bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inpatient and Outpatient Occurrence of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism and Thromboprophylaxis Following Selected At-Risk Surgeries
Authors: Amin Alpesh N , Lin Jay , Thompson Stephen , Wiederkehr Daniel 
Published: August 2011

Background Despite evidence-based guidelines on prevention, many surgical patients remain at risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Objective: To quantify the provision of thromboprophylaxis and proportion of US surgical patients who develop DVT/PE, both in the hospital and postdischarge. Methods: This study was an observational, retrospective database analysis of national managed care data. Data were extracted from the Premier Perspective-i3 Pharma Informatics linked database on patients hospitalized between January 2005 and November 2007 for orthopedic surgery or major abdominal surgery. Patients were included if they were aged 18 years or older at the time of hospitalization and had at least 6 months of continuous plan enrollment prior to index hospitalization. Patients discharged to an acute care facility or with atrial fibrillation were excluded. Prophylaxis status was evaluated during index hospitalization and for 14 days postdischarge. The proportion of patients who developed DVT/PE was calculated during index hospitalization and for 30 days postdischarge. Results: The analysis included 19,581 patients following major abdominal surgery and 5315 patients following orthopedic surgery. Inpatient pharmacologic or mechanical thromboprophylaxis was received by 58.7% of abdominal surgery patients and 85.0% of orthopedic surgery patients; outpatient pharmacologic prophylaxis was received by 1.6% and 58.4% of patients, respectively. Total mean (SD) prophylaxis duration was 1.7 (3.7) days following abdominal surgery and 13.0 (11.6) days following orthopedic surgery. The proportion of abdominal surgery patients who developed symptomatic DVT/PE was 1.6%: 3.1% of orthopedic surgery patients developed symptomatic DVT/PE, with almost 40% of the events occurring postdischarge. Conclusions: Continued efforts are needed to prevent DVT/PE after abdominal and orthopedic surgery. Initiatives that encourage outpatient prophylaxis must ensure that appropriate prophylaxis of adequate duration is prescribed to all at-risk surgical patients to further reduce DVT/PE across the continuum of care. Pharmacists can play an important role in optimizing continuity of patient care in the prevention of DVT, in providing anticoagulation services that can help reduce the incidence of DVT/PE and bleeding complications, and in helping hospitals achieve performance measures.
Montelukast for Symptom Control of Interstitial Cystitis
Authors: Traut Jamie L , MacDonald Erin S , Spangler Mikayla L , Saxena Shailendra 
Published: August 2011

Objective: To describe the effects of montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist commonly used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma, on the symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC). Case Summary: A 64-year-old male had a history of IC with previous trials of solifenacin, dutasteride, and tamsulosin and little improvement in IC symptom reduction. When montelukast 10 mg was initiated for allergic rhinitis symptoms, a substantial improvement in urinary urgency and pain during therapy was noted. This improvement subsequently disappeared when montelukast was stopped. Discussion: IC, a rare occurrence in the male population, is related to an inflammatory process and has also been associated with inappropriate leukotriene release, which is the target of montelukast therapy. In general, treatment for IC Includes systemic medical therapy, local bladder treatment, surgical and neurosurgical procedures, and intravesical drug installation. Currently, montelukast is Food and Drug Administration approved for use in the treatment and prevention of mild-to-moderate asthma and exercise-induced asthma, as well as treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. While montelukast treatment did not cure the patient's IC, it improved his quality of life through substantial symptomatic relief, including less pain and urgency. Conclusions: Montelukast may be an effective treatment option in the management of interstitial cystitis. Further research is needed to substantiate this novel use.
Single-Agent, Broad-Spectrum Fluoroquinolones for the Outpatient Treatment of Low-Risk Febrile Neutropenia
Authors: Cooper Maryann R , Durand Cheryl R , Beaulac Matthew T , Steinberg Michael 
Published: August 2011

