bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Ethnic Matching Between Patient and Provider on the Effectiveness of Brief Alcohol Interventions With Hispanics
Authors: Field Craig , Caetano Raul 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Evaluating the effectiveness of treatments such as brief alcohol interventions among Hispanics is essential to effectively addressing their treatment needs. Clinicians of the same ethnicity as the client may be more likely to understand the culture‐specific values, norms, and attitudes and, therefore, the intervention may be more effective. Thus, in cases in which Hispanic patients were provided intervention by a Hispanic clinician improved drinking outcomes were expected.Methods:  Patients were recruited from an urban Level I Trauma following screening for an alcohol‐related injury or alcohol problems. Five hundred thirty‐seven Hispanics were randomly assigned to brief intervention or treatment as usual. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to determine the effects of ethnic match on drinking outcomes including volume per week, maximum amount, and frequency of 5 or more drinks per occasion. Analyses controlled for level of acculturation and immigration status.Results:  For Hispanics who received brief motivational intervention, an ethnic match between patient and provider resulted in a significant reduction in drinking outcomes at 12‐month follow‐up. In addition, there was a tendency for ethnic match to be most beneficial to foreign‐born Hispanics and less acculturated Hispanics.Conclusion:  As hypothesized, an ethnic match between patient and provider significantly enhanced the effectiveness of brief intervention among Hispanics. Ethnic concordance between patient and provider may have impacted the effectiveness of the intervention through several mechanisms including cultural scripts, ethnic‐specific perceptions pertaining to substance abuse, and ethnic‐specific preferred channels of communication.
Ethanol‐Regulated Genes That Contribute to Ethanol Sensitivity and Rapid Tolerance in Drosophila
Authors: Kong Eric C. , Allouche Lorien , Chapot Paul A. , Vranizan Karen , Moore Monica S. , Heberlein Ulrike , Wolf Fred W. 
Published: November 2009

