bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethanol Enhances the Interaction of Breast Cancer Cells Over‐Expressing ErbB2 With Fibronectin
Authors: Xu Mei , Bower Kimberly A. , Chen Gang , Shi Xianglin , Dong Zheng , Ke Zunji , Luo Jia 
Published: March 2010

Background:  Ethanol is a tumor promoter and may enhance the metastasis of breast cancer. However, the underlying cellular/molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Amplification of ErbB2 or HER2, a receptor tyrosine kinase of the ErbB family, is found in 20 to 30% of patients with breast cancer. We have previously demonstrated that the effect of ethanol on the migration/invasion of breast cancer cells positively correlated with the expression levels of ErbB2. Adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important initial step for cancer cell invasion and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol on the adhesion of MCF7 breast cancer cells over‐expressing ErbB2 (MCF7ErbB2) to human plasma fibronectin.Methods:  To test the hypothesis that ethanol may enhance the attachment of human breast cancer cells to fibronectin, an important component of the ECM, we evaluated the effect of ethanol on the expression of focal adhesions, cell attachment, and ErbB2 signaling in cultured MCF7ErbB2 cells.Results:  Exposure to ethanol drastically enhanced the adhesion of MCFErbB2 cells to fibronectin and increased the expression of focal adhesions. Ethanol induced phosphorylation of ErbB2 at Tyr1248, FAK at Tyr861, and cSrc at Try216. Ethanol promoted the interaction among ErbB2, FAK, and cSrc, and the formation of a focal complex. AG825, a selective ErbB2 inhibitor, attenuated the ethanol‐induced phosphorylation of ErbB2 and its association with FAK. Furthermore, AG825 blocked ethanol‐promoted cell/fibronectin adhesion as well as the expression of focal adhesions.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that ethanol enhances the adhesion of breast cancer cells to fibronectin in an ErbB2‐dependent manner, and the FAK pathway plays an important role in ethanol‐induced formation of a focal complex.
Influence of Dissolved Oxygen Concentration on the Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol in Humans
Authors: Baek In‐hwan , Lee Byung‐yo , Kwon Kwang‐il 
Published: March 2010

Background:  Ethanol oxidation by the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system requires oxygen for alcohol metabolism, and a higher oxygen uptake increases the rate of ethanol oxidation. We investigated the effect of dissolved oxygen on the pharmacokinetics of alcohol in healthy humans (n = 49). The concentrations of dissolved oxygen were 8, 20, and 25 ppm in alcoholic drinks of 240 and 360 ml (19.5% v/v).Methods:  Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were determined by converting breath alcohol concentrations. Breath samples were collected every 30 min when the BAC was higher than 0.015%, 20 min at BAC ≤0.015%, 10 min at BAC ≤0.010%, and 5 min at BAC ≤0.006%.Results:  The high dissolved oxygen groups (20, 25 ppm) descended to 0.000% and 0.050% BAC faster than the normal dissolved oxygen groups (8 ppm; p < 0.05). In analyzing pharmacokinetic parameters, AUCinf and Kel of the high oxygen groups were lower than in the normal oxygen group, while Cmax and Tmax were not significantly affected. In a Monte Carlo simulation, the lognormal distribution of mean values of AUCinf and t1/2 was expected to be reduced in the high oxygen group compared to the normal oxygen group.Conclusions:  In conclusion, elevated dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcoholic drinks accelerate the metabolism and elimination of alcohol. Thus, enhanced dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcohol may have a role to play in reducing alcohol‐related side effects and accidents.
MAOA Alters the Effects of Heavy Drinking and Childhood Physical Abuse on Risk for Severe Impulsive Acts of Violence Among Alcoholic Violent Offenders
Authors: Tikkanen Roope , Ducci Francesca , Goldman David , Holi Matti , Lindberg Nina , Tiihonen Jari , Virkkunen Matti 
Published: March 2010

Background:  A polymorphism in the promoter region of the monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) has been shown to alter the effect of persistent drinking and childhood maltreatment on the risk for violent and antisocial behaviors. These findings indicate that MAOA could contribute to inter‐individual differences in stress resiliency.Methods:  Recidivism in severe violent crimes was assessed after 8 years of nonincarcerated follow‐up in a male sample of 174 impulsive Finnish alcoholic violent offenders, the majority of whom exhibited antisocial (ASPD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD) or both. We examined whether MAOA genotype alters the effects of heavy drinking and childhood physical abuse (CPA) on the risk for committing impulsive recidivistic violent crimes.Results:  Logistic regression analyses showed that both heavy drinking and CPA were significant independent predictors of recidivism in violent behavior (OR 5.2, p = 0.004 and OR 5.3, p = 0.003) among offenders having the high MAOA activity genotype (MAOA‐H), but these predictors showed no effect among offenders carrying the low MAOA activity genotype (MAOA‐L).Conclusion:  Carriers of the MAOA‐H allele have a high risk to commit severe recidivistic impulsive violent crimes after exposure to heavy drinking and CPA.
