bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monographs on drugs which are frequently analyzed in therapeutic drug monitoring / Arzneimittel-Monographien für Medikamente, die regelmäßig im Rahmen des Therapeutic Drug Monitorings analysiert werden
Authors: Rentsch (Vorsitzende)  Working group “Drug Monitoring” of the SSCC: Katharina , Eap Chin Bin , Fathi Marc , Grignaschi Nathalie , Magnin Jean-Luc , Thormann Wolfgang , Todesco Liliane , Werner Dominique 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
In addition to the monographs which have been published recently by the working group “Drug Monitoring” of the Swiss Society of Clinical Chemistry (SSCC) [1–3], new monographs have been written. The aim of these monographs is to provide an overview on the information which is important for the request and interpretation of the results. Therefore, the targeted readers are laboratory health professionals and the receivers of the reports. In this series, several antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs are presented. It is worth noting that the monograph on the antipsychotic clozapine has already been published in 2005 [1]. Information on the indications for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), protein binding, metabolic pathways and enzymes involved, elimination half-life time and elimination route(s) of the parent drug and therapeutic or toxic concentrations is provided. Because pre-analytical considerations are of particular importance for therapeutic drug monitoring, information regarding the optimal point in time for the determination of drug concentrations and achievement of steady-state concentrations after changing the dose is given. Furthermore, the stability of the drug and its metabolite(s) after blood sampling is described. For readers with a specific interest, references to important publications are provided. The number of the monographs will be continuously increased. The updated files are presented on the homepage of the SSCC (www.sscc.ch). We hope that these monographs are helpful for the better handling of therapeutic drug monitoring and we are looking forward to comments by the readers.
An improved indirect approach for determining reference limits from intra-laboratory data bases exemplified by concentrations of electrolytes / Ein verbesserter indirekter Ansatz zur Bestimmung von Referenzgrenzen mittels intra-laboratorieller Datensätze am Beispiel von Elektrolyt-Konzentrationen
Authors: Arzideh Farhad , Brandhorst Gunnar , Gurr Eberhard , Hinsch Wilhelm , Hoff Torsten , Roggenbuck Lennart , Rothe Gregor , Schumann Gerhard , Wolters Bernd , Wosniok Werner , Haeckel Rainer 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Background: The current dogma of establishing intra-laboratory reference limits (RLs) and their periodical reviewing cannot be fulfilled by most laboratories due to the expenses involved. Thus, most laboratories adopt RLs from external sources often neglecting the problems of transferability. Presently accepted validation concepts still require experimental expenses. Several attempts were undertaken to derive RLs from the large data pools stored in modern laboratory information systems. Former indirect procedures were not generally accepted, but were recently further developed and combined with direct exclusion criteria and applied to estimate RLs of the catalytic activity concentrations of enzymes. This approach was now applied to several electrolytes in serum and plasma most commonly applied in clinical chemistry.

Methods: A smoothed kernel density function was estimated for the distribution of the mixed data of the sample group (combined data of non-diseased and diseased subjects). It was assumed that the “central” part of the distribution of all data represents the non-diseased (“healthy”) population (non-pathological values) with high probability. The central part was defined by truncation points using an optimisation method, and was used to estimate a Gaussian distribution of the values of non-diseased subjects. This distribution was now considered as the distribution of the non-diseased subgroup. The percentiles of this parametrical distribution were calculated to obtain unimodal reference intervals.

Results: The RLs obtained from different laboratories were similar to recently published values established by direct procedures. Stratification for gender was not necessary, but in some cases for age. With rising age, an increase of the upper RL and of the reference range was observed for potassium. Hospitalisation affected the RLs of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, but not of phosphate. In the case of sodium, the data of at least five regional laboratories could be combined to common RLs. The presented indirect procedure was further validated with a large dataset of potassium concentrations from the NHANES III study with five groups of different health status.

Conclusions: The proposed strategy of combining exclusion criteria with an indirect method led to RLs from intra-laboratory data pools for electrolytes which were plausible in comparison to published data obtained by the generally accepted direct approach. The combined concept, however, still requires further investigations. Therefore, it is presently only recommended for checking and reviewing already existing RLs.
The IFCC recommendations for determining reference intervals: strengths and limitations / Die IFCC-Empfehlungen für die Bestimmung von Referenzbereichen: Stärken und Schwächen
Authors: Henny Joseph 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Based on the original recommendation of the Expert Panel on the Theory of Reference Values of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) dating back to the 1980s, updated guidelines were recently published under the auspices of the IFCC and the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Whereas the theory and the fundamentals of the reference value concept (definition, selection of reference individuals, preanalytical and analytical requirements, analysis of reference values) have not been modified, the updated guidelines add valuable improvements (transference, validation and verifying reference intervals). However, certain limitations remain which will be discussed in the present article.
