bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized trial of the impact of a sun safety program on volunteers in outdoor venues
Authors: Cheng Shaowei , Guan Xin , Cao Mei , Liu Yalan , Zhai Siwen 
Published: March 2011

Background: A suitable sun safety educational program could help the public avoid sun exposure‐induced skin damage. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a sun safety program on volunteers in outdoor venues and explore the most effective sun safety education method in China.Methods: An intervention program was implemented to raise knowledge and behavior regarding sun exposure among volunteers in the outdoor competition venues in Beijing, China. Five intervention methods were used, including class education, free sunscreen samples, pamphlets, posters, and newsletters. The self‐administered multiple‐choice questionnaires were administered before and after the intervention.Results: Two hundred and eighty‐five subjects were enrolled, including 107 males (37.5%) and 178 females (62.5%). The intervention group showed improvement in sun safety knowledge and behavior. Other improvements were achieved in the field of sun safety awareness and intended behavior, with most of the items achieving no statistically significant differences. Subgroup A (multi‐component interventions, including class education, free sunscreen samples, and written materials) achieved better results than subgroup B (written materials only) to improve sun safety knowledge and awareness.Conclusion: Sun safety education could improve volunteer 's sun safety knowledge and behavior in the outdoor venues in China. Multi‐component interventions proved to be the most effective sun safety education method.
Have baryonic acoustic oscillations in the galaxy distribution really been measured?
Authors: Cabré Anna , Gaztañaga Enrique 
Published: March 2011

Abstract
Recent publications claim that there is no convincing evidence for measurements of the baryonic acoustic oscillation (BAO) feature in galaxy samples using either monopole or radial information. Different claims seem contradictory: data are either not consistent with the BAO model or data are consistent with both the BAO model and featureless models without BAO. We investigate this point with a set of 216 realistic mock galaxy catalogues extracted from MICE 7680, one of the largest volume dark matter simulation run to date, with a volume of 1300 cubical gigaparsecs. Our mocks cover similar volume, densities and bias as the real galaxies and provide 216 realizations of the lambda or ω=−1 cold dark matter (ωCDM) BAO model. We find that only 20 per cent of the mocks show a statistically significant (3σ) preference for the true (input) ωCDM BAO model as compared to a featureless (non-physical) model without BAO. Thus the volume of current galaxy samples is not yet large enough to claim that the BAO feature has been detected. Does this mean that we cannot locate the BAO position? Using a simple (non-optimal) algorithm we show that in 50 per cent (100 per cent) of the mocks, we can find the BAO position within 5 per cent (20 per cent) of the true value. These two findings are not in contradiction: the former is about model selection and the later is about parameter fitting within a model. We conclude that current monopole and radial BAO measurements can be used as standard rulers if we assume ωCDM type of models.
The phenotypic and genetic assessment of antithrombin deficiency
Authors: COOPER P. C. , COATH F. , DALY M. E. , MAKRIS M. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryIntroduction:  Antithrombin (AT) deficiency is associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism which are major causes of morbidity and death. The incidence of deficiency in healthy populations has been reported to vary from 1/600 to 1/5 000, with the variation being due to the different populations studied and detection methods used. When reduced activity levels are identified it is important to measure the AT antigen levels to differentiate type I from type II disorders, as type II defects have varying thrombotic risk.Methods:  Functional AT assays detect the ability of AT to inactivate thrombin or factor Xa, and AT antigen assays detect the quantity of AT in plasma. In functional assays, reducing the incubation time of sample with enzyme/heparin reagent may increase sensitivity to type II defects. An excess of antigen over activity level suggests the presence of functionally defective AT, which can be characterized further by assaying AT in the absence of heparin, electrophoresis to investigate the ability of heparin to bind to AT, and gene sequencing.Results:  Many patients with AT deficiency have a type II defect and these defects may not be detected by all routine diagnostic assays. Assays using human thrombin may lack specificity and assays that use factor Xa may fail to detect the common variant, AT Cambridge II, which can be detected by assays using bovine thrombin, especially if activity is compared to antigen by ratio. Factor Xa based assays may be particularly sensitive to certain heparin binding defects, and sensitivity of assays to both heparin binding and reactive site defects can be improved by shortening the incubation time with enzyme.Conclusion:  AT activity assays are essential for the detection of AT deficiency because type II defects are relatively common in patients with heritable deficiency. No one functional assay can be assumed to detect all forms of AT deficiency, and assays can sometimes be improved by reducing reaction time of AT with thrombin or factor Xa.
Effects of Beta‐Blockade on Exercise Performance at High Altitude: A Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Nebivolol versus Carvedilol in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Valentini Mariaconsuelo , Revera Miriam , Bilo Grzegorz , Caldara Gianluca , Savia Giulio , Styczkiewicz Katarzyna , Parati Sara , Gregorini Francesca , Faini Andrea , Branzi Giovanna , Malfatto Gabriella , Magrì Damiano , Agostoni Piergiuseppe , Parati Gianfranco 
Published: March 2011

