bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing intentions to seek a cognitive status examination: a study based on the Health Belief Model
Authors: Werner Perla 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAimsThe aim of the present study was to examine the factors influencing intention to seek a cognitive status evaluation in the presence of memory problems.MethodsA convenience sample of 186 community‐dwelling adults (mean age=64) were interviewed face‐to‐face using measures derived from the Health Belief Model.ResultsParticipants' intentions to be examined were higher when presented with scenarios describing family history of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Perceived barriers and cues to action were significant predictors of intention, accounting for 24% of the variance.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the need to develop effective educational strategies to improve knowledge about AD and decision‐making concerning cognitive status examinations. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fixed fees and physician‐induced demand: A panel data study on French physicians
Authors: Delattre Eric , Dormont Brigitte 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThis paper investigates on the existence of physician‐induced demand (PID) for French physicians. The test is carried out for GPs and specialists, using a representative sample of 4500 French self‐employed physicians over the 1979–1993 period. These physicians receive a fee‐for‐services (FFS) payment and fees are controlled. The panel structure of our data allows us to take into account unobserved heterogeneity related to the characteristics of physicians and their patients. We use generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators in order to obtain consistent and efficient estimates. We show that physicians experience a decline of the number of consultations when they face an increase in the physician:population ratio. However this decrease is very slight. In addition, physicians counterbalance the fall in the number of consultations by an increase in the volume of care delivered in each encounter. Econometric results give a strong support for the existence of PID in the French system for ambulatory care. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wage policy in the health care sector: a panel data analysis of nurses' labour supply
Authors: Askildsen Jan Erik , Baltagi Badi H. , Holmås Tor Helge 
Published: August 2003

AbstractShortage of nurses is a problem in several countries. It is an unsettled question whether increasing wages constitute a viable policy for extracting more labour supply from nurses. In this paper we use a unique matched panel data set of Norwegian nurses covering the period 1993–1998 to estimate wage elasticities. The data set includes detailed information on 19 638 individuals over 6 years totalling 69 122 observations. The estimated wage elasticity after controlling for individual heterogeneity, sample selection and instrumenting for possible endogeneity is 0.21. Individual and institutional features are statistically significant and important for working hours. Contractual arrangements as represented by shift work are also important for hours of work, and omitting information about this common phenomenon will underestimate the wage effect. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why do the sick not utilise health care? The case of Zambia
Authors: Hjortsberg Catharina 
Published: August 2003

AbstractWhen ill the individual faces the options of seeking health care, using self‐medication or doing nothing. In an economic perspective, an individual's propensity to utilise health care is determined by the costs of utilisation and the perceived benefits of health care. The propensity to utilise health care may hence be expected to vary between individuals. In this paper we attempt on the one hand to determine what factors influence sick individuals' propensity to seek health care at a health facility or use self‐medication (or do nothing), and on the other hand attempt to determine the factors that influence the magnitude of their expenditures for health care, in particular what other factors than just health status influence utilisation. For the empirical analysis, data, covering 9700 individuals, from the 1998 Living Conditions Monitoring Survey (LCMS) is used. We use a Multinomial Logit selection model to estimate the equation, which allows us to analyse health‐care utilisation through two separate processes, the decision to seek care and the magnitude of expenditures incurred. In general, we find that the individuals are influenced by income, insurance, type of illness and access variables such as distance and owning a vehicle. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economics of self‐medication: theory and evidence
Authors: Chang Fwu‐Ranq , K. Trivedi Pravin 
Published: August 2003

