bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Focus group interviews as a data collecting strategy
Authors: McLafferty Isabella 
Published: September 2004

Background.  Focus group interviews are a method for collecting qualitative data and have enjoyed a surge in popularity in health care research over the last 20 years. However, the literature on this method is ambiguous in relation to the size, constitution, purpose and execution of focus groups.Aim.  The aim of this article is to explore some of the methodological issues arising from using focus group interviews in order to stimulate debate about their efficacy.Discussion.  Methodological issues are discussed in the context of a study examining attitudes towards and beliefs about older adults in hospital settings among first‐level registered nurses, nursing lecturers and student nurses. Focus group interviews were used to identify everyday language and constructs used by nurses, with the intention of incorporating the findings into an instrument to measure attitudes and beliefs quantitatively.Conclusions.  Experiences of conducting focus group interviews demonstrated that smaller groups were more manageable and that groups made up of strangers required more moderator intervention. However, as a data collecting strategy they are a rich source of information.
Reflective practice in nursing ethics education: international collaboration
Authors: Leppa Carol J. , Terry Louise M. 
Published: September 2004

Background.  The Internet provides the opportunity for international comparative study and collaboration when learning about ethics in clinical nursing practice.Aim.  This paper aims to discuss Internet links developed between US and UK postregistration nursing students who were reflecting on clinical practice in order to explore how political and organizational structures of the health care system affect ethical decision‐making.Discussion.  An analysis is presented of the stages in developing an exchange course for students from these countries, which involved various combinations of classroom‐based teaching, on‐line discussions and international visits by students and teachers during its evolution. The strengths and weaknesses of the different methods are considered, and future developments identified.Conclusion.  The Internet collaboration resulted in postregistration nursing students using reflection on practice in the study of ethics in clinical practice and an understanding of how systems structures and procedures affect ethical decision making. Internet‐assisted teaching offers opportunities for collaboration, and student participants demonstrate sophisticated critical thinking in ethical decision‐making. Issues of access barriers and motivation remain challenges to wider use.
An in vitro study of the reliability of DIAGNOdent® measurements
Authors: Kühnisch J , Ziehe A , Brandstädt A , Heinrich‐Weltzien R 
Published: September 2004

