bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Critical Review of English Law in Respect of Criminalising Blameworthy Behaviour by HIV+ Individuals
Authors: Warburton Damian 
Published: February 2004

The spread of some illnesses between people is almost inevitable and in many circumstances it would be ludicrous to propose attaching any criminal liability. However, in the case of HIV, where successful transmission eventually causes the death of its host, and transmission methods are well known, to grant impunity to those carrying this responsibility is a difficult thing to accept. This article is an examination of the status of English law as it presently stands, where not only are remedies for assault still rooted in Victorian legislation, but also where, crucially, a case decided under Victorian morality has dogged this area of law ever since. At the eleventh hour of writing, the decision in R v Dica has turned the whole discussion upside down; and then there is the question of whether English law actually needs an HIV-specific statute.
Victim-Centred Policing: The Shepherd's Solution to Policing in the 21st Century
Authors: Clark Mark 
Published: February 2004

The article discusses the emergence of victim-centred policing as a philosophical approach to reducing the effects of criminal victimisation. It discusses the convergence of criminological thought with policing in identifying the importance of the victim in the response to crime. It identifies the need to restructure policing practices to position the victim as a strategic focus for policing in the twenty-first century and to take the institutional lead in the criminal justice system. The symbolic, cultural and philosophical transformation necessary to operationalise the philosophy of victim-centred policing is examined. The importance of social research and the need for professional expertise within the policing unit to facilitate victim-centred police operations is also discussed. The article explores the role of the victim in traditional law enforcement and the move towards models of community policing that emphasise victim involvement in the criminal justice system. A discussion of the victimisation process and the inclusion of principles of restorative justice as a critical factor in the recovery of the victim are provided.
Preparation and Characterization of New WHO Reference Reagents for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Metabolites
Authors: Birken Steven , Berger Peter , Bidart Jean-Michel , Weber Matthias , Bristow Adrian , Norman Rob , Sturgeon Catharine , Stenman Ulf-Håkan 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background: The currently used standards for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and its α and β subunits (hCGα and hCGβ) contain substantial amounts of contaminating variants of hCG and other impurities. Furthermore, some partially degraded forms of hCG and its subunits have become of potential clinical importance, e.g., “nicked” forms of hCG (hCGn) and hCGβ (hCGβn), which contain cuts in the peptide backbone between amino acids 44–45 or 47–48 in hCGβ, and a fragment of hCGβ (hCGβcf) consisting of amino acids 6–40 and 55–92 bound together by disulfide bridges. The IFCC appointed a working group with the aim of preparing new standards for hCG and related substances to improve standardization of their immunoassays.
Methods: Large amounts of hCG and its subunits as well as of hCGn, hCGβn, and hCGβcf were prepared by previously developed purification methods in combination with hydrophobic interaction chromatography and reversed-phase HPLC. Each preparation was characterized on the basis of amino acid and sequence analyses, carbohydrate composition, and electrophoretic patterns. Immunoassays for relevant contaminating proteins were also performed.
Results: The major preparations were homogeneous and free of contaminating proteins. Concentrations of the final preparations were determined by amino acid analysis.
Conclusions: Calibrated in substance concentrations (mol/L) based on amino acid analyses, these preparations will facilitate improved standardization of immunoassays for hCG and its metabolites. The six preparations have now been established by the WHO as new 1st Reference Reagents for immunoassays with the following codes: hCG 99/688, hCGβ 99/650, hCGα 99/720, hCGn 99/642, hCGβn 99/692, and hCGβcf 99/708. In contrast to the 3rd International Standard (75/537), the clinically most important Reference Reagent for hCG (99/688) contains no hCGn and negligible amounts of free subunits.