AbstractA pervasive phenomenon in developing countries is that self‐prescribed medications are purchased from drug vendors without professional supervision. In this article we develop a model of self‐medicating behavior of a utility‐maximizing consumer who balances the benefits and risks of self‐medication. The empirical investigation focuses on the role of income and health insurance on the use of self‐medication. Our data are from the World Bank's Living Standards Measurement Survey of Vietnam, 1997–1998. The results show that self‐medication is an inferior good at high income levels and a normal good at low income levels, and it shows a strong and robust negative insurance effect. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved description of soil hydraulic and thermal properties of arctic peatland for use in a GCM
Authors: Hall Robin L. , Huntingford Chris , Harding Richard J. , Lloyd Colin R. , Cox Peter M. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe UK Meteorological Office Surface Exchange Scheme (MOSES), which is currently implemented within Version 3 of the Hadley Centre GCM, was tested for an arctic peatland site in northern Finland (Kevo). This implementation of MOSES incorporated a new depth‐dependent parameterization of the thermal and hydraulic properties of peat with parameter values derived from measurements reported in the literature. The effect of increasing the number of model soil layers from four to 13 shallower layers was also investigated. Driving data were used that were collected during June, when the peat was still frozen below about 80 mm, to September 1997.Best model performance was given by the 13‐layer, depth‐dependent parameter description for both surface heat fluxes and soil temperatures. The simulated heat fluxes compared well with measurements, but simulated surface temperatures were too high. In preliminary runs the simulated distribution of unfrozen water in the soil was also unrealistic. In particular the model was unable to predict the rapid transition to above‐freezing conditions that occurred throughout the soil profile about the second week in July. Adjusting a parameter (k) of the soil‐freezing curve, which for peat can be used as a fitting parameter, produced a big improvement in the soil temperature profiles. A more accurate simulation of the freezing and thawing behaviour of organic soils requires that the processes that are hidden in the modified value of k are explicitly represented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination and integration of appropriate spatial scales for river basin modelling
Authors: Booij M. J. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAppropriate spatial scales of dominant variables are determined and integrated into an appropriate model scale. This is done in the context of the impact of climate change on flooding in the River Meuse in Western Europe. The objective is achieved by using observed elevation, soil type, land use type and daily precipitation data from several sources and employing different relationships between scales, variable statistics and outputs. The appropriate spatial scale of a key variable is assumed to be equal to a fraction of the spatial correlation length of that variable. This fraction was determined on the basis of relationships between statistics and scale and an accepted error in the estimation of the statistic of 10%. This procedure resulted in an appropriate spatial scale for precipitation of about 20 km in an earlier study. The application to river basin variables revealed appropriate spatial scales for elevation, soil and land use of respectively 0·1, 5·3 and 3·3 km. The appropriate model scale is determined by multiplying the appropriate variable scales with their associated weights. The weights are based on SCS curve number method relationships between the peak discharge and some specific parameters like slope and curve number. The values of these parameters are dependent on the scale of each key variable. The resulting appropriate model scale is about 10 km, implying 225–250 model cells in an appropriate model of the Meuse basin meant to assess the impact of climate change on river flooding. The usefulness of the appropriateness procedure is in its ability to assess the appropriate scales of the individual key variables before model construction and integrate them in a balanced way into an appropriate model scale. Another use of the procedure is that it provides a framework for decisions about the reduction or expansion of data networks and needs. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sediment sources and transport pathways in a rural catchment, Herefordshire, UK
Authors: Gruszowski K. E. , Foster I. D. L. , Lees J. A. , Charlesworth S. M. 
Published: August 2003

AbstractThe relative significance of primary and secondary suspended sediment sources has been identified in a small (15 km2) agricultural catchment through the application of a linear unmixing model using mineral magnetic, geochemical and radionuclide signatures of fine sediments. Roads appear to be important as a secondary source of suspended sediment and in the conveyance of topsoils to the river channel. Roads also alter the source signatures of sediment in transport, especially that derived from agricultural topsoils. Modelling suggests thatc. 30% of the suspended sediment collected from suspended sediment traps in the River Leadon were derived from, or transported via, roads. Relative contributions from primary sources ofc. 43% andc. 27% were estimated from a combined (subsoil and channel bank) subsurface source, and a combined (arable and grassland) topsoil source, respectively. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous onset of acute inflammatory response, sepsis‐like symptoms and intestinal mucosal injury after cancer chemotherapy
Authors: Tsuji Eiichi , Hiki Naoki , Nomura Sachiyo , Fukushima Ryoji , Kojima Jun‐ichi , Ogawa Toshihisa , Mafune Ken‐ichi , Mimura Yoshikazu , Kaminishi Michio 
Published: August 2003