summary  Aim of this in vitro study was to assess the reliability of measurements by a laser fluorescence technique for occlusal caries detection. Four dentists using four DIAGNOdent® devices (Dds) according to manufacturer's instructions examined 80 carefully cleaned extracted molars with non‐cavitated occlusal lesions. Inter‐ and intra‐examiner reproducibility were calculated using Lin's intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICCLin) and the limits of agreement by Bland and Altman (Comp Biol Med 1990;20:337). An excellent intra‐examiner reproducibility was found for all dentists (ICCLin 0·93–0·98). The inter‐examiner reliability was proved to be good and excellent (ICCLin 0·74–0·98). By reason of the registered lower mean fluorescence values of dentist 3 compared with his/her colleagues all these measurements were excluded from further calculations. Differences between Dd instruments were not evident. When the values of the Dd were categorized according to the treatment related cut‐off limits a substantial reproducibility was found in the range of 0–14 (ICCLin 0·66; DIFF 4·0/−3·5) and >30 (ICCLin 0·6% of all Dd measurements were reproduced in the range 15–30 (ICCLin 0·16; DIFF 8·1/−7·3). The results suggest that dentists should be trained before using Dd. The low reliability in the interval of 15‐30 could indicate a limited use for a longitudinal caries monitoring on pits and fissures; further research should be focused on this clinically important interval.
Egg parasitoids of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.) (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) and their impact in SW Turkey
Authors: Mirchev P. , Schmidt G. H. , Tsankov G. , Avci M. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract:  Egg parasitoids (Hym., Chalcidoidea) and egg parasitism were studied in 132 egg batches of the pine processionary moth collected from stands of Pinus nigra Arnold and P. brutia Ten. in SW Turkey, at four places in heights of 800–1010 m a.s.l. in October 1998, beyond the caterpillars’ hatch. The egg batches deposited on P. nigra were high‐significantly smaller than those found on P. brutia. In this mountainous regions, Baryscapus servadeii (Dom.) and Ooencyrtus pityocampae (Mercet) were the most abundant egg parasitoids of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Den. & Schiff.). Considering the different sampling places, Trichogramma sp. was found maximally in 3.1% of the parasitized eggs. Additionally, the hyper‐parasitoid Baryscapusransversalis Graham (mean infestation 1.8%) and Pediobius bruchicida (Rond.) (0.1%), both occurring in both sexes, and Anastatus bifasciatus (Fonsc.) (0.1%), only females, were established. The primary parasitoid O. pityocampae dominantly parasitized the eggs placed near the top of the batches, and B. servadeii was found mainly in eggs near the base. The rate of parasitism of the egg batches was very variable. The impact of egg parasitoids and predators varied from 24 to 35.9% depending on the sampling place. The hatching rate of the caterpillars was reduced to 50.7–65.6%. Under laboratory conditions, the emergence dynamics of the parasitoids showed a peak of B. tranversalis in December of the year, in which the host eggs were laid. Baryscapus servadeii emerged mainly in March–May of the following year, when the second part of O. pityocampae appeared. A large part of both parasitoids emerged before sampling of the batches. In O. pityocampae 1.65% and in B. servadeii 2.23% males developed under laboratory conditions. A rate of 15.7% of O. pityocampae and 7.9% of B. servadeii died in the eggs. The polyembryonic Trichogramma sp. (see also Tsankov et al., 1996a) attacked 1.8% of the eggs. Up to 20 (mean 12) dead pupae were found in one egg. Minor parts of eggs were undeveloped (2.9%) and 0.6% totally empty.
Algal contact as a trigger for coral disease
Authors: Nugues Maggy M. , Smith Garriet W. , van Hooidonk Ruben J. , Seabra Maria I. , Bak Rolf P. M. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractDiseases are causing alarming declines in reef‐building coral species, the foundation blocks of coral reefs. The emergence of these diseases has occurred simultaneously with large increases in the abundance of benthic macroalgae. Here, we show that physical contact with the macroalga Halimeda opuntia can trigger a virulent disease known as white plague type II that has caused widespread mortality in most Caribbean coral species. Colonies of the dominant coral Montastraea faveolata exposed to algal transplants developed the disease whereas unexposed colonies did not. The bacterium Aurantimonas coralicida, causative agent of the disease, was present on H. opuntia sampled close to, and away from diseased corals, indicating that the alga serves as a reservoir for this pathogen. Our results suggest that the spread of macroalgae on coral reefs could account for the elevated incidence of coral diseases over past decades and that reduction of macroalgal abundance could help control coral epizootics.
Landscape geometry and travelling waves in the larch budmoth
Authors: Johnson Derek M. , Bjørnstad Ottar N. , Liebhold Andrew M. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractTravelling waves in cyclic populations refer to temporal shifts in peak densities moving across space in a wave‐like fashion. The epicentre hypothesis states that peak densities begin in specific geographic foci and then spread into adjoining areas. Travelling waves have been confirmed in a number of population systems, begging questions about their causes. Herein we apply a newly developed statistical technique, wavelet phase analysis, to historical data to document that the travelling waves in larch budmoth (LBM) outbreaks arise from two epicentres, both located in areas with high concentrations of favourable habitat. We propose that the spatial arrangement of the landscape mosaic is responsible for initiating the travelling waves. We use a tri‐trophic model of LBM dynamics to demonstrate that landscape heterogeneity (specifically gradients in density of favourable habitat) alone, is capable of inducing waves from epicentres. Our study provides unique evidence of how landscape features can mould travelling waves.
ARGUMENT TO BLISS: THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF THE SUMMA THEOLOGIAE
Authors: WILLIAMS A. N. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe essay examines intellectual virtue in the Summa theologiae, taking it as an interpretative key to the epistemology of the Summa theologiae as a whole. Because Aquinas blurs the line between the acquired and the theological virtues, and between virtues and the gifts of the Spirit, it becomes impossible to maintain the distinction between the realms of nature and grace, or between natural reason and revealed truth: grace permeates the most ordinary activities of human reasoning. This reading of the Summa theologiae raises questions about many contemporary debates, particularly those concerning natural law.
PRAYING FOR UNDERSTANDING: READING ANSELM THROUGH WITTGENSTEIN1
Authors: KALLENBERG BRAD J. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractIf Wittgenstein is correct to assert that practice gives words their sense, then it is logically possible that an understanding of the ontological “argument” Anselm presents in Proslogion requires some level of practical participation in prayer. A close inspection of Anselm's historical context shows that the conceptual distance we stand from him may be too great to be overcome by mere spectatorship. Rather, participation in this case likely requires of the modern reader a reproduction of Anselm's conduct in prayer. If so, Anselm's case falsifies, and thus warrants our resistance of, the commonly presumed disconnect between knowledge and practice.
CHRIST's AUTONOMOUS HAND: SIMULATIONS ON THE MADNESS OF GIVING
Authors: PLANT BOB 
Published: September 2004