LOINC, a Universal Standard for Identifying Laboratory Observations: A 5-Year Update
Authors: McDonald Clement J , Huff Stanley M , Suico Jeffrey G , Hill Gilbert , Leavelle Dennis , Aller Raymond , Forrey Arden , Mercer Kathy , DeMoor Georges , Hook John , Williams Warren , Case James , Maloney Pat ,   for the Laboratory LOINC Developers
Published: February 2004

Abstract
The Logical Observation Identifier Names and Codes (LOINC®) database provides a universal code system for reporting laboratory and other clinical observations. Its purpose is to identify observations in electronic messages such as Health Level Seven (HL7) observation messages, so that when hospitals, health maintenance organizations, pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers, and public health departments receive such messages from multiple sources, they can automatically file the results in the right slots of their medical records, research, and/or public health systems. For each observation, the database includes a code (of which 25 000 are laboratory test observations), a long formal name, a “short” 30-character name, and synonyms. The database comes with a mapping program called Regenstrief LOINC Mapping Assistant (RELMATM) to assist the mapping of local test codes to LOINC codes and to facilitate browsing of the LOINC results. Both LOINC and RELMA are available at no cost from http://www.regenstrief.org/loinc/. The LOINC medical database carries records for &gt;30 000 different observations. LOINC codes are being used by large reference laboratories and federal agencies, e.g., the CDC and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and are part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) attachment proposal. Internationally, they have been adopted in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Australia, and Canada, and by the German national standards organization, the Deutsches Instituts für Normung. Laboratories should include LOINC codes in their outbound HL7 messages so that clinical and research clients can easily integrate these results into their clinical and research repositories. Laboratories should also encourage instrument vendors to deliver LOINC codes in their instrument outputs and demand LOINC codes in HL7 messages they get from reference laboratories to avoid the need to lump so many referral tests under the “send out lab” code.
William Prout: Early 19th Century Physician-Chemist
Authors: Rosenfeld Louis 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
In the early 19th century, the discoveries of new substances in the healthy and diseased body spawned a search for chemical explanations for physiologic phenomena to guide medical diagnosis and control therapy. William Prout’s work on the nature and treatment of diseases of the urinary organs established his reputation as one of Britain’s most distinguished physiological chemists. Prout was very skeptical of chemical remedies because of possible side effects, but he suggested iodine treatment for goiter. He emphasized that a satisfactory diet should include carbohydrates, fats, protein, and water. In 1824, he showed that the acid of the gastric juice was hydrochloric acid. Prout applied chemical methods and reasoning to physiology and was criticized for his view that the body’s vital functions could be explained by chemistry. His remedy for lack of progress in animal chemistry was for physiologists to become chemists. Prout stimulated much discussion on atomic theory by his hypothesis that the atomic weights of all chemical elements are whole-number multiples of the atomic weight of hydrogen and that the chemical elements were condensed from hydrogen atoms.
Clinical and Analytical Performance of the Liaison Cardiac Troponin I Assay in Unstable Coronary Artery Disease, and the Impact of Age on the Definition of Reference Limits. A FRISC-II Substudy
Authors: Venge Per , Johnston Nina , Lagerqvist Bo , Wallentin Lars , Lindahl Bertil ,   the FRISC-II Study Group
Published: February 2004

AbstractBackground: Measurements of cardiac troponins are currently used as the standard for the detection of myocardial injury. None of the current assays complies with the new requirements on assay imprecision as proposed by the European Society of Cardiology/American College of Cardiology. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical and analytical performance of the Liaison cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay.Methods:EDTA-plasma was used, and cardiac troponins were assayed with the first-generation AxSYM assay, the second-generation AccuTnI assay, the third-generation Elecsys assay, and the first-generation Liaison assay.Results: In a 6-day imprecision study, the Liaison cTnI assay had mean CV ≤10% at 0.027 μg/L and ≤20% at 0.015 μg/L. The 99th percentile of the upper reference limit (URL) of a reference population was 0.041 μg/L (age range, 41–76 years). Individuals &lt;60 years had a significantly (P = 0.001) lower 99th percentile, 0.022 μg/L. The FRISC-II study participants with cTnI ≥0.041 μg/L had a poorer outcome relating to death/acute myocardial infarction than those with cTnI &lt;0.041 μg/L (P &lt;0.001). Treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (dalteparin) or an invasive strategy reduced cardiac events only in patients with concentrations &gt;0.041 μg/L (P = 0.002 and 0.02, respectively). Comparison with the AccuTnI assay showed that a large cohort of the patients with poor prognosis was identified by the AccuTnI assay but not by the Liaison cTnI assay.Conclusion: The Liaison cTnI assay is a sensitive assay with a CV ≤10% at the 99th percentile URL. The ability to detect age-related differences among apparently healthy individuals is unique among today’s commercial assays. The results indicate that different assays seem to identify different patient cohorts for cardiac risk in the lower range of cTnI concentrations.