AbstractChemotherapy is 1 method for the treatment of cancer, but serious side effects can sometimes limit the dosage given. Mild fever and diarrhea are common side effects of cancer chemotherapy. Gastrointestinal injury induced by chemotherapeutic agents may result in bacterial/endotoxin translocation from the gut into the systemic circulation. An experimental study was therefore conducted to clarify the effect of systemic chemotherapeutic agents on gastrointestinal barrier function. Male Wistar rats were divided into a 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) group (100 mg/kg/day for 4 days; n = 27) and a control group (n = 5). All rats were fasted and central venous catheterization was performed for total parenteral nutrition and blood sampling. Intestinal tissue was also sampled for pathological examination. Plasma levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) were determined by ELISA, bacterial translocation was quantified by lymph node culture and plasma endotoxin content of portal blood was measured by the Limulus‐amebocyte‐lysate test. In the 5‐FU group on day 4, a proportion of rats exhibited severe watery diarrhea (73.9%) and occasional vomiting (86.2%). The levels of plasma TNFα and IL‐6 were seen to increase, peaking at day 6 (IL‐6, 350.0 ± 67.8 pg/ml; TNFα, 26.1 ± 3.2 pg/ml). The pathological findings also changed on day 4. On day 6, 90% of the rats in the 5‐FU group showed dramatic sepsis‐like manifestations, whereas the control group did not. Within the 5‐FU group, only at day 6 was bacterial translocation in the rat mesenteric lymph nodes or significantly elevated levels of endotoxin evident. These results suggest that bacterial/endotoxin translocation might cause sepsis‐like manifestations after systemic chemotherapy. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resveratrol analog (Z)‐3,5,4′‐trimethoxystilbene is a potent anti‐mitotic drug inhibiting tubulin polymerization
Authors: Schneider Yann , Chabert Philippe , Stutzmann Jeanne , Coelho David , Fougerousse André , Gossé Francine , Launay Jean‐François , Brouillard Raymond , Raul Francis 
Published: August 2003

AbstractResveratrol (3,5,4′‐trihydroxystilbene) a natural polyphenol present in medicinal plants, grapes and wines, has potent chemopreventive properties on intestinal carcinogenesis. A methylated derivative (Z‐3,5,4′‐trimethoxystilbene: R3) was synthesized. R3 at 0.3 μM exerted a 80% growth inhibition of human colon cancer Caco‐2 cells and arrested growth completely at 0.4 μM (R3 was 100‐fold more active than resveratrol). The cis conformation of R3 was also 100‐fold more potent than the trans isomer. R3 (0.3 μM) caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase transition. The drug inhibited tubulin polymerization in a dose‐dependent manner (IC50= 4 μM), and it reduced also by 2‐fold ornithine decarboxylase and s‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activities. This caused the depletion of the polyamines, putrescine and spermidine, which are growth factors for cancer cells. R3 inhibited partially colchicine binding to its binding site on tubulin, indicating that R3 either partially overlaps with colchicine binding or that R3 binds to a specific site of tubulin that is not identical with the colchicine binding site modifying colchicine binding by allosteric influences. The resveratrol derivative (Z)‐3,5,4′‐trimethoxystilbene (R3) is an interesting anti‐mitotic drug that exerts cytotoxic effects by depleting the intracellular pool of polyamines and by altering microtubule polymerization. Such a drug may be useful for the treatment of neoplastic diseases. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stromelysin‐3 expression is an early event in human oral tumorigenesis
Authors: Soni Shilpi , Mathur Meera , Shukla Nootan K. , Deo Suryanarayan V.S. , Ralhan Ranju 
Published: August 2003