AbstractIn Matthew 6:3–4 Jesus counsels: “when you do some act of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing; your good deed must be in secret”. In the following essay we will use this passage as our conceptual touchstone to explore Jacques Derrida's reflections on the “madness” of giving, and how the gift (of Levinasian “hospitality”, for example) hinges on a certain vulnerability and the manifold risks of narcissism. In order to negotiate these themes, we will also draw on Ludwig Wittgenstein's On Certainty, Martin Heidegger's reflections on the “hand”, and the psychological‐neurological literature on “phantom limbs”.
LOVE OF GOD AND LOVE OF NEIGHBOR IN THE THEOLOGY OF KARL RAHNER AND KARL BARTH
Authors: MOLNAR PAUL D. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe way Barth and Rahner envision the relationship between the commands to love God and neighbor is affected by their views of the relationship between the immanent and economic Trinity. Rahner identifies the immanent and economic Trinity; thinks the two commands are identical, and believes that self‐acceptance is the same as accepting Christ and revelation. Barth insists that, while identical in content, the immanent and economic Trinity must be sharply distinguished without separation; insists the two commands are inseparable but not identical and maintains that we must seek God only in Christ. This divergence, I contend, results from their very dissimilar understandings of nature and grace and is rooted in their different starting points for theology, namely, transcendental experience for Rahner and God's Word and Spirit for Barth.
IS JOHN ZIZIOULAS AN EXISTENTIALIST IN DISGUISE? RESPONSE TO LUCIAN TURCESCU
Authors: PAPANIKOLAOU ARISTOTLE 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThis essay responds to Lucian Turcescu's article, “ ‘Person’ versus ‘Individual’, and Other Modern Misreadings of Gregory of Nyssa”, Modern Theology Vol. 18 no. 4 (October, 2002) in which he argues that John Zizioulas's relational ontology of trinitarian personhood is indebted more to modern personalism and existentialism than to the Cappadocian Fathers. Turcescu's focus on Gregory of Nyssa does not warrant the claim that a relational ontology of personhood cannot be found within the thought of the Cappadocian Fathers. More substantively, Turcescu never addresses Zizioulas's interpretation of the Cappadocian affirmation of the monarchy of the Father, which, I argue, is central to Zizioulas's relational ontology insofar as such an ontology attempts to express the realism of divine‐human communion.
Delayed progression to AIDS in volunteers treated with long‐term HIV‐1 Immunogen (REMUNE®) therapy in Thailand
Authors: Chantratita W , Sukeepaisarncharoen W , Chandeying V , Kulpradist S , Israngkura Na Ayudhtaya B , Rugpao S , Sirawaraporn W , Boonshuyar C , Churdboonchart V 
Published: September 2004

