bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
APRON: an agent‐based specification and procurement system for construction products
Authors: Obonyo Esther , Anumba Chimay , Thorpe Tony 
Published: August 2005

PurposeThe successful implementation of an optimal online system for specification and procurement has been impeded by the existence of semi‐structured or non‐structured product information held in catalogues in various formats. Consequently, a significant amount of time is spent in gathering relevant information. Proposes introducing a successful optimal online specification and procurement system for construction products.Design/methodology/approachThe design and specification of the prototype were based on the analysis of closely related agent‐based implementations in various domains.FindingsIn the development phase it emerged that agent infrastructure is still maturing, even when a stable development environment is finally available. This is consistent with the latest research in this area which places the highest value on internet agents within the context of the semantic web.Originality/valueThis research demonstrated how agent technology can be used alongside other paradigms such as web services and XML to make the specification and procurement of construction products more effective and more efficient.
Family Context and Spanish‐Language Use: A Study of Latino Children in the United States*
Authors: Arriagada Paula A. 
Published: August 2005

Objective. This article seeks to explain why Latino children maintain some knowledge of their native language even though past research has consistently supported the view that non‐English‐language use rarely lasts past the third generation. I argue that family context, in addition to assimilation characteristics, plays an important role in determining their language situation.Method. I use both logistic regression and tobit regression, as well as data from the 1988 National Education Longitudinal Study, to examine the use and proficiency of Spanish among Latino children.Results. The results demonstrate that language and family context strongly influence Spanish usage and proficiency for Latino children, regardless of generational status.Conclusions. These findings reveal a relationship between assimilation, family, and language that can have important implications for the future academic and economic success of Latino children.
The Long‐Term Effects of Spousal Care Giving on Survivors' Well‐Being in Widowhood*
Authors: Prokos Anastasia H. , Keene Jennifer Reid 
Published: August 2005

Objective. Previous research suggests that bereavement and adjustment to widowhood are long term and should be studied as processes rather than as static outcomes. We analyze how spousal care giving affects survivors' depressive symptoms 18 and 48 months into widowhood.Method. We use three waves of data from the Changing Lives of Older Couples (CLOC) Survey and estimate OLS regression equations to determine the long‐term effects of spousal care giving on widow(er)s' well‐being.Results. At 18 months, more burdensome spousal care giving predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms, while greater caregiver stress predicted lower levels. Specific characteristics of the caregiving situation were no longer significant predictors of well‐being 48 months into widowhood, although care giving itself had an ameliorative effect on level of symptoms.Conclusions. The results highlight the dynamic nature of bereavement and suggest that the effects of spousal care and characteristics of the care situation on depressive symptoms during widowhood are not linear over time. We discuss the implications of our findings for the conceptualization of the relationship between care giving and bereavement.
Not all statins interfere with clopidogrel during antiplatelet therapy
Authors: Mach F. , Senouf D. , Fontana P. , Boehlen F. , Reber G. , Daali Y. , De Moerloose P. , Sigwart U. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground Clopidogrel and statins are frequently coadministered in patients with ischemic heart diseases. Recent reports suggested that clopidogrel's effectiveness in inhibiting adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐induced platelets aggregation is attenuated by co‐administration of certain statins. The objective of the present study was to define which statin might interfere with the antiaggregation property of clopidogrel.Methods We designed a pharmacokinetic study and tested ex vivo platelet function on 21 healthy volunteers who received clopidogrel and all currently commercially available statins: rosuvastatin [10 mg o.d.], simvastatin [20 mg o.d.], fluvastatin [80 mg o.d.], pravastatin [40 mg o.d.], and atorvastatin [20 mg o.d.]. Each statin was administered for 7 days followed by 1 week of wash‐out period with clopidogrel treatment alone. Detection of the statins in the plasma was performed on all blood samples, using HPLC analytical method.Results All individuals, except one, were responders to clopidogrel with inhibition of ex vivo ADP induced platelet aggregation. All statins, except pravastatin, were detectable in the plasma at the end of each treatment period in all patients, and no statin was detectable after any of the wash‐out periods. Clopidogrel was significantly less efficient to prevent platelet aggregation when coadministrated with simvastatin or fluvastatin. No difference was observed in clopidogrel efficacy when coadministered with rosuvastatin, pravastatin or atorvastatin.Conclusions This is the first study investigating clopidogrel‐statin interactions on ex vivo platelet function with all commercially available statins and which were administered to the same individuals. It demonstrates in healthy volunteers that at the doses used in this study, simvastatin and fluvastatin, but not atorvastatin, pravastatin or rosuvastatin interfere with the anti‐aggregation effect of clopidogrel.
