bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
INDICATORS OF SOCIO-NATURAL CHANGE: SCIENTIFIC MEANING AND CONTEXTUAL INTERPRETATION
Authors: OXLEY T. , LEMON M. , JEFFREY P. 
Published: March 2003

This paper addresses the disparity and conflict between scientific meaning and the contextualised interpretation of (predominately) empirical indicators. This disparity arises due to the difficulty that the scientific community experiences when attempting to communicate with the political and planning community whose perspective remains outside the scope of both the indicator and the tools used. We suggest that for empirical science to be communicated effectively to a policy oriented audience it must be transformed through both theoretical and virtual contexts. The significance of this approach is that at every stage communication becomes possible through a common negotiated reference point, or set of reference points. We highlight a mismatch between the science and the response, emphasising the value of an integrative approach to assessing environmental change and the need for accessible decision support tools in formulating responses to changes in the human-environmental balance. We propose a framework which directly addresses the perceptual, empirical, theoretical and virtual dimensions of indicators and through which the conflicts between the science and the interpretation of socio-natural change may be overcome.
INVESTIGATION OF DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDER VIEWS OF LOCAL RESIDENT INVOLVEMENT DURING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS IN THE UK
Authors: ROBINSON MICHAEL , BOND ALAN 
Published: March 2003

Based on the possibility that different stakeholders have different views and aspirations about public involvement in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a study was carried out to test whether this was the case, and whether the urban/suburban public might have different views on involvement of local residents (who are considered to be stakeholders) in EIA to the rural public and whether the views of those with experience of such involvement differ from the views of those without such experience. A questionnaire survey was carried out of UK EIA consultants and residents of one rural village and one urban area in the UK. The questions were structured in relation to seven issues relating to local residents involvement in EIA: importance; when (at which EIA stage); when (with respect to development sector); when (with respect to impact areas, e.g. air, fauna); to what extent; who; and for what purpose. Chi-squared tests were carried out to identify significant differences between pairs of results. Significant differences were found between the views of the consultants (who would organise the local residents involvement) and the local residents themselves, for many of the issues investigated. There were also some differences in views between the views of the rural and urban/suburban public for a limited range of issues and some, but not many, differences between the views of those with experience of local residents involvement and those without. Bearing in mind the limited nature of the survey, the results indicate that there is potential, even where consultants design what they consider to be very good public involvement programmes, for poor acceptance from the local residents and a lack of confidence in the programme. Consultants need to be aware of the range of views of stakeholders in order to develop successful public involvement programmes.
Test translation and adaptation in public education in the USA
Authors: Stansfield Charles W. 
Published: March 2003

The use of translated versions of formal educationalassessments is becoming more common in the United States of America (USA). This is due to two converging factors: 1) legislation passed during the Clinton and Bush administrations; 2) an influx of non-English-speaking immigrants, especially from Latin America. Against this background, this article discusses theoretical and practical issues pertaining to the translation or adaptation of educational assessments in the USA. These issues include the role of language proficiency and academic background in performance on standards-based achievement tests in different languages, factors affecting the decision whether to translate tests, translation methods and procedures, the degree to which translated tests are used in the USA, current laws influencing the use of translation, and the role that language testing specialists may play in this arena.
Risk Factors for Locoregional Recurrence Among Breast Cancer Patients: Results From International Breast Cancer Study Group Trials I Through VII
Authors: Wallgren A. , Bonetti M. , Gelber R.D. , Goldhirsch A. , Castiglione-Gertsch M. , Holmberg S.B. , Lindtner J. , Thürlimann B. , Fey M. , Werner I.D. , Forbes J.F. , Price K. , Coates A.S. , Collins J. 
Published: March 2003

