bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal increase of platelet mitochondrial respiration is negatively associated with clinical outcome in patients with sepsis
Authors: Sjövall Fredrik , Morota Saori , Hansson Magnus J , Friberg Hans , Gnaiger Erich , Elmér Eskil 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Introduction
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested as a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced multiple organ failure. Also, restoration of mitochondrial function, known as mitochondrial biogenesis, has been implicated as a key factor for the recovery of organ function in patients with sepsis. Here we investigated temporal changes in platelet mitochondrial respiratory function in patients with sepsis during the first week after disease onset.

Methods
Platelets were isolated from blood samples taken from 18 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock within 48 hours of their admission to the intensive care unit. Subsequent samples were taken on Day 3 to 4 and Day 6 to 7. Eighteen healthy blood donors served as controls. Platelet mitochondrial function was analyzed by high-resolution respirometry. Endogenous respiration of viable, intact platelets suspended in their own plasma or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) glucose was determined. Further, in order to investigate the role of different dehydrogenases and respiratory complexes as well as to evaluate maximal respiratory activity of the mitochondria, platelets were permeabilized and stimulated with complex-specific substrates and inhibitors.

Results
Platelets suspended in their own septic plasma exhibited increased basal non-phosphorylating respiration (state 4) compared to controls and to platelets suspended in PBS glucose. In parallel, there was a substantial increase in respiratory capacity of the electron transfer system from Day 1 to 2 to Day 6 to 7 as well as compared to controls in both intact and permeabilized platelets oxidizing Complex I and/or II-linked substrates. No inhibition of respiratory complexes was detected in septic patients compared to controls. Non-survivors, at 90 days, had a more elevated respiratory capacity at Day 6 to 7 as compared to survivors. Cytochrome c increased over the time interval studied but no change in mitochondrial DNA was detected.

Conclusions
The results indicate the presence of a soluble plasma factor in the initial stage of sepsis inducing uncoupling of platelet mitochondria without inhibition of the electron transfer system. The mitochondrial uncoupling was paralleled by a gradual and substantial increase in respiratory capacity. This may reflect a compensatory response to severe sepsis or septic shock, that was most pronounced in non-survivors, likely correlating to the severity of the septic insult.
Redox Behavior and Electrochemical Catalytic Function of B12–Hyperbranched Polymer
Authors: Tahara Keishiro , Shimakoshi Hisashi , Tanaka Akihiro , Hisaeda Yoshio 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
The electrochemical behavior of a covalently functionalized hyperbranched polymer with a vitamin B12 derivative (B12–HBP) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV–vis spectroscopy combined with bulk electrolysis in N,N-dimethylformamide. The B12–HBP showed excellent properties for a homogeneous catalyst such as the good accessibilities of the cobalt centers in B12–HBP to an electrode and substrates and the maintained supernucleophilicity of the Co(I) species to alkyl halides. The cobalt-methylated B12–HBP was newly synthesized, and its electrochemical behavior was also investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, B12–HBP was used as an electrochemical degradation catalyst for 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT). This work presents the first electrocatalysis study of a catalytically active transition-metal complex on a homogeneous dendritic support and investigates the suitability of the present B12–HBP system for electrochemical dehalogenation.
Thin TiO2 Films Prepared via High-pressure Crystallization for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Ma Jeng-Shin , Lu Chung-Hsin 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Well-crystallized thin TiO2 films were successfully prepared via high-pressure crystallization (HPC). The crystallization temperature of TiO2 films was significantly decreased to 200 °C using the HPC route. The energy conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cells with the HPC-derived thin films was low because of the existence of organic residuals. Through UV-irradiation to remove the organic residuals, the energy conversion efficiency of the solar cells was significantly increased.
Probabilistic Bayesian reasoning can help identifying potentially wrong immunoassays results in clinical practice: even when they appear ‘not-unreasonable’
Authors: Ismail Adel A A , Ismail Abbas A , Ismail Yasmin 
Published: November 2010

