bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relative risk aversion among the elderly
Authors: Bellante Don , Green Carole A. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThis paper examines portfolio allocation behavior of the elderly, investigating whether their behavior conforms to Arrow's postulate of increasing relative risk aversion. Additionally, the effects on risk aversion of age, race, gender, education, health status, and the number of children are examined. The source of data is the AHEAD data set that is comprised of households with at least one member aged 70 or over. In the preferred specification, evidence supports a finding of modestly decreasing relative risk aversion and statistical significance for the personal characteristics examined. Implications are drawn for the likely security markets effects of an aging population.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans association with nuchal‐type fibroma
Authors: Hafeez Diwan A. , Horenstein Marcelo G. 
Published: December 2003

Background:  Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a hypercellular, storiform, CD34‐positive low‐grade sarcoma with honeycomb entrapment of fat, which typically involves the trunk and extremities. Nuchal‐type fibroma (NTF ) is a paucicellular, CD34‐positive fibrous tumor with fat entrapment, which may occur in both nuchal and extranuchal locations and in association with Gardner syndrome.Methods:  We report the association of DFSP with NTF in a 43‐year‐old male with no personal or family history of Gardner syndrome.Results:  The patient had a past history of a DFSP removed from his back, which recurred 2 years later and was re‐excised. Additionally, the patient had a typical NTF, in the posterior neck, removed at the same time. Histopathologic examination of the recurrent back lesion demonstrated a composite lesion with typical appearances of DFSP, centrally, blending into an NTF‐like appearance, peripherally. Both components expressed CD34 and CD99, and lacked elastin. A review of the microscopic slides of the patient's previously excised DFSP revealed an identical lesion with surrounding NTF‐like areas.Conclusion:  While an association between NTF and fibromatosis has recently been reported, this is to our knowledge the first report of an association between NTF and DFSP. The morphologic findings suggest that there may be a continuum between these two CD34‐positive lesions that have a tendency to infiltrate adipose tissue and recur.
Antigen distribution and antigen‐presenting cells in skin biopsies of human chromoblastomycosis
Authors: Sotto Mírian N. , De Brito T. , Silva Ana Maria G. , Vidal Monica , Castro L. G. Martins 
Published: December 2003

Background:  Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic, suppurative, granulomatous mycosis usually confined to skin and subcutaneous tissues. The host defense mechanisms in chromoblastomycosis have not been extensively investigated. The purpose of the present study was to determine the distribution and pathways of the fungal antigen(s) and the possible role of the different immunocompetent cells in antigen processing in skin lesions.Methods:  The distribution of Fonsecaea pedrosoi antigen(s) in human skin was studied in 18 biopsies from 14 patients with chromoblastomycosis. A purified polyclonal immune serum raised in rabbits against metabolic antigen(s) of F. pedrosoi was used to detect yeast antigen(s) by immunohistochemical procedures. Double immunolabeling was performed with yeast antigen(s) and Langerhans' cells [labeled with anti‐S100 protein monoclonal antibody (MoAb)], yeast antigen(s) and factor XIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes (immunolabeled with anti‐factor XIIIa polyclonal antibody), and yeast antigen(s) and macrophages (labeled with CD 68 monoclonal antibody).Results:  The F. pedrosoi antigen(s) accumulated in the skin macrophages and, in a few instances, in factor XIIIa+ dendrocytes and Langerhans' cells.Conclusions:  The data obtained suggest that chiefly macrophages, also Langerhans' cells and factor XIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes, function as antigen‐presenting cells in chromoblastomycosis.
Follicular squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: a poorly recognized neoplasm arising from the wall of hair follicles
Authors: Diaz‐Cascajo Carlos , Borghi Susanna , Weyers Wolfgang , Bastida‐Inarrea Jesus 
Published: December 2003

Background:  In the last decades, a number of clinicopathologic subtypes of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, ranging from highly aggressive tumors with a tendency to recur and metastasize to neoplasms with a favorable prognosis, have been described. SCCs arising from the wall of hair follicles have been briefly mentioned by some authors but never reported in a series.Methods:  Cases of SCC arising from the wall of hair follicles were collected from the files of two large German Centers for Dermatopathology and analyzed clinicopathologically and immunohistochemically.Results:  Sixteen cases of SCC developing in hair follicles were found among more than 7000 cases of cutaneous SCC reviewed. In most cases, tumors arose on sun‐damaged skin of the face of elderly persons. There was a male predominance (11/5). The most common clinical diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Microscopically, tumors developed in the upper part of hair follicles without or with focal involvement of the overlying epidermis at the border with the involved follicle. Immunohistochemically, tumors were positive for cytokeratin and negative for a battery of immunomarkers, including antibodies against the most common carcinogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) of the skin. Most tumors were excised by simple excision. In two cases, a recurrence was noted after incomplete excision. No further recurrences or metastasis have been noted after a follow‐up period ranging from 11 months to 12 years.Conclusion:  SCC of the hair follicle represents a poorly recognized but distinctive subset of SCC of the skin that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other cutaneous epithelial tumors. The term follicular SCC (FSCC) is proposed for this neoplasm.
Mid‐dermal elastolysis preceded by acute neutrophilic dermatosis
Authors: Lewis Kevan G. , Dill Sara W. , Wilkel Caroline S. , Robinson‐Bostom Leslie 
Published: December 2003

