bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Medication errors: prevention using information technology systems
Authors: Agrawal Abha 
Published: June 2009

1. Given the high frequency of medication errors with resultant patient harm and cost, their prevention is a worldwide priority for health systems.2. Systems that use information technology (IT), such as computerized physician order entry, automated dispensing, barcode medication administration, electronic medication reconciliation, and personal health records, are vital components of strategies to prevent medication errors, and a growing body of evidence calls for their widespread implementation.3. However, important barriers, such as the high costs of such systems, must be addressed through economic incentives and government policies.4. This paper provides a review of the current state of IT systems in preventing medication errors.
Subfossil Cladocera in relation to contemporary environmental variables in 54 Pan‐European lakes
Authors: BJERRING RIKKE , BECARES ELOY , DECLERCK STEVEN , GROSS ELISABETH M. , HANSSON LARS‐ANDERS , KAIRESALO TIMO , NYKÄNEN MIRVA , HALKIEWICZ ANNA , KORNIJÓW RYSZARD , CONDE‐PORCUNA JOSÉ M. , SEFERLIS MILTIADIS , NÕGES TIINA , MOSS BRIAN , AMSINCK SUSANNE LILDAL , ODGAARD BENT VAD , JEPPESEN ERIK 
Published: June 2009

Summary1. Changes in cladoceran subfossils in the surface sediments of 54 shallow lakes were studied along a European latitude gradient (36–68°N). Multivariate methods, such as regression trees and ordination, were applied to explore the relationships between cladoceran taxa distribution and contemporary environmental variables, with special focus on the impact of climate.2. Multivariate regression tree analysis showed distinct differences in cladoceran community structure and lake characteristics along the latitude gradient, identifying three groups: (i) northern lakes characterised by low annual mean temperature, conductivity, nutrient concentrations and fish abundance, (ii) southern, macrophyte rich, warm water lakes with high conductivity and high fish abundance and (iii) Mid‐European lakes at intermediate latitudes with intermediate conductivities, trophic state and temperatures.3. Large‐sized, pelagic species dominated a group of seven northern lakes with low conductivity, where acid‐tolerant species were also occasionally abundant. Small‐sized, benthic‐associated species dominated a group of five warm water lakes with high conductivity. Cladoceran communities generally showed low species‐specific preferences for habitat and environmental conditions in the Mid‐European group of lakes. Taxon richness was low in the southern‐most, high‐conductivity lakes as well as in the two northern‐most sub‐arctic lakes.4. The proportion of cladoceran resting eggs relative to body shields was high in the northern lakes, and linearly (negatively) related to both temperature and Chl a, indicating that both cold climate (short growing season) and low food availability induce high ephippia production.5. Latitude and, implicitly, temperature were strongly correlated with conductivity and nutrient concentrations, highlighting the difficulties of disentangling a direct climate signal from indirect effects of climate, such as changes in fish community structure and human‐related impacts, when a latitude gradient is used as a climate proxy. Future studies should focus on the interrelationships between latitude and gradients in nutrient concentration and conductivity.
Predator–prey relationships in a changing environment: the case of the sparrowhawk and its avian prey community in a rural area
Authors: Millon Alexandre , Nielsen Jan Tøttrup , Bretagnolle Vincent , Møller Anders Pape 
Published: June 2009

Summary 1.  Changes in community composition are expected to entail cascading effects at different trophic levels within a food web. However, empirical evidence on the impact of changes in prey communities on the population dynamics of generalist predators, and on the extent of possible feedback processes, remains scarce. 2.
We analysed the dynamics of a generalist predator, the European sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus L., in a rural area of Northern Denmark. Over a 20‐year period, the diet of the predator has been thoroughly assessed (>30 000 identified prey items) and quantitative information about its avian prey community, based on standard breeding bird surveys, has revealed significant trends for several passerine species, although the overall prey biomass available remained stable. 3.
