bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A randomized community intervention trial to increase awareness and knowledge of the role of periconceptional folate in women of child‐bearing age
Authors: Watson Maxwell J. , Watson Lyndsey F. , Bell Robin J. , Halliday Jane L. , Burford Necia , Brennecke Shaun P. 
Published: March 2003

Objectives To determine the effect of a consumer‐directed information campaign to increase knowledge of folate for the prevention of neural tube defects among women of child‐bearing age, and to measure women’s recall of sources of information and knowledge about folate. Design A community randomized trial. Setting Three matched pairs of geographically distinct Local Government Areas in the state of Victoria, Australia. Intervention Printed information recommending folate intake to decrease the risk of neural tube defects was disseminated to women of child‐bearing age in three of the Local Government Areas selected randomly. Main outcome measure The proportion of women aware of the association between folate and spina bifida. Results Of 1197 women interviewed prior to the intervention, 12.4% (adjusted for the cluster and population sampling unit) were aware of folate and neural tube defects. After the intervention, there was not only a significant background increase of 3.4% (P=0.02) in folate awareness since the pre‐intervention survey (n=603), but also a significant additional increase of 4.0% (P=0.04) owing to the intervention itself (n=603). Only 70% of women who were aware of folate knew the correct timing. Conclusions The provision of printed educational material can increase folate awareness among women of child‐bearing age. A comprehensive, long‐term and ongoing health promotion campaign including such material, together with initiatives by relevant health service providers and the food industry, could best address the current low levels of folate awareness among women of child‐bearing age.
Developing a prioritisation framework: experiences from a Scottish Health Authority
Authors: Scott Sheila N. , Lees Ann 
Published: March 2003

Objectives To describe the development of the Prioritisation Scoring Index (PSI) and its use in a prioritisation framework, providing examples where it has been used to prioritise between bids from different specialities and to assist in decision‐making regarding funding of service developments. To outline lessons learned for other health authorities when developing their own prioritisation methodologies. Background The PSI was designed for prioritising: investments and dis‐investments; non‐recurring and recurring monies as well as differing specialities, care groups and types of intervention. Methods The PSI consists of a ‘basket’ of utility criteria and takes account of the numbers of people that would receive the proposed intervention and the marginal cost for each additional person receiving the intervention. A multidisciplinary panel scored and ranked the bids. Two rankings were produced for each intervention according to (1) the average panel score for the utility criteria and (2) the cost per additional person receiving the intervention. An average of these two rankings produced the overall PSI rankings. Results Almost 200 bids, with a total value of £50 million, were ranked, using the PSI, to prioritise developments worth approximately £17.5 million that could be funded in a phased implementation through the Health Improvement Programme. Conclusions Use of the PSI has allowed explicit prioritisation of development bids in substantial exercises for both non‐recurring and recurring funding. We describe steps to be considered when other health authorities are developing their own prioritisation frameworks.
Consumers’ views of quality in the consultation and their relevance to ‘shared decision‐making’ approaches
Authors: Edwards Adrian , Elwyn Glyn , Smith Christine , Williams Simon , Thornton Hazel 
Published: March 2003

Background There is a recognized need to assess the effects of shared decision‐making and other communication interventions. However, the outcomes usually assessed for evidence of ‘effectiveness’ are determined by researchers and have not been based on consumers’ views. Aim This study aimed to identify the important outcomes of consultations for consumers, and to compare with those reported in the current literature. Setting and participants Forty‐seven participants attending six focus group interviews. Most interviews took place in and all were orientated towards the UK primary care setting. Methods Focus group study. Results Many affective outcomes were identified, consistent with the current literature trends. However, many cognitive and behavioural outcomes that are assessed in the current literature were not noted by participants as important. Furthermore, a broader range of outcomes than is evident in the current literature was viewed as important to these participants. Conclusions There is a need to revisit the outcomes which are assessed in decision‐making and communication research. The outcomes of greatest importance to consumers must be identified and confirmed by new research which is based directly on the views of consumers themselves.
Mammography messages in popular media: implications for patient expectations and shared clinical decision‐making
Authors: Dobias Karen S. , Moyer Cheryl A. , McAchran Sarah E. , Katz Steven J. , Sonnad Seema S. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To examine the relationship between the quantity and content of information about mammography in popular magazines and the educational level of their target audience.Design Articles published in popular magazines from January 1988 through April 1994 in which ≥ 25% of all readers were females ≥ 35 years of age were identified (n=65). We used the proportion of readers who were college graduates to stratify the magazines into three education levels. We used a content analysis to assess the relationship between media messages about mammography and readers’ education levels.Results Seventy‐eight percent of lowest education level articles were categorized as persuasive or prescriptive compared with 28% of articles in the highest education level (P < 0.01). Only 26% of the lowest education level articles that discussed screening guidelines for women under 50 years of age considered the issue controversial, while 59% of the high education level articles considered it controversial (P < 0.01).Conclusion Women with lower education levels received a clearly persuasive or prescriptive message urging mammography screening, while higher educated women received more balanced and informative messages. Such differences suggest that women may be entering their physicians’ offices with very different sets of information from which to draw when faced with clinical decisions. Physicians and other health‐care providers should be aware of these potential differences, and further research should be done to explore the relationship between women’s preferences for participation in shared decision‐making and the types of messages they are receiving from popular media.
Who wants to know if their care is rationed? Views of citizens and service informants
Authors: Coast Joanna 
Published: March 2003

