bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of an assessment tool for the multidisciplinary evaluation of neurological dependency: preliminary findings
Authors: Pierce Elaine , McLaren Susan 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundMultidisciplinary inputs are of vital importance in the comprehensive care management and rehabilitation of individuals with long‐term neurological conditions. Although many ordinal measures of disability correlate with patient dependency and care, few are based on numbers of different health professionals required, or their skill‐mix, for assistance associated with levels of dependency.Aim and objectivesTo develop an instrument to assess dependency in adult patients suffering from severe and complex neurological disability for use by multidisciplinary teams. Objectives were to establish content validity, construct validity, inter‐rater reliability and internal consistency, and to demonstrate preliminary clinical utility from the perspective of professional staff.Design and methodsA mixed methods design utilised qualitative and quantitative approaches. Stage I involved developmental fieldwork using focus groups (n = 3), questionnaires (n = 70), expert panel (n = 20) and direct observation (n = 12). In stage 2, intensive refinement through direct observation, construct validity and reliability testing (n = 100) of the instrument was completed. The research complied with the research governance and ethical standards set by the Department of Health (UK).ResultsIn the final format, an instrument was developed which comprised two sections. Section 1: an ordinal scaled basic care section, with 15 categories of dependency and level of descriptors based on numbers, grade and time taken by staff providing assistance. Factor analysis identified one dominant and four subsidiary factors which explained 67% of the total variance. Overall inter‐rater agreement was 0.87 (kappa coefficient: range 0.67–1.0), and Cronbach's coefficient alpha was 0.733. Section 2: comprised a nominally measured specialist care section for inputs from nurses and therapists. The mean time taken to complete assessments was 12 minutes.ConclusionThe instrument satisfied preliminary selective criteria for validity and reliability. Further research is necessary to satisfy other requirements of psychometric testing and clinical utility.
Hyperplane arrangements of Torelli type
Authors: Faenzi Daniele , Matei Daniel , Vallès Jean 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWe give a necessary and sufficient condition in order for a hyperplane arrangement to be of Torelli type, namely that it is recovered as the set of unstable hyperplanes of its Dolgachev sheaf of logarithmic differentials. Decompositions and semistability of non-Torelli arrangements are investigated.
Evaluation of material heterogeneity dosimetric effects using radiochromic film for COMS eye plaques loaded with 125I seeds (model I25.S16)
Authors: Acar Hilal , Chiu‐Tsao Sou‐Tung , Özbay İsmail , Kemikler Gönül , Tuncer Samuray 
Published: December 2012

Purpose:(1) To measure absolute dose distributions in eye phantom for COMS eye plaques with125I seeds (model I25.S16) using radiochromic EBT film dosimetry. (2) To determine the dose correction function for calculations involving the TG‐43 formalism to account for the presence of the COMS eye plaque using Monte Carlo (MC) method specific to this seed model. (3) To test the heterogeneous dose calculation accuracy of the new version of Plaque Simulator (v5.3.9) against the EBT film data for this seed model.Methods:Using EBT film, absolute doses were measured for125I seeds (model I25.S16) in COMS eye plaques (1) along the plaque's central axis for (a) uniformly loaded plaques (14–20 mm in diameter) and (b) a 20 mm plaque with single seed, and (2) in off‐axis direction at depths of 5 and 12 mm for all four plaque sizes. The EBT film calibration was performed at 125I photon energy. MC calculations using MCNP5 code for a single seed at the center of a 20 mm plaque in homogeneous water and polystyrene medium were performed. The heterogeneity dose correction function was determined from the MC calculations. These function values at various depths were entered into PS software (v5.3.9) to calculate the heterogeneous dose distributions for the uniformly loaded plaques (of all four sizes). The dose distributions with homogeneous water assumptions were also calculated using PS for comparison. The EBT film measured absolute dose rate values (film) were compared with those calculated using PS with homogeneous assumption (PS Homo) and heterogeneity correction (PS Hetero). The values of dose ratio (film/PS Homo) and (film/PS Hetero) were obtained.Results:The central axis depth dose rate values for a single seed in 20 mm plaque measured using EBT film and calculated with MCNP5 code (both in ploystyrene phantom) were compared, and agreement within 9% was found. The dose ratio (film/PS Homo) values were substantially lower than unity (mostly between 0.8 and 0.9) for all four plaque sizes, indicating dose reduction by COMS plaque compared with homogeneous assumption. The dose ratio (film/PS Hetero) values were close to unity, indicating the PS Hetero calculations agree with those from the film study.Conclusions:Substantial heterogeneity effect on the125I dose distributions in an eye phantom for COMS plaques was verified using radiochromic EBT film dosimetry. The calculated doses for uniformly loaded plaques using PS with heterogeneity correction option enabled were corroborated by the EBT film measurement data. Radiochromic EBT film dosimetry is feasible in measuring absolute dose distributions in eye phantom for COMS eye plaques loaded with single or multiple 125I seeds. Plaque Simulator is a viable tool for the calculation of dose distributions if one understands its limitations and uses the proper heterogeneity correction feature.