AbstractStromelysin‐3 (ST3/MMP11) is associated with human tumour progression. To determine the clinical significance of ST3 in oral tumorigenesis, its expression was analysed in different stages of tobacco‐associated oral cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis of ST3 expression in 79 oral precancerous lesions, 177 SCCs and 35 histologically normal oral tissues was carried out and corroborated by immunoblotting and RT‐PCR. ST3/MMP11 protein expression was observed in 45/79 (57%) precancerous lesions [28/48 (58%) with hyperplasia and 17/31 (55%) with dysplasia] and in 123/177 (70%) oral SCCs. In precancerous lesions, ST3 expression was higher compared to normal oral tissues (p = 0.000) and associated with MVD (p = 0.05), a marker for angiogenesis. ST3 was also expressed in cells cultured from precancerous and cancerous lesions that had undergone epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. In oral cancer patients, ST3 positivity was associated with lymph node involvement (p = 0.025) and increased intratumoral MVD (p = 0.009). Ninety‐eight oral SCC patients were followed up for a period of 94 months (median 22.5 months). Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis showed that ST3 expression was not a significant prognostic indicator. ST3 expression in oral hyperplastic and dysplastic lesions suggests its association with progression of phenotypic alterations acquired early during the malignant transformation pathway of oral epithelium and implicates it not only in angiogenesis and invasion but also in tumorigenesis. Thus, ST3 may serve as a potential target for developing molecular therapeutics for early intervention in oral tumorigenesis. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased TIA‐1 gene expression in the tumor microenvironment after locoregional administration of tumor necrosis factor‐α to patients with soft tissue limb sarcoma
Authors: Mocellin Simone , Provenzano Maurizio , Lise Mario , Nitti Donato , Rossi Carlo Riccardo 
Published: August 2003

AbstractAlthough it is known that TNF‐α is effective in the treatment of advanced solid tumors such as melanoma and soft tissue sarcoma, the molecular mechanism underlying its anticancer activity remains unclear. Nineteen patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma underwent isolated limb perfusion with doxorubicin alone (n = 9) or combined with TNF‐α (n = 10). mRNA from posttreatment tumor biopsies was linearly amplified to create an RNA bank. The transcriptional levels of 22 genes were analyzed by qrt‐PCR. On the basis of in vivo findings, we investigated the in vitro gene expression of different cell types representing the tumor microenvironment cell population. TIA‐1, which encodes an RNA‐binding protein with translation‐regulatory functions, was the only gene differentially expressed between the 2 study groups, its transcriptional levels in tumor biopsies from patients receiving TNF‐α being higher than in those from patients not given the cytokine. In vitro, TIA‐1 was expressed by endothelial cells, fibroblasts, CTLs and NK cells. TNF‐α significantly upregulated TIA‐1 gene expression only in endothelial and NK cells. Furthermore, TIA‐1 transcriptional levels significantly increased during NK activity, which was enhanced by TNF‐α. These findings support the hypothesis that TNF‐α‐induced TIA‐1 overexpression might sensitize endothelial cells to proapoptotic stimuli present in the tumor microenvironment and enhance NK cell cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of CCL5/RANTES by Hodgkin and Reed‐Sternberg cells and its possible role in the recruitment of mast cells into lymphomatous tissue
Authors: Fischer Marie , Juremalm Mikael , Olsson Niclas , Backlin Carin , Sundström Christer , Nilsson Kenneth , Enblad Gunilla , Nilsson Gunnar 
Published: August 2003

AbstractHL is a malignant lymphoma characterized by a small number of malignant HRS cells among a major population of infiltrating reactive cells, e.g., lymphocytes and eosinophils. We previously reported that mast cells are present in HL‐affected lymph nodes and therein are the predominant CD30L‐expressing cells. The CD30L expressed on mast cells is functionally active and can provide stimulatory signals to HRS cells. Thus, mast cells constitute an important portion of the infiltrating reactive cells that contribute to tumor progression in HL. Control of the recruitment of this previously unrecognized cell and its interactions with tumor cells are essentially unknown. To elucidate if mast cells might be specifically attracted to the tumor area by chemokines produced by HRS cells, we investigated chemokine expression in HL cell lines and in vivo. By RNase protection assay, mRNA expression of several chemokines could be detected in the cell lines. Despite the heterogeneous expression profile exhibited by the cell lines, 4 of 5 expressed CCL5 (RANTES) mRNA. RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed expression of CCL5 in vivo. Furthermore, secreted CCL5 was detected in conditioned media from 3 of the cell lines. In a migration assay, we found that CCL5 present in conditioned medium could induce mast cell migration. Taken together, our results suggest that CCL5 produced by HRS cells is one mechanism by which mast cells can be attracted into the tumor tissue in HL. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of tonsillar cancer reveals a different pattern of genomic imbalances in human papillomavirus‐positive and ‐negative tumors
Authors: Dahlgren Liselotte , Mellin Hanna , Wangsa Danny , Heselmeyer‐Haddad Kerstin , Björnestål Linda , Lindholm Johan , Munck‐Wikland Eva , Auer Gert , Ried Thomas , Dalianis Tina 
Published: August 2003

