bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Misconceptions predict dropout and poor adherence prospectively among newly admitted first‐time methadone maintenance treatment clients in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Gu Jing , Xu Huifang , Lau Joseph T. F. , Hao Yuantao , Zhong Ying , Fan Lirui , Zhao Yuteng , Hao Chun , Ling Wenhua 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate the incidence of dropout and the prevalence of poor adherence among newly admitted first‐time clients of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) clinics, and the associations between MMT‐related misconceptions and these two treatment outcomes.Design  A cohort study (maximum follow‐up period = 17.6 months) was conducted.Setting  Three of the nine MMT clinics in Guangzhou, China participated in the study.Participants  The sample included 158 newly admitted first‐time MMT clients.Measurements  Information collected included background characteristics, history of drug use, MMT‐related misconceptions, dropout during the entire study period and poor adherence within the first 6 months since admission to MMT.Findings  Of all newly admitted MMT clients, 98.2% possessed at least one and 50.6% possessed all four types of MMT‐related misconception; 51.3% had dropped out before the completion of the study [95% confidence interval (CI): 43.5–59.1%] and 62% exhibited poor adherence within the first 6 months since admission (95% CI: 54.2–69.6%). Adjusting for significant background variables, the number of misconceived responses predicted significantly both dropout [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.80 for two to three misconceived items, HR = 7.13 for four misconceived items, with zero to one misconceived item being the reference] and poor adherence within the first 6 months [relative risk (RR) = 4.13 for two to three misconceived items; RR = 4.40 for four misconceived items, with zero to one misconceived item being the reference.Conclusions  Among opiate addicts in China prescribed methadone maintenance therapy for the first time, misconceptions about this medication are prevalent and are associated with poor adherence to the medication regimen and a high a rate of dropout from the treatment programme.
Systematic review: cardiovascular safety profile of 5‐HT4 agonists developed for gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Tack J. , Camilleri M. , Chang L. , Chey W. D. , Galligan J. J. , Lacy B. E. , Müller‐Lissner S. , Quigley E. M. M. , Schuurkes J. , De Maeyer J. H. , Stanghellini V. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundThe nonselective 5‐HT4 receptor agonists, cisapride and tegaserod have been associated with cardiovascular adverse events (AEs).AimTo perform a systematic review of the safety profile, particularly cardiovascular, of 5‐HT4 agonists developed for gastrointestinal disorders, and a nonsystematic summary of their pharmacology and clinical efficacy.MethodsArticles reporting data on cisapride, clebopride, prucalopride, mosapride, renzapride, tegaserod, TD‐5108 (velusetrag) and ATI‐7505 (naronapride) were identified through a systematic search of the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase and Toxfile. Abstracts from UEGW 2006–2008 and DDW 2008–2010 were searched for these drug names, and pharmaceutical companies approached to provide unpublished data.ResultsRetrieved articles on pharmacokinetics, human pharmacodynamics and clinical data with these 5‐HT4 agonists, are reviewed and summarised nonsystematically. Articles relating to cardiac safety and tolerability of these agents, including any relevant case reports, are reported systematically.Two nonselective 5‐HT4 agonists had reports of cardiovascular AEs: cisapride (QT prolongation) and tegaserod (ischaemia). Interactions with, respectively, the hERG cardiac potassium channel and 5‐HT1 receptor subtypes have been suggested to account for these effects. No cardiovascular safety concerns were reported for the newer, selective 5‐HT4 agonists prucalopride, velusetrag, naronapride, or for nonselective 5‐HT4 agonists with no hERG or 5‐HT1 affinity (renzapride, clebopride, mosapride).Conclusions5‐HT4 agonists for GI disorders differ in chemical structure and selectivity for 5‐HT4 receptors. Selectivity for 5‐HT4 over non‐5‐HT4 receptors may influence the agent's safety and overall risk–benefit profile. Based on available evidence, highly selective 5‐HT4 agonists may offer improved safety to treat patients with impaired GI motility.