Purpose: To explore prognostic factors for locoregional failures (LRF) among women treated for invasive breast cancer within clinical trials of adjuvant therapies. Patients and Methods: The study population consisted of 5,352 women who were treated with a modified radical mastectomy and enrolled in one of seven International Breast Cancer Study Group randomized trials. A total of 1,275 women with node-negative disease received either no adjuvant therapy or a single cycle of perioperative chemotherapy, and 4,077 women with node-positive disease received adjuvant chemotherapy of at least 3 months’ duration and/or tamoxifen. Median follow-up is 12 to 15.5 years. Results: In women with node-negative disease, factors associated with increased risk of LRF were vascular invasion (VI) and tumor size greater than 2 cm for premenopausal and VI for postmenopausal patients. Of the 1,275 patients, 345 (27%) met criteria for the highest risk groups, and the 10-year cumulative incidences of LRF with or without distant metastases were 16% for premenopausal and 19% for postmenopausal women. For the node-positive cohort, number of nodes and tumor grade were factors for both menopausal groups, with additional prediction provided by VI for premenopausal and tumor size for postmenopausal patients. Of the 4,077 patients, 815 (20%) met criteria for the highest risk groups, and 10-year cumulative incidences were 35% for premenopausal and 34% for postmenopausal women. Conclusion: LRFs are a significant problem after mastectomy alone even for some patients with node-negative breast cancer, as well as after mastectomy and adjuvant treatment for some subgroups of patients with node-positive disease. In addition to number of positive lymph nodes, predictors of LRF include tumor-related factors, such as vascular invasion, higher grade, and larger size.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral Etoposide in Children With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Edick Mathew J. , Gajjar Amar , Mahmoud Hazem H. , van de Poll Matthijs E.C. , Harrison Patricia L. , Panetta John C. , Rivera Gaston K. , Ribeiro Raul C. , Sandlund John T. , Boyett James M. , Pui Ching-Hon , Relling Mary V. 
Published: March 2003

Purpose: To study the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of once- versus twice-daily oral etoposide in children with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and Methods: Fifty-eight patients were randomly assigned to etoposide at 50 mg/m2/d with once- versus twice-daily doses for 22 days. On day 8, vincristine, asparaginase, and dexamethasone were started. Etoposide pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were studied for 47, 28, and 26 patients on day 1, 8, and 22, respectively, of remission reinduction therapy. Results: Of 48 patients with pharmacokinetic data, 42 (87.5%) achieved complete remission, three (6.3%) failed to achieve remission, and three (6.3%) died during induction. Median etoposide day 8 area under concentration-time curve (AUC) and cumulative AUC tended to be greater (P = .06 and P = .07, respectively) in patients (n = 23) who achieved complete remission (24 and 522 μmol/L • h, respectively) than in patients (n = 3) who did not (14 and 303 μmol/L • h, respectively). Three of eight patients with plasma concentrations exceeding 1.7 μM (1 μg/mL) for more than 8 hours daily, compared with one of 20 patients with concentrations exceeding 1.7 μM for ≤ 8 hours daily, were unable to receive all 22 days of etoposide because of toxicity. There was no difference in the AUC at day 1 or day 8 with once- versus twice-daily doses (P = .55 and P = .86, respectively). Conclusion: A pharmacodynamic relationship exists between systemic etoposide exposure and response to therapy when oral etoposide is used as part of remission induction regimens for relapsed or refractory childhood ALL.
Importance of Faith on Medical Decisions Regarding Cancer Care
Authors: Silvestri Gerard A. , Knittig Sommer , Zoller James S. , Nietert Paul J. 
Published: March 2003

Purpose: Decisions regarding cancer treatment choices can be difficult. Several factors may influence the decision to undergo treatment. One poorly understood factor is the influence of a patient’s faith on how they make medical decisions. We compared the importance of faith on treatment decisions among doctors, patients, and patient caregivers. Methods: One hundred patients with advanced lung cancer, their caregivers, and 257 medical oncologists were interviewed. Participants were asked to rank the importance of the following factors that might influence treatment decisions: cancer doctor’s recommendation, faith in God, ability of treatment to cure disease, side effects, family doctor’s recommendation, spouse’s recommendation, and children’s recommendation. Results: All three groups ranked the oncologist’s recommendation as most important. Patients and caregivers ranked faith in God second, whereas physicians placed it last (P < .0001). Patients who placed a high priority on faith in God had less formal education (P < .0001). Conclusion: Patients and caregivers agree on the factors that are important in deciding treatment for advanced lung cancer but differ substantially from doctors. All agree that the oncologist’s recommendation is most important. This is the first study to demonstrate that, for some, faith is an important factor in medical decision making, more so than even the efficacy of treatment. If faith plays an important role in how some patients decide treatment, and physicians do not account for it, the decision-making process may be unsatisfactory to all involved. Future studies should clarify how faith influences individual decisions regarding treatment.
Safety of Yttrium-90 Ibritumomab Tiuxetan Radioimmunotherapy for Relapsed Low-Grade, Follicular, or Transformed Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Witzig Thomas E. , White Christine A. , Gordon Leo I. , Wiseman Gregory A. , Emmanouilides Christos , Murray James L. , Lister John , Multani Pratik S. 
Published: March 2003