Second-Generation Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV Quantitative Test for Viral Load Monitoring: a Novel Dual-Probe Assay Design
Authors: Zitzer Heike , Heilek Gabrielle , Truchon Karine , Susser Simone , Vermehren Johannes , Sizmann Dorothea , Cobb Bryan , Sarrazin Christoph 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA viral load (VL) monitoring is a well-established diagnostic tool for the management of chronic hepatitis C patients. HCV RNA VL results are used to make treatment decisions with the goal of therapy to achieve an undetectable VL result. Therefore, a sensitive assay with high specificity in detecting and accurately quantifying HCV RNA across genotypes is critical. Additionally, a lower sample volume requirement is desirable for the laboratory and the patient. This study evaluated the performance characteristics of a second-generation real-time PCR assay, the Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV quantitative test, version 2.0 (CAP/CTM HCV test, v2.0), designed with a novel dual-probe approach and an optimized automated extraction and amplification procedure. The new assay demonstrated a limit of detection and lower limit of quantification of 15 IU/ml across all HCV genotypes and was linear from 15 to 100,000,000 IU/ml with high accuracy (<0.2-log
10
difference) and precision (standard deviation of 0.04 to 0.22 log
10
). A specificity of 100% was demonstrated with 600 HCV-seronegative specimens without cross-reactivity or interference. Correlation to the Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV test (version 1) was good (
n
= 412 genotype 1 to 6 samples,
R
2
= 0.88;
R
2
= 0.94 without 105 genotype 4 samples). Paired plasma and serum samples showed similar performance (
n
= 25,
R
2
= 0.99). The sample input volume was reduced from 1 to 0.65 ml in the second version. The CAP/CTM HCV test, v2.0, demonstrated excellent performance and sensitivity across all HCV genotypes with a smaller sample volume. The new HCV RNA VL assay has performance characteristics that make it suitable for use with currently available direct-acting antiviral agents.
HIV-1 Genetic Diversity and Drug Resistance among Senegalese Patients in the Public Health System
Authors: Thiam Moussa , Diop-Ndiaye Halimatou , Diouf Aminata Diaw , Vidal Nicole , Ndiaye Ousseynou , Ndiaye Ibrahima , Ngom-Gueye Ndeye Fatou , Diallo Sada , Diongue Oumy Diop , Camara Makhtar , Seck Abdoulaye , Mboup Souleymane , Toure-Kane Coumba 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTIn this study, we investigated the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) drug resistance mutations and genetic variability among Senegalese patients undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the public health system. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 72 patients with suspected therapeutic failure. HIV-1 genotyping was performed with Viroseq HIV-1 Genotyping System v2.0 or the procedure developed by the ANRS AC11 resistance study group, and a phylogenetic analysis was performed. The median follow-up visit was at 40 (range, 12 to 123) months, and the median viral load was 4.67 (range, 3.13 to 6.94) log10copies/ml. The first-line therapeutic regimen was nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) plus efavirenz (EFV) or NRTIs plus nevirapine (NVP) (54/72 patients; 75%), and the second-line therapy was NRTIs plus a protease inhibitor (PI/r) (18/72; 25%). Fifty-five patients (55/72; 76.39%) had at least one drug resistance mutation. The drug resistance rates were 72.22 and 88.89% for the first-line and second-line ARTs, respectively. In NRTI mutations, thymidine analog mutations (TAMs) were found in 50.79% and the M184V mutation was found in 34.92% of the samples. For non-NRTI resistance, we noted a predominance of the K103N mutation (46.27%). For PI/r, several cases of mutations were found with a predominance of M46I and L76V/F at 24% each. The phylogenetic analysis revealed CRF02_AG as the predominant circulating recombinant form (43/72; 59.72%). We found a high prevalence of resistance mutations and a high rate of TAMs among Senegalese patients in the public health system. These findings emphasize the need to improve virological monitoring in resource-limited settings.