Background Immunoassays are susceptible to analytical interferences including from endogenous immunoglobulin antibodies at a rate of ∼0.4% to 4%. Hundreds of millions of immunoassay tests (>10 millions in the UK alone) are performed yearly worldwide for measurements of an array of large and small moieties such as proteins, hormones, tumour markers, rheumatoid factor, troponin, small peptides, steroids and drugs. Methods Interference in these tests can lead to false results which when suspected, or surmised, can be analytically confirmed in most cases. Suspecting false laboratory data in the first place is not difficult when results are gross and without clinical correlates. However, when false results are subtle and/or plausible, it can be difficult to suspect with adverse clinical sequelae. This problem can be ameliorated by using a probabilistic Bayesian reasoning to flag up potentially suspect results even when laboratory data appear “not-unreasonable”. Results Essentially, in disorders with low prevalence, the majority of positive results caused by analytical interference are likely to be false positives. On the other hand, when the disease prevalence is high, false negative results increase and become more significant. To illustrate the scope and utility of this approach, six different examples covering wide range of analytes are given, each highlighting specific aspect/nature of interference and suggested options to reduce it. Conclusion Bayesian reasoning would allow laboratorians and/or clinicians to extract information about potentially false results, thus seeking follow-up confirmatory tests prior to the initiation of more expensive/invasive procedures or concluding a potentially wrong diagnosis.
Medication Reconciliation During Internal Hospital Transfer and Impact of Computerized Prescriber Order Entry
Authors: Lee Justin Y , Leblanc Kori , Fernandes Olavo A , Huh Jin-Hyeun , Wong Gary G , Hamandi Bassem , Lazar Neil M , Morra Dante , Bajcar Jana M , Harrison Jennifer 
Published: November 2010

Background: Internal hospital transfer is a vulnerable time during which patients are at high risk of medication discrepancies that can result in clinically significant harm, medication errors, and adverse drug events. Objective: To identify, characterize, and assess the clinical impact of unintentional medication discrepancies during internal hospital transfer and to investigate the influence of computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE) on medication discrepancies. Methods: All patients transferred between 10 inpatient units at 2 tertiary care hospitals were prospectively assessed to identify discrepancies. Interfaces included transfers between (1) units that both used paper-based medication ordering systems; (2) units that both used CPOE-based systems; and (3) units that used both paper-based and CPOE-based systems (hybrid transfer). The primary endpoint was the number of patients with at least 1 unintentional medication discrepancy during internal hospital transfer. Discrepancies were identified through assessment and comparison of a best possible medication transfer list with the actual transfer orders. A multidisciplinary team of clinicians assessed the potential clinical impact and severity of unintentional discrepancies. Results: Overall, 190 patients were screened and 129 patients were included. Eighty patients (62.0%) had at least 1 unintentional medication discrepancy at the time of transfer, and the most common discrepancy was medication omission (55.6%). Factors that independently increased the risk of a patient experiencing at least 1 unintentional discrepancy included lack of best possible medication history, increasing number of home medications, and increasing number of transfer medications. Forty-seven patients (36.4%) had at least 1 unintentional discrepancy with the potential to cause discomfort and/or clinical deterioration. The risk of discrepancies was present regardless of the medication-ordering system (paper, CPOE, or hybrid). Conclusions: Clinically significant medication discrepancies occur commonly during internal hospital transfer. A structured, collaborative, and clearly defined medication reconciliation process is needed to prevent internal transfer discrepancies and patient harm.
Phenobarbital/Lamotrigine Coadministration–Induced Blood Dyscrasia in a Patient with Epilepsy
Authors: Siniscalchi Antonio , Gallelli Luca , Calabrò Giuseppina , Tolotta Grazia Angela , Sarro Giovambattista De 
Published: November 2010