Purpose: Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with yttrium-90 (90Y)-labeled anti-CD20 antibody (90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan; Zevalin, IDEC Pharmaceuticals Corporation, San Diego, CA) has a high rate of tumor response in patients with relapsed or refractory, low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). This study presents the safety data from 349 patients in five studies of outpatient treatment with 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan. Patients and Methods: Patients received rituximab 250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, and either 0.4 mCi/kg (15 MBq/kg) or 0.3 mCi/kg (11 MBq/kg) of 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan on day 8 (maximum dose, 32 mCi). Patients were observed for up to 4 years after therapy or until progressive disease. Results: Infusion-related toxicities were typically grade 1 or 2 and were associated with rituximab. No significant organ toxicity was noted. Toxicity was primarily hematologic, with nadir counts occurring at 7 to 9 weeks and lasting approximately 1 to 4 weeks depending on the method of calculation. After the 0.4-mCi/kg dose, grade 4 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia occurred in 30%, 10%, and 3% of patients, respectively, and after the 0.3-mCi/kg dose, these grade 4 toxicities occurred in 35%, 14%, and 8% of patients, respectively. The risk of hematologic toxicity increased with degree of baseline bone marrow involvement with NHL. Seven percent of patients were hospitalized with infection (3% with neutropenia) and 2% had grade 3 or 4 bleeding events. Myelodysplasia or acute myelogenous leukemia was reported in five patients (1%) 8 to 34 months after treatment. Conclusion: Single-dose 90Y ibritumomab tiuxetan RIT has an acceptable safety profile in relapsed NHL patients with less than 25% lymphoma marrow involvement, adequate marrow reserve, platelets greater than 100,000 cells/μL, and neutrophils greater than 1,500 cells/μL.
Egr-1 Induction in Rat Granulosa Cells by Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone: Combinatorial Regulation By Transcription Factors Cyclic Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate Regulatory Element Binding Protein, Serum Response Factor, Sp1, and Early Growth Response Factor-1
Authors: Russell Darryl L. , Doyle Kari M. H. , Gonzales-Robayna Ignacio , Pipaon Carlos , Richards Joanne S. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractEarly growth response factor (Egr-1) is an inducible zinc finger transcription factor that binds specific GC-rich enhancer elements and impacts female reproduction. These studies document for the first time that FSH rapidly induces Egr-1 expression in granulosa cells of small growing follicles. This response is transient but is reinitiated in preovulatory follicles exposed to the LH analog, human chorionic gonadotropin. Immunohistochemical analysis also showed gonadotropin induced Egr-1 in theca cells. The Egr-1 gene regulatory region responsive to gonadotropin signaling was localized within −164 bp of the transcription initiation site. Binding of Sp1/Sp3 to a proximal GC-box at −64/−46 bp was enhanced by FSH in immature granulosa cells but reduced after human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation of preovulatory follicles despite constant protein expression. This dynamic regulation of Sp1 binding was dependent on gonadotropin-regulated mechanisms that modulate Sp1/3-DNA binding activity. Serum response factor was active in granulosa cells and bound a consensus CArG-box/serum response element site, whereas two putative cAMP response elements within the −164-bp region bound cAMP regulatory element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) and a second cAMP-inducible protein immunologically related to CREB. Transient transfection analyses using Egr-1 promoter-luciferase constructs and site-specific mutations show that the serum response element, GC-box, and CRE−131 are involved in gonadotropin regulation of Egr-1 expression in granulosa cells. Specific kinase inhibitors of Erk or protein kinase A antagonized this induction while exogenously expressed Egr-1 enhanced reporter expression. These observations indicate that the Egr-1 gene is a target of both FSH and LH action that may mediate molecular programs of proliferation and/or differentiation during follicle growth, ovulation, and luteinization.
Surveys on the use of cardiac markers in the UK
