bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of rapid bottom‐up software process modeling
Authors: Brooks Andrew 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis experience paper reports the results of rapid bottom‐up software process modeling that was undertaken to improve understanding of software development processes as they were actually performed and to suggest improvements to these processes. In a short time frame, 23 software developers and testers were interviewed and re‐interviewed about their individual software processes. Individual software process models were hand drawn in the Spearmint notation during the first interviews and later transcribed into computer models using the Spearmint tool for the re‐interviews. The strengths and weaknesses of the rapid approach adopted are described. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Setting up and Auditing Guideline- and Evidence-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Mayou Richard , Welstand Jenny , Tyndel Sally 
Published: December 2004

Background: Rehabilitation is available to only a minority of post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients and is of variable quality. Guidelines now recommend individualised care delivered by hospital, primary care and community services, but there is little evidence of the feasibility, acceptability or effectiveness of this approach. Aims: To demonstrate the feasibility of guideline-based rehabilitation, to audit delivery and outcome and to identify problems. Methods: A four-phase stepped programme for post-MI patients was developed based on individualised in-hospital care and aftercare from a menu of options. Delivery involved co-ordination between hospital services, primary care and community services. Self-report audit data were collected in hospital and at 3 months post-discharge by postal questionnaire and telephone calls. Clinical information was recorded from hospital, telephone and outpatient contacts. Delivery of care to patients receiving interventions was recorded. Results: It was possible to negotiate individualized plans for all patients and to monitor progress for 3 months after discharge. The rehabilitation team achieved high rates of delivery of agreed interventions, considerably better than delivery by primary care. Problems largely related to difficulties and failures in communication. Patients with major social or psychological difficulties were the most difficult to treat. Conclusion: Guideline-based rehabilitation is feasible, but there is a need to improve the coordination of delivery of later steps of care and also to refine specialist interventions.
Customer satisfaction with order fulfillment in retail supply chains: implications of product type in electronic B2C transactions
Authors: Thirumalai Sriram , Sinha Kingshuk K. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis paper focuses on the proverbial “last mile” of the retail supply chain – i.e., delivering products to the end‐customer – and highlights the need for recognizing product type differences in configuring order fulfillment processes in electronic business‐to‐customer (B2C) transactions. The following two questions serve as the motivation for the study: Do customer expectations of order fulfillment processes vary across product types? Should the product type matter in configuring order fulfillment processes? From the studies in the marketing literature, we infer that customer satisfaction assessments are based on customer expectations of order fulfillment processes, and that these expectations systematically vary across the three product types: convenience goods (e.g., groceries, home and office supplies), shopping goods (e.g., ready‐to‐wear men, women, and kids’ apparel), and specialty goods (e.g., desktop and notebook computers, and wedding dresses). In particular, we posit that ceteris paribus, customer satisfaction with order fulfillment will decrease moving along a continuum of product types, from convenience goods to specialty goods. The empirical analysis for this study is based on data collected on dimensions of customer satisfaction with order fulfillment from a sample of 256 firms engaged in electronic B2C transactions. Firms included in our study sample are such that their products can be classified into only one of three product types: convenience, shopping, or specialty goods. In essence, each firm in the study sample is a proxy for one of three product types. The results of the empirical analysis indicate that, on average, customers tend to have higher satisfaction levels with the order fulfillment process of convenience and shopping goods than with the order fulfillment process of specialty goods. We discuss the managerial implications of our results, contributions of the paper to the literature, limitations, and directions for future research.
Effect of ethacrynic acid on sodium pump α isoforms in SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: Valdes Renee M , Huff Mary O , El‐Masri M Adnan , El‐Mallakh Rif S 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Ethacrynic acid (ECA), a diuretic that has several cellular actions, increases expression of the sodium and potassium‐activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na, K‐ATPase or Na pump) in normal lymphocytes, but not in lymphocytes of bipolar patients. While this has been proposed to be important in the pathophysiology of bipolar illness, the response of neural tissues to ECA is unknown.Methods:  Human neuroblastoma SH−SY5Y cells differentiated with 10‐μM retinoic acid were treated with various ECA concentrations for 3 days, and changes in Na‐pump α‐isoform expression were quantified with densitometric analysis of Western bands.Results:  Expression of α1 and α3 Na pump isoforms significantly increased with 10−5 M ECA. Cells treated with 10−6 or 10−7 M ECA showed no change in Na‐pump expression, while cells treated with 10−4 M ECA died. The α2 isoform could not be detected in differentiated SH‐SY5Y cells.Conclusions:  The effect of ECA on α1‐isoform in neural tissue is similar to that observed in lymphocytes. As α3 isoform is not expressed in lymphocytes, however, we conclude that lymphocytes are an incomplete model of neural tissue.
Bipolar depression: criteria for treatment selection, definition of refractoriness, and treatment options
Authors: Yatham Lakshmi N , Calabrese Joseph R , Kusumakar Vivek 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  This paper reviews controlled studies of bipolar depression, outlines criteria for choosing treatment, defines refractoriness in bipolar depression, and provides options for treatment of refractory bipolar depression.Methods:  Controlled studies that examined the efficacy of treatments for acute and long‐term treatment of bipolar depression were located through electronic searches of several databases and by manual crosssearch of references and proceedings of international meetings.Results:  Lithium comes close to fulfilling the proposed criteria for first‐line treatment for bipolar depression, and those not responding to lithium should be considered to have refractory bipolar depression. Options for such patients include addition of lamotrigine or a second mood stabilizer, or a newer‐generation antidepressant such as a serotonin re‐uptake inhibitor or bupropion, or the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine.Conclusions:  Although there is a paucity of research in the treatment of refractory bipolar depression, available data could be used for providing rational treatment options for such patients. However, further studies are urgently needed to determine which options are most appropriate for which type of patients.
Assessment of treatment response in mania: commentary and new findings
Authors: Baldessarini Ross J 
Published: December 2004