ObjectivesTo observe the long‐term effects of an immune‐based therapy HIV‐1 Immunogen (REMUNE®; Immune Response Corp., Carlsbad, CA, USA) as a first course of treatment designed to sustain the immune system and thus delay the initiation of therapy with antiretroviral drugs and/or delay disease progression.MethodsIn this open‐label, multi‐institute extended phase II P2101B study, disease progression, CD4 and CD8 T‐cell counts, HIV‐1 RNA levels, and genotypic antiretroviral drug resistance were examined in 223 asymptomatic HIV‐1‐infected Thai volunteers receiving REMUNE® every 12 weeks over 132 weeks. A subset of subjects was randomly selected by the physicians to receive antiretroviral drugs for 10 months.ResultsPatients treated with REMUNE® demonstrated a low rate of clinical disease progression (0.72 per 100 person‐years), higher CD4 and CD8 T‐cell counts, higher body weight before and after treatment in the same patient, and stable viral load with no serious adverse events. We found no genotypic evidence of drug resistance in subgroups of patients on REMUNE® monotherapy or REMUNE® plus antiretrovirals (ARTs).ConclusionsThis Thai study, like previous US and European studies, confirms that therapeutic immunization of HIV‐infected volunteers modifies disease progression, as evidenced by stabilization of CD4 and CD8 T‐cell counts, body weight, and viral load. As the majority of asymptomatic patients demonstrated an objective response to immunization, this study suggests that REMUNE® may be utilized prior to initiation of antiviral drug therapy when CD4 cell counts are still above the current ART guidelines. Further work should be carried out to examine its potential use in combination with ART in order to reduce the increasingly common occurrence of drug resistance.
Recent changes in the management of primary HIV‐1 infection: results from the French PRIMO cohort
Authors: Schiffer V , Deveau C , Meyer L , Iraqui I , Nguyen‐Wartel A , Chaix M‐L , Delfraissy J‐F , Rouzioux C , Venet A , Goujard C ,   for the French PRIMO Cohort Study Group
Published: September 2004

Objectives
To describe the management of primary HIV infection (PHI), focusing on changes in the design of therapies and time to initiation of antiretroviral treatment, the clinical outcome, and the immuno‐virological response over time to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its tolerance.Design and methods
In the French PRIMO multicentre cohort, 291 patients presenting with PHI were enrolled between 1996 and 2001. Data were analysed to describe treatment prescription habits over a period of 5 years, and response to and tolerance of treatment.Results
The proportion of patients who initiated treatment during PHI decreased from 92% in 1996 to 56% in 2001. At 6 months, whatever the initiated treatment, 74% of treated patients achieved a plasma viral load<400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL and 53% achieved a viral load of<50 copies/mL. Prescription of protease inhibitor (PI)‐sparing regimens has become more frequent since 1999. Despite a similar virological response, patients in the PI‐containing group tended to experience a greater 1‐year increase in CD4 cell count than those in the non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRTI)‐containing group (218 cells/μL versus 157 cells/μL, respectively). An adverse event was recorded in 51% of treated patients. The most frequent events were gastrointestinal disorders (71%), lipodystrophy (27%) and mood disorders (19%). The main reason for modifying or stopping therapy was the occurrence of an adverse event.Conclusions
Limitations of therapy and poor tolerance to antiretroviral regimens have changed physician attitudes in PHI. This suggests the need for evaluation of better‐tolerated regimens and new therapeutic strategies.
Lopinavir/ritonavir treatment in HIV antiretroviral‐experienced patients: evaluation of risk factors for liver enzyme elevation
Authors: Meraviglia P , Schiavini M , Castagna A , Viganò P , Bini T , Landonio S , Danise A , Moioli MC , Angeli E , Bongiovanni M , Hasson H , Duca P , Cargnel A 
Published: September 2004

ObjectivesTo evaluate the risk factors for lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r)‐related liver enzyme elevation (LEE) in HIV antiretroviral‐experienced patients.MethodsAn open prospective observational study was carried out to analyse the incidence and time of LEE development during LPV/r treatment, and to determine whether LEE development was correlated with epidemiological, clinical and biochemical data, immune and virological profiles, concomitant hepatic diseases, antiretroviral therapy, or histological and ultrasonography liver examination results. A diagnosis of LEE was considered when LEE symptoms occurred after LPV/r introduction and was confirmed by a second control within 2 weeks.ResultsA total of 782 HIV‐positive outpatients have been enrolled in six different Infectious Diseases Departments in Northern Italy since August 2000. Of these patients, 71 (9.1%) developed LEE within 115±85 days (mean±standard deviation); 13 of these subjects discontinued LPV/r and four were hospitalized. Of the patients with LEE, 74.6% and 25.4% had grade 2 and ≥3 toxicity, respectively. No correlation between LEE and sex, baseline CD4 cell count, viral load, HIV stage, triglyceride values, histological and ultrasonography liver examination results, nevirapine use, or increase in CD4 cell count was observed. Higher baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) values (P < 0.0001 and P=0.004, respectively), younger age (P=0.008), previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (P=0.012), efavirenz use (P=0.04), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or HBV coinfection (P < 0.0001, relative risk 4.78) were significantly related to LEE. No correlations between LEE and the same risk factors as investigated in the whole study population were found in subgroups of patients with HCV and/or HBV infection.ConclusionsHCV and HBV testing and measurement of baseline ALT values are essential for screening subjects at risk of LEE before starting LPV/r. Strict monitoring of clinical and biochemical parameters should be performed in these patients.
Resistance profiles and adherence at primary virological failure in three different highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens: analysis of failure rates in a randomized study
Authors: Røge BT , Barfod TS , Kirk O , Katzenstein TL , Obel N , Nielsen H , Pedersen C , Mathiesen LR , Lundgren JD , Gerstoft J 
Published: September 2004

