bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental Crime and Environmental Criminal Law in the People's Republic of China
Authors: Wang Shizhou 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIt is a common understanding in the civilized world that we should protect our environment from further damage, no matter upon what kind of political or ideological background this understanding is based or upon what kind of development level. 1 In the academic field, people are more interested in discussing HOW to protect our environment. We all generally agree that this is also a very important issue, because the methods and ways people take in environmental protection do not only re flect their perspectives in their understanding in protecting environment, but also provide us with an ef ficient and economical ways to do so. In order to achieve this academic object, the exchange of academic ideas and information and a comparative study is of great signi ficance. This article, therefore, is an attempt promote this kind of exchange and comparison.
Cross-National Study of Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Help: Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Arabs in Israel
Authors: Al-Krenawi Alean , Graham John R. , Dean Yasmin Z. , Eltaiba Nada 
Published: June 2004

Background: Help-seeking processes provide critical links between the onset of mental health problems and the provision of professional care. But little is known about these processes in the Arab world, and still less in transnational, comparative terms. This is the first study to compare help-seeking processes among Muslim Arab female students in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Aims: The present study compares the attitudes of Arab Muslim female students from Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards mental health treatment. Method: A convenience sample of 262 female Muslim-Arab undergraduate university students from Jordan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Arab students in Israel completed a modified Orientation for Seeking Professional Help (OSPH) Questionnaire. Results: Data revealed that nationality was not statistically significant as a variable in a positive attitude towards seeking professional help; year of study, marital status and age were found to be significant predictors of a positive attitude towards seeking help. High proportions of respondents among the nationalities referred to God through prayer during times of psychological distress. Conclusions: The discussion considers implications for professional service delivery and programme development. Future research could extrapolate findings to other Arab countries and to Arab peoples living in the non-Arab world.
The Stigma of Mental Illness: Patients’ Anticipations and Experiences
Authors: Angermeyer Matthias C. , Beck Michael , Dietrich Sandra , Holzinger Anita 
Published: June 2004

Background: There are studies that either deal with the stigmatization patients anticipate or with patients’ concrete stigmatization experiences. Up until now, however, research is short of studies that investigate both aspects of subjective stigmatization simultaneously. Aims: This study aims at investigating to what extent patients with schizophrenia or depression anticipate and experience stigmatization and how this is influenced by the type of mental disorder and the social environment. Method: A total of 210 patients with schizophrenia or a depressive episode were interviewed, one half living in a city and the other in a small town. Results: Most of the patients expect negative reactions from the environment, particularly as concerns the access to work. Concrete stigmatization experiences were most frequently reported in the domain of interpersonal interaction. Even though schizophrenia patients and patients with depression anticipated stigmatization similarly frequently, the former reported concrete stigmatization experiences more frequently than the latter. Conversely, patients living in a small town anticipated stigmatization more frequently than patients from the city, even though both had actually experienced stigmatization at a similar rate. Conclusion: The results underline the necessity to differentiate between anticipated and experienced stigmatization. This is highly relevant for planning interventions aimed at reducing the stigma of mental disorder.
Oral Health of Psychiatric In-Patients in Hong Kong
Authors: Tang Wai Kwong , Sun Frank C.S. , Ungvari Gabor S. , O’Donnell David 
Published: June 2004

