bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of email alerts in practice: part 1 – review of the literature on clinical emailing channels
Authors: Pluye Pierre , Grad Roland M. , Granikov Vera , Jagosh Justin , Leung Kit 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRationale  Methods to systematically assess electronic knowledge resources by health professionals may enhance evaluation of these resources, knowledge exchange between information users and providers, and continuing professional development. We developed the Information Assessment Method (IAM) to document health professional perspectives on the relevance, cognitive impact, potential use and expected health outcomes of information delivered by (push) or retrieved from (pull) electronic knowledge resources. However, little is known about push communication in health sciences, and what we propose to call clinical emailing channels (CECs). CECs can be understood as a communication infrastructure that channels clinically relevant research knowledge, email alerts, from information providers to the inboxes of individual practitioners.Aims  In two companion papers, our objectives are to (part 1) explore CEC evaluation in routine practice, and (part 2) examine the content validity of the cognitive component of IAM.Methods  The present paper (part 1) critically reviews the literature in health sciences and four disciplines: communication, information studies, education and knowledge translation. Our review addresses the following questions. What are CECs? How are they assessed?Results  The review contributes to better define CECs, and proposes a ‘push‐pull‐acquisition‐cognition‐application’ evaluation framework, which is operationalized by IAM.Conclusion  Compared with existing evaluation tools, our review suggests IAM is comprehensive, generic and systematic.
Predictors of doctor‐rated and patient‐rated gout severity: gout impact scales improve assessment
Authors: Sarkin Andrew J. , Levack Ashley E. , Shieh Marian M. , Kavanaugh Arthur F. , Khanna Dinesh , Singh Jasvinder A. , Terkeltaub Robert A. , Lee Susan J. , Hirsch Jan D. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Our objective was to describe the factors associated with doctor‐rated and patient‐rated gout severity to explain how doctor assessment involving patient‐reported outcomes can improve the clinical management of gout.Methods  Patients completed a newly validated gout‐specific health‐related quality of life instrument, the Gout Impact Scale (GIS) and other questions regarding their gout. Both patients and their doctors gave an overall gout severity assessment. We conducted correlation analyses between each predictor of interest and the two different severity ratings (doctor‐rated severity and patient‐rated severity). Stepwise multiple regressions were performed to determine the best predictors for doctor‐rated and patient‐rated severity, respectively.Results  Doctor‐rated severity more closely correlated with objective clinical and laboratory findings, particularly the presence of tophi, which was not a leading factor in patient‐rated severity assessments. Patient‐rated severity more closely correlated with the domains of the GIS, which expressed the impact of gout on health‐related quality of life.Conclusion  Doctors might have a better understanding of their patients' level of disease impact if they incorporate an instrument such as the GIS in their evaluation of gout severity and their decisions regarding aggressiveness of treatment. The increased use of patient‐reported outcomes measures has the potential to improve quality of care and patient satisfaction, as well as reduce costs of health care utilization.
The identification of risk factors for infectious patients with acute fever and formulation of activation criteria to alert outpatient clinic doctors
Authors: Xiao Hongli , Qi Haiyu , Li Xingwang , Wang Jing , Li Xiaoli , Ma Suxia , Diao Zongli , Wang Yan , Sun Fangfang , Yin Chenghong 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Acute fever is the most common clinical symptom for infectious diseases. It is necessary to identify risk factors for infectious patients with acute fever and formulate activation criteria of early warning infectiosity score system (EWIS) to alert outpatient clinic doctors.Methods  Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for infectious diseases from the clinical data of 758 patients with acute fever. Risk factors were weighted and an EWIS was formulated. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis of weighted cumulative scores was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EWIS, and the Kappa test used to confirm diagnostic reliability. A χ2‐test for trend was applied to determine the relevance between EWIS and incidence of infectious diseases.Results  Risk factors for infections included conjunctival hyperaemia, rash, diarrhoea, increased alanine aminotransferase, splenomegaly and abnormal percentage of peripheral neutrophils (NE%). Risk factors were weighted and tabulated. The areas under the ROC curves of the EWIS was 0.929 and ≥4 points predicted infectious diseases, and the Kappa values were 0.750. As the score increased, the incidence of infectious diseases increased. The areas under the ROC curves of the EWIS predicting on single viral and bacterial infectious diseases were 0.961 and 0.896, and the Kappa values were 0.807 and 0.701, respectively.Conclusions  Risk factors for infections have been identified, quantified and formulated into a table of EWIS that have high diagnostic accuracy and reliability for the early identification of contagious diseases.