Reducing Psychosocial and Behavioral Pregnancy Risk Factors: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial Among High-Risk Pregnant African American Women
Authors: Joseph Jill G. , El-Mohandes Ayman A. E. , Kiely Michele , El-Khorazaty M. Nabil , Gantz Marie G. , Johnson Allan A. , Katz Kathy S. , Blake Susan M. , Rossi Maryann W. , Subramanian Siva 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. We evaluated the efficacy of a primary care intervention targeting pregnant African American women and focusing on psychosocial and behavioral risk factors for poor reproductive outcomes (cigarette smoking, secondhand smoke exposure, depression, and intimate partner violence). Methods. Pregnant African American women (N = 1044) were randomized to an intervention or usual care group. Clinic-based, individually tailored counseling sessions were adapted from evidence-based interventions. Follow-up data were obtained for 850 women. Multiple imputation methodology was used to estimate missing data. Outcome measures were number of risks at baseline, first follow-up, and second follow-up and within-person changes in risk from baseline to the second follow-up. Results. Number of risks did not differ between the intervention and usual care groups at baseline, the second trimester, or the third trimester. Women in the intervention group more frequently resolved some or all of their risks than did women in the usual care group (odds ratio = 1.61; 95% confidence interval = 1.08, 2.39; P = .021). Conclusions. In comparison with usual care, a clinic-based behavioral intervention significantly reduced psychosocial and behavioral pregnancy risk factors among high-risk African American women receiving prenatal care.
Multilevel Predictors of Inconsistent Condom Use Among Adolescent Mothers
Authors: Van Horne Bethanie S. , Wiemann Constance M. , Berenson Abbey B. , Horwitz Irwin B. , Volk Robert J. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. We used Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to identify factors that predicted never or sometimes using condoms in a multiethnic cohort of adolescent mothers.Methods. We interviewed adolescent mothers within 48 hours of delivery and surveyed them 6 and 12 months after delivery (n = 636). We used multinomial logistic regression to identify individual-, dyad-, family-, and peer and community-level factors associated with never or sometimes using versus always using condoms during intercourse at 12 months postpartum.Results. Pregnancy status, partner refusal to use condoms, intimate partner violence, and race/ethnicity predicted both never and sometimes using condoms. Condom use 6 months earlier and church attendance also predicted never using condoms, whereas maternal monitoring was an additional predictor for sometimes using condoms.Conclusions. Overlapping yet distinct risk profiles predicted never or sometimes using versus always using condoms. Factors from multiple levels of influence affected the condom use behaviors of adolescent mothers indicating that multilevel interventions are needed to promote safer sexual practices among these young women.
History of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Unsafe Anal Intercourse in a 6-City Study of HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Welles Seth L. , Baker A. Cornelius , Miner Michael H. , Brennan David J. , Jacoby Scott , Rosser B. R. Simon 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. We assessed rates of childhood sexual abuse and its demographic and mental health correlates among HIV-positive men who reported unsafe anal intercourse with other men in the past year. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 593 HIV-positive men who have sex with men enrolled in the Positive Connections intervention. Results. Childhood sexual abuse was reported by 47% of participants; 32% reported frequency as often or sometimes. Men reporting abuse were more likely to be Latino (odds ratio [OR] = 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6, 4.2; P < .001) or African American (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2, 2.7; P = .005) than White. Among those who were abused, more frequent abuse was associated with more sexual contacts (for each, rate ratio [RR] = 1.3; P < .001) and unsafe anal intercourse (often, RR = 1.5; sometimes, RR = 2.0; P < .001) compared with men who were not abused. Conclusions. History of childhood sexual abuse is highly prevalent among HIV-positive men who engage in risky sexual behavior with other men and appears to be more common among men of color. Our findings suggest that abuse is associated with a significantly increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Characteristics and Behaviors Associated With HIV Infection Among Inmates in the North Carolina Prison System
Authors: Rosen David L. , Schoenbach Victor J. , Wohl David A. , White Becky L. , Stewart Paul W. , Golin Carol E. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. We identified factors associated with testing HIV positive in a prison system performing voluntary HIV testing on inmates and estimated the number of undetected HIV cases to evaluate the efficacy of risk-factor–based HIV testing. Methods. We used logistic regression to estimate associations between HIV serostatus and HIV risk behaviors, mental health, coinfection status, and sociodemographic characteristics for prisoners entering the North Carolina Department of Correction from January 2004 through May 2006. We estimated the number of undetected HIV cases on the basis of age-, gender-, and race-specific HIV prevalences among prisoners and in the state. Results. Nearly 3.4% (718/21 419) of tested prisoners were HIV positive. The strongest risk factors for infection among men were having sex with men (odds ratio [OR] = 8.0), Black race (OR = 6.2), other non-White race (OR = 7.4), and being aged 35 to 44 years (OR = 4.1). The strongest risk factor among women was Black race (OR = 3.8). Among HIV-positive prisoners, 65% were coinfected with HCV. We estimated that between 24% (223) and 61% (1101) of HIV cases remained undetected. Conclusions. The associations between HIV serostatus and a variety of factors highlight the potential limitations of risk-factor–based HIV testing in prisons, as do the high number of potential undetected HIV cases.