Background: Poor oral health has been reported among various psychiatric populations. Little is known regarding the oral health among psychiatric patients in Asia. Aims: To examine the oral health status of a group of Chinese psychiatric inpatients in a long-term rehabilitation facility. Methods: A dental survey using the WHO standardised dental evaluation form was conducted in adult psychiatric patients in a rehabilitation programme. A qualified dentist examined all consenting patients. Results: Ninety-one patients (64.8% male; mean age: 44.7 9.9 years; mean length of illness: 20.3 11.5 years) were included in the study, the majority (80.2%) diagnosed with schizophrenia. Malocclusion was found in 79.1% of patients. The mean number of missing teeth was 9.5 8.9. Bleeding on probing, calculus, shallow and deep pockets were found in 7.1%, 71.8%, 72.9% and 28.2% of patients, respectively. Dental caries were found in 75.3% of dentate patients. The mean number of caries per patient was 5.5 6.1. Fifty-four per cent of patients needed dental extraction and 78.8% required conservative dental treatment. Older age and length of illness were significantly associated with poor dental health. Conclusions: Oral health status of chronic psychiatric patients seems to be considerably worse than that of the general population. Mental health professionals should pay more attention to preventive oral health habits of psychiatric patients.
Safety and efficacy of analgesia-based sedation with remifentanil versus standard hypnotic-based regimens in intensive care unit patients with brain injuries: a randomised, controlled trial [ISRCTN50308308]
Authors: Karabinis Andreas , Mandragos Kostas , Stergiopoulos Spiros , Komnos Apostolos , Soukup Jens , Speelberg Ben , Kirkham Andrew JT 
Published: June 2004

Abstract
Introduction
This randomised, open-label, observational, multicentre, parallel group study assessed the safety and efficacy of analgesia-based sedation using remifentanil in the neuro-intensive care unit.

Methods
Patients aged 18–80 years admitted to the intensive care unit within the previous 24 hours, with acute brain injury or after neurosurgery, intubated, expected to require mechanical ventilation for 1–5 days and requiring daily downward titration of sedation for assessment of neurological function were studied. Patients received one of two treatment regimens. Regimen one consisted of analgesia-based sedation, in which remifentanil (initial rate 9 μg kg-1 h-1) was titrated before the addition of a hypnotic agent (propofol [0.5 mg kg-1 h-1] during days 1–3, midazolam [0.03 mg kg-1 h-1] during days 4 and 5) (n = 84). Regimen two consisted of hypnotic-based sedation: hypnotic agent (propofol days 1–3; midazolam days 4 and 5) and fentanyl (n = 37) or morphine (n = 40) according to routine clinical practice. For each regimen, agents were titrated to achieve optimal sedation (Sedation–Agitation Scale score 1–3) and analgesia (Pain Intensity score 1–2).

Results
Overall, between-patient variability around the time of neurological assessment was statistically significantly smaller when using remifentanil (remifentanil 0.44 versus fentanyl 0.86 [P = 0.024] versus morphine 0.98 [P = 0.006]. Overall, mean neurological assessment times were significantly shorter when using remifentanil (remifentanil 0.41 hour versus fentanyl 0.71 hour [P = 0.001] versus morphine 0.82 hour [P < 0.001]). Patients receiving the remifentanil-based regimen were extubated significantly faster than those treated with morphine (1.0 hour versus 1.93 hour, P = 0.001) but there was no difference between remifentanil and fentanyl. Remifentanil was effective, well tolerated and provided comparable haemodynamic stability to that of the hypnotic-based regimen. Over three times as many users rated analgesia-based sedation with remifentanil as very good or excellent in facilitating assessment of neurological function compared with the hypnotic-based regimen.

