bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in Prices of Cardiovascular Drugs in Public and Private Pharmacies in Nepal
Authors: Mishra Shiva Raj , Kandel Nirajan , Subedi Narayan , Khanal Vishnu 
Published: January 2015

Introduction: Higher price of cardiovascular drugs is one of the reasons for high out-of-pocket expenditure in cardiovascular care. The objective of the study was to determine the price variation in commonly available cardiovascular drugs between public and private hospital pharmacies in Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 3 public and 3 private pharmacies in tertiary-level hospitals in Nepal. The price was recorded for the list of drugs commonly available in those pharmacies. A total of 23 drugs were selected for data collection. The price was recorded based on the payment receipt and price reported by surrogate customers. We defined the price variation as the difference between price of cardiovascular drugs between public hospital and private pharmacy. The price variation was expressed as percentage. Results: Price of Amlodipine 5 mg was higher by 667% in private pharmacy nearby Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) compared to that of TUTH pharmacy. Price of Enalapril 5 mg was higher by 14.47% in Manmohan Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Transplant Centre (MCVTC) compared to nearby private pharmacy. We observed that the price of cardiovascular drugs varied significantly between hospital and private retail pharmacies in TUTH ( P < .001) and MCVTC ( P < .001). Conclusion: For most of the cardiovascular drugs, the price in private retail pharmacies were significantly higher than in hospital pharmacies. Future steps should be taken to establish and run own pharmacies in hospitals which would reduce the cost of medicine and thereby, increase access to medicine.
Interleukin-13 is overexpressed in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cells and regulates their proliferation
Authors: Geskin Larisa J. , Viragova Sara , Stolz Donna B. , Fuschiotti Patrizia 
Published: January 2015

Key PointsIL-13 is an autocrine factor for CTCL. IL-13 and its receptors represent novel markers of CTCL malignancy and potential therapeutic targets for intervention.
Genetics of multiple myeloma: another heterogeneity level?
Authors: Corre Jill , Munshi Nikhil , Avet-Loiseau Hervé 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Our knowledge of myeloma genetics remained limited and lagged behind many other hematologic malignancies because of the inherent difficulties in generating metaphases within the malignant plasma cell clone. With the development of molecular techniques (microarrays and next-generation sequencing), our understanding has been highly improved in the past 5 years. These studies have not only confirmed the prevalence of wide heterogeneity in myeloma at the molecular level, but has also provided a much clearer picture of the disease pathogenesis and progression. Whether these data will enable improvements in the therapeutic approach is still a matter of debate. The next improvement will come from detailed analyses of these molecular features to try to move from a treatment fitted to every patient to individualized therapies, taking into account the complexity of the chromosomal changes, the mutation spectrum, and subclonality evolution.
Astatine-211 conjugated to an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody eradicates disseminated B-cell lymphoma in a mouse model
Authors: Green Damian J. , Shadman Mazyar , Jones Jon C. , Frayo Shani L. , Kenoyer Aimee L. , Hylarides Mark D. , Hamlin Donald K. , Wilbur D. Scott , Balkan Ethan R. , Lin Yukang , Miller Brian W. , Frost Sofia H. L. , Gopal Ajay K. , Orozco Johnnie J. , Gooley Theodore A. , Laird Kelly L. , Till Brian G. , Bäck Tom , Sandmaier Brenda M. , Pagel John M. , Press Oliver W. 
Published: January 2015

Key Points
α-Emitting radionuclides have the potential to overcome treatment-resistant lymphoma cell clones that evade other forms of therapy. 211At-labeled anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody eradicates lymphoma in a mouse minimal residual disease model.
Efficiency of hydrogen peroxide in improving disinfection of ICU rooms
Authors: Blazejewski Caroline , Wallet Frédéric , Rouzé Anahita , Le Guern Rémi , Ponthieux Sylvie , Salleron Julia , Nseir Saad 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Introduction
The primary objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) techniques in disinfection of ICU rooms contaminated with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) after patient discharge. Secondary objectives included comparison of the efficiency of a vaporizator (HPV, Bioquell®) and an aerosolizer using H2O2, and peracetic acid (aHPP, Anios®) in MDRO environmental disinfection, and assessment of toxicity of these techniques.

