bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medication Reviews by Clinical Pharmacists at Hospitals Lead to Improved Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Graabæk Trine , Kjeldsen Lene Juel 
Published: March 2013

AbstractSuboptimal medication use may lead to morbidity, mortality and increased costs. To reduce unnecessary patient harm, medicines management including medication reviews can be provided by clinical pharmacists. Some recent studies have indicated a positive effect of this service, but the quality and outcomes vary among studies. Hence, there is a need for compiling the evidence within this area. The aim of this systematicMiniReview was to identify, assess and summarize the literature investigating the effect of pharmacist‐led medication reviews in hospitalized patients. Five databases (MEDLINE,EMBASE,CINAHL,Web ofScience and theCochraneLibrary) were searched from their inception to 2011 in addition to citation tracking and hand search. Only original research papers published inEnglish describing pharmacist‐led medication reviews in a hospital setting including minimum 100 patients or 100 interventions were included in the final assessment. A total of 836 research papers were identified, and 31 publications were included in the study: 21 descriptive studies and 10 controlled studies, of which 6 were randomized controlled trials. The pharmacist interventions were well implemented with acceptance rates from 39% to 100%. The 10 controlled studies generally show a positive effect on medication use and costs, satisfaction with the service and positive as well as insignificant effects on health service use. Several outcomes were statistically insignificant, but these were predominantly associated with low sample sizes or low acceptance rates. Therefore, future research within this area should be designed using rigorous design, large sample sizes and includes comparable outcome measures for patient health outcomes.
Advances in understanding the pathogenesis of cerebrovascular vasculopathy in sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Connes Philippe , Verlhac Suzanne , Bernaudin Françoise 
Published: March 2013

SummaryCerebral vasculopathy is the most severe complication to affect children with sickle cell anaemia and its pathophysiology is complex. Traditionally, small‐vessel occlusion by intravascular sickling and sludging was considered to underlie the strokes but, in the last 20 years, progressive major cerebral vessel involvement has become recognized as the principal responsible factor. Macrovasculopathy is well detected by abnormally high velocities on transcranial Doppler and with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and is responsible for the majority of overt strokes. Silent infarcts are ischaemic lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients without history of stroke. They are associated with compromised cognitive functioning. The present review discusses the pathophysiologal mechanisms that could be involved in the development of cerebral vasculopathy, such as inflammation and hypoxia, anaemia, haemolysis and the resulting decreased nitric oxide bioavailability, genetic factors, impaired blood rheology and particular local haemodynamic profiles.
Anal sphincter fibrillation: is this a new finding that identifies resistant chronic anal fissures that respond to botulinum toxin?
Authors: Moon A. , Chitsabesan P. , Plusa S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimAnal fissures can be resistant to treatment and some patients may undergo several trials of medical therapy before definitive surgery. It would be useful to identify predictors of poor response to medical therapy. This study assesses the role of anorectal physiological criteria to identify patients with anal fissure predicted to fail botulinum toxin (BT) treatment.MethodA retrospective analysis of anorectal physiological data collected for patients with resistant chronic anal fissures, referred to one consultant surgeon between 2007 and 2011, was undertaken. These were correlated with treatment plans and healing rates.ResultsTwenty‐five patients with idiopathic chronic anal fissures underwent anorectal physiology studies and were subsequently treated with BT injection. Eleven had a characteristic high‐frequency low‐amplitude ‘saw tooth’ waveform or anal sphincter fibrillation (ASF) and higher anal sphincter pressures. Nine (82%) of these patients had resolution of their anal fissure symptoms following treatment with BT. Of 14 patients with no evidence of ASF and a greater range of anal sphincter pressures, only one (7%) had resolution following BT.ConclusionASF appears to be an anorectal physiological criterion that helps predict response of anal fissures to BT injection. This could help streamline fissure management.