Background: Increased ethanol intake, a major predictor for the development of alcohol use disorders, is facilitated by the development of tolerance to both the aversive and pleasurable effects of the drug. The molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol tolerance development are complex and are not yet well understood.Methods: To identify genetic mechanisms that contribute to ethanol tolerance, we examined the time course of gene expression changes elicited by a single sedating dose of ethanol in Drosophila, and completed a behavioral survey of strains harboring mutations in ethanol‐regulated genes.Results: Enrichment for genes in metabolism, nucleic acid binding, olfaction, regulation of signal transduction, and stress suggests that these biological processes are coordinately affected by ethanol exposure. We also detected a coordinate up‐regulation of genes in the Toll and Imd innate immunity signal transduction pathways. A multi‐study comparison revealed a small set of genes showing similar regulation, including increased expression of 3 genes for serine biosynthesis. A survey of Drosophila strains harboring mutations in ethanol‐regulated genes for ethanol sensitivity and tolerance phenotypes revealed roles for serine biosynthesis, olfaction, transcriptional regulation, immunity, and metabolism. Flies harboring deletions of the genes encoding the olfactory co‐receptor Or83b or the sirtuin Sir2 showed marked changes in the development of ethanol tolerance.Conclusions: Our findings implicate novel roles for these genes in regulating ethanol behavioral responses.
Greater Activation in Left Hemisphere Language‐Related Regions During Simple Judgment Tasks Among Substance‐Dependent Patients in Treatment for Alcoholism
Authors: Gilman Jodi M. , Davis Megan B. , Hommer Daniel W. 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Alcoholism is often associated with impaired emotional control. Alcoholics have also been found to have deficits in frontal lobe executive functions. Recent functional imaging studies have suggested that alcoholics show greater activation than nonalcoholics in circuits involving frontal lobes, as well as more posterior brain regions, when engaged in executive‐type tasks. In this study, we compared brain activations of alcohol‐dependent patients and healthy nonalcoholics while they performed 2 simple judgment tasks designed to activate frontal circuits involved in a basic form of decision making. Participants completed 1 judgment task that required an emotional judgment and 1 task that did not, which enabled us to study whether alcoholics had greater brain activation while performing executive tasks, and to determine if emotional tasks elicited even greater activation than nonemotional tasks.Methods:  We performed functional magnetic resonance imaging scans while alcoholic patients and nonalcoholic controls viewed pictures from the International Affective Picture System. In 3 separate runs, participants viewed the images without making a judgment, determined whether the images were indoor or outdoor scenes, or decided if they liked or disliked the images.Results:  There was little difference in brain activation between alcoholics and controls when no judgment was required. When participants made judgments about either the location or whether they liked or disliked an image, however, we observed significantly increased activation in frontal, limbic, and temporal regions in the patients relative to the controls. Increases were particularly robust in the frontal lobe and in areas of the brain associated with language. When we compared the emotional to the nonemotional judgment, the alcoholics, but not the controls, showed greater activation in the ventral mesial frontal cortex.Conclusions:  Alcoholic patients appear to use brain language areas more than nonalcoholics while making judgments about the setting or liking of emotionally arousing visual images. This increased activation may reflect a compensatory recruitment of brain regions to perform simple decision‐making tasks.
Photodynamic therapy of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma: comparison of dosage and timing
Authors: URBAN F , PILOTTO E , PARROZZANI R , MIDENA E 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose To compare standard versus bolus photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of symptomatic circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH). Methods Twenty consecutive cases of CCH were included in this prospective randomized study. Each patient was randomly assigned to receive either standard PDT (10‐minutes 6mg/mq2 verteporfin infusion; treatment at 15 min; 50 J/cm2; 83 sec) or bolus‐PDT (6mg/mq2 verteporfin intravenously bolus in 2 min; treatment at 5 min; 100 J/cm2; 166 sec). All patients were treated with a single PDT application. Best correct visual acuity, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography were performed at baseline and at each follow‐up examination. Retinal sensitivity was tested with microperimetry after treatment. Follow‐up was longer than 24 months. Results Mean follow‐up was 28 ± 4 months. All cases (100%) showed clinical regression of the treated lesion, complete resolution of subretinal fluid and reduction of choroidal leakage on angiograms. Cases treated with bolus‐PDT showed retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) hyperplastic changes over treated area. No similar RPE changes were found in patients treated with standard PDT. Two patients treated with bolus‐PDT developed macular pucker, respectively 4 and 5 months after treatment. Microperimetry examination revealed areas of reduced sensitivity after bolus‐PDT compare to standard PDT (p<0.001). Conclusion Both standard and bolus‐PDT seem effective in the treatment of symptomatic CCH. Bolus‐PDT may cause reactive retinal changes impairing retinal sensitivity, whereas standard PDT never impairs (and sometimes restores) retinal function.
Adverse outcomes following emergency department discharge of patients with possible acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Loten Conrad , Isbister Geoffrey , Jamcotchian Melissa , Hullick Carolyn , MacElduff Patrick , Attia John , Marley John 
Published: November 2009

AbstractObjective:  To determine the proportion of adverse events in patients discharged after ED assessment for possible acute coronary syndrome.Methods:  Prospective observational cohort study enrolling consecutive patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of coronary syndrome. Main outcome was the proportion of adverse coronary events (defined a priori) within 30 days.Results:  Of 2627 patients, 1819 (69%) were discharged without a diagnosis of coronary syndrome and 808 (31%) were admitted for further investigation and treatment. Of these, 385 (14.7%) were given a final diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. On 30 day follow up, 18 of the discharged patients were diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (0.7%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.4–1.1%), 10 with unstable angina (0.4%; 95% CI 0.2–0.7%) and 8 with non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction (0.3%; 95% CI 0.2–0.6%). There were no cases of ST elevation infarction or death. The sensitivity for diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes was 95.5% (95% CI 92.9–97.3%). Average length of stay was 7 h for discharged patients. Forty‐six per cent of patients with diabetes and 47% with a past history of coronary disease were discharged. Subsequent outpatient stress testing was performed in 13.6%.Conclusions:  In a large Australian ED, less than 1% of patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of coronary syndrome were discharged and subsequently had a 30 day adverse event. Reducing this proportion by admitting patients with traditional risk factors would markedly increase hospital workload. Opportunities exist to improve both the safety and efficiency of chest pain assessment in the ED.
Consequences of an unrecognized measles exposure in an emergency department
Authors: Bowen Asha C , Ferson Mark J , Palasanthiran Pamela 
Published: November 2009