Methods
This prospective cross-over study was conducted in five medical and surgical ICUs located in one University hospital, during a 12-week period. Routine terminal cleaning was followed by H2O2 disinfection. A total of 24 environmental bacteriological samplings were collected per room, from eight frequently touched surfaces, at three time-points: after patient discharge (T0), after terminal cleaning (T1) and after H2O2 disinfection (T2).

Results
In total 182 rooms were studied, including 89 (49%) disinfected with aHPP and 93 (51%) with HPV. At T0, 15/182 (8%) rooms were contaminated with at least 1 MDRO (extended spectrum β–lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli 50%, imipenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii 29%, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 17%, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to ceftazidime or imipenem 4%). Routine terminal cleaning reduced environmental bacterial load (P <0.001) without efficiency on MDRO (15/182 (8%) rooms at T0 versus 11/182 (6%) at T1; P = 0.371). H2O2 technologies were efficient for environmental MDRO decontamination (6% of rooms contaminated with MDRO at T1 versus 0.5% at T2, P = 0.004). Patient characteristics were similar in aHPP and HPV groups. No significant difference was found between aHPP and HPV regarding the rate of rooms contaminated with MDRO at T2 (P = 0.313). 42% of room occupants were MDRO carriers. The highest rate of rooms contaminated with MDRO was found in rooms where patients stayed for a longer period of time, and where a patient with MDRO was hospitalized. The residual concentration of H2O2 appears to be higher using aHPP, compared with HPV.

Conclusions
H2O2 treatment is efficient in reducing MDRO contaminated rooms in the ICU. No significant difference was found between aHPP and HPV regarding their disinfection efficiency.
Pharmacokinetic variability and exposures of fluconazole, anidulafungin, and caspofungin in intensive care unit patients: Data from multinational Defining Antibiotic Levels in Intensive care unit (DALI) patients Study
Authors: Sinnollareddy Mahipal G , Roberts Jason A , Lipman Jeffrey , Akova Murat , Bassetti Matteo , De Waele Jan J , Kaukonen Kirsi-Maija , Koulenti Despoina , Martin Claude , Montravers Philippe , Rello Jordi , Rhodes Andrew , Starr Therese , Wallis Steven C , Dimopoulos George ,   on behalf of the DALI Study authors
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Introduction
The objective of the study was to describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of fluconazole, anidulafungin, and caspofungin in critically ill patients and to compare with previously published data. We also sought to determine whether contemporary fluconazole doses achieved PK/pharmacodynamic (PD; PK/PD) targets in this cohort of intensive care unit patients.

Methods
The Defining Antibiotic Levels in Intensive care unit patients (DALI) study was a prospective, multicenter point-prevalence PK study. Sixty-eight intensive care units across Europe participated. Inclusion criteria were met by critically ill patients administered fluconazole (n = 15), anidulafungin (n = 9), and caspofungin (n = 7). Three blood samples (peak, mid-dose, and trough) were collected for PK/PD analysis. PK analysis was performed by using a noncompartmental approach.

Results
The mean age, weight, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores of the included patients were 58 years, 84 kg, and 22, respectively. Fluconazole, caspofungin, and anidulafungin showed large interindividual variability in this study. In patients receiving fluconazole, 33% did not attain the PK/PD target, ratio of free drug area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 hours to minimum inhibitory concentration (fAUC0–24/MIC) ≥100. The fluconazole dose, described in milligrams per kilogram, was found to be significantly associated with achievement of fAUC0–24/MIC ≥100 (P = 0.0003).

Conclusions
Considerable interindividual variability was observed for fluconazole, anidulafungin, and caspofungin. A large proportion of the patients (33%) receiving fluconazole did not attain the PK/PD target, which might be related to inadequate dosing. For anidulafungin and caspofungin, dose optimization also appears necessary to minimize variability.
Avianbase: a community resource for bird genomics
Authors: Eöry Lél , Gilbert M Thomas P , Li Cai , Li Bo , Archibald Alan , Aken Bronwen L , Zhang Guojie , Jarvis Erich , Flicek Paul , Burt David W 
Published: January 2015