Rasamsonia argillacea Pulmonary and Aortic Graft Infection in an Immune-Competent Patient
Authors: Doyon Jeffrey B. , Sutton Deanna A. , Theodore Pierre , Dhillon Gurmohan , Jones Kirk D. , Thompson Elizabeth H. , Fu Jianmin , Wickes Brian L. , Koehler Jane E. , Schwartz Brian S. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Rasamsonia argillacea
(formerly known as
Geosmithia argillacea
) is a fungus recently recognized as a pathogen of immunocompromised patients. Here we report the first case of
Rasamsonia
infection in an immunocompetent host, presenting as a pulmonary and aortic graft infection. Its morphological similarity to nonpathogenic
Penicillium
species delayed the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.
Screening for carbon monoxide exposure in selected patient groups attending rural and urban emergency departments in England: a prospective observational study
Authors: Clarke Simon , Keshishian Catherine , Murray Virginia , Kafatos George , Ruggles Ruth , Coultrip Elizabeth , Oetterli Sam , Earle Daniel , Ward Patricia , Bush Stephen , Porter Crispin ,   for the Carbon Monoxide in Emergency Departments (COED) Working Group
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesCarbon monoxide (CO) exposure does not produce a classical toxidrome and so it is thought that it may easily be missed, allowing patients to continue to be exposed to CO. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of raised carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels in a targeted population of patients presenting to four emergency departments (EDs) in England.DesignA prospective observational study undertaken over a 9-month period.SettingFour EDs; one in a rural/suburban area and three serving urban populations.Participants1758 patients presenting to the EDs with chest pain, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), non-traumatic headache, seizures or flu-like symptoms.Main outcomeMeasures COHb levels measured using a pulse CO-oximeter or venous sample. Patients with COHb levels ≥2.5% (non-smokers) or ≥5% (smokers) completed a questionnaire assessing potential sources. Patients were defined to be positive for CO exposure if they had a positive COHb and either an identified source or no other reason for their raised level.ResultsProportion of positive patients was: overall—4.3%; COPD—7.5%; headache—6.3%; flu-like—4.3%; chest pain—3.3%; seizures—2.1%. A variety of gas and solid (predominantly charcoal) fossil fuel sources were identified.ConclusionsThis study showed that 4.3% of patients presenting to EDs with non-specific symptoms had unexpectedly raised COHb levels 1.4% of patients had a source of CO identified. Study limitations included non-consecutive recruitment, delays in COHb measurements and a lack of ambient CO measurements, which precludes precise determination of incidence. However, this study should alert clinicians to consider CO exposure in patients presenting with non-specific symptoms, in particular headache and exacerbation of COPD, and if necessary refer patients for suitable public-health follow-up, even in the presence of low COHb readings. Further research should include standardised scene assessments.
