bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Medication Adherence and Healthcare Costs between Duloxetine and Pregabalin Initiators among Patients with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Zhao Yang , Sun Peter , Watson Peter , Mitchell Beth , Swindle Ralph 
Published: August 2010

AbstractObjective:  To examine and compare medication adherence and direct healthcare costs between duloxetine and pregabalin initiators among patients with fibromyalgia.Methods:  A retrospective analysis of commercially insured fibromyalgia patients aged 18 to 64 was conducted among those who initiated duloxetine or pregabalin between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2006. The first initiation date was defined as the index date. All patients included had continuous enrollment in the 12‐month pre‐ and post‐index periods. Each individual was classified in the duloxetine or pregabalin cohort based on the initiating agent. The pregabalin cohort was constructed via propensity scoring controlling for differences in demographics, pre‐index clinical and economic characteristics, and pre‐index treatment patterns. Medication adherence (ie, medication possession ratio [MPR] and proportion of patients with MPR ≥ 80%) and healthcare costs over the 12 months post‐index period were examined between cohorts.Results:  The study cohorts included 3,711 duloxetine and 4,111 pregabalin patients with the mean age of 51 years. The common comorbidities included neuropathic pain other than diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain, low back pain, cardiovascular disease, headache, and osteoarthritis. Over 80% of the duloxetine or pregabalin initiators used opioids. Controlling for demographics, pre‐index clinical and economic characteristics, and prior medication history, duloxetine patients had significantly higher MPR (0.7 vs. 0.5, P < 0.05), higher proportion of patients with MPR ≥ 80% (46.5% vs. 26.4%, P < 0.05), but significantly lower total healthcare costs ($19,378 vs. $27,045, P < 0.05) over the 12 months post‐index period than pregabalin patients.Conclusion:  Fibromyalgia patients on duloxetine had significantly higher medication adherence, but significantly lower direct healthcare costs than those on pregabalin.
Fentanyl Buccal Tablet for Breakthrough Cancer Pain: Why Titrate?
Authors: Kleeberg Ulrich R. , Filbet Marilène , Zeppetella Giovambattista 
Published: August 2010

AbstractBreakthrough cancer pain is a significant problem for many patients with cancer because of the fast onset and often unpredictable nature of the pain episodes. The rapid onset opioids therefore have a central role to play in the management of breakthrough cancer pain. The rapid onset opioid fentanyl buccal tablet provides a fast analgesic effect and is easy to administer. However, titration of the medication is essential in order to optimize the management of pain. This is because individual patient characteristics, comorbidities, and other treatments may influence the absorption, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of drugs. It is therefore important to individualize treatment by determining the effective dose for each patient, which is the dose that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes undesirable adverse effects. Data from clinical studies of fentanyl buccal tablet show that patients' effective doses ranged from 100 to 800 µg per episode, highlighting the need for the titration process. Following successful dose titration, treatment with fentanyl buccal tablet can achieve significant pain relief as early as 10 minutes after administration, resulting in a high level of patient satisfaction.
Active cooling of whole blood to room temperature improves blood component quality
Authors: van der Meer Pieter F. , de Korte Dirk 
Published: August 2010

BACKGROUND: Many countries use cooling plates to actively cool collected whole blood (WB) to room temperature. Until now, no paired comparison had been performed, and it was our aim to compare the effect of active versus no active cooling on the in vitro quality of WB and subsequently prepared blood components.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two units of WB were pooled and divided shortly after donation. One unit was placed under a butane‐1,4‐diol plate to obtain active cooling; the other was placed in an insulated box with other warm units to mimic worst‐case holding conditions. WB was held overnight and processed into a white blood cell (WBC)‐reduced red blood cells (RBCs), buffy coat (BC), and plasma. The BCs were further processed into platelet (PLT) concentrates. RBCs were stored for 42 days, and PLT concentrates for 8 days (n = 12 paired experiments).RESULTS: After overnight storage, ATP content of the RBCs was 4.9 ± 0.3 µmol/g Hb for actively cooled WB versus 4.5 ± 0.4 µmol/g Hb for not actively cooled WB (p < 0.001). On Day 42 of storage, RBCs prepared from this WB contained 3.1 ± 0.3 µmol ATP/g Hb with active cooling versus 2.6 ± 0.3 µmol/g Hb without (p < 0.001). Hemolysis on Day 42 was 0.35 ± 0.08% with active cooling and 0.67 ± 0.21% without (p < 0.001). No effect was observed on the in vitro quality of plasma, BC, or PLT concentrates.CONCLUSIONS: Active cooling of WB results in improved ATP levels and less hemolysis in WBC‐reduced RBCs, although the clinical implications are unclear. It has no effect on the in vitro quality of plasma or PLT concentrates.
