bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
‘Hearing’ syllables by ‘seeing’ visual stimuli
Authors: Jäncke Lutz , Shah Nadim Joni 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCurrently it is discussed whether the same cortical areas are activated during the imagination of as during the actual presentation of specific stimuli. Some argue that mostly the secondary but not the primary sensory areas are active during imagination. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging we explored whether auditory verbal imagery of syllables has sufficient power to evoke haemodynamic responses in the auditory cortex. To overcome the detrimental effects of scanner noise, one group of subjects was trained to vividly imagine hearing a syllable while a flashlight was presented. A control group did not receive this training. We found that only the trained group revealed haemodynamic responses in the auditory cortex during auditory imagination while the control group showed no activation within the auditory cortex. Peak activations during auditory verbal imagery are located bilaterally within the superior temporal gyrus region in the vicinity of the planum temporale. While these secondary auditory areas are active during auditory verbal imagery, there was no activation in Heschl's gyrus. We hypothesize that auditory verbal imagery is associated with haemodynamic responses in secondary auditory and not primary auditory areas.
Sex differences in adult suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons emerging late prenatally in rats
Authors: Abizaid Alfonso , Mezei Gabor , Sotonyi Peter , Horvath Tamas L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is implicated in the control of circadian rhythms of gonadal function. Although several structures surrounding the SCN are sensitive to the effects of gonadal steroids, similar effects in the SCN remain unclear. For example, there are conflicting data on whether the SCN is sexually differentiated. This study attempted to determine sex differences in the number of SCN cells generated during late gestation, and if testosterone mediates these differences. Pregnant female rats were treated with 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU; 50 mg/kg) on gestational day 18 (E18), the day when aromatase activity peaks in the developing rat fetus. These animals were also given injections of oil or testosterone propionate (10 mg/0.1 mL peanut oil) from E15 until parturition. Litters were allowed to survive until adulthood and were killed on postnatal day 60 (PN60). Following fixation, brain sections containing the SCN from these rats were processed for BrdU immunocytochemistry. A second set of SCN sections was processed for immunocytochemistry detecting BrdU and some of the cell groups prevalent within the SCN. Data showed that female rats have a higher number of cells labeled with BrdU in the SCN, particularly in the medial and caudal SCN. This sex difference was abolished in animals treated with testosterone during late gestation. Double immunocytochemistry revealed that BrdU‐labeled cells were neurons expressing calbindin‐D28K, vasoactive intestinal peptide and, to a lesser degree, vasopressin. Our results unveiled a previously unknown effect of gonadal steroids on the developing SCN, which may contribute to the emergence of gender‐specific circadian rhythms.
Hydrogen peroxide in the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Raji provides protection against arsenic trioxide‐induced apoptosis via the phosphoinositide‐3 kinase signalling pathway
Authors: Lu Di , Bai Xiao‐Chun , Gui Li , Su Yong‐Chun , Deng Fan , Liu Bin , Li Xiu‐Mei , Zeng Wei‐Sen , Cheng Bao‐Luan , Luo Shen‐Qiu 
Published: April 2004

SummaryMany anticarcinogenic drugs kill tumour cells by inducing apoptosis. We examined the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on arsenic trioxide (As2O3)‐induced cell killing. Low concentrations of H2O2 (200 μmol/l) inhibited the ability of As2O3 to induce apoptosis in the Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Raji. H2O2 altered the form of cell death from apoptosis to pyknosis/necrosis and also lowered the degree of cell killing by As2O3. H2O2 was capable of preventing caspase‐3 activation induced by As2O3 in Raji cells. Incubation of cells with a phosphoinositide‐3 kinase (PI‐3K) inhibitor, wortmannin (100 nmol/l), blocked the effects of H2O2 on As2O3‐induced caspase‐3 activation. In addition, the PI‐3K inhibitor partially blocked the effects of H2O2 on up‐regulation of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐XL protein expression, down‐regulation of Bax protein expression, and phosphorylation of Bcl‐2 and IκBα. This investigation demonstrated for the first time that low concentrations of H2O2 provide protection against the in vivo of As2O3‐induced apoptosis. PI‐3K plays a crucial role in enhancing cell survival during H2O2, inhibiting As2O3‐induced apoptosis in the Burkitt's lymphoma cells. As2O3‐induced cancer cell apoptosis may be enhanced by certain antioxidants in the treatment protocol.