Control of intra‐oesophageal pH in patients with Barrett's oesophagus on omeprazole‐sodium bicarbonate therapy
Authors: Gerson L. B. , Mitra S. , Bleker W. F. , Yeung P. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundApproximately 30–40% of patients with Barrett's oesophagus (BE) patients manifest abnormal oesophageal pH profiles despite proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.AimTo determine control of oesophageal reflux using Bravo pH monitoring in patients BE on omeprazole‐sodium bicarbonate oral suspension powder (Ome‐NaBic) 40 mg twice daily.MethodsInitial pH monitoring off PPI for 1 week was performed. All patients underwent repeat pH testing on Ome‐NaBic administered before breakfast and at bedtime after 21–28 days of therapy depending upon the prior PPI therapy. The goal was to enroll 30 subjects, however, the trial was terminated prematurely when the sponsor lost financing due to a change in business strategy.ResultsA total of 88 patients responded to the study invitation, 27 patients signed informed consent, and 21 patients underwent pH testing of PPI. A total of 15 patients completed the protocol (13 men, 2 women). Demographic information for patients completing at least one Bravo study included a mean (±s.d.) age 62 ± 9 years; body mass index 31 ± 8 kg/m2 (range 23–48); mean BE length of 2.6 ± 2 cm; 9 (43%) patients with long segment BE. All (100%) patients demonstrated normalisation of supine pH on both days of Ome‐NaBic therapy. One patient (6%) demonstrated abnormal upright reflux on the second day of monitoring on Ome‐NaBic therapy; all the other patients demonstrated normal pH scores on therapy.ConclusionsAdministration of twice daily Ome‐NaBic demonstrated control of nocturnal oesophageal reflux in 100% of patients with Barrett's oesophagus, and complete control of oesophageal pH during 97% of the 24‐h recording periods.
Systematic review: faecal transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile‐associated disease
Authors: Guo B. , Harstall C. , Louie T. , Veldhuyzen van Zanten S. , Dieleman L. A. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryBackgroundManagement of recurrent Clostridium difficile‐associated disease (CDAD), particularly in elderly patients, remains clinically challenging. Faecal transplantation (FT) may restore normal microbiota and break the cycle of recurrent CDAD.AimTo critically appraise the clinical research evidence on the safety and effectiveness of FT compared with standard care in the treatment of patients with CDAD.MethodsA comprehensive literature search was conducted by a research librarian to identify relevant studies published between 2000 and 2011. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Biological Abstracts, BIOSIS Previews and Web of Science were searched using the following Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords, alone or in combination: Clostridium infections/Clostridium difficile/pseudomembranous/colitis/faeces/rectal/colon flora/gastrointestinal/nasogastric tube/enema/donor/transplant/infusion/bacteriotherapy/human probiotic infusion. Methodological quality of the included case series studies was assessed in terms of patient selection criteria, consecutive recruitment, prospective data collection, reporting of lost to follow‐up, and follow‐up rates.ResultsNo controlled studies were found. Based on the weak evidence from seven full‐text case series studies of 124 patients with recurrent/refractory CDAD, FT appears to be a safe and effective procedure. In most cases (83%) symptoms improved immediately after the first FT procedure, and some patients stayed diarrhoea free for several months or years.ConclusionsAlthough these results appear to be promising, the treatment effects of faecal transplantation cannot be determined definitively in the absence of a control group. Results from randomised controlled trials that compare faecal transplantation to oral vancomycin without or with a taper regimen will help to better define the role of faecal transplantation in the management of recurrent CDAD.
