bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
JAK2 mutations in Asian patients with essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Wong G‐C. , Kam G. L. S. , Koay E. S. C. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground/Aim: JAK2V617F is an acquired mutation present in a considerable proportion of patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders. Its reported prevalence in European and US studies of patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is 23–57%. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the JAK2 mutation in Asian ET patients, and to examine their disease profile.Methods: Asian patients with ET were either recruited to the study or registry data were analysed retrospectively. Blood samples were collected for analysis of JAK2 mutation status during routine patient follow up. Clinical data on these patients (including demographics and disease profiles) and complications at diagnosis were recorded.Results: The JAK2 mutation was detected in 35/102 (34%) patients. Females were more likely than males to have JAK2 mutation (P= 0.031). At diagnosis, JAK2‐mutated patients were found to be older (P= 0.012), have higher leucocyte counts (P= 0.036) and high‐risk disease (P= 0.039). There were no other statistically significant differences between mutated and wild‐type JAK2 ET patients.Conclusion: The prevalence of JAK2 mutations in this population of Asian ET patients was 34%. Patients with the JAK2 mutation were significantly more likely to have high‐risk disease. Further studies are required to assess the role of JAK2 mutations in risk stratification in ET and compare the phenotype of Asian patients with other populations.
Randomized cross‐over trial comparing inpatient and outpatient administration of high‐dose cisplatin
Authors: Cox K. M. , Goel S. , O'Connell R. L. , Boyer M. , Beale P. J. , Simes R. J. , Stockler M. R. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground/Aims: Treatment with high‐dose cisplatin (HDC) previously required inpatient (IP) admission with overnight hospitalization, but recently practice has shifted to outpatient (OP) therapy. We aimed to determine whether it is preferable to give HDC as an IP or OP using a two‐period cross‐over trial.Methods: Eligible patients were starting chemotherapy with ≥2 cycles of HDC (≥100 mg/dose) and were suitable for OP treatment. All patients received an IP cycle and OP cycle: the order was randomly allocated. Pre‐hydration, anti‐emetics and chemotherapy were identical for IP and OP. Post‐hydration varied by group (3 L normal saline (NS) for IP, 2 L NS for OP). The primary outcome was patient preference for IP versus OP treatment. Secondary outcomes included aspects of health‐related quality of life, adverse events (dose delays and reductions, elevated creatinine and unplanned readmissions) and resource use.Results: Fifty‐nine patients were randomized, 53 completed two cycles of HDC. Most patients preferred OP treatment (36 vs 13, P= 0.002). There were no significant differences in patients' ratings of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anxiety, depression or overall quality of life. Adverse events were few and unrelated to IP versus OP treatment. Nursing time was longer for IP than OP (163 vs 104 min, P < 0.001).Conclusion: OP treatment was preferred by most patients, appeared safe and used less resources.
NT‐pro‐BNP predicts worsening renal function in patients with chronic systolic heart failure
Authors: Pfister R. , Müller‐Ehmsen J. , Hagemeister J. , Hellmich M. , Erdmann E. , Schneider C. A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground: Worsening renal function (WRF) is frequently observed in patients with heart failure and is associated with worse outcome. The aim of this study was to examine the association of the cardiac serum marker N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro‐BNP) and WRF.Methods: A total of 125 consecutive patients of a tertiary care outpatient clinic for heart failure prospectively underwent evaluation of renal function every 6 months. The association of baseline NT‐pro‐BNP with WRF was analysed during a follow up of 18 months.Results: Twenty‐eight (22.4%) patients developed WRF (increase in serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL). Patients with WRF (2870 pg/mL, interquartile range (IQR) 1063–4765) had significantly higher baseline NT‐pro‐BNP values than patients without WRF (547 pg/mL, IQR 173–1454). The risk for WRF increased by 4.0 (95% CI 2.1–7.5) for each standard deviation of log NT‐pro‐BNP. In multivariable analysis including age, baseline renal function, ejection fraction, New York Heart Association class and diuretic dose, only NT‐pro‐BNP and diabetes were independent predictors of WRF. At a cut‐off level of 696 pg/mL, NT‐pro‐BNP showed a sensitivity of 92.9% and a negative predictive value of 96.4% for WRF.Conclusion: NT‐pro‐BNP is a strong independent predictor of WRF within 18 months in patients with systolic heart failure with a high negative predictive value. Further studies are needed to evaluate reno‐protective strategies in patients with elevated NT‐pro‐BNP.
