bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale in adult patients with severe brain injury: a comparison study
Authors: Mehrholz Jan , Wagner Katja , Meißner Daniel , Grundmann Kay , Zange Christian , Koch Rainer , Pohl Marcus 
Published: September 2005

Objective: To assess and to compare the reliability of the Modified Tardieu Scale with the Modified Ashworth Scale in patients with severe brain injury and impaired consciousness. Design: Cross-sectional observational comparison study. Setting: An early rehabilitation centre for adults with neurological disorders. Subjects: Thirty patients with impaired consciousness due to severe cerebral damage of various aetiologies. Measurement protocol: Four experienced physical therapists rated each patient in a randomized order once daily for two consecutive days. Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle spasticity were assessed by the use of Modified Tardieu Scale and Modified Ashworth Scale data collection procedures. Main outcome measures: Test - retest and inter-rater reliability (k=kappa value) of the Modified Tardieu Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Results: The test-retest reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale was moderate to good (k = 0.47-0.62) and of the Modified Tardieu Scale moderate to very good (k = 0.52-0.87). Test - retest reliability was significantly higher within the Modified Tardieu Scale in comparison with the Modified Ashworth Scale (Z<1.96; p<0.05) except for shoulder extensor and internal rotator muscles (Z<1.96; p<0.05). Although inter-rater reliability of both scales was poor to moderate (Modified Ashworth Scale: k = 0.16-0.42; Modified Tardieu Scale: k = 0.29-0.53), significantly higher k-values were revealed with the Modified Tardieu Scale for all tested muscle groups (Z<1.96; p<0.05) except for wrist extensors (Z<1.96; p<0.05). Conclusion: In patients with severe brain injury and impaired consciousness the Modified Tardieu Scale provides higher test-retest and inter-rater reliability compared with the Modified Ashworth Scale and may therefore be a more valid spasticity scale in adults.
Optimizing rehabilitation for adults with visual impairment: attention to life goals and their links to well-being
Authors: Boerner Kathrin , Cimarolli Verena R 
Published: September 2005

Objective: To examine the importance of different life goals among working-age adults with vision impairment, the extent to which vision impairment interfered with goals, and how rehabilitation addressed these life goals.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: Vision rehabilitation agency.Subjects: Working-age adults with visual impairment.Method: Telephone interviews using structured and open-ended assessments of life goal importance, goal interference due to vision loss, the role of goals in rehabilitation, and indicators of well-being.Results: Eighty-six people participated. The life domains most frequently rated as extremely important were finances (60), residential and domestic arrangements (55), family (51), partner (48), and personal care (48). The extent to which vision loss interferes with these life goals was extreme for finances (46), residential and domestic arrangements (36), partner (27), family (25), and personal care (14). A life goal was addressed in rehabilitation: residential/domestic arrangements (41), work (39), finances (31), leisure/hobbies (28), personal care (24), family (17), partner (16), friends (10), and religion/life philosophy (8). Reports of a life goal being addressed in ineffective ways emerged for functional life goals, but not for relationship and religion/life philosophy goals. Goal interference was significantly correlated with well being indicators across life domains. In contrast only partner and family relationship importance were significantly linked with well-being indicators.Conclusions: Relationship-related goals were a top priority for this study population, but functional compared to relationship goals were more commonly addressed in vision rehabilitation services.
Inferring personality traits of clients with Parkinson's disease from their descriptions of favourite activities
Authors: Lyons Kathleen Doyle , Tickle-Degnen Linda , DeGroat Emily J 
Published: September 2005