Ion Suppression in Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Annesley Thomas M 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background: Mass spectrometry (MS) is being introduced into a large number of clinical laboratories. It provides specificity because of its ability to monitor selected mass ions, sensitivity because of the enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, and speed because it can help avoid the need for intensive sample cleanup and long analysis times. However, MS is not without problems related to interference, especially through ion suppression effects. Ion suppression results from the presence of less volatile compounds that can change the efficiency of droplet formation or droplet evaporation, which in turn affects the amount of charged ion in the gas phase that ultimately reaches the detector.
Content: This review discusses materials shown to cause ion suppression, including salts, ion-pairing agents, endogenous compounds, drugs, metabolites, and proteins. Experimental protocols for examining ion suppression, which should include, at a minimum, signal recovery studies using specimen extracts with added analyte, are also discussed, and a more comprehensive approach is presented that uses postcolumn infusion of the analyte to evaluate protracted ionization effects. Finally, this review presents options for minimizing or correcting ion suppression, which include enhanced specimen cleanup, chromatographic changes, reagent modifications, and effective internal standardization.
Summary: Whenever mass spectrometric assays are developed, ion suppression studies should be performed using expected physiologic concentrations of the analyte under investigation.
Frequency, Risk Factors, and Outcome of Hyperlactatemia in HIV-positive Persons: Implications for the Management of Treated Patients
Authors: Marceau Geoffroy , Sapin Vincent , Jacomet Christine , Ughetto Sylvie , Cormerais Louis , Regagnon Christel , Dastugue Bernard , Peigue-Lafeuille Hélène , Beytout Jean , Laurichesse Henri 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background: The nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors used for the treatment of HIV-positive persons are now clearly associated with metabolic disorders. We determined the prevalence of and risk factors for hyperlactatemia in HIV-positive persons to assess the relevance of lactate venous blood concentrations during antiretroviral therapy.
Methods: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of venous lactate determinations with 282 consecutive HIV-positive persons who, in addition to a physical examination, had blood samples taken every 3–4 months for routine biochemical, immunologic, and viral assessment. The frequencies of hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis were determined, and the risk factors were analyzed by a multivariate logistic regression model. The effect of modification of antiretroviral therapy in patients with moderate hyperlactatemia was also assessed.
Results: From 782 blood lactate determinations, we identified 65 (23%) patients with moderate hyperlactatemia and 5 (1.8%) with lactate concentrations &gt;5 mmol/L (2 with severe lactic acidosis; 0.7%). Older age, drug regimens containing stavudine [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.5] or a combination of stavudine-didanosine (adjusted OR = 3.1), and the use of buprenorphine (adjusted OR = 14.7) were independent predictors of hyperlactatemia. Among 65 patients with moderate hyperlactatemia, 39 did not have their treatments changed, and 26 had a new combination therapy that was associated with a clinical improvement and a more pronounced decrease in lactate (−1.66 vs −0.99 mmol/L; P &lt;0.05).
Conclusions: Chronic compensated and moderate hyperlactatemia was common in our population study. Measurement of lactate, under standardized conditions, may be useful in optimizing management of HIV-positive persons on antiretroviral therapy.