Objective: To evaluate the use of oral, single-agent, broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones in the treatment of low-risk febrile neutropenia (FN). Data Sources: MEDLINE via Ovid (1948 to May, week 3, 2011) and EMBASE (1980 to 2011, week 21) were searched using the terms febrile neutropenia, fluoroquinolone, quinolone derivative, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and neoplasm. References of selected articles, review articles, and treatment guidelines were reviewed. Study Selection Ano Data Extraction: Trials evaluating the efficacy of oral, single-agent, broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced FN were included if the majority of patients in the study had low-risk FN. Trials involving pediatric patients, non-Food and Drug Administration-approved fluoroquinolones, or monotherapy with ciprofloxacin or ofloxacin were excluded. Data extracted included study design, patient demographics, antiinfective regimens, and treatment outcomes. Data Synthesis: Four clinical trials were included. One trial compared levofloxacin with piperacillin/tazobactam with a success rate (afebrile at 72 hours) of 76.5% in the levofloxacin group compared with 88.3% in the piperacillin/tazobactam group. This trial was not limited to low-risk patients. The remaining 3 trials investigated moxifloxacin monotherapy in low-risk patients. Two of these were noncontrolled trials with success rates (afebrile at 5 days) of 91 % and 95%. The final trial randomized patients to moxifloxacin or ceftriaxone and had success rates (hospital discharge at 48 hours) of 79.2% and 73.9%, respectively. In all 4 trials, treatment of FN with levofloxacin or moxifloxacin was deemed to be safe and effective. Although all studies had positive results, they were limited by small sample sizes and the absence of universal use of control comparisons. Conclusions: Use of oral, single-agent, broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones for outpatient treatment of FN in low-risk patients has shown promising results. At this time, this type of therapy should be limited to low-risk patients. Future clinical trials should include larger sample sizes and a comparison with existing first-line oral therapy–oral ciprofloxacin plus amoxicillin/clavulanate.
Ligand-independent activation of the arylhydrocarbon receptor by ETK (Bmx) tyrosine kinase helps MCF10AT1 breast cancer cells to survive in an apoptosis-inducing environment
Authors: Fujisawa Yasuko , Li Wen , Wu Dalei , Wong Patrick , Vogel Christoph , Dong Bin , Kung Hsing-Jien , Matsumura Fumio 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
It has been reported that the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is overexpressed in certain types of breast tumors. However, so far no concrete evidence has been provided yet as to why and how the overexpressed AHR in those cancer cells is functionally activated without exogenous ligands. Here we show that the AHR was functionally activated when estrogen receptor-negative, AHR overexpressing MCF10AT1 human breast cancer cells (designated P20E) were subjected to serum starvation. Transfection of cells with ETK-KQ, a plasmid for kinase-dead epithelial and endothelial tyrosine kinase (ETK), attenuated this AHR activation. Artificial over-expression of ETK in P20E cells through transfection with wild-type ETK plasmid (ETK-wt) caused up-regulation of cytochrome P4501a1 (CYP1A1; a marker of functional activation of AHR). Furthermore, ablation of ETK expression by a specific antisense oligonucleotide or AG879, a specific inhibitor of ETK kinase suppressed activation of AHR induced by omeprazole, a strong ligand-independent activator of AHR. Activation of ETK in those cells conferred them resistance to UVB- as well as doxorubicin-induced apoptosis, both of which were reversed by ETK-KQ. Together, these findings support our conclusion that ETK is the tyrosine kinase responsible for the functional activation of the AHR in these mammary epithelial cells.
Functional and evolutional implications of natural channel-enzyme fusion proteins
Authors: Song Jie , Wu Binghua , Beitz Eric 
Published: August 2011