A comparison of single plasma sample methods to estimate renal clearance using 99mTc‐ethylenedicysteine and 99mTc‐mercaptoacetyltriglycine
Authors: Sohaib Muhammad , Rafique Asif , Saeed Shabana , Afshan Anjum 
Published: March 2013

SummarySeveral single sample methods for determination of 99mTc‐mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) clearance are being used clinically. Kabasakal et al. proposed a similar formula for 99mTc‐ethylenedicysteine (EC). This study was performed to compare his method with Bubeck et al. formula for 99mTc‐MAG3 already in use. Twenty‐eight subjects divided in two groups were registered which included 22 patients with various renal diseases (group‐I) and six normal volunteers (group II). All subjects were studied twice using both the radiopharmaceuticals. The images and renogram parameters, that is TMAX and T1/2 of both the agents, were similar in all the subjects. The clearance of the 99mTc‐EC was however considerably higher than 99mTc‐MAG3 in both the groups (mean ± SEM =279 ± 14 ml min−1/1·73 m2 versus 177 ± 15 ml min−1/1·73 m2 in group‐I and 377 ± 11·90 ml min−1/1·73 m2 versus 238 ± 8·23 ml min−1/1·73 m2 in group II). This difference was more pronounced in cases with reduced renal functions. Among the Effective Renal Plasma Flow (ERPF) values determined from EC and MAG3 clearances in six normal volunteers, four cases only in MAG3 had ERPF below the lower limit. This study has demonstrated superiority of single sample method for 99 mTc‐EC clearance over its analogous method for 99mTc‐MAG3.
Among perinatal factors, only the Apgar score is associated with specific language impairment
Authors: Diepeveen F Babette , De Kroon Marlou L A , Dusseldorp Elise , Snik Ad F M 
Published: March 2013

AimThe purpose of this study was to assess the relation of perinatal risk factors with later development of specific language impairment (SLI).MethodIn a case–control study, 179 children attending special needs schools for SLI were matched with non‐affected children attending mainstream schools. Both groups consisted of 134 males and 45 females (age range 4–13y; mean age 9y, SD 2y 4mo). Data on duration of pregnancy, birthweight, delivery complications, birth characteristics, and Apgar scores were collected from the Preventive Child Health Care files of the Municipal Health Service.ResultsThe gestational age of the children with SLI (mean 39.6wks, SD 0.1wk) and for the comparison group (mean 39.4wks, SD 0.1wk) and the birthweight of children with SLI (mean 3330.4g; SD 41.4g) and for the comparison group (mean 3388.1g; SD 39.8g) were not statistically different; neither were other pregnancy and birth characteristics, with the exception of the Apgar scores (effect of group for Apgar score after 1min p=0.045; after 5min p=0.001). The difference in Apgar scores was larger for females than for males (effect of group × sex for Apgar score after 1min p=0.049; after 5min p=0.043).InterpretationThe relation between Apgar scores and SLI together with the influence of sex may be meaningful for predicting modelling and for understanding the causal pathway for SLI.
Prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism in younger ‘at risk’ UK adults: insights from the STAND programme of research
Authors: Wilmot E. G. , Edwardson C. L. , Biddle S. J. H. , Gorely T. , Henson J. , Khunti K. , Nimmo M. A. , Yates T. , Davies M. J. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimsRising rates of obesity have led to an increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus in young people. Uncertainty exists over the utility of screening younger adults for Type 2 diabetes, as existing data sets have focused on mature (> 40 years) cohorts. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of impaired glucose metabolism in higher risk younger adults.MethodsOverweight (with an additional risk factor) or obese adults (18–40 years) were recruited for the Sedentary Time And Diabetes (STAND) randomized controlled trial. Measures included an oral glucose tolerance test, HbA1c, biochemical and anthropometric data.ResultsOne hundred and ninety‐three individuals (68% female; median age 33.8 years; median BMI 33.9 kg/m2) were recruited. Forty‐three per cent had a first‐degree family history of Type 2 diabetes. Previously undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes was present in 4.7% (n = 9). Of participants, 18.1% (n = 35) had impaired glucose metabolism: 4.7% (n = 9) HbA1c ≥ 48 mmol/mol (6.5%); 9.3% (n = 18) HbA1c 42–46 mmol/mol (6.0–6.4%); 3.1% (n = 6) Type 2 diabetes on oral glucose tolerance test; 6.2% (n = 12) isolated impaired glucose tolerance; 2.1% (n = 4) isolated impaired fasting glucose; 1% (n = 2) both impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. Of participants, 58.5% (n = 113) had dyslipidaemia, 28.0% (n = 54) had hypertension, 31.1% (n = 60) were vitamin D deficient and 7.3% (n = 14) had abnormal liver function.ConclusionsThis study identified a high prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose regulation in overweight and obese younger adults. These findings require confirmation in a larger, representative, population.