What is the optimum methodology for the clinical measurement of resting anal sphincter pressure?
Authors: Prott G. , Hansen R. , Badcock C. , Kellow J. , Malcolm A. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract  There are conflicting recommendations from consensus groups with regard to the assessment of resting anal sphincter pressure. Our aims were to evaluate and compare the performance of three recognized techniques for the clinical measurement of resting anal sphincter pressure.Methods:  In each of 54 patients presenting for anorectal manometry, and suffering from constipation or fecal incontinence, three different techniques for assessment of resting anal pressure were undertaken, namely stationary, stationary pull‐through and slow pull‐through techniques. Resting anal sphincter pressures were compared between groups and between techniques.Results:  Mean resting anal sphincter pressure was lower with stationary, compared with stationary pull‐through and slow pull‐through, techniques (P ≤ 0.002). Resting pressure was higher for constipation than incontinence regardless of technique used (P < 0.00001). The techniques were highly correlated with each other (P < 0.0001). The stationary pull‐through technique conferred a minor advantage in the discrimination between constipation and incontinence. The stationary technique required significantly less time for completion (P < 0.0001).Conclusion:  Resting anal sphincter pressure varies according to the specific technique employed, yet each technique is valid. The stationary pull‐through technique confers a minor advantage in clinical discrimination of patients, but the stationary technique is more time‐efficient. Standardized anal sphincter testing should be established to enable inter‐laboratory comparisons.
Determinants of genital wart case detection rates among STD clinic attendees in Athens, Greece
Authors: Kyriakis Kyriakos P. , Hadjivassiliou Maria , Paparizos Vassilios A. , Riga Panagiota , Katsambas Andreas 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground and objective  To report significant sociodemographic and behavioral outpatient characteristics associated with the diagnosis of genital warts.Methods  Cross‐sectional hospital‐based study (1990–96).Results  Genital warts (n = 2988, 51.2%) represent the leading sexually transmitted disease (STD) among 5831 consecutive symptomatic Greek and foreign immigrant STD outpatients. In Greek heterosexuals a low rate of partner change was the main patient characteristic at diagnosis (median: one partner in the past 6 months). Lower detection rate and riskier behavior characterized immigrants. Although associated with risky behavior, homo/bisexual orientation in males and injecting drug use were not significantly associated with condyloma diagnosis in the context of STDs.Conclusion  Broader health education and secondary prevention are needed to control this infection, whereas low‐risk behavior in Greek heterosexuals with condylomata facilitates further preventive interventions.