Comparison of the Wells and Revised Geneva Scores for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism: an Australian experience
Authors: Wong D. D. , Ramaseshan G. , Mendelson R. M. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground/Aims: Clinical prediction rules form an integral component of guidelines on the diagnostic approach to pulmonary embolism (PE). The Wells Score is commonly used but is subjective, while the newer Revised Geneva Score is based entirely on objective variables. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Wells and Revised Geneva Scores for the diagnosis of PE.Methods: Patients presenting to the emergency department with clinically suspected PE and referred for CT pulmonary angiogram or ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy were evaluated. The Wells and Revised Geneva Scores were calculated on the same cohort of patients and dichotomized into low and intermediate/high probability groups. The sensitivities and specificities were compared using McNemar's test. Overall accuracy was determined using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis.Results: A total of 98 consecutive patients was included. The overall prevalence of PE was 15.3%. The frequency of PE in the low, intermediate and high probability groups was similar for both clinical prediction rules. Compared with the Revised Geneva Score, the Wells Score showed a lower sensitivity with borderline significance (46.7% vs 80.0%, P= 0.06) and a significantly higher specificity (67.5% vs 47.0%, P= 0.002). The overall accuracy of both rules was similar (P= 0.617).Conclusion: Using the accepted guidelines in which a high pretest probability leads to further imaging and a low probability leads to a D‐dimer blood test, use of the more specific Wells Score could safely reduce the number of unnecessary scans. This would need to be confirmed with larger, prospective trials.
Medication compliance in ischaemic stroke patients
Authors: Johnson C. , Lane H. , Barber P. A. , Charleston A. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractAim: This study aimed to assess the degree of patient compliance with medications prescribed at hospital discharge following ischaemic stroke, and concordance between self‐reported medication use and general practitioner (GP) records.Methods: The Auckland City Hospital Stroke database was used to identify consecutive patients with ischaemic stroke over a three‐month period. Participants were contacted and invited to participate in a telephone questionnaire that asked about current medications. GPs were also asked to list the medications their patients were taking.Results: Fifty‐one patients were approached to participate of whom 48 consented to be interviewed at 6 weeks and 47 at 6 months. At 6 weeks, 36 of 38 (95%) were compliant with aspirin, 12 of 13 (92%) dipyridamole, 8 of 9 (88%) warfarin, 36 of 41 (88%) statins, 33 of 38 (87%) antihypertensive medications, and 7 of 7 (100%) diabetes medications. At 6 months, 97% were compliant with aspirin, 100% dipyridamole, 100% warfarin, 94% statins, 91% antihypertensive medications, and 100% diabetes medications. Natural or herbal remedy use was reported by 10 of 48 (21%) at 6 weeks and 11 of 47 (23%) at 6 months. Blister packs were used by 8 of 48 (17%) at 6 weeks and 5 of 47 (11%) at 6 months.Conclusion: Adherence to secondary stroke prevention medication was between 87% and 100% at 6 weeks with similar findings at 6 months after discharge. We speculate that these high compliance rates may be due to one‐on‐one stroke nurse counselling and the use of stroke information packs, which include information about the importance of adherence to secondary prevention medication.
Assessing PaCO2 in acute respiratory disease: accuracy of a transcutaneous carbon dioxide device
Authors: Perrin K. , Wijesinghe M. , Weatherall M. , Beasley R. 
