bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pandemic response lessons from influenza H1N1 2009 in Asia
Authors: FISHER DALE , HUI DAVID S. , GAO ZHANCHENG , LEE CHRISTOPHER , OH MYOUNG‐DON , CAO BIN , HIEN TRAN TINH , PATLOVICH KRISTA , FARRAR JEREMY 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTDuring April 2009, a novel H1N1 influenza A virus strain was identified in Mexico and the USA. Within weeks the virus had spread globally and the first pandemic of the 21st Century had been declared. It is unlikely to be the last and it is crucial that real lessons are learned from the experience. Asia is considered a hot spot for the emergence of new pathogens including past influenza pandemics. On this occasion while preparing for an avian, highly virulent influenza virus (H5N1 like) originating in Asia in fact the pandemic originated from swine, and was less virulent. This discrepancy between what was planned for and what emerged created its own challenges. The H1N1 pandemic has tested national health‐care infrastructures and exposed shortcomings in our preparedness as a region. Key health challenges include communication throughout the region, surge capacity, access to reliable information and access to quality care, health‐care worker skills, quality, density and distribution, access to essential medicines and lack of organizational infrastructure for emergency response. Despite years of preparation the public health and clinical research community were not ready to respond and opportunities for an immediate research response were missed. Despite warm words and pledges efforts to engage the international community to ensure equitable sharing of limited resources such as antivirals and vaccines fell short and stockpiles in the main remained in the rich world. This manuscript with authors from across the region describes some of the major challenges faced by Asia in response to the pandemic and draws lessons for the future.
Management of heart conditions in older rural and urban Australian women
Authors: Jordan S. , Wilson A. , Dobson A. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground:  Cardiovascular disease death rates are higher among Australians from regional and remote areas than those from major cities.Aims:  To investigate the causes of excess mortality from heart disease in rural compared to urban Australian women aged over 75 years.Methods:  In 2004, 944 older urban and rural participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health aged 77–83 years with self‐reported ischaemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure or atrial fibrillation took part in a nested cross‐sectional substudy. We used clinical guidelines to determine key management issues for these conditions. Using logistic regression we calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the relationship between management and area of residence.Results:  These older Australian women often did not receive recommended management for their heart conditions. Only 30% reported having had an echocardiogram. Reported use of statins and beta‐blockers was low among women with IHD (58% and 41% respectively) and only 32% of women reporting heart failure were taking angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors. Women from regional/remote areas had greater odds of reporting never having seen a cardiologist (OR = 3.88, 95% CI 1.72–8.72) and never having had an echocardiogram than women from major cities (OR = 2.86, 95% CI 1.42–5.75). Medication use was similar for rural and urban women.Conclusions:  Our results suggest that best‐practice treatments for heart conditions are suboptimally provided to older women. In addition, they suggest differential use of some health services, which might help explain higher cardiovascular mortality among rural compared with urban women.
Identifying patient‐specific beliefs and behaviours for conversations about adherence in asthma
Authors: Foster J. M. , Smith L. , Bosnic‐Anticevich S. Z. , Usherwood T. , Sawyer S. M. , Rand C. S. , Reddel H. K. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractBackground:  Asthma guidelines advise addressing adherence at every visit, but no simple tools exist to assist clinicians in identifying key adherence‐related beliefs or behaviours for individual patients.Aims:  To identify potentially modifiable beliefs and behaviours that predict electronically recorded adherence with controller therapy.Methods:  Patients aged ≥14 years with doctor‐diagnosed asthma who were prescribed inhaled corticosteroid/long‐acting β2‐agonist (ICS/LABA) completed questionnaires on medication beliefs/behaviours, side‐effects, Morisky adherence behaviour score and Asthma Control Test (ACT), and recorded spirometry. Adherence with ICS/LABA was measured electronically over 8 weeks. Predictors of adherence were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results:  99/100 patients completed the study (57 female; forced expiratory volume in 1 s mean ± standard deviation 83 ± 23% predicted; ACT 19.9 ± 3.8). Mean electronically recorded adherence (n= 85) was 75% ± 25, and mean self‐reported adherence was 85% ± 26%. Factor analysis of questionnaire items significantly associated with poor adherence identified seven themes: perceived necessity, safety concerns, acceptance of asthma chronicity/medication effectiveness, advice from friends/family, motivation/routine, ease of use and satisfaction with asthma management. Morisky score was moderately associated with actual adherence (r=−0.45, P < 0.0001). In regression analysis, 10 items independently predicted adherence (adjusted R2= 0.67; P < 0.001). Opinions of friends/family about the patient's medication use were strongly associated with poor adherence. Global concerns about ICS/LABA therapy were more predictive of poor adherence than were specific side‐effects; the one‐third of patients who reported experiencing side‐effects from their steroid inhaler had lower adherence than others (mean 62% vs 81%; P= 0.015).Conclusions:  This study identified several specific beliefs and behaviours which clinicians could use for initiating patient‐centred conversations about medication adherence in asthma.