Objective: To explore the extent to which practitioners effectively use cues from clients' verbal descriptions of their favourite activities to form accurate impressions of the personality of clients with Parkinson's disease. Participants: Ninety-nine practitioners from disciplines of occupational, physical and speech therapy, nursing or medicine. Procedure: Six men and six women with Parkinson's disease completed a self-report measure of personality and were individually interviewed regarding their favourite activities. The practitioners viewed 2-min segments of those videotaped interviews and provided judgements of the clients' personality. Measure: The NEO-Five Factor Inventory and a coding scheme to describe characteristics of clients' favourite activities. Analysis: Clients' self-reported personality was correlated with the activity characteristics to identify the degree to which each characteristic was a cue of personality. Practitioners' judgements of personality were correlated with the activity characteristics to identify how heavily the practitioners weighted each cue. These two sets of weightings were compared using Pearson's correlations to determine whether practitioners used an appropriate cue strategy related to the activity descriptions. Results: Practitioners appropriately used the personality cues found in the clients' favourite activity descriptions to assess the traits of Openness to Experience, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness ( r = 0.66, r = 0.60, and r = 0.55, respectively, all p 5 ≤ 0.02). Practitioners appeared to use less effective cue strategies for the traits of Neuroticism and Extraversion. Conclusion: Clients with Parkinson's disease appear to express their personality in their descriptions of favourite activities, and practitioners appear to make use of these expressive verbal cues effectively for some aspects of personality.
Urban versus rural populations' views of health care in Scotland
Authors: Farmer Jane , Hinds Kerstin , Richards Helen , Godden David 
Published: October 2005

Objectives: To compare satisfaction with, and expectations of, health care of people in rural and urban areas of Scotland. Methods: Questions were included in the 2002 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey (SSAS). The Scottish House-hold Survey urban-rural classification was used to categorize locations. A random sample of 2707 people was contacted to participate in a face-to-face interview and a self-completion questionnaire survey. SPSS (v.10) was used to analyse the data. Relationships between location category and responses were explored using logistic regression analysis. Results: In all, 1665 (61.5%) interviews were conducted and 1507 (56.0%) respondents returned self-completion questionnaires. Satisfaction with local doctors and hospital services was higher in rural locations. While around 40% of those living in remote areas thought A&E services too distant, this did not rank as a top priority for health service improvement. This could be due to expectations that general practitioners would assist in out-of-hours emergencies. Most Scots thought services should be good in rural areas even if this was costly, and that older people should not be discouraged from moving to rural areas because of their likely health care needs. In all, 79% of respondents thought that care should be as good in rural as urban areas. Responses to many questions were independently significantly affected by rural/urban location. Conclusions: Most Scots want rural health care to continue to be good, but the new UK National Health Service (NHS) general practitioner contract and service redesign will impact on provision. Current high satisfaction, likely to be due to access and expectations about local help, could be affected. This study provides baseline data on attitudes and expectations before potential service redesign, which should be monitored at intervals in future.
Voluntary organisations as e-democratic actors: political identity, legitimacy and accountability and the need for new research
Authors: Taylor John , Burt Eleanor 
Published: September 2005

English
Voluntary sector organisations (VSOs) are actors of growing significance within the ‘information polity’. One testament to their significance is the UK government's recent proposal for the development of an electronic mixed economy that will see VSOs act as ‘intermediaries’ in the delivery of e-government services, including e-democratic services. As VSOs independently harness information and communication technologies (ICTs) in ways that are enabling them to strengthen their ‘voices’ within both the national and international political system, so interrelated questions about their political identity, democratic legitimacy and accountability become profoundly important within the intermediaries context.
Introduction: from New Public Management to the new governance?
Authors: Radcliffe James , Dent Mike 
Published: September 2005

English
The four articles following this introduction originated from the 7th International Research Conference on Dilemmas for Human Services. The articles cover a range of topics which illuminate some of the problems associated with the concept of governance and New Public Management (NPM). While the problem of governance has led to more flexible relationships between government and the governed, for example through Third Way dialogues or the Social Investment State, in certain circumstances NPM is still clearly present. In addition, such variation is also evident when international comparisons are made, with constitutional and institutional precedents playing a significant role in governance structures.
Beyond the New Public Management? Public services and the social investment state
Authors: Newman Janet , McKee Bob 
Published: September 2005

