bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social consequences of multiple sclerosis: clinical and demographic predictors – a historical prospective cohort study
Authors: Pfleger C. C. H. , Flachs E. M. , Koch‐Henriksen N. 
Published: April 2010

Background:  Time to disability pension is one of the endpoints to be used to determine the prognosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in prospective studies.Objective:  To assess the time to cessation of work and receiving disability pension in MS, and how it may depend on gender, type of work and age and symptom at onset.Method:  A total of 2240 Danes with onset of definite/probable MS 1980–1989, identified from the Danish MS‐Registry, were included. Information on social endpoints was retrieved from Statistics Denmark. Cox regression analyses were used with onset as starting point.Results:  Afferent onset symptoms [hazard ratio (HR 0.57)] and non‐physical type of work (HR 0.70) were favourable prognostic factors compared with high age at onset, physical work and efferent symptoms at onset. The mean time to disability pension was 13 years for patients with afferent/brainstem onset symptom but 8.7 years for those with efferent onset symptoms (P < 0.0001). The effect of onset symptom was reduced and the effect of sex became significant when all covariates and age at onset were included in multivariate Cox regression.Conclusions:  Onset age, type of onset symptom and work are robust predictors of disability pension in MS. Disability pension proves to be a reliable milestone in estimation of the prognosis of MS.
Exploring the association between cardiovascular and other disease‐related risk factors in the psoriasis population: the need for increased understanding across the medical community
Authors: Menter A , Griffiths CEM , Tebbey PW , Horn EJ , Sterry W ,   on behalf of the International Psoriasis Council
Published: April 2010

AbstractThere is abundant and accumulating evidence on the classification of psoriasis as a systemic disease that exhibits a host of co‐morbidities. As a consequence, the second Interdisciplinary Conference on Co‐morbidities and Lifestyle Modification, convened by the International Psoriasis Council, has concluded that specialist physicians, primary care physicians and dermatologists are faced with an opportunity to impact, not just psoriasis disease understanding and management, but overall patient well‐being. The conference panel was represented by the disciplines of dermatology, cardiology, rheumatology, epidemiology, endocrinology, hepatology and gastroenterology, and medical specialists with particular expertise in obesity, diabetes mellitus, inflammation and genetics. The multiple co‐morbidities associated with psoriasis were reviewed with a view to identify possible mechanisms linking psoriatic disease with obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Consensus was established on the association of psoriasis with other co‐morbidities and disease states. Consequently, there is a significant opportunity for specialist and primary care physicians to collaborate with dermatologists in the management of the overall health of psoriasis patients. First, there is an important need for physicians to routinely screen psoriasis patients for the multiple susceptibility risk factors and co‐morbidities associated with psoriasis. Second, the design and implementation of lifestyle modification plans including exercise, diet and the limitation of alcohol and tobacco intake, will not only benefit their general medical health but also their psoriasis.
Evolution of the spatial distribution of MAP1B phosphorylation sites in vertebrate neurons
Authors: Tymanskyj Stephen R. , Lin Shen , Gordon‐Weeks Phillip R. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractThe microtubule‐associated protein MAP1B has important roles in neural development, particularly in migrating and differentiating neurons. MAP1B is phosphorylated by glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK‐3β) at a site that requires prior phosphorylation by another kinase four amino acid residues downstream of the GSK‐3β site, a so‐called primed site, and at non‐primed sites that have no such requirement. In developing mammalian neurons, MAP1B phosphorylated by GSK‐3β at primed and non‐primed sites is distributed in spatially distinct patterns. Non‐primed GSK‐3β‐phosphorylated MAP1B sites are only expressed in axons and are present in the form of a gradient that is highest distally, towards the growth cone. In contrast, primed GSK‐3β‐phosphorylated MAP1B sites are present throughout the neuron including the somato‐dendritic compartment and uniformly throughout the axon. To examine the function of these two sites, we explored the evolutionary conservation of the spatial distribution of GSK‐3β primed and non‐primed sites on MAP1B in vertebrate neurons. We immunostained spinal cord sections from embryonic or newly hatched representatives of all of the main vertebrate groups using phospho‐specific antibodies to GSK‐3β primed and non‐primed sites on MAP1B. This revealed a remarkable evolutionary conservation of the distribution of primed and non‐primed GSK‐3β‐phosphorylated MAP1B sites in developing vertebrate neurons. By analysing amino acid sequences of MAP1B we found that non‐primed GSK‐3β sites are more highly conserved than primed sites throughout the vertebrates, suggesting that the latter evolved later. Finally, distinct distribution patterns of GSK‐3β primed and non‐primed sites on MAP1B were preserved in cultured rat embryonic cortical neurons, opening up the possibility of studying the two sites in vitro.
Electronic Medical Records, Nurse Staffing, and Nurse‐Sensitive Patient Outcomes: Evidence from California Hospitals, 1998–2007
Authors: Furukawa Michael F. , Raghu T. S. , Shao Benjamin B. M. 
Published: April 2010