Background:  Mid‐dermal elastolysis is a rare idiopathic elastic tissue disorder that is characterized by localized patches of finely wrinkled skin and a ‘band‐like’ loss of elastic tissue in the mid‐reticular dermis. Lesions may be preceded by erythema and/or urticaria, and histological examination of inflamed lesional skin may demonstrate lymphohistiocytic dermal infiltration.Case report:  We report a case of mid‐dermal elastolysis in a 31‐year‐old woman who developed multiple erythematous and urticarial plaques on the arms and trunk. Histologic examination of a representative lesion revealed a neutrophilic infiltrate and a normal pattern of elastic tissue. Several months later, the erythema and urticaria was noted to have resolved, leaving soft, pendulous plaques with overlying finely wrinkled skin. A follow‐up biopsy at this time showed minimal lymphocytic inflammation but almost complete absence of elastic tissue in the mid‐reticular dermis.Conclusions:  To our knowledge, acute neutrophilic dermatosis resulting in mid‐dermal elastolysis has not been previously described. This observation lends support to an emerging theory that the pathogenesis of mid‐dermal elastolysis may be inflammatory.
Procollagen 1 expression in atypical fibroxanthoma and other tumors
Authors: Jensen Kristin , Wilkinson Barbara , Wines Nina , Kossard Steven 
Published: December 2003

Background:  Procollagen (PC) is secreted by fibroblasts into the extracellular matrix, where it is cleaved to form collagen. The rat anti‐human PC‐1 monoclonal antibody has been reported to react with atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), a poorly differentiated but usually benign skin lesion common in elderly patients. We have studied PC‐1 staining in 50 tumors with AFX histological features (four of which were subsequently reclassified as non‐AFX tumors) to confirm this prior observation. In addition, we have investigated PC‐1 in other skin tumors, particularly those with spindled cell or sclerosing/desmoplastic morphologies.Method:  Archival material was retrieved and sections were prepared and immunostained with PC‐1 as well as a panel of antibodies, including S‐100 and MNF‐116 (cytokeratins 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, and 19).Results:  PC‐1 staining was strongly positive in 40 of 46 (87%) AFXs. Three AFXs displayed weak staining with PC‐1 even after repeat staining of 10 tumors that were initially weak. Three additional tumors stained with both PC‐1 and MNF‐116 and were classified as AFX‐like squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). One tumor with AFX‐like histology was PC‐1 negative and S‐100 positive and was classified as an AFX‐like melanoma. Positive staining in tumor cells was observed in three of nine (33%) desmoplastic malignant melanomas, three of eight (38%) desmoplastic SCCs, zero of 10 (0%) desmoplastic trichoepitheliomas, zero of 10 (0%) morpheic basal cell carcinomas, and zero of 10 (0%) sclerosing sweat duct carcinomas.Conclusion:  PC‐1 is a useful antibody in a diagnostic immunohistochemical panel when investigating AFX and AFX‐like tumors; however, good technical quality and careful interpretation are necessary when using a panel of antibodies, particularly to keratin and S‐100 protein, for optimal accuracy.
Ets‐1 immunohistochemical expression in non‐melanoma skin carcinoma
Authors: Keehn Connie A. , Smoller Bruce R. , Morgan Michael B. 
Published: December 2003