Comparison of Risks and Clinical Predictors of Contrast‐Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Emergency versus Nonemergency Percutaneous Coronary Interventions
Authors: CHONG ERIC , POH KIAN K. , LIANG SHEN , SOON CHAO Y. , TAN HUAY‐CHEEM 
Published: August 2010

Background:
Contrast nephropathy (CIN) increases adverse clinical outcomes. We examine risks and clinical predictors of CIN in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and effectiveness of prophylactic therapy.
Methods:
A cohort of 8,798 patients who underwent PCI from May 2000 to April 2008 was enrolled. We divided patients into 3 groups. A: STEMI patient undergoing primary PCI; B: UA/NSTEMI patients undergoing early PCI; C: Patients without MI undergoing elective PCI. Pre‐PCI saline hydration was given to group B and C if baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2.
Results:
Mean age was 57.4 years; 35.9% was diabetics. Incidence of CIN were 12.0%, 9.2%, and 4.5%, in group A, B and C (P = <0.0005). CIN correlated with higher mortality (15.5% vs. 1.3%, P < 0.0005) at 1 month. The important predictors of CIN were age >70, female gender, anemia, low systolic BP < 100 mmHg, high creatinine kinase level, abnormal LVEF, baseline renal impairment, MI and insulin dependent diabetes. Incidence of CIN in patients with GFR >60 were 8.2%, 9.2%, and 4.3% in group A, B, and C respectively (p < 0.0005). Incidence of CIN in patients with GFR = 30–60 were 19.1%, 4.5%, and 2.4% (p < 0.0005) and in patients with GFR < 30 were 34.4%, 40.0%, and 25.9% (p = 0.510).
Conclusions:
Pre‐hydration prophylaxis was effective in preventing CIN in mild renal impaired patients (GFR 30–60) but are less so in more severely renal impaired patients (GFR < 30). STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI regardless of baseline GFR were at high risk. Accelerated prophylactic regime can be considered in this cohort. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:451–459)
Transcranial Doppler Quantification of Residual Shunt after Percutaneous Patent Foramen Ovale Closure. Comparison of Two Devices
Authors: SORENSEN SHERMAN G. , AGUILAR HEATHER , MCKNIGHT WES K. , THOMAS HEIDI , MUHLESTEIN JOSEPH B. 
Published: August 2010

Background:
Recurrent paradoxical embolism after catheter‐based closure of right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) can be related to residual RLS. To improve closure success, we need a better understanding of the anatomic and device‐related factors associated with closure efficacy.
Methods:
Patients with cryptogenic neurologic events and severe RLS (Valsalva Spencer transcranial Doppler [TCD] grade 5/5+) who underwent patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure by either central pin (Amplatzer® PFO [A‐PFO]) or central occluding (Amplatzer® SO [A‐SO]) devices were evaluated for residual shunt by quantitative TCD evaluation at 3 months. The findings were correlated with atrial septal aneurysm (ASA), device type, and device size.
Results:
We closed 628 consecutive patients with either the A‐PFO (n = 327) or A‐SO (n = 301) device. The frequency of large defects, small defects, and ASA was 12%, 88%, and 44% of cases, respectively. Severe residual shunt was detected in 13% of A‐PFO and 7% of A‐SO recipients (P = 0.005). This difference was attributable to a much higher frequency of severe residual shunt among patients with large defects closed with the A‐PFO compared to the A‐SO device (12 out of 29 [41%] vs. 3 out of 42 [7%], respectively; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in device failure frequency for small defects. The presence of ASA increased the frequency of severe residual shunt compared to those without this feature (36 out of 275 [13%] vs. 28 out of 353 [8%], respectively; P = 0.046) but did not influence device‐related differences.