Conclusions
Analgesia-based sedation with remifentanil permitted significantly faster and more predictable awakening for neurological assessment. Analgesia-based sedation with remifentanil was very effective, well tolerated and had a similar adverse event and haemodynamic profile to those of hypnotic-based regimens when used in critically ill neuro-intensive care unit patients for up to 5 days.
Signalling via CD70, a member of the TNF family, regulates T cell functions
Authors: García Pilar , de Heredia Agustín Beltrán , Bellón Teresa , Carpio Emilio , Llano Manuel , Caparrós Esther , Aparicio Pedro , López-Botet Miguel 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn the present work, we provide data supporting that CD70, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related molecule, defined as the CD27 ligand (CD27L), may actively regulate T cell functions similarly to other members of the TNF family (i.e., CD40L and CD30L). Cross-linking CD70 with specific monoclonal antibodies (mAb) stimulated cytotoxicity and cytokine production in human T cell clones. Detection of intracellular-free calcium mobilization and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation upon mAb engagement of CD70 further supported an active signaling role for the TNF-related molecule. Similar results were obtained in the Jurkat leukaemia T cell line stably transfected with CD70; in that system, induction of Akt phosphorylation was detected, indirectly revealing the involvement of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase pathway. Stimulation of CD70+ Jurkat cells, with a CD70-specific mAb or with COS-7 cells transiently transfected with CD27, induced transcriptional activity detectable by different reporter gene expression systems. Altogether, our data point out that a reciprocal communication may be established between CD27+ and CD70+ cells during the immune response.
The long pentraxin PTX3 up-regulates tissue factor in activated monocytes: another link between inflammation and clotting activation
Authors: Napoleone Emanuela , Di Santo Angelomaria , Peri Giuseppe , Mantovani Alberto , de Gaetano Giovanni , Donati Maria Benedetta , Lorenzet Roberto 
Published: June 2004

AbstractPentraxin-3 (PTX3), an acute-phase protein that belongs to the family of the PTXs, is found elevated in septic shock and increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction. As tissue factor (TF) plays a key role in thrombosis and inflammation associated with atherosclerosis and as we have recently reported that PTX3 increases TF synthesis in endothelial cells, we tested whether PTX3 could modulate TF expression in monocytes. Monocytes from peripheral blood of healthy donors were incubated with highly purified PTX3 with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cells were then disrupted, and procoagulant activity was assessed by a one-stage clotting time. PTX3 enhanced TF activity and antigen from LPS-stimulated monocytes in a dose-dependent way. The effect was specific, as other PTXs, such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P component, were ineffective. Moreover, the increase in activity was specific for LPS, as in the presence of other TF-inducing agents such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α, PTX3 was not effective. The increase in TF activity requires mRNA synthesis, as assessed by polymerase chain reaction. The mechanism by which PTX3 modulates TF synthesis resides in an enhanced IκB, α phosphorylation and degradation and increased migration of the transacting factor c-Rel/p65 into the nucleus, as determined by Western blot and electro-mobility shift assay. These results show that PTX3 is an enhancer of the expression of TF by mononuclear cells. In the area of vascular injury, during the inflammatory response, cell-mediated fibrin deposition takes place. PTX3 increases TF expression, thus potentially playing a role in thrombogenesis and wound healing.
Liver blood flow during cardiac surgery
Authors: Chetty Govind , Sharpe David AC , Nandi Jay , Butler Stephen J , Mitchell Ian M 
Published: June 2004

Objective: Impairment of liver blood flow and, therefore, potentially liver function, has important short-term consequences because of the liver’s key metabolic importance and role in drug metabolism. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of cardiac surgery on liver blood flow from before the induction of anaesthesia to 24 hours postoperatively. Method: Ten patients with no history of liver impairment, moderate or good left ventricular function, and undergoing routine hypothermic coronary artery bypass graft surgery, were entered into the study. Liver blood flow was determined by the clearance of indocyanine green (ICG), expressed as a percentage disappearance rate (PDR). Results: The mean baseline percentage disappearence rate (PDR) of indocyanine green (ICG) was 19.849-4.47%/min. This increased marginally to 20.429-6.67%/min following the induction of anaesthesia, but after 15 min of cardiopulmonary bypass, the PDR fell to 13.519-3.69%/min; this was significantly lower than all other PDRs measured throughout the study. Prior to extubation, the PDR increased again to 20.019-3.72%-min, and this level was maintained at 12 hours (PDR 20.329-3.53%min) and 24 hours (PDR 20.519-2.27%/min). Conclusion: The induction of anaesthesia and positive pressure ventilation do not affect liver blood flow. Cardiopulmonary bypass at 308C is associated with a significant reduction in liver blood flow, which returns to normal within 4 / 6 hours of surgery and remains normal for up to 24 hours after surgery.
Randomized Phase II Trial of Docetaxel Plus Thalidomide in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer
Authors: Dahut William L. , Gulley James L. , Arlen Philip M. , Liu Yinong , Fedenko Katherine M. , Steinberg Seth M. , Wright John J. , Parnes Howard , Chen Clara C. , Jones Elizabeth , Parker Catherine E. , Linehan W. Marston , Figg William D. 
Published: June 2004