Background:  Ets‐1 oncoprotein is a transcription factor known to regulate the expression of numerous genes important in extracellular matrix remodeling and angiogenesis. Up‐regulation of Ets‐1 has been shown to be important in a variety of human malignancies and to correlate with prognosis. To our knowledge, this oncoprotein has not been examined in non‐melanoma skin carcinomas.Design:  A series of 26 primary cutaneous skin lesions with patient records were independently examined for diagnosis confirmation and immunohistochemical expression by two dermatopathologists. The immunohistochemical expression for Ets‐1 (Novocastra, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, UK) was scored by an average of the mean labeling intensity (MLI), where no nuclear staining = 0, weak nuclear staining = 1, moderate nuclear staining = 2, and strong nuclear staining = 3.Results:  All basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) cases exhibited negative nuclear staining, for an average MLI of 0. Keratoacanthomas, squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SIS), and well‐differentiated squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) exhibited negative to weak nuclear staining, for an average MLI of 0.4 ± 0.3. Moderately differentiated SCCs exhibited moderate nuclear staining, for an average MLI of 1.8 ± 0.6. Poorly differentiated SCCs and metastatic SCCs exhibited very strong nuclear staining, with an average MLI of 2.8 ± 0.2.Conclusions:  Ets‐1 is not expressed in cutaneous BCC or MCC and is weakly expressed in SIS and forms of well‐differentiated SCC. Although the intensity of Ets‐1 immunostaining distinguished between well‐differentiated and poorly differentiated SCC (p < 0.0001), it failed to discriminate between in situ and well‐differentiated SCCs. The preliminary data suggests Ets‐1 may be important in the pathogenesis of invasive SCC.
Comparison of several bootstrap methods for bias reduction of QTL effect estimates
Authors: Bennewitz J. , Reinsch N. , Kalm E. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThe factors leading to the bias of quantitative trait loci (QTL) effect estimates were investigated by simulating paternal half‐sib families. An upward bias was found in nearly all simulated configurations when only significant replicates were considered. This bias was a function of the experimental power of detecting a QTL (increased bias when power decreased) and was attributed to biased sampling. Three non‐parametric bootstrap schemes were tested to re‐estimate bias‐reduced QTL effects. The classical bootstrap bias corrected re‐estimate and the permutation bootstrap bias corrected re‐estimate failed to reduce the bias substantially. With the 0.368‐bootstrap the entire data set was repeatedly split into an estimation set formed by the bootstrap sample and into an independent test set formed by progeny not found in the estimation set. The size of the test set is asymptotically 0.368 times the number of progeny. The estimation set was used for calibration (i.e. estimating QTL position), and the test set was used for validation (i.e. estimating QTL effect at the particular position). The 0.368‐bootstrap re‐estimate was the mean effect estimate from validation from all bootstrap runs. The 0.368‐bootstrap produced on average significantly less biased QTL effects which showed reduced mean square errors compared with the original estimates. It was relatively robust against biased sampling.
Computing simplifications for non‐additive genetic models
Authors: Schaeffer L. R. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryA limiting factor in the analysis of non‐additive genetic models has been the ability to compute the inverses of non‐additive genetic covariance matrices for large populations. Also, the order of the equations was equal to the number of animals times the number of non‐additive genetic effects that were included in the model. This paper describes a computing algorithm that avoids the inverses of the non‐additive genetic covariance matrices and keeps the size of the equations to be the same as any animal model with only additive genetic effects. Quadratic forms for the non‐additive genetic variances could also be computed without the inverses of the non‐additive genetic covariance matrices.
Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and implications for family health
Authors: Goodman Janice H. 
Published: December 2003

Background. Much attention has been paid to the problem of postpartum depression in women. However, there is some indication that men also experience depression after the birth of a child, and that paternal depression is linked to maternal depression.Aims. The purpose of this integrative review was to examine current knowledge about postpartum depression in fathers. Specific aims were (1) to examine the incidence of paternal depression in the first year after the birth of a child, (2) to identify the characteristics and predictors of paternal postpartum depression, (3) to describe the relationship between maternal and paternal postpartum depression, and (4) to discuss the influence of paternal depression on the family and infant.Methods. A literature search from 1980 to 2002 was carried out using the CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Medline electronic databases. Twenty research studies were identified that included incidence rates of paternal depression during the first year postpartum. These were further examined and synthesized regarding onset, severity, duration, and predictors of paternal depressive symptoms, and for information about the relationship between maternal and paternal depression.Findings. During the first postpartum year, the incidence of paternal depression ranged from 1·2% to 25·5% in community samples, and from 24% to 50% among men whose partners were experiencing postpartum depression. Maternal depression was identified as the strongest predictor of paternal depression during the postpartum period. The implications of parental depression for family health were discussed.Conclusions. Postpartum depression in men is a significant problem. The strong correlation of paternal postpartum depression with maternal postpartum depression has important implications for family health and well‐being. Consideration of postpartum depression in fathers as well as mothers, and consideration of co‐occurrence of depression in couples, is an important next step in research and practice involving childbearing families.
Technology‐dependent children and their families: a review
Authors: Wang Kai‐Wei Katherine , Barnard Alan 
Published: December 2003

