bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ada real-time services and virtualization
Authors: Zamorano Juan , Esquinas Ańgel , de la Puente Juan A. 
Published: June 2013

Virtualization techniques have received increased attention in the field of embedded real-time systems. Such techniques provide a set of virtual machines that run on a single hardware platform, thus allowing several application programs to be executed as though they were running on separate machines, with isolated memory spaces and a fraction of the real processor time available to each of them.
This papers deals with some problems that arise when implementing real-time systems written in Ada on a virtual machine. The effects of virtualization on the performance of the Ada real-time services are analysed, and requirements for the virtualization layer are derived. Virtual-machine time services are also defined in order to properly support Ada real-time applications. The implementation of the ORK+ kernel on the XtratuM supervisor is used as an example.
QuantitativeIn VivoCharacterization of Intracellular and Extracellular pH Profiles in Heterogeneous Tumors: A Novel Method Enabling Multiparametric pH Analysis
Authors: Lutz Norbert W. , Le Fur Yann , Chiche Johanna , Pouysségur Jacques , Cozzone Patrick J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAcid production and transport are currently being studied to identify new targets for efficient cancer treatment, as subpopulations of tumor cells frequently escape conventional therapy owing to their particularly acidic tumor microenvironment. Heterogeneity in intracellular and extracellular tumor pH (pHi, pHe) has been reported, but none of the methods currently available for measuring tissue pH provides quantitative parameters characterizing pH distribution profiles in tissues. To this intent, we present here a multiparametric, noninvasive approach based on in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and its application to mouse tumor xenografts. First, localized 31P NMR spectrum signals of pHi and pHe reporter molecules [inorganic phosphate (Pi) and 3-aminopropylphosphonate (3-APP), respectively] were transformed into pH curves using established algorithms. Although Pi is an endogenous compound, 3-APP had to be injected intraperitoneally. Then, we developed algorithms for the calculation of six to eight quantitative pH parameters from the digital points of each pH curve obtained. For this purpose, each pH distribution profile was approximated as a histogram, and intensities were corrected for the nonlinearity between chemical-shift and pH. Cancer Res; 73(15); 4616–28. ©2013 AACR
Culturally Targeted Patient Navigation for Increasing African Americans' Adherence to Screening Colonoscopy: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Jandorf Lina , Braschi Caitlyn , Ernstoff Elizabeth , Wong Carrie R. , Thelemaque Linda , Winkel Gary , Thompson Hayley S. , Redd William H. , Itzkowitz Steven H. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackground: Patient navigation has been an effective intervention to increase cancer screening rates. This study focuses on predicting outcomes of screening colonoscopy for colorectal cancer among African Americans using different patient navigation formats.Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, patients more than 50 years of age without significant comorbidities were randomized into three navigation groups: peer-patient navigation (n = 181), pro-patient navigation (n = 123), and standard (n = 46). Pro-patient navigations were health care professionals who conducted culturally targeted navigation, whereas peer-patient navigations were community members trained in patient navigation who also discussed their personal experiences with screening colonoscopy. Two assessments gathered sociodemographic, medical, and intrapersonal information.Results: Screening colonoscopy completion rate was 75.7% across all groups with no significant differences in completion between the three study arms. Annual income more than $10,000 was an independent predictor of screening colonoscopy adherence. Unexpectedly, low social influence also predicted screening colonoscopy completion.Conclusions: In an urban African American population, patient navigation was effective in increasing screening colonoscopy rates to 15% above the national average, regardless of patient navigation type or content.Impact: Because patient navigation successfully increases colonoscopy adherence, cultural targeting may not be necessary in some populations. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(9); 1577–87. ©2013 AACR.