Do high fasting glucose levels suggest nocturnal hypoglycaemia? The Somogyi effect—more fiction than fact?
Authors: Choudhary P. , Davies C. , Emery C. J. , Heller S. R. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimsThe Somogyi effect postulates that nocturnal hypoglycaemia causes fasting hyperglycaemia attributable to counter‐regulatory hormone release. Although most published evidence has failed to support this hypothesis, this concept remains firmly embedded in clinical practice and often prevents patients and professionals from optimizing overnight insulin. Previous observational data found lower fasting glucose was associated with nocturnal hypoglycaemia, but did not assess the probability of infrequent individual episodes of rebound hypoglycaemia. We analysed continuous glucose monitoring data to explore its prevalence.MethodsWe analysed data from 89 patients with Type 1 diabetes who participated in the UK Hypoglycaemia study. We compared fasting capillary glucose following nights with and without nocturnal hypoglycaemia (sensor glucose < 3.5 mmol/l).ResultsFasting capillary blood glucose was lower after nights with hypoglycaemia than without [5.5 (3.0) vs. 14.5 (4.5) mmol/l, P < 0.0001], and was lower on nights with more severe nocturnal hypoglycaemia [5.5 (3.0) vs. 8.2 (2.3) mmol/l; P = 0.018 on nights with nadir sensor glucose of < 2.2 mmol/l vs. 3.5 mmol/l]. There were only two instances of fasting capillary blood glucose > 10 mmol/l after nocturnal hypoglycaemia, both after likely treatment of the episode. When fasting capillary blood glucose is < 5 mmol/l, there was evidence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia on 94% of nights.ConclusionOur data indicate that, in clinical practice, the Somogyi effect is rare. Fasting capillary blood glucose ≤ 5 mmol/l appears an important indicator of preceding silent nocturnal hypoglycaemia.
Firebrats, Thermobia domestica, aggregate in response to the microbes Enterobacter cloacae and Mycotypha microspora
Authors: Woodbury Nathan , Gries Gerhard 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe firebrat, Thermobia domestica (Packard) (Thysanura: Lepismatidae), aggregates in response to the faeces of conspecifics as well as shelters previously inhabited by conspecifics. Our objective was to determine the source of the aggregation signal. Filter paper previously exposed to firebrats induced strong arrestment of firebrats. Polar solvents (water, methanol, acetonitrile) and less polar solvents (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl ether), alone or in combination, failed to extract the aggregation signal from firebrat‐exposed paper. Moreover, solvent‐extracted paper continued to induce firebrat arrestment. In contrast, the aggregation signal could be obtained by physical extraction (freeze/thawing or ultrasonication) of firebrat‐exposed paper submerged in water. Five fungal species and four bacterial species were isolated from ultrasonicant solutions on potato dextrose‐, nutrient‐, and GlcNAc‐agar. Of the nine isolated microbes tested, only the fungus Mycotypha microspora Fenner (Mucorales) and the bacterium Enterobacter cloacae (Jordan) Hormaeche & Edwards (Enterobacteriaceae) induced arrestment of firebrats in bioassays. Our data support the conclusion that firebrats do not form aggregations in response to pheromones; instead, they aggregate in the presence of specific microbes or their metabolites.