Objective: To report on a patient with epilepsy who developed leukopenia and thrombocytopenia during phenobarbital/lamotrigine treatment. Case Report: A 45-year-old woman with a 10-year history of complex partial seizures being treated with phenobarbital 100 mg/day presented due to the development of complex partial seizure episodes (8 episodes/month in the last 6 months). Results of laboratory tests on admission showed norma! platelets (250 × 103/μL) and white blood cells (8.2 × 103/μL). After clinical evaluation, lamotrigine titrated to a final dose of 100 mg twice daily was added to the phenobarbital. About 2 months later no epileptic manifestations were reported, but hematologic tests revealed a decrease in both platelets (36 × 103/μL) and white blood cells (2.0 × 103/μL). One day later, phenobarbital was discontinued and the patient developed 2 episodes of complex partial seizure. Levetiracetam titrated to 1500 mg/day was added to lamotrigine, with a normalization of platelets (260 × 103/μL) and white blood cell (7.9 × 103/μL) counts about 20 days later. After a few days, levetiracetam was discontinued and phenobarbital rechallenge during lamotrigine treatment induced a new blood dyscrasia in about 2 weeks (platelets 80 × 103/μL; white blood cells 3.2 × 103/μL), Phenobarbital was discontinued and levetiracetam was restarted, with a recovery of normal hematopoiesis in 25 days. The patient is presently receiving treatment with both lamotrigine 200 mg/day and levetiracetam 1500 mg/day and shows no seizure symptoms, blood abnormalities, or other adverse effects. Discussion: Using the Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale, we estimated a probable relationship between the drug-drug interaction and blood dyscrasia. The underlying mechanism of this interaction has not been well characterized. Cytochrome P450 enzyme induction by phenobarbital could be responsible for the production of reactive metabolites of lamotrigine that might be causative for the observed hematologic effects. A pharmacodynamic interaction between the 2 drugs is also a possible mechanism of this interaction. Conclusions: Our patient with epilepsy developed blood dyscrasia during lamotrigine/phenobarbital treatment. Clinicians should carefully monitor hematologic parameters during lamotrigine/phenobarbital treatment.
The impact of nonprogrammatic factors on criminal‐justice interventions
Authors: Andrews D. A. 
Published: November 2010

Purpose. Palmer (1995) drew attention to a distinction between ‘programmatic’ and ‘non‐programmatic’ aspects of criminal justice interventions. While a considerable amount of research has accumulated on the former, the latter by comparison remains under‐researched. Nevertheless some advances have been made and the present article identifies the key components of this. Methods. Following analysis of the concepts forwarded by Palmer, a methodical comparison is made between his findings on programmatic elements and those of two other major groups of meta‐analytic findings from this area. This provides further opportunity for testing of the Risk‐Needs‐Responsivity (RNR) model and an evaluation is offered of its current status in synthesizing relevant knowledge. A parallel set of comparisons is then drawn with respect to non‐programmatic factors and the paper considers the level of agreement between separate reviews of that knowledge base. This directs attention to a number of instances of intervention ‘failure’ which can be explained by insufficient attention to non‐programmatic issues. Results. There is a generally high level of agreement between the three sets of data surveyed. There is not a complete consensus however, caused not by disagreement between data sets but by gaps in the types and range of evidence assembled. There are larger gaps remaining on non‐programmatic factors and the nature and extent of those is described. There is also discussion of some objections and proposed alternatives to RNR, and to some conceptual confusions arising from them. Conclusions. The present state of knowledge on criminal justice interventions is a ‘work in progress’ but nevertheless can provide firm guidance on the design of such interventions, highlighting areas in which much further work is needed.
Childhood Abuse and Neglect and the Risk of STDs In Early Adulthood
Authors: Haydon Abigail A. , Hussey Jon M. , Halpern Carolyn Tucker 
Published: November 2010

