bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing pharmacy services in opioid substitution treatment
Authors: Chaar Betty B. , Wang Holly , Day Carolyn A. , Hanrahan Jane R. , Winstock Adam R. , Fois Romano 
Published: February 2013

AbstractIntroduction and AimHeroin dependence is a serious health burden in Australia. Opioid substitution treatment (OST) has been delivered in Australian community pharmacies since 1985. The effectiveness of pharmacy‐based OST is evident and the demand is increasing; however, the participation rate of community pharmacies is low, with over 60% non‐providers. While previous Australian studies have focused on perspectives of community pharmacists providing the service, the views of non‐providers have not yet been explored. This study aimed to further investigate factors influencing pharmacists' participation in provision of OST in the community pharmacy setting in New South Wales, Australia.Design and MethodsSemi‐structured interviews were conducted with 35 NSW community pharmacists (20 providers, 15 non‐providers). Transcripts of interviews were thematically analysed.ResultsFactors influencing non‐providers were mainly stigma and fear, the nature of an opt‐in scheme, professionals' moral responsibilities, lack of awareness and knowledge, disproportionate distribution of clients and lack of financial support for OST clients. Providers were motivated by positive attitudes, functional relationships with OST clients/stakeholders, professional satisfaction and financial rewards. Recommendations to improve participation in OST services were offered by both groups.Discussion and ConclusionThis study explored views from both OST providers and non‐providers, revealing a number of previously undocumented barriers that affect the uptake of OST provision in New South Wales community pharmacies. There were also profound ethical issues raised for consideration. These findings may help inform future policies aimed at encouraging pharmacists' provision of OST, to address the unmet needs of the ever‐increasing number of heroin‐dependent clients in the community. [Chaar BB, Wang H, Day CA, Hanrahan JR, Winstock AR, Fois R. Factors influencing pharmacy services in opioid substitution treatment. Drug Alcohol Rev2013;32:426–434]
Medical strategies to reduce amputation in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Malik R. A. , Tesfaye S. , Ziegler D. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractLower extremity amputation is a common and disabling complication of Type 2 diabetes. Whilst the introduction of specialist multidisciplinary teams has led to a reduction in the incidence of lower extremity amputation in some centres, the overall prevalence of diabetes‐related amputation has actually increased in recent decades. The aetiology of diabetes‐related amputation is complex, with neuropathy, macrovascular and microvascular disease contributing significantly. Ulceration, previous amputation, increasing diabetes duration and poor long‐term control of glycaemia and lipids are important risk factors for amputation in populations with diabetes. Major randomized intervention trials of blood glucose‐lowering or anti‐hypertensive therapies in populations with diabetes have shown limited reductions in neuropathy and/or macrovascular disease, and no benefit on amputation rates. In contrast, a recent analysis from the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study showed a significantly reduced rate of minor, but not major amputations in patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with fenofibrate. Mechanistic studies are clearly needed to understand the basis of this benefit.
The long‐term effect of calcium hydroxide application on dentin fracture strength of endodontically treated teeth
Authors: Batur Yusuf B. , Erdemir Ugur , Sancakli Hande S. 
Published: February 2013