AbstractChanneling of ions or substrates across membranes and enzymatic activity are two highly distinct biochemical concepts. They are usually studied by different research groups, which focus on either subject. Nature has provided a challenge for specialized scientists by fusing genes coding for a transmembrane channel domain with an enzyme domain. There are examples of fusion proteins consisting of an N-terminal ion channel or sensor and a C-terminal, cytosolic kinase domain (or other enzymes involved in signaling) of which either domain may influence the functionality of the other. The physiological role of such fusions may reside in coupling ion flux or membrane potential sensing to cellular responses or vice-versa. Other examples can be found in metabolism. We have identified and characterized an ar-senite-conducting aquaglyceroporin carrying a C-terminal ar-senate reductase domain. Here, a function in the detoxification of arsenic is obvious, with the enzyme domain generating the substrate for the channel domain, which immediately shuttles the toxic metabolite out of the cell. We see two advantages in this latter concept: lowering of the cellular toxicity due to rapid release of the substrate and energetic coupling of the reaction enthalpy to extrusion due to high local substrate gradients. In this overview, we summarize and discuss the current view on functional and physiological aspects of channel/enzyme fusion proteins.
Evaluation of the Testing and Analysis Methods in ASTM E2760-10 Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Testing Standard for a Range of Steels
Authors: Mehmanparast A. , Davies C. M. , Nikbin K. M. 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
The development of the ASTM E2760-10, “Creep/Fatigue Crack Growth Testing” standard has initiated a phase of testing, analysis, and round robin initiatives associated with high temperature cyclic loading crack growth tests. Creep and fatigue are two complex independent mechanisms which may assist each other to drive the crack. A simplification of the macro creep/fatigue crack growth response of structures is therefore required. Using a linear cumulative damage method, as proposed in ASTM E2760, and other codes of practice, data for a range of steels are analysed. Limited crack growth data, using test methods similar to ASTM E2760, from previous collaborative projects for a range of steels are presented and analysed to identify the difficulties in the process. Creep-fatigue crack growth tests at frequencies ranging from 10 to 0.001 Hz are examined to consider the testing methodologies and in order to assess the effect of data scatter, dwell times, and the interaction region between creep crack growth (CCG) and fatigue crack growth mechanisms. Given the limited data available and the level of scatter, it can still be shown that the linear cumulative summation of static and high frequency data may be sufficient to predict creep/fatigue interaction both in terms of C* and ΔK, and the level of creep ductility will dictate appropriateness of the correlating parameter employed. Finally, in order to show that the level of data scatter can be dealt with in a predictive manner, the crack initiation and growth rates are also analysed using the NSW CCG model.
Patients with surgically cured primary hyperparathyroidism have a reduced quality of life compared with population-based healthy sex-, age-, and season-matched controls
Authors: Amstrup Anne Kristine , Rejnmark Lars , Mosekilde Leif 
Published: August 2011

ObjectivePrimary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with feelings of fatigue and depression, as well as limitation to physical and mental functioning. These quality of life (QoL) characteristics improve after parathyroidectomy. However, whether former patients fully regain QoL compared with healthy controls is largely unknown.Design and patientsCross-sectional study. Fifty-one former PHPT patients, successfully treated by surgery (mean time since parathyroidectomy 7.4 (range 5–15) years), and 51 sex- and age-matched healthy controls.MethodsThe 36-item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 and the WHO-Five Well-being Index. The surveys included questions on overall physical and mental health, functioning, and limitation in daily life activities.ResultsFormer patients scored significantly lower compared with controls in physical functioning (P=0.01), role limitation caused by emotional problems (P=0.01), vitality (P<0.001), and general health (P=0.01). Compared with the controls, cases had a lower median (interquartile range) score of physical component summary (PCS; 54.9 (47.9–58.7) vs 49.6 (45.2–55.9),P=0.03) and mental component summary (MCS; 55.4 (49.7–58.1) vs 52.5 (44.7–55.5),P=0.04). There was no association between time since operation and PCS or MCS. Compared with controls, cases had higher body mass index (BMI; 26.0±4.7 vs 28.8±6.0 kg/m2,P<0.001) and a higher frequency of cardiovascular diseases (CVD; 41.2 vs 62.7%,P=0.03). After adjustment for differences in BMI and CVD, PCS did no longer differ between groups. However, adjustments did not change the finding of a lower MCS in cases compared with controls.ConclusionEven though QoL may improve substantially after surgery, former PHPT patients still have reduced QoL compared with healthy controls.
The impact of cost recovery and sharing system on water policy implementation and human right to water: a case of Ileje, Tanzania
Authors: Kibassa Deusdedit 
Published: August 2011