SummaryAimsExposure to high altitude (HA) hypoxia decreases exercise performance in healthy subjects. Although β‐blockers are known to affect exercise capacity in normoxia, no data are available comparing selective and nonselective β‐adrenergic blockade on exercise performance in healthy subjects acutely exposed to HA hypoxia. We compared the impact of nebivolol and carvedilol on exercise capacity in healthy subjects acutely exposed to HA hypobaric hypoxia.MethodsIn this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 27 healthy untrained sea‐level (SL) residents (15 males, age 38.3 ± 12.8 years) were randomized to placebo (n = 9), carvedilol 25 mg b.i.d. (n = 9), or nebivolol 5 mg o.d. (n = 9). Primary endpoints were measures of exercise performance evaluated by cardiopulmonary exercise testing at sea level without treatment, and after at least 3 weeks of treatment, both at SL and shortly after arrival at HA (4559 m).ResultsHA hypoxia significantly decreased resting and peak oxygen saturation, peak workload, VO2, and heart rate (HR) (P < 0.01). Changes from SL (no treatment) differed among treatments: (1) peak VO2 was better preserved with nebivolol (–22.5%) than with carvedilol (–37.6%) (P < 0.01); (2) peak HR decreased with carvedilol (–43.9 ± 11.9 beats/min) more than with nebivolol (–24.8 ± 13.6 beats/min) (P < 0.05); (3) peak minute ventilation (VE) decreased with carvedilol (–9.3%) and increased with nebivolol (+15.2%) (P= 0.053). Only peak VE changes independently predicted changes in peak VO2 at multivariate analysis (R= 0.62, P < 0.01).ConclusionsExercise performance is better preserved with nebivolol than with carvedilol under acute exposure to HA hypoxia in healthy subjects.
Correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses in periapical inflammatory lesions
Authors: Diegues Liliane Lopes , Colombo Robazza Carlos Roberto , Costa Hanemann João Adolfo , Costa Pereira Alessandro Antônio , Silva Cléverson O. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractAim:  The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses of periapical inflammatory lesions, focusing mainly on cystic conditions.Methods:  Files dating from 1998 to 2006 at the Oral Pathology Laboratory, School of Dentistry, Alfenas Federal University, Brazil, were reviewed to identify cases with histopathological diagnoses of periapical inflammatory lesions. A total of 1788 files were analyzed, and 255 cases were identified with clinical diagnoses of periapical inflammatory lesions.Results:  The most prevalent clinical diagnosis was apical periodontal cyst (59%), followed by periapical granuloma (20%), and dentoalveolar abscess (2%). After histopathological analysis, 53% of the cases represented apical periodontal cyst, 42% periapical granuloma, and 5% dentoalveolar abscess.Conclusions:  The outcomes of the present study show a high prevalence of periapical cysts among periapical inflammatory lesions. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of histopathological evaluation for the correct diagnosis of periapical inflammatory lesions.
Current concepts on gingival fibromatosis‐related syndromes
Authors: Poulopoulos Athanasios , Kittas Dimitrios , Sarigelou Asimina 
Published: March 2011