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the long‐term effect of calcium hydroxide (CH) on the microtensile fracture strength (MTFS) of endodontically treated human teeth.Materials and MethodsA total of 105 caries‐free extracted human mandibular incisors were used. The teeth were divided into seven experimental groups of 15 teeth each. The root canals of all the teeth were rotary instrumented. The teeth in the control group were immediately obturated and tested for MTFS. The rest of the teeth were vertically compacted with CH and a sterile saline solution mixture and sealed with temporary filling. The teeth were stored in a moist environment for 30, 90, 180, 270, 360, and 540 days. On scheduled dates, the root canals were obturated and then the teeth were tested for MTFS with an Instron testing machine. The Kruscal–Wallis test and a post hoc Dunn's multiple comparison test was utilized. The statistical significance level was established at P < 0.05.ResultsThe introduction of CH into the root canals seems to decrease the MTFS of teeth statistically significantly through the 180th, 270th, 360th, and 540th days, respectively, compared with the control group. The results clearly indicated that there are statistically significant differences between group 2 and group 7 (P < 0.001) and between group 3 and group 7 (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the rest of the groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe results indicate that long‐term CH treatments can significantly reduce the strength of the teeth, causing an increase in fracture risk.
On the genus Bursaphelenchus Fuchs, 1937 (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchinae) associated with wood and insects from declining forest trees in the Czech Republic
Authors: Čermák V. , Vieira P. , Gaar V. , Čudejková M. , Foit J. , Zouhar M. , Douda O. , Mota M. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryAn overview of the genus Bursaphelenchus in the Czech Republic is presented, based on a recent survey for monitoring the presence of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, as well as on previous reports of this genus in the country. In addition, we provide a morphological and molecular characterization of four Bursaphelenchus species (B. eremus, B. pinophilus, B. vallesianus and B. borealis) found during the monitoring programme for forest pests, conducted during 2006–2010, within the Moravian and Bohemian regions. Nematodes were extracted from over 1917 insects and 1493 wood samples collected from deciduous and coniferous trees exhibiting wilting and declining symptoms. Bursaphelenchus species were found only in 0.73% of insects and 0.47% of the total number of wood samples. Bursaphelenchus borealis and B. pinophilus dauer juveniles were found associated with the insect vectors Dryocetes autographus and Pityogenes bidentatus, respectively. While a total of seven Bursaphelenchus species are now reported from the Czech Republic, the status of B. xylophilus remains as absent.
Kynurenic acid, by targeting α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, modulates extracellular GABA levels in the rat striatum in vivo
Authors: Beggiato Sarah , Antonelli Tiziana , Tomasini Maria Cristina , Tanganelli Sergio , Fuxe Kjell , Schwarcz Robert , Ferraro Luca 
Published: February 2013

AbstractKynurenic acid (KYNA) is an astrocyte‐derived non‐competitive antagonist of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) and inhibits the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) competitively. The main aim of the present study was to examine the possible effects of KYNA (30 – 1000 nm), applied locally by reverse dialysis for 2 h, on extracellular GABA levels in the rat striatum. KYNA concentration‐dependently reduced GABA levels, with 300 nm KYNA causing a maximal reduction to ~60% of baseline concentrations. The effect of KYNA (100 nm) was prevented by co‐application of galantamine (5 μm), an agonist at a site of the α7nAChR that is very similar to that targeted by KYNA. Infusion of 7‐chlorokynurenic acid (100 nm), an NMDAR antagonist acting selectively at the glycineB site of the receptor, affected neither basal GABA levels nor the KYNA‐induced reduction in GABA. Inhibition of endogenous KYNA formation by reverse dialysis of (S)‐4‐(ethylsulfonyl)benzoylalanine (ESBA; 1 mm) increased extracellular GABA levels, reaching a peak of 156% of baseline levels after 1 h. Co‐infusion of 100 nm KYNA abolished the effect of ESBA. Qualitatively and quantitatively similar, bi‐directional effects of KYNA on extracellular glutamate were observed in the same microdialysis samples. Taken together, the present findings suggest that fluctuations in endogenous KYNA levels, by modulating α7nAChR function, control extracellular GABA levels in the rat striatum. This effect may be relevant for a number of physiological and pathological processes involving the basal ganglia.
Optimal direct mailing modelling based on data envelopment analysis
Authors: Mahdiloo Mahdi , Noorizadeh Abdollah , FarzipoorSaen Reza 
Published: February 2013