Assessing the Severity of Hazardous Drinking and Related Consequences Among Incarcerated Women
Authors: Strong David R. , Caviness Celeste , Anderson Brad , Brown Richard A. , Stein Michael 
Published: March 2010

Background:  Recent epidemiological efforts have demonstrated the utility of measuring individual differences in the severity of alcohol use along a single severity continuum marked by alcohol‐related problems, symptoms of alcohol dependence, and the social consequences of drinking. Translation of this utility to specialized clinical populations is not assured. The expected inter‐relationships among problems, symptoms and consequences, and enhanced sensitivity of combined assessments require confirmation in applied clinical settings.Method:  Subjects were 245 incarcerated women who met Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test criteria for hazardous use of alcohol. Participants were recruited from a statewide adult correctional facility for an ongoing clinical trial testing the effectiveness of brief motivational interviewing on alcohol use and HIV risk behaviors. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 56 (M = 34.1, SD = 8.9), 71.4% were Caucasian, and 65.7% reported <12 years of education.Results:  Analyses suggested that the 6 problems of alcohol abuse, 7 symptoms for alcohol dependence, and 14 alcohol‐related social consequences loaded to a single factor (0.38 to 0.85) that formed a continuum of alcohol severity. Contrary to epidemiological studies, physical fights and being arrested were the most prevalent consequences and were associated with lower alcohol severity in this population. Three of the five items that discriminated best between higher and lower alcohol severity were related to familial and relationship consequences.Conclusions:  Consistent with epidemiological studies, alcohol severity can be measured among incarcerated hazardously drinking women on a single continuum that includes alcohol problems, symptoms, and social consequences. Replication of the expected alignment of problems and symptoms supports the construct validity of the continuum and further challenges the proposed hierarchical structure of abuse/dependence distinction. Large differences in rates of specific consequences and observed effectiveness of tailored social consequence items suggest the benefits of cross‐sample validation to improve evaluation of clinical outcomes.
The Effect of Data Breaches on Shareholder Wealth
Authors: Gatzlaff Kevin M. , McCullough Kathleen A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractMany companies face the risk of a data breach exposing stored personal information of customers and employees. The frequency of such incidents has been increasing over time and can result in significant costs for the affected firm. This article examines the stock market's assessment of the cost of data breaches at publicly traded companies in which personal information such as customer and/or employee data are exposed. Using event study methodology on a sample of 77 events between the beginning of 2004 and the end of 2006, we find that the overall effect of a data breach on shareholder wealth is negative and statistically significant. Based on a cross‐sectional analysis of the cumulative abnormal returns, we find a negative association between market reaction and firms that are less forthcoming about the details of the breach. We also find that firms with higher market‐to‐book ratios experience greater negative abnormal returns associated with a data breach. Further, we find that firm size and subsidiary status mitigate the negative effect of a data breach on the firm's stock price and that the negative market reaction to a data breach is more significant in the most recent time periods of the sample.
Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Non‐specific Complaints: The Basel Non‐specific Complaints (BANC) Study
Authors: Nemec Marek , Koller Michael T. , Nickel Christian H. , Maile Silke , Winterhalder Clemens , Karrer Christine , Laifer Gerd , Bingisser Roland 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Patient management in emergency departments (EDs) is often based on management protocols developed for specific complaints like dyspnea, chest pain, or syncope. To the best of our knowledge, to date no protocols exist for patients with nonspecific complaints (NSCs) such as “weakness,”“dizziness,” or “feeling unwell.” The objectives of this study were to provide a framework for research and a description of patients with NSCs presenting to EDs.Methods:  Nonspecific complaints were defined as the entity of complaints not part of the set of specific complaints for which evidence‐based management protocols for emergency physicians (EPs) exist. “Serious conditions” were defined as potentially life‐threatening or those requiring early intervention to prevent health status deterioration. During a 6‐month period, all adult nontrauma patients with an Emergency Severity Index (ESI) of 2 or 3 were prospectively enrolled, and serious conditions were identified within a 30‐day period.Results:  The authors screened 18,261 patients for inclusion. A total of 218 of 1,611 (13.5%) nontrauma ESI 2 and 3 patients presented with NSCs. Median age was 82 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 72 to 87), and 24 of 218 (11%) were nursing home inhabitants. A median of 4 (IQR = 3 to 5) comorbidities were recorded, most often chronic hypertension, coronary artery disease, and dementia. During the 30‐day follow‐up period a serious condition was diagnosed in 128 of 218 patients (59%). The 30‐day mortality rate was 6%.Conclusions:  Patients with NSC presenting to the ED are at high risk of suffering from serious conditions. Sensitive risk stratification tools are needed to identify patients with potentially adverse health outcomes.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:284–292 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Predicting Hospital Admission and Returns to the Emergency Department for Elderly Patients
