bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Economic impact of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A hospital perspective of the PREVAIL trial
Authors: Pineo Graham , Lin Jay , Stern Lee , Subrahmanian Tarun , Annemans Lieven 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND:The PREVAIL (Prevention of VTE [venous thromboembolism] after acute ischemic stroke with LMWH [low‐molecular‐weight heparin] and UFH [unfractionated heparin]) study demonstrated a 43% VTE risk reduction with enoxaparin versus UFH in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). A 1% rate of symptomatic intracranial and major extracranial hemorrhage was observed in both groups.OBJECTIVE:To determine the economic impact, from a hospital perspective, of enoxaparin versus UFH for VTE prophylaxis after AIS.DESIGN:A decision‐analytic model was constructed and hospital‐based costs analyzed using clinical information from PREVAIL. Total hospital costs were calculated based on mean costs in the Premier™ database and from wholesalers acquisition data. Costs were also compared in patients with severe stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score ≥14) and less severe stroke (NIHSS score <14).RESULTS:The average cost per patient due to VTE or bleeding events was lower with enoxaparin versus UFH ($422 vs $662, respectively; net savings $240). The average anticoagulant cost, including drug‐administration cost per patient, was lower with UFH versus enoxaparin ($259 vs $360, respectively; net savings $101). However, when both clinical events and drug‐acquisition costs were considered, the total hospital cost was lower with enoxaparin versus UFH ($782 vs $922, respectively; savings $140). Hospital cost‐savings were greatest ($287) in patients with NIHSS scores ≥14.CONCLUSIONS:The higher drug cost of enoxaparin was offset by the reduction in clinical events as compared to the use of UFH for VTE prophylaxis after an AIS, particularly in patients with severe stroke. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Intracranial transplantation of monocyte‐derived multipotential cells enhances recovery after ischemic stroke in rats
Authors: Hattori Hidenori , Suzuki Shigeaki , Okazaki Yuka , Suzuki Norihiro , Kuwana Masataka 
Published: November 2011

AbstractCell transplantation has emerged as a potential therapy to reduce the neurological deficits caused by ischemic stroke. We previously reported a primitive cell population, monocyte‐derived multipotential cells (MOMCs), which can differentiate into mesenchymal, neuronal, and endothelial lineages. In this study, MOMCs and macrophages were prepared from rat peripheral blood and transplanted intracranially into the ischemic core of syngeneic rats that had undergone a left middle cerebral artery occlusion procedure. Neurological deficits, as evaluated by the corner test, were less severe in the MOMC‐transplanted rats than in macrophage‐transplanted or mock‐treated rats. Histological evaluations revealed that the number of microvessels that had formed in the ischemic boundary area by 4 weeks after transplantation was significantly greater in the MOMC‐transplanted rats than in the control groups. The blood vessel formation was preceded by the appearance of round CD31+ cells, which we confirmed were derived from the transplanted MOMCs. Small numbers of bloodvessels incorporating MOMC‐derived endothelial cells expressing a mature endothelial marker RECA‐1 were detected at 4 weeks after transplantation. In addition, MOMCs expressed a series of angiogenic factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoetin‐1, and placenta growth factor (PlGF). These findings provide evidence that the intracranial delivery of MOMCs enhances functional recovery by promoting neovascularization in a rat model for ischemic stroke. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DNA polymerase‐β mediates the neurogenic effect of β‐amyloid protein in cultured subventricular zone neurospheres
Authors: Calafiore Marco , Copani Agata , Deng Wenbin 
Published: November 2011

Abstractβ‐Amyloid protein (Aβ) is thought to be responsible for neuronal apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Paradoxically, Aβ can also promote neurogenesis, both in vitro and in vivo, by inducing neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to differentiate into neurons. However, the mechanisms of Aβ‐induced neurogenesis are unknown. Here we examined the role of DNA polymerase‐β (DNA pol‐β), a DNA repair enzyme that is required for proper neurogenesis during brain development and is also responsible for Aβ‐induced neuronal apoptosis. In neurospheres obtained from the adult mouse subventricular zone (SVZ), the knockdown of DNA pol‐β or its pharmacological blockade showed that the enzyme functioned both to repress proliferation of early nestin+ progenitor cells and to promote the maturation of TuJ‐1+ neuronal cells. In neurospheres challenged with oligomers of synthetic Aβ42, the expression levels of DNA pol‐β were rapidly increased. DNA pol‐β knockdown prevented the Aβ42‐promoted differentiation of nestin+ progenitor cells into nestin+/Dlx‐2+ neuroblasts. Moreover, when neurospheres were seeded to allow full differentiation of their elements, blockade of DNA pol‐β prevented Aβ42‐induced differentiation of progenitors into MAP‐2+ neurons. Thus, our data demonstrate that Aβ42 arrests the proliferation of a subpopulation of nestin+ cells via the induction of DNA pol‐β, thereby allowing for their differentiation toward the neuronal lineage. Our findings reveal a novel role of DNA pol‐β in Aβ42‐induced neurogenesis and identify DNA pol‐β as a key mechanistic link between the neurogenic effect of Aβ42 on NPCs and the proapoptotic effect of Aβ42 on mature neurons. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low‐magnitude high‐frequency loading via whole body vibration enhances bone‐implant osseointegration in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Chen BaiLing , Li YiQiang , Xie DengHui , Yang XiaoXi 
Published: November 2011

AbstractOsseointegration is vital to avoid long‐time implants loosening after implantation surgery. This study investigated the effect of low‐magnitude high‐frequency (LMHF) loading via whole body vibration on bone‐implant osseointegration in osteoporotic rats, and a comparison was made between LMHF vibration and alendronate on their effects. Thirty rats were ovariectomized to induce osteoporosis, and then treated with LMHF vibration (VIB) or alendronate (ALN) or a control treatment (OVX). Another 10 rats underwent sham operation to establish Sham control group. Prior to treatment, hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated titanium implants were inserted into proximal tibiae bilaterally. Both LMHF vibration and alendronate treatment lasted for 8 weeks. Histomorphometrical assess showed that both group VIB, ALN and Sham significantly increased bone‐to‐implant contact and peri‐implant bone fraction (p < 0.05) when compared with group OVX. Nevertheless the bone‐to‐implant contact and peri‐implant bone fraction of group VIB were inferior to group ALN and Sham (p < 0.05). Biomechanical tests also revealed similar results in maximum push out force and interfacial shear strength. Accordingly, it is concluded that LMHF loading via whole body vibration enhances bone‐to‐implant osseointegration in ovariectomized rats, but its effectiveness is weaker than alendronate. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:733–739, 2012
Drained cavity expansions in soils of finite radial extent subjected to two boundary conditions
Authors: Pournaghiazar Mohammad , Russell Adrian R. , Khalili Nasser 
Published: November 2011

SUMMARYThe problem of drained cavity expansion in soils of finite radial extent is investigated. Cylindrical and spherical cavities expanded from zero radius subjected to either constant stress or zero displacement at the finite boundary are considered. The generalised analytical solution procedure presented enables more advanced constitutive models to be implemented than have been possible in previous studies. Results generated for Sydney quartz sand highlight substantial differences between cavity limit pressures for the two boundary conditions and for boundaries of finite and infinite radial extent. This is of significance in accounting for boundary effects when interpreting cone penetration tests conducted in calibration chambers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability properties of PLA/modified starch blends
Authors: Gao Huliang , Hu Shan , Su Fuhui , Zhang Jun , Tang Guannan 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThree different kinds of modified starch (MS) were prepared as fillers to assess the compatibility between them and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) resin. The blends were prepared by incorporating 15 wt% of the MS into PLA using a twin‐screw extruder. Through morphology analysis, it can be seen that the dispersion state of MS granules was greatly different. Investigations of thermal behavior indicated that the addition of MS decreased thermal properties which found expression in the decrease of melting temperature and vicat softening temperature (VST). But thermal stability of PLA/maleic anhydride grafted starch (MA‐g‐ST) was slightly higher than those of other blends. PLA/MA‐g‐ST blend exhibited the highest notched impact strength, elongation at break, and tensile strength, which means MA‐g‐ST was suitable as a filler improving the toughness of PLA. It was also proved that biodegradability rate of blends increased dramatically and reached up to 1.80, 1.89, 1.44 g day−1 after 60 days, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Properties of carbon nanotube reinforced linear low density polyethylene nanocomposites fabricated by cryogenic ball‐milling
