bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity and nutrition behaviours in Western and Palestinian outpatients with severe mental illness
Authors: Jakabek David , Quirk Frances , Driessen Martin , Aljeesh Yousef , Baune Bernhard T
Published: October 2011

Background

While people with severe mental illness have been found to be more overweight and obese in Western nations, it is unknown to what extent this occurs in Middle Eastern nations and which eating behaviours contribute to obesity in Middle Eastern nations.

Method

A total of 665 responses were obtained from patients with serious mental illness attending out-patient clinics in Western developed countries (Germany, UK and Australia; n = 518) and Palestine (n = 147). Patients were evaluated by ICD-10 clinical diagnosis, anthropometric measurements and completed a self-report measure of frequencies of consuming different food items and reasons for eating. Nutritional habits were compared against a Western normative group.

Results

More participants from Palestine were overweight or obese (62%) compared to Western countries (47%). In the Western sample, obese patients reported consuming more low-fat products (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.02-6.33) but also greater eating due to negative emotions (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.31-2.60) than patients with a healthy body-mass index. In contrast, obese patients from Palestine reported increased consumption of unhealthy snacks (OR 3.73 95% CI 1.16-12.00).

Conclusion

Patients with mental illness have poorer nutritional habits than the general population, particularly in Western nations. Separate interventions to improve nutritional habits and reduce obesity are warranted between Western nations and Palestine.
The costs of infection and resistance as determinants of West Nile virus susceptibility in Culex mosquitoes
Authors: Ciota Alexander T , Styer Linda M , Meola Mark A , Kramer Laura D
Published: October 2011

Background

Understanding the phenotypic consequences of interactions between arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) and their mosquito hosts has direct implications for predicting the evolution of these relationships and the potential for changes in epidemiological patterns. Although arboviruses are generally not highly pathogenic to mosquitoes, pathology has at times been noted. Here, in order to evaluate the potential costs ofWest Nile virus(WNV) infection and resistance in a primary WNV vector, and to assess the extent to which virus-vector relationships are species-specific, we performed fitness studies with and without WNV exposure using a highly susceptibleCulex pipiensmosquito colony. Specifically, we measured and compared survival, fecundity, and feeding rates in bloodfed mosquitoes that were (i) infected following WNV exposure (susceptible), (ii) uninfected following WNV exposure (resistant), or (iii) unexposed.

Results

In contrast to our previous findings with a relatively resistantCx. tarsaliscolony, WNV infection did not alter fecundity or blood-feeding behaviour ofCx. pipiens, yet results do indicate that resistance to infection is associated with a fitness cost in terms of mosquito survival.

Conclusions

The identification of species-specific differences provides an evolutionary explanation for variability in vector susceptibility to arboviruses and suggests that understanding the costs of infection and resistance are important factors in determining the potential competence of vector populations for arboviruses.
Differential chromatin proteomics of the MMS-induced DNA damage response in yeast
Authors: Kim Dong Ryoung , Gidvani Rohan D , Ingalls Brian P , Duncker Bernard P , McConkey Brendan J
Published: October 2011

Background

Protein enrichment by sub-cellular fractionation was combined with differential-in-gel-electrophoresis (DIGE) to address the detection of the low abundance chromatin proteins in the budding yeast proteome. Comparisons of whole-cell extracts and chromatin fractions were used to provide a measure of the degree of chromatin association for individual proteins, which could be compared across sample treatments. The method was applied to analyze the effect of the DNA damaging agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) on levels of chromatin-associated proteins.

Results

Up-regulation of several previously characterized DNA damage checkpoint-regulated proteins, such as Rnr4, Rpa1 and Rpa2, was observed. In addition, several novel DNA damage responsive proteins were identified and assessed for genotoxic sensitivity using either DAmP (decreased abundance by mRNA perturbation) or knockout strains, including Acf2, Arp3, Bmh1, Hsp31, Lsp1, Pst2, Rnr4, Rpa1, Rpa2, Ste4, Ycp4 and Yrb1. A strain in which the expression of the Ran-GTPase binding protein Yrb1 was reduced was found to be hypersensitive to genotoxic stress.

Conclusion

The described method was effective at unveiling chromatin-associated proteins that are less likely to be detected in the absence of fractionation. Several novel proteins with altered chromatin abundance were identified including Yrb1, pointing to a role for this nuclear import associated protein in DNA damage response.
Validity of instruments to measure physical activity may be questionable due to a lack of conceptual frameworks: a systematic review
Authors: Gimeno-Santos Elena , Frei Anja , Dobbels Fabienne , Rüdell Katja , Puhan Milo A , Garcia-Aymerich Judith ,   the PROactive consortium
Published: October 2011

Background

Guidance documents for the development and validation of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) advise the use of conceptual frameworks, which outline the structure of the concept that a PRO aims to measure. It is unknown whether currently available PROs are based on conceptual frameworks. This study, which was limited to a specific case, had the following aims: (i) to identify conceptual frameworks of physical activity in chronic respiratory patients or similar populations (chronic heart disease patients or the elderly) and (ii) to assess whether the development and validation of PROs to measure physical activity in these populations were based on a conceptual framework of physical activity.