English
Recent years have seen the proliferation of political discourses around the Third Way, progressive governance, social investment and social inclusion. This article explores the implications for public management, drawing on documentary and interview data on the changing fortunes of the public library service, a service seemingly well positioned to take full advantage of these new policy discourses. The article concludes by tracing some of the key contradictions inherent in the idea of the social investment state, and the challenges these produce for public managers.
Characterization of Intact Hemoglobin and Oxaliplatin Interaction by Nanoelectrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Peng Jun , Mandal Rupasri , Sawyer Michael , Li Xing-Fang 
Published: September 2005

Abstract
Background: Mass spectrometric (MS) detection of intact hemoglobin (Hb) adducts presents considerable analytical challenges because of the noncovalent association of the 4 subunits of Hb, and MS characterization of the interaction of intact Hb with platinum drugs has not been reported. We developed a technique for detecting intact Hb and its drug adduct and studied the interactions between intact Hb and oxaliplatin.
Methods: We incubated a series of mixtures of Hb and oxaliplatin at 37 °C for 24 h or 5 days to investigate adduct formation. Blood samples from colorectal cancer patients undergoing oxaliplatin treatment were analyzed for novel adducts of intact Hb–oxaliplatin, which were characterized with nanoelectrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight MS.
Results: Two intact Hb adducts, one with the whole oxaliplatin molecule and the other with oxaliplatin losing the oxalate ligand, were identified. Analysis of erythrocytes from the cancer patients provided direct evidence that oxaliplatin accumulated as Hb adducts in erythrocytes. A higher fraction (∼70%) of Hb was bound to oxaliplatin in erythrocytes from a patient who could not tolerate oxaliplatin treatment than in erythrocytes from another patient who benefited from this treatment.
Conclusions: The nanoelectrospray tandem MS technique enabled determination of the intact Hb tetramer and its association with oxaliplatin. Hb–oxaliplatin adducts in erythrocytes may serve as a clinical biomarker for toxic response and treatment efficacy.
Design of an osteoinductive biodegradable cell scaffold based on controlled release technology of bone morphogenetic protein
Authors: Takahashi Yoshitake , Yamamoto Masaya , Tabata Yasuhiko 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBiodegradable gelatin sponges with or without 50 wt% of ß‐tricalcium phosphate (ß‐TCP) incorporation were fabricated to design an osteoinductive scaffold that is capable of the controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2. The sponges prepared had an interconnected pore structure with an average pore size of 200 μm, irrespective of the ß‐TCP incorporation. When seeded into the sponge by an agitated method, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) isolated from rat bone marrow were homogeneously distributed throughout the sponge. Osteogenic differentiation experiments demonstrated that the in vitro differentiation and proliferation of MSC was enhanced by ß‐TCP incorporation. The in vivo osteoinduction activity of gelatin or ß‐TCP‐incorporated gelatin sponges containing BMP‐2 was studied in terms of histological and biochemical examinations following the implantation into the back subcutis of rats. As a result, homogeneous bone formation was histologically observed inside the sponge implanted, although the gelatin sponge exhibited significantly higher osteoinduction activity than that of the gelatin sponge incorporating ß‐TCP. The in vivo release test revealed that BMP‐2 was released from the sponge in vivo, in a similar time period, whether or not ß‐TCP was incorporated. BMP‐2 was retained for a time period longer than 28 days. These results suggest that the gelatin sponge with an ability to release BMP‐2 is a promising cell scaffold for osteoinduction in vivo, although the effect of ß‐TCP incorporation on the osteoinductivity of sponges was different between the in vitro and in vivo systems.
Synthesis, characterization, and degradation of poly(ester‐anhydride) for particulate delivery
Authors: Modi Sweta , Jain Jay Prakash , Kumar Neeraj 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA series of poly(ester‐anhydride) from poly(lactic acid) and poly(sebacic acid) have been synthesized and characterized. Poly(lactic acid) of molecular weight 2,550 Da has been synthesized from pharmaceutical grade lactic acid. The copolymers are in the molecular weight range of 3,000‐15,000 Da, with the higher molecular weights obtained for the polymers with higher sebacic acid content. With increase in sebacic acid content, the melting point is also found to increase. The polymers with 50% or more poly(sebacic acid) content melt between 80 and 84 °C. These polymers have been formulated into microspheres and their degradation studied. Due to their biodegradability and the flexibility to alter their degradation profile, they find a wide application in drug delivery.
Biodegradable polymers: An update
Authors: Shikanov Ariella , Kumar Neeraj , Domb Abraham J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe use of polymeric materials for the administration of pharmaceuticals, and as biomedical devices has increased dramatically. This review focuses on synthetic biodegradable polymers of current interest for medical use, based on ester and anhydride bonds. Special attention is given to factors affecting biodegradation, including: polymer structure, morphology, molecular weight, radiation, and chemical treatment, as well as the effects of drugs and plasticizers added to the polymer mass. The toxicity and biocompatibility of the polymers and their current and future applications in medicine are also briefly reviewed.
In vivo degradation of semi‐rigid polymeric films made of alginate and polyethylene glycol
Authors: Livnat Maya , Peled Eli , Boss Jochanan , Seliktar Dror 
Published: September 2005