Authors: LaMantia Michael A. , Platts‐Mills Timothy F. , Biese Kevin , Khandelwal Christine , Forbach Cory , Cairns Charles B. , Busby‐Whitehead Jan , Kizer John S. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Methods to accurately identify elderly patients with a high likelihood of hospital admission or subsequent return to the emergency department (ED) might facilitate the development of interventions to expedite the admission process, improve patient care, and reduce overcrowding. This study sought to identify variables found among elderly ED patients that could predict either hospital admission or return to the ED.Methods:  All visits by patients 75 years of age or older during 2007 at an academic ED serving a large community of elderly were reviewed. Clinical and demographic data were used to construct regression models to predict admission or ED return. These models were then validated in a second group of patients 75 and older who presented during two 1‐month periods in 2008.Results:  Of 4,873 visits, 3,188 resulted in admission (65.4%). Regression modeling identified five variables statistically related to the probability of admission: age, triage score, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, and chief complaint. Upon validation, the c‐statistic of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.73, moderately predictive of admission. We were unable to produce models that predicted ED return for these elderly patients.Conclusions:  A derived and validated triage‐based model is presented that provides a moderately accurate probability of hospital admission of elderly patients. If validated experimentally, this model might expedite the admission process for elderly ED patients. Our models failed, as have others, to accurately predict ED return among elderly patients, underscoring the challenge of identifying those individuals at risk for early ED returns.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:252–259 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
The Effect of Emergency Department Crowding on Analgesia in Patients with Back Pain in Two Hospitals
Authors: Pines Jesse M. , Shofer Frances S. , Isserman Joshua A. , Abbuhl Stephanie B. , Mills Angela M. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjectives:  The authors assessed the association between measures of emergency department (ED) crowding and treatment with analgesia and delays to analgesia in ED patients with back pain.Methods:  This was a retrospective cohort study of nonpregnant patients who presented to two EDs (an academic ED and a community ED in the same health system) from July 1, 2003, to February 28, 2007, with a chief complaint of “back pain.” Each patient had four validated crowding measures assigned at triage. Main outcomes were the use of analgesia and delays in time to receiving analgesia. Delays were defined as greater than 1 hour to receive any analgesia from the triage time and from the room placement time. The Cochrane‐Armitage test for trend, the Cuzick test for trend, and relative risk (RR) regression were used to test the effects of crowding on outcomes.Results:  A total of 5,616 patients with back pain presented to the two EDs over the study period (mean ± SD age = 44 ± 17 years, 57% female, 62% black or African American). Of those, 4,425 (79%) received any analgesia while in the ED. A total of 3,589 (81%) experienced a delay greater than 1 hour from triage to analgesia, and 2,985 (67%) experienced a delay more than 1 hour from room placement to analgesia. When hospitals were analyzed separately, a higher proportion of patients experienced delays at the academic site compared with the community site for triage to analgesia (87% vs. 74%) and room to analgesia (71% vs. 63%; both p < 0.001). All ED crowding measures were associated with a higher likelihood for delays in both outcomes. At the academic site, patients were more likely to receive analgesia at the highest waiting room numbers. There were no other differences in ED crowding and likelihood of receiving medications in the ED at the two sites. These associations persisted in the adjusted analysis after controlling for potential confounders of analgesia administration.Conclusions:  As ED crowding increases, there is a higher likelihood of delays in administration of pain medication in patients with back pain. Analgesia administration was not related to three measures of ED crowding; however, patients were actually more likely to receive analgesics when the waiting room was at peak levels in the academic ED.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:276–283 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Palliative Ultrasound for Home Care Hospice Patients
Authors: Mariani Peter J. , Setla Judith A. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe evolving relationship between emergency and palliative medicine is expected to benefit patients of each. Two collaborative care encounters involving home hospice patients are discussed. Portable bedside ultrasound was performed in the home to diagnose ascites and to guide palliative paracentesis. Specific interventions and outcomes are reported. The interface of emergency and palliative care and the use of paracentesis in cancer palliation are briefly reviewed. It is concluded that home‐performed ultrasound and ultrasound‐guided procedures are promising palliative modalities for care at the end of life.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:293–296 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Amiodarone or Procainamide for the Termination of Sustained Stable Ventricular Tachycardia: An Historical Multicenter Comparison
