bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors among medical inpatients: a questionnaire-based observational study
Authors: Haroon Muhammad , Yasin Faiza , Gardezi Syed K M , Adeeb Fahd , Walker Frank 
Published: July 2013

Objectives To evaluate the appropriateness of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) prescribing by conducting an audit of medical inpatients against recommended guidelines. Design Questionnaire-based study. All medical wards were audited and different information was documented by patients' medical records review (both hospital visit notes and general practitioner's letters) and short interview, where we asked them to name the clinical reason for using PPI. Setting This study was carried out in the setting of a regional hospital (537-bed, secondary care referral centre) in Ireland. Participants The study participants were all consecutive medical patients admitted to the medical wards at Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford. Main outcome measures The appropriateness of PPI usage in our regional hospital by assessing the level of its prescribing against published guidelines (NICE, 2000). Results During the audit period, 205 consecutive medical inpatients were assessed. Seventy-nine percent (162 out of 205) of the studied patients were found to be using PPI. For 45% ( n = 73) of patients, there was no documentation of valid indication for being on PPI. Overall, 64% of patients were prescribed PPI by hospital doctors, either during their current or previous admissions. We noted that 31% ( n = 51) of patients were taking PPI for ≥2 years and another 25% of patients were using PPI for about one year. Only 12% ( n = 20) of patients had undergone endoscopy procedures. Conclusion Inappropriate use of PPI remains common in hospital practice. The risks of using long-term PPI must be weighed against the benefits.
Evaluation of WHO criteria for diagnosis of polycythemia vera: a prospective analysis
Authors: Silver Richard T. , Chow William , Orazi Attilio , Arles Stephen P. , Goldsmith Stanley J. 
Published: July 2013

Key PointsCurrent WHO criteria are inadequate for diagnosing “early-stage” PV. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values are inadequate surrogate markers for erythrocytosis.
Endobronchial ultrasound-guided cryobiopsies in peripheral pulmonary lesions: a feasibility study
Authors: Schuhmann Maren , Bostanci Korkut , Bugalho António , Warth Arne , Schnabel Philipp A. , Herth Felix J.F. , Eberhardt Ralf 
Published: July 2013

Peripheral lung lesions are sometimes difficult to reach even with endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and insufficient material is often obtained by transbronchial forceps biopsy. Cryoprobes can be used for performing tissue biopsies. We evaluated the safety and feasibility of the cryoprobe in combination with EBUS for the diagnosis of peripheral lung lesion.Patients with peripheral lung lesions of up to 4 cm were enrolled. After identifying the lung lesion by radial EBUS, forceps biopsies and cryobiopsies were performed in a randomised order. We evaluated safety and feasibility, and compared diagnostic yield and sample size.39 patients were randomised and the peripheral lung lesion was reached in 31. The overall diagnostic yield was 60.5% and, in the lesions reached by EBUS, it was 74.2%. In 19 cases, the diagnosis was made with forceps as well as cryobiopsy and, in four cases, only with cryobiopsy. Cryobiopsies were significantly larger than forceps biopsies (11.17 mm2versus4.69 mm2, p<0.001). We observed one case of moderate bleeding.Transbronchial cryobiopsy with EBUS guidance is safe and useful to obtain histological samples. Larger tissue samples can be obtained by cryoprobe.
Gene expression analysis of a Helicobacter pylori-infected and high-salt diet-treated mouse gastric tumor model: identification of CD177 as a novel prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Toyoda Takeshi , Tsukamoto Tetsuya , Yamamoto Masami , Ban Hisayo , Saito Noriko , Takasu Shinji , Shi Liang , Saito Ayumi , Ito Seiji , Yamamura Yoshitaka , Nishikawa Akiyoshi , Ogawa Kumiko , Tanaka Takuji , Tatematsu Masae 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and excessive salt intake are known as important risk factors for stomach cancer in humans. However, interactions of these two factors with gene expression profiles during gastric carcinogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the global gene expression associated with stomach carcinogenesis and prognosis of human gastric cancer using a mouse model.

