreated oral cancer patients, 20 patients with oral pre‐cancerous conditions (OPC) and 20 healthy subjects. Serum sialic acid (total and lipid bound) levels were measured spectrophotometrically.Results:  Serum levels of total and lipid bound sialic acid were significantly elevated (P < 0.001) in untreated oral cancer patients as compared to healthy individuals as well as patients with OPC. Multivariate analysis documented that the progressive rise in total and lipid bound sialic acid was significantly associated (P = 0.0001 and 0.039, respectively) with stage of malignant disease.Conclusion:  The data revealed significant elevations in sialic acid levels in oral cancer patients and suggested potential utility of these parameters in diagnosis as well as determining clinical stage of the malignant disease.
HCV clearance patterns in saliva and serum of patients with chronic HCV infection under interferon plus ribavirin therapy
Authors: Diz Dios P. , Castro A. , Rodríguez I. , Reforma N. G. , Castro M. , Eirea M. , Hermida M. 
Published: March 2005

Statements of the problem:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐RNA is often present in saliva of HCV‐infected patients, with plasma viral load being the only known predictable factor. Interferon plus ribavirin therapy yields a sustained reduction in HCV viremia. This study aimed to assess the presence of HCV in saliva and serum specimens from patients undergoing this combination therapy (CT).Method of study:  Paired serum and saliva specimens were collected from 44 chronic HCV‐infected patients at basal time, 4 and 12 weeks after CT onset, at the end of treatment and 6 months latter. Serum HCV‐RNA levels were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Amplicor system. Presence of HCV‐RNA in saliva was tested by a highly sensitive non‐commercialized nested‐PCR.Results:  The HCV‐RNA was detected in 26 saliva specimens at basal time (59.1%). In 34.1% of cases, a concordance viral clearance pattern in serum and saliva was observed in both responders (pattern 1a) and non‐responders (pattern 1b). In pattern 2 (13.6% of cases), HCV was detected longer during CT in serum than in saliva (pattern 2a) or in saliva than in serum (pattern 2b). In 11.3% of patients, viral clearance was corroborated either in their serum (pattern 3a) or in their saliva (pattern 3b), but not in both fluids. Of the eight primary responders with 1a clearance pattern, seven were sustained responders. None of the patients with 2a clearance pattern was a sustained responder. Of the two primary responders showing the 3b salivary pattern, one had already relapsed in the first 6 months of follow up.Conclusions:  The present results suggest that the monitoring of salivary levels of HCV would be a helpful means of determining sustained antiviral effects of interferon and ribavirin in the treatment of HCV disease.
Expression of apoptotic and cell proliferation regulatory proteins in actinic cheilitis
Authors: Martínez A. , Brethauer U. , Rojas I. G. , Spencer M. , Mucientes F. , Borlando J. , Rudolph M. I. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a pre‐malignant lesion caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The apoptotic proteins p53, bax, bcl‐2, and the proliferation marker Ki‐67, are known to play an important role in UV‐exposed skin and carcinomas, therefore, these markers were assessed in AC and compared with normal lip and oral mucosa.Methods:  AC (n = 13), normal lip (n = 7) and oral mucosa (n = 6) biopsies were stained immunohistochemically for p53, bax, bcl‐2 and Ki‐67, to determine their expression and distribution.Results:  p53 was over‐expressed in AC as compared with normal lip and oral mucosa (P < 0.003). Although bcl‐2 expression was higher in AC than in oral mucosa (P < 0.002), it was significantly reduced as compared with normal lip (P < 0.04). Bax expression remained unchanged, and Ki‐67 was significantly increased in AC and normal lip as compared with oral mucosa (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  The results suggest that DNA‐damaged cells by UV radiation in AC are eliminated by apoptosis.
Expression of IgSF in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and its relationship with invasion and metastasis
Authors: Xue Fan , Zhang Yincheng , Liu Feng , Jing Jie , Ma Min 
Published: March 2005