Comparative analysis of clinical outcomes after allogeneic bone marrow transplantationversusperipheral blood stem cell transplantation from a related donor in Japanese patients
Authors: Tanimoto Tetsuya E. , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Tanaka Yuji , Saito Akiko , Tajima Kinuko , Karasuno Takahiro , Kasai Masanobu , Kishi Kenji , Mori Takehiko , Maseki Nobuo , Morishima Satoko , Miyakoshi Shigesaburo , Kasai Masaharu , Ohno Yuju , Kim Sung‐Won , Numata Akihiko , Kami Masahiro , Takaue Yoichi , Mori Shin‐ichiro , Harada Mine 
Published: April 2004

SummaryA reduced incidence of graftversushost disease (GvHD) has been documented among Japanese allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) patients, as the Japanese are genetically more homogeneous than western populations. To clarify whether this ethnic difference affects the results of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT), we conducted a nationwide survey to compare clinical outcomes of allogeneic PBSCT (n = 214) and BMT (n = 295) from a human leucocyte antigen‐identical‐related donor in Japanese patients. The cumulative incidence of grades II–IV acute GvHD was 37·4% for PBSCT and 32·0% for BMT. The cumulative incidence of extensive chronic GvHD at 1 year was significantly higher after PBSCT than BMT (42% vs. 27%;P < 0·01). The organ involvement patterns of GvHD were different between the two groups. By multivariate analyses, the incidence of chronic GvHD was significantly increased in PBSCT, whereas the stem cell source did not affect the incidence of acute GvHD, transplant‐related mortality, relapse or survival. We concluded that Japanese PBSCT patients have an increased risk of chronic GvHD compared with BMT patients, but the incidence of acute GvHD was still lower than in western populations. Thus, the choice of haematopoietic stem cell source should be considered based on data for individual ethnic populations.
Cancer symptom transition periods of children and families
Authors: Woodgate Roberta Lynn , Degner Lesley Faith 
Published: April 2004

Background.  Children with cancer are reported to experience many symptoms during the cancer trajectory. However, minimal qualitative research has been conducted that explores children's and families’ experiences of symptoms. An understanding of the symptom trajectory, grounded in children's and families’ experiences, is essential to providing comprehensive and sensitive care to children with cancer and their families.Aim.  This paper reports a study designed to explore and describe the symptom course in childhood cancer as experienced by children and their families.Design.  Guided by the philosophy of interpretive interactionism, a longitudinal qualitative study was undertaken. A purposive sample of 39 families of children with cancer who resided in Western Canada participated. The children ranged in age from 4·5 to 18 years and varied in their cancer diagnoses.Methods.  Multiple data collection methods included formal and informal interviewing and participant observation. Data were analysed by the constant comparative method. Development of illness narratives added to an understanding of children's and families’ experiences.Findings.  A substantive theory entitled ‘Children's and Families’ Lived Experience of Childhood Cancer Symptoms’ emerged from the findings. This depicts the experience of cancer in relation to children's changing symptom trajectory. A core category of the theory, ‘passage through the transition periods’, shows how changing symptom experiences affected children's and families’ ways of being in the world. These were reflected in six transition periods: (1) it is just the flu; (2) it is more than the flu; (3) it hits home; (4) it is nasty; (5) it is not so bad, it is pretty good; and (6) it is ‘dragsville’. The changing roles and responsibilities of family members, and how the family existed in the cancer world, varied depending on the transition period through which they were passing.Conclusions.  Transition periods not only reinforce the dynamic nature of the experience of childhood cancer but, more importantly, show how symptoms can greatly affect the quality of children's and families’ day‐to‐day living. Interpreting cancer in the context of the symptom trajectory provides nurses with a new perspective for understanding childhood cancer, and will assist in the development of symptom relief strategies that will help to contain symptoms and improve overall quality of life for children and families.
The ethics of non‐intervention in a study of patients awaiting coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Fitzsimons Donna , McAloon Toni 
Published: April 2004

Background.  Nurses conducting clinical research frequently encounter ethically challenging situations that require careful analysis if the decisions taken are to be in the best interests of participants, researchers and society. There is a lack of literature which discusses the ethical aspects of the nurse's role in clinical research studies.Aim.  The aim of this paper is to discuss the ethical conflicts and decisions taken during a combined qualitative and quantitative study of patients’ experiences whilst awaiting coronary bypass surgery.Discussion.  Ethical conflict arose because, despite having gained ethics approval for a non‐interventional study, the researcher became concerned for the health of some research participants, whose condition was observed to have deteriorated. During the course of the study four of the 70 participants died. As a result, changes to the original research protocol were negotiated and subsequently the researcher intervened in cases where participants’ clinical condition had worsened.Conclusion.  Nurses conducting clinical research studies can face serious ethical dilemmas, particularly if participants’ health is at risk. This paper demonstrates the potential for both role conflict and role convergence in nursing research. We contend that since the roles of researcher and clinician are not mutually exclusive, the interface between the two requires further discussion. The paper may to help inform other researchers who struggle with the issue of non‐intervention when presented with research participants in need of professional nursing care.