Dynamic Chemotherapy-Induced Upregulation of CXCR4 Expression: A Mechanism of Therapeutic Resistance in Pediatric AML
Authors: Sison Edward Allan R. , McIntyre Emily , Magoon Daniel , Brown Patrick 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Cure rates in pediatric acute leukemias remain suboptimal. Overexpression of the cell-surface chemokine receptor CXCR4 is associated with poor outcome in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Certain nonchemotherapeutic agents have been shown to modulate CXCR4 expression and alter leukemia interactions with stromal cells in the bone marrow microenvironment. Because chemotherapy is the mainstay of AML treatment, it was hypothesized that standard cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents induce dynamic changes in leukemia surface CXCR4 expression, and that chemotherapy-induced upregulation of CXCR4 represents a mechanism of acquired therapeutic resistance. Here, it was shown that cell lines variably upregulate CXCR4 with chemotherapy treatment. Those that showed upregulation were differentially protected from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis when cocultured with stroma. The functional effects of chemotherapy-induced CXCR4 upregulation in an AML cell line (MOLM-14, which harbors consistent upregulated CXCR4) and clinical specimens were explored. Importantly, enhanced stromal-cell derived factor-1α (SDF1A/CXCL12)-mediated chemotaxis and stromal protection from additional chemotherapy-induced apoptosis was found. Furthermore, treatment with plerixafor, a CXCR4 inhibitor, preferentially decreased stromal protection with higher chemotherapy-induced upregulation of surface CXCR4. Thus, increased chemokine receptor CXCR4 expression after treatment with conventional chemotherapy may represent a mechanism of therapeutic resistance in pediatric AML.
Implications: CXCR4 may be a biomarker for the stratification and optimal treatment of patients using CXCR4 inhibitors. Mol Cancer Res; 11(9); 1004–16. ©2013 AACR.
Immune Heterogeneity of Glioblastoma Subtypes: Extrapolation from the Cancer Genome Atlas
Authors: Doucette Tiffany , Rao Ganesh , Rao Arvind , Shen Li , Aldape Kenneth , Wei Jun , Dziurzynski Kristine , Gilbert Mark , Heimberger Amy B. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Purpose: The molecular heterogeneity of glioblastoma has been well recognized and has resulted in the generation of molecularly defined subtypes. These subtypes (classical, neural, mesenchymal, and proneural) are associated with particular signaling pathways and differential patient survival. Less understood is the correlation between these glioblastoma subtypes with immune system effector responses, immunosuppression, and tumor-associated and tumor-specific antigens. The role of the immune system is becoming increasingly relevant to treatment as new agents are being developed to target mediators of tumor-induced immunosuppression, which is well documented in glioblastoma.
Experimental Design: To ascertain the association of antigen expression, immunosuppression, and effector response genes within glioblastoma subtypes, we analyzed the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) glioblastoma database.
Results: We found an enrichment of genes within the mesenchymal subtype that are reflective of antitumor proinflammatory responses, including both adaptive and innate immunity and immunosuppression.
Conclusions: These results indicate that distinct glioma antigens and immune genes show differential expression between glioblastoma subtypes and this may influence responses to immunotherapeutic strategies in patients depending on the subtype of glioblastoma they harbor. Cancer Immunol Res; 1(2); 112–22. ©2013 AACR.
Additional records of the pagurid hermit crab genus Trichopagurus de Saint Laurent, 1968 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura), with description of a new species from the Philippines
Authors: KOMAI TOMOYUKI 
Published: June 2013

