bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adverse drug events resulting in admission to the intensive care unit in oncology patients: Incidence, characteristics and associated cost
Authors: Nazer Lama H , Eljaber Rana , Rimawi Dalia , Hawari Feras I 
Published: December 2012

Purpose: Describe the incidence, characteristics and cost of adverse drug events that necessitate admission to the intensive care unit in oncology patients. Methods: This was a prospective observational 5-months study at a medical/surgical intensive care unit of a comprehensive teaching cancer center. Patients admitted to the intensive care unit were screened to determine whether the admission was due to an adverse drug event. The adverse drug events were characterized based on the suspected medication, system involved and preventability. Patient demographics, length of stay, mortality and the total patient charges during their intensive care unit stay were recorded. Results: During the study period, 249 patients were screened and an adverse drug event was the primary cause of 57 (22.9%) admissions. The most common medications associated with an adverse drug event requiring intensive care unit admission were antineoplastics ( n = 37), analgesics ( n = 9) and anticoagulants ( n = 4). Ten adverse drug events were considered preventable. The average length of stay for patients with adverse drug events resulting in intensive care unit admission was 6.2 days ±9.8 (SD) and the mortality rate was 28.1%. Hematological malignancy was independently associated with adverse drug events resulting in intensive care unit admission. The average patient charges for the intensive care unit stay was US$11,692 ± 17,529 (SD), which corresponded to about US$1.5 million in annual patient charges for a 12-bed intensive care unit at a cancer institution. Conclusions: Adverse drug events resulting in intensive care unit admission in oncology patients are common and often associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and cost.
The Impact of Blood Component Transfusion Practices on Patient Survival After Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
Authors: Henriksson Anders E. 
Published: December 2012

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the blood transfusion practice in patients operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with special emphasis on massive transfusion in cases with rupture. Material and methods: From a database, 504 patients operated for AAA were stratified into 2 groups; an early transfusion period (1992-1999) and a late transfusion period (2000-2008) to evaluate the changes in transfusion practices over the course of time. Results: Patients operated for nonruptured AAA (n = 330) showed a decreased mortality rate from 4% (early transfusion period) to 1% (late transfusion period) without significant changes in the transfusion practices. In patients operated for ruptured AAA (n = 174) an unexpected low mortality rate was found compared to the 30-day mortality reported in earlier studies. The transfusion practices in ruptured AAA surgery showed a significant increase in platelet use and change of fresh frozen plasma: red blood cell ratio from 0.8 to 0.9 between the early and the late transfusion period. Conclusion: The present database study shows that the operating mortality for AAA surgery has declined during the past decades. The cause of the decline in mortality in patients with ruptured AAA was interpreted as partly due to a modern blood component therapy.
Trends in Clinical Presentation, Management, and Mortality of Blunt Aortic Traumatic Injury Over an 18-Year Period
Authors: Malgor Rafael D. , Bilfinger Thomas V. , McCormack Jane , Shapiro Marc J. , Tassiopoulos Apostolos K. 
Published: December 2012