AbstractGingival fibromatosis is a rare, benign, slowly‐growing fibrous overgrowth of the gingiva, with great genetic and clinical heterogeneity. Gingival fibromatosis/overgrowth can be inherited as an isolated trait (hereditary gingival fibromatosis) and/or as a component of a syndrome, or it can be drug induced. As a clinical manifestation of a syndrome, gingival fibromatosis is usually associated with generalized hypertrichosis, mental retardation, or epilepsy. Gingival fibromatosis and its related syndromes are mainly inherited in an autosomal‐dominant manner, but autosomal‐recessive inheritance has also been reported. Clinical syndromic presentation includes Zimmermann–Laband syndrome, Ramon syndrome, Rutherford syndrome, Cowden syndrome, Cross syndrome, Göhlich–Ratmann syndrome, Avani syndrome, and I‐cell disease. However, a phenotypic overlap has been suggested, as many combinations of their systemic manifestations have been reported. Treatment of choice is usually gingivectomy with gingivoplasty. Before any therapy, clinical practitioners must take into consideration the clinical course of a particular syndrome and every possible functional and esthetic disorder.
Dynamic mobilisation exercises increase cross sectional area ofmusculus multifidus
Authors: STUBBS N. C. , KAISER L. J. , HAUPTMAN J. , CLAYTON H. M. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryReason for performing study:In human subjects with back pain, the deep spinal stabiliserm. multifidusis inhibited ipsilaterally leading to atrophy, asymmetry and intervertebral instability. Specific physiotherapeutic exercises are required to reactivatem. multifidus. This study assesses the effect of dynamic mobilisation exercises on size and symmetry ofm. multifidusin the equine caudal thoracic and lumbar spine.Hypotheses:Regular performance of dynamic mobilisation exercises over a period of 3 months increases cross sectional area (CSA) and left‐right symmetry ofm. multifidusmuscles in the caudal thoracic and lumbar spine.Methods:Eight horses performed dynamic mobilisation exercises (3 cervical flexions, one cervical extension and 3 lateral bending exercises to the left and right sides) with 5 repetitions/exercise/day on 5 days/week for 3 months during which time they were not ridden. Left and rightm. multifidusCSA was measured ultrasonographically at 6 levels from T10 to L5 at the start (initial evaluation) and end (final evaluation) of the 3 month study. Changes in CSA of the right and leftm. multifidusmuscles and symmetry ofm. multifidusCSA on the right and left sides between the 2 evaluations were sought using analysis of variance (P<0.05).Results:Between the initial evaluation and final evaluationm. multifidusCSA increased significantly at all 6 spinal levels on both right and left sides. Asymmetries inm. multifidusCSA between the right and left sides decreased between the initial and final evaluations.Conclusions:Hypertrophy of multifidus occurred over a 3 month period during which dynamic mobilisation exercises were the only exercise performed.Potential relevance:Dynamic mobilisation exercises maybe a useful rehabilitative technique for horses in whichm. multifidushas atrophied in response to back pain.
Nuclear magnetic resonance‐based metabonomic study of early time point laminitis in an oligofructose‐overload model
Authors: KELLER M. D. , POLLITT C. C. , MARX U. C. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryReasons for performing study: NMR‐metabonomics is an unbiased evaluation method, which allows to comprehensively study changes of the equine metabolic profile in early time point laminitis. This might give insight into the early stages of disease development.Objectives: To detect hitherto unknown changes in blood metabolites during the development of oligofructose‐induced laminitis by comparing pre‐ and post induction blood samples.Methods: Prior to laminitis induction blood was sampled to establish control values. Post oligofructose administration (POA) blood was collected every 3 h for 24 h. One‐dimensional 1H‐NMR spectra of the blood plasma were statistically analysed.Results: NMR resonances of >20 metabolites were identified using this technique. Already known changes (e.g. lactate concentrations) were confirmed using this method. Interestingly, oligofructose, a carbohydrate usually considered indigestible in the small intestine, or derivatives of oligofructose, was detected in plasma. Horses also showed increased phosphatidylcholine and/or low density lipoprotein levels POA, indicating a change in blood lipid composition. An increase in phosphatidylcholine is consistent with the breakdown of the mucosal layer of the large intestine and increased permeability of the gut.Conclusion: Due to the nontargeted approach of metabonomics, new unexpected changes can be identified, in this case the hitherto unknown oligofructose uptake through the mucosal wall and the phospholipid changes.Potential relevance: Metabolic changes in disease can be observed using NMR metabonomics. Oligofructose is used in feedstuffs and transport mechanisms through the mucosa should be studied. Phospholipids could point to a compromise of the intestinal wall during laminitis development.
Assessment of sotalol prescribing in a community hospital: opportunities for clinical pharmacist involvement
Authors: Finks Shannon W , Rogers Kelly C , Manguso Amy H 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Objective
Due to risk of serious adverse drug events (ADEs) sotalol use is limited in renal insufficiency and heart failure. To reduce potential life-threatening ADEs, medication safety initiatives that ensure appropriate dosing of sotalol are necessary. Pharmacist-managed renal dosing assessment programmes ensure appropriate dosing of renally eliminated medications. A prospective medication safety evaluation was conducted to assess the need to include sotalol in an existing renal dosing assessment programme as well as the impact of clinical pharmacist assessment on sotalol prescribing.