Conclusions:
(1) Both noncentering and central occluding closure devices effectively reduce RLS after PFO closure. (2) Large PFO defects with or without ASA have lower residual shunt grades at 3 months when closed by central occluding devices. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:575–580)
Taste dysfunction: a practical guide for oral medicine
Authors: Cowart BJ 
Published: August 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 17, 2–6Dental practitioners are often the first clinicians to be presented with complaints about changes in taste. This raises a problem in terms of appropriate evaluative response. It is a difficult issue both because of the common confusion between smell and taste problems (with smell being the more vulnerable sense and contributing substantially to the flavor of food that most patients equate with ‘taste’), and because of the lack of widely accepted standardized techniques to assess true taste function. This brief review provides a summary of some of the problems associated with assessing taste function in a clinical setting and of patient management options available to the practitioner of oral medicine.
Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to oral lichen planus
Authors: Kimkong I , Hirankarn N , Nakkuntod J , Kitkumthorn N 
Published: August 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 206–209Objective:  This study is aimed to investigate the association between OLP susceptibility and clinical type in the Thai population and three polymorphisms within the promoter region of the TNF‐α at positions ‐863, ‐308 and ‐238 which have putative functional significances.Materials and Methods:  Genomic DNA from 75 Thai patients with OLP and 154 healthy controls were genotyped for TNF‐α polymorphisms – ‐863(rs1800630), ‐308(rs1800629), and ‐238(rs361525) – using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP).Results:  We found a higher proportion of TNF‐alpha‐308 AA genotype (high producer genotype) among OLP patients (5/75; 6.67%) when compared to healthy controls (1/154; 0.65%; OR = 10.93; 95% CI = 1.21–251.9). For other polymorphisms (‐863 and ‐238), we did not find any significant association with OLP development; this was also the case with haplotype analysis (‐863/‐308/‐238).Conclusion:  TNF‐α‐308AA may play a relevant role in the susceptibility and severity of OLP in the Thai population. However, further investigation of this study is needed.
Stem cells and the repair of radiation‐induced salivary gland damage
Authors: Coppes RP , Stokman MA 
Published: August 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 143–153Hyposalivation underlying xerostomia after radiotherapy is still a major problem in the treatment of head and neck cancer. Stem cell therapy may provide a means to reduce radiation‐induced hyposalivation and improve the quality of life of patients. This review discusses the current status in salivary gland stem cell research with respect to their potential to attenuate salivary gland dysfunction. Knowledge on the embryonic development, homeostasis and regeneration after atrophy of the salivary glands has provided important knowledge on the location of the salivary gland as well as on the factors that influence proliferation and differentiation. This knowledge has helped to locate, isolate and characterize cell populations that contain the salivary gland stem cell, although the exact tissue stem cell is still unidentified. The role that stem/progenitor cells play in the response to radiation and the factors that can influence stem/progenitor induced proliferation and differentiation are discussed. Finally, the mobilization and transplantation of stem cells and supportive cells and their potential to attenuate radiation‐induced salivary gland damage are discussed. Based on the major advances made in the field of stem cell research, stem cell‐based therapy has great potential to allow prevention or treatment of radiation‐induced hyposalivation.