Background:  Assessment of therapeutic interventions in bipolar disorder is complicated by rapid, complex clinical changes, high placebo‐response rates, and varying times to specific levels of clinical recovery that may not be adequately reflected in averaged rating‐scale scores particularly in acute mania, calling for improved methods to evaluate treatment responses. Chengappa et al. (1) propose operational criteria for specific outcomes based on rating‐scale data from two placebo‐controlled trials of olanzapine in mania.Methods:  These trials and other recent research were considered in commenting on the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of experimental therapeutic trials in mania and to optimize olanzapine versus placebo contrasts by systematically varying end‐point criteria for mania (YMRS) and depression (HDRS) ratings.Results:  Olanzapine versus placebo responses were optimally separated at scores of 10 for final paired mania and depression ratings, or 5 for each rating scale considered separately.Conclusions:  Use of empirically determined end‐points derived from standard rating scales used in experimental therapeutics research in mood disorders can improve both outcome‐assessment and separation of active treatment from placebo responses in acute mania.
Phenotypic spectra of bipolar disorder in responders to lithium versus lamotrigine
Authors: Passmore Michael J , Garnham Julie , Duffy Anne , MacDougall Marsha , Munro Alana , Slaney Claire , Teehan Andrew , Alda Martin 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  We conducted a study of clinical presentation and family history in patients responsive to either of two commonly used mood stabilizers, lithium and lamotrigine.Methods:  The sample included 164 subjects from 21 families of bipolar probands, 14 responders to lithium and seven to lamotrigine. Diagnostic information on first‐degree relatives was obtained in a blind fashion through a combination of direct interviews (SADS‐L) and family history assessments (FH‐RDC).Results:  The probands differed with respect to clinical course (episodic in the lithium group, rapid cycling in the lamotrigine group), and comorbidity (panic attacks and substance abuse in the lamotrigine group). The relatives of lithium responders had significantly higher risk of bipolar disorder while relatives of lamotrigine responders had higher prevalence of schizoaffective disorder, major depression and panic attacks.Conclusions:  These findings suggest that lithium‐ and lamotrigine‐responsive patients differ with respect to course of illness, comorbidity and family history and may represent distinct subtypes of bipolar disorder.
The oxytocin antagonist atosiban versus the β‐agonist terbutaline in the treatment of preterm labor
Authors:   THE EUROPEAN ATOSIBAN STUDY GROUP (, )
Published: December 2004