Background.  Advances in medical technology and nursing care have enabled children who rely on long‐term medical and technical support to reunite with their families and community. The impact of discharging these children into the community involves a number of unprecedented social implications that warrant policy consideration. To begin with, an effort must be made to understand the phenomenon of caring for technology‐dependent children living at home.Aim.  The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive literature review on caring for technology‐dependent children living at home.Methods.  The review was conducted via keyword searches using various electronic databases. These included CINAHL, MEDLINE, Social Science Index, Sociological Abstracts, Australian Family and Society Abstracts, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The articles and books found were examined for commonality and difference, significant themes were extracted, and the strength of the research methods and subsequent evidence were critiqued.Findings.  In this paper, themes relating to home care for technology‐dependent children and their families are elucidated and summarized. These are: chronic illness and children; the impact of paediatric home care on children; the uniqueness of technology‐dependent children and their families; and parents’ experience of paediatric home care.Discussion.  Contentious issues, relevant to the social life of these children and their families, are raised and are discussed with the intention of extending awareness and provoking further debate among key stakeholders. These issues include: the changed meaning of home; family dynamics; social isolation; saving costs for whom?; shifts in responsibility; and parent–professional relationships.Conclusion.  More research is needed in the arena of paediatric home care, to facilitate relevant policy formation and implementation.
Decision‐making in clinical nursing: investigating contributing factors
Authors: Hoffman Kerry , Donoghue Judith , Duffield Christine 
Published: December 2003

Background.  This article describes the results of a study which investigated the contextual factors influencing clinical decision‐making. Education and experience have been suggested by some as having a positive effect on clinical decision‐making, and have been listed as being of high importance. Values, knowledge, clinical setting and stress have also been identified as being important to decision‐making, with various rankings given by different researchers.Aim.  The study was undertaken to determine relationships between occupational orientation (value to role), educational level, experience, area of practice, level of appointment, age and clinical decision‐making in Australian nurses. The predictive ability of each factor on clinical decision‐making was determined.Method.  This correlational study examined Australian nurses’ decision‐making about some common nursing interventions and ‘occupational orientation’, educational level, experience, level of appointment, area of clinical speciality and age. A model was constructed using stepwise selection regression to predict the ‘weight’ of each variable in clinical decision‐making.Results.  Education and experience were not significantly related to decision‐making. The factor that accounted for the greatest variability to clinical decision‐making was holding a professional occupational orientation, followed by level of appointment, area of clinical speciality, and age in that order.Conclusion.  In contrast to other studies, experience and educational level were not found to influence decision‐making strongly, the value of role was the most significant predictor. The model developed, however, only accounted for a low amount of variability in decision‐making. The findings indicate that there are other factors affecting clinical decision‐making that still require identification.
Quality of life of clients with schizophrenia
Authors: Chan Sally , Yu Iu Wai 
Published: December 2003

Background.  Because of the deinstitutionalization of mental health care in Hong Kong that has taken place since the 1980s, many people with mental health problems are being cared for in the community. The majority of clients have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and many have a long duration of illness and multiple readmissions. There is concern about their quality of life.Aim.  To investigate quality of life and related factors in clients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia in Hong Kong.Design.  A convenience sample was recruited from a psychiatric outpatient department. Structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the Hong Kong Chinese World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale‐Brief Version.Results.  A total of 172 people participated in the study. Most of them were single and unemployed. They were least satisfied with their psychological health, financial situation, life enjoyment and sexual activity. Women (n = 91) reported less satisfaction with quality of life than men (n = 86). Unemployed people (n = 100) were less satisfied with their quality of life than the employed (n = 76). Higher levels of mental health problems and higher numbers of previous hospitalizations were associated with negative perceptions of quality of life.Discussion.  People with mental health problems had significantly less satisfaction with their quality of life than a sample from the general population in Hong Kong surveyed in a previous study. As well as experiencing distressing mental symptoms, they had many difficulties, such as financial problems, unemployment and lack of opportunities to participate in social activities, that resulted from stigma and discrimination. These had a great impact on their quality of life.Study limitations.  Because of the small sample size and its convenience nature, the findings may not be generalizable to all clients in Hong Kong. A generic instrument was used to measure quality of life, and this may not have been sensitive to certain aspects of mental health clients’ lives.Conclusion.  The findings suggest that there is a need to strengthen social and vocational rehabilitation for people with mental health problems in Hong Kong. A more holistic and intensive model of care is required to meet their complex needs. A larger and more diverse sample should be used in future research, and a quality of life measure specifically designed for people with mental health problems should be used.