bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a centralised aminoglycoside monitoring service
Authors: O'Hara Kate , Prior Felicity H. , Whyte Ian M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFollowing the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic recommendation for computerised dose monitoring for aminoglycosides, there was a need for health services to implement these systems. We describe the establishment of a centralised aminoglycoside monitoring service designed to be accessible across the local health district. The service was established within the local medicines information service, and uptake and acceptance of recommendations were reviewed at 12 months. The service was well accepted following the first 12 months, although uptake was low. The implementation of the service was considered to be a successful addition to practice and to the local health district.
Impact of pharmacist‐led medication reconciliation on admission using electronic medical records on accuracy of discharge prescriptions
Authors: Lawrence Dona S. , Masood Noman , Astles Dawn , Fitzgerald Claire E. , Bari Ata Ul. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundUnintentional medication errors are common at hospital discharge and have the potential to cause significant patient harm. Current electronic medical records systems offer the facility to change the process of medication reconciliation by pharmacists.AimTo test the impact of pharmacist‐led medication reconciliation at admission recorded on the electronic medication form, on the timeliness and accuracy of discharge prescriptions.MethodA prospective pre‐ and post‐interventional observational study was carried out from June to October 2013 at two district hospitals. Pharmacists recorded admission medication using National Medication Management Plan (phase 1) and the electronic medication form in patients’ electronic medical records (phase 2). Data collected included time taken for the medical officer to complete the medication form in electronic medical records, the number of times the medical officer was contacted by the pharmacist completing the discharge reconciliation and unintentional discharge medication discrepancy types.ResultsIn total 118 patients were included: 66 patients in phase 1 and 52 in phase 2. Data were analysed using chi‐squared test, Fisher's exact test and Mann–Whitney test. There was a significant (33–13%, p < 0.0001) reduction in the proportion of medication orders with a discrepancy. This was because of the significant (25.5–1.9%, p < 0.0001) reduction in discrepancies relating to patients’ usual medication. Time taken for the medical officer to complete the medication form in electronic medical records decreased from 37 s/item (interquartile range, 29–48; n = 51) to 21 s/item (interquartile range, 11–35; n = 35) (p < 0.001). The number of telephone calls to medical officers decreased from 95 to 73%.ConclusionThis integrated approach to medication reconciliation has highlighted patient safety benefits, and reduced medical and pharmacy workload.
US critical care pharmacy practices and clinical information systems: a Hospira® Pharmacist Award Grant Report
Authors: Choo Chui‐Lynn 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis is a grant report on a study preceptorship undertaken in intensive care units at the Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore); University of Chicago Medical Center; University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital; RUSH University Medical Center (Chicago); Indiana University Health University and Methodist Hospitals (Indianapolis); St Vincent's Hospital (Indianapolis); and Eskenazi Health (Indianapolis). Key learning points from US critical care pharmacy practice models, Residency Programs, Specialist Board Certification and clinical information systems are highlighted. Comparisons between US and Australian practices are discussed. Hospira® and the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia are acknowledged for funding this study preceptorship.
New oral anticoagulants: an approach in older people
Authors: La Brooy Beth , Ho Prahlad 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNew oral anticoagulants have changed the paradigm of anticoagulation management, improving patient convenience as well as possibly reducing the incidence of spontaneous intracranial haemorrhage. However, concerns remain regarding these agents due to the lack of monitoring capacity and availability of readily accessible specific antidotes. This is particularly pertinent in the older population, specifically the frail elderly, who have multiple comorbidities, higher risk of falls requiring intervention and increased risk of bleeding. This group has not been specifically studied in randomised controlled trials and hence extrapolation of trial data to this population should be done carefully. No national guidelines exist for the safe prescription and monitoring of new oral anticoagulants in frail older people. In this article, we provide a review of the currently available new oral anticoagulants in Australia, with a geriatric haematological perspective, including evidence from clinical trials and subsequent meta‐analyses, the concerns regarding these new agents, and how these impact on the older population.