Objective. To estimate the effects of electronic medical records (EMR) implementation on medical‐surgical acute unit costs, length of stay, nurse staffing levels, nursing skill mix, nurse cost per hour, and nurse‐sensitive patient outcomes.Data Sources. Data on EMR implementation came from the 1998–2007 HIMSS Analytics Databases. Data on nurse staffing and patient outcomes came from the 1998–2007 Annual Financial Disclosure Reports and Patient Discharge Databases of the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).Methods. Longitudinal analysis of an unbalanced panel of 326 short‐term, general acute care hospitals in California. Marginal effects estimated using fixed effects (within‐hospital) OLS regression.Principal Findings. EMR implementation was associated with 6–10 percent higher cost per discharge in medical‐surgical acute units. EMR stage 2 increased registered nurse hours per patient day by 15–26 percent and reduced licensed vocational nurse cost per hour by 2–4 percent. EMR stage 3 was associated with 3–4 percent lower rates of in‐hospital mortality for conditions.Conclusions. Our results suggest that advanced EMR applications may increase hospital costs and nurse staffing levels, as well as increase complications and decrease mortality for some conditions. Contrary to expectation, we found no support for the proposition that EMR reduced length of stay or decreased the demand for nurses.
The Relationship between Health Plan Performance Measures and Physician Network Overlap: Implications for Measuring Plan Quality
Authors: Maeng Daniel D. , Scanlon Dennis P. , Chernew Michael E. , Gronniger Tim , Wodchis Walter P. , McLaughlin Catherine G. 
Published: April 2010

Objective.To examine the extent to which health plan quality measures capture physician practice patterns rather than plan characteristics.Data Source.We gathered and merged secondary data from the following four sources: a private firm that collected information on individual physicians and their health plan affiliations, The National Committee for Quality Assurance, InterStudy, and the Dartmouth Atlas.Study Design.We constructed two measures of physician network overlap for all health plans in our sample and linked them to selected measures of plan performance. Two linear regression models were estimated to assess the relationship between the measures of physician network overlap and the plan performance measures.Principal Findings.The results indicate that in the presence of a higher degree of provider network overlap, plan performance measures tend to converge to a lower level of quality.Conclusions.Standard health plan performance measures reflect physician practice patterns rather than plans' effort to improve quality. This implies that more provider‐oriented measurement, such as would be possible with accountable care organizations or medical homes, may facilitate patient decision making and provide further incentives to improve performance.
β‐Endorphin Mediates Behavioral Despair and the Effect of Ethanol on the Tail Suspension Test in Mice
Authors: Barfield Elizabeth T. , Barry Sarah M. , Hodgin Hali B. , Thompson Brittany M. , Allen Stephani S. , Grisel Judith E. 
Published: April 2010