Methods

Two systematic reviews were conducted through searches of the Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cinahl databases prior to January 2010.

Results

In the first review, only 2 out of 581 references pertaining to physical activity in the defined populations provided a conceptual framework of physical activity in COPD patients. In the second review, out of 103 studies developing PROs to measure physical activity or related constructs, none were based on a conceptual framework of physical activity.

Conclusions

These findings raise concerns about how the large body of evidence from studies that use physical activity PRO instruments should be evaluated by health care providers, guideline developers, and regulatory agencies.
Adenovirus-mediated siRNA targeting Bcl-xL inhibits proliferation, reduces invasion and enhances radiosensitivity of human colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Yang Jinsong , Sun Ming , Zhang Aiping , Lv Chengyu , De Wei , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: October 2011

Introduction

Bcl-xL, an important member of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, plays critical roles in tumor progression and development. Previously, we have reported that overexpression of Bcl-xL was correlated with prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of Bcl-xL expression with invasion and radiosensitivity of human CRC cells.

Methods

RT-PCR and Western blot assays were performed to determine the expression of Bcl-xL mRNA and protein in CRC cells and normal human intestinal epithelial cell line. Then, adenovirus-mediated RNA interference technique was employed to inhibit the expression of Bcl-xL gene in CRC cells. The proliferation of CRC cells was analyzed by MTT and colony formation assay. The migration and invasion of CRC cells was determined by wound-healing and tranwell invasion assays. Additionally, the in vitro and in vivo radiosensitivity of CRC cells was determined by clonogenic cell survival assay and murine xnograft model, respectively.

Results

The levels of Bcl-xL mRNA and protein expression were significantly higher in human CRC cells than in normal human intestinal epithelial cell line. Ad/shBcl-xL could significantly reduce the expression of Bcl-xL protein in CRC cells. Also, we showed that adenovirus-mediated siRNA targeting Bcl-xL could significantly inhibit proliferation and colony formation of CRC cells. Ad/shBcl-xL could significantly suppress migration and invasion of CRC cells. Moreover, Ad/shBcl-xL could enhance in vitro and in vivo radiosensitivity of CRC cells by increasing caspase-dependent apoptosis.

Conclusions

Targeting Bcl-xL will be a promising strategy to inhibit the metastatic potential and reverse the radioresistance of human CRC.
The promoter -1031(T/C) polymorphism in tumor necrosis factor-alpha associated with polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Yun Ji-Hyun , Choi Jin-Woo , Lee Kyung-Ju , Shin Joong-Sik , Baek Kwang-Hyun
Published: October 2011

Background

A tumor necrosis factor-alpha is a multifunctional pro-inflammation cytokine, which has been considered as one of pathogenic factors for various diseases. The promoter -1031(T/C) polymorphism in the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene was reported that it plays a part in reproduction-related diseases. Among these, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is known to be a common gynecological disease of women in reproductive age women. Here, we performed a comparative study of -1031(T/C) polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene with PCOS in a Korean population.

Methods

The -1031(T/C) polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in a total of 217 PCOS patients and 144 matched female controls of healthy women. And statistical analysis was performed using HapAnalyzer. X
2 test and logistic regression were utilized analyze the association between two groups. A p-value under 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The genotype and allelic frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). There was strong association between the -1031(T/C) polymorphism in the promoter region of TNF-alpha gene and PCOS (p-value = 0.0003, odd ratio (OR) = 2.53). In addition, the frequency of C allele was significantly higher in PCOS patients compared with controls. Sequence analyses also showed the -1031(T/C) polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene.

Conclusion

This is the first study on the -1031(T/C) polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene in PCOS. We concluded that the -1031(T/C) polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene is associated with PCOS in a Korean population. Therefore, it is possible that it may be considered as a clinical biomarker to diagnose for PCOS, and is helpful in understanding the etiology for the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle attachment on array of micro test tubes and microbeakers formed on p-type silicon substrate for biosensor applications
Authors: Ghoshal Sarmishtha , Ansar Abul AM , Raja Sufi O , Jana Arpita , Bandyopadhyay Nil R , Dasgupta Anjan K , Ray Mallar
Published: October 2011