In Tanzania, the National Water Policy (NAWAPO) of 2002 clearly stipulates that access to water supply and sanitation is a right for every Tanzanian and that cost recovery is the foundation of sustainable service delivery. To meet these demands, water authorities have introduced cost recovery and a water sharing system. The overall objective of this study was to assess the impact of cost recovery and the sharing system on water policy implementation and human rights to water in four villages in the Ileje district. The specific objectives were: (1) to assess the impact of cost recovery and the sharing system on the availability of water to the poor, (2) to assess user willingness to pay for the services provided, (3) to assess community understanding on the issue of water as a human right, (4) to analyse the implications of the results in relation to policies on human rights to water and the effectiveness of the implementation of the national water policy at the grassroots, and (5) to establish the guidelines for water pricing in rural areas.
Questionnaires at water demand, water supply, ability and willingness to pay and revenue collection were the basis for data collection. While 36.7% of the population in the district had water supply coverage, more than 73,077 people of the total population of 115,996 still lacked access to clean and safe water and sanitation services in the Ileje district. The country's rural water supply coverage is 49%. Seventy-nine percent of the interviewees in all four villages said that water availability in litres per household per day had decreased mainly due to high water pricing which did not consider the income of villagers. On the other hand, more than 85% of the villagers were not satisfied with the amount they were paying because the services were still poor. On the issue of human rights to water, more than 92% of the villagers know about their right to water and want it exercised by the government.
In all four villages, more than 78% of the interviewees are willing to pay for water provided that the tariffs are affordable. Water policy implementation continues slowly: regardless of the fact that more than five years have passed since policy inception, 60% of the villagers in Itumba still have no water services at all. The study shows that government fulfilment of human rights to water has a long way to go, especially in rural areas where people cannot afford to pay for water and some of the villages still depend on water from wells and seasonal rivers.
Bonding to Glass Ionomer Cements Using Resin-based Adhesives
Authors: Zhang Y , Burrow MF , Palamara JEA , Thomas CDL 
Published: August 2011

Clinical Relevance
The adhesion of self-etching and etch-and-rinse adhesive systems may be effective when bonding to conventional glass ionomer cements (GIC). These systems can be used reliably with the GIC-resin composite laminate technique for restoration of approximal cavities.
Dual and Self-curing Potential of Self-adhesive Resin Cements as Thin Films
Authors: Moraes RR , Boscato N , Jardim PS , Schneider LFJ 
Published: August 2011

Clinical RelevanceSelf-adhesive resin cements present slower polymerization and lower degree of conversion than conventional resin cements, in either the dual- or self-cure mode.
The Influence of Time and Cement Type on Push-Out Bond Strength of Fiber Posts to Root Dentin
Authors: Leme AA , Coutinho M , Insaurralde AF , Scaffa PMC , da Silva LM 
Published: August 2011

Clinical RelevanceA self-adhesive resin cement can provide a significantly stronger bond than a three-step etch-and-rinse adhesive and resin cement when used to lute fiber posts.
Effect of Chlorhexidine Pretreatment on Bond Strength Durability of Caries–affected Dentin Over 2-Year Aging in Artificial Saliva and Under Simulated Intrapulpal Pressure
Authors: Mobarak EH 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of 2% and 5% chlorhexidine (CHX) pretreatment on bond durability of a self-etching adhesive to normal (ND) and caries-affected (AD) dentin after 2-years of aging in artificial saliva and under simulated intrapulpal pressure (IPP).MethodsOne hundred twenty freshly extracted carious teeth were ground to expose ND and AD. Specimens were distributed into three equal groups (n=40) according to whether the dentin substrates were pretreated with 2% or 5% CHX or with water (control). Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray) was applied to both substrates and composite cylinders (0.9 mm diameter and 0.7 mm height) were formed. Pretreatment and bonding were done while the specimens were subjected to 15 mm Hg IPP. After curing, specimens were aged in artificial saliva at 37°C and under IPP at 20 mm Hg until being tested after 24 hours or 2 years (n=20/group). Microshear bond strength was evaluated. Failure modes were determined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 400× magnification. Data were statistically analyzed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA); one-way ANOVA tests, and t-test (p&lt;0.05). Additional specimens (n=5/group) were prepared to evaluate interfacial silver precipitation.ResultsFor the 24-hour groups, there were no significant differences among the ND groups and AD groups. For ND aged specimens, the 5% CHX group had the highest value followed by the 2% CHX and control groups, although the difference was statistically insignificant. For AD aged specimens, the 5% CHX group revealed statistically higher bond values compared to the 2% CHX and control groups. Fracture modes were predominately adhesive and mixed. Different interfacial silver depositions were recorded.ConclusionsTwo percent or 5% CHX pretreatment has no adverse effect on the 24-hour bonding to ND and AD. Five percent CHX was able to diminish the loss in bonding to AD after 2years of aging in artificial saliva and under simulated IPP.
Limitation of petrographic indices in depositional environmental interpretation of coal deposits
Authors: Sahay Vinay 
Published: August 2011