The prevalence of tongue lesions in Malaysian dental outpatients from the Klang Valley area
Authors: Koay CL , Lim JA , Siar CH 
Published: August 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 210–216Objectives:  To determine the prevalence of tongue lesions in Malaysian dental outpatients from the Klang Valley area.Subjects and Methods:  A cross sectional study was conducted on 600 Malaysian outpatients (257 men, 343 women, mean age, 37.7 years) attending the Primary Dental Care Unit at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. Demographic and medical data were recorded for all respondents.Results:  One hundred eighty‐one patients (30.2%) (81 men, 100 women, mean age 42.0 years) were diagnosed with at least one tongue lesion (n = 207) at the time of examination. Of these, 24 patients (4%) had two or more tongue lesions present synchronously. Seven different lesions were diagnosed: fissured tongue (13.8%), crenated tongue (7.8%), pigmented tongue (6.2%), geographic tongue (2.2%), ankyloglossia (1.7%), hairy tongue (1.0%) and median rhomboid glossitis (0.2%). Their racial prevalences were Malays (n = 65, 10.8%), Indians (n = 62, 10.3%), Chinese (n = 53, 8.8%) and other race (n = 1, 0.2%). A significant relationship was observed between crenated tongue and race; between four types of tongue lesions (fissured tongue, geographic tongue, crenated tongue and pigmented tongue) and age; and between fissured tongue and gender (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Distribution characteristics of tongue lesions in Malaysians are important as local reference data in the daily clinical practice.
Reduced statherin reactivity of human submandibular gland in diabetes
Authors: Isola M , Solinas P , Proto E , Cossu M , Lantini MS 
Published: August 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 217–220Background and Objectives:  Statherin is a salivary protein involved in the formation of enamel pellicle and in regulation of calcium homeostasis. Diabetes and other pathologies affect both salivary flow and protein secretion by salivary glands, causing increased susceptibility to mucosal infections, tooth demineralization, and caries. The purpose of this study was to compare the statherin expression in submandibular glands of healthy and diabetic subjects.Materials and Methods:  Fragments of submandibular glands obtained from diabetic and non diabetic patients were fixed, dehydrated, embedded in Epon Resin and processed for the immunogold histochemistry. The results were statistically evaluated.Results:  Specific statherin labeling was demonstrated in secretory granules of acinar cells in both diabetic and normal samples. The staining was much more intense in the latter compared to those of diabetics. The labeling density was quantified by evaluating the number and spatial distribution of gold particles within the granules. The number of gold particles was significantly lower in glands from diabetics than in control glands.Conclusions:  The results obtained suggest that a reduced statherin secretion by salivary glands might be partly responsible for a less effective protection of the oral tissues, resulting in an higher incidence of caries and oral infections associated with diabetes.
Responses of periodontal ligament stem cells on various titanium surfaces
Authors: Heo Y‐Y , Um S , Kim S‐K , Park J‐M , Seo BM 
Published: August 2010

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 320–327Objective:  Periodontal ligament has been reported to have adult stem cells (PDLSCs) which are responsible to regenerate the alveolar bone tissue after tooth is removed from its socket. Also PDLSCs may be the stem cells responsible for the osseointegration of titanium implants after installing the implant immediately in the fresh extracted socket. Here we tested cellular responses of PDLSCs on the various titanium surfaces to verify this notion.Materials and methods:  Titanium disc were prepared for the different surface textures; smooth machined, blasted with 75 and 125 μm Al2O3 particles, and anodized. PDLSCs were cultured on these titanium discs and tested their proliferation and gene expressions of osteocalcin, osteopontin, type I collagen, and GAPDH.Results:  Proliferation of PDLSCs was higher on the rough surface blasted with 75 μm Al2O3 particles. Osteocalcin expression was increased on the Al2O3 particle treated‐surface regardless of its particle size. Type I collagen expression was generally decreased with time in 6 days culture.Conclusions:  In this experiment, it was shown that cultured PDLSCs proliferate in higher rate on the rough surface especially at the 75 μm Al2O3 particle treated surface than other surfaces. Also, osteocalcin was highly expressed on the rough surfaces treated with 75 μm and 125 μm Al2O3 particles.
Is There Enough Science for Conservation Action?
Authors: Shaanker Ramanan U. , Ganeshaiah Kotiganahalli N. 
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACTWe argue that there is not enough science to appropriately support many of the conservation measures currently being proposed, and hence, we cannot be sure of the objectivity of the conservation actions being implemented. The objectivity claimed to be underlying conservation actions is more assumed than real. We also suggest that the approach to conservation is driven more by moral commitments than by tested concepts, and it is further biased by our anthropocentric evaluation of ecological processes and their outcomes. Conservation science is a young subject, which needs to be nourished while it continues to feed on its roots‐ecology and evolutionary biology.