A uniformly distributed array of micro test tubes and microbeakers is formed on a p-type silicon substrate with tunable cross-section and distance of separation by anodic etching of the silicon wafer in N, N-dimethylformamide and hydrofluoric acid, which essentially leads to the formation of macroporous silicon templates. A reasonable control over the dimensions of the structures could be achieved by tailoring the formation parameters, primarily the wafer resistivity. For a micro test tube, the cross-section (i.e., the pore size) as well as the distance of separation between two adjacent test tubes (i.e., inter-pore distance) is typically approximately 1 μm, whereas, for a microbeaker the pore size exceeds 1.5 μm and the inter-pore distance could be less than 100 nm. We successfully synthesized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), with average particle size approximately 20 nm and attached them on the porous silicon chip surface as well as on the pore walls. Such SPION-coated arrays of micro test tubes and microbeakers are potential candidates for biosensors because of the biocompatibility of both silicon and SPIONs. As acquisition of data via microarray is an essential attribute of high throughput bio-sensing, the proposed nanostructured array may be a promising step in this direction.
The current image of single SnO2 nanobelt nanodevice studied by conductive atomic force microscopy
Authors: Wang Shujie , Cheng Gang , Cheng Ke , Jiang Xiaohong , Du Zuliang
Published: October 2011

A single SnO2 nanobelt was assembled on a pair of Au electrodes by electric-field assembly method. The electronic transport property of single SnO2 nanobelt was studied by conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM). Back-to-back Schottky barrier-type junctions were created between AFM tip/SnO2 nanobelt/Au electrode which can be concluded from the I-V curve. The current images of single SnO2 nanobelt nanodevices were also studied by C-AFM techniques, which showed stripes patterns on the nanobelt surface. The current images of the nanobelt devices correlate the microscopy with separate transport properties measurement together.
3D positioning scheme exploiting nano-scale IR-UWB orthogonal pulses
Authors: Kim Nammoon , Kim Youngok
Published: October 2011

In these days, the development of positioning technology for realizing ubiquitous environments has become one of the most important issues. The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a well-known positioning scheme, but it is not suitable for positioning in in-door/building environments because it is difficult to maintain line-of-sight condition between satellites and a GPS receiver. To such problem, various positioning methods such as RFID, WLAN, ZigBee, and Bluetooth have been developed for indoor positioning scheme. However, the majority of positioning schemes are focused on the two-dimension positioning even though three-dimension (3D) positioning information is more useful especially in indoor applications, such as smart space, U-health service, context aware service, etc. In this paper, a 3D positioning system based on mutually orthogonal nano-scale impulse radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) signals and cross array antenna is proposed. The proposed scheme uses nano-scale IR-UWB signals providing fine time resolution and high-resolution multiple signal specification algorithm for the time-of-arrival and the angle-of-arrival estimation. The performance is evaluated over various IEEE 802.15.4a channel models, and simulation results show the effectiveness of proposed scheme.
Sequence variability of Rhizobiales orthologs and relationship with physico-chemical characteristics of proteins
Authors: Peralta Humberto , Guerrero Gabriela , Aguilar Alejandro , Mora Jaime
Published: October 2011

Background

Chromosomal orthologs can reveal the shared ancestral gene set and their evolutionary trends. Additionally, physico-chemical properties of encoded proteins could provide information about functional adaptation and ecological niche requirements.

Results

We analyzed 7080 genes (five groups of 1416 orthologs each) from Rhizobiales species (S. meliloti, R. etli, and M. loti, plant symbionts; A. tumefaciens, a plant pathogen; and B. melitensis, an animal pathogen). We evaluated their phylogenetic relationships and observed three main topologies. The first, with closer association of R. etli to A. tumefaciens; the second with R. etli closer to S. meliloti; and the third with A. tumefaciens and S. meliloti as the closest pair. This was not unusual, given the close relatedness of these three species. We calculated the synonymous (dS) and nonsynonymous (dN) substitution rates of these orthologs, and found that informational and metabolic functions showed relatively low dN rates; in contrast, genes from hypothetical functions and cellular processes showed high dN rates. An alternative measure of sequence variability, percentage of changes by species, was used to evaluate the most specific proportion of amino acid residues from alignments. When dN was compared with that measure a high correlation was obtained, revealing that much of evolutive information was extracted with the percentage of changes by species at the amino acid level. By analyzing the sequence variability of orthologs with a set of five properties (polarity, electrostatic charge, formation of secondary structures, molecular volume, and amino acid composition), we found that physico-chemical characteristics of proteins correlated with specific functional roles, and association of species did not follow their typical phylogeny, probably reflecting more adaptation to their life styles and niche preferences. In addition, orthologs with low dN rates had residues with more positive values of polarity, volume and electrostatic charge.

Conclusions

These findings revealed that even when orthologs perform the same function in each genomic background, their sequences reveal important evolutionary tendencies and differences related to adaptation.

This article was reviewed by: Dr. Purificación López-García, Prof. Jeffrey Townsend (nominated by Dr. J. Peter Gogarten), and Ms. Olga Kamneva.
Multi-professional clinical medication reviews in care homes for the elderly: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial with cost effectiveness analysis
Authors: Desborough James , Houghton Julie , Wood John , Wright David , Holland Richard , Sach Tracey , Ashwell Sue , Shaw Val
Published: October 2011

Background

Evidence demonstrates that measures are needed to optimise therapy and improve administration of medicines in care homes for older people. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of a novel model of multi-professional medication review.