Patients’ priorities concerning health research: the case of asthma and COPD research in the Netherlands
Authors: Francisca Caron‐Flinterman J. , Broerse Jacqueline E. W. , Teerling Julia , Bunders Joske F. G. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  Although patients are increasingly involved in agenda setting within specific fields of health research, they rarely participate in decision‐making on the entire breadth of health research, including biomedical research. This might be attributable to a widely held view that patients are incapable of adequate research prioritization due to a lack of relevant knowledge, a failure to look beyond their own individual problems or an inability to objectively consider long‐term targets.Aims  By conducting transparent and structured consultations with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients regarding their health research priorities, we aim to assess the ability of patients to prioritize research in a well‐argued way.Methods  Patients were consulted through seven focus groups, a feedback meeting, and a questionnaire. The focus groups and the feedback meeting aimed to explore the entire breadth of patients’ problems experienced in relation to their diseases, while the questionnaire aimed to investigate patients’ prioritization of possible research targets focused on solving these problems.Results  The focus groups produced a wide range of problems, including those related to health‐care organization, social environment, therapy and costs. In terms of research prioritization, patients focused primarily on biomedical issues, particularly aetiology, co‐morbidity and effective medication.Conclusions  The consultation procedure successfully elicited patients’ research priorities including the underlying arguments. Our results indicate that asthma and COPD patients are capable of research prioritization in a well‐argued way and that they highly value biomedical research. Furthermore, as they prioritized some research topics that are not covered by current Dutch research programmes, we argue that patient participation can broaden research agenda setting.
Is atopy a protective or a risk factor for cancer? A review of epidemiological studies
Authors: Wang H. , Diepgen T. L. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  There is an ongoing debate whether there is a link between a history of atopy and cancer risk. The purpose of this paper is to review the published epidemiological studies on the association between atopy and the risk of cancers.Methods:  Through an electronic search (January 1986–April 2004) with an additional review of cited references, we identified studies with quantitative data on the relation of atopy (irrespective of its definition or subtype) to cancer (different cancer sites).Results:  The protective effect of atopy in colorectal cancer has been observed consistently in the case–control studies, but not in cohort studies. A consistent inverse association between self‐reported atopy and glioma risk has been shown, but there is absence of such an association for meningioma. In most studies, the risk of leukaemia, in particular childhood leukaemia, tends to be lower among people with a history of atopy. Studies, which looked at, the association between atopic diseases and risk of cancers of pancreatic, breast, lymphoma showed varying outcomes. Most studies on the atopy–pancreatic cancer relation suggested an inverse association. For lymphoma, most studies have shown no substantial association. Overall evidence indicates an increased risk of lung cancer among persons with a history of asthma.Conclusion:  Despite the mixed results, the emerging picture from most of the currently available epidemiological data indicate that atopic disease is associated with a reduced risk for cancer. Further research should focus on a more carefully defined ‘atopy’ status and manifestation of different atopic diseases, to advance our understanding of the role that allergies might play in the risk of developing cancer.
Inverse association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and atopic rhinitis in children
Authors: Obihara C. C. , Beyers N. , Gie R. P. , Potter P. C. , Marais B. J. , Lombard C. J. , Enarson D. A. , Kimpen J. L. L. 
Published: August 2005

Background:  The association between Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection and atopy remains controversial.Aim:  To investigate the association between MTB infection and atopic rhinitis in children living in a high TB incidence area.Methods:  In this cross‐sectional study 418 children aged 6–14 years from an established epidemiological research‐site in a poor urban community were invited to participate. They were assessed for allergic rhinitis (ISAAC questionnaire) and skin responses to tuberculin and eight environmental allergens. The presence of a BCG scar was documented, intestinal parasites and total and Ascaris lumbricoides‐specific IgE levels were measured. Atopic rhinitis was defined, using the new World Allergy Organization (WAO) definition, as reported allergic rhinitis and a positive skin prick test (SPT ≥3 mm) to any allergen.Results:  Among the 337 children enrolled 10.4% had allergic rhinitis, 17.5% a positive SPT and 53% a positive tuberculin skin test (TST ≥10 mm). Children with a positive TST were significantly less likely to have recent atopic rhinitis (ORadjusted 0.06; 95% CI 0.007–0.5) than those with a negative TST. SPTs were significantly more common in children with negative TST who had recent allergic rhinitis (ORadj 34.0; 95% CI 7.6–152.6), but not in children with positive TST and recent allergic rhinitis (ORadj 0.6; 95% CI 0.07–5.2).Conclusions:  MTB infection seems to reduce the prevalence of atopic rhinitis, and influences SPT reactivity in children with allergic rhinitis from a high TB incidence area.