Background: The purpose of our study was to assess whether the trends in management of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) have changed its outcomes over the years. Methods: We reviewed data of 88 (0.3%) adult patients with BTAI from January 1993 to December 2010. Primary end points were trends in presentation and time to repair and early morbidity and mortality. Results: Of all, 63 (72%) patients with BTAI were male (age, 38 ± 17). The yearly distribution of cases and severity of associated injuries remain stable. Of all, 16 (21%) patients had no intervention, 47 (63%) underwent open repair, and 12 (16%) underwent endovascular treatment. The postoperative mortality has decreased from 29% to 9% and the time from presentation to repair has increased from 6 to 14 hours during the study period. Conclusions: The incidence of BTAI remains stable with a reduction in postoperative mortality rate and an increasing number of delayed interventions over the past 18 years.
The major CD8 T cell effector memory subset in the normal and Chlamydia trachomatis-infected human endocervix is low in perforin
Authors: Ibana Joyce A , Myers Leann , Porretta Constance , Lewis Maria , Taylor Stephanie N , Martin David H , Quayle Alison J 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe local tissue microenvironment plays an important role in the induction, homing, maintenance and development of effector functions of T cells. Thus, site-specific differences in phenotypes of mucosal and systemic T cell populations have been observed.Chlamydia trachomatismost commonly infects the endocervix in women, yet little is known aboutChlamydia-specific effector T cell immunity at this unique mucosal site. Our previous flow-cytometry-based study of cervical-cytobrush retrieved cells indicated that CD8 T cells are significantly increased in theC. trachomatis-infected human endocervix. The cytolytic function of CD8 T cells is important in the protective immunity against many intracellular pathogens, and requires the cytolytic granule perforin to facilitate the entry of other molecules that mediate the lysis of target cells. Determination of perforin expression of the CD8 T cell population in the endocervix would therefore provide insights on the granule-mediated cytolytic potential of these cells at this site.ResultsOur histological data revealed thatC. trachomatis-infected tissues have significantly higher numbers of CD3 and CD8 T cells compared to non-infected tissues (p<0.01), and that the majority of CD8+cells do not express perforinin situ. A subsequent flow cytometric analysis of paired blood and endocervix-derived cells (n=16) revealed that while all the CD8 T cell subsets: naïve, effector memory (TEM), central memory (TCM) and terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) can be found in the blood, the endocervix is populated mainly by the TEMCD8 T cell subset. Our data also showed that perforin expression in the TEMpopulation is significantly lower in the endocervix than in the blood ofC. trachomatispositive women (n=15; p<0.0001), as well as inC. trachomatis-negative individuals (n=6; p<0.05). Interestingly, ourin vitroco-culture study suggests that the exposure of HeLa 229 cervical epithelial cells to IFN gamma could potentially induce a decrease in perforin content in CD8 TEMcells in the same microenvironment.ConclusionsThe low perforin content of CD8 TEMcells in the endocervix, the local site ofC. trachomatisinfection in women, may reflect the unique immunological environment that balances immune protection against sexually transmitted infections and immune- tolerance to support conception.
The non-specific lipid transfer protein N5 of Medicago truncatulais implicated in epidermal stages of rhizobium-host interaction
Authors: Pii Youry , Molesini Barbara , Masiero Simona , Pandolfini Tiziana 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
The symbiotic interaction between leguminous plants and rhizobia involves two processes: bacterial infection, resulting in the penetration of bacteria in epidermal and cortical cells, and root nodule organogenesis. Root nodule symbiosis is activated by rhizobial signalling molecules, called Nodulation factors (NFs). NF perception induces the expression of several genes called early nodulins. The early nodulin N5 of Medicago truncatula is a lipid transfer protein that has been shown to positively regulate nodulation although it displays in vitro inhibitory activity against Sinorhizobium meliloti. The purpose of this work was to investigate the role of MtN5 by studying its spatial and temporal pattern of expression during the symbiotic interaction, also in relation to known components of the symbiotic signalling pathway, and by analysing the phenotypic alterations displayed by rhizobia-inoculated MtN5-silenced roots.

Results
We show here that MtN5 is a NF-responsive gene expressed at a very early phase of symbiosis in epidermal cells and root hairs. MtN5 expression is induced in vitro by rhizobial effector molecules and by auxin and cytokinin, phytohormones involved in nodule organogenesis. Furthermore, lipid signaling is implicated in the response of MtN5 to rhizobia, since the activity of phospholipase D is required for MtN5 induction in S. meliloti-inoculated roots. MtN5-silenced roots inoculated with rhizobia display an increased root hair curling and a reduced number of invaded primordia compared to that in wild type roots, but with no impairment to nodule primordia formation. This phenotype is associated with the stimulation of ENOD11 expression, an early marker of infection, and with the down-regulation of Flotillin 4 (FLOT4), a protein involved in rhizobial entry.