AbstractData envelopment analysis (DEA) is a mathematical programming technique that is frequently used for measuring and benchmarking efficiency of the homogenous decision‐making units (DMUs). This paper proposes a new use of DEA for customers scoring and particularly their direct mailing modelling. Moreover, because DEA models suffer from some weaknesses, that is, unrealistic weighting scheme of the inputs and outputs and incomplete ranking among efficient DMUs, the present paper compares different ways of solving these problems and concludes that common set of weights method, as a result of some advantages, outperforms other procedures.
Decreased serum transforming growth factor‐β1 concentration with aging is associated with the severity of emphysema in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kamio Koichiro , Ishii Takeo , Motegi Takashi , Hattori Kumiko , Kusunoki Yuji , Azuma Arata , Gemma Akihiko , Kida Kozui 
Published: February 2013

AimAge‐associated changes of the lung might increase pathogenetic susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Decrement in serum transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 concentration is reported in elderly people. As impaired TGF‐β1 signaling could cause emphysema‐like changes, we hypothesized that decreased TGF‐β1 with aging is correlated with emphysema.MethodsSymptomatic patients with or without COPD and healthy normal subjects without COPD were recruited (COPD, n = 182; smoking controls, n = 73; normal, n = 26). We investigated the correlation between TGF‐β1 and extent of emphysema and airway wall thickness, which were defined as the percentage of low‐attenuation area (LAA%) and large airway wall area (WA%) on pulmonary high‐resolution computed tomography, respectively. The correlation of pulmonary function test parameters and TGF‐β1 was evaluated. TGF‐β1 was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsTGF‐β1 significantly decreased with age (P = 0.0009). When the correlation between age and TGF‐β1 was analyzed in each group, a significant inverse correlation was found in COPD patients and smoking controls (P = 0.0095 and 0.0132, respectively), whereas no correlation was observed in healthy older adults. Among COPD patients with severe emphysema, LAA% was inversely correlated with TGF‐β1 (n = 89, P = 0.0104), whereas WA% and pulmonary function test parameters were not.ConclusionsAlthough no correlation was found between TGF‐β1 and the severity of COPD, TGF‐β1 significantly decreased as emphysema became more severe. Age‐related decrease of TGF‐β1 in COPD might be associated with emphysematous alterations of the lungs in elderly subjects. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 1069–1075.
Age and gender differences in correlations of leisure‐time, household, and work‐related physical activity with physical performance in older Japanese adults
Authors: Tsunoda Kenji , Soma Yuki , Kitano Naruki , Tsuji Taishi , Mitsuishi Yasuhiro , Yoon Ji‐Yeong , Okura Tomohiro 
Published: February 2013

AimThis study aimed to compare relationships of leisure‐time, household, and work‐related physical activity (PA) with physical performance by age and gender in older Japanese adults.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study included 525 community‐dwelling older adults (73.3 ± 5.2 years) recruited in 2009–2011 in Kasama City, rural Japan. We used the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly to assess PA variables. Physical performance was evaluated by 11 performance tests: grip strength, single‐leg balance, functional reach, sit‐and‐reach, standing time from long sitting position, sit‐to‐stand, timed up and go, habitual walk, hand working, and simple and choice reaction times.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, leisure‐time PA in young‐old (≤74 years) men correlated significantly with eight performance tests (absolute value of Spearman's partial rank correlation coefficient: r = 0.18–0.39), whereas in old‐old (≥75 years) men it correlated with three performance tests (r = 0.20–0.23). Although leisure‐time PA correlated with six performance tests (r = 0.19–0.22) in young‐old women, there were no significant correlations between leisure‐time PA and performance tests in old‐old women. Household PA of young‐old men (r = 0.20–0.23) and old‐old women (r = 0.26–0.34) correlated with four performance tests. In old‐old men and young‐old women, no significant correlation was found between household PA and performance tests. Work‐related PA did not relate significantly to any performance tests in any groups.ConclusionThis study showed that leisure‐time PA is related to physical performance, especially in young‐old men and women, and household PA is especially related in young‐old men and old‐old women. Our findings suggest that supporting strategies for maintaining physical functions would differ by gender and age. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 919–927.
Effects of an internal medicine floor interdisciplinary team on hospital and clinical outcomes of seniors with acute medical illness
Authors: Yoo Ji Won , Kim Sulgi , Seol Haesun , Kim Sun Jung , Yang Janet Miyoung , Ryu Woo Sang , Min Too Jae , Choi Jong Bum , Kwon Minkyung , Nakagawa Shunichi 
Published: February 2013