Methods
To find candidate genes involved in stomach carcinogenesis, we firstly constructed a carcinogen-induced mouse gastric tumor model combined with H. pylori infection and high-salt diet. C57BL/6J mice were given N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in their drinking water and sacrificed after 40 weeks. Animals of a combination group were inoculated with H. pylori and fed a high-salt diet. Gene expression profiles in glandular stomach of the mice were investigated by oligonucleotide microarray. Second, we examined an availability of the candidate gene as prognostic factor for human patients. Immunohistochemical analysis of CD177, one of the up-regulated genes, was performed in human advanced gastric cancer specimens to evaluate the association with prognosis.

Results
The multiplicity of gastric tumor in carcinogen-treated mice was significantly increased by combination of H. pylori infection and high-salt diet. In the microarray analysis, 35 and 31 more than two-fold up-regulated and down-regulated genes, respectively, were detected in the H. pylori-infection and high-salt diet combined group compared with the other groups. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed significant over-expression of two candidate genes including Cd177 and Reg3g. On immunohistochemical analysis of CD177 in human advanced gastric cancer specimens, over-expression was evident in 33 (60.0%) of 55 cases, significantly correlating with a favorable prognosis (P = 0.0294). Multivariate analysis including clinicopathological factors as covariates revealed high expression of CD177 to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival.

Conclusions
These results suggest that our mouse model combined with H. pylori infection and high-salt diet is useful for gene expression profiling in gastric carcinogenesis, providing evidence that CD177 is a novel prognostic factor for stomach cancer. This is the first report showing a prognostic correlation between CD177 expression and solid tumor behavior.
Functional characterization of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase and caffeic acid O-methyltransferase in Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Trabucco Gina M , Matos Dominick A , Lee Scott J , Saathoff Aaron J , Priest Henry D , Mockler Todd C , Sarath Gautam , Hazen Samuel P 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Lignin is a significant barrier in the conversion of plant biomass to bioethanol. Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) and caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyze key steps in the pathway of lignin monomer biosynthesis. Brown midrib mutants in Zea mays and Sorghum bicolor with impaired CAD or COMT activity have attracted considerable agronomic interest for their altered lignin composition and improved digestibility. Here, we identified and functionally characterized candidate genes encoding CAD and COMT enzymes in the grass model species Brachypodium distachyon with the aim of improving crops for efficient biofuel production.

Results
We developed transgenic plants overexpressing artificial microRNA designed to silence BdCAD1 or BdCOMT4. Both transgenes caused altered flowering time and increased stem count and weight. Downregulation of BdCAD1 caused a leaf brown midrib phenotype, the first time this phenotype has been observed in a C3 plant. While acetyl bromide soluble lignin measurements were equivalent in BdCAD1 downregulated and control plants, histochemical staining and thioacidolysis indicated a decrease in lignin syringyl units and reduced syringyl/guaiacyl ratio in the transgenic plants. BdCOMT4 downregulated plants exhibited a reduction in total lignin content and decreased Maule staining of syringyl units in stem. Ethanol yield by microbial fermentation was enhanced in amiR-cad1-8 plants.

Conclusion
These results have elucidated two key genes in the lignin biosynthetic pathway in B. distachyon that, when perturbed, may result in greater stem biomass yield and bioconversion efficiency.
Increased detection of Plasmodium knowlesi in Sandakan division, Sabah as revealed by PlasmoNex™
Authors: Goh Xiang Ting , Lim Yvonne AL , Vythilingam Indra , Chew Ching Hoong , Lee Ping Chin , Ngui Romano , Tan Tian Chye , Yap Nan Jiun , Nissapatorn Veeranoot , Chua Kek Heng 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background

Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite that is widespread in humans in Malaysian Borneo. However, little is known about the incidence and distribution of this parasite in the Sandakan division, Malaysian Borneo. Therefore, the aim of the present epidemiological study was to investigate the incidence and distribution of P. knowlesi as well as other Plasmodium species in this division based on a most recent developed hexaplex PCR system (PlasmoNex™).