Objective To explore the views of citizens and service informants about whether they would want to know about any rationing of their own health care. Design In‐depth interviews using a semistructured schedule. Data were analysed using the methods of constant comparison. Setting and participants Citizens and service informants. Main variables studied Issues around health care rationing were explored within the context of the United Kingdom health care system. Results The views of citizens and service informants were very similar in terms of whether they, personally, wanted to know about any rationing of their own care, with the vast majority wanting to be given this information. Informants were also similar in terms of their reasons for wanting to know about rationing: to be given a ‘good explanation’ to enable them to judge whether the decision made had been correct; and to enable them to change the decision if necessary, either through protest or payment. Many informants suggested that they would indeed be likely to react either by challenging the decision or by paying for care. Conclusions The findings suggest that policies to be open with people about the rationing of care would be welcomed, but also indicate that if protest follows such openness, it may be difficult for the health service to cope with greater explicitness. Further research is needed among patient groups actually facing this situation.
From local concern to randomized trial: the Watcombe Housing Project
Authors: Somerville Margaret , Basham Meryl , Foy Chris , Ballinger Gary , Gay Trevor , Barton Andrew G. ,   on behalf of the Torbay Healthy Housing Group
Published: March 2003

Background  A randomized study of the effect on people's health of improving their housing is underway in Torbay. The link between poor health, particularly respiratory health, and poor housing conditions has been recognized for a long time, but there have been few intervention studies to demonstrate that improving housing can improve health. In 1994, South and West Devon Health Authority set up a community development project in a deprived area of Torbay, in response to the concerns of local primary health‐care workers. A community development worker helped local residents survey their homes for dampness and record their respiratory symptoms. The survey reported high levels of condensation/dampness and respiratory illness and the Council agreed to direct the majority of their housing improvement funds to the estate over the next 3 years. The Health Authority, University of Plymouth and Torbay Council were successful in obtaining funding to evaluate the housing improvements from the NHS R & D programme. Participants and methods  Of 119 houses eligible for the study, 50 were chosen at random and improved in the first year. The rest were improved the following year. Questionnaires screening for health problems were sent to all 580 residents and baseline surveys of the indoor environment were also carried out. More detailed health surveys were completed by community nurses visiting residents in their homes. All adults were asked to complete SF‐36 and GHQ 12 questionnaires, as well as disease‐specific questionnaires if appropriate. Progress  All houses in the study have now been improved, including insulation, double‐glazing, re‐roofing, heating, ventilation and electrical rewiring. Follow‐up surveys are underway.
Information and support for women following the primary treatment of breast cancer
Authors: Raupach Jane C. A. , Hiller Janet E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective  To examine the need for, use of and satisfaction with information and support following primary treatment of breast cancer.Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Participants  Cohort of 266 surviving women diagnosed with breast cancer over a 25‐month period at a tertiary hospital, Adelaide, Australia. Time since diagnosis ranged from 6 to 30 months.Main outcome measures  Need for, use of and satisfaction with information and support.Results  Women reported high levels of need for information about a variety of issues following breast cancer treatment. Ninety‐four percentage reported a high level of need for information about one or more issues, particularly recognizing a recurrence, chances of cure and risk to family members of breast cancer. However, few women (2–32%) reported receiving such information. The most frequently used source of information was the surgeon followed by television, newspapers and books. The most frequently used source of support was family followed by friends and the surgeon. Few women (<7%) used formal support services or the Internet. Women were very satisfied with the information and support that they received from the surgeon and other health professionals but reported receiving decreasing amounts of information and support from them over time.Conclusions  Women experience a high need for information about breast cancer related issues following primary treatment of breast cancer. These needs remain largely unmet as few women receive information about issues that concern them. The role of the surgeon and other health professionals is critical in narrowing the gap between needing and receiving information.
Kinetic properties of bifunctional 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/ fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase from spinach leaves
Authors: Markham Jonathan E. , Kruger Nicholas J. 
Published: March 2003