Evaluation of a health service delivery intervention to promote falls prevention in older people across the care continuum
Authors: Peel Nancye M. , Travers Catherine , Bell Rebecca A. R. , Smith Kate 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  The incidence of falls and fall‐related injuries in older age is predicted to increase concomitantly with global population ageing, representing a serious challenge to health care systems. In spite of the availability of policy and practice guidelines for the prevention of falls and fall‐related injuries, a considerable gap remains between best practice and current health service delivery. This paper describes the method and results of the implementation and evaluation of a state‐wide workforce enhancement strategy to promote the uptake of evidence‐based falls prevention activities for older people.Methods  The project was undertaken in Queensland, Australia in 2008 across the community, acute and residential aged care sectors. Six Falls Safety Officers (FSOs) were appointed to implement a 1‐year pilot of strategies aimed at enhancing workforce capacity to deliver a coordinated approach to falls prevention across the care continuum. The project was independently evaluated for process, impact and outcome. Both quantitative and qualitative data were extracted from records maintained by the FSOs for the evaluation and additional data were obtained from interviews with key stakeholders.Results  Considerable progress was achieved towards the project's objectives, including the wide dissemination of information and resources, as well as the establishment of working groups to continue falls prevention planning and implementation. Barriers and facilitators to the project's implementation were identified.Conclusion  The formal evaluation provides evidence for the development of a cross‐continuum service delivery model for implementing coordinated state‐wide falls prevention strategies for the prevention of falls in older people.
Parallel habitat specialization within the wolf spider genusHognafrom the Galápagos
Authors: DE BUSSCHERE C. , HENDRICKX F. , VAN BELLEGHEM S. M. , BACKELJAU T. , LENS L. , BAERT L. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractWithin most island archipelagos, such as the Galápagos, similar ecological gradients are found on geographically isolated islands. Species radiations in response to these ecological gradients may follow different scenarios being (i) a single habitat specialization event followed by secondary colonization of each ecotype on the different islands or (ii) repeated and parallel habitat specialization on each island separately. This latter scenario has been considered less likely as gene flow might hamper such ecotypic differentiation. At least for the Galápagos, the extent to which this process is involved in species radiations remains yet poorly understood. Within the wolf spider genusHogna, seven species are described that can be divided into three different ecotypes based on general morphology and habitat preference i.e. species that inhabit the pampa vegetation in the highlands, species that occur in coastal dry habitats and one generalist species. Comparison of the species phylogeny based on one mitochondrial (COI) and one nuclear (28S) gene fragment convincingly demonstrates that ‘pampa’ and ‘coastal dry’ species evolved in parallel on the islands Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal. Despite the observation that allozymes analysis indicated that each species forms a distinct genetic cluster, phylogenetic divergence within these species complexes was very low and paraphyletic and most likely due to hybridization rather than incomplete lineage sorting, as demonstrated for the Santa Cruz species complex. This suggests that within‐island speciation occurred under low levels of gene flow. Species phylogeny in general did not follow the progression of island emergence as a molecular clock analysis suggested that island endemic species may have diverged after as well as before the emergence of the islands. This represents the first clear example of parallel and within‐island speciation because of habitat specialization on the Galápagos and that such divergence most likely occurred under historic gene flow.