AbstractA recent measles case in a paediatric hospital ED resulted in 111 individuals (patients, family members and health‐care workers) potentially being exposed to measles. This report documents the efforts taken to contact trace and provide best practice care for all those exposed to the index case. It also provides a snapshot of community prevalence information on immunity to measles. One hundred per cent of contacted children (n= 24) eligible for vaccination were immunized, whereas 96% of adults surveyed or tested (n= 44) had assumed or proven immunity. However, six infants aged between 6 and 9 months were exposed and might have been a sufficiently large reservoir to facilitate the ongoing spread of measles in the community, if contact tracing and preventative measures had not occurred. This scenario also highlights the need to consider measles in the ED, particularly among travellers, with urgent isolation of suspected cases in the ED according to guidelines discussed.
Queensland Emergency Medical System: A structural and organizational model for the emergency medical system in Australia
Authors: FitzGerald Gerry , Tippett Vivienne , Schuetz Michael , Clark Michele , Tighe Trevor , Gillard Noel , Higgins Jim , Elcock Mark 
Published: November 2009

AbstractObjective: The emergency medical system (EMS) can be defined as a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated system of care for patients suffering acute illness and injury. The aim of the present paper is to describe the evolution of the Queensland Emergency Medical System (QEMS) and to recommend a strategic national approach to EMS development.Methods: Following the formation of the Queensland Ambulance Service in 1991, a state EMS committee was formed. This committee led the development and approval of the cross portfolio QEMS policy framework that has resulted in dynamic policy development, system monitoring and evaluation. This framework is led by the Queensland Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.Results: There has been considerable progress in the development of all aspects of the EMS in Queensland. These developments have derived from the improved coordination and leadership that QEMS provides and has resulted in widespread satisfaction by both patients and stakeholders.Conclusions: The strategic approach outlined in the present paper offers a model for EMS arrangements throughout Australia. We propose that the Council of Australian Governments should require each state and Territory to maintain an EMS committee. These state EMS committees should have a broad portfolio of responsibilities. They should provide leadership and direction to the development of the EMS and ensure coordination and quality of outcomes. A national EMS committee with broad representation and broad scope should be established to coordinate the national development of Australia's EMS.
Fractured Penis: Diagnosis and Management (CME)
Authors: Al-Shaiji Tariq F. , Amann Justin , Brock Gerald B. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Penile fracture is a well-recognized clinical entity. It is relatively uncommon and is considered a urological emergency. Its management has been a subject of controversy.

Aim
In this article, we will review contemporary knowledge of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, and evolving management strategies of penile fracture.

Methods
A case report was discussed followed by an English-language Medline review.

Main Outcome Measure
Review of the available literature to establish best-practice management.

Results
The injury is defined as the traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum secondary to a blunt trauma of the erect penis. The condition is underreported. The commonest causes were coital injuries and penile manipulation. The diagnosis was usually fairly straightforward because of the stereotypical clinical presentation. Associated injuries included urethral rupture. Imaging was helpful in selected cases. Conservative measures were associated with increased complications. Most authors advocated early surgical repair. False explorations have been reported.