Objective. To compare the efficacy and safety of atosiban and terbutaline for the inhibition of preterm labor.Methods. Two hundred and forty‐nine women diagnosed with preterm labor at 23–33 weeks of gestation were enrolled of whom 245 women received treatment, 116 with atosiban and 129 with terbutaline. At randomization, women were stratified by gestational age (≤28 weeks and >28 weeks). Atosiban (iv bolus dose of 6.75 mg, then 300 μg/min for 3 h and 100 μg/min thereafter) and terbutaline (5–20 μg/min) were administered by iv infusion for 13–18 h. Re‐treatment with study drug or an alternative tocolytic agent was allowed. Tocolytic effectiveness was assessed in terms of the number of women undelivered after 48 hours and 7 days and efficacy and tolerability in terms of the number of women remaining undelivered and not requiring alternative tocolytic therapy after 48 hours and 7 days of starting therapy. Safety was assessed in terms of maternal side effects and neonatal morbidity.Results. Tocolytic effectiveness at 48 hours was 86.1% vs 85.3%; p=0.783, and after 7 days it was 76.5% vs 67.4%; p=0.067, in the atosiban and terbutaline groups, respectively. Tocolytic efficacy and tolerability after 48 hours was 72.2% vs 68.2%; p=0.51 and after 7 days was 55.6% vs 43.4%; p=0.08 in the atosiban and terbutaline groups, respectively. Overall, there were fewer clinically important adverse events with atosiban than with terbutaline.Conclusions. The efficacy of atosiban in the inhibition of preterm labor was shown to be comparable to terbutaline. Atosiban had a superior safety profile compared with terbutaline in terms of maternal and fetal adverse events, and comparable infant outcomes.
Occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus and the value of different screening indicators for the oral glucose tolerance test
Authors: ÖStlund Ingrid , Hanson Ulf 
Published: December 2004

Background. The objective of the present study was to determine prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in terms of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus (DM), and the value of traditional anamnestic risk factors for predicting outcome of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).Methods. A prospective population‐based study in a defined geographic area in Sweden. All pregnant nondiabetic women (n = 4918) attending maternal health care from July 1994 to June 1996 were offered a 75g OGTT in gestational weeks 28–32. Traditional anamnestic risk factors, as well as results of the OGTT in terms of fasting‐B‐glucose and 2h‐B‐glucose, were registered.Results. 3616 (73.5%) women agreed to perform the OGTT. Sixty‐one (1.7%) of those had GDM [47 (1.3%) had impaired glucose tolerance and 14 (0.4%) had diabetes mellitus]. 15.8% fulfilled traditional risk factor criteria. Traditional anamnestic risk factors as an indicator to perform an OGTT identified 29/61 GDM women and 9/14 women with DM. Among primiparas, 4/21 with gestational diabetes mellitus were detected.Conclusion. Using traditional risk factors as an indicator to perform an OGTT gives a low sensitivity to detect GDM and even DM especially among primiparas.
Nausea and vomiting associate with increasing maternal androgen levels in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies
Authors: Carlsen Sven Magnus , Vanky Eszter , Jacobsen Geir 
Published: December 2004