Authors: Marill Keith A. , DeSouza Ian S. , Nishijima Daniel K. , Senecal Emily L. , Setnik Gary S. , Stair Thomas O. , Ruskin Jeremy N. , Ellinor Patrick T. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjectives:  The objective was to compare the effectiveness of intravenous (IV) procainamide and amiodarone for the termination of spontaneous stable sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT).Methods:  A historical cohort study of consecutive adult patients with stable sustained VT treated with IV amiodarone or procainamide was performed at four urban hospitals. Patients were identified for enrollment by admissions for VT and treatment with the study agents in the emergency department (ED) from 1993 to 2008. The primary measured outcome was VT termination within 20 minutes of onset of study medicine infusion. A secondary effectiveness outcome was the ultimate need for electrical therapy to terminate the VT episode. Major adverse effects were tabulated, and blood pressure responses to medication infusions were compared.Results:  There were 97 infusions of amiodarone or procainamide in 90 patients with VT, but the primary outcome was unknown after 14 infusions due to administration of another antidysrhythmic during the 20‐minute observation period. The rates of VT termination were 25% (13/53) and 30% (9/30) for amiodarone and procainamide, respectively. The adjusted odds of termination with procainamide compared to amiodarone was 1.2 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4 to 3.9). Ultimately, 35/66 amiodarone patients (53%, 95% CI = 40 to 65%) and 13/31 procainamide patients (42%, 95% CI = 25 to 61%) required electrical therapy for VT termination. Hypotension led to cessation of medicine infusion or immediate direct current cardioversion (DCCV) in 4/66 (6%, 95% CI = 2 to 15%) and 6/31 (19%, 95% CI = 7 to 37%) patients who received amiodarone and procainamide, respectively.Conclusions:  Procainamide was not more effective than amiodarone for the termination of sustained VT, but the ability to detect a significant difference was limited by the study design and potential confounding. As used in practice, both agents were relatively ineffective and associated with clinically important proportions of patients with decreased blood pressure.ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:297–306 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
Current Practice, Demographics, and Trends of Critical Care Trained Emergency Physicians in the United States
Authors: Mayglothling Julie A. , Gunnerson Kyle J. , Huang David T. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractObjectives:  Critical care medicine (CCM) is of growing interest among emergency physicians (EPs), but the number of CCM‐trained EPs and their postfellowship practice is unknown. This study’s purpose was to conduct a descriptive census survey of EPs who have completed or are currently in a CCM fellowship.Methods:  The authors created a Web‐based survey, and requests to participate were sent to EPs who have completed or are currently in a CCM fellowship. Responses were collected over a 12‐month period. Physicians were located via multiple whom electronic mailing lists, including the Emergency Medicine Section of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association. The authors also contacted CCM fellowship coordinators and used informal networking. Data were collected on emergency medicine (EM) and other residency training; discipline, duration, and year of CCM fellowship; current practice setting; and board certification status, including the European Diploma in Intensive Care (EDIC).Results:  A total of 104 physicians completed the survey (97% response rate), of whom 73 had completed fellowship at the time of participation, and 31 of whom were in fellowship training. Of those who completed fellowship, 36/73 (49%) practice both EM and CCM, and 45/73 (62%) practice in academic institutions. Multiple disciplines of fellowship were represented: multidisciplinary (39), surgical (28), internal medicine (16), anesthesia (14), and other (4). Together, the CCM fellowships at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and the University of Pittsburgh have trained 42% of all EM‐CCM physicians, with 38 other institutions training from one to four fellows each. The number of EPs completing CCM fellowships has risen: from 1974 to 1989, 12 EPs; from 1990 to 1999, 15 EPs; and from 2000 to 2007, 43 EPs.Conclusions:  Emergency physicians are entering CCM fellowships in increasing numbers. Almost half of these EPs practice both EM and CCM.ACADAEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2010; 17:325–329 © 2010 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
REVIEW ARTICLE: Chlamydia trachomatis, a Hidden Epidemic: Effects on Female Reproduction and Options for Treatment
Authors: Carey Alison J. , Beagley Kenneth W. 
Published: March 2010

Citation Carey AJ, Beagley KW. Chlamydia trachomatis, a hidden epidemic: effects on the female reproduction and options for treatment. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010The number of genital tract Chlamydia trachomatis infections is steadily increasing worldwide, with approximately 50–70% of infections asymptomatic. There is currently no uniform screening practice, current antibiotic treatment has failed to prevent the increased incidence, and there is no vaccine available. We examined studies on the epidemiology of C. trachomatis infections, the effects infections have on the female reproductive tract and subsequent reproductive health and what measures are being taken to reduce these problems. Undetected or multiple infections in women can lead to the development of severe reproductive sequelae, including pelvic inflammatory disease and tubal infertility. There are two possible paradigms of chlamydial pathogenesis, the cellular and immunological paradigms. While many vaccine candidates are being extensively tested in animal models, they are still years from clinical trials. With no vaccine available and antibiotic treatment unable to halt the increased incidence, infection rates will continue to increase and cause a significant burden on health care systems.