Methods

A cluster randomised controlled trial design, involving thirty care homes. In line with current practice in medication reviews, recruitment and consent will be sought from general practitioners and care homes, rather than individual residents. Care homes will be segmented according to size and resident mix and allocated to the intervention arm (15 homes) or control arm (15 homes) sequentially using minimisation. Intervention homes will receive a multi-professional medication review at baseline and at 6 months, with follow-up at 12 months. Control homes will receive usual care (support they currently receive from the National Health Service), with data collection at baseline and 12 months. The novelty of the intervention is a review of medications by a multi-disciplinary team. Primary outcome measures are number of falls and potentially inappropriate prescribing. Secondary outcome measures include medication costs, health care resource use, hospitalisations and mortality.

The null hypothesis proposes no difference in primary outcomes between intervention and control patients. The primary outcome variable (number of falls) will be analysed using a linear mixed model, with the intervention specified as a fixed effect and care homes included as a random effect. Analyses will be at the level of the care home. The economic evaluation will estimate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared to usual care from a National Health Service and personal social services perspective.

The study is not measuring the impact of the intervention on professional working relationships, the medicines culture in care homes or the generic health-related quality of life of residents.

Discussion

This study will establish the effectiveness of a new model of multi-professional clinical medication reviews in care homes, using novel approaches to recruitment and consent. It is the first study to undertake an examination of direct patient outcomes, together with an economic analysis.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN:ISRCTN90761620
De novo malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the kidney
Authors: Hsieh Tsan-Yu , ChangChien Yi-Che , Chen Wen-Hsiang , Chen Siu-Chung , Chang Liang-Che , Hwang Cheng-Cheng , Chein Hui-Ping , Chen Jim-Ray
Published: October 2011

The kidney is a relatively infrequent site for solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). Among the previously reported cases, only two cases of malignant renal SFT developing via dedifferentiation from a pre-existing benign SFT have been reported. Here we reported a case of de novo malignant renal SFT clinically diagnosed as renal cell carcinoma in a 50-year-old woman. The tumor was circumscribed but unencapsulated and showed obvious hemorrhagic necrosis. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of patternless sheets of alternating hypercellular and hypocellular areas of spindle cells displaying mild to moderate nuclear atypia, frequent mitoses up to 8 per 10 high power fields, and a 20% Ki-67 proliferative index. Immunohistochemical studies revealed reactivity for CD34, CD99 and vimentin, with no staining for all other markers, confirming the diagnosis of SFT. No areas of dedifferentiation were seen after extensive sampling. Based on the pathologic and immunohistochemical features, a diagnosis of de novo malignant renal SFT was warranted. Our report expands the spectrum of malignant progression in renal SFTs. Even though this patient has been disease-free for 30 months, long-term follow-up is still mandatory.
Ileosigmoid fistula and delayed ileal obstruction secondary to blunt abdominal trauma: a case report
Authors: Bouliaris Konstantinos , Karangelis Dimos , Spanos Konstantinos , Germanos Stylianos , Alexiou Evangelos , Giaglaras Anargyros
Published: October 2011

Introduction

Abdominal trauma is a source of significant mortality and morbidity. Bowel injury as a result of blunt abdominal trauma is usually evident within hours or days of the accident.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old Caucasian Greek man presented with a subtle and delayed small bowel obstruction caused by a post-traumatic ileosigmoid fistula and ileal stricture four months after a road traffic accident.

Conclusion

Delayed occurrence of post-traumatic small bowel stricture and ileosigmoid fistula is an uncommon surgical emergency. General surgeons as well as emergency physicians should bear this manifestation in mind should a patient return to the hospital several weeks or even years after blunt abdominal trauma with symptoms or signs of bowel obstruction.
Improved retroviral suicide gene transfer in colon cancer cell lines after cell synchronization with methotrexate
Authors: Finzi Laetitia , Kraemer Aurore , Capron Claude , Noullet Severine , Goere Diane , Penna Christophe , Nordlinger Bernard , Legagneux Josette , Emile Jean-Fançois , Malafosse Robert
Published: October 2011

Background

Cancer gene therapy by retroviral vectors is mainly limited by the level of transduction. Retroviral gene transfer requires target cell division. Cell synchronization, obtained by drugs inducing a reversible inhibition of DNA synthesis, could therefore be proposed to precondition target cells to retroviral gene transfer. We tested whether drug-mediated cell synchronization could enhance the transfer efficiency of a retroviral-mediated gene encoding herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) in two colon cancer cell lines, DHDK12 and HT29.

Methods

Synchronization was induced by methotrexate (MTX), aracytin (ara-C) or aphidicolin. Gene transfer efficiency was assessed by the level of HSV-TK expression. Transduced cells were driven by ganciclovir (GCV) towards apoptosis that was assessed using annexin V labeling by quantitative flow cytometry.