Published: February 2010

AbstractBackground: Pulse oximetry non‐invasively assesses the arterial oxygen saturation of patients with acute respiratory disease; however, measurement of the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) requires an arterial blood gas. The transcutaneous partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PtCO2) has been used in other settings with variable accuracy. We investigated the accuracy of a PtCO2 device in the assessment of PaCO2 in patients with asthma and suspected pneumonia attending the emergency department.Methods: Patients with severe asthma (FEV1 < 50% predicted) or suspected pneumonia (fever, cough and respiratory rate >18/min) were enrolled. Subjects were excluded if they had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other conditions associated with respiratory failure. Arterial blood gases were taken at the discretion of the investigator according to clinical need, and paired with a simultaneous reading from the PtCO2 probe.Results: Twenty‐five patients were studied with one set of data excluded because of poor PtCO2 signal quality. The remaining 24 paired samples comprised 12 asthma and 12 pneumonia patients. The range of PaCO2 was 19–64 mmHg with a median of 36.5 mmHg. Bland–Altman analysis showed a mean (SD) PaCO2– PtCO2 difference of −0.13 (1.9) mmHg with limits of agreement of plus or minus 3.8 mmHg (−3.9 to +3.7).Conclusion: A PtCO2 device was accurate in the assessment of PaCO2 in patients with acute severe asthma and suspected pneumonia when compared with an arterial blood gas. These bedside monitors have the potential to improve patient care by non‐invasively monitoring patients with acute respiratory disease at risk of hypercapnia.
Temperature controls on aquatic bacterial production and community dynamics in arctic lakes and streams
Authors: Adams Heather E. , Crump Byron C. , Kling George W. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe impact of temperature on bacterial activity and community composition was investigated in arctic lakes and streams in northern Alaska. Aquatic bacterial communities incubated at different temperatures had different rates of production, as measured by 14C‐leucine uptake, indicating that populations within the communities had different temperature optima. Samples from Toolik Lake inlet and outlet were collected at water temperatures of 14.2°C and 15.9°C, respectively, and subsamples incubated at temperatures ranging from 6°C to 20°C. After 5 days, productivity rates varied from 0.5 to ∼13.7 µg C l−1 day−1 and two distinct activity optima appeared at 12°C and 20°C. At these optima, activity was 2‐ to 11‐fold higher than at other incubation temperatures. The presence of two temperature optima indicates psychrophilic and psychrotolerant bacteria dominate under different conditions. Community fingerprinting via denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA genes showed strong shifts in the composition of communities driven more by temperature than by differences in dissolved organic matter source; e.g. four and seven unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found only at 2°C and 25°C, respectively, and not found at other incubation temperatures after 5 days. The impact of temperature on bacteria is complex, influencing both bacterial productivity and community composition. Path analysis of measurements of 24 streams and lakes sampled across a catchment 12 times in 4 years indicates variable timing and strength of correlation between temperature and bacterial production, possibly due to bacterial community differences between sites. As indicated by both field and laboratory experiments, shifts in dominant community members can occur on ecologically relevant time scales (days), and have important implications for understanding the relationship of bacterial diversity and function.
Microbial diversity and biogeochemistry of the Guaymas Basin deep‐sea hydrothermal plume
Authors: Dick Gregory J. , Tebo Bradley M. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryHydrothermal plumes are hot spots of microbial biogeochemistry in the deep ocean, yet little is known about the diversity or ecology of microorganisms inhabiting plumes. Recent biogeochemical evidence shows that Mn(II) oxidation in the Guaymas Basin (GB) hydrothermal plume is microbially mediated and suggests that the plume microbial community is distinct from deep‐sea communities. Here we use a molecular approach to compare microbial diversity in the GB plume and in background deep seawater communities, and cultivation to identify Mn(II)‐oxidizing bacteria from plumes and sediments. Despite dramatic differences in Mn(II) oxidation rates between plumes and background seawater, microbial diversity and membership were remarkably similar. All bacterial clone libraries were dominated by Gammaproteobacteria and archaeal clone libraries were dominated by Crenarchaeota. Two lineages, both phylogenetically related to methanotrophs and/or methylotrophs, were consistently over‐represented in the plume. Eight Mn(II)‐oxidizing bacteria were isolated, but none of these or previously identified Mn(II) oxidizers were abundant in clone libraries. Taken together with Mn(II) oxidation rates measured in laboratory cultures and in the field, these results suggest that Mn(II) oxidation in the GB hydrothermal plume is mediated by genome‐level dynamics (gene content and/or expression) of microorganisms that are indigenous and abundant in the deep sea but have yet to be unidentified as Mn(II) oxidizers.