AbstractOrganic petrology based petrographic indices (Tissue Preservation Index and Gelification Index) is a widely utilized tool in the study of depositional palaeoenvironment of coal. Evaluation of these petrographic indices suggests that, at present, utilize only vitrinite/huminite and inertinite macerals to interpret depositional environment of coal. Liptinite group macerals have important depositional environment implications, but liptinite macerals have not been taken into account in earlier petrographic indices (TPI and GI) formulations. This article examines the limitation of TPI and GI, and proposes improved TPI and GI indices, including the liptinite and inertinite macerals having depositional environment significance.
The Effectiveness of Carraguard, a Vaginal Microbicide, in Protecting Women against High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection
Authors: Marais Dianne , Gawarecki Daniel , Allan Bruce , Ahmed Khatija , Altini Lydia , Cassim Nazira , Gopolang Felicity , Hoffman Margaret , Ramjee Gita , Williamson Anna-Lise 
Published: August 2011

Background A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found the vaginal microbicide Carraguard unable to prevent HIV infection. A substudy assessed the association of genital high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in women at study end with Carraguard use. Methods Participants received Carraguard gel or placebo plus condoms, and were instructed to use gel plus condoms during each act of vaginal intercourse. HR-HPV detection on cervical samples from 1,723 women was by Digene Hybrid Capture 2 analysis. Poisson regression analysis assessed the prevalence of genital HR-HPV for individuals receiving Carraguard relative to individuals receiving placebo. Results In the Carraguard arm ( n=875) the end trial unadjusted HR-HPV prevalence was 23.5% (95% CI 20.8– 26.3) and 23.0% (95% CI 20.2–25.8) in placebo arm ( n=843). Significant risk factors for HR-HPV infection were younger age, being single, an abnormal pap smear, multiple sexual partners and promiscuous behaviour without the use of a condom. There were 348 compliant women (174 Carraguard, 174 placebo users), with relatively high adherence to gel use, who inserted 80% of their opened, returned applicators of test product with the proportion of applicator insertions to sex acts >30%. After adjusting for risk factors, these compliant Carraguard users were 0.62 as likely to be classified HR-HPV positive (95% CI 0.41–0.94) as compliant placebo users. Conclusions The prevalence of HR-HPV infection was lower in compliant Carraguard users than compliant placebo users. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing a negative association of HPV infection with a vaginal microbicide.
Le « projet Alizés-Électrique » ou les paradoxes du rapport de développement
Authors: Caratini Sophie 
Published: August 2011

Résumé De 1994 à 1997, une ONG française, le GRET (Groupe de Recherche et d’Échanges Technologiques) réalise un « projet » d’électrification rurale en Mauritanie dont les schémas « de gestion » peuvent être rétrospectivement associés à la mouvance idéologique de la « bonne gouvernance ». Les premiers résultats d’une série d’enquêtes anthropologiques menées depuis 2002 en Mauritanie à la demande de l’AFD (Agence Française pour le Développement) puis de l’ADER (Agence du Développement de l’Électrification Rurale) sur le terrain villageois et institutionnel montrent que nombre de pratiques des professionnels du « développement » recèlent le désir de concrétiser un modèle d’organisation sociale porteur d’un fantasme d’ingérence politique. L’analyse des résistances provoquées par le « projet Alizés-Électrique » permet d’ouvrir quelques pistes de recherche sur l’ensemble du champ social défini par « l’Aide » et de s’interroger sur les logiques structurelles qui sous-tendent ce qu’il est proposé de nommer : « le rapport de développement ».