Conclusions
Penile fracture is a clinical diagnosis. The ideal management has evolved and remains largely surgical. Preoperative imaging should not delay surgical repair.
Viral colonization in intubated patients: initial pathogen pattern and follow‐up
Authors: Hauptmeier Barbara Monika , Borg Irmgard , Rohde Gernot , Anders Agnes , Kronsbein Juliane , Gatermann Sören , Bufe Albrecht , Blum Torsten , Schultze‐Werninghaus Gerhard , Bauer Torsten Thomas 
Published: November 2009

AbstractIntroduction:  Colonization of the lower respiratory tract is an independent risk factor for ventilator‐associated pneumonia. Little is known about the frequency of viral colonization on intubation and during mechanical ventilation.Methods:  Overall, 65 eligible intubated patients with no initial signs of pulmonary infection were studied over a period of up to 7 days. Tracheobronchial aspirates were taken: (i) within 48 h after intubation; and (ii) when clinical signs of nosocomial tracheobronchitis were present, before extubation, or after 7 days. Presence of respiratory viruses was investigated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results:  Patients were 67 ± 11 years old and had been in hospital for 5.1 ± 8.4 days when intubated (major cause for intubation: cardio‐pulmonary resuscitation 25/65, 38%). The average Acute Physiology and Chronic Evaluation II score was 27.3 ± 4.9. Microbiology detected Candida spp. (17/65; 26%) and Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin sensitive: 11/65; 17%; methicillin resistant: 3/65; 5%) and only few respiratory viruses (4/65, 6%). Thirty‐eight percent of the samples (25/65) were sterile. At the given endpoints, 27/65 (42%) patients were available for follow‐up and only one aspirate became positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Conclusions:  After endotracheal intubation, fungi, but not viruses were most frequently isolated. Only one patient acquired RSV, therefore colonization with respiratory viruses does not seem to play a major role early after intubation.Please cite this paper as: Hauptmeier BM, Borg I, Rohde G, Anders A, Kronsbein J, Gatermann S, Bufe A, Blum T, Schultze‐Werninghaus G and Bauer TT. Viral colonization in intubated patients: initial pathogen pattern and follow‐up. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 139–146.
The economics of transit oil and gas pipelines: a review of the fundamentals
Authors: Omonbude Ekpen J. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe growing relevance of transit oil and gas pipelines is reflected in the general anticipation of an increase in their construction in the future because of factors such as the increasing discoveries of reserves in remote and land‐locked locations, the depletion of reserves close to established markets, and improvements in cost‐effective technological methods of exploration and production in previously uneconomic reserves. Recent disputes between parties to transit pipeline agreements demonstrate, in addition to other problems, the relevance of a fundamental analysis of the workings of oil and gas pipelines in economics. The objective of this paper therefore is to provide a fundamental framework for understanding and analysing transit oil and gas pipelines. The paper finds that the concept of economic rent, natural monopoly and basic cost concepts clearly explain the rationale behind the imposition of a transit fee, although they do not sufficiently define how they are determined.
Transportation demand for petroleum products in Indonesia: a time series analysis
Authors: Sa'ad Suleiman 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThis paper used annual time series data for the period 1973 to 2007 in two econometric techniques [the structural time series model (STSM) and unrestricted error correction model (UECM)] developed to estimate petroleum products (gasoline and diesel) and demand functions for the transportation sector of Indonesia and make a forecast of per capita consumption of the total products until the year 2030 under three scenarios. The results from both models revealed that the demand for petroleum products are price inelastic, with an estimated long‐run price elasticity of −0.19 in the STSM and −0.16 in the UECM. However, total petroleum is income elastic in the long run with a long‐run income elasticity of 0.97 under the STSM and 0.88 in the UECM. The estimated demand functions are used to construct a projection of future transportation demand for petroleum products until 2030 under three alternative scenarios: business as usual, low case scenario and high case scenario. The results of this exercise suggests that by 2030, the demand for total petroleum products per capita for Indonesia will increase to about 0.498 toe in the STSM and 0.476 toe in the UECM under the baseline scenario, 0.197 toe in the STSM and 0.186 toe in the UECM under low case scenario and finally, 0.976 toe in the STSM and 0.886 toe under high case scenario.