Workplace bullying and subsequent psychotropic medication: a cohort study with register linkages
Authors: Lallukka Tea , Haukka Jari , Partonen Timo , Rahkonen Ossi , Lahelma Eero 
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesWe aimed to examine longitudinally whether workplace bullying was associated with subsequent psychotropic medication among women and men.DesignA cohort study.SettingHelsinki, Finland.ParticipantsEmployees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n=6606, 80% women), 40–60 years at baseline in 2000–2002, and a register-based follow-up on medication.Primary and secondary outcome measuresWorkplace bullying comprised questions about current and earlier bullying as well as observing bullying. The Finnish Social Insurance Institution's register data on purchases of prescribed reimbursed psychotropic medication were linked with the survey data. All psychotropic medication 3 years prior to and 5 years after the baseline survey was included. Covariates included age, prior psychotropic medication, childhood bullying, occupational class, and body mass index. Cox proportional hazard models (HR, 95% CI) were fitted and days until the first purchase of prescribed psychotropic medication after baseline were used as the time axis.ResultsWorkplace bullying was associated with subsequent psychotropic medication after adjusting for age and prior medication among both women (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.93) and men (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.41). Also observing bullying was associated with subsequent psychotropic medication among women (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.88) and men (HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.99). The associations only modestly attenuated after full adjustment.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the significance of workplace bullying to subsequent psychotropic medication reflecting medically confirmed mental problems. Tackling workplace bullying likely helps prevent mental problems among employees.
Vitamin D3supplementation in patients with frequent respiratory tract infections: a randomised and double-blind intervention study
Authors: Bergman Peter , Norlin Anna-Carin , Hansen Susanne , Rekha Rokeya Sultana , Agerberth Birgitta , Björkhem-Bergman Linda , Ekström Lena , Lindh Jonatan D , Andersson Jan 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundLow serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3are associated with an increased risk of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Clinical trials with vitamin D3against various infections have been carried out but data are so far not conclusive. Thus, there is a need for additional randomised controlled trials of effects of vitamin D3on infections.ObjectiveTo investigate if supplementation with vitamin D3could reduce infectious symptoms and antibiotic consumption among patients with antibody deficiency or frequent RTIs.DesignA double-blind randomised controlled trial.SettingKarolinska University Hospital, Huddinge.Participants140 patients with antibody deficiency (selective IgA subclass deficiency, IgG subclass deficiency, common variable immune disorder) and patients with increased susceptibility to RTIs (>4 bacterial RTIs/year) but without immunological diagnosis.InterventionVitamin D3(4000 IU) or placebo was given daily for 1 year.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary endpoint was an infectious score based on five parameters: symptoms from respiratory tract, ears and sinuses, malaise and antibiotic consumption. Secondary endpoints were serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, microbiological findings and levels of antimicrobial peptides (LL-37, HNP1–3) in nasal fluid.ResultsThe overall infectious score was significantly reduced for patients allocated to the vitamin D group (202 points) compared with the placebo group (249 points; adjusted relative score 0.771, 95% CI 0.604 to 0.985, p=0.04).LimitationsA single study centre, small sample size and a selected group of patients. The sample size calculation was performed using p=0.02 as the significance level whereas the primary and secondary endpoints were analysed using the conventional p=0.05 as the significance level.ConclusionsSupplementation with vitamin D3may reduce disease burden in patients with frequent RTIs.
Assessing Preventable Hospitalisation InDicators (APHID): protocol for a data-linkage study using cohort study and administrative data
Authors: Jorm Louisa R , Leyland Alastair H , Blyth Fiona M , Elliott Robert F , Douglas Kirsty M A , Redman Sally ,   on behalf of the APHID Investigators
Published: December 2012

IntroductionPotentially preventable hospitalisation (PPH) has been adopted widely by international health systems as an indicator of the accessibility and overall effectiveness of primary care. The Assessing Preventable Hospitalisation InDicators (APHID) study will validate PPH as a measure of health system performance in Australia and Scotland. APHID will be the first large-scale study internationally to explore longitudinal relationships between primary care and PPH using detailed person-level information about health risk factors, health status and health service use.Methods and analysisAPHID will create a new longitudinal data resource by linking together data from a large-scale cohort study (the 45 and Up Study) and prospective administrative data relating to use of general practitioner (GP) services, dispensing of pharmaceuticals, emergency department presentations, hospital admissions and deaths. We will use these linked person-level data to explore relationships between frequency, volume, nature and costs of primary care services, hospital admissions for PPH diagnoses, and health outcomes, and factors that confound and mediate these relationships. Using multilevel modelling techniques, we will quantify the contributions of person-level, geographic-level and service-level factors to variation in PPH rates, including socioeconomic status, country of birth, geographic remoteness, physical and mental health status, availability of GP and other services, and hospital characteristics.Ethics and disseminationParticipants have consented to use of their questionnaire data and to data linkage. Ethical approval has been obtained for the study. Dissemination mechanisms include engagement of policy stakeholders through a reference group and policy forum, and production of summary reports for policy audiences in parallel with the scientific papers from the study.