Temporal anatomy of an epigenetic switch in cell programming: the white‐opaque transition of C. albicans
Authors: Lohse Matthew B. , Johnson Alexander D. 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe human pathogen Candida albicans undergoes a well‐defined switch between two distinct cell types, named ‘white’ and ‘opaque’. White and opaque cells differ in metabolic preferences, mating behaviours, cellular morphologies and host interactions. Each cell type is stable through many generations; switching between them is rare, stochastic and occurs without any known changes in the primary sequence of the genome; thus the switch is epigenetic. The white‐opaque switch is regulated by a transcriptional circuit, composed of four regulators arranged in a series of interlocking feedback loops. To understand how switching occurs, we investigated the order of regulatory changes that occur during the switch from the opaque to the white cell type. Surprisingly, changes in key transcriptional regulators occur gradually, extending over several cell divisions with little cell‐to‐cell variation. Additional experiments, including perturbations to regulator concentrations, refine the signature of the commitment point. Transcriptome analysis reveals that opaque cells begin to globally resemble white cells well before they irreversibly commit to switching. We propose that these characteristics of the switching process permit C. albicans to ‘test the waters’ before making an all‐or‐none decision.
Interstitial cells of Cajal: are they major players in control of gastrointestinal motility?
Authors: DANIEL E. E. , BEREZIN I. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis review examines recent evidence from structural and functional studies that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play a major role in control of gastrointestinal function. These cells, identified to date only by their structural and somewhat selective staining characteristics, form networks in the region of the myentehc plexus and in or adjacent to circular muscle. Those in circular muscle are often coupled to one another and to smooth muscle cells by gap junctions and are closely innervated by a high proportion of enteric nerves, especially those containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). ICC in the myenteric plexus often have no visible connections by gap junctions to smooth muscle. There is a growing body of evidence from study of small intestine and colon that these cells are either the pacemakers or provide clocks for the pacemaking function of the gut (vahously known as slow waves, pacesetter potentials or control potentials). Additional evidence suggests that they may play a role in neurotransmission of non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic inhibitory activity. This review summarizes our current understanding and attempts to point the way for future research.
Characterization of colonic motor activity in conscious dogs
Authors: SHIBATA C. , SASAKI I. , MATSUNO S. , MIZUMOTO A. , IWANAGA Y. , ITOH Z. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractDiurnal changes in canine colonic motility were investigated by means of chronically implanted force transducers. A characteristic of the colonic motor profile in the fasted state was the occurrence of colonic motor complexes consisting of tonic contractions superimposed with phasic ones. On feeding, motor complexes were immediately induced in the whole colon and continued to occur at significantly shorter intervals than those in the fasted state, but the duration and the amplitude of the colonic motor complexes were not affected by feeding. This increased activity period lasted for 8–16 h after feeding, and 83.3% of the defecations were observed in this period. Of the defecations 33% occurred in the first 2 h after feeding (P < 0.05). More than 80% of the giant migrating contractions associated with defecation propagated from the middle to the distal colon, and the start of faeces evacuation coincided with the end of the relaxation period of the distal colon preceding the arrival of the giant migrating contractions. More than 90% of the giant migrating contractions not associated with defecation migrated from the proximal to the middle colon. More than 60% of the colonic motor complexes migrated in an aboral direction and about 18% of them in an oral direction. These results suggest that (1) defecations tend to occur immediately after feeding; (2) the regional distribution of giant migrating contractions was different between those associated and not associated with defecation.