Effect of stress parameters on ratcheting deformation stages of polycrystalline OFHC copper
Authors: DAS D. , CHAKRABORTI P. C. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTEngineering stress‐controlled ratcheting tests under different sets of stress amplitudes and mean stresses show that ratcheting deformation in polycrystalline OFHC copper occurs in three different stages. A plateau region with almost no accumulation of inelastic strain follows general ratcheting deformation during initial loading cycles. With breakdown of the plateau region inelastic ratcheting deformation occurs at an increasingly rapid rate. The effect of the stress amplitude on the ratcheting process is found to be more than mean stress effect. Reconstruction of the ratcheting curves clearly separates the conditions for stress‐controlled low cycle fatigue with zero mean stress and ratcheting with tensile mean stress.
Laparoscopic total colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA), supported by an enhanced recovery programme in cases of familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: McNicol F. J. , Kennedy R. H. , Phillips R. K. S. , Clark S. K. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim  Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is associated with an almost 100% chance of colorectal cancer by the age of 50 years. Surgery is the only prophylaxis. The study compared the outcome of prophylactic laparoscopic colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) with conventional open surgery.Method  A case–control study was carried out including all cases of proven FAP undergoing prophylactic laparoscopic colectomy with IRA between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2008 using a standardized technique within an enhanced recovery programme (ERAS). All data were collected prospectively. Controls were identified retrospectively from patients who underwent open prophylactic IRA before 31 March 2008 and were matched for age, gender, BMI and ASA. Outcomes included duration of surgery, complications, length of stay, readmission and mortality.Results  During the study period 25 patients underwent laparoscopic IRA. The median operating time was longer in the laparoscopic group (235 vs 180 mins, P < 0.0001) but the median hospital stay was shorter (6 vs 9 days, P = 0.002). Overall there were fewer complications in the laparoscopic group (20%vs 40%, P = 0.3).Conclusion  Laparoscopic prophylactic colectomy with IRA in FAP is safe and feasible, and combined with ERAS leads to accelerated recovery and possibly fewer complications than open surgery. FAP patients undergoing prophylactic IRA should be offered laparoscopic surgery.
Comparison of dutasteride and finasteride for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia: the Enlarged Prostate International Comparator Study (EPICS)
Authors: Nickel J. Curtis , Gilling Peter , Tammela Teuvo L. , Morrill Betsy , Wilson Timothy H. , Rittmaster Roger S. 
Published: June 2011

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)Level of Evidence 1b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Both dutasteride and finasteride inhibit type 2 5α‐reductase, the dominant form of 5α‐reductase in benign prostatic tissue, making these effective treatments for BPH. In comparison with finasteride, dutasteride has a longer half‐life and leads to a greater and more consistent suppression of serum and intraprostatic DHT.EPICS is currently the only prospective, randomized, double‐blind study of finasteride vs dutasteride for BPH endpoints conducted for longer than a few months. Over a one‐year period, treatment with dutasteride and finasteride led to similar reductions in prostate volume, and improvements in peak urine flow and urinary symptoms associated with BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. Men treated with finasteride and dutasteride also experienced similar rates of adverse events over the course of one year, which suggests that inhibition of both type 1 and type 2 5α‐reductase, resulting in greater DHT suppression than type 2 inhibition alone, does not confer an increase in adverse events. Given the long‐term, progressive nature of BPH, the one‐year duration of EPICS may limit the potential to observe major differences between dutasteride and finasteride treatment.OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of dutasteride compared with finasteride in treating men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for 12 months.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The Enlarged Prostate International Comparator Study was a multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, 12‐month, parallel‐group study.