Neoadjuvant modified FOLFIRINOX and chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer improves resectability
Authors: Nanda Ronica H. , El‐Rayes Bassel , Maithel Shishir K. , Landry Jerome 
Published: June 2015

Background and ObjectivesThough necessary for improved outcomes, surgical resection is often limited in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancers (LAPCs). We evaluated the efficacy of the approach adopted by our institution of using modified FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy followed by radiation with concurrent gemcitabine or capecitabine for patients with LAPCs, in an effort to enhance resectability while improving the toxicity profile compared with similar treatment regimens.MethodsWe included 29 consecutive patients with LAPC treated at our institution with the above approach in this review. We evaluated rates of resection, locol control, and survival outcomes in this cohort.ResultsThe median follow up for this series of patients was 15.2 months. Approximately half the patients were unresectable at presentation. After neoadjuvant therapy, 41.3% of all patients were able to undergo resection of their tumors and 83% achieved an R0 resection. One‐year local control for the entire cohort was 85%; one‐year progression‐free and overall were 49.2% and 65.5%, respectively. High rates of metastatic disease were seen regardless of resectability. There were minimal toxicities in this cohort.ConclusionsNeoadjuvant therapy with induction modified FOLFIRINOX and chemoradiation presents a well‐tolerated, promising treatment approach for patients with LAPC. High rates of metastatic disease highlight the need to optimize systemic and targeted agents for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:1028–1034. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical plate testing for linear two‐scale analyses of composite plates with in‐plane periodicity
Authors: Terada Kenjiro , Hirayama Norio , Yamamoto Koji , Muramatsu Mayu , Matsubara Seishiro , Nishi Shin‐nosuke 
Published: June 2015

SummaryA method of numerical plate testing (NPT) for composite plates with in‐plane periodic heterogeneity is proposed. In the two‐scale boundary value problem, a thick plate model is employed at macroscale, while three‐dimensional solids are assumed at microscale. The NPT, which is nothing more or less than the homogenization analysis, is in fact a series of microscopic analyses on a unit cell that evaluates the macroscopic plate stiffnesses. The specific functional forms of microscopic displacements are originally presented so that the relationship between the macroscopic resultant stresses/moments and strains/curvatures to be consistent with the microscopic equilibrated state. In order to perform NPT by using general‐purpose FEM programs, we introduce control nodes to facilitate the multiple‐point constraints for in‐plane periodicity. Numerical examples are presented to verify that the proposed method of NPT reproduces the plate stiffnesses in classical plate and laminate theories. We also perform a series of homogenization, macroscopic, and localization analyses for an in‐plane heterogeneous composite plate to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NOSH‐aspirin (NBS‐1120), a dual nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide‐releasing hybrid, reduces inflammatory pain
Authors: Fonseca Miriam D. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Kashfi Khosrow , Cunha Thiago M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe development of nitric oxide (NO)‐ and hydrogen sulfide (H2S)‐releasing nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has generated more potent anti‐inflammatory drugs with increased safety profiles. A new hybrid molecule incorporating both NO and H2S donors into aspirin (NOSH‐aspirin) was recently developed. In the present study, the antinociceptive activity of this novel molecule was compared with aspirin in different models of inflammatory pain. It was found that NOSH‐aspirin inhibits acetic acid‐induced writhing response and carrageenan (Cg)‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia in a dose‐dependent (5–150 μmol/kg, v.o.) manner, which was superior to the effect of the same doses of aspirin. NOSH‐aspirin's antinociceptive effect was also greater and longer compared to aspirin upon complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia. Mechanistically, NOSH‐aspirin, but not aspirin, was able to reduce the production/release of interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) during Cg‐induced paw inflammation. Furthermore, NOSH‐aspirin, but not aspirin, reduced prostaglandin E2‐induced hyperalgesia, which was prevented by treatment with a ATP‐sensitive potassium channel (KATP) blocker (glibenclamide; glib.). Noteworthy, the antinociceptive effect of NOSH‐aspirin was not associated with motor impairment. The present results indicate that NOSH‐aspirin seems to present greater potency than aspirin to reduce inflammatory pain in several models. The enhanced effects of NOSH‐aspirin seems to be due to its ability to reduce the production of pronociceptive cytokines such as IL‐1 β and directly block hyperalgesia caused by a directly acting hyperalgesic mediator in a mechanism dependent on modulation of KATP channels. In conclusion, we would like to suggest that NOSH‐aspirin represents a prototype of a new class of analgesic drugs with more potent effects than the traditional NSAID, aspirin.