Changes of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide in Rat Supraoptic Neurones During Pregnancy
Authors: Jankowski M. , Marcinkiewicz M. , Bouanga J.‐C. , Gutkowska J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTo better understand the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the central regulation of hydro‐mineral homeostasis, we analysed its expression in rat hypothalamic neurones during gestation and postpartum. These physiological events are characterized by opposing body fluid regulations. Quantitative in situ hybridization analysis showed that starting from mid‐pregnancy, ANP mRNA declined in neurones of the preoptic area, periventricular area, lateral hypothalamus and endorhinal nucleus, and remained low at postpartum. By contrast, magnocellular cells in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) showed four‐ and 10‐fold more ANP mRNA in sections from preterm and postpartum rats, respectively, compared to nonpregnant controls (P < 0.001). Oxytocin mRNA paralleled ANP mRNA expression in the SON, whereas vasopressin mRNA rose in early pregnancy and declined thereafter. High hypothalamic ANP concentration at day 21 of gestation versus nonpregnant rats (3.1 ± 0.5 versus 1.8 ± 0.4 ng/mg protein, P < 0.05) suggested that ANP transcript accumulation in the SON is associated with increased utilization of the peptide. The elevation of hypothalamic ANP (two‐fold) and ANP receptors by treatment of ovariectomized rats with 17β‐oestradiol (25 µg/rat, 10 days) was abolished by coadministration of progesterone. Thus, we concluded that elevated oestradiol at term stimulates ANP synthesis and paracrine ANP activation in the hypothalamus. Overall, we provide experimental, anatomical and molecular evidence for ANP regulation in hypothalamic neurones at preterm and after 17β‐oestradiol stimulation. Our study supports the concept that ANP expressed in the SON acts as a peptidergic neurotransmitter involved in water and salt regulation during pregnancy and postpartum.
Annular lichen planus involving the esophagus: a rare diagnosis
Authors: Belloul Lamia , Akhdari Nadia , Hassar Imane , Lakhdar Hakima 
Published: April 2004

A 49‐year‐old woman presented with a 2‐year history of a sore mouth, annular, atrophic patches, and chronic ulcerative vulvovaginitis. For 6 years, she had suffered from dysphagia to solids which was increasing in severity. There was no past history of heartburn or other symptoms of esophageal reflux.Mucocutaneous examination showed white erosive patches on the buccal mucosa, cicatricial alopecia, dystrophic nails, and annular atrophic pigmented plaques localized on the trunk (Fig. 1). Genital examination showed atrophic and sclerotic vulvovaginal lesions with synechia. Cutaneous biopsy showed an atrophic epidermis, a dense lymphocytic infiltrate in the upper dermis with degeneration of the basal epithelium, and Civatte bodies. Serologic tests for hepatitis B and C were negative. A diagnosis of cutaneous annular lichen planus with nail, scalp, oral, and genital involvement was made.Annular, atrophic, and pigmented plaques localized on the backimageFiberoptic endoscopy, undertaken 6 years previously, revealed erosive and two ulcerative lesions in the esophagus, extending to 20 cm from the incisors. Biopsy from the affected upper esophagus revealed nonspecific inflammatory changes with lymphocytic infiltration. A barium swallow revealed a 5‐mm, regular and inflammatory stricture in the upper esophagus (Fig. 2). A diagnosis of stenosing lichen planus of the esophagus was made 6 years after the first symptoms of dysphagia. Treatment was started with oral prednisolone, 50 mg daily.Barium swallow: regular and inflammatory stricture in the upper esophagusimage
The role of psychological factors in alopecia areata and the impact of the disease on the quality of life
Authors: Güleç A. Tülin , Tanrıverdi Nilgün , Dürü Çağay , Saray Yasemin , Akçalı Cenk 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground  The role of psychological factors in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) has long been the subject of debate. Numerous studies have provided controversial results.Aim  This case–control study was undertaken to determine the significance of stressful life events and other psychological factors in the etiopathogenesis of AA. The impact of the disease on the quality of life was also assessed.Methods  Fifty‐two adult patients (18 females and 34 males) diagnosed with AA and 52 age‐ and sex‐matched individuals selected from hospital staff without any hair loss (control group) were evaluated using the major life events scale, Beck depression and Beck anxiety inventories, and the Short Form‐36 health survey (SF‐36). In addition, comparison was performed between two patient groups created according to whether or not they linked emotional trauma with their AA attack.Results  There was no statistically significant difference between the patient and control groups with regard to the total scores of stressful major life events, depression, and anxiety. Of the eight subscales on SF‐36, vitality and mental health scores were higher in the control group, whereas social functioning scores were higher in the patients. The total number of stressful life events was higher in patients who attributed their disease to a stressful life event than in those who did not.Conclusions  It appears unlikely that anxiety and depression play a major role in the etiopathogenesis of AA, but stressful life events may act as a trigger in the onset and/or exacerbation of the disease. Furthermore, AA seems to have a partly negative impact on the health‐related quality of life.