AbstractAlginate‐based biomaterials can form naturally derived polymeric hydrogels with sufficient structural integrity to readily be used in many clinical applications. However, ionically cross‐linked alginate gels do not always possess structural properties suitable for application as erodable polymeric films for controlled release of drugs and growth factors. In this study, semi‐rigid polymeric films were constructed of sodium alginate and polyethylene glycol (PEG) by means of a rehydration cross‐linking technique. The films were assembled by dehydrating a solution of alginate and PEG and cross‐linking the alginate during its rehydration with a solution of calcium chloride. The product is a highly dense polymeric network that prevents in vivo cellular infiltration and disassembles primarily by surface erosion. By implanting the PEG‐alginate films into the subcutis of rats, the mechanism of polymer degradation was demonstrated to occur via inflammation‐mediated erosion of the material rather than by means of cellular infiltration. There were extensive areas of foamy macrophages at the site of the implant, indicating a likely mechanism of removal and disposal of the disassembled PEG and alginate polymer. The eroded fragments of the film that remained after six weeks did not exhibit signs of a cellular infiltrate but rather stayed intact, appearing as small, dense fragments of polymer. Our observations that nearly all the PEG‐alginate material was cleared from the implantation site by the sixth postoperative week highlight the potential exploitation of these films as bioresorbable wound dressings with prospective utilization as a drug delivery device. Moreover, the employment of polymeric films made of functionalized PEG, which enables covalent attachment of biological molecules, potentiates their use for growth factor delivery applications.
Sustained release of IL‐1Ra from biodegradable microspheres prolongs its IL‐1‐neutralizing effects
Authors: Lavi Galia , Dinarello Charles A. , Apte Ron N. , Cohen Smadar 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA sustained delivery system for interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) may have great therapeutic and industrial potential due to the cytokine activity as an IL‐1 inhibitor. Here, we investigated the capability of biodegradable polymeric microspheres to sustain the release and prolong the therapeutic efficacy of IL‐1Ra. IL‐1Ra was encapsulated within rapidly degrading poly(lactic/glycolic acid) PLGA RG502H microspheres, which showed a desirable release profile of IL‐1Ra in vitro. Pharmacokinetic study in mice revealed elevated serum levels of the recombinant IL‐1Ra (rIL‐1Ra) for up to 8 days following subcutaneous injection of IL‐1Ra microspheres. In comparison, the serum levels of rIL‐1Ra following subcutaneous or intravenous bolus injection of the soluble cytokine decreased very rapidly; within 48 h no recombinant cytokine was detected in mice sera. The sustained delivery of rIL‐1Ra for over two weeks was efficient in inhibiting IL‐1ß‐stimulated induction of serum IL‐6. These results suggest that the present therapeutic protocol of daily bolus injections of the IL‐1Ra may be replaced by a weekly injection of IL‐1Ra within PLGA RG502H microspheres.
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable copolyesters and copolyanhydrides prepared from fumaric and succinic acid trimers and oligomers
Authors: Ben‐Shabat Shimon , Elmalak Omar , Nyska Abraham , Domb Abraham J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA series of new biodegradable copolymers and copolyanhydrides built of trimers of fumaric and succinic acid and propylene glycol, covering a wide range of compositions, were prepared and characterized for use as drug carriers. The polymers were found to degrade within a period of weeks. Polyanhydrides loaded with ibuprofen as a model drug released the drug for a period of one week, while the polyesters released the drug for more then 30 days. The biocompatibility and the rate of evacuation of trimer‐based polymers of fumaric and succinic acids were investigated in rats. All polymers were found compatible when implanted in mice.
Predicting Life History Traits of Yellow Perch from Environmental Characteristics of Lakes
Authors: Purchase C. F. , Collins N. C. , Morgan G. E. , Shuter B. J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractSex‐specific life history variation was examined among 72 populations of yellow perchPerca flavescensfrom Ontario, Canada. We sought to determine whether relationships could be applied to other populations to predict parameter values when life history data are not available. Each of the measured traits (early growth rate, maturation size and age, reproductive investment, and maximum size) varied two‐ to threefold among populations. Relationships were developed to predict standard calculations of life history traits from population‐specific data for use in poorly sampled lakes. Associations between life history traits and environmental variables can be used in unsampled lakes. Early growth rate was positively related to lake surface area, while relative density was positively related to total dissolved solids. For both sexes, maximum body size was positively related to lake surface area and negatively related to growing degree‐days. Additional variation in female maximum size was explained by a positive relationship with water hardness. Much variation in yellow perch growth could not be accounted for, despite incorporation of the major hypotheses that appear in the literature relating environmental variation to life history. Although explained variation was too low to generate important management policies, the results indicate types of lakes capable of producing large fish and therefore of interest for future study.
Physician Offered Prayer and Patient Satisfaction
Authors: Mann Joshua R. , McKay Scott , Daniels Damon , Lamar C. Scott , Witherspoon Patricia W. , Stanek Michele K. , Larimore Walter L. 
Published: October 2005