Background: The opioid peptide β‐endorphin (β‐E) is synthesized and released in response to stressful stimuli as well as acute alcohol administration. The release of β‐E following exposure to an inescapable aversive situation may mediate behaviors that contribute to allostasis of the stress response. The present study examines the effects of β‐E on immobility in assays involving inescapable stress, both under basal conditions and after acute administration of EtOH.Methods: Female and male transgenic mice with varying capacities to translate β‐E were subjected to either the forced swim (FST, Experiment 1) or the tail suspension test (TST, Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, mice were divided into three groups based on hormonal status (male, female‐estrous, and female‐nonestrous) and injected with either 1 g/kg EtOH or equivolume saline 14 minutes prior to behavioral assessment on the TST.Results: Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated a direct relationship between β‐E levels and immobility. There were also sex differences in behavior in these tests, with males displaying more immobility than females. A main effect of genotype in Experiment 3 replicated findings in Experiments 1 and 2. There was also an effect of EtOH (increasing immobility) and a significant interaction reflecting a particularly robust effect of the drug in mice with low β‐E. In addition, there were interactions between β‐E, EtOH effects, and hormonal status.Conclusions: These findings support the contention that β‐E moderates behavioral responses to stressful stimuli and suggest a role for this peptide in coping behavior. Furthermore, the effects of EtOH on the response to stress may be mediated by β‐E. Sex differences in this influence may contribute to sex differences in disease susceptibility and expression.
Clinical Utility of aVR—The Neglected Electrocardiographic Lead
Authors: Kireyev Dmitriy , Arkhipov Mikhail V. , Zador Stephen T. , Paris Joseph A. , Boden William E. 
Published: April 2010

Background: Several studies suggest that electrocardiographers tend to neglect lead aVR during the reading of electrocardiograms (ECGs). Our objective was to provide a systematic review of the most important diagnostic and prognostic uses of lead aVR. Methods: We performed a thorough review of the literature about the lead aVR using PubMed, MEDLINE and the archives of the University at Buffalo libraries. Results: We found that lead aVR may provide important additional information in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. It may provide a clue to the location of a lesion as well as the possibility of three vessel disease during an acute coronary syndrome. Lead aVR was found useful in the locus of arrhythmias and in differentiation of narrow and wide QRS complex tachycardias. It provides useful prognostic information for patients with the Brugada syndrome and tricyclic antidepressant toxicity. Lead aVR provides alternative criteria for the electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy and left anterior fascicular block. Conclusion: Lead aVR provides very important additional diagnostic and prognostic information in multiple cardiac conditions and can be used either alone or in conjunction with other electrocardiographic leads. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol 2010;15(2):175–180
Age‐specific mortality analysis of the dry forest kissing bug, Rhodnius neglectus
Authors: Rabinovich Jorge E. , Nieves Eliana L. , Chaves Luis F. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractAge‐specific mortality patterns can be very different across insects with different life histories. Some holometabolous insects (like mosquitoes, fruit flies) show a pattern where mortality rate decelerates at older ages, whereas other holometabolous insects (bruchid beetles) and hemimetabolous insects (cotton stainers, milkweed bugs, and kissing bugs) show an age‐specific mortality pattern that increases through all ages. Kissing bugs are strictly hematophagous and are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas, the etiologic agent of Chagas disease. Here, we tested whether cohort data from the dry forest kissing bug, Rhodnius neglectus Lent (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), supports an increase of mortality rate that decelerates with age. We analyzed the age‐specific mortality pattern of a cohort of 250 individuals of R. neglectus. We used a suite of seven models with different degrees of complexity, to model age‐dependent forms of change in mortality rate increase in R. neglectus in the laboratory. We used the Akaike model selection criterion to choose between models that consider absence or presence of mortality deceleration. Five of the seven models (logistic, Gavrilovs, Gompertz, DeMoivre, and exponential) showed a statistically significant fit to the mortality rate. Weak late‐age mortality deceleration in R. neglectus was supported by the best fit (logistic model), and this result is consistent with predictions of the disposable soma theory of senescence.
Brain functional changes (QEEG cordance) and worsening suicidal ideation and mood symptoms during antidepressant treatment
Authors: Hunter A. M. , Leuchter A. F. , Cook I. A. , Abrams M. 
Published: April 2010