ObjectivesTo investigate the interplay between resistance and adherence in the virological failure of three fundamentally different highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens.MethodsWe retrospectively identified 56 verified primary virological failures (viral load >400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL) among 293 patients randomized to two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)+ritonavir+saquinavir (RS‐arm) (n=115), two NRTIs+nevirapine+nelfinavir (NN‐arm) (n=118), or abacavir+stavudine+didanosine (ASD‐arm) (n=60) followed up for a median of 90 weeks. Data on adherence were collected from patient files, and genotyping was performed on plasma samples collected at time of failure.ResultsTreatment interruption or poor adherence was mainly caused by side effects and accounted for 74% of failures, and was associated with absence of resistance mutations. In the 30 failing patients not switched from randomized treatment, we found resistance in two of 12 patients in the RS‐arm (M184 V only), four of six patients in the NN‐arm [all four had non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) mutations], and seven of 12 patients in the ASD‐arm (NRTI mutations only). Two adherent patients on randomized treatment failed in the RS‐arm, none in the NN‐arm, and six in the ASD‐arm.ConclusionsPrimary virological failure was caused mainly by treatment interruption. No primary protease inhibitor (PI) mutations were found in patients failing on boosted saquinavir, whereas resistance to NNRTIs and NRTIs was prevalent in several patients failing on regimens based on these medications.
Effectiveness and tolerability of a once‐daily amprenavir/ritonavir‐containing highly active antiretroviral therapy regimen in antiretroviral‐naïve patients at risk for nonadherence: 48‐week results after 24 weeks of directly observed therapy
Authors: Jayaweera DT , Kolber MA , Brill M , Tanner T , Campo R , Rodriguez A , Chu H‐M , Garg V 
Published: September 2004

ObjectivesTo determine the safety and effectiveness of a once‐daily highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen in patients at risk for poor adherence using directly observed therapy (DOT) for 24 weeks followed by weekly phone contact for another 24 weeks.MethodsA prospective, open‐label pilot study was carried out. Antiretroviral‐naïve patients with advanced HIV disease were treated with once‐daily amprenavir 1200 mg, ritonavir 200 mg, didanosine 400 mg and lamivudine 300 mg. After 24 weeks, DOT was substituted by weekly phone contact. Measurements of viral load and CD4 cell count, and safety laboratory measurements, were taken regularly for 48 weeks.ResultsTwenty‐two patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 19 completed at least 4 weeks of treatment. Seventeen patients completed 24 weeks and 13 completed 48 weeks. None discontinued treatment as a result of adverse events. The median baseline HIV viral load was 5.29 log10 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL and the median CD4 cell count was 20 cells/μL. At weeks 24 and 48, 74% of the patients had viral loads <400 copies/mL. At 48 weeks, the median decrease in viral load from baseline was 3.06 log10 copies/mL, and the median increase in CD4 cell count was 118 cells/μL. The median trough plasma amprenavir concentrations at weeks 1 and 24 were 1.87 and 1.42 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionsThis study suggests that DOT followed by weekly patient contact results in good treatment outcome in this challenging population. The median trough plasma amprenavir concentrations were above the effective concentration of drug that resulted in 90% inhibition of viral load in vivo (EC90) for wild‐type HIV.