The growth rate of the sparrowhawk breeding population was negatively related to the previous sparrowhawk density and to winter temperature, but was positively related to available prey biomass. Contrary to expectations for a generalist predator, sparrowhawks seemed to be predominantly sensitive to changes in the cumulative abundance of their two main prey species, the skylark Alauda arvensis L. and the blackbird Turdus merula L., but less so to changes in the wider prey community. 4.  In demographic terms, the two‐phase sparrowhawk dynamic recorded here (a recovery following an initial decrease) was mainly driven by recruitment of yearling females into the breeding population rather than by variation in the apparent survival of breeding females. 5.
Our findings emphasize that changes in the composition of a prey community, affected by environmental changes, impacted population dynamics of a generalist predator. Finally, we found conditions that might enable apparent competition between blackbirds and song thrushes Turdus philomelos L. to occur. High blackbird abundance, maintaining sparrowhawks at a relatively high density may, in turn, push song thrushes into a predator pit.
Heterogeneous selection on a heritable temperament trait in a variable environment
Authors: Quinn John L. , Patrick Samantha C. , Bouwhuis Sandra , Wilkin Teddy A. , Sheldon Ben C. 
Published: June 2009

Summary 1.
Temperament traits increasingly provide a focus for investigating the evolutionary ecology of behavioural variation. Here, we examine the underlying causes and selective consequences of individual variation in the temperament trait ‘exploration behaviour in a novel environment’ (EB, based on an 8‐min assay) in a free‐ranging population of a passerine bird, the great tit Parus major. 2.
First, we conducted a quantitative genetic analysis on EB using a restricted maximum likelihood‐based animal model with a long‐term pedigree. Although repeatability was relatively high, EB was only moderately heritable and permanent environment (VPE) effects contributed as much to phenotypic variance as additive genetic effects. 3.  We then asked whether heterogeneous selection acted on EB at various temporal and spatial scales. Using estimates of lifetime reproductive success, we found evidence of weak negative directional selection acting on EB amongst females which was driven by selection through recruitment, but not fecundity, in one of the four breeding years. There was no evidence of any selection on EB through survival. 4.  Heterogeneous selection on EB within seasons was also observed amongst males through fecundity along two fine‐scale environmental gradients – local breeding density and habitat quality; we are unaware of any previous equivalent demonstrations. 5.
All of these analyses were repeated on a second measure of exploration behaviour (EB2, measured during a 2‐min assay) to facilitate comparison with other studies. EB and EB2 were strongly correlated to one another at the genetic level, but were only moderately correlated at the phenotypic level and VPE was undetected in EB2. Selection on EB2 was similar to that on EB; we conclude that both traits are broadly equivalent from an evolutionary perspective. 6.
Our analyses suggest that to the extent that the temperament trait ‘exploration behaviour’ is subject to natural selection in this population, this selection is highly context dependent and most evident along two environmental gradients. Furthermore, the strong VPE effect detected suggests that understanding the causes and consequences of variation in this trait will require studies firmly embedded in an environmental context.
Blocking of fetal K antigens on cord red blood cells by maternal anti‐K
Authors: Lee E. , Redman M. , Owen I. 
Published: June 2009

summary.A 26‐year‐old Caucasian female in her second pregnancy grouped as A, D+ R1R1 K− with anti‐K (titre: 256) at booking. Her partner was typed as K1 positive. Baby was born with Hb 23.1 g/dl. Cord samples were referred to our laboratory for investigation and were found to be DAT 5+, IgG and anti‐K was eluted from the red cells. Cord samples typed as A, R1r K− by DiaMed DiaClon Rh subgroups & K card. We report a case of false negative K1 phenotyping due to blocking with maternal anti‐K.
Dengue virus antibodies in blood donors from an endemic area
Authors: Rodríguez Rodríguez D. , Garza Rodríguez M. , Chavarria A. M. , Ramos‐Jiménez J. , Rivera M. A. , Taméz R. C. , Farfan‐Ale J. , Rivas‐Estilla A. M. 