Objective: While there is ongoing debate about the role of physician-offered prayer during the physician-patient encounter, many physicians feel inclined to include prayer in their practices. This randomized-controlled trial evaluated patients' acceptance of physician-offered prayer in a family practice setting, and the impact of physician-offered prayer on patient satisfaction with the physician-patient encounter. Method: Subjects were 137 patients in an urban, largely African American, Southeastern family medicine practice who were randomized to receive usual care plus an offer of physician-led prayer or usual care alone. Satisfaction surveys were administered following the clinical encounter. The outcomes of interest were the rate of acceptance of physician-offered prayer and the impact of the prayer offer on patient satisfaction. Personal characteristics and satisfaction scores for patients accepting prayer were compared to those for patients declining prayer. Results: Over 90% of patients accepted the offer of prayer. The offer of prayer had no significant impact on patient satisfaction scores. The number of patients declining prayer was too low to permit comparison of prayer decliners with acceptors. Conclusions: This small pilot trial demonstrated that patient responses to spiritual interventions by physicians can be evaluated using randomized study designs. A large majority of patients accepted an offer of physician-led prayer, but no significant short-term impact on patient satisfaction was detected. Future research with larger sample sizes and more diverse patient populations should evaluate the effects of physician-offered prayer on the physician-patient relationship. Difficulties in conducting such research are discussed.