Methods
Patients in a 736-bed community hospital, receiving sotalol during a 6-week period, were prospectively evaluated. Information was collected on indication, dosing, concomitant disease states and medications, renal function, QTc length, symptoms of toxicity and readmissions. Pharmacist recommendations were made when necessary and were followed to determine acceptance rate and patient outcomes.

Key findings
Thirty-six patients were prescribed sotalol for atrial tachyarrhythmias. Thirty-two (89%) were dosed inappropriately with respect to renal function. Twenty (56%) had left-ventricular dysfunction as defined by an ejection fraction of ≤40%. At time of initial assessment, 15 (42%) were exhibiting signs of potential sotalol toxicity. Pharmacists provided recommendations regarding discontinuation or dosage adjustment on 32 patients with a 38% full and a 12% partial acceptance rate. All-cause readmission rates for patients receiving appropriate therapy, including those after pharmacist recommendations were accepted (Group A; n = 16), were compared to those remaining on inappropriate therapy (Group B; n = 20). Readmission rates within 6 months differed between groups (31% for Group A, 55% for Group B; P = 0.095, odds ratio 3.7).

Conclusion
This medication safety evaluation suggests the need for pharmacist assessment in patients receiving sotalol. Dosage adjustment or avoidance in patients with renal insufficiency, heart failure and other relative contraindications is often necessary to avoid toxicity. Sotalol was inappropriately prescribed in the majority of patients secondary to renal insufficiency. Based on this evaluation, it was recommended to add sotalol to the institution's pharmacist-managed renal dosing adjustment programme. Ensuring clinical pharmacist assessment when sotalol is prescribed can help reduce potential life-threatening ADEs and hospital readmissions.
Can I help you? A qualitative study of pharmacist and pharmacy assistant views on the role of pharmacy assistants in New Zealand
Authors: Sheridan Janie , Kelly Fiona , Basheer Mariam , Jan Reem , Lee Alice 
Published: March 2011

Abstract

Objectives
To begin to explore the role of PAs more fully in a New Zealand context, through semi-structured interviews with PAs and pharmacists.

Methods
Semi-structured, qualitative interviews with a convenience sample of pairs of PAs and pharmacists working in a pharmacy together.

Key findings
Pharmacists and PAs both described important roles for PAs. The PAs tended to see themselves as the first point of contact for customers, and that they fulfilled an important healthcare role for the public. Pharmacists agreed that they were the first point of contact yet viewed this more as a gatekeeper role to the pharmacist. Views were also expressed about the difference between PAs and other retail employees. Pharmacists and PAs noted that the ‘public’ expected PAs to have a basic knowledge of non-prescription medicines and their uses. PAs described difficulties when requesting personal information from customers or asking essential questions where the customer had made a specific product request. Being able to know when to refer to the pharmacist was seen as a key role.