Solid‐pseudopapillary tumours of the pancreas: 14 years experience
Authors: Sun Chuan‐Dong , Lee Woo‐Jung , Choi Jin‐Suob , Oh Jung‐Tak , Choi Seung‐Hoon 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Solid‐pseudopapillary tumour of the pancreas (SPTP) is a low‐grade malignancy lesion that is distinct from other pancreatic tumours. Preoperative diagnosis is often inaccurate and treatment strategies remain controversial. The present study reviews the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of Asian patients with SPTP from a single institution.Methods:  The medical records and images of patients who underwent surgery for SPTP between June 1990 and December 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. Study eligibility required that patients had undergone surgical resections and that the SPTP had been pathologically demonstrated.Results:  Twenty‐eight patients with SPTP were identified. Eighteen patients (64.3%) reported the predominant symptom of ‘vague abdominal pain’, five patients (17.8%) had an apparent ‘abdominal mass’, and five patients (17.8%) without overt symptoms had masses that were discovered incidentally during screening. All patients underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (n = 22) and/or computed tomography (n = 17), with a specificity of 90.9% and 76.4%, respectively. All masses were well‐circumscribed, except for a tumour in one patient (3.6%), which adhered to the stomach wall and metastasized to the liver. Two patients (7.1%) underwent enucleation, while 25 patients (89.3%) received curative resection. The patient with the liver metastases underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy with partial hepatectomy. The mean follow up was 66.9 months. No mortality occurred during follow up but the patient with the liver metastasis had progressive deterioration.Conclusion:  Symptoms of SPTP are indistinct and preoperative diagnosis is often inaccurate. Magnetic resonance imaging improves SPTP diagnosis. In general, the prognosis of well‐circumscribed SPTP is favourable after curative resection.
Randomized controlled trial of Gastrografin in adhesive small bowel obstruction
Authors: Burge Jonathan , Abbas Saleh M. , Roadley Graeme , Donald Jennifer , Connolly Andrew , Bissett Ian P. , Hill Andrew G. 
Published: August 2005

Background:  Several previous studies have shown that Gastrografin can be utilized to triage patients with adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) to an operative or a non‐operative course. Previous studies assessing the therapeutic effect of Gastrografin have been confounded by post‐administration radiology alerting the physician to the treatment group of the patient. Therefore the aim of the present paper was to test the hypothesis that Gastrografin hastens the non‐operative resolution of (ASBO).Methods:  Patients, diagnosed with ASBO on clinical and radiological grounds, were randomized to receive Gastrografin or placebo in a double‐blinded fashion. Patients did not undergo further radiological investigation. If the patient required subsequent radiological intervention or surgical intervention they were excluded from the study. End‐points were passage of time to resolution of ASBO (flatus and bowel motion), length of hospital stay and complications.Results:  Forty‐five patients with ASBO were randomized to receive either Gastrografin or placebo. Two patients were excluded due to protocol violations. Four patients in each group required surgery. Eighteen of the remaining patients received Gastrografin and 17 received placebo. Patients who received Gastrografin had complete resolution of their ASBO significantly earlier than placebo patients (12 vs 21 h, P = 0.009) and this translated into a median of a 1‐day saving in time in hospital (3 vs 4 days, P = 0.03).Conclusions:  Gastrografin accelerates resolution of ASBO by a specific therapeutic effect.