Authors: Terife Graciela , Narh Kwabena A. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA cryogenic ball‐milling process to produce polymer/CNT nanocomposites was investigated. Linear low density polyethylene was used as the matrix material and 1 wt % of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was used as reinforcement. The influence of the milling time and balls size was evaluated. The morphology of the nanocomposite and the degree of dispersion of the MWCNTs were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), visual inspection, and light transmission microscopy; ropes as well as aggregates of MWCNTs were observed, and there was evidence of wetting of the nanotubes by the matrix polymer. An increase of up to 28% in the elastic modulus (determined by tensile testing) with respect to the matrix was obtained. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis showed evidence of increase in the degree of crystallization, a result of the nucleating capability of the carbon nanotubes in the matrix. The degradation temperature of the nanocomposites does not show significant variations with respect to the unfilled polymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Antipsychotic drugs and risk of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Allenet Benoit , Schmidlin Sophie , Genty Céline , Bosson Jean‐Luc 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTBackgroundAntipsychotic drugs (APs) expose users to several adverse effects. Some reports describe an increased risk of venous thromboembolism for particular drugs in this family.PurposeTo examine the association between the risks of pulmonary embolism (PE) and AP use and assess any dose–effect relationships.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of data in ‘Premier's Perspective’ a large US hospital database for 2006. Adults in the AP group had at least one prescription of AP. Logistic regression analysis was performed to detect association between PE and AP use. The dose–effect relationship was assessed according to quantities and administration routes. Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders: age, sex, the components of the Charlson co‐morbidity index, diagnoses of infection, sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, psychotic disorders and hospital inpatient or outpatient status.ResultsAmong 28 723 771 adults included in 2006, 450 951 (1.6%) were prescribed AP. Haloperidol was most commonly prescribed (157 667 patients or 35.0%), but atypical APs represented over 78% of prescriptions. The risk of PE was higher in AP users than in the total population (OR = 1.17 [95%CI 1.13–1.21]; p < 0.001) and depended on the type of AP used: clozapine was associated with the highest risk. Risk seemed correlated to higher doses.LimitationsNon‐hospital prescription data were unavailable, potentially underestimating the number of patients exposed. The relative timing of AP prescription and PE was not available. Results did not include deep vein thrombosis.ConclusionThis study suggests an increased risk of PE with AP treatment, varying with type of AP and dependent on dose. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of association between exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction and childhood asthma control test questionnaire scores in children
Authors: Chinellato Iolanda , Piazza Michele , Sandri Marco , Cardinale Fabio , Peroni Diego G. , Boner Attilio L. , Piacentini Giorgio L. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjectiveAsthma control represents a major challenge in the management of asthmatic children; however, correct perception of control is poor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between subjective answers given to the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C‐ACT) and objective evaluation of exercise‐induced bronchonstriction (EIB) by standardized treadmill exercise challenge.MethodsEIB was evaluated by standardized treadmill exercise challenge and related to C‐ACT scores in 92 asthmatic children.ResultsOf the 92 studied children only six children had a concordance between a positive challenge test (ΔFEV1 ≥ 13%) and a positive response to the exercise‐related issue of the C‐ACT questionnaire (C‐ACT total score ≤ 19). There was no significant association between the degree of EIB and the scores relative to the single question on exercise‐related problems while a significant association was found when considering the whole questionnaire with C‐ACT total score > 19 (r = −0.40, P < 0.001). The two single questions showing a significant association were those focusing on nocturnal asthma. The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for the sum of the scores of these questions in relationship to a positive response to the exercise test was 0.74. The AUC of the C‐ACT total score was 0.76 and 0.55 for the specific question on EIB related problems.ConclusionThe discrimination power of the C‐ACT total score in relationship to EIB was moderately good, and C‐ACT questionnaire was capable of correctly predicting the absence of EIB in children reporting a global score > 19. However, direct questions on EIB are associated with a high number of false positive and negative responses; better associations are found questioning on the presence on nocturnal symptoms. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:226–232. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A TLR5 (g.1174C > T) variant that encodes a stop codon (R392X) is associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Sampath Venkatesh , Garland Jeffery S. , Le Min , Patel Aloka L. , Konduri Girija G. , Cohen Jonathan D. , Simpson Pippa M. , Hines Ronald N. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractCurrent evidence supports a major role for inherited factors in determining bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) susceptibility. The Toll‐like receptor (TLR) family of proteins maintain pulmonary homeostasis in the developing lung by aiding pathogen recognition and clearance, regulating inflammation, and facilitating reparative tissue growth. We hypothesized that sequence variation in the TLR pathway genes would alter the susceptibility/severity of BPD in preterm infants. Very low birth‐weight infants were recruited prospectively in a multi‐center study involving collection of blood samples and clinical information. Nine TLR pathway single‐nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using a multiplexed single‐base extension assay. BPD outcomes were compared among infants with and without the variant allele using Chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests. In our cohort (n = 289), 66 (23.6%) infants developed BPD, out of which 32 (11.2%) developed severe BPD. The TLR5 (g.1174C > T) variant was associated with BPD (P = 0.03) and severe BPD (P = 0.004). The TIRAP (g.2054C > T) variant was associated with BPD (P = 0.04). Infants heterozygous for the X‐linked IRAK1 (g.6435T > C) variant had a lower incidence of BPD compared to infants homozygous for either the reference or variant allele (P = 0.03). In regression models that controlled for potential epidemiological confounders, the TIRAP variant was associated with BPD, and the TLR5 variant was associated with severe BPD. Our data support the hypothesis that aberrant pathogen recognition in premature infants arising from TLR pathway genetic variation can contribute to BPD pathogenesis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:460–468. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Allenyl‐β‐lactams: versatile scaffolds for the synthesis of heterocycles
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe hybrid allenic β‐lactam moiety represents an excellent building block for carbo‐ and heterocyclization reactions, affording a large number of cyclic structures containing different sized skeletons in a single step. This strategy has been studied under thermal and radical‐induced conditions. More recently, the use of transition‐metal catalysis has been introduced as an alternative that relies on the activation of the allenic component. On the other hand, the intramolecular version has attracted much attention as a strategy for the synthesis of bi‐ and tricyclic compounds in a regio‐ and stereoselective manner. This overview focuses on the most recently developed cyclizations on 2‐azetidinone‐tethered allenes along with remarkable early works accounting for the mechanism, as well as for the regio‐ and diastereoselectivities of the cyclizations. DOI 10.1002/tcr.201100011
Systematic Review of Met and Unmet Need of Surgical Disease in Rural Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Grimes Caris E. , Law Rebekah S. L. , Borgstein Eric S. , Mkandawire Nyeno C. , Lavy Christopher B. D. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about the burden of surgical disease in rural sub‐Saharan Africa, where district and rural hospitals are the main providers of care. The present study sought to analyze what is known about the met and unmet need of surgical disease.MethodsThe PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for studies of surveys in rural areas, information on surgical admissions, and operations performed within rural and district hospitals. Data were extrapolated to calculate the amount of surgical disease per 100,000 population and the number of operations performed per 100,000 population. These extrapolations were used to estimate the total, the met, and the unmet need of surgical disease.ResultsThe estimated overall incidence of nonfatal injury is at least 1,690/100,000 population per year. Morbidity as a result of injury is up to 190/100,000 population per year, and the annual mortality from injury is 53–92/100,000. District hospitals perform 6 fracture reductions (95% CI: 0.1–12)/100,000 population per year and 14 laparotomies (95% CI: 7–21)/100,000 per year. The incidence of peritonitis and bowel obstruction is unknown, although it may be as high as 1,364/100,000 population for the acute abdomen. The annual total need for inguinal hernia repair is estimated to be a minimum of 205/100,000 population. The average district hospital performs 30 hernia repairs (95% CI: 18–41)/100,000 population per year, leaving an unmet need of 175/100,000 population annually.ConclusionsDistrict hospitals are not meeting the surgical needs of the populations they serve. Urgent intervention is required to build up their capacity, to train healthcare personnel in safe surgery and anesthesia, and to overcome obstacles to timely emergency care.