Background:  The aim of the present work was to study the potential effect of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) of immunoglobulin superfamily on the invasion and metastasis of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC).Method:  The expressions of ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1 and NCAM of forty cases with SACC were examined by immunohistochemical methods using respective kits.Results:  A significant relation showed between the expression level and histological differentiation, expression of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 in solid SACC was greatly increased compared with NCAM; SACC with metastatic lymph node or local recurrence displayed significant relationship to the up‐regulation of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1, and to the down‐regulation of NCAM.Conclusions:  It is proposed that ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 may play a role in the invasion and metastasis of SACC. NCAM may be an invasion‐resistant adhesion molecule.
BIOLOGICAL VALIDATION OF TOMATO PULP CONTINUOUS HEAT PROCESS
Authors: PACHECO CRISTIANA DE PAULA , DE MASSAGUER PILAR RODRIGUEZ 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT This research validated the commercial process applied to tomato pulp (pH 4.3 and 8 Brix) packed in Tetra Brik packages. Spores of Bacillus coagulans and Neosartorya fischeri were selected as targets. The heat resistance of both microorganisms, tested independently, was compared. The redesigned thermal processes were carried out in a aseptic processing and tested by indirect inoculation and retrieval with spores immobilized in alginate/tomato balls. The results showed that processes for 30 s at 115C or greater did not allow the survival of heat‐resistant molds. For bacterial spores, processes for 30 s at 109C or greater showed no survivors. Although, 30 s at 115C will control both types of spoilage spores, concern for possible C. botulinum growth attributed to metabiosis in product with varying initial populations of molds and residual oxygen content dictated, a process recommendation of 60 s at 126C for safety reasons.
THE USE OF RHEOLOGY TO CHARACTERIZE FLOW BEHAVIOR OF LIQUORICE SOLUTIONS
Authors: GABRIELE DOMENICO , CURCIO STEFANO , MIGLIORI MASSIMO , DE CINDIO BRUNO 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACT The rheological behavior of liquorice solutions at different concentrations (ranging between 30 and 60 Brix) and temperatures (in the range between 25 and 80C) has been investigated performing both dynamic tests in the linear viscoelastic region and steady shear tests, in 0.1–100 s−1 shear rate range, by using a stress controlled rheometer (DSR 200, Rheometric Scientific, USA) and parallel plate geometry (φ = 40 mm). Small amplitude oscillations has shown the presence of both moduli also at the lowest tested concentration, with G′ greater than G″, except for the 30 Brix sample. It has been found that experimental viscosity data show a good agreement with a power law model, thus allowing the estimation of both the friction factor and the pressure drops in a typical pipeline used for liquorice solution conveying. It has been observed that the assumption of Newtonian behavior can lead to the erroneous design of the apparatuses that have to process liquorice extracts.
Therapeutic optimism in the consent forms of phase 1 gene transfer trials: an empirical analysis
Authors: Kimmelman J , Palmour N 
Published: March 2005

Background:“Therapeutic misconception” arises when human subjects interpret a clinical trial as aimed primarily at therapy rather than producing knowledge. Therapeutic misconceptions may be more prevalent in trials enrolling gravely ill subjects or involving novel and well publicised investigational agents.Objective:To examine the extent to which investigators express therapeutic optimism in phase 1 human gene transfer consent documents, whether highly active gene transfer researchers are more prone to expressing therapeutic optimism, and whether consent forms have grown more optimistic in their descriptions of personal benefit over the last decade.Design:Content analysis was performed on 277 consent documents to measure the number of sentences describing possibility of benefit, terminology used for experimental agents, the proportion of statements describing personal versus societal benefits, and whether investigators attempted to thwart therapeutic misconceptions.Results:Consent forms generally used therapeutic terminology to describe study agents, devoted more sentences to describing possible personal benefits than to describing benefits to society, and infrequently explained that a particular benefit was unlikely. Consent documents used by highly active gene transfer researchers tended to portray significantly greater optimism about personal benefit than less active investigators, though they were also significantly more cautious with agent terminology. Finally, therapeutic optimism expressed in consent forms has declined over the past decade.Conclusions:Consent documents used in phase 1 gene transfer trials, although increasingly attentive to possible therapeutic misconceptions, are inappropriately optimistic about direct benefits of trial participation. Such optimism is expressed more emphatically in trials involving highly active gene transfer researchers as principal investigators.
Weaving Sisterhood: Women African Theologians And Creative Writers
Authors: Chitando Ezra , Chitando Anna 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAfrican American women have been keen to highlight that black women are at the 'bottom of the pile' in a society that espouses values of human equality. The situation of the women in Africa is probably worse, as their societies do not propagate human equality. Moreover they have to cope with many other problems such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, the threat of death and male dominance. Though African women theologians were few at the beginning of the 1990s, their number increased during the ten years that followed. This article shows how they were inspired by their sisters, the female African creative writers. Often they felt more solidarity with these sisters than with many African male theologians. Women African theologians and creative writers stand for the same struggle in order to prevent men using their religion — be it African traditional religion or Christianity — to oppress their sisters.
Responsibility Attitude in a Sample of Iranian Obsessive-Compulsive Patients
Authors: Ghassemzadeh Habibollah , Bolhari Jafar , Birashk Behrouz , Salavati Mojgan 
Published: March 2005