Results

DHDK12 and HT29 cells were synchronized in S phase with MTX but not ara-C or aphidicolin. In synchronized DHDK12 and HT29 cells, the HSV-TK transduction rates were 2 and 1.5-fold higher than those obtained in control cells, respectively. Furthermore, the rate of apoptosis was increased two-fold in MTX-treated DHDK12 cells after treatment with GCV.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that MTX-mediated synchronization of target cells allowed a significant improvement of retroviral HSV-tk gene transfer, resulting in an increased cell apoptosis in response to GCV. Pharmacological control of cell cycle may thus be a useful strategy to optimize the efficiency of retroviral-mediated cancer gene therapy.
Hypersensitivity reactions to anticancer agents: Data mining of the public version of the FDA adverse event reporting system, AERS
Authors: Kadoyama Kaori , Kuwahara Akiko , Yamamori Motohiro , Brown JB , Sakaeda Toshiyuki , Okuno Yasushi
Published: October 2011

Background

Previously, adverse event reports (AERs) submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) database were reviewed to confirm platinum agent-associated hypersensitivity reactions. The present study was performed to confirm whether the database could suggest the hypersensitivity reactions caused by anticancer agents, paclitaxel, docetaxel, procarbazine, asparaginase, teniposide, and etoposide.

Methods

After a revision of arbitrary drug names and the deletion of duplicated submissions, AERs involving candidate agents were analyzed. The National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 was applied to evaluate the susceptibility to hypersensitivity reactions, and standardized official pharmacovigilance tools were used for quantitative detection of signals, i.e., drug-associated adverse events, including the proportional reporting ratio, the reporting odds ratio, the information component given by a Bayesian confidence propagation neural network, and the empirical Bayes geometric mean.

Results

Based on 1,644,220 AERs from 2004 to 2009, the signals were detected for paclitaxel-associated mild, severe, and lethal hypersensitivity reactions, and docetaxel-associated lethal reactions. However, the total number of adverse events occurring with procarbazine, asparaginase, teniposide, or etoposide was not large enough to detect signals.

Conclusions

The FDA's adverse event reporting system, AERS, and the data mining methods used herein are useful for confirming drug-associated adverse events, but the number of co-occurrences is an important factor in signal detection.
Implementation of checklists in health care; learning from high-reliability organisations
Authors: Thomassen Øyvind , Espeland Ansgar , Søfteland Eirik , Lossius Hans Morten , Heltne Jon Kenneth , Brattebø Guttorm
Published: October 2011

Background

Checklists are common in some medical fields, including surgery, intensive care and emergency medicine. They can be an effective tool to improve care processes and reduce mortality and morbidity. Despite the seemingly rapid acceptance and dissemination of the checklist, there are few studies describing the actual process of developing and implementing such tools in health care. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences from checklist development and implementation in a group of non-medical, high reliability organisations (HROs).

Method

A qualitative study based on key informant interviews and field visits followed by a Delphi approach. Eight informants, each with 10-30 years of checklist experience, were recruited from six different HROs.

Results

The interviews generated 84 assertions and recommendations for checklist implementation. To achieve checklist acceptance and compliance, there must be a predefined need for which a checklist is considered a well suited solution. The end-users ("sharp-end") are the key stakeholders throughout the development and implementation process. Proximity and ownership must be assured through a thorough and wise process. All informants underlined the importance of short, self-developed, and operationally-suited checklists. Simulation is a valuable and widely used method for training, revision, and validation.

Conclusion

Checklists have been a cornerstone of safety management in HROs for nearly a century, and are becoming increasingly popular in medicine. Acceptance and compliance are crucial for checklist implementation in health care. Experiences from HROs may provide valuable input to checklist implementation in healthcare.
A truly green synthesis of α-aminonitriles via Strecker reaction
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Debasish , Velazquez Juliana M , Banik Bimal K
Published: October 2011

Background

The classical Strecker reaction is one of the simplest and most economical methods for the synthesis of racemic α-aminonitriles (precursor of α-amino acids) and pharmacologically useful compounds.

Results

Indium powder in water is shown to act as a very efficient catalyst for one-pot, three-component synthesis of α-aminonitriles from diverse amines, aldehydes and TMSCN. This general rapid method is applicable to a wide range of amines and aldehydes and produces products in excellent yield.

Conclusions

The present one-pot, three-component environmentally benign procedure for the synthesis of α-aminonitriles will find application in the synthesis of complex biologically active molecules.
Pharmacogenetic testing affects choice of therapy among women considering tamoxifen treatment
Authors: Lorizio Wendy , Rugo Hope , Beattie Mary S , Tchu Simone , Melese Teri , Melisko Michelle , Wu Alan HB , Lawrence H Jeffrey , Nikoloff Michele , Ziv Elad
Published: October 2011

Background

Pharmacogenetic testing holds major promise in allowing physicians to tailor therapy to patients based on genotype. However, there is little data on the impact of pharmacogenetic test results on patient and clinician choice of therapy. CYP2D6 testing among tamoxifen users offers a potential test case of the use of pharmacogenetic testing in the clinic. We evaluated the effect of CYP2D6 testing in clinical practice to determine whether genotype results affected choice of hormone therapy in a prospective cohort study.