Conclusions
These data indicate that MtN5 acts downstream of NF perception and upstream of FLOT4 in regulating pre-infection events. The positive effect of MtN5 on nodule primordia invasion is linked to the restriction of bacterial spread at the epidermal level. Furthermore, MtN5 seems to be dispensable for nodule primordia formation. These findings provide new information about the complex mechanism that controls the competence of root epidermal cells for rhizobial invasion.
Confirmatory spirometry for adults hospitalized with a diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation
Authors: Prieto Centurion Valentin , Huang Frank , Naureckas Edward T , Camargo Jr Carlos A , Charbeneau Jeffrey , Joo Min J , Press Valerie G , Krishnan Jerry A 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Objective measurement of airflow obstruction by spirometry is an essential part of the diagnosis of asthma or COPD. During exacerbations, the feasibility and utility of spirometry to confirm the diagnosis of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are unclear. Addressing these gaps in knowledge may help define the need for confirmatory testing in clinical care and quality improvement efforts. This study was designed to determine the feasibility of spirometry and to determine its utility to confirm the diagnosis in patients hospitalized with a physician diagnosis of asthma or COPD exacerbation.

Methods
Multi-center study of four academic healthcare institutions. Spirometry was performed in 113 adults admitted to general medicine wards with a physician diagnosis of asthma or COPD exacerbation. Two board-certified pulmonologists evaluated the spirometry tracings to determine the proportion of patients able to produce adequate quality spirometry data. Findings were interpreted to evaluate the utility of spirometry to confirm the presence of obstructive lung disease, according to the 2005 European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society recommendations.

Results
There was an almost perfect agreement for acceptability (κ = 0.92) and reproducibility (κ =0.93) of spirometry tracings. Three-quarters (73%) of the tests were interpreted by both pulmonologists as being of adequate quality. Of these adequate quality tests, 22% did not present objective evidence of obstructive lung disease. Obese patients (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) were more likely to produce spirometry tracings with no evidence of obstructive lung disease, compared to non-obese patients (33% vs. 8%, p = 0.007).

Conclusions
Adequate quality spirometry can be obtained in most hospitalized adults with a physician diagnosis of asthma or COPD exacerbation. Confirmatory spirometry could be a useful tool to help reduce overdiagnosis of obstructive lung disease, especially among obese patients.
Acute care utilization due to hospitalizations for pediatric lower respiratory tract infections in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Santibanez Pablo , Gooch Katherine , Vo Pamela , Lorimer Michelle , Sandino Yurik 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Pediatric LRTI hospitalizations are a significant burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems. This study determined the burden of pediatric LRTIs on hospital settings in British Columbia and the benefits of prevention strategies as they relate to healthcare resource demand.

Methods
LRTI inpatient episodes for patients <19 years of age during 2008–2010 were extracted from the BC Discharge Abstract Database. The annual number of acute care beds required to treat pediatric LRTIs was estimated. Sub-analyses determined the burden due to infants <1 year of age and high-risk infants. Population projections were used to forecast LRTI hospitalizations and the effectiveness of public health initiatives to reduce the incidence of LRTIs to 2020 and 2030.

Results
During 2008–2010, LRTI as the primary diagnosis accounted for 32.0 and 75.9% hospitalizations for diseases of the respiratory system in children <19 years of age and infants <1 year of age, respectively. Infants <1 year of age accounted for 47 and 77% hospitalizations due to pediatric LRTIs and pediatric LRTI hospitalizations specifically due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), respectively. The average length of stay was 3.1 days for otherwise healthy infants <1 year of age and 9.1 days for high-risk infants (P <0.0001). 73.1% pediatric LRTI hospitalizations occurred between November and April. Over the study timeframe, 19.6 acute care beds were required on average to care for pediatric LRTIs which increased to 64.0 beds at the peak of LRTI hospitalizations. Increases in LRTI bed-days of 5.5 and 16.2% among <19 year olds by 2020 and 2030, respectively, were predicted. Implementation of appropriate prevention strategies could cause 307 and 338 less LRTI hospitalizations in <19 year olds in 2020 and 2030, respectively.