Background: The study of distorted beliefs about responsibility attitude and interpretation has become the central theme in Salkovskis’ (1985) and Rachman and Hodgson’s (1980) models of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Aims: The aim of this research is to assess the responsibility attitude in Iranian OCD patients. Methods: Twenty OCD patients were selected through available sampling from the case referred to psychology clinics. Two other patient groups comprised of 20 non-OCD anxiety disorder patients and 20 non-clinical participants were also chosen as comparison groups. All participants completed the Responsibility Attitude Scale (RAS) and Responsibility Interpretation Questionnaire (RIQ). Results: Analyses revealed statistically significant differences between OCD group and comparison groups on both RAS and RIQ. In addition, both RAS and RIQ scores were associated with the severity of OCD assessed by the Yale-Brown scale. Conclusions: These findings suggest that responsibility attitude and interpretations are the prominent features of OCD in Iranian patients and are associated with the severity of illness.
Social Services and Health Services Day Care in Mental Health: The Social Networks and Care Needs of their Users
Authors: Catty Jocelyn , Goddard Kim , Burns Tom 
Published: March 2005

Background: In view of the increasing integration of health and social care, there is an urgent need to know how health service day hospitals and social service day centres are being used, and by whom. Aims: We aimed to compare users of day hospitals and centres in terms of their social networks, needs for care and demographics. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative study of service users at two day hospitals and four day centres compared their social networks, needs and characteristics. Results: Day centre clients had much larger social networks, including a threefold difference in total contacts and two-fold difference in confidants, but had more needs for care, particularly relating to psychological distress. They were also older on average than day hospital patients and were a more long-term group. Conclusion: It is vital to understand differences between health service day hospitals and social service day centres given the increasing integration of health and social care. The present study shows that the two user groups are significantly different. It is unlikely that the needs of most day care users could be met by either service interchangeably.
Goals of New Long-Stay Patients in Supported Housing: A UK Study
Authors: Fakhoury Walid K.H. , Priebe Stefan , Quraishi Mansur 
Published: March 2005

Aim: This study assessed the goals ‘new’ long-stay clients aim to achieve by being in supported housing (SH), compared the goals stated by clients and staff, and tested whether subgroups of clients can be identified on the basis of their goals, quality of life and psychopathology. Method: Interviews were conducted with 41 clients and 39 staff of supported houses in London and Essex, UK. Descriptive, content and cluster analyses were used to analyse the results. Results: Clients’ most frequently reported goal was moving to independent housing, followed by staying healthy, and increasing living skills. A comparison of goals reported by clients and staff showed poor or no agreement between them. Cluster analyses identified two clusters of clients. Cluster A (n 1/4 23) contained those with no stated goals (or with the aim of staying healthy), lower quality of life, and more psychopathology; cluster B (n 1/4 18) included those with an aim to move to independent housing, better quality of life, and less psychopathology. Conclusion: In the UK, more staff training may be needed to identify and achieve the goals of the ‘new’ long-stay clients. For a subgroup of these clients, SH may still be a long-term care setting; while for another subgroup, new forms of rehabilitation in SH and better opportunities to leave SH may have to be developed. More conceptual and practical efforts are needed to manage the transformation of many settings from homes for life to transitional places where residents receive specific interventions.
Determinants of Duration of Untreated Psychosis and the Pathway to Care in Singapore
Authors: Chong Siow-Ann , Mythily  , Lum Alvin , Chan Yiong Huak , McGorry Patrick 
Published: March 2005