AbstractGiving access to sequence and annotation data for genome assemblies is important because, while facilitating research, it places both assembly and annotation quality under scrutiny, resulting in improvements to both. Therefore we announce Avianbase, a resource for bird genomics, which provides access to data released by the Avian Phylogenomics Consortium.
What we can learn from animal models about cerebral multi-morbidity
Authors: Baker Siân , Götz Jürgen 
Published: January 2015

AbstractLate-onset diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or frontotemporal lobar degeneration are considered to be protein-folding disorders, with the accumulation of protein deposits causing a gain-of-toxic function. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by two histological hallmark lesions: amyloid-β-containing plaques and tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles. However, signature proteins, including α-synuclein, which are found in an aggregated fibrillar form in the Lewy bodies of Parkinson’s disease brains, are also frequently found in Alzheimer’s disease. This highlights the fact that, although specific aggregates form the basis for diagnosis, there is a high prevalence of clinical overlap between neuropathological lesions linked to different diseases, a finding known as cerebral co- or multi-morbidity. Furthermore, the proteins forming these lesions interact, and this interaction accelerates an ongoing degenerative process. Here, we review the contribution that transgenic animal models have made to a better mechanistic understanding of the causes and consequences of co- or multi-morbidity. We discuss selected vertebrate and invertebrate models as well as the insight gained from non-transgenic senescence-accelerated mouse-prone mice. This article is part of a series on ‘Cerebral multi-morbidity of the aging brain’.
Why do migrants remit? Testing hypotheses for the case of Morocco
Authors: Bouoiyour Jamal , Miftah Amal 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWe use Moroccan data to study the determinants of international migrants’ remittances, testing the altruistic and welfare hypotheses. In particular, we analyze and assess what motivates migrants to send remittances back home. Our results lend support to the altruistic hypothesis suggesting that remittances are sent to households with low levels of welfare. Furthermore, the decision to remit is intensely associated to individual characteristics such as migrant income, gender and age. Likewise, remittances may be viewed as loan repayment if the migration costs were borne by the remittance-receiving family.JEL classificationF22, J61, D1, D91, O55.
19F MRI Probes with Tunable Switches and Highly Sensitive 19F MRI Nanoprobes
Authors: Kikuchi Kazuya 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging modality adequate for in vivo studies. Therefore, many scientists are interested in the development of MRI probes capable of detecting enzyme activities in vivo. 19F MRI is useful for monitoring particular biosignals, cells, and target tissues, due to the absence of background signals in living organisms. Therefore, highly sensitive 19F MRI contrast agents are in great demand for their practical applications. However, we have faced the following challenges: (1) increasing the number of fluorine atoms decreases the solubility of the molecular probes, and (2) the restriction of the molecular mobility attenuates the 19F MRI signals. Herein, we developed novel multifunctional core–shell nanoparticles to solve these problems. They are composed of a core micelle filled with liquid perfluorocarbon and a robust silica shell. These core–shell nanoparticles have superior properties such as high sensitivity, surface-modifiability, biocompatibility, and sufficient in vivo stability. By the adequate surface modifications, gene expression in living cells and tumor tissue in living mice were successfully detected by 19F MRI.
Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for large and invasive non-functioning pituitary adenomas: long-term clinical outcomes and volumetric MRI assessment of tumor response
Authors: Minniti Giuseppe , Scaringi Claudia , Poggi Maurizio , Jaffrain Rea Marie Lise , Trillò Giuseppe , Esposito Vincenzo , Bozzao Alessandro , Enrici Maurizio Maurizi , Toscano Vincenzo , Enrici Riccardo Maurizi 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveWe describe the use of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) for the treatment of large, invasive, nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs). FSRT is frequently employed for the treatment of residual or recurrent pituitary adenomas.Patients and methodsSixty-eight patients with a large residual or recurrent NFPAs were treated between April 2004 and December 2012, including 39 males and 29 females (median age 51 years). Visual defects were present in 34 patients, consisting of visual field defects (n=31) and/or reduced visual acuity (n=12). Forty-five patients had evidence of partial or total hypopituitarism before FSRT. For most of the patients, the treatment was delivered through 5–10 noncoplanar conformal fixed fields using a 6-MV linear accelerator to a dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions.ResultsAt a median follow-up of 75 months (range 12–120 months), the 5- and 10-year actuarial local control were 97 and 91%, respectively, and overall survival 97 and 93%, respectively. Forty-nine patients had a tumor reduction, 16 remained stable, and three progressed. The relative tumor volume reduction measured using three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 47%. The treatment was well tolerated with minimal acute toxicity. Eighteen patients developed partial or complete hypopituitarism. The actuarial incidence of new anterior pituitary deficits was 40% at 5 years and 72% at 10 years. No other radiation-induced complications occurred.ConclusionsOur results suggest that FSRT is an effective treatment for large or giant pituitary adenomas with low toxicity.
An evaluation of two different mandibular advancement devices on craniofacial characteristics and upper airway dimensions of Chinese adult obstructive sleep apnea patients
Authors: Geoghegan Finn , Ahrens Anika , McGrath Colman , Hägg Urban 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of two different mandibular advancement devices (MADs) on craniofacial characteristics and upper airway dimensions of Chinese adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Materials and Methods:
Forty-five patients with OSA were recruited as part of a prospective randomized crossover trial for treatment with two different MADs. Lateral cephalograms were taken, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index were completed at baseline.