Anatomical relationship between crural diaphragm and lower oesophageal sphincter: an electrophysiological study
Authors: HEINE K. J. , DENT J. , MITTAL R. K. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractWe performed electrophysiological studies in 12 normal, healthy subjects to determine the relative locations of the lower oesophageal sphincter, crural diaphragm and squamocolumnar junction. Oesophagogastric junction pressure, crural diaphragm electromyogram and mucosal potential difference were measured using a specially designed catheter. This catheter had a side hole to measure pressure and electrodes placed around the side hole for crural diaphragm electromyogram recordings. Mucosal potential difference was measured at the side hole that measured pressure. Recordings were obtained using a motorized rapid pullthrough at a constant speed of 0.85 cm/sec. Rapid pullthroughs were performed under the following conditions: (a) end expiration (diaphragm relaxed), (b) during a sustained maximal contraction of the diaphragm, and (c) during 50% of maximal diaphragmatic contraction. Our results show that the lower oesophageal sphincter is 4.4 cm in length, 2 cm of which is located in the abdomen. The crural diaphragm is 1.7 cm in length and surrounds the proximal half of the lower oesophageal sphincter. The squamocolumnar junction is located in the upper half of the lower oesophageal sphincter in the majority of subjects. The relative location of the lower oesophageal sphincter to the crural diaphragm does not change during diaphragmatic contraction. We conclude that a part of the lower oesophageal sphincter is located in the abdomen. The intra‐abdominal location of the lower oesophageal sphincter may be important for its anti‐reflux barrier function.
Post‐prandial and interdigestive return of bile acids to the gallbladder in healthy subjects
Authors: QVIST N. , ØSTER‐JØRGENSEN E. , PEDERSEN S. A. , RASMUSSEN L. , HOVENDAL C. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe enterohepatic circulation of a radioactive marked bile acid (75Se‐HCAT) was studied by scintigraphy in the post‐prandial period as well as after prolonged fasting in healthy young male volunteers in combination with a continuous pressure recording from the antroduodenal region. In a group of 8 subjects the radioactive marker was instilled into duodenum after the ingestion of a standard meal. At the transition from fed‐motility pattern (irregular contractions with a frequency of 1–9 per minute) to fasting intestinal motility pattern, defined as the occurrence of a Phase HI activity‐front of the migrating motor complexes, a median (range) of 14% (9–25%) of the 75Se‐HCAT pool was stored in the gallbladder. During the following migrating motor complex cycles, net gallbladder filling occurred with a significantly higher rate during Phase I (0.22% of the 75Se‐HCAT pool per minute) compared to Phase II, where the median net value was 0.07%. This difference in net filling rate was due to the occurrence of periods of gallbladder emptyings during Phase II. At the end of this first migrating motor complex cycle in the post‐prandial period a total of 32% (26–46%) of the 75Se‐HCAT pool was in the gallbladder. In another group of 8 subjects the scintigraphic study was not carried out until 15–20 hours after ingestion of the standard meal and the radioactive marker. The scintigraphic study was carried out for two subsequent migrating motor complex cycles, and the amount of the 75Se‐HCAT pool present in the gallbladder at the first recorded Phase III complex was 46% (32–52%). The figures at the occurrence of the following two Phase III complexes were 48% (32–65%) and 47% (42–59%), respectively. A cyclic variation in gallbladder filling and emptying in connection with the migrating motor complex cycle was seen with a net filling during Phase I and a net emptying during Phase II. In the study after prolonged fasting the number and duration of the spontaneous gallbladder emptyings in Phase II were not different from those in the post‐prandial study. However, the amount emptied in per cent of the 75Se‐HCAT pool was significantly higher in the group studied after prolonged fasting compared to the group studied in the postprandial period, and accounted for a median of 3.3% (2.0–16.5%) and (1.6–6.0%) of the 75Se‐HCAT pool, respectively. This difference is most likely due to an increase in the concentration of gallbladder bile during fasting.