Methods

Women planning to take or currently taking tamoxifen were considered eligible. Participants were enrolled in an informational session that reviewed the results of studies of CYP2D6 genotype on breast cancer recurrence. CYP2D6 genotyping was offered to participants using the AmpliChip CYP450 Test. Women were classified as either poor, intermediate, extensive or ultra-rapid metabolizers. Results were provided to clinicians without specific treatment recommendations. Follow-up was performed with a structured phone interview 3 to 6 months after testing to evaluate changes in medication.

Results

A total of 245 women were tested and 235 completed the follow-up survey. Six of 13 (46%) women classified as poor metabolizers reported changing treatment compared with 11 of 218 (5%) classified as intermediate, extensive or ultra-rapid metabolizers (P < 0.001). There was no difference in treatment choices between women classified as intermediate and extensive metabolizers. In multi-variate models that adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, educational status, method of referral into the study, prior knowledge of CYP2D6 testing, the patients' CYP2D6 genotype was the only significant factor that predicted a change in therapy (odds ratio 22.8; 95% confidence interval 5.2 to 98.8). Genetic testing did not affect use of co-medications that interact with CYP2D6.

Conclusions

CYP2D6 genotype testing led to changes in therapy among poor metabolizers, even in the absence of definitive data that an alternative medicine improved outcomes. Pharmacogenetic testing can affect choice of therapy, even in the absence of definitive data on clinical impact.
A New Composite Electrode of Li2MnSiO4 Nanoparticles Combined with Mesoporous Carbon CMK-3
Authors: Yoshitake Hideaki , Kawase Takashi
Published: October 2011

Li2MnSiO4 is prepared by nanocasting using CMK-3 mesoporous carbon, and its electrochemical behavior is explored without removing the CMK-3 template. This preparation provides a new cathode material for large capacity Li secondary batteries, equivalent to two-Li+ charge–discharge processes.
Development and Validation of a Multivariate Calibration Method for Determining Interfacial Tension of Transformers Insulating Oils by near Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Godinho Mariana S. , Oliveira Anselmo E. , Sena Marcelo M.
Published: October 2011

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a multivariate calibration method based on partial least squares (PLS) and near infrared spectroscopy for determining the interfacial tension of insulating oils used in electricity power transformers. Forty-eighty oil samples were obtained from an electricity power company and were divided into a calibration set of 38 leaving 10 for the validation set. The reference values were measured with a ring tensiometer and ranged from 15 dyn cm−1 to 45 dyn cm−1. The spectra were registered from 1280 nm to 2500 nm and the best PLS model was selected with 10 latent variables, providing a root mean square error of prediction of 2 dyn cm−1 and a coefficient of determination between reference and predicted values of 0.962. This method was validated in the context of multivariate calibration and was considered to have adequate accuracy (prediction errors between −9% and 12%), precision and linearity. A bias test verified the absence of systematic errors in the model. A pseudo-univariate calibration curve was constructed based on the concept of net analyte signal. The proposed method was simple, rapid, non-destructive and considered appropriate for the routine use in a quality control laboratory of an electricity power company.
A Feasibility Study on Using near Infrared Spectroscopy to Classify Straw-Coal Blends
Authors: He Cheng , Yang Zengling , Huang Guangqun , Chen Longjian , Han Lujia
Published: October 2011

Rapid classification of biomass, coal and biomass-coal blends is very important for developing appropriate subsidy policies and methods for biomass co-firing power generation in China. The use of near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy to classify straw, coal and straw-coal blends was explored in this study. Eighty-one straw samples, 9 coal samples, 81 straw-coal blends samples with straw content from 91% to 99% (blends1) and 90 straw-coal blends samples with straw content from 1% to 30% (blends2) were prepared and separated into a calibration set and an external prediction set. Spectra were scanned by a Fourier transform-NIR spectrometer. Raw spectra of the samples were mean centred and compared using discriminant analysis. Overall, the correct classification percentages for straw, blends1, blends2 and coal samples were 98.8%, 90.1%, 83.3% and 66.7%, respectively. The results show that the NIR technique could provide excellent classification between straw and coal. The spectra of straw-coal blends with straw content less than 98% can be classified exactly from calibrations based on pure straw and the spectra of straw-coal blends with straw content greater than 20% can be well classified from calibrations based on pure coal. It is concluded that NIR is a feasible method for rapid classification of straw, coal and straw-coal blends.
The Potential of near Infrared Microscopy to Detect, Identify and Quantify Processed Animal by-Products
Authors: Yang Zengling , Han Lujia , Pierna Juan Antonio Fernández , Dardenne Pierre , Baeten Vincent
Published: October 2011

Epidemiological studies have indicated that the most likely pathway of the infection of cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is feed-borne contamination with animal proteins. The enforcement of the ban on meat and bone meal in feed for farmed animals, including the “species-to-species” ban, is considered an important measure to prevent the spread of BSE. This review summarises more than ten years of work on species identification, quantification, comparison with optical microscopy, combination with polymerase chain reaction and detection based on chemometric decision rules and discriminant models. In the first part of the review, a summary is given of existing methods for the detection, identification and quantification of processed by-products of animal origin. In the second part, the possibilities offered by the near infrared microscopy technique for detecting, identifying and quantifying processed by-products of animal origin is reviewed. Work needed on enforcing the feed ban in terms of both routine and official control measures is also discussed.
Transdermal Nicotine Replacement Therapy Safety in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Galen Kelly , Lurk Katherine M. , Smith Andrew
Published: October 2011

Purpose

The safety and efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy in patients with stable cardiovascular disease and following an acute coronary event are reviewed.