Men aged ≥50 years with a clinical diagnosis of BPH received once‐daily treatment with dutasteride 0.5 mg (n= 813) or finasteride 5 mg (n= 817). After a 4‐week placebo run‐in period, patients were randomized to receive dutasteride or finasteride for 48 weeks, followed by an optional 24‐month, open‐label phase, during which patients received dutasteride 0.5 mg once daily.
The primary endpoint was change in prostate volume, and the secondary endpoints included improvement in American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUA‐SI) scores, improvement in maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and long‐term safety in the 24‐month open‐label phase.

RESULTS

Both dutasteride and finasteride were effective at reducing prostate volume with no significant difference between the two treatments during the study.
Similar reductions in mean AUA‐SI scores and Qmax were also observed for men in both treatment groups.
A similar percentage of adverse events was experienced by patients of both treatment groups, and no new adverse events were reported in the open‐label phase.

CONCLUSION

Dutasteride and finasteride, when administered for 12 months, were similarly effective in reducing prostate volume and improving Qmax and urinary symptoms associated with BPH in men with an enlarged prostate.
Experience of hypoglycaemia is associated with changes in beliefs about diabetes in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Malanda U. L. , Bot S. D. , French D. P. , Kostense P. J. , Wade A. N. , Dekker J. M. , Nijpels G. , Farmer A. J. 
Published: May 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1395–1400 (2011)AbstractAim   Hypoglycaemia may have a detrimental impact on quality of life for patients with Type 2 diabetes. There are few clinical studies exploring the impact of experiencing hypoglycaemia on beliefs about diabetes and health status. The aim of this study was to explore associations between experience of hypoglycaemia and changes in diabetes beliefs and self‐reported health status in patients with non‐insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes using a blood glucose meter.Methods  One‐year prospective cohort analysis of 226 patients recruited to a randomized trial evaluating the impact of self‐monitoring of blood glucose. Self‐reported hypoglycaemia over 1 year was categorized into three groups: (1) no experience of hypoglycaemia; (2) blood glucose measurements < 4 mmol/l with no associated symptoms of hypoglycaemia (grade 1); and (3) symptomatic hypoglycaemia (grade 2 and 3). Measures of beliefs about diabetes (Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire) and health status (EuroQol‐5D) were assessed at baseline and 1 year. Differences in mean changes over 1 year were explored with analyses of covariance.Results  There was a significant increase in mean score in beliefs about personal control (1.14; 95% CI 0.14–2.14) among those experiencing grade 1 hypoglycaemia compared with those not experiencing hypoglycaemia. There were no significant differences in changes in health status between groups, with small overall changes that were inconsistent between groups.Conclusions  This study does not provide support for a long‐term adverse impact on beliefs about diabetes or health status from the experience of mild symptomatic hypoglycaemia, in well‐controlled, non‐insulin‐treated patients with Type 2 diabetes using self‐monitoring of blood glucose.
Preventing melasma recurrence: prescribing a maintenance regimen with an effective triple combination cream based on long‐standing clinical severity
Authors: Arellano I. , Cestari T. , Ocampo‐Candiani J. , Azulay‐Abulafia L. , Bezerra Trindade Neto P. , Hexsel D. , Machado‐Pinto J. , Muñoz H. , Rivitti‐Machado M.C. , Sittart J.A. , Trindade de Almeida A.R. , Rego V. , Paliargues F. , Marques‐Hassun K. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  The relapsing nature of melasma emphasizes the need to maintain efficacy achieved after acute treatment.Objective  To compare clinical efficacy and safety of two 6‐month Triple Combination (TC; containing fluocinolone acetonide, hydroquinone and tretinoin) maintenance regimens in subjects with moderate to severe melasma, after daily treatment up to 8 weeks.Methods  This randomized, investigator‐blinded, controlled study had a maintenance phase of 6 months. Sixteen centres in Brazil and Mexico enrolled 242 subjects 18 years or older attaining no or mild melasma after 8 weeks of daily TC applications. Subjects were randomized to receive TC in a twice weekly or tapering regimen [3/week (1st month), 2/week (2nd month), 1/week (4th month)].Efficacy and safety measurements included median time to relapse and relapse‐free rate, Global Severity Score, Melasma Area and Severity Index score (MASI), subject’s assessment, quality of life questionnaire (MelasQol), and adverse events.Results  The majority (78.8%) had no or mild melasma (GSS ≤ 1) at week 8 and entered maintenance phase. After 6 months, 53% of patients remained relapse‐free with improved quality of life, and time to relapse was similar between groups (about 190 days). Melasma severity at study entry, not maintenance baseline, influenced relapse rate. The twice weekly regimen tended to show better effectiveness in postponing relapse in severe melasma. Both regimens were safe.Conclusions  After resolution of melasma with TC, maintenance therapy over 6 months was successful in preventing relapse in over half of the patients who entered maintenance phase. Prescribing medicines should be adapted to patients based on melasma severity.