Purpose Both docetaxel and thalidomide have demonstrated activity in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). We compared the efficacy of docetaxel to docetaxel plus thalidomide in patients with AIPC. Methods Seventy-five patients with chemotherapy-naïve metastatic AIPC were randomly assigned to receive either docetaxel 30 mg/m2 intravenously every week for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week rest period (n = 25); or docetaxel at the same dose and schedule, plus thalidomide 200 mg orally each day (n = 50). Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) consensus criteria and radiographic scans were used to determine the proportion of patients with a PSA decline, and time to progression. Results After a median potential follow-up time of 26.4 months, the proportion of patients with a greater than 50% decline in PSA was higher in the docetaxel/thalidomide group (53% in the combined group, 37% in docetaxel-alone arm). The median progression-free survival in the docetaxel group was 3.7 months and 5.9 months in the combined group (P = .32). At 18 months, overall survival in the docetaxel group was 42.9% and 68.2% in the combined group. Toxicities in both groups were manageable after administration of prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin in the combination group. Conclusion In this randomized phase II trial, the addition of thalidomide to docetaxel resulted in an encouraging PSA decline rate and overall median survival rate in patients with metastatic AIPC. After the prophylactic low-molecular-weight heparin was instituted to prevent venous thromboses, the combination regimen was well tolerated. Larger randomized trials are warranted to assess the impact of this combination.
Multicenter Randomized Trial Comparing Sequential With Concomitant Administration of Doxorubicin and Docetaxel As First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group (GEICAM-9903) Phase III Study
Authors: Alba Emilio , Martín Miguel , Ramos Manuel , Adrover Encarna , Balil Ana , Jara Carlos , Barnadas Agustí , Fernández-Aramburo Antonio , Sánchez-Rovira Pedro , Amenedo Margarita , Casado Antonio 
Published: June 2004

Purpose This randomized, multicenter, phase III trial evaluated whether sequential doxorubicin and docetaxel (A→T) reduced hematological toxicity, especially febrile neutropenia, compared with concomitant (AT) administration as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients and Methods One hundred forty-four patients were randomly assigned to receive three cycles of doxorubicin 75 mg/m2 every 21 days followed by three cycles of docetaxel 100 mg/m2, every 21 days (A→T) or six cycles of the combination doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 (AT) every 21 days. Patients previously treated with anthracyclines received two cycles of doxorubicin followed by four cycles of docetaxel (A→T), or three cycles of AT followed by three cycles of docetaxel 100 mg/m2 every 21 days. Results Febrile neutropenia was less common in the A→T arm (29.3% of patients, 6.9% of cycles) compared with the AT arm (47.8% of patients, 14.8% of cycles; P = .02 and P = .0004, respectively). Asthenia, diarrhea, and fever occurred more frequently in the AT arm. The overall responses rates were 61% in the A→T arm (95% CI, 50% to 72%) and 51% in the AT arm (95% CI, 39% to 63%). The median duration of response was 8.7 months (A→T) and 7.6 months (AT); the median time to progression was 10.5 months (A→T) and 9.2 months (AT); the median overall survival was 22.3 months (A→T) and 21.8 months (AT); and no significant differences were found. Conclusion A→T significantly reduced febrile neutropenia compared with AT in MBC patients and maintains comparable antitumoral efficacy. A→T represents a valid option for the treatment of MBC.
Topotecan Compared With No Therapy After Response to Surgery and Carboplatin/Paclitaxel in Patients With Ovarian Cancer: Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer (MITO-1) Randomized Study
Authors: De Placido Sabino , Scambia Giovanni , Di Vagno Giovanni , Naglieri Emanuele , Lombardi Alessandra Vernaglia , Biamonte Rosalbino , Marinaccio Marco , Cartenì Giacomo , Manzione Luigi , Febbraro Antonio , de Matteis Andrea , Gasparini Gianpietro , Valerio Maria Rosaria , Danese Saverio , Perrone Francesco , Lauria Rossella , De Laurentiis Michele , Greggi Stefano , Gallo Ciro , Pignata Sandro 
Published: June 2004