Results:
The Apnea-Hypoxia Index was highly significantly reduced with the monoblock (P &lt; .001) and significantly reduced with the twin block (P &lt; .01). The monoblock demonstrated a superior result than the twin block (P &lt; .05). A significant reduction was found in the distances between the hyoid bone to retrognathia (monoblock, P &lt; .01; twin block, P &lt; .001) as well as the distance between the hyoid bone and mandibular plane angle (P &lt; .001). Furthermore, soft palate length increased significantly (P &lt; .05) with both MADs. However, the changes did not differ in favor of either MAD.

Conclusion:
Monoblock was the better MAD to improve OSA severity. No difference could be found in changes of subjective OSA indicators. Significant but similar cephalometric changes were observed, indicating both MADs alter the position of the surrounding musculature and improve upper airway patency. Therefore, the different design features of the MADs suggest an impact on some OSA indicators.
Cardiovascular effects of dopamine hydrochloride and phenylephrine hydrochloride in healthy isoflurane-anesthetized New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Gosliga Jaclyn M. , Barter Linda S. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the cardiopulmonary effects of progressively increasing infusion rates of dopamine hydrochloride and phenylephrine hydrochloride in healthy adult New Zealand White rabbits anesthetized with isoflurane.
ANIMALS 6 New Zealand White rabbits. (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
PROCEDURES Each rabbit was anesthetized on 2 occasions (≥ 2 weeks apart) with isoflurane in oxygen at 1.5 times the published isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration of 2.07%. Carotid artery and pulmonary artery catheters were placed. During each anesthetic episode, each rabbit received 5 progressively increasing doses of either dopamine (5, 10, 15, 20, or 30 μg/kg/min) or phenylephrine (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 μg/kg/min). Blood gas and cardiopulmonary measurements were obtained after a 20-minute equilibration period prior to administration of the first drug dose (baseline) and after each subsequent dose administration.
RESULTS Dopamine increased stroke index at the highest infusion rate of 30 μg/kg/min; however, cardiac output and mean arterial blood pressure remained unchanged from baseline values. Administration of phenylephrine at a rate of 2 μg/kg/min increased mean arterial blood pressure to 62 mm Hg from the baseline value of 45 mm Hg. This was a result of an increase in systemic vascular resistance with a concomitant decrease in heart rate and no change in cardiac output. Blood lactate concentration increased with time when rabbits received either treatment.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Within the dose range of 5 to 30 μg/kg/min, dopamine was not an effective treatment for isoflurane-induced hypotension in rabbits and phenylephrine was only minimally effective at a dose of 2 μg/kg/min.
Evaluation of contact activation of citrated equine whole blood during storage and effects of contact activation on results of recalcification-initiated thromboelastometry
Authors: Rossi Tanya M. , Smith Stephanie A. , McMichael Maureen A. , Wilkins Pamela A. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the degree of activation of the contact pathway in citrated equine whole blood over holding times ≤ 30 minutes and assess effects of contact activation on recalcification-initiated thromboelastometry.
ANIMALS 11 healthy adult mixed-breed horses.
PROCEDURES Blood was collected by atraumatic jugular venipuncture into prewarmed evacuated siliconized glass tubes containing citrate anticoagulant and held at 37°C for ≤ 30 minutes. Thromboelastometry was performed with an in vitro viscoelasticity (thromboelastometry) monitoring system. Factor XII and factor XI procoagulant activities were determined in contemporaneously collected platelet-poor plasma samples by assessing changes in turbidity for 1 hour at approximately 25°C, with clotting times calculated by fitting a line to the steepest segment of the absorbance curve and determining its intersection with baseline. Effect of holding time on thromboelastometry parameters and plasma enzyme activity was evaluated by repeated-measures ANOVA on ranks. Association of procoagulant activities with coagulation time was determined by Spearman rank-order correlation analysis.