Numeric Definition of the Clinical Performance of the Nested Reverse Transcription-PCR for Detection of Hematogenous Epithelial Cells and Correction for Specific mRNA of Non-Target Cell Origin as Evaluated for Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Schamhart Denis , Swinnen Johannes , Kurth Karl-Heinz , Westerhof Alex , Kusters Ron , Borchers Holger , Sternberg Cora 
Published: February 2004

Abstract
Background: Inappropriate quality management of reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays for the detection of blood-borne prostate cancer (PCa) cells hampers clinical conclusions. Improvement of the RT-PCR methodology for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA should focus on an appropriate numeric definition of the performance of the assay and correction for PSA mRNA that is not associated with PCa cells.
Methods and Results: Repeated (RT-)PCR tests for PSA mRNA in single blood specimens from PCa patients and PCa-free controls, performed by four international institutions, showed a large percentage (≈50%) of divergent test results. The best estimates of the mean, λ (SD), of the expected Poisson frequency distributions of the number of positive tests among five replicate assays of samples from PCa-free individuals were 1.0 (0.2) for 2 × 35 PCR cycles and 0.2 (0.1) for 2 × 25 PCR cycles. Assessment of the numeric value of the mean can be considered as a new indicator of the performance of a RT-PCR assay for PSA mRNA under clinical conditions. Moreover, it determines the required number of positive test repetitions to differentiate between true and false positives for circulating prostate cells. At a predefined diagnostic specificity of ≥98%, repeated PCRs with λ of either 1.0 or 0.2 require, respectively, more than three or more than one positive tests to support the conclusion that PSA mRNA-containing cells are present.
Conclusions: Repeated nested PCR tests for PSA and appropriate handling of the data allow numeric quantification of the performance of the assay and differentiation between analytical false and true positives at a predefined accuracy. This new approach may contribute to introduction of PSA RT-PCR assays in clinical practice.
A Novel Antipyretic Action of 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2in the Rat Brain
Authors: Mouihate Abdeslam , Boissé Lysa , Pittman Quentin J. 
Published: February 2004

Fever is an important part of the host defense response, yet fever can be detrimental if it is uncontrolled. We provide the first evidence that 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2(15d-PGJ2), an endogenous ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), can attenuate the febrile response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats via an action on the brain. Furthermore, we show that PPARγ is expressed in the hypothalamus, an important locus in the brain for fever generation. In addition, 15d-PGJ2and its synthesizing enzyme (PGD2synthase) were present in rat cerebrospinal fluid, and their levels were enhanced in response to systemic injection of LPS. The antipyretic effect of 15d-PGJ2was associated with reduction in LPS-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 expression in the hypothalamus but not in p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation or in the expression of the PPARγ.Thus it is likely that there is a parallel induction of an endogenous prostanoid pathway in the brain capable of limiting deleterious actions of the proinflammatory prostaglandin E2-dependent pathway.
Diversity of Functional Astroglial Properties in the Respiratory Network
Authors: Graß Dennis , Pawlowski Petra G. , Hirrlinger Johannes , Papadopoulos Nestoras , Richter Diethelm W. , Kirchhoff Frank , Hülsmann Swen 
Published: February 2004

A population of neurons in the caudal medulla generates the rhythmic activity underlying breathing movements. Although this neuronal network has attracted great attention for studying neuronal aspects of synaptic transmission, functions of glial cells supporting this neuronal activity remain unclear. To investigate the role of astrocytes in the respiratory network, we applied electrophysiological and immunohistochemical techniques to characterize astrocytes in regions involved in the generation and transmission of rhythmic activity. In the ventral respiratory group and the hypoglossal nucleus (XII) of acutely isolated brainstem slices, we analyzed fluorescently labeled astrocytes obtained from TgN(GFAP-EGFP) transgenic mice with the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique. Three subpopulations of astrocytes could be discerned by their distinct membrane current profiles. A first group of astrocytes was characterized by nonrectifying, symmetrical and voltage-independent potassium currents and a robust glutamate transporter response tod-aspartate. A second group of astrocytes showed additional A-type potassium currents, whereas a third group, identified by immunolabeling for the glial progenitor marker NG2, expressed outwardly rectifying potassium currents, smaller potassium inward currents, and only minimald-aspartate-induced transporter currents. Astrocytes of all groups showed kainate-induced inward currents.We conclude that most of the astrocytes serve as a buffer system of excess extracellular glutamate and potassium; however, a distinct cell population (NG2-positive, A-type potassium currents) may play an important role for network plasticity.