Hunter AM, Leuchter AF, Cook IA, Abrams M. Brain functional changes (QEEG cordance) and worsening suicidal ideation and mood symptoms during antidepressant treatment.Objective:  Antidepressant medications are efficacious overall; however, some individuals experience worsening mood symptoms and increased suicidal ideation (SI) during treatment. We examined the quantitative electroencephalographic (QEEG) cordance biomarker of brain function biomarker in relation to treatment‐emergent symptom worsening.Method:  Seventy‐two major depressive disorder (MDD) subjects were treated with fluoxetine 20 mg (n = 13), venlafaxine 150 mg (n = 24), or placebo (n = 35) under double‐blind conditions. Behavioral ratings determined whether each subject demonstrated worsening of depressed mood, anxiety, or SI during treatment. QEEG cordance data were analyzed to determine whether symptom worsening was associated with neurophysiological changes.Results:  Antidepressant treatment‐emergent SI (13.5%) was associated with a large transient decrease in midline‐and‐right‐frontal (MRF) cordance 48 h after start of medication.Conclusion:  Hypothesis‐generating results suggest a pattern of functional changes in midline and right frontal brain regions associated with antidepressant treatment‐emergent SI in MDD.
Influence of titanium implant surface characteristics on bone regeneration in dehiscence‐type defects: an experimental study in dogs
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Sager Martin , Kadelka Ines , Ferrari Daniel , Becker Jürgen 
Published: April 2010

Schwarz F, Sager M, Kadelka I, Ferrari D, Becker J. Influence of titanium implant surface characteristics on bone regeneration in dehiscence‐type defects: an experimental study in dogs. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 466–473 doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01533.x.AbstractObjectives: The aim of the present study was to compare bone regeneration in dehiscence‐type defects at titanium implants with chemically modified sandblasted/acid‐etched (modSLA) or dual acid‐etched surfaces with a calcium phosphate nanometre particle modification (DCD/CaP).Materials and Methods: Buccal dehiscence‐type defects were surgically created following implant site preparation in both the upper and the lower jaws of 12 fox hounds. Both types of implants were randomly allocated in a split‐mouth design and left to heal in a submerged position for 2 and 8 weeks. Dissected blocks were processed for histomorphometrical analysis [e.g. new bone height (NBH), percentage of bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC), area of new bone fill (BF), and area of mineralized tissue (MT) within BF].Results: At 2 and 8 weeks, both groups revealed comparable mean BF (2.3±0.6 to 2.5±0.6 mm2versus 2.0±0.6 to 1.4±0.5 mm2) and MT (31.1±14.3–83.2±8.2%versus 38.9±15.9–84.4±6.3%) values. However, modSLA implants revealed significantly higher mean NBH (2.4±0.8 to 3.6±0.3 mm versus 0.9±0.8 to 1.8±1.4 mm) and BIC (53.3±11.3–79.5±6.6%versus 19.3±16.4–47.2±30.7%) values than DCD/CaP implants.Conclusion: ModSLA implants may have a higher potential to support osseointegration in dehiscence‐type defects than DCD/CaP implants.
Impact of guided bone regeneration and defect dimension on wound healing at chemically modified hydrophilic titanium implant surfaces: an experimental study in dogs
Authors: Schwarz Frank , Jung Ronald E. , Fienitz Tim , Wieland Marco , Becker Jürgen , Sager Martin 
Published: April 2010

Schwarz F, Jung RE, Fienitz T, Wieland M, Becker J, Sager M. Impact of guided bone regeneration and defect dimension on wound healing at chemically modified hydrophilic titanium implant surfaces: an experimental study in dogs. J Clin Peridontol 2010; 37: 474–485. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01551.x.AbstractObjectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of guided bone regeneration and defect dimension on wound healing at chemically modified titanium implant surfaces (modSLA).Materials and Methods: ModSLA implants were placed at chronic‐type lateral ridge defects of different heights (H1–H4: 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm) and randomly allocated to either (a) GBR (polyethylene glycol membrane + biphasic calcium phosphate) or (b) untreated control. At 2 and 8 weeks (n=6 dogs each), dissected blocks were processed for histomorphometrical analysis [e.g., percentage linear fill (PLF), regenerated area (RA)].Results: At 8 weeks, both groups revealed comparable mean PLF (%) [Control: H1 (26.1 ± 5.8)–H4 (60.4 ± 11.8); GBR: H1 (8.3 ± 5.3)–H4 (50.7 ± 23.1)] and RA (mm2) [Control: H1 (2.5 ± 0.4)–H4 (7.4 ± 4.1); GBR: H1 (1.8 ± 1.0)–H4 (10.8 ± 5.9)] values. A significant difference was observed for the mean PLF values at H1 defects.Conclusion: It was concluded that (i) modSLA titanium implants supported bone regeneration and osseointegration at H1–H4 defects and (ii) the present GBR procedure did not seem to improve the outcome of vertical bone regeneration, but tended to increase the mean RA values.
Management and supportive care measures for adverse events in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes treated with azacitidine*
Authors: Santini Valeria , Fenaux Pierre , Mufti Ghulam J. , Hellström‐Lindberg Eva , Silverman Lewis R. , List Alan , Gore Steven D. , Seymour John F. , Backstrom Jay , Beach Charles L. 
Published: April 2010