Conclusion
Despite being able to describe a number of roles for PAs, these were highly variable. The lack of mandatory training and a clearly articulated role for PAs in New Zealand meant that in some cases PAs might be seen as little more than general retail assistants – a view not in line with their actual roles and practices. Attention to these issues may well help to resolve this, as will public education about the PA's role.
Evaluation of the Mean Corpuscular Volume of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of HIV Patients by a Coulter Counter To Determine Intracellular Drug Concentrations
Authors: Simiele Marco , D'Avolio Antonio , Baietto Lorena , Siccardi Marco , Sciandra Mauro , Agati Silvia , Cusato Jessica , Bonora Stefano , Di Perri Giovanni 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT
The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by Coulter Counter, and data were used to calculate the intracellular drug concentrations. A total of 574 PBMC samples were collected from 190 patients. The MCV was 282.9 fl (minimum, 207.0; maximum, 354.6), with a standard deviation of 8.8%. Previous reports have often used a fixed value of 400 fl for the MCV, which may result in artificially low estimates of the intracellular concentrations of antivirals.
Optimization of Aminoglycoside Therapy
Authors: Drusano G. L. , Louie Arnold 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT
Aminoglycosides are experiencing a resurgence in use because of the spread of multiresistant Gram-negative pathogens. Use of these agents is attended by the occurrence of nephrotoxicity. Aminoglycoside optimization of dose can be defined as the dose having the highest likelihood of a good outcome and the lowest likelihood of toxicity. We have defined the metric Δ as the difference between the likelihoods of good outcome and toxicity, with higher values being better. We developed a method for explicitly evaluating Δ for different daily doses of drug and different schedules of administration. In the empirical therapy setting, when aminoglycosides are administered every 12 h, treatment of infections caused by microbes with MIC values greater than 1 mg/liter cannot attain a high enough likelihood of a good outcome without engendering an unacceptable toxicity likelihood. Daily administration, by decrementing the likelihood of toxicity, allows higher doses to be employed with more acceptable probabilities of toxicity. Obtaining patient-specific information (concentration-time data) allows better identification of the patient's specific pharmacokinetic parameters and dispersion. As these become better identified, optimal doses become rapidly identified so that optimal outcomes are attained. Optimization of therapy for aminoglycosides requires understanding the relationship between exposure and response as well as that between exposure and toxicity. Furthermore, daily administration is much preferred, and stopping therapy as quickly as possible (a week or less may be optimal) will contribute to the ability to optimize therapy.
Microtiter Plate-Based Assay for Inhibitors of Penicillin-Binding Protein 2a from Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Bobba Sudheer , Ponnaluri V. K. Chaithanya , Mukherji Mridul , Gutheil William G. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACT

Penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), the molecular determinant for high-level β-lactam resistance in methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA), is intrinsically resistant to most β-lactam antibiotics. The development and characterization of new inhibitors targeting PBP2a would benefit from an effective and convenient assay for inhibitor binding. This study was directed toward the development of a fluorescently detected β-lactam binding assay for PBP2a from MRSA. Biotinylated ampicillin and biotinylated cephalexin were tested as tagging reagents for fluorescence detection by using a streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate. Both bound surprisingly well to PBP2a, with binding constants of 1.6 ± 0.4 μM and 13.6 ± 0.8 μM, respectively. Two forms of the assay were developed, a one-step direct competition form of the assay and a two-step indirect competition form of the assay, and both forms of the assay gave comparable results. This assay was then used to characterize PBP2a binding to ceftobiprole, which gave results consistent with previous studies of ceftobiprole-PBP2a binding. This assay was also demonstrated for screening for PBP2a inhibitors by screening a set of 13 randomly selected β-lactams for PBP2a inhibition at 750 μM. Meropenem was observed to give substantial inhibition in this screen, and a follow-up titration experiment determined its apparent

K
i

to be 480 ± 70 μM. The availability of convenient and sensitive microtiter-plate based assays for the screening and characterization of PBP2a inhibitors is expected to facilitate the discovery and development of new PBP2a inhibitors for use in combating the serious public health problem posed by MRSA.