Published: June 2009

summary.We evaluated the incidence of anti‐Dengue virus (DENV) antibodies and dengue viremia in a region of Mexico with a high prevalence of dengue. DENV is the most important arthropod‐borne virus in terms of human morbidity and mortality in America We tested 800 blood donors from a tertiary care teaching hospital that provides care in Northeast Mexico, to identify anti‐DENV IgM and IgG antibodies by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and DENV genome by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). In addition, routine tests for donors including Brucella, Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), HIV‐1 and HBsAg identification were performed. We found that 59% of donors were reactive for anti‐DENV IgG and none of them had reported recent DENV infection; however, 16 (2%) were reactive for anti‐DENV IgM antibodies. None of them were viremic at the time of donation. Routine tests showed that the prevalence of anti‐Brucella was 0.71%, anti‐HCV 0.71%, anti‐HIV‐1‐2 0.14%, HBsAg 0.14% and VDRL test 0.57%. Although DENV transmission by blood transfusion had not been confirmed in Mexico, the finding of a high prevalence of anti‐DENV IgM‐positive donors with asymptomatic manifestations and the recent viremia reported in blood donors suggests that this route of transmission might be possible.
Identification of the etiologies of chronic urticaria in children: A prospective study of 94 patients
Authors: Jirapongsananuruk Orathai , Pongpreuksa Sureerat , Sangacharoenkit Preeda , Visitsunthorn Nualanong , Vichyanond Pakit 
Published: June 2009

Jirapongsananuruk O, Pongpreuksa S, Sangacharoenkit P, Visitsunthorn N, Vichyanond P. Identification of the etiologies of chronic urticaria in children: A prospective study of 94 patients. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 508–514. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/SThe etiologies of chronic urticaria (CU) in childhood remains incompletely understood because of limited data in children. The objective of this study was to examine some of the possible etiologies of CU in children by focusing on the functional autoantibody to FcεRIα and IgE, thyroid autoimmunity, urticarial vasculitis, parasitic infestation and food allergy. Children 4–15 yr of age with CU were investigated for complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), antinuclear antibody (ANA), CH50, free‐T4 (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), anti‐thyroglobulin and anti‐microsomal antibody, autologous serum skin test (ASST), skin prick tests (SPT) for foods, food challenges, and stool examination for parasites. Ninety‐four children who met the criteria for CU were recruited. Patients with physical urticaria were excluded. Eosinophilia and elevated ESR were found in 23% and 13%, respectively. High ANA titers were found in 2%. None of these patients had clinical features of urticarial vasculitis, abnormal CH50 level, abnormal TSH and FT4. Anti‐thyroglobulin and anti‐microsomal antibodies were not detected. Positive ASST was found in 38%. There were no differences in medication requirement and CU remission between patients with positive and negative ASST. Parasites were found in 5% without clinical correlation. SPT to foods was positive in 35%. Positive food challenges were found in six/nine patients with positive history of food allergy and two/seven patients with negative history. Food avoidance was beneficial to the subgroup of patients with positive history of food allergy only.
Indigenous hepatitis E virus infection of a plasma donor in Germany
Authors: Adlhoch C. , Kaiser M. , Pauli G. , Koch J. , Meisel H. 
Published: June 2009

Background  Although Europe is supposed to be non‐endemic for hepatitis E virus (HEV), locally acquired human cases are registered, and a relatively high prevalence for anti‐HEV was found in blood donors in some European countries. Transfusion–transmitted infections by contaminated blood products were reported in Japan and sporadically in Europe.Materials and Methods  Several samples from a plasma donor were screened with a highly sensitive quantitative HEV real‐time polymerase chain reaction and the full‐length genome was generated. Serology was performed with two different commercially available ELISA kits.Results  The full‐length genome sequence of human HEV was identified using samples from a plasma donor with acute self‐limiting hepatitis. Plasma donated 2 weeks before onset of elevated liver enzyme levels was already positive for HEV RNA (104 copies/ml). High viraemia (106 copies/ml) correlated with the detection of anti‐HEV IgM in the first blood sample with increased alanine transaminase levels. Phylogenetic analyses grouped the isolate within genotype 3, subtype 3f.Conclusion  The sequence analyses and the epidemiological data revealed that the plasma donor was most probably infected with a swine HEV. This case supports the ongoing discussion of an obligatory HEV nucleic acid testing of blood products for special recipient risk groups.