How is patient‐centred care understood by the clinical, managerial and lay stakeholders responsible for promoting this agenda?
Authors: Gillespie Rosemary , Florin Dominique , Gillam Steve 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAims and objectives This study explores how the term patient‐centred care is understood, particularly by those who are involved in translating the concept from a theoretical idea into a practical application. It examines the ways in which intermediate level stakeholders such as health service managers, educationalists, professional leaders and officers of patient bodies understand and promote patient‐centred care among health professionals actually delivering patient care.Design Qualitative interview study.Setting and participants Interviewees were drawn from groups and organizations from four categories: health agencies and regulatory bodies, Royal Colleges and other professional bodies, educational institutions, patient and user groups and consumer organizations.Main variables studied The meanings and understandings of patient‐centred care, commitment to implementing patient‐centred care and barriers and opportunities to implementation.Results and conclusions Patient‐centred care covers a range of activities from patient involvement in individual care to public involvement in health policy decisions. Current Department of Health policy has made patient‐centred care a priority, but has not clarified exactly what it means. Thus, health professionals, educationalists, managers and patient representatives have all developed different meanings of patient‐centred care to reflect their own particular backgrounds and roles. The individual aspects of patient‐centred care have been neglected in policy terms and important research findings have not been incorporated into policies to change the attitudes and behaviours of health professionals. Developing a shared understanding of patient‐centred care which encompasses all its components is an important role for the new Commission for Patient and Public Involvement.
Consulted but not heard: a qualitative study of young people's views of their local health service
Authors: Curtis Katherine , Liabo Kristin , Roberts Helen , Barker Maggie 
Published: April 2004

AbstractObjectives  The objective of this study was to identify what children and young people in a health district in a large urban area experience as positive – and not so positive – about their local health services, in the light of a growing expectation that users play a more central role in the design and delivery of services.Design  A qualitative study incorporating a range of methods, including interviews, play techniques and a website.Setting  Schools, nurseries, community groups, in‐ and outpatient settings in an inner London health authority.Participants  Young people aged between 4 and 19 years, from community (n = 92) and clinical (n = 57) settings. This included ‘hard‐to‐reach’ children, including those leaving care, those in touch with the criminal justice system, asylum seekers, and those with learning disabilities.Results  Alongside planning and environment issues, young people particularly emphasized the impact of communication and relationships with staff on their experience of health services.Discussion and conclusions  Using a range of flexible and age‐appropriate techniques, young people, even those as young as 4 or 5, are able to comment helpfully on their experiences of service provision. What children had to say is revealing but not astonishing to those working in the National Health Service (NHS). Clinicians and managers, to whom our findings were fed back, made this clear. If we have known for so long that the issues raised here are problems, why are we so poor at acting on this knowledge? The authors suggest four explanations.
Ensuring Quality Information for Patients: development and preliminary validation of a new instrument to improve the quality of written health care information
Authors: Moult Beki , Franck Linda S , Brady Helen 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground  Despite the recent focus on improving the quality of patient information, there is no rigorous method of assessing quality of written patient information that is applicable to all information types and that prescribes the action that is required following evaluation.Objective  The aims of this project were to develop a practical measure of the presentation quality for all types of written health care information and to provide preliminary validity and reliability of the measure in a paediatric setting.Methods  The Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool was developed through a process of item generation, testing for concurrent validity, inter‐rater reliability and utility. Patient information managers and health care professionals tested EQIP in three annual audits of health care leaflets produced by a children's hospital.Results  The final tool comprised 20 items. Kendall's τ B rank correlation between EQIP and DISCERN was 0.56 (P = 0.001). There was strong agreement between intuitive rating and the EQIP score (Kendall's τ B = 0.78, P = 0.009). Internal consistency using Cronbach's α was 0.80. There was good agreement between pairs of raters (mean κ = 0.60; SD = 0.18) with no differences based on types of leaflets. Audits showed significant improvement in the number of leaflets achieving a higher quality EQIP rating over a 3‐year period.Conclusions  EQIP demonstrated good preliminary validity, reliability and utility when used by patient information managers and healthcare professionals for a wide variety of written health care information. EQIP uniquely identifies actions to be taken as a result of the quality assessment. Use of EQIP improved the quality of written health care information in a children's hospital. Wider evaluation of EQIP with written information for other populations and settings is recommended.