Comparison of Limberg Flap and Tension‐Free Primary Closure During Pilonidal Sinus Surgery
Authors: Okuş Ahmet , Sevinç Barış , Karahan Ömer , Eryılmaz Mehmet A. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundPilonidal disease is an inflammatory disease seen in the intergluteal region. In this study, our aim was to compare the efficacy of the Limberg flap versus a tension‐free primary closure.MethodsA total of 93 patients were included in this study. The patients were assigned consecutively by the closed‐envelope technique to one of two groups: 49 patients in group 1 (excision and Limberg flap) and 44 patients in group 2 (tension‐free primary closure). Excision and reconstruction with the Limberg flap was performed in its classic form. For tension‐free primary closure after excision of the sinus tract with an elliptical incision, the skin and subcutaneous tissue were released 2–3 cm away from the incision line. The subcutaneous tissue was closed twofold with 2/0 polyglactin sutures. The skin underwent 3/0 polypropylene mattress suturing.ResultsThe median age was 25 years (17–43 years). The median follow‐up period was 29.5 months (8–43 months). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, sex, follow‐up time, or anesthesia method. One patient in each group experienced wound infection. During the first 6 months of follow‐up there was no recurrence. However, at later visits recurrences were seen in two patients in each group (4.1% in group 1, 4.5% in group 2).ConclusionsThe lower rates of wound infection and recurrence associated with the Limberg flap reported elsewhere may be associated with healing of the tension‐free procedure. In this study, tension‐free primary closure was found to be as effective as the Limberg flap reconstruction.
Cationic Micelles Modulated in the Presence of α,ω‐Alkanediols: A SANS, NMR and Conductometric Study
Authors: Chavda Suresh , Singh Kulbir , Gerrard Marangoni D. , Aswal Vinod K. , Bahadur Pratap 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe solution behavior of a typical cationic surfactant, tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, in mixed solvent systems composed of water and varying concentrations of α,ω‐alkanediols; 1,2‐ethanediol (ED), 1,4‐butanediol (BD), 1,6‐hexanediol (HD) and 1,8‐octanediol (OD) was examined via electrical conductance measurements, 13C‐NMR spectroscopy and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values and degree of counterion dissociation (α) indicate that both ED and BD oppose micellization, whereas HD and OD enhance micelle formation. Changes in the 13C‐NMR chemical shifts (∆δ values) reveal that the short chain diols reside almost exclusively in the bulk phase and hence, affect the formation of micelles by altering the solvent properties in the bulk of the solution, whereas HD and OD partition between the pseudomicellar phase and the bulk phase. SANS studies indicated that both the micellar size and aggregation number (Nagg) decrease in the presence of all diols. ED and BD behave like cosolvents and increase the α and CMC values and decrease Nagg. We note that the effect of HD and OD on the properties of the micelles is concentration dependent; at low concentrations, these diols interact with the micelles and behave as cosurfactants (as evidenced by the trends in the micellar properties), while at higher concentrations, they enhance the surfactant solubility and behave as a cosolvent.