The outcome of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients who relapsed after fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab
Authors: Panovská Anna , Smolej Lukáš , Lysák Daniel , Brychtová Yvona , Šimkovič Martin , Motyčková Monika , Vodárek Pavel , Lindtnerová Michaela , Trbušek Martin , Malčíková Jitka , Pospíšilová Šárka , Mayer Jiří , Doubek Michael 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundThere are minimal data about the efficacy of subsequent therapy in patients with relapse after FCR (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab) chemoimmunotherapy.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 119 patients who relapsed after standard‐dose FCR. The patient cohort consisted of patients who relapsed after FCR administered as first‐line therapy (Group 1, n = 63) and patients relapsing after FCR administered in second/subsequent line; (Group 2, n = 56).ResultsBasic parameters (age, clinical stage, cytogenetics, molecular genetics) did not differ significantly between these subgroups. Likewise, median progression‐free survival (PFS) was not considerably different after FCR (18.6 vs. 14.7 months). Subsequent therapy for relapsed disease included FCR retreatment, R‐CHOP, alemtuzumab, or rituximab plus high‐dose dexamethasone. Overall response rates for the two groups did not significantly differ (59% vs. 44%). Although PFS after subsequent therapy was relatively short, longer PFS was observed in Group 1 (13.3 vs. 5.9 months; P = 0.01), in patients with response duration ≥24 months after previous FCR (13 vs. 6.1 months; P < 0.01), and in patients who achieved complete remission after FCR (10.8 vs. 7.9 months in partial remission; P = 0.01). Newly detected 17p deletions were observed in 5/62 patients, and new p53 mutations in 6/34 FCR‐treated patients.ConclusionOur data indicate that the prognosis of patients who relapse after FCR remains poor regardless of the subsequent treatment regimen.
Flow cytometric assessment of circulating platelet and erythrocytes microparticles in young thalassemia major patients: relation to pulmonary hypertension and aortic wall stiffness
Authors: Tantawy Azza A.G. , Adly Amira A.M. , Ismail Eman A.R. , Habeeb Nevin M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHeart disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in β‐thalassemia major (β‐TM). Aggregability of abnormal red cells and membrane‐derived microparticles (MPs) stemming from activated platelets and erythrocytes are responsible for thrombotic risk. We measured platelet and erythrocyte MPs (PMPs and ErMPs) in 60 young β‐TM patients compared with 40 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls and assessed their relation to clinicopathological characteristics and aortic elastic properties. Patients were studied stressing on transfusion history, splenectomy, thrombotic events, chelation therapy, hematological and coagulation profiles, flow cytometric measurement of PMPs (CD41b+) and ErMPs (glycophorin A+) as well as echocardiographic assessment of aortic elastic properties. Aortic stiffness index and pulmonary artery pressure were significantly higher, whereas aortic strain and distensibility were lower in TM patients than controls (P < 0.001). Both PMPs and ErMPs were significantly elevated in TM patients compared with controls, particularly patients with risk of pulmonary hypertension, history of thrombosis, splenectomy or serum ferritin >2500 μg/L (P < 0.001). Compliant patients on chelation therapy had lower MPs levels than non‐compliant patients (P < 0.001). PMPs and ErMPs were positively correlated to markers of hemolysis, serum ferritin, D‐dimer, vWF Ag, and aortic stiffness, whereas negatively correlated to hemoglobin level and aortic distensibility (P < 0.05). We suggest that increased MPs may be implicated in vascular dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension risk, and aortic wall stiffness observed in thalassemia patients. Their quantification could provide utility for early detection of cardiovascular abnormalities and monitoring the biological efficacy of chelation therapy.
Persistent reduced ecosystem respiration after insect disturbance in high elevation forests
Authors: Moore David J. P. , Trahan Nicole A. , Wilkes Phil , Quaife Tristan , Stephens Britton B. , Elder Kelly , Desai Ankur R. , Negron Jose , Monson Russell K. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAmid a worldwide increase in tree mortality, mountain pine beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) have led to the death of billions of trees from Mexico to Alaska since 2000. This is predicted to have important carbon, water and energy balance feedbacks on the Earth system. Counter to current projections, we show that on a decadal scale, tree mortality causes no increase in ecosystem respiration from scales of several square metres up to an 84 km2 valley. Rather, we found comparable declines in both gross primary productivity and respiration suggesting little change in net flux, with a transitory recovery of respiration 6–7 years after mortality associated with increased incorporation of leaf litter C into soil organic matter, followed by further decline in years 8–10. The mechanism of the impact of tree mortality caused by these biotic disturbances is consistent with reduced input rather than increased output of carbon.