AimTo examine whether an internal medicine interdisciplinary floor team enhances the hospital and clinical outcomes for seniors with acute medical illness.MethodsSeniors admitted to medical floor teaching services of a USA teaching hospital were recruited and allocated to the interdisciplinary (ITD; n = 236) and usual care teams (n = 248). Compared with the usual care team, the interdisciplinary team physicians carried out daily “geriatric” assessment and management, and led the interdisciplinary team meeting designed for improving interprofessional collaboration.ResultsAfter controlling for patient and physician characteristics, the mean hospital length of stay in the ITD team (6.1 days; 95% CI 5.2–7.7 days) was 0.7 days shorter than that in the usual care team (6.8 days; 95% CI 5.7–8.3 days; P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in delirium and 30‐day hospital readmission between care groups.ConclusionsNotwithstanding partly positive associations, the results from the present study suggest that interdisciplinary team‐based care is, at best, associated with enhancing the clinical and hospital outcomes for seniors with acute medical illness. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 942–948.
Pharmacokinetic interaction between etravirine or darunavir/ritonavir and artemether/lumefantrine in healthy volunteers: a two‐panel, two‐way, two‐period, randomized trial
Authors: Kakuda TN , DeMasi R , van Delft Y , Mohammed P 
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesEtravirine is a substrate and inducer of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A and a substrate and inhibitor of CYP2C9 and CYPC2C19. Darunavir/ritonavir is a substrate and inhibitor of CYP3A. Artemether and lumefantrine are primarily metabolized by CYP3A; artemether is also metabolized to a lesser extent by CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. Artemether has an active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin. The objective was to investigate pharmacokinetic interactions between darunavir/ritonavir or etravirine and arthemether/lumefrantrine.MethodsThis single‐centre, randomized, two‐way, two‐period cross‐over study included 33 healthy volunteers. In panel 1, 17 healthy volunteers received two treatments (A and B) in random order, with a washout period of 4 weeks between treatments: treatment A: artemether/lumefantrine 80/480 mg alone, in a 3‐day course; treatment B: etravirine 200 mg twice a day (bid) for 21 days with artemether/lumefantrine 80/480 mg from day 8 (a 3‐day treatment course). In panel 2, another 16 healthy volunteers received two treatments, similar to those in panel 1 but instead of etravirine, darunavir/ritonavir 600/100 mg bid was given.ResultsOverall, 28 of the 33 volunteers completed the study. Co‐administration of etravirine reduced the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) of artemether [by 38%; 90% confidence interval (CI) 0.48–0.80], dihydroartemisinin (by 15%; 90% CI 0.75–0.97) and lumefantrine (by 13%; 90% CI 0.77–0.98) at steady state. Co‐administration of darunavir/ritonavir reduced the AUC of artemether (by 16%; 90% CI 0.69–1.02) and dihydroartemisinin (by 18%; 90% CI 0.74–0.91) but increased lumefantrine (2.75‐fold; 90% CI 2.46–3.08) at steady state. Co‐administration of artemether/lumefantrine had no effect on etravirine, darunavir or ritonavir AUC. No drug‐related serious adverse events were reported during the study.ConclusionsCo‐administration of etravirine with artemether/lumefantrine may lower the antimalarial activity of artemether and should therefore be used with caution. Darunavir/ritonavir can be co‐administered with artemether/lumefantrine without dose adjustment but should be used with caution.
Experimental respiratory Marburg virus haemorrhagic fever infection in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)
Authors: Smither Sophie J. , Nelson Michelle , Eastaugh Lin , Laws Thomas R. , Taylor Christopher , Smith Simon A. , Salguero Francisco J. , Lever Mark S. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryMarburg virus causes a highly infectious and lethal haemorrhagic fever in primates and may be exploited as a potential biothreat pathogen. To combat the infection and threat of Marburg haemorrhagic fever, there is a need to develop and license appropriate medical countermeasures. To determine whether the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) would be an appropriate model to assess therapies against Marburg haemorrhagic fever, initial susceptibility, lethality and pathogenesis studies were performed. Low doses of virus, between 4 and 28 TCID50, were sufficient to cause a lethal, reproducible infection. Animals became febrile between days 5 and 6, maintaining a high fever before succumbing to disease between 8 and 11 days postchallenge. Typical signs of Marburg virus infection were observed including haemorrhaging and a transient rash. In pathogenesis studies, virus was isolated from the animals’ lungs from day 3 postchallenge and from the liver, spleen and blood from day 5 postchallenge. Early signs of histopathology were apparent in the kidney and liver from day 3. The most striking features were observed in animals exhibiting severe clinical signs, which included high viral titres in all organs, with the highest levels in the blood, increased levels in liver function enzymes and blood clotting times, decreased levels in platelets, multifocal moderate‐to‐severe hepatitis and perivascular oedema.
Oxygen Distribution of Fluorine‐doped Tin Oxide Films Coated on Float Glass along Depth Before and After Heat Treatment
Authors: Zhao Hongli , Kiwi John , Pulgarin Cesar , Yang Jingkai 
Published: February 2013

Fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) films were deposited on float glass to create low‐emissivity glass (low‐E glass) by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD). Heat treatments were carried out to assess its antioxidant properties. The surface morphology, crystal structure, and the oxygen and tin concentrations in the FTO films were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Auger electron spectrometer (AES), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The results indicated that the electrical properties determined by the four‐point probe method remained constant up to 600°C with increasing temperature. The FTO films exhibited nonstoichiometry with a ratio of [O]/[Sn] >2 on the top surface and <2 in the film. The sheet resistance of the film strongly depended on the oxygen concentration on the film surface. When the heating temperature reached 700°C, the sheet resistance increased rapidly from 9.4 to 86.7 Ω/□ with a concomitant increase in the oxygen concentration on the top surface.
Laparoendoscopic single‐site versus conventional transperitoneal laparoscopic pyeloplasty: A prospective randomized study
Authors: Tugcu Volkan , Ilbey Yusuf Ozlem , Sonmezay Erkan , Aras Bekir , Tasci Ali Ihsan 
Published: February 2013

ObjectivesTo evaluate the potential benefits of laparoendoscopic single‐site pyeloplasty over conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty.MethodsBetween October 2009 and January 2012, 39 patients were enrolled in a prospective study and randomized to undergo a laparoendoscopic single‐site pyeloplasty (n = 19) or conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty (n = 20). The outcomes in the two groups were compared by using Mann‐Whitney U‐test and χ2‐test, and considering a P‐value less than 0.05 as statistically significant.ResultsThere was no difference in blood loss (55.67 ± 6.71 vs 45.84 ± 5.22 mL, P = 0.60), transfusion rates (0% for both) and hospitalization time (2.12 ± 0.23 vs 2.06 ± 0.34 days, P = 0.72) between the laparoendoscopic single‐site pyeloplasty and conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty groups. The time to return to normal activities was shorter (8.65 ± 1.25 vs 11.53 ± 1.28 days, P = 0.01), and median operative time (195.21 ± 12.15 vs 145.62 ± 15.34 min, P = 0.001) was longer in the laparoendoscopic single‐site pyeloplasty group compared with the conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty group. No significant intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred in either group. Compared with conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty, laparoendoscopic single‐site pyeloplasty yielded better cosmetic results and patient satisfaction. The mean follow‐up period was 19.7 months (4–28 months). The success rate was 95% in both the groups. Both the visual analog scale and the postoperative use of analgesics were significantly lower in patients who underwent laparoendoscopic single‐site pyeloplasty.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that laparoendoscopic single‐site pyeloplasty can offer faster recovery and higher patient satisfaction than conventional laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Thus, this novel technique promises to become the treatment of choice in minimally‐invasive management of ureteropelvic junction obstruction.