An agenda for UK clinical pharmacology: Monitoring drug therapy
Authors: Buclin Thierry , Gotta Verena , Fuchs Aline , Widmer Nicolas , Aronson Jeffrey 
Published: February 2012

Drug development has improved over recent decades, with refinements in analytical techniques, population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) modelling and simulation, and new biomarkers of efficacy and tolerability. Yet this progress has not yielded improvements in individualization of treatment and monitoring, owing to various obstacles: monitoring is complex and demanding, many monitoring procedures have been instituted without critical assessment of the underlying evidence and rationale, controlled clinical trials are sparse, monitoring procedures are poorly validated and both drug manufacturers and regulatory authorities take insufficient account of the importance of monitoring.Drug concentration and effect data should be increasingly collected, analyzed, aggregated and disseminated in forms suitable for prescribers, along with efficient monitoring tools and evidence‐based recommendations regarding their best use. PK–PD observations should be collected for both novel and established critical drugs and applied to observational data, in order to establish whether monitoring would be suitable. Methods for aggregating PK–PD data in systematic reviews should be devised.Observational and intervention studies to evaluate monitoring procedures are needed. Miniaturized monitoring tests for delivery at the point of care should be developed and harnessed to closed‐loop regulated drug delivery systems. Intelligent devices would enable unprecedented precision in the application of critical treatments, i.e. those with life‐saving efficacy, narrow therapeutic margins and high interpatient variability.Pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies and academic clinical pharmacologists share the responsibility of leading such developments, in order to ensure that patients obtain the greatest benefit and suffer the least harm from their medicines.
An agenda for UK clinical pharmacology: Provision of medicines information: the example of the British National Formulary
Authors: Kendall Martin , Enright Duncan 
Published: February 2012

A national war formulary, published during the Second World War, was succeeded by hardback books called British National Formularies (BNFs), which were produced by the British Medical Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society about every 3 years until 1976. In 1981 a greatly revised and improved softback version was published and it has been revised and published twice a year since. It has acquired a reputation for being reliable, relevant and up to date. In 2005 the BNF for Children (BNFC) appeared and it has been revised and published every year since. Both BNFs have been used extensively in training prescribers and dispensers, they have supported increasing numbers of ‘non‐medical’ prescribers and overseas use has grown.The current challenge is to provide the BNF data electronically, as three examples show. First, the contents of the BNF and BNFC are available digitally at BNF.org and BNFC.org, and via mobile devices, which require internet access, or as a download, which does not. Secondly, FormularyComplete is a system that enables hospitals, regions, or even countries to create their own formularies, by adding information on costs, local policies and drug availability to an intranet version of the BNF, a data source that cannot be modified. Thirdly, the BNF is working with others to provide the BNF data as computer‐readable content, to support electronic prescribing and medicines management.Whatever systems are used, the information on drugs must be reliable and, ideally, all prescribers and dispensers in the UK should be guided by the same data source.
An agenda for UK clinical pharmacology: Pharmacoepidemiology
Authors: Evans Stephen J. W. 
Published: February 2012

Current concerns over the safety of medicines once they have been marketed mean that pharmacoepidemiology is of increasing importance. There are three main areas in which further research is needed.1 To improve the methods used to make causal inference of effects of medicines and to raise the quality of the reporting and critical appraisal tools, so that the strengths and weaknesses of the new methods can be judged.2 To apply the methods in areas where randomized trials cannot easily be done, such as in pregnancy.3 To use electronic health records as fully as possible, using linkage between different databases, ensuring the data are of as high quality as possible.Public health and public perceptions mean that much of pharmacoepidemiology must be done using non‐industry funding sources.
Thyroid Bethesda reporting category, ‘suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma’, pitfalls and clues to optimize the use of this category
Authors: Mahajan A. , Lin X. , Nayar R. 