Persistence of bacterial and archaeal communities in sea ice through an Arctic winter
Authors: Collins R. Eric , Rocap Gabrielle , Deming Jody W. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe structure of bacterial communities in first‐year spring and summer sea ice differs from that in source seawaters, suggesting selection during ice formation in autumn or taxon‐specific mortality in the ice during winter. We tested these hypotheses by weekly sampling (January–March 2004) of first‐year winter sea ice (Franklin Bay, Western Arctic) that experienced temperatures from −9°C to −26°C, generating community fingerprints and clone libraries for Bacteria and Archaea. Despite severe conditions and significant decreases in microbial abundance, no significant changes in richness or community structure were detected in the ice. Communities of Bacteria and Archaea in the ice, as in under‐ice seawater, were dominated by SAR11 clade Alphaproteobacteria and Marine Group I Crenarchaeota, neither of which is known from later season sea ice. The bacterial ice library contained clones of Gammaproteobacteria from oligotrophic seawater clades (e.g. OM60, OM182) but no clones from gammaproteobacterial genera commonly detected in later season sea ice by similar methods (e.g. Colwellia, Psychrobacter). The only common sea ice bacterial genus detected in winter ice was Polaribacter. Overall, selection during ice formation and mortality during winter appear to play minor roles in the process of microbial succession that leads to distinctive spring and summer sea ice communities.
Aqueous films limit bacterial cell motility and colony expansion on partially saturated rough surfaces
Authors: Wang Gang , Or Dani 
Published: February 2010

SummaryBacterial motility is a key mechanism for survival in a patchy environment and is important for ecosystem biodiversity maintenance. Quantitative description of bacterial motility in soils is hindered by inherent heterogeneity, pore‐space complexity and dynamics of microhydrological conditions. Unsaturated conditions result in fragmented aquatic habitats often too small to support full bacterial immersion thereby forcing strong interactions with mineral and air interfaces that significantly restrict motility. A new hybrid model was developed to study hydration effects on bacterial motility. Simulation results using literature parameter values illustrate sensitivity of colony expansion rates to hydration conditions and are in general agreement with measured values. Under matric potentials greater than −0.5 kPa (wet), bacterial colonies grew fast at colony expansion rates exceeding 421 ± 94 µm h−1; rates dropped significantly to 31 ± 10 µm h−1 at −2 kPa; as expected, no significant colony expansion was observed at −5 kPa because of the dominance of capillary pinning forces in the submicrometric water film. Quantification of hydration‐related constraints on bacterial motion provides insights into optimal conditions for bacterial dispersion and spatial ranges of resource accessibility important for bioremediation and biogeochemical cycles. Results define surprisingly narrow range of hydration conditions where motility confers ecological advantage on natural surfaces.
Biosynthesis of uronamide sugars inPseudomonas aeruginosaO6 andEscherichia coliO121 O antigens
Authors: King Jerry D. , Vinogradov Evgeny , Tran Vanessa , Lam Joseph S. 
Published: February 2010

SummaryThe major component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria is lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The outermost domain of LPS is a polysaccharide called O antigen.Pseudomonas aeruginosaestablishes biofilms on wet surfaces in a wide range of habitats and mutations in O‐antigen biosynthesis genes affect bacterial adhesion and the structure of these biofilms. TheP. aeruginosaO6 O antigen contains a 2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐d‐galacturonamide (d‐GalNAcAN) residue. O‐antigen biosynthesis in this serotype requires thewbpSgene, which encodes a protein with conserved domains of the glutamine‐dependent amidotransferase family. Replacement of conserved amino acids in the N‐terminal glutaminase conserved domain of WbpS inhibited O‐antigen biosynthesis under restricted‐ammonia conditions, but not in rich media; suggesting that this domain functions to provide ammonia for O‐antigen biosynthesis under restricted‐ammonia conditions, by hydrolysis of glutamine.Escherichia coliO121 also produces ad‐GalNAcAN‐containing O antigen, and possesses a homologue ofwbpScalledwbqG. AnE. coliO121wbqGmutant was cross‐complemented by providingwbpS in trans, and vice versa, showing that these two genes are functionally interchangeable. TheE. coliO121wbqGmutant O antigen contains 2‐acetamido‐2‐deoxy‐d‐galacturonate (d‐GalNAcA), instead ofd‐GalNAcAN, demonstrating thatwbqGis specifically required for biosynthesis of the carboxamide in this sugar.