Proteomic Study Identifies Proteins Involved in Brassinosteroid Regulation of Rice Growth
Authors: Wang Fengru , Bai Ming‐Yi , Deng Zhiping , Oses‐Prieto Juan A. , Burlingame Alma L. , Lu Tiegang , Chong Kang , Wang Zhi‐Yong 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential hormones for growth and development of plant. In rice, BRs regulate multiple developmental processes and affect many important traits such as height, leaf angle, fertility and seed filling. We identified brassinosteroid‐regulated proteins in rice using proteomic approaches and performed functional analysis of some BR‐regulated proteins by overexpression experiments. Using two‐dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2‐D DIGE) followed by protein identification by mass spectrometry, we compared proteomic differences in the shoots and roots of the BR‐insensitive mutant d61‐4 and BR‐deficient mutant brd1‐3. We identified a large number of proteins differentially expressed in the mutants compared with wild type control. These include a glycine‐rich RNA‐binding protein (OsGRP1) and a DREPP2 protein, which showed reduced levels in the BR mutants. Overexpression of these two proteins partially suppressed the dwarf phenotype of the Arabidopsis BR‐insensitive mutant bri1‐5. In contrast to the reduced protein level, the RNA level of OsGRP1 was not significantly affected in the BR mutants or by BR treatment, suggesting BR regulation of OsGRP1 at the posttranslational level. This study identifies many BR‐regulated proteins and demonstrates that OsGRP1 functions downstream in the BR signal transduction pathway to promote cell expansion.
Active versus passive microleakage of Resilon/Epiphany and gutta‐percha/AH Plus
Authors: Kqiku Lumnije , Städtler Peter , Gruber Hans Jürgen , Baraba Anja , Anic Ivica , Miletic Ivana 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the active versus passive dye microleakage and apical sealing ability of laterally condensed gutta‐percha/AH Plus versus Resilon/Epiphany. One hundred and twenty teeth were instrumented and divided into experimental, positive and negative control groups. In group 1, the teeth were obturated with gutta‐percha/AH Plus and in group 2 the teeth were obturated with Resilon/Epiphany. The apical seal was evaluated with a passive and active dye penetration test. Absorbance of the extracted dye was determined with a spectrophotometer. Resilon/Epiphany showed less dye penetration in comparison with the gutta‐percha/AH Plus group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the passive and active dye penetration tests (P > 0.05). In this in vitro study, canals obturated with Resilon/Epiphany showed less apical leakage than those obturated with gutta‐percha/AH Plus, regardless of the type of dye penetration test used.
How older people nurses assess cognitive function through daily observation
Authors: Persoon Anke , Van der Cruijsen Marga , Schlattmann Noortje , Simmes Friede , Van Achterberg Theo 
Published: August 2010

persoon a., van der cruijsen m., schlattmann n., simmes f. & van achterberg t. (2011) How older people nurses assess cognitive function through daily observation.International Journal of Older People Nursing6, 102–109 doi: 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2010.00234.xAim. To obtain knowledge and insight into how older people nurses observe the cognitive function of their patients.Background. In cases of cognitive decline not due to delirium, the daily observation of cognitive function by nurses has not been standardised in hospital wards specialised in the care of older people.Design. A qualitative study with purposive sampling and semi‐structured interviews.Methods. Data were obtained by interviewing 10 Dutch nursing experts in the field of cognitive function in older patients. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed by two independent researchers.Results. All the respondents stated that daily observation of cognitive function yields valuable information. The concept of cognitive function was operationalised differently by institute and by nurse. Observation and reporting methods varied, as did the goals set by the nurses. Nurses reported using many days of observation to reach final judgements.Conclusions. Observations of cognitive functioning should include several cognitive domains, be restricted to a few days of observation and aim to both contribute to medical diagnoses and guide nursing interventions.Relevance to clinical practice. Until a valid instrument becomes available, nursing staff must standardise daily observations themselves. This paper describes input to achieve this.