Antiallodynic effects of alpha lipoic acid in an optimized RR‐EAE mouse model of MS‐neuropathic pain are accompanied by attenuation of upregulated BDNF‐TrkB‐ERK signaling in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
Authors: Khan Nemat , Gordon Richard , Woodruff Trent M. , Smith Maree T. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractNeuropathic pain may affect patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) even in early disease. In an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)‐mouse model of MS, chronic alpha lipoic acid (ALA) treatment reduced clinical disease severity, but MS‐neuropathic pain was not assessed. Hence, we investigated the pain‐relieving efficacy and mode of action of ALA using our optimized relapsing‐remitting (RR)‐EAE mouse model of MS‐associated neuropathic pain. C57BL/6 mice were immunized with MOG35‐55 and adjuvants (Quil A and pertussis toxin) to induce RR‐EAE; sham‐mice received adjuvants only. RR‐EAE mice received subcutaneous ALA (3 or 10 mg kg−1 day−1) or vehicle for 21 days (15–35 d.p.i.; [days postimmunization]); sham‐mice received vehicle. Hindpaw hypersensitivity was assessed blinded using von Frey filaments. Following euthanasia (day 35 d.p.i.), lumbar spinal cords were removed for immunohistochemical and molecular biological assessments. Fully developed mechanical allodynia in the bilateral hindpaws of vehicle‐treated RR‐EAE mice was accompanied by marked CD3+ T‐cell infiltration, microglia activation, and increased brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)‐tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) signaling in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord. Consequently, phospho‐ERK, a marker of central sensitization in neuropathic pain, was upregulated in the spinal dorsal horn. Importantly, hindpaw hypersensitivity was completely attenuated in RR‐EAE mice administered ALA at 10 mg kg−1 day−1 but not 3 mg kg−1 day−1. The antiallodynic effect of ALA (10 mg kg−1 day−1) was associated with a marked reduction in the aforementioned spinal dorsal horn markers to match their respective levels in the vehicle‐treated sham‐mice. Our findings suggest that ALA at 10 mg kg−1 day−1 produced its antiallodynic effects in RR‐EAE mice by reducing augmented CD3+ T‐cell infiltration and BDNF‐TrkB‐ERK signaling in the spinal dorsal horn.
VGF and striatal cell damage in in vitro and in vivo models of Huntington's disease
Authors: Noda Yasuhiro , Shimazawa Masamitsu , Tanaka Hirotaka , Tamura Shigeki , Inoue Teruyoshi , Tsuruma Kazuhiro , Hara Hideaki 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHuntington's disease (HD) is an inherited genetic disorder, characterized by cognitive dysfunction and abnormal body movements, and at present there is no effective treatment for HD. Therapeutic options for HD are limited to symptomatic treatment approaches and there is no cure for this devastating disease. Here, we examined whether SUN N8075, (2S)‐1‐(4‐amino‐2,3,5‐trimethylphenoxy)‐3‐{4‐[4‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)phenyl]‐1‐piperazinyl}‐2‐propanol dimethanesulfonate, which exerts neuroprotective effects by antioxidant effects and induction of VGF nerve growth factor inducible (VGF), has beneficial effects in STHdh cells derived from striatum of knock‐in HD mice and R6/2 HD mice. In an in vitro study, SUN N8075 inhibited the cell death caused by mutant huntingtin (mHtt) and upregulated the VGF mRNA level via the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Furthermore, 30 amino acid of VGF C‐terminal peptide, AQEE‐30 inhibited the cell death and the aggregation of mHtt. In an in vivo study, SUN N8075 improved the survival and the clasping response in the R6/2 mice. Furthermore, SUN N8075 increased the number of surviving neurons in the striatum of the R6/2 mice. These findings suggest that SUN N8075 may be an effective candidate for HD treatments.