Visual cues as a surrogate for tactile feedback during robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy: posterolateral margin rates in 1340 consecutive patients
Authors: Tewari Ashutosh K. , Patel Nishant D. , Leung Robert A. , Yadav Rajiv , Vaughan E. Darracott , El‐Douaihy Youssef , Tu Jiangling J. , Amin Muhul B. , Akhtar Mohammed , Burns Mark , Kreaden Usha , Rubin Mark A. , Takenaka Atsushi , Shevchuk Maria M. 
Published: February 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo analyse consecutive cases of robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), present the incidence of nerve‐sparing‐related positive surgical margins (SM+), include visual cues that might assist in smoothly changing to the robotic platform, and discuss the scientific rationale for ‘intersensory integration’ which might explain the ‘reverse Braille’ phenomenon, i.e. the ability to feel when vision is greatly enhanced, as the lack of tactile feedback during RALP is often cited as a disadvantage of robotic surgery, interfering with a surgeon’s ability to make intraoperative oncological decisions.PATIENTS AND METHODSData from 1340 consecutive patients undergoing RALP from one institution were analysed and trends for positive posterolateral SM+ (PLSM+) were correlated with oncological variables before and after RALP. A sample of patient slides were reviewed by a extramural pathologist. Multivariate regression modelling was used to compare the projected rates of PLSM+ vs the actual rate, given the effect of a conscious effort to use visual cues. Finally, video recordings of the procedure were systematically reviewed and correlated with anatomical and histopathological images in an integrated session involving the surgeon and the pathology team.RESULTSThe incidence of PLSM+ was 2.1%, which gradually declined to 1.0% in the last 100 patients. The reduction in PLSM+ occurred despite an increased rate of high‐risk tumours operated on during this period. Forecasting analysis showed that the actual PLSM+ rate declined by half in the most recent 1000 patients, due to an integrated effort involving the use of visual cues during surgery. The following visual cues were considered important; appreciation of periprostatic (lateral prostatic) fascial compartments; colour and texture of the tissue; periprostatic veins as a landmark for athermal dissection; signs of inflammation; and a freely separating bloodless plane showing loose shiny areolar tissue.CONCLUSIONAdapting to the robotic platform is easy and there is no compromise of the oncological safety of this procedure. Experienced surgeons can use visual cues to assist during nerve‐sparing RALP and achieve low PLSM+ rates.
UNCERTAINTY AND CONSUMPTION: NEW EVIDENCE IN OECD COUNTRIES
Authors: Menegatti Mario 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThis work analyses the empirical evidence about precautionary saving in OECD countries in the period 1955–2000. Unlike the previous literature, we perform the test using a measure of uncertainty allowing for heterogeneity in stochastic processes which generate data for each country and selecting for each economy the autoregressive moving average process which best describes the series. The results obtained support the main conclusion of precautionary saving theory, showing that a greater degree of uncertainty increases saving. A less clear conclusion is obtained with reference to the effect of uncertainty on consumption growth, which does not seem to be strongly supported by the data.
THE EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING STRATEGIES
Authors: Elliott Caroline , Wei Yingqi , Lenton Pamela 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper contributes to the very limited literature examining the factors determining tobacco companies' advertising strategies. The paper explores whether firms in the UK tobacco market significantly changed their advertising expenditure in the face of proposed changes to the UK and European Commission tobacco advertising legislation. The results suggest that changes in legislation have little impact on firms' advertising strategies for existing brands, but that legislative changes impact upon product launch dates. Our results also offer some information on the nature of firm interdependencies in the UK tobacco industry.
A NEW MULTIPLICATIVE DECOMPOSITION FOR THE FOSTER–GREER–THORBECKE POVERTY INDICES
Authors: Aristondo Oihana , De La Vega Casilda Lasso , Urrutia Ana 
Published: February 2010

ABSTRACTThis paper shows that Foster–Greer–Thorbecke poverty indices can be written as the product of components summarizing the incidence, intensity and inequality dimensions of poverty and provides an empirical illustration of the decomposition using Spanish household budget surveys data.