Patch and soil characteristics of pastures with water‐spreading banks and woody encroachment in semi‐arid Australia
Authors: Smith Rhiannon , Tighe Matthew , Reid Nick , Briggs Sue , Wilson Brian 
Published: March 2013

SummaryWater‐spreading banks are used in semi‐arid areas such as the Cobar pediplain in western New South Wales, Australia to encourage pasture growth, often after removal of woody encroachment. We studied the arrangement of bare inter‐patches and vegetated patches, and associated surface soil variables, in three pastures following installation of water‐spreading banks (2, 15, 38 years ago) and in an area of woody encroachment near Cobar. The aims of the study were as follows: (i) to determine the number and percent area of inter‐patches and vegetated patches, and associated surface soil variables at the three pasture sites and at the woody encroachment site and (ii) by inference, explore effects of establishing water‐spreading banks and pasture following removal of woody encroachment on these factors, to understand the role of water‐spreading banks as a management tool. The percent area of inter‐patches in pasture with 38‐year‐old water‐spreading banks was much lower, and the percent area of medium‐vegetated patches (but not of well‐vegetated patches) was substantially higher, than in the woody encroachment. Differences in soil carbon and nitrogen between the sites were related to their percent areas of inter‐patches and vegetated patches. The results suggest that the mosaic of bare inter‐patches and vegetated patches changes over time after clearing of woody encroachment and establishment of pasture with water‐spreading banks, from many large inter‐patches to a few small inter‐patches, and from small to large medium‐vegetated patches. Water‐spreading banks are a useful management tool in these landscapes because of their benefits for landscape function, that is, bare areas become less connected, the percent area of moderately vegetated patches increases, and soil carbon builds up with time following their installation.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the role of ABCC2 variants on drug response in patients with epilepsy
Authors: Grover Sandeep , Kukreti Ritushree 
Published: March 2013

SummaryPurposeIncreasing evidence suggests that genetic variants from ABCC2 transporter may be associated with an altered response to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). However, the variability in the selective inclusion of genetic variants in different studies makes delineation of the causal variant/s difficult. Furthermore, the differences in the frequency distribution and linkage disequilibrium (LD) pattern among genetic variants in different populations add to the heterogeneity in the reported results. The aim of this study is to carry out a systematic assessment of the published studies by performing meta‐analysis of the commonly reported genetic variants from ABCC2 with drug response in patients with epilepsy (PWE).MethodsA literature search of the electronic databases namely Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane database of systematic reviews available to the September 8, 2012 was performed. Pooled crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using both fixed‐effect and random‐effect models.Key FindingsA total of eight reports were identified as eligible studies, which included 1,294 good responders and 1,529 poor responders. Of all the commonly reported variants that included c.‐24C>T or rs717620, c.1249G>A or rs2273697 (V417I) and c.3972C>T or rs3740066 (I1324I), we observed an overall significant association of high activity promoter variant c.‐24C>T with drug response (TT + CT vs. CC: ORdom = 1.38 (1.11–1.71), pdom = 0.004, I2 = 3%; CT vs. CC: ORco‐dom = 1.28 (1.02–1.61), pco‐dom = 0.03, I2 = 0%; T vs. C: ORall = 1.34 (1.11–1.61), pall = 0.002, I2 = 35%). However, all the associations were lost after testing for multiple corrections. Tests for publication bias did not reveal any significant influence on the observed results.SignificanceIn summary, the results of our meta‐analysis indirectly suggests possible role of the ABCC2 transporter at the blood brain barrier in altered drug response in PWE. Further studies are warranted in different ethnic groups to investigate the effects of the ABCC2 haplotypic variants and perform stratified analysis on the basis of different phenotypic covariates.