CONTEXT: Given the threat posed by STDs in young adulthood, identifying early predictors of STD risk is a priority. Exposure to childhood maltreatment has been linked to sexual risk behaviors, but its association with STDs is unclear.
METHODS: Associations between maltreatment by parents or other adult caregivers during childhood and adolescence and STD outcomes in young adulthood were examined using data on 8,922 respondents to Waves 1, 3 and 4 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Four types of maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse, supervision neglect and physical neglect) and two STD outcomes (self‐reported recent and test‐identified current STD) were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses, stratified by sex, tested for moderators and mediators.
RESULTS: Among females, even after adjustment for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, self‐report of a recent STD was positively associated with sexual abuse (odds ratio, 1.8), physical abuse (1.7), physical neglect (2.1) and supervision neglect (1.6). Additionally, a positive association between physical neglect and having a test‐identified STD remained significant after further adjustments for exposure to other types of maltreatment and sexual risk behaviors (1.8). Among males, the only association (observed only in an unadjusted model) was between physical neglect and test‐identified STD (1.6).
CONCLUSIONS: Young women who experienced physical neglect as children are at increased risk of test‐identified STDs in young adulthood, and exposure to any type of maltreatment is associated with an elevated likelihood of self‐reported STDs. Further research is needed to understand the behavioral mechanisms and sexual network characteristics that underlie these associations.
Therapeutic Approaches to Target Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Goldfine Allison B , Fonseca Vivian , Shoelson Steven E 
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND
Chronic inflammation may participate in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease and may be a common denominator that links obesity to these disease states.

CONTENT
Epidemiologic studies have linked inflammatory biomarkers to incident diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk. Cellular and animal studies have provided support to the idea that inflammation mediates these disease processes, providing impetus to pharmacologically target these pathways for disease treatment and prevention. We review clinical strategies to target inflammation, with a focus on the antiinflammatory and antihyperglycemic effects of salicylates.

SUMMARY
The evolving concept of diet-induced obesity driving insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease through immunologic processes provides new opportunities for the use of antiinflammatory strategies to correct the metabolic consequences of excess adiposity.
Preemptive dose reduction of warfarin in patients initiating metronidazole
Authors: Holt Ryan K. , Anderson Erin A. , Cantrell Matthew A. , Shaw Robert F. , Egge Jason A. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background: The goal of this study was to determine if preemptive dose reduction (PDR) of warfarin is effective in maintaining therapeutic anticoagulation in patients initiating metronidazole.

Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center, cohort study in a pharmacist-managed anticoagulation clinic of a university affiliated Veteran’s Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Subjects were anticoagulation patients initiating metronidazole between 1 January 2002 and 30 March 2009. At the time of metronidazole initiation, patients were managed with PDR of warfarin or no dose reduction. The primary outcome was the average change in International Normalized Ratio (INR) between patients that received PDR vs. those that did not.

Results: In total, 20 patients met inclusion criteria with seven patients receiving PDR at the time of initiation of metronidazole, whereas 13 did not. Patients managed with PDR and those that were not were similar in age (mean±SD 69.4±12.9 years vs. 72.1±9.9 years, p=0.61), mean baseline INR before metronidazole (2.58±0.49 vs. 2.57±0.66, p=0.98), and mean time to follow-up after initiation of metronidazole (5.6±2.9 days vs. 7.0±3.7 days, p=0.40), respectively. The primary outcome was statistically significant with a mean difference in INR of 1.28 (p=0.01) between patients manag­ed with PDR vs. those that were not. The mean preemptive warfarin dose reduction was 34.6%±13.4% which resulted in no significant increase in INR (p=0.61). Secondary outcomes including INR values >4.0 (0% vs. 46%, p=0.05), the average number of warfarin doses omitted (0.43±0.79 vs. 1.15±1.27, p=0.17), use of phytonadione or fresh frozen plasma, and rates of bleeding events were not significantly different be­tween groups. No thromboembolic events occurred during the 30 days following metronidazole therapy.