Methods
A total of 189 whole blood samples were collected from Telupid Health Clinic, Sabah, Malaysia, from 2008 to 2011. All patients who participated in the study were microscopically malaria positive before recruitment. Complete demographic details and haematological profiles were obtained from 85 patients (13 females and 72 males). Identification of Plasmodium species was conducted using PlasmoNex™ targeting the 18S ssu rRNA gene.

Results
A total of 178 samples were positive for Plasmodium species by using PlasmoNex™. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 68 samples (38.2%) followed by 64 cases (36.0%) of Plasmodium vivax, 42 (23.6%) cases of P. knowlesi, two (1.1%) cases of Plasmodium malariae and two (1.1%) mixed-species infections (i e, P. vivax/P. falciparum). Thirty-five PlasmoNex™ positive P. knowlesi samples were misdiagnosed as P. malariae by microscopy. Plasmodium knowlesi was detected in all four districts of Sandakan division with the highest incidence in the Kinabatangan district. Thrombocytopaenia and anaemia showed to be the most frequent malaria-associated haematological complications in this study.

Conclusions
The discovery of P. knowlesi in Sandakan division showed that prospective studies on the epidemiological risk factors and transmission dynamics of P. knowlesi in these areas are crucial in order to develop strategies for effective malaria control. The availability of advanced diagnostic tool PlasmoNex™ enhanced the accuracy and accelerated the speed in the diagnosis of malaria.
The use of non-prescribed anti-malarial drugs for the treatment of malaria in the Bolgatanga municipality, northern Ghana
Authors: Aborah Samuel , Akweongo Patricia , Adjuik Martin , Atinga Roger A , Welaga Paul , Adongo Philip B 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
The use of non-prescribed anti-malarial drugs can lead to treatment failure and development of drug-resistant parasites. This study investigated the use of non-prescribed anti-malarial drugs for the treatment of malaria in the Bolgatanga Municipality of northern Ghana.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 392 adults and children with episodes of malaria in the last four weeks prior to the study.

Results
Majority of survey respondents 96.9% (380) knew the symptoms of malaria, 75% (294) knew the causes of malaria and 93.1% (365) were aware of mode of transmission of malaria. The use of non-prescribed anti-malarial drugs was 16.8% (95% CI: 13.3-21.0) among the respondents. About 56% (95% CI: 43.3-68.3) of the respondents who took non-prescribed anti-malaria drugs took non-artemisinin-based combination therapy (chloroquine, artemether, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine). Respondents above five years of age were more likely to use non-prescribed anti-malarial drugs than those below five years of age [P < 0.001]; respondents who knew the right source of malaria treatment were less likely to use non-prescribed anti-malarial drugs than those who did not [P = 0.002]. Respondents using non-prescribed anti-malarials were influenced by people around them who used non-prescribed anti-malarials. Thus, these respondents were more likely to use non-prescribed anti-malarials than those who were not influenced [P = 0.004].

Conclusions
Respondents’ knowledge of malaria treatment and the influence of people using non-prescribed anti-malarials are factors affecting use of non-prescribed anti-malarials. The study concludes that there is high use of non-prescribed anti-malarial drugs in the municipality and most of the non-prescribed anti-malarias were non-artemisinin-based combination therapy. The study recommends education of the general public and chemical sellers to reduce the use of non-prescribe anti-malaria drugs.
Frequency of D222G haemagglutinin mutant of pandemic (H1N1) pdm09 influenza virus in Tunisia between 2009 and 2011
Authors: Moussi Awatef El , Kacem Mohamed Ali Ben Hadj , Pozo Francisco , Ledesma Juan , Cuevas Maria Teresa , Casas Inmaculada , Slim Amine 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
The novel pandemic A (H1N1) pdm09 virus was first identified in Mexico in April 2009 and since then it spread worldwide over a short period of time. Although the virus infection is generally associated with mild disease and a relatively low mortality, it is projected that mutations in specific regions of the viral genome, especially within the receptor binding domain of the haemagglutinin (HA) protein could result in more virulent virus stains, leading to a more severe pathogenicity.