RESULTS Thromboelastometry parameters (coagulation time, clot formation time, α angle, and maximum clot firmness) reflected significant increases in coagulability during the holding period. Factor XII and factor XI procoagulant activities were significantly increased at 30 minutes, compared with 2 or 10 minutes (indicating contact activation of samples), and had significant negative correlation with coagulation time.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ex vivo activation of the contact system in equine whole blood was evident, suggesting that recalcification of blood in the absence of a trigger is not an acceptable method of assessing the hemostatic system in horses.
Pharmacokinetics of pergolide after intravenous administration to horses
Authors: Rendle David I. , Hughes Kris J. , Doran Gregory S. , Edwards Scott H. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics of pergolide after IV administration to horses.
ANIMALS 8 healthy adult horses.
PROCEDURES Pergolide mesylate was administered IV at a dose of 20 μg/kg (equivalent to 15.2 μg of pergolide/kg) to each horse, and blood samples were collected over 48 hours. Pergolide concentrations in plasma were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined on the basis of noncompartmental methods.
RESULTS After IV administration of pergolide, mean ± SD clearance, elimination half-life, and initial volume of distribution were 959 ± 492 mL/h/kg, 5.64 ± 2.36 hours, and 0.79 ± 0.32 L/kg, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE With an elimination half-life of approximately 6 hours, twice-daily dosing may be more appropriate than once-daily dosing to reduce peak-trough fluctuation in pergolide concentrations. Further pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies of pergolide and its metabolites will be necessary to determine plasma concentrations that correlate with clinical effectiveness to determine the therapeutic range for the treatment of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.
Characterization of endothelial colony-forming cells from peripheral blood samples of adult horses
Authors: Salter Margaret M. , Seeto Wen J. , DeWitt Blake B. , Hashimi Sarah A. , Schwartz Dean D. , Lipke Elizabeth A. , Wooldridge Anne A. 
Published: January 2015

Abstract
OBJECTIVE To isolate and characterize endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs; a subtype of endothelial progenitor cells) from peripheral blood samples of horses.
SAMPLE Jugular venous blood samples from 24 adult horses.
PROCEDURES Blood samples were cultured in endothelial cell growth medium. Isolated ECFCs were characterized by use of functional assays of fluorescence-labeled acetylated low-density lipoprotein (DiI-Ac-LDL) uptake and vascular tubule formation in vitro. Expression of endothelial (CD34, CD105, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, and von Willebrand factor) and hematopoietic (CD14) cell markers was assessed through indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry. The number of passages before senescence was determined through serial evaluation of DiI-Ac-LDL uptake, vascular tubule formation, and cell doubling rates.
RESULTS Samples from 3 horses produced colonies at 12 ± 2.5 days with characteristic endothelial single layer cobblestone morphology and substantial outgrowth on expansion. Equine ECFCs formed vascular tubules in vitro and had uptake of DiI-Ac-LDL (74.9 ± 14.7% positive cells). Tubule formation and DiI-Ac-LDL uptake diminished by passage 5. Equine ECFCs tested positive for von Willebrand factor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, CD34, and CD105 with an immunofluorescence assay and for CD14 and CD105 via flow cytometry.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE ECFCs can be isolated from peripheral blood of horses and have characteristics similar to those described for other species. These cells may have potential therapeutic use in equine diseases associated with ischemia or delayed vascularization.