Social Adjustment in Young Adults with Absence Epilepsies
Authors: Olsson I. , Campenhausen G. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:A long‐term follow‐up of 58 young adults, aged 18–27 years, with persisting absence epilepsies since childhood or early adolescence, was performed to assess psychosocial outcome and the patients' own concept of their epilepsy. They were well adjusted in the areas of family status and employment, but had more unqualified jobs as compared with a reference group. They were also inclined to lead very regular lives in a way that led to social isolation. At least one of the following factors was considered by 74% of the group to have been affected by their epilepsy, schooling, occupation, routines of daily life, relations with friends, leisure time activities, and housing, this was independent of whether or not they had achieved seizure control. In treating absence epilepsies, it is important that one considers psychosocial aspects, even if a medically satisfying result with seizure control is obtained.
Amygdala Kindling of Forebrain Seizures and the Occurrence of Brainstem Seizures in Genetically Epilepsy‐Prone Rats
Authors: Coffey Lori L. , Reith Maarten E. A. , Chen Nian‐Hang , Mishra Pravin K. , Jobe Phillip C. 
Published: August 2005

Summary:Forebrain seizures were kindled in rats by daily electrical stimulation of the amygdala. Genetically epilepsy‐prone rats scoring 9 (GEPR‐9s) on the seizure severity scale during audiogenic seizure (AGS) screening (“brainstem seizure‐experienced”) required fewer stimulations to achieve fully kindled seizures (forelimb clonus with rearing and falling) than control rats. AGS‐naive GEPR‐9s required an intermediate number of stimulations, indicating a role for both genetic predisposition and previous acoustically evoked brainstem seizure experience. Other forebrain kindling indices such as afterdischarge thresholdlduration and seizure latencylduration also involved genetic as well as phenotypic (previous seizure experience) factors. In most GEPR‐9s in both groups, severe brainstem seizures occurred after forebrain stimulation. The occurrence of brainstem seizures had a random nature and was not related to the sequence of kindling‐dependent forebrain seizure progression. The lack of a difference in the occurrence of brainstem seizures between seizure‐experienced and AGS‐naïve GEPR‐9s suggest that genetic predisposition is the major factor in forebrain seizure‐induced activation of brainstem seizure circuitry. This brainstem seizure activity appears to model pertinent aspects of secondary generalization observed in human partial seizures.
Movement Disorders Associated with the Use of Gabapentin
Authors: Reeves Andrew L. , So Elson L. , Sharbrough Frank W. , Krahn Lois E. 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: We report two cases of unusual movement disorders associated with the use of gabapentin (GBP) in patients being treated for epilepsy who were otherwise neuro‐logically intact. Methods: We describe two cases of unusual movement disorders associated with the use of GBP. Results: There were significant differences in the clinical findings between the two cases. In the first case, movements were very pronounced and the patient was in oculogyric crisis. Movements in the second case were quite subtle but nonetheless problematic for the patient. In each case, discontinuation of GBP led to rapid resolution of the movements, although a single dose of lorazepam was used in the first case. Conclusions: Although formal electrophysiologic studies have not been performed, the movements associated with GBP use appear to be dystonic or myoclonic. Discontinuation of GBP led to rapid resolution of the movements. In severe cases, as in patients with oculogyric crisis, small doses of a benzodi‐azepine (BZD) appear to be efficacious and safe.
The Pilocarpine Model of Epilepsy in Mice
Authors: Cavalheiro E. A. , Santos N. F. , Priel M. R. 
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: To characterize the acute and chronic behavioral, electrographic and histologic effects of sustained seizures induced by pilocarpine in mice. Methods: After status epilepticus, the surviving animals were continuously monitored for 24 h/day for 120 days. The brains were processed by using neo‐Timm and Nissl stains. Results: The first spontaneous seizures occurred between 4 and 42 days after status epilepticus. The mean “seizure‐silent period” lasted for 14.4 ± 11.9 days. During the chronic phase, recurrent spontaneous seizures were observed 1–5 times per animal per week and were associated with sprouting in the supragranular layer of the dentate gyrus. Conclusions: Structural brain damage promoted by pilocar‐pine‐induced status epilepticus may underlie or be associated with recurrent spontaneous seizures in mice.