A cDNA encoding 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase/fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase was isolated from a Spinacia oleracea leaf library and used to express a recombinant enzyme in Escherichia coli and Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The insoluble protein expressed in E. coli was purified and used to raise antibodies. Western blot analysis of a protein extract from spinach leaf showed a single band of 90.8 kDa. Soluble protein was purified to homogeneity from S. frugiperda cells infected with recombinant baculovirus harboring the isolated cDNA. The soluble protein had a molecular mass of 320 kDa, estimated by gel filtration chromatography, and␣a␣subunit size of 90.8 kDa. The purified protein had␣activity of␣both 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase (specific␣activity 10.4–15.9 nmol·min−1·mg protein−1) and fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase (specific activity 1.65–1.75 nmol·min−1·mg	protein−1). The 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase activity was activated by inorganic phosphate, and inhibited by 3‐carbon phosphorylated metabolites and pyrophosphate. In the presence of phosphate, 3‐phosphoglycerate was a mixed inhibitor with respect to both fructose 6‐phosphate and ATP. Fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase activity was sensitive to product inhibition; inhibition by inorganic phosphate was uncompetitive, whereas inhibition by fructose 6‐phosphate was mixed. These kinetic properties support the view that the level of fructose 2,6‐bisphosphate in leaves is determined by the relative concentrations of hexose phosphates, three‐carbon phosphate esters and inorganic phosphate in the cytosol through reciprocal modulation of 6‐phosphofructo‐2‐kinase and fructose‐2,6‐bisphosphatase activities of the bifunctional enzyme.
Human sprouty 4, a new ras antagonist on 5q31, interacts with the dual specificity kinase TESK1
Authors: Leeksma Onno C. , van Achterberg Tanja A. E. , Tsumura Yoshikazu , Toshima Jiro , Eldering Eric , Kroes Wilma G. M. , Mellink Clemens , Spaargaren Marcel , Mizuno Kensaku , Pannekoek Hans , de Vries Carlie J. M. 
Published: March 2003

The Drosophila melanogaster protein sprouty is induced upon fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐ and epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐receptor tyrosine kinase activation and acts as an inhibitor of the ras/MAP kinase pathway downstream of these receptors. By differential display RT‐PCR of activated vs. resting umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs) we detected a new human sprouty gene, which we designated human sprouty 4 (hspry4) based on its homology with murine sprouty 4. Hspry4 is widely expressed and Northern blots indicate that different isoforms of hspry4 are induced upon cellular activation. The hspry4 gene maps to 5q31.3. It encodes a protein of 322 amino acids, which, in support of a modulating role in signal transduction, contains a prototypic cysteine‐rich region, three, potentially Src homology 3 (SH3) binding, proline‐rich regions and a PEST sequence. This new sprouty orthologue can suppress the insulin‐ and EGF‐receptor transduced MAP kinase signaling pathway, but fails to inhibit MAP kinase activation by constitutively active V12 ras. Hspry4 appears to impair the formation of active GTP‐ras and exert its activity at the level of wild‐type ras or upstream thereof. In a yeast two‐hybrid screen, using hspry4 as bait, testicular protein kinase 1 (TESK1) was identified from a human fetal liver cDNA library as a partner of hspry4. The hspry4–TESK1 interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation experiments and increases by growth factor stimulation. The two proteins colocalize in apparent cytoplasmic vesicles and do not show substantial translocation to the plasma membrane upon receptor tyrosine kinase stimulation.
The structure of the O‐chain of the lipopolysaccharide of a prototypal diarrheagenic strain of Hafnia alvei that has characteristics of a new species under the genus Escherichia
Authors: Eserstam Reine , Rajaguru Thushari P. , Jansson Per‐Erik , Weintraub Andrej , Albert M. John 
Published: March 2003

The structure of the O‐polysaccharide of the lipopolysaccharide from a diarrheal strain isolated in Bangladesh was studied with sugar, and methylation analysis, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and partial acid hydrolysis. The strain was first designated as Hafnia alvei, but later found to be a possible new species in the genus Escherichia. Two different polysaccharides were detected, a major and a minor one. The structure of the major polysaccharide is given below, while the structure of the minor one was not investigated. The structure of the repeating unit was established asThe structure does not resemble any of the previously investigated lipopolysaccharide O‐chains from Escherichia coli or H. alvei, but could fit in either group based on types of sugar residues and acidity.Phenotypic microbiological studies cannot definitely assign it to either species of the two genera. Genetic hybridization studies indicate that the Bangladeshi isolates may require a new species designation under the genus Escherichia.
Identification of residues in the PXR ligand binding domain critical for species specific and constitutive activation
Authors: Östberg Tove , Bertilsson Göran , Jendeberg Lena , Berkenstam Anders , Uppenberg Jonas 
Published: March 2003