Simvastatin mitigates increases in risk factors for and the occurrence of cardiac disease following 10 Gy total body irradiation
Authors: Lenarczyk Marek , Su Jidong , Haworth Steven T. , Komorowski Richard , Fish Brian L. , Migrino Raymond Q. , Harmann Leanne , Hopewell John W. , Kronenberg Amy , Patel Shailendra , Moulder John E. , Baker John E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe ability of simvastatin to mitigate the increases in risk factors for and the occurrence of cardiac disease after 10 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) was determined. This radiation dose is relevant to conditioning for stem cell transplantation and threats from radiological terrorism. Male rats received single dose TBI of 10 Gy. Age‐matched, sham‐irradiated rats served as controls. Lipid profile, heart and liver morphology and cardiac mechanical function were determined for up to 120 days after irradiation. TBI resulted in a sustained increase in total‐ and LDL‐cholesterol (low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol), and triglycerides. Simvastatin (10 mg/kg body weight/day) administered continuously from 9 days after irradiation mitigated TBI‐induced increases in total‐ and LDL‐cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as liver injury. TBI resulted in cellular peri‐arterial fibrosis, whereas control hearts had less collagen and fibrosis. Simvastatin mitigated these morphological injuries. TBI resulted in cardiac mechanical dysfunction. Simvastatin mitigated cardiac mechanical dysfunction 20–120 days following TBI. To determine whether simvastatin affects the ability of the heart to withstand stress after TBI, injury from myocardial ischemia/reperfusion was determined in vitro. TBI increased the severity of an induced myocardial infarction at 20 and 80 days after irradiation. Simvastatin mitigated the severity of this myocardial infarction at 20 and 80 days following TBI. It is concluded simvastatin mitigated the increases in risk factors for cardiac disease and the extent of cardiac disease following TBI. This statin may be developed as a medical countermeasure for the mitigation of radiation‐induced cardiac disease.
Bilateral Pheochromocytomas in MEN2A Syndrome: A Two‐Institution Experience
Authors: Lang Brian Hung‐Hin , Yu Hyeong Won , Lo Chung‐Yau , Lee Kyu Eun , Garcia‐Barcelo Maria‐Mercedes , Woo Yu Cho , Lee Paul C. H. , Wong Kai Pun , Tam Paul K. H. , Lam Karen S. L. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundBilateral pheochromocytoma (PHEO) is more frequently found in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A carrying a RET germline mutation located in codon 634 (C634). However, it is unclear whether different amino acid substitutions within C634 cause differences in bilateral PHEOs expression. We aimed to answer this by pooling data from two Asian institutions.MethodsSixty‐seven patients had confirmed C634 germline mutation. Age‐dependent penetrance of bilateral PHEO was calculated from date of birth to the date when bilateral PHEO was first diagnosed or when the contralateral gland became a PHEO (if the patient already had one adrenal gland removed). Age‐dependent penetrance was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared by log‐rank test.ResultsThe 4 different amino acid substitutions included C634R (arginine) (n = 19, 28.4 %), C634Y (tyrosine) (n = 36, 38.8 %), C634G (glycine) (n = 4, 6.0 %), and C634W (tryptophan) (n = 8, 11.9 %). The age‐related penetrance of PHEO was similar between C634R, C634Y, C634G, and C634W (by age 40, 69.8, 55.2, 25.0, and 56.2 %, respectively) (p = 0.529). However, the age‐related penetrance of bilateral PHEO in C634R was significantly higher than C634Y (by age of 40, 59.3 % vs. 25.2 %, p = 0.046) or C634Y, C634G, and C634W combined (59.3 % vs. 21.5 %, p = 0.024). Nevertheless, the accumulative risk of bilateral PHEOs across all four C634 mutations almost approached 100 % over time.ConclusionThe accumulative risk of bilateral PHEOs almost reached 100 % but its onset was significantly earlier in C634R mutation. These findings implied that those with C634R mutation might benefit from earlier screening of contralateral PHEO than other C634 mutations after an unilateral adrenalectomy.
A case of inappropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy induced by T‐wave oversensing due to hyperkalemia
Authors: Aoki Kosuke , Okajima Katsunori , Kiuchi Kunihiko , Yokoi Kiminobu , Teranishi Jin , Shimane Akira 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThere have been reports of hyperkalemia‐induced T‐wave oversensing in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). However, a comparison of T‐wave amplitudes and morphologies between the surface 12‐lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and ICD electrogram has not been reported. We present the case of a 70‐year‐old man who received inappropriate ICD shocks due to hyperkalemia‐induced T‐wave oversensing. The T‐wave amplitudes on both the ICD electrogram and 12‐lead ECG corresponded and normalized after normalization of the potassium level.