Published: February 2012

A. Mahajan, X. Lin and R. Nayar
Thyroid Bethesda reporting category, ‘suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma’, pitfalls and clues to optimize the use of this category
Objective:  The Bethesda System of Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology classifies the indeterminate categories based on their differing risks of malignancy, as atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FLUS) and suspicious for malignancy. The vast majority of cases of the last category are suspicious for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The aim of the present study was to identify the pitfalls and clues to improve the usage of the suspicious category as well as improve its outcome of malignancy.Methods:  We reviewed the cytological features on air dried Diff‐Quik® and alcohol‐fixed Papanicolaou smears from 54 thyroid fine needle aspirates (FNAs) with surgical follow‐up that were originally diagnosed as suspicious. Procedure data/specimen adequacy was correlated and follow‐up histology reports were reviewed after our cytological review was completed. Incidental PTC that was not the target of the FNA was excluded from the calculations for correlation.Results:  In our cytological review, we retained a diagnosis of suspicious in 18 of the 54 cases and the remaining 36 were re‐categorized as follows: 6 malignant, 10 neoplasm (which is used in our centre instead of FLUS) and 20 AUS. The reasons for overcall of suspicious cases included pseudopapillae, syncytial sheets, nuclear grooves and pinpoint nucleoli in chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hürthle cell neoplasms, and intranuclear inclusions in parathyroid adenoma, hyalinizing trabecular adenoma and mesenchymal repair. The primary reasons for undercall of PTC as suspicious included cystic aspirates with minor features of PTC such as histiocytoid cells, bubblegum colloid, syncytial sheets and cellular swirls. Cases with cytoplasm similar to Hürthle cells were also noted to cause difficulty in accurate classification.Conclusions:  Recognition of these pitfalls and clues can help improve diagnosis, patient treatment and consequently reduce the number of unnecessary thyroidectomies.
Transcriptionally‐active high‐risk human papillomavirus is rare in oral cavity and laryngeal/hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas – a tissue microarray study utilizing E6/E7 mRNA in situ hybridization
Authors: Lewis Jr James S. , Ukpo Odey C. , Ma Xiao‐Jun , Flanagan John J. , Luo Yuling , Thorstad Wade L. , Chernock Rebecca D. 
Published: February 2012

Lewis J S Jr, Ukpo O C, Ma X‐J, Flanagan J J, Luo Y, Thorstad W L & Chernock R D  (2012) Histopathology 60, 982–991Transcriptionally‐active high‐risk human papillomavirus is rare in oral cavity and laryngeal/hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas – a tissue microarray study utilizing E6/E7 mRNA in situ hybridizationAims:  Human papillomavirus is well established in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma as both causative and prognostic, but its significance in non‐oropharyngeal tumours is unclear. In particular, the significance of finding viral DNA is not known. We sought to evaluate nonoropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas for transcriptionally‐active human papillomavirus and to compare this with the presence of viral DNA.Methods:  We evaluated an 87 patient tissue microarray cohort of oral cavity and laryngeal/hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas for high risk human papillomavirus DNA and E6 and E7 mRNA transcripts by in situ hybridization, and for p16 expression by immunohistochemistry.Results:  We found only two of the 73 (2.7%) evaluable cases to harbour transcriptionally‐active human papillomavirus. Both of these tumours were from the larynx, one was positive for human papillomavirus DNA by in situ hybridization, and both were extensively positive for p16. All oral cavity and hypopharyngeal tumours were negative for human papillomavirus.Conclusions:  Transcriptionally‐active human papillomavirus appears to be rare in laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, and oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas. As such, it appears unlikely to be a ‘driver’ or to be clinically significant in most established tumours.
An improved procedure for low‐temperature embedding of high‐pressure frozen and freeze‐substituted plant tissues resulting in excellent structural preservation and contrast
Authors: HILLMER S. , VIOTTI C. , ROBINSON D.G. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryHere we describe refinements in the processing of high‐pressure frozen samples of delicate plant tissues for immuno‐electron microscopy. These involve: shortened freeze‐substitution schedules, lower temperatures during processing and polymerisation, the avoidance of temperature fluctuations and the optimisation of heat transfer from the specimens using small disposable aluminium containers. The application of these modifications leads to very good structural preservation and selective membrane contrast. As a result, the versatility of the method is increased since not only immuno‐electron microscopical studies can be performed but often the quality is also quite suitable for structural investigations.
Keeping Birds of a Feather Together
Authors: Goodson James L. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryVertebrate species display extreme variation in grouping behaviours, ranging from solitary living to the aggregation of thousands of animals. Comparisons of territorial and gregarious species reveal differences in the distributions of several neuropeptide receptor types, primarily within the lateral septum, and the presence of neuropeptide neurones that encode social valence (positive–negative). Experiments show that these neural elements potently influence decisions about group size.