Methods
To monitor the genetic polymorphisms at position 222 of Haemagglutinin of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses from both outpatients with mild influenza and individuals with severe disease requiring hospitalization, during 2009–2010 and 2010–2011 seasons, a sequence-based genotypic assessment of viral populations to understand the prevalence of D222G mutation.

Results
The D222G was identified in clinical specimens from 3 out of 42 cases analyzed in Tunisia with severe outcome (7%). Interestingly, in one fatal case out of four viruses taken from fatal cases studied (25%). Also this mutation was found in one mild case out of 8 mild cases studied (0.1%). D222E substitution was found in virus taken from one patient with severe clinical syndrome (2%) out of 42 severe cases analyzed and E374K substitution was found in two severe cases (4%) out of 42 severe cases studied.

Conclusions
A specific mutation in the viral haemagglutinin (D222G) was found in fatal, severe and mild case. Further virological, clinical and epidemiological investigations are needed to ascertain the role of this and other mutations that may alter the virulence and transmissibility of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1)pdm09.

Virtual Slides
The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1027334947811255
Prognosis of patients without perfusion defects with and without rest study in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy
Authors: Edenbrandt Lars , Ohlsson Mattias , Trägårdh Elin 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) is widely regarded as a useful imaging modality for diagnosing patients with suspected ischemic heart disease. Current European guidelines recommend stress study to be performed first since rest study can be omitted if stress study is interpreted as normal. Thus, a rest study should only be performed in patients with equivocal or abnormal studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognosis of a normal stress-only MPS compared to a normal stress-rest MPS in a retrospective manner and also with regard to normal/abnormal left ventricular function data.

Methods
All 4,820 patients who underwent 99mTc MPS at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden, in 2004 to 2007, for suspected or management of known ischemic heart disease were considered. The physician in clinical charge of the investigation decided whether a rest study was necessary or not. Based on the final report according to clinical routine, only patients with a normal perfusion study (no infarction or inducible ischemia) were included. The endpoints were non-fatal acute coronary syndrome or death from ischemic cardiac origin.

Results
A total of 3,426 patients with a normal perfusion study were included. Of these, 2,215 patients had a stress-only study and 1,211 patients had both stress and rest studies. Mean follow-up was 6.2 years. The lowest event rate was found in the normal stress-only group (0.56% for normal stress-only patients vs. 1.42% for normal stress-rest patients; p < 0.0001). When dividing patients according to sex and stress type, the best prognosis was also found in the normal stress-only group (p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Regarding left ventricular function data, we did not find any significant difference in event rate between normal vs. abnormal ejection fraction (EF), normal vs. abnormal end-diastolic volume (EDV) or normal EF, and EDV vs. abnormal EF or EDV for either the normal stress-only patients or the normal stress-rest patients.

Conclusions
Patients with a normal stress-only study had an excellent prognosis over a mean follow-up time of 6 years. Thus, omitting the rest study if the stress study is normal is a safe procedure.
Bendamustine in Indolent Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Practice Guide for Patient Management
Authors: Brugger Wolfram , Ghielmini Michele 
Published: July 2013