WAS THE WAGE BURDEN TOO HEAVY? SETTLER FARMING, PROFITABILITY, AND WAGE SHARES OF SETTLER AGRICULTURE IN NYASALAND, c. 1900–60
Authors: BOLT JUTTA , GREEN ERIK 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe historical role of European farming in Southern and Central Africa has received a great deal of attention among scholars over the years. A striking consensus exists in the Scholarly literature, namely that the success or failure of European farming in Southern Africa was to a large extent dependent upon the colonizers' access to and control over cheap labour, which they in turn could only access through strong support of the colonial state. Yet, these propositions have so far not been systematically and empirically tested. This article is a first attempt to do that by analysing the ‘wage-burden’ European settler farmers faced. The wage-burden is identified by measuring wage shares (total amount paid in the form of wages as a share of total profits) on European farms in colonial Africa. Based on archival documents, we construct time-series for value of output, transportation costs, investments in agriculture, and wages paid for the European tobacco and tea sector in colonial Malawi. Our results contradict both previous research on settler colonialism in Africa and the historiography of Nyasaland. Our estimates show that settler farming did not collapse in the 1930s as commonly assumed. On the contrary, the value of production on both tobacco and tea farms increased significantly. And so did the settler farmers' capacity to capture the profits, which was manifested in a declining wage share over time. In contrast with previous research, we argue that the declining wage share cannot be explained by domestic colonial policies but rather through changes in regional migration patterns, and global commodity markets. Migration patterns had a significant impact on the supply of farm labour and global commodity markets influenced value of production. Market forces rather than colonial policies shaped the development trajectory of settler farming in Nyasaland.
Small-molecule activation of SERCA2a SUMOylation for the treatment of heart failure
Authors: Kho Changwon , Lee Ahyoung , Jeong Dongtak , Oh Jae Gyun , Gorski Przemek A. , Fish Kenneth , Sanchez Roberto , DeVita Robert J. , Christensen Geir , Dahl Russell , Hajjar Roger J. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDecreased activity and expression of the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA2a), a critical pump regulating calcium cycling in cardiomyocyte, are hallmarks of heart failure. We have previously described a role for the small ubiquitin-like modifier type 1 (SUMO-1) as a regulator of SERCA2a and have shown that gene transfer of SUMO-1 in rodents and large animal models of heart failure restores cardiac function. Here, we identify and characterize a small molecule, N106, which increases SUMOylation of SERCA2a. This compound directly activates the SUMO-activating enzyme, E1 ligase, and triggers intrinsic SUMOylation of SERCA2a. We identify a pocket on SUMO E1 likely to be responsible for N106’s effect. N106 treatment increases contractile properties of cultured rat cardiomyocytes and significantly improves ventricular function in mice with heart failure. This first-in-class small-molecule activator targeting SERCA2a SUMOylation may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for treatment of heart failure.
Synthesis of three-dimensionally interconnected sulfur-rich polymers for cathode materials of high-rate lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Kim Hoon , Lee Joungphil , Ahn Hyungmin , Kim Onnuri , Park Moon Jeong 
Published: June 2015

AbstractElemental sulfur is one of the most attractive cathode active materials in lithium batteries because of its high theoretical specific capacity. Despite the positive aspect, lithium–sulfur batteries have suffered from severe capacity fading and limited rate capability. Here we report facile large-scale synthesis of a class of organosulfur compounds that could open a new chapter in designing cathode materials to advance lithium–sulfur battery technologies. Porous trithiocyanuric acid crystals are synthesized for use as a soft template, where the ring-opening polymerization of elemental sulfur takes place along the thiol surfaces to create three-dimensionally interconnected sulfur-rich phases. Our lithium–sulfur cells display discharge capacity of 945 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C with high-capacity retention of 92%, as well as lifetimes of 450 cycles. Particularly, the organized amine groups in the crystals increase Li+-ion transfer rate, affording a rate performance of 1210, mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and 730 mAh g−1 at 5 C.