The Health Impact of Supportive Housing for HIV-Positive Homeless Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Buchanan David , Kee Romina , Sadowski Laura S. , Garcia Diana 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. We assessed the health impact of a housing and case management program, the Chicago Housing for Health Partnership, for homeless people with HIV. Methods. HIV-positive homeless inpatients at a public hospital (n = 105) were randomized to usual care or permanent housing with intensive case management. The primary outcome was survival with intact immunity, defined as CD4 count ≥ 200 and viral load < 100 000. Secondary outcomes were viral loads, undetectable viral loads, and CD4 counts. Results. Outcomes were available for 94 of 105 enrollees (90%). Of 54 intervention participants, 35 (65%) reached permanent housing in program housing agencies. After 1 year, 55% of the intervention and 34% of the usual care groups were alive and had intact immunity (P = .04). Seventeen intervention (36%) and 9 usual care (19%) participants had undetectable viral loads (P = .051). Median viral loads were 0.89 log lower in the intervention group (P = .03). There were no statistical differences in CD4 counts. Conclusions. Homelessness is a strong predictor of poor health outcomes and complicates the medical management of HIV. This housing intervention improved the health of HIV-positive homeless people.
Examination of the Relationship Between Oncology Drug Labeling Revision Frequency and FDA Product Categorization
Authors: Berlin Robert J. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. I examined the relationship between the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) use of special regulatory designations and the frequency with which labels of oncology drugs are revised to explore how the FDA's designation of products relates to product development and refinement. Methods. One hundred oncology drugs, designated by the FDA as accelerated approval, priority review, orphan drug, or traditional review, were identified from publicly available information. Drug information for each product was evaluated to assess the rate at which manufacturers revised product labeling. Rates were compared between specially categorized products and traditional review products (e.g., orphan vs nonorphan drugs) to produce revision rate ratios for each special category. Results. Labeling for accelerated approval and priority review products are revised significantly more frequently than are labels for traditional products. Conclusions. Accelerated approval products are approved based on surrogate endpoints; this approval process anticipates subsequent labeling refinement. Priority review products, however, are approved through a process that is ostensibly as rigorous as traditional review. Their higher than expected label revision rate may suggest deficiencies in the FDA's current priority review evaluation processes.
Adding the Female Condom to the Public Health Agenda on Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men and Women During Anal Intercourse
Authors: Kelvin Elizabeth A. , Smith Raymond A. , Mantell Joanne E. , Stein Zena A. 
Published: April 2009

Legal barriers to conducting public health research on methods of protection for anal intercourse were lifted in the United States in 2003 when the US Supreme Court invalidated all state antisodomy laws. Although research funding has been available for the development of rectal microbicides, the female condom, which has already been approved for vaginal use, has not been evaluated for anal use. Although there is no evidence that the female condom is safe for anal intercourse, it has already been taken up for off-label use by some men who have sex with men. This demonstrates the urgent need for more protection options for anal intercourse and, more immediately, the need to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the female condom for anal intercourse.
Sexual Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Positive Black Men Who Have Sex With Women, With Men, or With Men and Women: Implications for Intervention Development
Authors: Spikes Pilgrim S. , Purcell David W. , Williams Kim M. , Chen Ying , Ding Helen , Sullivan Patrick S. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. We compared demographics and sexual and drug risk behaviors among HIV-positive Black men who have sex with women only, with men only, or with men and women to assess differences among and between these groups. Methods. We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Supplement to HIV and AIDS Surveillance Project for 2038 HIV-positive Black men who reported being sexually active. We classified the participants by their reported sexual behaviors in the past year: intercourse with women (n = 1186), with men (n = 741), or with men and women (n = 111). Results. Respondents whose sexual partners were both men and women reported more noninjection drug use, sexual exchange, and sexual partners than did the other 2 groups. Bisexual respondents were also more likely than were heterosexuals to report unprotected intercourse with a steady female partner and were more likely than were both other groups to report having steady partners of unknown HIV serostatus and using drugs during their last sexual episode. Conclusions. HIV-positive Black men with both male and female sexual partners engaged in more sexual and drug risk behaviors than did their heterosexual and homosexual peers. More information concerning the prevention needs of behaviorally bisexual HIV-positive Black men is needed.