Authors: Tsang Wing Man , Owen Avril M. , Collinson Paul O. , Barth Julian H. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Troponin measurements are now central to the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes and for the stratification of the severity of cardiac disease. Some laboratories have quickly adopted the new testing strategies, which include troponin measurement for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, while others are still developing appropriate protocols for cardiac testing that they can support financially. However, it is not known how widespread is the adoption of these new strategies across the UK. Methods: The National Audit Committee of the Association of Clinical Biochemists commissioned two surveys in 1999 and 2001 to assess the status of cardiac markers currently being offered by laboratories in the UK and how this service might develop in the future. Results: The results show that many laboratories are continuously adapting and improving their cardiac marker testing in line with current recommendations for acute myocardial infarction. Although most laboratories are confident in the use of troponin measurement in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction, they are less confident in the use of biochemical markers in assessing prognostic outcome in the other cardiac conditions. Conclusions: Finance, staffing and equipment constraints may offer significant impediments to troponin testing with a 1-h turnaround time.
Measurement of total homocysteine in plasma and blood spots using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: comparison with the plasma Abbott IMx method
Authors: McCann Steven J. , Gillingwater Scott , Keevil Brian G. , Cooper Donald P. , Morris Michel R. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Current sampling for total homocysteine (tHcy) is problematic, requiring plasma separation within 15 min. The aim of this study was to develop a liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method for the measurement of tHcy in plasma and dried blood spots and to determine whether the dried blood spot concentration could be used to predict plasma concentrations of tHcy. Methods: LC-MS/MS methodology was optimized to measure tHcy in plasma and dried blood spots. Fifty blood samples collected from heart transplant patients were used to form dried blood spots and for plasma analysis. Plasma tHcy was also measured using the Abbott IMx1 method and values were compared to the tHcy concentrations determined in plasma and dried blood spots using LC-MS/MS methodology. Results: The plasma tHcy LC-MS/MS results compared well with the IMx values: LC-MS/MS=1·18(IMx)-0·44 ( r2=0·915). The within-batch precision ( n =10) of the plasma LC-MS/MS method was < 2·0% at 14·6 and 37·7 µmol/L, respectively; the between-batch precision ( n=10) was 5·0 and 8·0%, respectively, at these concentrations. The method was found to be sensitive down to 1 µmol/L and linear up to at least 100 µmol/L. Dried blood spot LC-MS/MS results were considerably lower than the plasma IMx values ( P < 0·0001): dried blood spot LC-MS/MS=0·33IMx+1·77 ( r2=0·682). The within-batch precision ( n=20) of the dried blood spot LC-MS/MS method was 7·3% and 4·7% at concentrations of 4·0 and 7·9 µmol/L, respectively; the between-batch precision was 12·6% and 7·9% at concentrations of 5·1 and 8·0 µmol/L, respectively. To assess whether dried blood spots are suitable as a screening test to predict plasma tHcy concentrations, arbitary cut-off levels were compared. If it is assumed that a plasma tHcy concentration of >15 µmol/L is raised, a dried blood spot result of >6·8 µmol/L has a sensitivity and specificity in detecting a raised plasma tHcy of 83·3% and 96·2%, respectively, and a positive and negative predictive value of 95% and 86%, respectively, with an efficiency of 90%. Use of a dried blood spot cut-off concentration of 6·2 µmol/L for predicting high plasma tHcy concentrations (above 15 µmol/L) has a sensitivity and specificity of 95·8% and 73·1%, respectively, positive and negative predictive values of 76% and 95%, respectively, and an efficiency of 84%. Conclusions: We have developed a precise and accurate LC-MS/MS method for measuring plasma tHcy concentrations, which uses a small volume of plasma and is suitable for routine use. A satisfactory LC-MS/MS method for the measurement of tHcy in dried blood spots was also developed; this method might be useful in routine screening for raised plasma concentrations of tHcy.
The influence of different sample collection types on the levels of markers used for Down's syndrome screening as measured by the Kryptor Immunosassay system
Authors: Spencer Kevin 
Published: March 2003