The effects of product scarcity and consumers' need for uniqueness on purchase intention
Authors: Wu Wann‐Yih , Lu Hsiao‐Yun , Wu Ying‐Yin , Fu Chen‐Su 
Published: May 2011

AbstractScarcity strategies are employed by marketers to influence consumer decision making. Many famous brands have been designed and produced for the purpose of as being marketed as limited‐edition products to intensify consumer desire and intention to purchase them. However, very few studies have simultaneously integrated relevant constructs to explain the phenomenon of scarcity purchasing. To fill this void, this study develops a comprehensive research model in order to fully understand how scarcity affects consumer value perception and purchase intention. Simultaneously, two competing models are developed to compare the explanation power of Lynn's Scarcity–Expensiveness–Desirability (S‐E‐D) model and Synde and Fromkin's desire for uniqueness model. The results suggest that the effects of scarcity on purchase intention through perceived uniqueness, perceived sacrifice and perceived value are stronger than the scarcity effects through assumed expensiveness, perceived quality, perceived sacrifice and perceived value.
Incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse in colposcopy‐negative/human papillomavirus‐positive women with low‐grade cytological abnormalities
Authors: Kelly RS , Walker P , Kitchener H , Moss SM 
Published: May 2011

Please cite this paper as: Kelly R, Walker P, Kitchener H, Moss S. Incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse in colposcopy‐negative/human papillomavirus‐positive women with low‐grade cytological abnormalities. BJOG 2012;119:20–25.Objective  To determine the risk of incident high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in human papillomavirus (HPV) ‐positive women with low‐grade cytological abnormalities who had a satisfactory normal colposcopy.Design  A retrospective follow‐up study within the NHS HPV/LBC pilot studies.Setting  The NHS Cervical Screening Programme in England.Population  A total of 1063 HPV‐positive women with borderline or mild dyskaryosis who were negative at colposcopy from three sites within the NHS HPV/liquid‐based cytology (LBC) pilot studies.Methods  HPV triage took place in 2001/02. In 2009 all information on additional management on HPV‐positive/colposcopy‐negative women was requested. The rate of disease following a negative colposcopy was calculated, and survival analysis was used to determine whether the grade of referral cytology impacted on risk of subsequent disease. Results were compared with those in women from the same population who had not been HPV triaged.Main outcome measures  Incident CIN2 or worse during follow up.Results  Of 1063 eligible women 965 had documented follow up. The cumulative rate of CIN2+ at 3 years in these women was 4.4% (95% CI 4.0–7.0%); the median time from normal colposcopy to final result was 27 months. There was no significant increase in the risk of future disease associated with age or initial cytology result.Conclusions  The rate of subsequent high‐grade CIN among colposcopically negative triaged women was sufficiently low to justify return to routine recall.