Purpose Topotecan is an active second-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. Its efficacy as consolidation treatment after first-line standard chemotherapy is unknown. Patients and Methods To investigate whether topotecan (1.5 mg/m2 on days 1 through 5, four cycles, every 3 weeks) prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) for patients responding to standard carboplatin (area under the curve 5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 administered as a 3-hour infusion in six cycles; CP), a multicenter phase III study was performed with an 80% power to detect a 50% prolongation of median PFS. Patients were registered at diagnosis and randomized after the end of CP. Results Two hundred seventy-three patients were randomly assigned (topotecan, n = 137; observation, n = 136), with a median age of 56 years. Stage at diagnosis was advanced in three fourths of patients (stage III in 65% of patients; stage IV in 10%); after primary surgery, 46% had no residual disease and 20% were optimally debulked. After CP, 87% reached a clinical complete response, and 13% achieved a partial response. Neutropenia (grade 3/4 in 58% of the patients) and thrombocytopenia (grade 3 in 21%; grade 4 in 3%) were the most frequent toxicities attributed to topotecan. There was no statistically significant difference in PFS between the arms (P = .83; log-rank test): median PFS was 18.2 months in the topotecan arm and 28.4 in the control arm. Hazard ratio of progression for patients receiving topotecan was 1.18 (95% CI, 0.86 to 1.63) after adjustment for residual disease, interval debulking surgery, and response to CP. Conclusion The present analysis indicates that consolidation with topotecan does not improve PFS for patients with advanced ovarian cancer who respond to initial chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel.
Quality of Life in Patients With Gastroenteropancreatic Tumors Treated With [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate
Authors: Teunissen Jaap J.M. , Kwekkeboom Dik J. , Krenning Eric P. 
Published: June 2004

Purpose To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with metastatic somatostatin receptor positive gastroenteropancreatic tumors treated with [177Lu-DOTA0,Tyr3]octreotate (177Lu-octreotate) therapy. Patients and Methods Fifty patients who had been treated with 600 to 800 mCi of 177Lu-octreotate and had a follow-up of at least 3 months were studied. The patients completed the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 before therapy and at follow-up visit 6 weeks after the last cycle. Overall QoL and specific QoL domains of both the total group of patients and subgroups according to treatment outcome were analyzed. Twenty-four patients had regression, 19 had stable disease, six had progressive disease, and one had nonassessable disease status. Analysis of variance was used for statistical comparison. Results A significant improvement in the global health status/QoL scale was observed after therapy with 177Lu-octreotate (P < .01). The score increased significantly six weeks after therapy to a mean of 78.2, up from 69.0 (scale range, 0 to 100). Furthermore, significant improvement was observed in the role, emotional, and social function scales. The symptom scores for fatigue, insomnia, and pain were significantly decreased. Patients with proven tumor regression most frequently had an improvement of QoL domains. Unexpectedly, patients with progressive disease also indicated an improvement in their global health/QoL score. Conclusion 177Lu-octreotate therapy significantly improved the global health/QoL and several function and symptom scales in patients with metastasized gastroenteropancreatic tumors, but especially in those patients with proven tumor regression.