AbstractOur aim was to map and compare genomic imbalances in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive and ‐negative squamous cell carcinomas of the tonsil. Twenty‐five primary carcinomas were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization. Fifteen (60%) were found to be HPV‐positive by PCR, and the majority were HPV‐16. There were statistically significant differences in the distribution of DNA gains and losses between the HPV‐positive and ‐negative samples. Eleven of 15 HPV‐positive samples (73%) showed gain on chromosome 3q24‐qter, while only 4/10 (40%) HPV‐negative samples had the same gain (p = 0.049). Furthermore, 4/10 (40%) HPV‐negative samples but no HPV‐positive samples had gain on chromosome 7q11.2‐q22 (p = 0.017). As expected, and similar to previous studies, patients with an HPV‐positive tumor had a statistically significantly better disease‐specific survival than patients with an HPV‐negative tumor (p = 0.002). The most common changes, e.g., gain on 3q or 8q, loss on 11q or 13 and loss on chromosome 7q in HPV‐negative tumors, did not have any influence on prognosis. However the number of cases in each subgroup was limited. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: From a surgical to a molecular approach
Authors: Rossi Carlo Riccardo , Mocellin Simone , Mencarelli Roberto , Foletto Mirto , Pilati Pierluigi , Nitti Donato , Lise Mario 
Published: August 2003

AbstractGastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract. These tumors span a wide clinical spectrum from benign to malignant and have long been recognized for their nearly absolute resistance to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. We reviewed the worldwide experience on GIST diagnosis, prognosis and treatment and describe our own series. PubMed was searched for references using the terms gastrointestinal stromal tumor, GIST and gastrointestinal sarcoma. Recent reports were given emphasis because GIST is a novel clinical entity and older published work on gastrointestinal sarcomas might be contaminated with other histologic tumor types. At present, surgery is the standard treatment for primary resectable GIST. To increase the activity of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, locoregional therapies are being implemented in the clinical setting. A major breakthrough is the development of a new class of anticancer agents targeting tumor‐specific molecular abnormalities. Preliminary results on administration of imatinib mesylate, a signal transduction inhibitor, are particularly encouraging, showing potent activity of this drug against metastatic GIST. Molecular targeting of the critical pathogenetic mechanism underlying GIST might not only revolutionize the strategy to treat locally advanced and metastatic GIST but also improve disease control after macroscopically radical surgery. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mistletoe for cancer?
Authors: Ernst Eduard , Schmidt Katja , Steuer‐Vogt Miriam Katharina 
Published: August 2003

AbstractMistletoe extracts are widely used in the treatment of cancer. The results of clinical trials are however highly inconsistent. We therefore conducted a systematic review of all randomised clinical trials of this unconventional therapy. Eight databases were searched to identify all studies that met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were independently validated and extracted by 2 authors and checked by the 3rd according to predefined criteria. Statistical pooling was not possible because of the heterogeneity of the primary studies. Therefore a narrative systematic review was conducted. Ten trials could be included. Most of the studies had considerable weaknesses in terms of study design, reporting or both. Some of the weaker studies implied benefits of mistletoe extracts, particularly in terms of quality of life. None of the methodologically stronger trials exhibited efficacy in terms of quality of life, survival or other outcome measures. Rigorous trials of mistletoe extracts fail to demonstrate efficacy of this therapy. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.