Background. The objective of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that maternal androgen levels associate with nausea and vomiting in otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies.Methods. One hundred and twenty‐nine women with uncomplicated pregnancies, reported nausea and vomiting in weeks 17, 25, 33, 37, and when admitted for delivery. Maternal levels of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured and the free testosterone index calculated in weeks 17 and 33 of pregnancy.Results. Maternal levels of androstenedione and DHEAS associated positively with nausea and vomiting in week 17. In week 33, testosterone and DHEAS associated positively with nausea and vomiting, as well as androstenedione. A calculated emesis score associated positively with increasing average levels of both androstenedione and testosterone during pregnancy, as well as the free testosterone index.Conclusions. Nausea and vomiting associate with increasing maternal androgen levels during otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies. Whether androgens are causally related to emesis gravidarum remains unknown.
Plasma YKL‐40, as a prognostic tumor marker in recurrent ovarian cancer
Authors: Dehn Hannah , HØgdall Estrid V. S. , Johansen Julia S. , JØrgensen Morten , Price Paul A. , Engelholm Svend A. A. , HØgdall Claus K. 
Published: December 2004

Background. YKL‐40, a member of family 18 glycosyl hydrolases, is secreted by cancer cells. The function of YKL‐40 in cancer diseases is unknown, but it is a growth factor of connective tissue cells and probably has a role in inflammation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix, a process also involved in metastatic malignant diseases. High serum YKL‐40 has been associated with poor prognosis for patients with colorectal and recurrent breast cancer.Aim of the study. The purpose of the present study was to examine the prognostic value of plasma YKL‐40 in patients presenting with recurring ovarian cancer.Methods. YKL‐40 was determined by ELISA in plasma samples from 73 patients with relapse of ovarian cancer shortly before start of second‐line chemotherapy. The endpoint used was death because of ovarian cancer.Results. Plasma YKL‐40 was increased in ovarian cancer patients (median 94 µg/L, range 20–1970 µg/L) compared with age‐matched controls (33 µg/L, range 20–130 µg/L) (p < 0.001). Fifty‐five per cent of the patients had a plasma YKL‐40 level above the upper normal 95th percentile of controls. Patients with high plasma YKL‐40 (i.e. > 130 µg/L or > 160 µg/L) at the time of relapse had significantly shorter survival than patients with normal levels (respectively p = 0.007 and p = 0.004). Plasma YKL‐40 proved to be an independent prognostic factor in a multivariate Cox analysis (YKL‐40 > 160 µg/L; HR = 2.27) (p = 0.006), including serum CA‐125 and clinical/histological parameters.Conclusion. High plasma YKL‐40 is related to short survival in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
Personality factors and emotional responses to pregnancy among IVF couples in early pregnancy: a comparative study
Authors: Hjelmstedt Anna , Widström Ann‐Marie , Wramsby Håkan , Matthiesen Ann‐Sofi , Collins Aila 
Published: December 2004

Background. Little is known as to whether negative experiences associated with infertility and IVF treatment persist after successful treatment. The aim of the study was to compare couples who have conceived after IVF and couples who have conceived naturally regarding personality factors and emotional responses to pregnancy.Methods. Fifty‐seven women pregnant after IVF and 55 male partners and 43 women who had conceived naturally and 39 male partners were recruited from university IVF clinics and antenatal clinics in Stockholm. The subjects were interviewed about their socio‐demographic background. They completed scales of personality traits, anxiety, emotional responses to pregnancy, marital adjustment and reactions to recalled infertility while in pregnancy week 13 (range 11–17).Results. The results showed that the IVF women had more muscular tension and were more anxious about loosing the pregnancy than the control women. The IVF women with high infertility distress were more anxious about loosing the pregnancy and less ambivalent than the women with lower distress. The IVF men had more somatic anxiety, indirect aggression, guilt, and were more detached and more anxious about loosing the pregnancy and less ambivalent than the control men. The IVF men with high infertility distress were more anxious about the baby not being normal than the men with lower infertility distress.Conclusions. The women and men who had conceived after IVF differed on a number of personality dimensions and emotional responses to the pregnancy from that of the women and the men who had conceived naturally. The results suggest that IVF couples may need additional emotional support in early pregnancy.
Effects of treatment with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist on the uterine leiomyomata structure
Authors: Bozzini Nilo , Rodrigues Consuelo J. , Petti Domingos A. , Bevilacqua Ruy G. , GonÇalves Sergio P. , Pinotti José Aristodemo 
Published: December 2004