Statin therapy and carotid endarterectomy: a review of trends in New South Wales, 1990–2004
Authors: Robinson David A. , Ghaly Benjamin , Hayen Andrew , Lusby Robert J. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  The number of patients requiring carotid endarterectomy in our hospitals had been noted to be declining. Hence, our aim was to look at the numbers of carotid interventions in our State to see whether this trend was more pervasive and to look at trends in statin prescriptions over the same time‐course.Methods:  We queried the New South Wales Department of Health Inpatients Statistics Collection database to determine the number of carotid interventions between 1 July 1990 and 30 June 2004. We also collected data on statin prescriptions from the Health Insurance Commission of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing. The trends in carotid interventions were examined using negative binomial regression.Results:  The rate of carotid interventions increased by 9.8% between 1990 and 1991 and 1997 and 1998 and then declined from 1998 to 1999 through 2003 to 2004 by 6.8%. We noted a similar trend in octogenarians, although the peak was somewhat earlier. The prescription of statins was found to have increased eightfold between 1992 and 2003.Conclusion:  The rate of carotid intervention has declined significantly from a peak in the late 1990s. This peak was at least partly accounted for by North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial and Advances in Computer Sciences and Technology, studies that were conducted largely before the advent of statins. The number of persons in the community on statins has increased enormously since that time. We ponder over the influence of statins on the natural history of carotid artery disease and the implication this has for future trials of carotid intervention in asymptomatic patients.
Combined biliary and gastric bypass procedures as effective palliation for unresectable malignant disease
Authors: Mann Christopher D. , Thomasset Sarah C. , Johnson Nicholas A. , Garcea Guiseppe , Neal Christopher P. , Dennison Ashley R. , Berry David P. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  Although endoscopic treatment of jaundice is increasingly used in the palliation of unresectable malignant disease, surgical bypass still has a role to play in this setting. This study aimed to reappraise the short‐term and long‐term results of combined biliary/gastric bypass (hepaticojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy) as palliation for unresectable malignant disease.Methods:  All patients undergoing simultaneous biliary and gastric bypass procedures for unresectable malignant disease between August 2000 and January 2006 were identified and outcomes reviewed.Results:  One hundred and two patients underwent open surgical biliary drainage procedures for palliation of malignant disease. Underlying malignant disease included pancreatic carcinoma (n = 88), duodenal adenocarcinoma (n = 6) and distal cholangiocarcinoma (n = 3). Thirty‐one of the patients underwent a planned palliative bypass procedure, the remainder being carried out after unresectable disease was identified at laparotomy. Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were higher in the group undergoing planned bypass. During follow up, two patients developed recurrent jaundice that required transhepatic stenting and two patients developed late gastric outlet obstruction requiring refashioning of the gastrojejunostomy.Conclusion:  Combined surgical biliary and gastric bypass achieved effective palliation of jaundice and gastric outlet obstruction until death in >95% of patients in this series. It remains first‐line therapy in patients identified as having unresectable disease at laparotomy.