Cone dystrophy with supernormal rod response – case report
Authors: VARSANYI B 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose Our purpose is to present a case demonstrating a novel, rare retinal disorder, called "cone dystrophy with supernormal rod response". Methods A 31‐year‐old female patient has been suffering from colour vision disturbances since her childhood. Her best corrected visual acuity is 0.2 in both eyes. Beyond routine ophthalmological methods we performed electrophysiological examinations, colour vision tests, dark adaptation, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography and molecular genetic testing. Results Examinations revealed colour vision disturbances, OCT showed macular thinning, FLAG demonstrated enlarged foveal avascular zone. Electroretinography showed extinguished cone function, preserved rod response and supernormal maximal b‐wave. Genetic tests confirmed mutation of the KCNV2 gene. Conclusion "Cone dystrophy with supernormal rod response", known from recent literature, is a rare retinal disease, with the affection of the KCNV2 gene in the genetic background. Its stationery character is rare amongst cone dystrophies, congenital achromatopsia is the only one to have similar manifestation.
Quantification of the photoreceptors of healthy retinas in rat by flow cytometry
Authors: TSOKA PA , PAPADAKI EA , TSILIMBARIS MK 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential to quantify photoreceptor population in the retina of healthy Spargue –Dawley rat in an accurate quantitative way by using flow cytometry. As far as we know, flow cytometry has not been used for photoreceptor quantification. Methods Rats were killed and the eyes were enuclated to achieve retinal dissection. Tissue dissociation was accomplished with trypsin. Retinal cells were washed in PBS and permeabilized. The permeabilization was followed with the primary antibody incubation and then with the secondary antibody incubation.The analysis achieved in a flow cytometer. Flow cytometry was to measure physical and chemical characteristics in the photoreceptor population. Individual cells flow in suspension past one or more lasers scattering light and emitting fluorescence. Results Quantification of photoreceptors was possible using flow cytometry. In this preliminary study, the photoreceptors had the 44,661 % in the hole mixed retinal population after anti‐rhodopsin staying. Conclusion Flow cytometry can be used to quantify the different neuronal populations in control healthy eyes and this verification will be very useful in the futture in studies in apoptosis or proliferation of these cells.
Ophthalmic timolol in a hydrogel vehicle leads to minor interindividual variation in timolol concentration in aqueous humor
Authors: VAPAATALO H , VOLOTINEN M , MÄENPÄÄ J , KAUTIAINEN H , TOLONEN A , UUSITALO J , ROPO A , AINE E 
Published: November 2009

Abstract Purpose Ophthalmic timolol has been used for decades in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, traditionally in aqueous 0.5% eye drops. Recently a timolol 0.1% hydrogel has been developed to improve systemic safety. The aim of the present study was to compare aqueous humor timolol concentrations after administration of 0.1% hydrogel and aqueous 0.5% timolol in patients scheduled for a cataract operation. Results The concentration in the aqueous humor was 210 ± 175 ng/ml (mean ± SD) two hours after administration of timolol 0.1% hydrogel and 538 ± 304 ng/ml after aqueous 0.5% timolol. In the aqueous 0.5% timolol group more patients had unnecessarily high concentrations of timolol in the aqueous humor. Beta 1‐receptors and Beta 2‐receptors were practically 100% occupied after administration of both products. The hydrogel proved to be an excellent formulation in giving smaller inter‐individual variation in penetration of timolol into the aqueous humor. Only a weak correlation was seen between corneal thickness and the aqueous humor concentration of timolol in the aqeuous 0.5% timolol group. A similar correlation was observed between age and concentration of timolol in the aqeuous 0.5% timolol group. Conclusion In contrast to the conventional aqueous 0.5% timolol, 0.1% timolol hydrogel caused only slight inter‐individual variation in timolol concentration in the aqueous humor.