Objective. Our aim was to study the effects of the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist on the uterine leiomyoma of infertile women.Material and methods. Sixty‐seven nulliparous women (aged 24–39 years) with uterine leiomyomas, underwent ultrasonographic study of leiomioma volume, and were divided in two groups. Thirty‐one had nodes greater than 300 cm3 and were treated with goserelin 3.6 mg every 28 days for 6 months (group I); the other 36 patients did not receive medication (group II or control group). Sixteen patients from group I had ≤ 36% (median) reduction of the leiomyoma volume (subgroup Ia) and the other 15 women had reduction > 36% (subgroup Ib). All women underwent myomectomy.Results. The group with the greater leiomyoma reduction after treatment with goserelin (group Ib) showed a significantly lower percentage of ER+ when compared with group Ia and the control group. Group Ib had a significantly higher percentage of PR+ in relation to the control group, but not to group Ia. The number of blood vessels, AgNOR dots, and cells, and the amount of collagen were not different between the three groups studied. Leiomyomata reduction correlated negatively with the percentage ER+ cells, but positively with the PR+ cells, amount of collagen and number of blood vessels. No correlation was found between the number of AgNOR dots and cellularity.Conclusion. Our data strengthen the hypothesis that the uterine leiomyoma response to steroid hormones results from the presence of specific hormone receptors, and progesterone receptors may also play a role in the development of leiomyoma.
Subdermal progestin implant (Nestorone®) in the treatment of endometriosis: clinical response to various doses
Authors: Ylänen Kaija , Laatikainen Timo , Lähteenmäki Pekka , Moo‐Young Alfred J. 
Published: December 2004

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of three different doses of Nestorone® progestin administered by implants for relief of pain, as well as bleeding patterns and symptoms in women with endometriosis.Design. An open clinical study without a control group.Patients. Twenty‐one women in whom endometriosis was diagnosed and treated at laparoscopy or at laparotomy.Interventions. The patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups receiving a daily dose of either 150 µg, 200 µg or 400 µg Nestorone® for two to four implants inserted subcutaneously for 7 months. After removal of the implants the follow‐up period was 6 months. Six patients in the 150 µg group, seven in the 200 µg group and five in the 400 µg group completed the study.Measurements. Records of bleeding and registered side‐effects and endometriosis‐related symptoms were kept by the patients. Ovarian status was evaluated by vaginal ultrasonography. Serum concentrations of Nestorone® and of lipids were measured.Results. Pelvic pain decreased significantly in response to the treatment in all groups but returned to pretreatment levels during the post‐treatment period. Bleeding and spotting was the most common side‐effect followed by hypoestrogenic and psychic symptoms, with no significant difference among the groups. No significant changes in the serum levels of total, HDL or LDL cholesterol were found. One patient during the treatment period and four patients during the follow ups underwent surgical procedures.Conclusion. All three doses of Nestorone® effectively alleviated endometriosis‐related pain. While the Nestorone® implant provides an interesting option for the treatment of endometriosis‐related pain, its role needs to be assessed in comparative trials.
Hormone replacement therapy and risk of breast cancer: the role of progestins
Authors: Stahlberg Claudia , Pedersen Anette Tønnes , Lynge Elsebeth , Ottesen Bent 
Published: December 2004

Epidemiological studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer associated with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This notion is mostly based on studies from the USA. During the last decades unopposed estrogen treatment has been used to a lesser extent, whereas the combined estrogen‐progestin treatment regimen is now prescribed worldwide. In the USA the predominant compounds are conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone‐acetate, whereas oestradiol combined with testosterone‐like progestins is commonly used in Europe. These differences are mainly the result of traditions. Recent studies originating from both the USA and Europe suggest that the combined treatment regimens with estrogen and progestin increase the risk of breast cancer beyond the risk following the use of unopposed estrogen. At present it is not known if progestins with different androgenecity influence the risk of breast cancer to a varying degree.This review focuses on studies published after the latest meta‐analysis in 1997, with special attention given to the type of progestin used and the treatment mode, i.e. cyclical or continuous regimen.