Serum‐mediated osteogenic effect in traumatic brain‐injured patients
Authors: Gautschi Oliver P. , Cadosch Dieter , Frey Sönke P. , Skirving Allan P. , Filgueira Luis , Zellweger René 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  Patients with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and bone fractures often show an enhanced fracture healing, as well as an increased incidence of heterotopic ossifications (HO). It has been suggested that unknown osteoinductive factors may be released by the injured brain into the systemic blood circulation and act peripherally on the affected tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum from TBI patients is osteoinductive.Methods:  Sixty‐one consecutive patients were classified into four groups: TBI and long‐bone fracture (group I, n = 12), isolated severe TBI (group II, n = 21), isolated long‐bone fracture (group III, n = 19) and controls (group IV, n = 9). Blood samples were collected at 6, 24, 72 and 168 h post‐injury. The osteogenic potential was determined by measuring the in vitro proliferation rate of the human fetal osteoblastic cell line hFOB1.19, and primary human osteoblasts. Additionally, serum induced osteoblastic differentiation was assessed by measuring the mRNA expression of specific osteoblastic markers, including alkaline phosphatase, runt‐related transcription factor 2, cathepsin K and serine protease 7.Results:  The sera of group I induced a higher mean proliferation rate of primary human osteoblasts at all time points of sampling than group III (P < 0.05). Group I had a higher mean proliferation rate of hFOB1.19 cells than all other groups at 6, 24 and 72 h post‐injury (P < 0.05). The expression of alkaline phosphatase, cathepsin K and runt‐related transcription factor 2 mRNA was increased in group I compared with group III and serine protease 7 was exclusively expressed in group I.Conclusion:  The study results strongly support a humoral mechanism in enhanced fracture healing and the induction of HO after TBI. Increased proliferation of osteoblastic cells and an accelerated differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells may be responsible for increased osteogenesis in TBI.
Needlescopic versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Sajid Muhammad S. , Khan Munir A. , Ray Kausik , Cheek Elizabeth , Baig Mirza K. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  To systematically analyse clinical trials on needlescopic (NC) versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) that evaluated the effectiveness of both procedures for the management of cholelithiasis.Methods:  A systematic review of the literature was undertaken. Clinical trials on NC versus LC were selected according to specific criteria and analyzed to generate summative data expressed in standardized mean difference.Results:  Sixteen trials on NC versus LC encompassing 1549 patients were retrieved from electronic databases. Only six randomized controlled trials on 317 patients qualified for the meta‐analysis according to inclusion criteria. NC was associated with longer operative time and higher conversion rate as compared with LC. There was statistically significant heterogeneity among trials. Intraoperative complications, postoperative complications and total stay in hospital were not significantly different. NC was superior to LC in terms of less post‐operative pain and better cosmetic outcomes.Conclusion:  NC is a safe and effective procedure for the management of gallstone disease. NC is as effective as LC for perioperative complications and total stay in hospital. NC is superior to LC for less post‐operative pain and better cosmetic results. NC is associated with longer operative time and higher conversion rate.
Gastric fundic gland polyps: a clinico‐pathological study from North West Tasmania
Authors: Samarasam Inian , Roberts‐Thomson James , Brockwell Derek 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  Fundic gland polyps (FGPs) of the stomach were originally described in association with familial polyposis syndromes. It is now known that the majority of these polyps occur in the sporadic setting and are incidentally seen in up to 1.9% of routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopes. The aim of this study was to look at the clinico‐pathological features of the FGPs and to analyse their relationship to Helicobacter pylori infection, proton pump inhibitor treatment, colonic polyps and malignancy.Methods:  A search of the histopathology records for a period of 10 years from 1997 to 2006 identified 120 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of FGPs. The clinical history, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy findings, histopathology and colonoscopy findings were recorded from the medical records and analysed.Results:  FGPs were seen in 3.2% of patients undergoing routine upper gastrointestinal endoscopes. There was a definite association with long‐term proton pump inhibitor treatment. There was a strikingly low incidence of H. pylori infection in the study population. Although there was no dysplasia or malignancy in any of these polyps, one patient had concomitant adenocarcinoma of the stomach. In the subgroup of patients who also had colonoscopy during the study period, 19% had associated colonic polyps and 6% had associated colonic malignancies.Conclusions:  Every new patient diagnosed with FGPs should have a thorough clinico‐pathological study to see if the polyps are part of a sporadic or syndromic setting. A long‐term follow‐up study of patients with FGPs and its association with colonic polyps may be warranted.