AbstractObjective:  Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) treatment can initially worsen patients’ clinical condition and they may discontinue therapy before achieving benefit. We present previously unpublished data from two large phase III trials describing common adverse events (AEs) associated with azacitidine and methods to manage them.Methods:  In the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9221 study, patients with any French‐American‐British (FAB) subtype of MDS were randomized to azacitidine or best supportive care (BSC). After 56 d, patients randomized to BSC with disease progression could cross over to receive azacitidine. In the AZA‐001 study, patients with higher‐risk MDS (FAB‐defined refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB), RAEB in transformation, or chronic myelomonocitic leukaemia and IPSS int‐2 or high) were randomized to azacitidine or to conventional care regimens (CCR), which included low‐dose ara‐C, BSC, or intensive chemotherapy. In both studies, azacitidine dose was 75 mg/m2/d SC for 7 d every 28 d. AEs were graded per National Cancer Institute’s Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0 (AZA‐001) or CALGB Expanded CTC (CALGB 9221).Results:  In safety‐evaluable patients in AZA‐001 (N = 175) or CALGB 9221 (N = 150), the most common AEs with azacitidine included hematologic (eg, cytopenias) and non‐hematologic administration‐related events (eg, injection‐site reactions and gastrointestinal disorders). Most AEs were transient and resolved during ongoing therapy (> 83%). Hematologic AEs, most frequently observed during early treatment cycles, decreased during subsequent cycles and were usually managed with dosing delays (23–29%). Gastrointestinal symptoms were primarily managed with anti‐emetics and laxatives.Conclusion:  Hematologic and non‐hematologic AEs with azacitidine decreased in frequency as treatment continued. Awareness of the onset, duration and management of AEs can facilitate treatment, permitting patients to continue therapy for maximum benefit.
Implications of magnetar non-precession
Authors: Glampedakis K. , Jones D. I. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The objects known as anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft gamma repeaters are commonly identified with magnetars, neutron stars with ultrastrong magnetic fields. The rotational history of these objects has, so far, revealed no evidence of free precession. At the same time, these objects do not generally appear to have magnetic axes nearly parallel or orthogonal to their spin axes. In this Letter we show that the combination of these two observations, together with simple rigid-body dynamics, leads to non-trivial predictions about the interior properties of magnetars: either (i) elastic stresses in magnetar crusts are close to the theoretical upper limit above which the crustal matter yields or (ii) there is a ‘pinned’ superfluid component in the magnetar interior. As a potentially observable consequence of these ideas we point out that in the case of no pinned superfluidity, magnetars of stronger magnetic field strength than those currently observed would have to be nearly aligned/orthogonal rotators.
Magnetic field detection in the B2 Vn star HR 7355
Authors: Rivinius Th. , Szeifert Th. , Barrera L. , Townsend R. H. D. , Štefl S. , Baade D. 
Published: April 2010

Abstract
The B2Vn star HR7355 is found to be a He-rich magnetic star. Spectropolarimetric data were obtained with FORS1 at UT2 on Paranal Observatory to measure the disc-averaged longitudinal magnetic field at various phases of the presumed 0.52d cycle. A variable magnetic field with strengths between 〈Bz〉=−2200 and +3200G was found, with confidence limits of 100 to 130G. The field topology is that of an oblique dipole, while the star itself is seen about equator-on. In the intensity spectra, the Hei lines show the typical equivalent width (EW) variability of He-strong stars, usually attributed to surface abundance spots. The amplitudes of the EW variability of the Hei lines are extraordinarily strong compared to other cases. These results not only put HR7355 unambiguously among the early-type magnetic stars, but confirm its outstanding nature: with v sin i= 320kms−1, the parameter space in which He-strong stars are known to exist has doubled in terms of rotational velocity.