AbstractFor patients with advanced indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) or elderly patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), the recently reported results of the German StiL NHL-1 2003 and the international BRIGHT phase III trials showed that, as first-line treatment, the combination of bendamustine and rituximab is at least as effective as rituximab/cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone or rituximab/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone, possibly with a better therapeutic index. Bendamustine is therefore increasingly used in clinical practice. Because bendamustine has been used for many years in Germany and in Switzerland, our institutions have had extensive experience with bendamustine, both as a single agent and in combination with rituximab. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the most important clinical data from phase II/III trials with bendamustine in patients with indolent NHL and MCL, both in the relapsed/refractory setting and in the first-line setting. In addition, this review provides practical advice on how to optimally manage bendamustine therapy in patients with NHL.
Analysis of Gas Production Data Using Flowing Material Balance Method
Authors: Mohammed S. , Enty G. S. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
This paper presents an analytical derivation that constitutes a sound theoretical background for gas flow equation. This gas flow equation is based on a new pseudotime function which, unlike the computation of material balance pseudotime, is insensitive to time step-size and purely analytical. This new pseudotime function offers a simpler approach to handle viscosity-compressibility variations since viscosity-compressibility ratio is a function of cumulative production. Unique to the proposed approach is that the flowing material balance method utilizes pseudocumulative, which is not a function of material balance pseudotime.
Currently, the analytical derivation given in the literature for gas flow equation involving material balance pseudotime has created the perception that material balance pseudotime is intuitive. An analytical derivation is given to show that material balance pseudotime function has sound theoretical basis.
Presently, iterative scheme, algorithms and graphical techniques involving a number of plotting functions have been proposed to solve gas-in-place. This paper presents a direct approach to solve gas-in-place when early pseudosteady state line is observed. Additionally, a technique is given to validate computed initial-gas-in-place; thus initial-gas-in-place computed by any method can be verified with the proposed technique.
The proposed analysis yields initial-gas-in-place, pseudosteady state constant and drainage area. Two simulated and one field published examples are presented to validate our proposed analysis.
Effects of Nano-Particles (al, al2o3, cu, cuo) in Emulsion Treatment and Separation
Authors: Amarfio Eric Mensah , Aborisade Opeyemi , Mohammed Shaibu 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
In this work, we seek to explore the unique potential of nano-particles of aluminum, copper and their oxides in the treatment of oil- water emulsion, which has been one of the major problems in the oil-industries.
The nano-particles of the above aluminum, copper and their oxides, from published studies, showed that they increase the densities of their base fluids. Correlations like Pak and Cho correlation for density calculation proved the improvement in densities of base fluids when nano-particles are dispersed in them. This material property (density) was investigated in this research work to show how these above mentioned nano-particles affect the treatment of emulsion. We focused on presenting a study of the separation of oil in water emulsion which normally, is the case at the surface separating facilities, after the oil is lifted to the surface and separated from the accompanying water. The main goal here is to increase the density of the water by impregnating it with the nano-particles in the oil in water emulsion which in turn by gravity will increase the rate of settling from the oil. In this work, the Pak and Cho correlation was employed to show how the density of the associated water in the produced oil is increased using nano-particles of aluminum, copper and their oxides, which are paramagnetic in nature. And are retrieved by employing a magnetic field so that the nano-particles are recycled and reused from time to time with only a periodic make up to ensure effective magnetization and retrieval of the particles before the final destination of the water. We proposed the external magnetic field technology in this study, because often times, the water may be disposed off to the environment or re-injected into the formation for oil reservoir pressure maintenance purposes.
Evaluation Of Mathematical Models Of Pvt Properties For Nigerian Crude Oils
Authors: Adeeyo Yisa A. , Marhoun Muhammad A. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Reservoir fluid properties data are very important in reservoir engineering computations such as material balance calculations, well testing, reserve estimates, and numerical reservoir simulations. Ideally, those data should be obtained experimentally. On some occasions, these data are not available or reliable; then, empirically derived correlations are used to predict PVT properties. However, the success of such correlations in predicting the properties depends mainly on the range of data with which they were originally developed. A review of the frequently used correlations, along with the statistical accuracy of these correlations when compared to Nigerian data, is the focus of this paper.
More than 2500 unpublished PVT data sets from different locations in Nigeria were acquired for the evaluation of the most frequently used pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) empirical correlation for Nigeria data crude oil samples. The best available correlations were selected by comparison with a large database of reservoir-fluid studies of samples collected from different locations in Nigeria. The comparison is based on statistical error analysis. This paper gives the best correlations for field applications for estimating bubblepoint pressure, solution gas-oil ratio and oil formation volume factor at bubble point pressure.
The results of this study show that the present practice of arbitrarily choosing any correlations for bubblepoint pressure (Pb), Solution gas-oil ratio (Rs) and formation volume factor at bubblepoint (Bob) estimation is not the optimum.