Physicians have been hesitant to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in patients with cardiac disease due to the reported harmful cardiovascular effects of nicotine, including an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as its possible contribution to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and sudden cardiac death. However, several studies have shown that NRT is safe following myocardial infarction and is preferred over continued cigarette smoking. One cohort study assessed the safety and efficacy of transdermal NRT in smokers admitted for acute coronary syndromes and found no difference in mortality versus patients given a placebo. Additionally, the cost of NRT should not be viewed as a barrier due to the long-term savings in preventable hospitalizations following additional cardiovascular events.

Conclusion

Transdermal NRT was found to be safe and effective in patients with acute myocardial infarction and with a known history of cardiovascular disease. It has also proven to be effective in smoking cessation, which eliminates the most important risk factor for an acute coronary event. NRT showed no increased frequency in mortality or other cardiac adverse events.
Neurotoxicity Associated with Standard Doses of Valacyclovir in Renal Insufficiency
Authors: Boykin Kristen M. , Kernan William , Tarchini Giorgio , Lurix Einar
Published: October 2011

Chronic kidney disease is a growing problem in the United States that increases the risk of medication-related complications. The antiviral medication valacyclovir hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment and/or suppression of herpes labialis, genital herpes, and herpes zoster and requires dosage adjustment for renal impairment. Valacyclovir is generally well tolerated, but serious adverse drug reactions have been reported including neurotoxicity and acute renal failure, especially in the elderly and in those with chronic kidney disease. We present 2 cases of neurotoxicity suspected to be secondary to non-renally dose-adjusted valacyclovir therapy. The first is a female hemodialysis patient who developed neuropsychiatric symptoms within 24 hours of initiating valacyclovir therapy; the second is an elderly gentleman with stage 4 chronic kidney disease and symptoms after 2 days of therapy. Both were prescribed valacyclovir 1 g orally 3 times daily despite renal impairment. Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale suggests probable associations between neuropsychiatric symptoms displayed by the patients and valacyclovir (score of 5 in case 1; score of 7 in case 2). These cases highlight the importance of considering renal status when dosing medications that undergo significant renal elimination.
New Drugs Approved by the FDA; New Dosage Forms and Indications Approved by the FDA; Agents Pending FDA Approval; New Drug/Biologics License Applications Filed by Manufacturer; Supplemental Actions Filed by Manufacturer; Significant Labeling Changes or “Dear Health Professional” Letters Related to Safety
Authors: Baker Danial E.
Published: October 2011

This monthly feature will help readers keep current on new drugs, new indications, dosage forms, and safety-related changes in labeling or use. Efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information; however, if there are any questions, please let me know at bakerdan@wsu.edu .
Benchmarking Drug Prescribing Using Clinical Databases: A Tool for Practice Model Enhancement
Authors: O'neal Brian C. , Weber Robert J.
Published: October 2011

The Director's Forum series is written and edited by Robert Weber and Scott Mark and is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. This column also addresses many of the key challenges that pharmacy directors face today, while providing information to foster growth in pharmacy leadership and patient safety. This month's Forum focuses on using clinical benchmarking databases. These databases allow the pharmacy director to view and potentially mimic the drug utilization behaviors of peers with superior outcomes. They are also a time-saving tool for drug use evaluations and P&T Committee support. Databases will continue to evolve in the near future, with more clinical parameters (eg, lab values, cultures, and sensitivities) being available for query, as well as an extension of data streams to outpatient settings. With the increased pressure placed on health-system pharmacy directors to contain drug costs and to enhance the pharmacy practice model, pharmacy directors should work to gain familiarity with the clinical database tools available to them and to integrate their use into department operations.
Recent Publications on Medications and Pharmacy
Authors: Russett Flint
Published: October 2011

Hospital Pharmacy presents this feature to keep pharmacists abreast of new publications in the medical/pharmacy literature. Articles of interest regarding a broad scope of topics are abstracted monthly.
Beers Criteria as a Proxy for Inappropriate Prescribing of Other Medications Among Older Adults
Authors: Lund Brian C , Steinman Michael A , Chrischilles Elizabeth A , Kaboli Peter J
Published: October 2011

Background::

The Beers criteria are a compilation of medications deemed potentially inappropriate for older adults, widely used as a prescribing quality indicator.

Objective:

To determine whether Beers criteria serve as a proxy measure for other forms of inappropriate prescribing, as measured by comprehensive implicit review.