Introduction: Delays in providing effective treatment for a patient with psychosis has significant negative effects on the outcome. This includes more hospitalizations, longer periods of inpatient care, slower and less complete recovery, and more frequent relapses. In this study, we established the Duration of Psychosis (DUP) in a sample of patients with first-episode psychosis and examined the pathways to care. Methods: The sample comprised patients presenting with first-episode psychosis to the psychiatric services of the Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, from January to December 2000. The association between the DUP and demographic, clinical and social variables was examined. Results: The DUP ranged from 0.1 to 336 months. The mean DUP was 32.6 (SD 1/4 59.8) months, with a median of 12 months. Twenty four percent of the patients had sought consultation with a traditional healer prior to consulting a psychiatrist. The DUP of this group of patients was not significantly different from those who sought help elsewhere. Conclusions: The DUP of our patients was longer than that reported in studies done in the West. The attitudes and beliefs of family in the Asian society are likely to be crucial in the pathways to care.
Transforming growth factor-β1 modulates responses of CD34+ cord blood cells to stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCL12
Authors: Basu Sunanda , Broxmeyer Hal E. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractDisruption of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1/CXCL12 [CXC chemokine ligand 12]) interaction leads to mobilization of stem/progenitor cells from bone marrow to circulation. However, prolonged exposure of CD34+ cells to SDF-1 desensitizes them to SDF-1. So how do cells remain responsive to SDF-1 in vivo when they are continuously exposed to SDF-1? We hypothesized that one or more mechanisms mediated by cytokines exist that could modulate SDF-1 responsiveness of CD34+ cells and the desensitization process. We considered transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) a possible candidate, since TGF-β1 has effects on CD34+ cells and is produced by stromal cells, which provide niches for maintenance and proliferation of stem/progenitor cells. TGF-β1 significantly restored SDF-1–induced chemotaxis and sustained adhesion responses in cord blood CD34+ cells preexposed to SDF-1. Effects of TGF-β1 were dependent on the dose and duration of TGF-β1 pretreatment. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (Erk1)/Erk2 was implicated in TGF-β1 modulation of migratory and adhesion responses to SDF-1. Our results indicate that low levels of TGF-β1 can modulate SDF-1 responsiveness of CD34+ cells and thus may facilitate SDF-1–mediated retention and nurturing of stem/progenitor cells in bone marrow.
Platelet-derived soluble factors induce human extravillous trophoblast migration and differentiation: platelets are a possible regulator of trophoblast infiltration into maternal spiral arteries
Authors: Sato Yukiyasu , Fujiwara Hiroshi , Zeng Bin-Xiang , Higuchi Toshihiro , Yoshioka Shinya , Fujii Shingo 
Published: March 2005

AbstractIn early pregnancy, human extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) invade and remodel maternal arteries. We have previously demonstrated that CCR1 is expressed on perivascular/endovascular trophoblasts and that CCR1 ligands promote EVT migration. In this study, we examined the physiologic roles of platelet-derived chemoattractants on EVT invasion. By immunohistochemistry, maternal platelets were localized among endovascular trophoblasts within the lumen of spiral arteries. Extracellular matrices (ECMs) were also detected among endovascular trophoblasts and platelets, suggesting that the platelets in these arteries were activated by ECMs. In vitro, platelets attached to EVTs isolated from human villous explant cultures and expressed P-selectin on the cell surface. Platelets significantly enhanced migration of EVTs without affecting proliferation of EVTs or secretion of MMP-2 or MMP-9. The invasion-enhancing effect of platelet-derived culture medium on EVTs was neutralized by anti-CCR1 antibody. Heat treatment completely abrogated the invasion-promoting effects of platelet-derived culture medium, but charcoal stripping did not. Platelets also induced endovascular trophoblast-like morphologic changes and integrin α1 expression in EVTs during 48-hour culture. These findings suggest that maternal platelets activated in the spiral arteries can regulate trophoblastic vascular infiltration and differentiation by releasing various soluble factors.