Conclusion
Pediatric LRTI hospitalizations require significant use of acute care infrastructure particularly between November and April. Population projections show the burden may increase in the next 20 years, but implementation of effective public health prevention strategies may contribute to reducing the acute care demand and to supporting efforts for overall pediatric healthcare sustainability.
De novo production of the flavonoid naringenin in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Koopman Frank , Beekwilder Jules , Crimi Barbara , van Houwelingen Adele , Hall Robert D , Bosch Dirk , van Maris Antonius JA , Pronk Jack T , Daran Jean-Marc 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
Flavonoids comprise a large family of secondary plant metabolic intermediates that exhibit a wide variety of antioxidant and human health-related properties. Plant production of flavonoids is limited by the low productivity and the complexity of the recovered flavonoids. Thus to overcome these limitations, metabolic engineering of specific pathway in microbial systems have been envisaged to produce high quantity of a single molecules.

Result

Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered to produce the key intermediate flavonoid, naringenin, solely from glucose. For this, specific naringenin biosynthesis genes from Arabidopsis thaliana were selected by comparative expression profiling and introduced in S. cerevisiae. The sole expression of these A. thaliana genes yielded low extracellular naringenin concentrations (<5.5 μM). To optimize naringenin titers, a yeast chassis strain was developed. Synthesis of aromatic amino acids was deregulated by alleviating feedback inhibition of 3-deoxy-d-arabinose-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (Aro3, Aro4) and byproduct formation was reduced by eliminating phenylpyruvate decarboxylase (Aro10, Pdc5, Pdc6). Together with an increased copy number of the chalcone synthase gene and expression of a heterologous tyrosine ammonia lyase, these modifications resulted in a 40-fold increase of extracellular naringenin titers (to approximately 200 μM) in glucose-grown shake-flask cultures. In aerated, pH controlled batch reactors, extracellular naringenin concentrations of over 400 μM were reached.

Conclusion
The results reported in this study demonstrate that S. cerevisiae is capable of de novo production of naringenin by coexpressing the naringenin production genes from A. thaliana and optimization of the flux towards the naringenin pathway. The engineered yeast naringenin production host provides a metabolic chassis for production of a wide range of flavonoids and exploration of their biological functions.
Synaptic profiles during neurite extension, refinement and retraction in the developing cochlea
Authors: Huang Lin-Chien , Barclay Meagan , Lee Kevin , Peter Saša , Housley Gary D , Thorne Peter R , Montgomery Johanna M 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
During development, excess synapses form between the central and peripheral nervous systems that are then eliminated to achieve correct connectivity. In the peripheral auditory system, the developing type I spiral ganglion afferent fibres undergo a dramatic re-organisation, initially forming connections with both sensory inner hair cells (IHCs) and outer hair cells (OHCs). The OHC connections are then selectively eliminated, leaving sparse innervation by type II afferent fibres, whilst the type I afferent synapses with IHCs are consolidated.

Results
We examined the molecular makeup of the synaptic contacts formed onto the IHCs and OHCs during this period of afferent fibre remodelling. We observed that presynaptic ribbons initially form at all the afferent neurite contacts, i.e. not only at the expected developing IHC-type I fibre synapses but also at OHCs where type I fibres temporarily contact. Moreover, the transient contacts forming onto OHCs possess a broad set of pre- and postsynaptic proteins, suggesting that functional synaptic connections are formed prior to the removal of type I fibre innervation. AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunits were transiently observed at the base of the OHCs, with their downregulation occurring in parallel with the withdrawal of type I fibres, dispersal of presynaptic ribbons, and downregulation of the anchoring proteins Bassoon and Shank. Conversely, at developing type I afferent IHC synapses, the presence of pre- and postsynaptic scaffold proteins was maintained, with differential plasticity in AMPA receptor subunits observed and AMPA receptor subunit composition changing around hearing onset.