The pagurid hermit crab genus Trichopagurus de Saint Laurent, 1968 is currently represented by three shallow water spe-cies from the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. In this paper, three species of the genus, including one new species, are reported. Trichopagurus tenuidactylus n. sp. is described on the basis of a single ovigerous female from the Bohol Sea, the Philippines, and compared with two close relatives, T. asper Komai & Poupin, 2012 and T. macrochela Komai & Os-awa, 2005. New locality records are provided for T. macrochela (the Philippines) and T. trichophthalmus (Forest, 1954) (Taiwan and Marianas). An identification key to the four species of the genus is presented.
Critical Care in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spine Fusion
Authors: Memtsoudis Stavros G. , Stundner Ottokar , Sun Xuming , Chiu Ya-Lin , Ma Yan , Fleischut Peter , Kerr Gregory E. , Girardi Federico P. , Walz J. Matthias 
Published: June 2013

Background: Data on the utilization of critical care services (CCSs) among patients who underwent spine fusion are rare. Given the increasing popularity of this procedure, information regarding demographics and risk factors for the use of these advanced services is needed in order to appropriately allocate resources, educate clinical staff, and identify targets for future research. Methods: We analyzed hospital discharge data of patients who underwent lumbar spine fusion in approximately 400 US hospitals between 2006 and 2010. Patient, procedure, and health care system-related demographics for those requiring CCS were compared to those who did not. Outcomes such as mortality, complications, disposition status, and hospital charges were compared among groups and risk factors for the utilization of CCS identified. Results: A total of 95 434 entries of patients who underwent posterior lumbar spine fusion surgery between 2006 and 2010 were identified. Approximately 10% of the patients required CCS. On average, patients requiring CCS were older and had a higher comorbidity burden, developed more complications, had longer hospital stays and higher costs, and were less likely to be discharged home compared to non-CCS patients. Risk factors with increased odds for requiring CCS included advanced age, increasing comorbidity burden, increasing surgical invasiveness, and presence of postoperative complications, especially pulmonary. Conclusions: Approximately, 10% of the patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery require CCS. Utilizing the present data, critical care physicians and administrators can identify patients at risk, educate clinical staff, identify targets for intervention, and allocate resources to meet the needs of this particular patient population.
Integrating Family Medicine and Pharmacy to Advance Primary Care Therapeutics (IMPACT)
Authors: Dolovich L. , Pottie K. , Farrell B. , Kaczorowski J. , Sellors C. , Gaebel K. , Austin Z. 
Published: June 2013

Doing research has allowed me the freedom to think about innovation, to identify how I can do better, and to generate results that are applicable to everyday practice. What is engaging about doing research? In the same way as when my dad taught me to tie my shoes by giving me a piece of cardboard with cut-out holes and a shoelace, the research process involves receiving guidance from others, bringing my own creativity to the process, figuring out what objectives are important, coming up with a set approach, defining and measuring success, and creating a sustainable intervention that is applicable to and easy to replicate in similar situations. In other words, the research process is personally and professionally stimulating and an implicit part of everyday life. I was motivated to participate in the development of IMPACT because I felt it offered an exceptional opportunity to determine the best ways that pharmacists and family physicians can work together within the family practice health team environment. — Lisa Dolovich
Computer Networking to Enhance Pharmacist-Physician Communication
Authors: Sellors Connie , Sellors John , Levine Mitchell , Chan David , Dolovich Lisa , Howard Michelle 
Published: June 2013

Background: The use of technology to enhance communication about patients' drug therapy has been advocated by physician and pharmacist associations in Canada. The objective of this pilot study was to demonstrate the proof of concept for an electronic network linking pharmacists and community family physicians in order to exchange information about patients 65 years of age or older who were taking five or more medications regularly. Methods: Three community family physicians, 40 of their patients, and three community-based pharmacists with whom the patients most frequently filled their prescriptions participated in the study. Pharmacist-physician pairs were connected through a secure dial-up electronic network. Patients met with the pharmacist to review their medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) products, and the pharmacist generated an electronic profile for the physician. The physician could respond electronically to the pharmacist with edits in order to arrive at a consensus profile for each patient and to discuss discrepancies or drug-related problems. Electronic communication was followed for four months, after which interviews were conducted with the pharmacists and physicians. Results: Patients were mostly female (65%) and were 74.9 years of age on average. Physicians and pharmacists accessed the network a total of 144 times and 96 times, for an average duration of 7 minutes and 41 minutes, respectively. Physicians noted the benefit of learning about their patients' OTC medication use and about issues such as lack of compliance. The most common barrier to using the electronic communication system was lack of time. Conclusion: The electronic linkage was found to be useful. Further evaluation of the effectiveness of this communication system is needed. Patients' access to their electronic medication profile should also be considered for future projects of this type.
Patient Tool in Combination Antiplatelet Rx
Authors: Ackman Margaret , Gordon Wendy , Kertland Heather , Kuntz Don , Pickering Jennifer , Thompson Ann 
Published: June 2013