Temporal expression and signalling of prostacyclin receptor in the human endometrium across the menstrual cycle
Authors: Battersby S , Critchley H O D , de Brum-Fernandes A J , Jabbour H N 
Published: February 2004

Prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis and function in the human uterus has been implicated in the regulation of the process of normal and dysfunctional menstruation. PGI2synthesis is elevated during normal menstruation and is also associated with blood loss in women who suffer from heavy menses. This study was designed to outline further the role of PGI2in menstruation by investigating the temporal pattern and site of expression of prostaglandin I synthase (PGIS) and the prostacyclin receptor (IP receptor) in the non-pregnant human endometrium across the menstrual cycle. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated increased expression of PGIS and IP receptor during the menstrual phase of the cycle compared with all other phases (P< 0.05). Furthermore, PGIS and IP receptor were localised to the glandular epithelium, stromal and endothelial cells in the basal and functional layers of the endometrium. Functionality of the IP receptor in the human endometrium was assessed by measuring cAMP generation following treatment with 100 nmol l−1of the PGI2analogue, iloprost. cAMP generation was significantly higher in endometrial tissue collected during the proliferative compared with the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (P< 0.05).In conclusion, this study has confirmed increased expression and signalling of PGIS and IP receptor during the menstrual phase and outlines a potential autocrine/paracrine role for PGI2on several cellular compartments in the endometrium including the endothelium. This may underscore a pivotal role for PGI2receptor signalling in normal and dysfunctional menstruation.
Intraoperative radiation therapy with 50 kV x‐rays: A multi‐institutional review
Authors: Sethi Anil , Gros Sebastien , Brodin Patrik , Ghavidel Beth , Chai Xuedong , Popovic Marija , Tomé Wolfgang Axel , Trichter Samuel , Yang Xiaofeng , Zhang Hualin , Uhl Valery 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis report covers clinical implementation of a low kV intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) program with the INTRABEAM® System (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany). Based on collective user experience from eight institutions, we discuss best methods of INTRABEAM quality assurance (QA) tests, commissioning measurements, clinical workflow, treatment planning, and potential avenues for research. The guide provides pertinent background information and clinical justification for IORT. It describes the INTRABEAM system and commissioning measurements along with a TG100 risk management analysis to ensure safety and accuracy of the IORT program. Following safety checks, dosimetry measurements are performed for verification of field flatness and symmetry, x‐ray output, and depth dose. Also discussed are dose linearity checks, beam isotropy, ion chamber measurements, calibration protocols, and in‐vivo dosimetry with optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters OSLDs, and radiochromic film. Emphasis is placed on the importance of routine QA procedures (daily, monthly, and annual) performed at regular intervals for a successful IORT program. For safe and accurate dose delivery, tests of important components of IORT clinical workflow are emphasized, such as, dose prescription, pre‐treatment QA, treatment setup, safety checks, radiation surveys, and independent checks of delivered dose. Challenges associated with in‐vivo dose measurements are discussed, along with special treatment procedures and shielding requirements. The importance of treatment planning in IORT is reviewed with reference to a Monte Carlo‐based commercial treatment planning system highlighting its main features and limitations. The report concludes with suggested topics for research including CT‐based image‐guided treatment planning and improved prescription dose accuracy. We hope that this multi‐institutional report will serve as a guidance document on the clinical implementation and use of INTRABEAM IORT.