Effect of motilin and erythromycin on the motor activity of the human colon
Authors: BRADETTE M. , POITRAS P. , BOIVIN M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractMotilin and motilin receptor agonist erythromycin were administered to healthy subjects where colonic motility was recorded manometrically from the hepatic flexure to the rectum. Experiments were carried out during the fasting basal state or when colonic motility was stimulated by the ingestion of a 1000 kcal lunch. A supraphysiological dose of motilin (100 ng kg−1, i.v.) increased the motor activity of the fasting sigmoid colon, but the response was smaller than the meal induced activity. The administration of erythromycin (200 mg, i.v.) during the inter digestive period induced, on the sigmoid region, a motor response that was not significantly different in amplitude from the post‐prandial contractile profile. However, on the more proximal segments of the colon, motilin and erythromycin were inactive. When both agents were administered during the digestive period, both failed to modify the contractile stimulation normally seen in all regions of the colon after a meal. Therefore the colonic motor response obtained with stimulation of motilin receptors in man appears limited;it is restricted to the sigmoid, it can be seen only during fasting and it is of weak amplitude.
Effect of fat preload on gastric myoelectrical activity in normal humans
Authors: CHEN J. D. Z. , DAVENPORT K. , McCALLUM R. W. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fat preload on gastric myoelectrical activity in normal humans. The study was performed in 10 normal subjects (five males, five females) fasted for 6h or more. Gastric myoelectrical activity was recorded using surface abdominal electrodes. In the study session the subjects ingested a 40‐g liquid fat meal (2 oz of lipomul) after a 30‐min baseline recording. A test meal (225 kcal beef stew) was then consumed 15 min after drinking the lipomul, and the recording was continued for 2 h after the test meal. The control session performed on a separate day followed the same procedure except that the lipomul was replaced by 2 oz of water. The order of the study and control sessions was randomized. The cutaneous recording of gastric myoelectrical activity (electrogastrogram or EGG) was digitized and subjected to computerized quantitative data analysis. The peak power and the corresponding frequency of the EGG during every 15‐min time interval were computed using spectral analysis. Student's t‐test was applied to determine the effect of fat preload on the surface recording of gastric myoelectrical activity. It was found that: (1) the power of the 15‐min EGG at the dominant frequency immediately after fat preload was significantly lower than that of the baseline EGG (P = 0.01); (2) the postprandial power increase of the EGG at the dominant frequency was significantly lower with fat preload than with placebo preload (P = 0.002); (3) the dominant frequency of the EGG was not affected by fat preload. It was concluded that fat preload significantly decreases the power of the EGG but does not affect the frequency of the gastric slow wave.
Effect of various doses of erythromycin on colonic myoelectrical activity in IBS patients
Authors: DELVAUX M. , LOUVEL D. , FIORAMONTI J. , STAUMONT G. , BUENO L. , FREXINOS J. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract Erythromycin mimics the effects of motilin but its action on colonic motility is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravenous infusions of various doses of erythromycin on colonic motility in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).At 09.00 hours, day 1 (D1), an intraluminal probe was introduced up to the right colon in 24 IBS patients with myoelectrical activity recorded for 48 h. Patients were randomised in three groups of eight, receiving either erythromycin 1.5, 3 or 7 mg kg−1. All were investigated as follows: at 09.00 hours, D2, fasted patients were infused with erythromycin in 30 min; at 09.00 hours, D3, glycerol 10 ml was injected intraluminally. Colonic activity was measured 30 min before the infusion started, during and 30 min after it, separately in the left and right colons, and expressed in time occupied during the recording period.Basal activity was similar in both parts of the colon. During and after erythromycin 1.5 and 3 mg kg−1, colonic activity remained unchanged. Erythromycin 7 mg kg−1 induced a moderate increase in spiking activity (long spike bursts or LSBs + 33%; migrating LSBs or MLSBs + 41%) in the right colon, no change being statistically significant; activities in the left colon were similar to basal level.During the first 30 min following glycerol injection, mean short spike burst or SSB activity did not change, mean LSB activity increased by seven fold (P = 0.014) and MLSB activity by ten fold (P = 0.023).Erythromycin at doses from 1.5 to 7 mg kg−1 failed to stimulate colonic motility in IBS patients. By contrast, response to glycerol was strong, suggesting normal colonic responsiveness. Erythromycin stimulatory effects could be limited to the upper gut at least in IBS patients.