Background: In a rapid point-of-care screening programme for chromosomal anomalies, analysis of biochemical markers in maternal blood can now be accomplished in a rapid time frame (less than 20 min). The need to leave whole blood samples some 10 min for coagulation and a further 5 min for centrifugation adds additional processing time. Methods: The possibilities for reducing this processing time were investigated using various anticoagulated blood collection systems and the Kryptor analytical platform. Plasma levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP), pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and free human chronic gonadotrophin β-subunit (β-hCG) were compared with those in maternal serum. Results: From the mean results from ten patients it was shown that use of heparin plasma resulted in a statistically significant reduction in levels of PAPP-A and that EDTA plasma reduced the levels of PAPP-A dramatically. For AFP, levels in citrated plasma and EDTA plasma were also significantly reduced, whereas levels of free β-hCG were not affected. Conclusion: Use of alternative sample types for PAPP-A is not possible. The sample of choice for first trimester screening using the Kryptor platform is maternal serum.
Prevalence and persistence of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections in urine specimens from Danish male military recruits.
Authors: Van Den Brule Adriaan J C , Munk Christian , Winther Jeanette F , Kjaer Susanne Krüger , Jørgensen Hans O , Meijer Chris J L M , Morré Servaas A 
Published: March 2003

Danish male military recruits (n = 388) were included in a follow-up study to investigate the prevalence and persistence of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Urine specimens were collected at enrolment and after approximately six months. C. trachomatis was detected by polymerase chain reaction (Amplicor, Roche). Questionnaires were filled out concerning sexual behaviour and clinical symptoms. The prevalence of asymptomatic C. trachomatis in Danish male military recruits was 4.6% (18 out of 388). From five C. trachomatis-positive men no follow-up sample was obtained. From the remaining 13 C. trachomatis-positive men four (31%) were treated for C. trachomatis between the two visits (outside the study protocol). Of the remaining nine men, one cleared the infection and eight men (89%) had a persistent infection. The number of lifetime sexual partners was associated with the presence of C. trachomatis at enrolment. Although based on small numbers, this follow-up study shows, in contrast to women with asymptomatic C. trachomatis infections, a high percentage of C. trachomatis persistence in asymptomatically infected males.
Sensitivity and specificity of three new commercially available Chlamydia trachomatis tests
Authors: Verkooyen R P , Peeters M F , Van Rijsoort-Vos J H , Van Der Meijden W I , Mouton J W 
Published: March 2003

In order to determine the value of new Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) specific tests for routine serological diagnosis of Ct infections, we evaluated several commercially available assays (C. trachomatis enzyme immunoassay (EIA), Labsystems (CtL); SeroCT, Savyon (CtS); pELISA, Medac (CtMp)) in various study populations. The prevalence of C. trachomatis-specific IgA antibodies in a blood donor population (n=443) as determined by the peptide based tests CtL, the CtS and the CtMp was 5%, while for IgG antibodies this was 6% (CtL and CtS) and 12% (CtMp) respectively. Prevalence was negatively correlated with age, concording with C. trachomatis specificity. None of the three tests showed significant titre rises in serum samples taken from patients with a proven infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae (n=22), indicating species-specificity for all three tests. In patients with a polymerase chain reaction proven (n = 324) Ct infection, 75%, 70% and 68% were positive for IgG and 45%, 38% and 47% positive for IgA as determined by the CtMp, CtL and CtS respectively. We conclude that the new synthetic peptide-based EIA tests are able to detect species-specific Ct antibodies, which are strongly correlated to (active) infection.