Topical prolyl hydroxylase domain‐2 silencing improves diabetic murine wound closure
Authors: Wetterau Meredith , George Finny , Weinstein Andrew , Nguyen Phuong D. , Tutela John Paul , Knobel Denis , Cohen, BA Oriana , Warren Stephen M. , Saadeh Pierre B. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTProlyl hydroxylase domain 2 (PHD2) has been implicated in several pathways of cell signaling, most notably in its regulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF)‐1α stability. In normoxia, PHD2 hydroxylates proline residues on HIF‐1α, rendering it inactive. However, in hypoxia, PHD2 is inactive, HIF‐1α is stabilized and downstream effectors such as vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor‐2 are produced to promote angiogenesis. In the present study we utilize RNA interference to PHD2 to promote therapeutic angiogenesis in a diabetic wound model, presumably by the stabilization of HIF‐1α. Stented wounds were created on the dorsum of diabetic Lepr db/db mice. Mice were treated with PHD2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) or nonsense siRNA. Wounds were measured photometrically on days 0–28. Wounds were harvested for histology, protein, and RNA analysis. Diabetic wounds treated with siRNA closed within 21±1.2 days; sham‐treated closed in 28±1.5 days. By day 7, Western blot revealed near complete suppression of PHD protein and corresponding increased HIF‐1α. Angiogenic mediators vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor‐2 were elevated, corresponding to increased CD31 staining in the treated groups. siRNA‐mediated silencing of PHD2 increases HIF‐1α and several mediators of angiogenesis. This corresponded to improved time to closure in diabetic wounds compared with sham‐treated wounds. These findings suggest that impaired wound healing in diabetes can be ameliorated with therapeutic angiogenesis.
Impact of Oxygenator Selection on Hemodynamic Energy Indicators Under Pulsatile and Nonpulsatile Flow in a Neonatal Extracorporeal Life Support Model
Authors: Vasavada Rahul , Khan Sameer , Qiu Feng , Kunselman Allen , Ündar Akif 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis study compared the quality of perfusion delivered by two oxygenators—the hollow‐fiber membrane Capiox Baby RX05 and silicone membrane Medtronic 0800—using hemodynamic energy indicators. The oxygenators were tested across varying flow rates and perfusion modes in a neonatal extracorporeal life support (ECLS) model. The experimental ECLS circuit included a Jostra HL‐20 heart/lung machine with Jostra Roller pump, oxygenators with associated tubing and components, and a neonatal pseudo‐patient. We used a 40/60 glycerin/water solution in the circuit as a blood analog. Testing occurred at flow rates of 250, 500, and 750 mL/min at 37°C under both pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow conditions. Hemodynamic data points consisted of recording 20‐s intervals of data, and a total of 96 experimental repetitions were conducted. The pressure drop across the Capiox Baby RX05 oxygenator was significantly lower than the pressure drop across the Medtronic 0800 at all flow rates and perfusion modes. Furthermore, the Medtronic 0800 oxygenator showed significantly lower post‐oxygenator energy equivalent pressures, total hemodynamic energy values, and surplus hemodynamic energy retention values compared to those of the Capiox Baby RX05. These results indicate the Medtronic 0800 oxygenator significantly dampens the hemodynamic energy compared to the Capiox Baby RX05. Consequently, clinical use of the Medtronic 0800 in a pulsatile ECLS setting is likely to mitigate the benefits provided by pulsatile flow. In contrast, the Capiox Baby RX05 better transmits hemodynamic energy to the patient with much lower pressure drop.
Mothers’ attitudes towards perinatal autopsy after stillbirth
Authors: HOLSTE CAROLA , PILO CHRISTINA , PETTERSSON KARIN , RÅDESTAD INGELA , PAPADOGIANNAKIS NIKOS 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWe investigated mothers’ attitudes to autopsy of their stillborn baby and their experiences concerning information and treatment in relation to their loss in an observational study. Data were collected by postal questionnaires and telephone calls. Fifty‐four of 72 mothers (76%) replied. Fifty‐one (94%) received information from a physician about the possibility of having an autopsy; three (6%) did not get any information. The autopsy rate was 83% (n= 45). Thirty‐six of 45 (80%) received adequate information about results. Twenty‐five (56%) were pleased with how results were presented. Eleven (24%) were positive about individual contact with the pathologist who performed the autopsy. Fifty‐one (94%) stated that their decision concerning autopsy was right. Mothers do not regret their decision concerning perinatal autopsy but they do not always receive thorough and timely information concerning autopsy and its results. Personal contact with the perinatal pathologist might help with specific questions both before and after autopsy.