Risks of Recreational Exposure to Waterborne Pathogens Among Persons With HIV/AIDS in Baltimore, Maryland
Authors: McOliver Cynthia C. , Lemerman Hanna B. , Silbergeld Ellen K. , Moore Richard D. , Graczyk Thaddeus K. 
Published: April 2009

Objectives. We assessed the prevalence of recreational activities in the waterways of Baltimore, MD, and the risk of exposure to Cryptosporidium among persons with HIV/AIDS.Methods. We studied patients at the Johns Hopkins Moore Outpatient AIDS Clinic. We conducted oral interviews with a convenience sample of 157 HIV/AIDS patients to ascertain the sites used for recreational water contact within Baltimore waters and assess risk behaviors.Results. Approximately 48% of respondents reported participating in recreational water activities (fishing, crabbing, boating, and swimming). Men and women were almost equally likely to engage in recreational water activities (53.3% versus 51.3%). Approximately 67% (105 of 157) ate their own catch or that of friends or family members, and a majority (61%, or 46 of 75) of respondents who reported recreational water contact reported consumption of their own catch.Conclusions. Baltimoreans with HIV/AIDS are engaging in recreational water activities in urban waters that may expose them to waterborne pathogens and recreational water illnesses. Susceptible persons, such as patients with HIV/AIDS, should be cautioned regarding potential microbial risks from recreational water contact with surface waters.
Natural brane-confinement from massive Z
2-spontaneously broken Kaluza-Klein excitations in the bulk
Authors: Dariescu Marina , Dariescu Ciprian , Romero Carlos 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
For a real scalar field minimally coupled to bulk gravity, in five dimensions, we analytically solve the Gordon equation, near one of the degenerated vacua of an effective potential with a spontaneously broken Z
2-symmetry. Dealing with the back-reaction from the excited massive modes on the whole scale function, we are pointing out that the lighter excitations of the scalar in the bulk turn more and more the warp function into the one of a partition on the confined brane.
Coherent states for Smorodinsky-Winternitz potentials
Authors: Ünal Nuri 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
In this study, we construct the coherent states for a particle in the Smorodinsky-Winternitz potentials, which are the generalizations of the two-dimensional harmonic oscillator problem. In the first case, we find the non-spreading wave packets by transforming the system into four oscillators in Cartesian, and also polar, coordinates. In the second case, the coherent states are constructed in Cartesian coordinates by transforming the system into three non-isotropic harmonic oscillators. All of these states evolve in physical-time. We also show that in parametric-time, the second case can be transformed to the first one with vanishing eigenvalues.
The Yang-Mills fields — from the gauge theory to the mechanical model
Authors: Constantinescu Radu , Ionescu Carmen 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
The paper presents some mechanical models of gauge theories, i.e. gauge fields transposed in a space with a finite number of degree of freedom. The main focus is on how a global symmetry as the BRST one could be transferred in this context. The mechanical Yang-Mills model modified by taking the ghost type variables into account will be considered as an example of nonlinear dynamical systems.
First principles study of electronic and optical properties of InAs
Authors: Feng Zhenbao , Hu Haiquan , Cui Shouxin , Wang Wenjun , Lu Canyun 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
The electronic and optical properties of InAs in core-level spectra are calculated using the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitials (FP-LAPW +lo) method. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function ε(ω), the optical absorption coefficient I(ω), the reflectivity R(ω), the refractive index n(ω), and the extinction coefficient k(ω)are calculated. All these values are in good agreement with the experimental data. The effect of spin-orbit coupling on optical properties is also investigated and found to be quite small.
A mathematical structure for the generalization of conventional algebra
Authors: Kaabouchi Aziz , Nivanen Laurent , Wang Qiuping , Badiali Jean , Méhauté Alain 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
An abstract mathematical framework is presented in this paper as a unification of several deformed or generalized algebra proposed recently in the context of generalized statistical theories intended to treat certain complex thermodynamic or statistical systems. It is shown that, from a mathematical point of view, any bijective function can in principle be used to formulate an algebra in which the conventional algebraic rules are generalized.