Cardiovascular patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy may benefit from a resource kit that explains the role of medication in acute coronary syndrome. This initiative from The Canadian Cardiovascular Pharmacists Network/Réseau Canadian des Pharmaciens Impliqués en Soins Cardiovasculaires (CCPN/RCPC) is a tool for hospital and community pharmacists striving to support patients who are being discharged after having an acute coronary syndrome. The kit includes: Information sheets for patients and their community pharmacists and family physicians Suggested strategies on reimbursement issues.
Drug Shortages — Risk or Reality?
Authors: Woodend A. Kirsten , Poston Jeff , Weir Karen 
Published: June 2013

Background: There has been growing concern about possible drug shortages in Canada, yet we know little about the frequency and impact of shortages in community pharmacies. Objective: The objective of this survey was to determine the extent of any drug shortages in Canadian community pharmacies and the implications of these shortages for community pharmacists. Methods: Surveys and log sheets were faxed to a random sample of 1000 Canadian community pharmacists. Results: More than half of the pharmacists experienced a shortage during one shift, and 80% experienced drug shortages over a one-week period. The three main reasons given for shortages were manufacturing problems, cross-border drug trade, and raw material shortages. The drug products that were most frequently in short supply were Chronovera, Loestrin, Sodium Sulamyd eye drops, and Minestrin. Pharmacists estimated that they spent an average of 17.5 minutes each shift dealing with drug shortages. Conclusion: Most pharmacists are experiencing shortages and feel that these shortages have become more frequent over the past year. There are a variety of factors that contribute to drug shortages and, while the amount of time spent dealing with them is manageable at the present time, increases in shortages will further stress the system.
Qualitative Perspectives on a Facilitated Change in Provincial Pharmacare Coverage
Authors: Twohig Peter L. , Putnam Wayne , Frail Dawn 
Published: June 2013

Background: During 2000, Nova Scotia's Department of Health implemented policy changes and educational interventions to encourage a switch from wet nebulization therapy to dry-dose delivery systems. The policy changes applied to beneficiaries of the Nova Scotia Pharmacare Programs, while the educational interventions had a broader provincial perspective. Methods: Researchers from Dalhousie University's Department of Family Medicine subsequently interviewed family physicians, pharmacists, and other health professionals to gather their views on the initiative. A single researcher (PLT) conducted interviews in the summer of 2001 in two settings. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Analysis was guided by a grounded theory approach and facilitated by the use of QSR N5, a software program designed for computer-assisted qualitative data analysis. Results: The results are discussed in several categories, including the role of evidence, change strategies, user devotion to older delivery systems, and health care provider perspectives on policy change. Conclusion: Health care professionals interviewed agreed that this was a well-designed initiative in many respects. Participants identified several key elements that offer insights for future policy-implementation design, execution, and evaluation.
On the Front Line of Smoking Cessation: Education Needs of Community Pharmacists
Authors: Brewster Joan M. , Victor J. Charles , Ashley Mary Jane , Laurier Claudine , Dioso Rachel , Ferrence Roberta , Cohen Joanna 
Published: June 2013