Methods:

Data for patients 65 years and older were obtained from the Veterans Affairs Enhanced Pharmacy Outpatient Clinic (EPOC) and the Iowa Medicaid Pharmaceutical Case Management (PCM) studies. Comprehensive measurement of prescribing quality was conducted using expert clinician review of medical records according to the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI). MAI scores attributable to non-Beers medications were contrasted between patients who did and did not receive a Beers criteria medication.

Results:

Beers criteria medications accounted for 12.9% (EPOC) and 14.0% (PCM) of total MAI scores. Importantly, non-Beers MAI scores were significantly higher in patients receiving a Beers criteria medication in both studies (EPOC: 15.1 vs 12.4, p = 0.02; PCM: 11.1 vs 8.7, p = 0.04), after adjusting for important confounding factors.

Conclusions:

Beers criteria utility extended beyond direct measurement of a limited set of inappropriate prescribing practices by serving as a clinically meaningful proxy for other inappropriate practices. Using prescribing quality indicators to guide interventions should thus identify patients for comprehensive medication review, rather than identifying specific medication targets for discontinuation. Future research should explore both the quality measurement and the intervention targeting applications of the Beers criteria, particularly when integrated with other indicators.
Analyzing and Interpreting Proficiency Test Program Data for Spectroscopic Analysis of Petroleum Products and Lubricants
Authors: Bover W. James
Published: October 2011

Quality system standards for testing laboratories (ASTM D6792 and ISO 17025) require the use of processes to manage precision and bias. Several ASTM International standards guide users in the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) practices for managing precision and bias within a testing laboratory (e.g., D6299, D6617, E882 and E1323). Some deal specifically with laboratories servicing the petroleum products and lubricants industry. Many of these practices focus on within-laboratory precision (repeatability). Using certified reference standards and statistical quality control (SQC) techniques like control charts are two widely used tools employed to satisfy requirements to manage precision and bias within a laboratory.
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in the Analysis of Petroleum Products and Lubricants
Authors: Nadkarni R. A. Kishore
Published: October 2011

An analytical revolution in the area of metals determination took place in the mid-fifties when Sir Alan Walsh of CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia, invented the technique of atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) [1]. Until then, metals had to be determined by the tedious, labor-intensive, and time-consuming techniques of wet chemistry separations and gravimetric, titrimetric, or colorimetric measurements.
Applications of ICP-MS in the Petroleum Industry
Authors: Hwang J. David
Published: October 2011

One of the key responsibilities of modern analytical scientists is “solving problems,” or “troubleshooting.” As a matter of fact, this is one of the most attractive reasons for entering the field of analytical chemistry. “Problems” can arise in research, development, production, technical services, regulatory requirements (such as the [ASTM International], American Society for Testing and Materials U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], or U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA]), litigation, and many other areas [1]. The role of the analytical chemist in industry, quality assurance, methods and technical development, troubleshooting (also called “firefighting”), research or science resource, and miscellaneous analytical roles are described in an extremely interesting report entitled “Analytical Chemistry in Industry” [2]. Many problems in the petroleum industry, such as corrosion, incompatible formulation, failure of an engine, contamination of feedstock, or catalyst poisons, in general, can be traced back to some physical or chemically related problem of the system. As Botto stated in his 2006 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry Symposium report [3]: “In the application of plasma spectrochemistry to ‘real world’ materials and problems, almost nothing can top the petroleum and petrochemical industry for its ability to generate tough analytical challenges on a daily basis. ICP spectrochemists working in the industry ‘get down and get dirty’ with some of the nastiest and most complex sample matrices on Earth.” Hence, a symposium has been dedicated to petroleum materials and petroleum applications in the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry since 2006.
Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry: An Ideal Facilitator for Determining Mercury and Arsenic in the Petrochemical Industry
Authors: Stockwell Peter B.
Published: October 2011

The author, in association with academic and industrial partners, has been developing analytical procedures and instrumentation using atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) to determine mercury at very low levels, especially in difficult matrices such as petrochemicals, for several years.
A Review of Applications of NMR Spectroscopy in the Petroleum Industry
Authors: Edwards John C.
Published: October 2011

NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE (NMR) SPECTROSCOPY HASbeen applied to petroleum chemistry since the first days of its commercial existence. Petroleum companies such as Texaco and Marathon were among the first to use 1H NMR to provide detailed information on the hydrocarbon chemistry of raw petroleum and its various products. The literature associated with almost 60 years of applications is large and cannot be accommodated in a single book chapter. However, there have been numerous reviews of petroleum NMR applications as well as a number of excellent articles and book chapters that cover the literature up to the early 1990s [1–6]. Since then, there have been no definitive books or review chapters published, though the use of NMR throughout the petroleum chemistry research arena has been widespread. In this chapter we concentrate on the applications that have been developed over the past two decades and how NMR technology has developed to encompass the entire scope of petroleum chemistry from down-hole exploration tools to online refinery process analysis.