The cytochrome P450 family of enzymes has long been known to metabolize a wide range of compounds, including many of today's most common drugs. A novel nuclear receptor called PXR has been established as an activator of several of the cytochrome P450 genes, including CYP3A4. This enzyme is believed to account for the metabolism of more than 50% of all prescription drugs. PXR is therefore used as a negative selector target and discriminatory filter in preclinical drug development.In this paper we describe the design, construction and characterization by transient transfection of mutant receptors of the human and mouse PXR ligand binding domains. By modeling the human PXR ligand binding domain we have identified and mutated two polar residues in the putative ligand binding pocket which differ between the human and the mouse receptor. The first residue (Q285 in human/I282 in mouse) was mutated between the two species with the corresponding amino acids. These mutants showed that this residue is important for the species specific activation of PXR by the ligand pregnenolone‐16α‐carbonitrile (PCN), while having a less pronounced role in receptor activation by rifampicin. The second residue to be mutated (H407 in human/Q404 in mouse) unexpectedly proved to be important for the basal level of activation of PXR. The H407A mutant of the human receptor showed a high level of constitutive activity, while the Q404H mutant of the mouse receptor demonstrated a sharply decreased basal activity compared to wild‐type.
The 3′‐untranslated region of the urokinase gene enhances the expression of chimeric genes in cultured cells and correlates with specific brain expression in transgenic mice
Authors: Smicun Yoel , Kopf Eliezer , Miskin Ruth 
Published: March 2003

Transgenic mice were previously described, carrying the cDNA of the human or murine protease urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) while linked to the cell‐specific promoter of the αA‐crystallin gene. Surprisingly, these mice produced transgenic uPA in an ectopic manner specifically in the brain. Here we tested the possibility that this ectopic expression could have been contributed primarily by the uPA transgenic moiety. Several experimental approaches have been used. (a) Constructs consisting of uPA cDNA linked to the cell‐specific promoters of the αA‐crystallin or insulin genes yielded active uPA after transfection into cells where these promoters are thought to be inactive. (b) When reporter genes were inserted into these constructs between the promoter and the cDNA, the cDNA enhanced the chimeric reporter expression 5−50‐fold. This effect was obtained upon stable or transient construct transfection into four different cell types. (c) Reporter enhancement also took place in the presence of the homologous uPA gene promoter. (d) Mapping of the cDNA through deletion‐substitution analysis has detected fragments mediating positive or negative effects on reporter expression, all fragments residing in the 3′‐untranslated region (3′UTR) of the uPA gene that was included in the cDNA. Some fragments exhibited cell‐specific effects. One fragment (2002/2187) behaved like a classical transcriptional enhancer, enhancing reporter expression from different positions and orientations. (e) Transgenic mice have now been generated that carry a transgene consisting of the αA‐crystallin promoter, the luciferase reporter gene and mouse uPA cDNA. Among four transgenic lines producing luciferase activity in the eye lens, three lines exhibited ectopic luciferase activity exclusively in the brain, where luciferase mRNA was localized through in situ hybridization.From these results we conclude that the 3′UTR of the uPA gene contains sequences capable of exerting variable effects on gene expression, including transcriptional enhancement. In addition, uPA cDNA correlates with transgenic brain expression. Therefore, we suggest that the 3′UTR of the uPA gene is involved in brain expression of the transgenes containing uPA cDNA as well as of the normal uPA gene.
Purification and characterization of retinyl ester hydrolase as a member of the non‐specific carboxylesterase supergene family
Authors: Schindler Rainer , Mentlein Rolf , Feldheim Walter 
Published: March 2003

Hepatic retinyl ester hydrolase (REH) activity was isolated from porcine and human liver and characterized, and some of its properties were compared with those of other retinyl‐ester‐splitting enzymes. Sequence analysis revealed that the REH proteins are structurally similar to non‐specific carboxylesterases and distinct from bile salt‐activated lipases and cholesterol esterases. Pig REH, a 64‐kDa protein, hydrolyzed retinyl palmitate at a rate of 595 nmol h−1 mg−1 protein in the presence of 100 mM Chaps with an apparent Km value for retinyl palmitate of 27.5 μM. The pH optimum was 7.0−9.2. Its human counterpart has a molecular mass of 65 kDa and a pH optimum near 6.5. In the presence of Chaps, pig REH activity was stimulated up to 1.7‐fold by various non‐ionic detergents. The ranking order of retinyl palmitate cleavage initiated by the stimuli was n‐dodecylglucoside > octanoyl‐N‐methylglucamide > n‐octyglucoside > n‐dodecylmaltoside > Triton X‐114 > Triton X‐100. Porcine REH was effectively inhibited by α‐tocopherol and bis‐(4‐nitrophenyl) phosphate [(Np)2P].The structural, immunological and catalytic features, pH dependence, and the effect of (Np)2P on enzyme activity of pig REH are similar to those reported for the non‐specific carboxylesterase ES‐4. However, ES‐4 differed from REH in molecular mass and the requirement of Chaps or Chaps‐like detergents as cofactor. Judging from these results, pig REH may be a non‐specific carboxylesterase isoform.