Background: Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is now available without prescription, and pharmacists have an opportunity to be the primary health care professionals advising patients who want to try this smoking cessation aid. Undergraduate pharmacy education in Canada incorporates some tobacco-related training, and continuing education opportunities are available. However, there are no published reports of the self-reported educational needs of a broad sample of practising Canadian community pharmacists with regard to smoking cessation. Methods: Practising community pharmacists in four Canadian provinces were surveyed about their tobacco-related education and knowledge, practice environment, practices related to helping people quit smoking, needs for further information and training, and methods by which this information might be delivered. Results: A corrected response rate of 72% was obtained, giving a weighted n of 960 responses. Most Canadian community pharmacists reported that they would find it helpful to receive additional information or training on a wide range of smoking cessation topics, such as behavioural counselling techniques and motivating patients to quit. Pharmacists who reported that they were familiar with aids such as Helping Your Patients Quit Smoking: A Cessation Guide for Pharmacists (Canadian Pharmacists Association) and who reported that the guide had led them to make changes in their practice were more likely to report that additional information or training would be helpful. Pharmacists who perceived their tobacco-related clinical and non-clinical roles to be important were more likely to report that additional training would be helpful than were those who perceived these roles as less important. Conclusions: Although most Canadian community pharmacists would find it helpful to receive additional smoking-related information and training, those who perceive this to be an important activity and who are already using available materials showed the most interest. The challenge to Canadian pharmacy educators is to encourage the enthusiasm of those already interested in helping their patients to quit smoking, while raising the level of interest and motivation among all community pharmacists.
Patient Acceptance and Economic Outcomes of Rabeprazole Therapy — A Pharmacist-Initiated Interchange Protocol
Authors: Evans Charity , Stueck Gordon , Koobair Sandhya , Maharaj Jaimala , Maraj Vikesh 
Published: June 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to measure the patient acceptance, as well as the individual and provincial cost savings, of switching from other proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapies to the less costly rabeprazole. Design and setting: This was an uncontrolled, prospective study conducted at a community pharmacy in conjunction with the physicians at the local medical clinic. Patients: Male and female patients over 18 years of age who were currently taking a PPI (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole) regularly and who were under the care of a participating physician were eligible. Patients who were pregnant or breast-feeding were excluded. All patients were switched from their current PPI therapy to rabeprazole 20 mg daily, except for two patients, whose previous dose of omeprazole 20 mg twice daily was changed to rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily. Results: Twenty-six patients were enrolled. All patients were Caucasian; 15/26 (58%) were female, and 11/26 (42%) were male; ages ranged from 43 to 89 years. The PPI therapy being used by patients was omeprazole 20 mg, 77% (20/26); pantoprazole 40 mg, 11.5% (3/26); and lansoprazole 30 mg, 11.5% (3/26). At a six-month follow-up (minimum four months of rabeprazole therapy), seven (26.9%) patients had switched back to their original PPI therapy, while 19 (73.1%) had continued on rabeprazole. Five of the seven (71.4%) patients returned to omeprazole therapy, two (28.6%) returned to lansoprazole, and none (0%) returned to pantoprazole. Annual combined cost savings to individual patients was calculated at $4617.48; cost savings to the provincial government were $5083.56. Conclusion: Based on the literature, on the fact that 73.1% of patients found rabeprazole to be equivalent in efficacy and tolerability to the other more costly PPIs, and on the potential cost savings demonstrated, we believe that rabeprazole should be considered as a first choice for PPI therapy.
Prescription Drug Sampling — is the Status quo about to Change?
Authors: Groves Kent E.M. , Pendlebury Jason W. 
Published: June 2013

Drug sampling plays a key role in the pharmaceutical marketing industry's attempts to reach the “prescribing audience” of health professionals. The traditional mechanism of pharmaceutical sales representatives giving drug samples to the physician as part of a “detailing” appointment is being supplemented by new mechanisms. In light of growing public and private concerns regarding the administration, management, and application of drug samples, the efforts to develop alternative approaches and the willingness of health professionals and pharmaceutical companies to consider these approaches are increasing. Success will depend on the acceptance and adoption of the approach by pharmaceutical manufacturers, physicians, pharmacists, policy-makers, insurers (public and private), regulators, as well as consumers. Given the number of stakeholders involved, it is not surprising that many of the attempts to introduce alternative methods have failed to achieve the critical level of participation necessary to advance these initiatives into an economically sustainable, broadly accepted model.