Conclusions
Overall our data show a differential balance in the patterns of synaptic proteins at developing afferent IHC versus OHC synapses that likely reflect their stable versus transient fates.
The transcription factor Uncx4.1 acts in a short window of midbrain dopaminergic neuron differentiation
Authors: Rabe Tamara I , Griesel Gundula , Blanke Stephen , Kispert Andreas , Leitges Michael , van der Zwaag Bert , Burbach J Peter H , Varoqueaux Frédérique , Mansouri Ahmed 
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Background
The homeobox containing transcription factor Uncx4.1 is, amongst others, expressed in the mouse midbrain. The early expression of this transcription factor in the mouse, as well as in the chick midbrain, points to a conserved function of Uncx4.1, but so far a functional analysis in this brain territory is missing. The goal of the current study was to analyze in which midbrain neuronal subgroups Uncx4.1 is expressed and to examine whether this factor plays a role in the early development of these neuronal subgroups.

Results
We have shown that Uncx4.1 is expressed in GABAergic, glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurons in the mouse midbrain. In midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons Uncx4.1 expression is particularly high around E11.5 and strongly diminished already at E17.5. The analysis of knockout mice revealed that the loss of Uncx4.1 is accompanied with a 25% decrease in the population of mDA neurons, as marked by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), Pitx3 and Ngn2. In contrast, the number of glutamatergic Pax6-positive cells was augmented, while the GABAergic neuron population appears not affected in Uncx4.1-deficient embryos.

Conclusion
We conclude that Uncx4.1 is implicated in the development of mDA neurons where it displays a unique temporal expression profile in the early postmitotic stage. Our data indicate that the mechanism underlying the role of Uncx4.1 in mDA development is likely related to differentiation processes in postmitotic stages, and where Ngn2 is engaged. Moreover, Uncx4.1 might play an important role during glutamatergic neuronal differentiation in the mouse midbrain.
Synthesis of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–Palladium Nanocomposite-coated Polymer Particles by Chemical Oxidative Seeded Dispersion Polymerization
Authors: Hamasaki Hiroyuki , Maekawa Yuya , Matsuzawa Soichiro , Ohtaka Atsushi , Nakamura Yoshinobu , Fujii Syuji 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)–palladium nanocomposite was deposited in situ from water-based solution onto micrometer-sized polystyrene particles. The resulting composite particles were extensively characterized with respect to particle size and size distribution, morphology, and chemical compositions.
Stereochemical Structure of the Complex of (−)-Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate and Caffeine
Authors: Tsutsumi Hiroyuki , Sato Takashi , Ishizu Takashi 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Stereochemical structure of a 2:2 complex of (−)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCg) and caffeine, which was the main content of a crude precipitate formed by creaming, was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and intermolecular interactions forming between EGCg and caffeine moieties were elucidated. Stereochemical structure and intermolecular interactions of a 2:2 complex of EGCg and nicotinamide was also determined.
Transition-metal-free Benzylic C–H Bond Intermolecular Amination Utilizing Chloramine-T and I2
Authors: Takeda Youhei , Hayakawa Junpei , Yano Kazuki , Minakata Satoshi 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
An intermolecular benzylic C–H bond amination utilizing the combination of chloramine-T and I2 without the aid of transition-metal catalysts has been developed. The reaction was found applicable to a variety of benzene-substituted alkanes, as well as to an adamantane derivative to give N-alkylated p-tosylamides in good yields.
Chiral Guanidine-catalyzed 1,4-Addition Reaction of 5H-Oxazol-4-ones to Alkynones
Authors: Misaki Tomonori , Jin Nari , Kawano Kei , Sugimura Takashi 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
An asymmetric 1,4-addition reaction of 5H-oxazol-4-ones to alkynones using chiral guanidine catalysts bearing a hydroxy group at the appropriate position was developed, and applied to several substrates. The method provides a synthetically useful enone-substituted α-hydroxy acid derivatives with a chiral quaternary α-carbon atom.
Effective Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a 24-Membered Cyclic Decanedisulfide Dimer
Authors: Tada Yukihiro , Yamamoto Takuya , Tezuka Yasuyuki , Kawamoto Tadashi , Mori Takehiko 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
A 24-membered cyclic decanedisulfide dimer (1,2,13,14-tetrathiacyclotetracosane) was effectively synthesized by resin-supported cyclization of 1,10-decanedithiol. Despite the formation of a series of cyclic oligomers, no monomeric decanedisulfide resulted. The crystal structure of the dimeric macrocycle was reported.