Protocol for the Effective Feedback to Improve Primary Care Prescribing Safety (EFIPPS) study: a cluster randomised controlled trial using ePrescribing data
Authors: Guthrie Bruce , Treweek Shaun , Petrie Dennis , Barnett Karen , Ritchie Lewis D , Robertson Chris , Bennie Marion 
Published: December 2012

IntroductionHigh-risk prescribing in primary care is common and causes considerable harm. Feedback interventions to improve care are attractive because they are relatively cheap to widely implement. There is good evidence that feedback has small to moderate effects, but the most recent Cochrane review called for more high-quality, large trials that explicitly test different forms of feedback.Methods and analysisThe study is a three-arm cluster-randomised trial with general practices being randomised and outcomes measured at patient level. 262 practices in three Scottish Health Board areas have been randomised (94% of all possible practices). The two active arms receive different forms of prescribing safety data feedback, with rates of high-risk prescribing compared with a ‘usual care’ arm. Sample size estimation used baseline data from participating practices. With 85 practices randomised to each arm, then there is 93% power to detect a 25% difference in the percentage of high-risk prescribing (from 6.1% to 4.5%) between the usual care arm and each intervention arm. The primary outcome is a composite of six high-risk prescribing measures (antipsychotic prescribing to people aged ≥75 years; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribing to people aged ≥75 without gastroprotection; NSAID prescribing to people prescribed aspirin/clopidogrel without gastroprotection; NSAID prescribing to people prescribed an ACE inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockeranda diuretic; NSAID prescription to people prescribed an oral anticoagulant without gastroprotection; aspirin/clopidogrel prescription to people prescribed an oral anticoagulant without gastroprotection). The primary analysis will use multilevel modelling to account for repeated measurement of outcomes in patients clustered within practices.Ethics and disseminationThe study was reviewed and approved by the NHS Tayside Committee on Medical Research Ethics B (11/ES/0001). The study will be disseminated via a final report to the funder with a publicly available research summary, and peer reviewed publications.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, dossier numberNCT01602705.
Canadian meteorites: a brief review
Authors: Wilson Graham C. , McCausland Phil J.A. 
Published: December 2012

We present a brief overview of Canadian meteorites with a focus on noting significant recent falls, finds, and research developments. To date, 60 Canadian meteorites have received official international recognition from the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society, while at least 13 more are “in process” for submission to the Meteoritical Bulletin, that organization’s official database of the world’s meteorites. The 60 meteorites (44 finds and 16 falls since the recognition of the Madoc iron in 1854) include 25 irons, 3 pallasite stony-irons, and 32 stony meteorites. The latter include 14, 11 and 3 H, L and LL chondrites, 2 carbonaceous chondrites and 2 enstatite chondrites, but no achondrites. The most intensively researched meteorites are Tagish Lake (C2 ungrouped) and Abee (EH5), followed by Bruderheim (L6) and Springwater (pallasite). Bruderheim, a 1960 fall, is widely distributed, being the most massive reported Canadian meteorite at 303 kg total known weight (TKW). Seven Canadian meteorites exceed 100 kg TKW, 36 are between 1 and 50 kg, and 17 are <1 kg. Recent years have seen the addition of the Tagish Lake, Buzzard Coulee and Grimsby meteorite falls, all of which have well-determined fireball trajectories and therefore well-known orbits, a striking Canadian addition to the handful that are known worldwide. The discovery of the Holocene Whitecourt iron impact crater is similarly a significant recent development in understanding the impactor flux. The lessons learned on meteorites can be applied to newly recovered samples from the Moon, Mars, asteroids, and comets.