Targeting of csgD by the small regulatory RNA RprA links stationary phase, biofilm formation and cell envelope stress in Escherichia coli
Authors: Mika Franziska , Busse Susan , Possling Alexandra , Berkholz Janine , Tschowri Natalia , Sommerfeldt Nicole , Pruteanu Mihaela , Hengge Regine 
Published: February 2012

SummaryRprA is a small regulatory RNA known to weakly affect the translation of σS (RpoS) in Escherichia coli. Here we demonstrate that csgD, which encodes a stationary phase‐induced biofilm regulator, as well as ydaM, which encodes a diguanylate cyclase involved in activating csgD transcription, are novel negatively controlled RprA targets. As shown by extensive mutational analysis, direct binding of RprA to the 5′‐untranslated and translational initiation regions of csgD mRNA inhibits translation and reduces csgD mRNA levels. In the case of ydaM mRNA, RprA base‐pairs directly downstream of the translational start codon. In a feedforward loop, RprA can thus downregulate > 30 YdaM/CsgD‐activated genes including those for adhesive curli fimbriae. However, during early stationary phase, when csgD transcription is strongly activated, the synthesis of csgD mRNA exceeds that of RprA, which allows the accumulation of CsgD protein. This situation is reversed when csgD transcription is shut off – for instance, later in stationary phase or during biofilm formation – or by conditions that further activate RprA expression via the Rcs two‐component system. Thus, antagonistic regulation of csgD and RprA at the mRNA level integrates cell envelope stress signals with global gene expression during stationary phase and biofilm formation.
Cycles of Aggression in the Male Three‐spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: Wilz Kenneth J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractData were collected to determine whether there are intrinsic, short‐term cycles of aggression during the reproductive stage in the male three‐spined stickleback. The subjects were studied in the lab, where model ♀♀ were presented for 10 + min. The frequency of courtship behavior, biting, and a variety of nest activities were measured, as a function of time. It was found that biting does undergo regular and striking internal fluctuations, and that this is correlated with the cycling of a number of other behaviors.
Experimente zur Etho‐Ökologie der Beziehungen zweier Fischarten (Gymnocephnluscernua, Percidae;Bliccabjoerkna, Cyprimdae)
Authors: Winkler Hans 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe interspecific relations between two potentially competing fish species were investigated experimentally. Three equally sized individuals of each Blicca bjocrkna and Gymnoccphalus cernua were kept both alone and together and exposed to two conditions of food‐supply. Distribution in space, aggregation, and aggression were recorded. Blicca associated with Gymnocephalus. Deprivation of food led to more interspecific aggression Blicca and to more intraspecific aggression in Gymnocephalus.
Inter‐ and Intraspecific Variation in the Calls of Three Species of Grassfinches of the Subgenus Poephila (Gould) (Estrildidae)
Authors: Zann Richard 
Published: February 2012

AbstractTo investigate the nature of the microevolutionary and ontogenetic processes that modify the behaviour of grassfinches variation in the structure, function and frequency of call‐notes was studied in captive and free‐living birds. 94 wild‐caught birds and 149 aviary‐reared offspring of the Poephila subgenus were studied; they belonged to three species each of which consisted of two races which together exhibit a spectrum of evolving forms. The calls were analyzed on a sonagraph. The size of the repertoire differed between the species and within one of them. Variation in the contact calls correlated with variation in colours of beak and plumage. The adult calls developed from the juvenile begging calls.
Angeborene Orientierungsvorgänge im Freßablauf bei Trottellummen (Uria aulge aalge Pont.)
Authors: Oberholzer Alex 
Published: February 2012

AbstractGuillemots (Uria aalge) swallow fish head first when they are fed, when they pick up fish from the ground and when hunting. The responsible orientation processes in the first two situations are, investigated. Experiments on over 300 hand — reared chicks, partly food — naive, showed that when they are fed, swallowing the fish head first results from a combination of orientation processes on the part of the parent and the chick. When picking up fish it results solely from characteristics of the fish. It is explained why the Taxis theory does not seem applicable. Instead of this the study is based on the theory of orientation processes.