Conclusions: In patients determined to be appropriate candidates for PDR, a 30%–35% reduction in mean daily warfarin dose was effective in maintaining therapeutic anticoagulation in patients started on concomitant metronidazole.
On affine group actions on Stein manifolds
Authors: Coutinho Helisson 
Published: November 2010

Abstract.
We consider actions of the complex affine group

Aff
(

)

$\operatorname{Aff}({\mathbb {C}})$
. For the case the action exhibits a regular
dicritic singularity

p

sing
(

)

$p\in \operatorname{sing}({\mathcal {F}_{\varphi }})$
and the ambient manifold is Stein we prove a linearization theorem.
In dimension three we prove a (Reeb) stability theorem for a
holomorphic foliations given by an affine group action on Stein 3-manifolds.
Structure and properties of the 5.5 K antiferromagnet EuAu2Ge2
Authors: Schellenberg Inga , Hermes Wilfried , Lidin Sven , Pöttgen Rainer 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
A well crystallized sample of EuAu2Ge2 was synthesized by arc-melting of the elements. The structure was refined on the basis of single crystal X-ray diffracto meter data: ThCr2Si2 type, I4/mmm, a = 447.3(1), c = 1034.0(4) pm, wR2 = 0.0575, 148 F
2 values and 9 variables. The gold atoms have tetrahedral germanium coordination (261 pm Au—Ge). These AuGe4/4 tetrahedra share four common edges, leading to layers which are connected via Ge—Ge bonds (247 pm). The europium atoms fill cages of coordination number 16 within the [Au2Ge2]
δ– polyanion. Temperature dependent susceptibility measurements show a magnetic moment of 7.79(1)μ
B/formula unit. Together with the 151 Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic data (isomer shift of –11.43 mm/s at 77 K), the magnetic data point to stable divalent europium. EuAu2Ge2 orders antiferromagnetically at T
N1 = 5.5(1) K, followed by a spin-reorientation at T
N2 = 3.5 K. A metamagnetic step occurs around 20 kOe in the 4 K magnetization isotherm.
Relation between Quantum Thermodynamics and Classical Thermodynamics
Authors: Zimmermann Herbert W. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Quantum thermodynamics describes dynamic processes by means of the operators of entropy production
P
and time
t
.
P
and
t
do not commute. It exists the non-vanishing t–P commutator [
t
,
P
]=ik. Here the Boltzmann constant k has the physical meaning of a quantum of entropy. The t–P commutator immediately leads us to the t–P uncertainty relation ΔtΔP≥k/2. Hence the observables t and P are not sharply defined simultaneously. Similar uncertainty relations can also be expected for other pairs of conjugate variables with products of the physical meaning of an entropy. The free energy F and the reciprocal temperature (1/T) are the respective conjugate variables of an isolated system of many particles, which leads us to the F–(1/T) uncertainty relation ǀΔFǁΔ(1/T)ǀ≥k/2. It can be traced back to the t–P uncertainty relation mentioned above. In this way the Helmholtz free energy F and the temperatur T are introduced into quantum thermodynamics. The uncertainties ǀΔFǀ→0 and ǀΔTǀ→0 are negligible at low temperatures T→0, and quantum thermodynamics turns into the time-independent classical thermodynamics. Against this the uncertainties ǀΔFǀ→∞ and ǀΔTǀ→∞ grow unlimited at high temperatures T→∞, and classical thermodynamics loses its sense. In the limit of one particle the uncertainties cannot be neglected even at low temperatures. However a detailed discussion shows that the free energy f of a single particle vanishes within the whole range of temperatures T. This defines the particle entropy σ=ε/T=ak. The dimensionless entropy number a connects the particle energy ε=akT with the temperature T. The entropy number a of a single (s) independent particle can be calculated with the extended, temperature-dependent Schrödinger equation
A

s
φ=aφ. Here
A

s=−(Λ
2/4π)∇2 means the dimensionless entropy operator describing the entropy number a and thus the particle entropy σ=ak. Λ is the thermal de Broglie wave length. Finally we calculate by means of quantized particle entropies σ the internal energy E, the Helmholtz free energy F, the entropy S, the chemical potential μ, and the equation of state of an ideal gas of N monatomic free particles in full agreement with classical thermodynamics. We also calculate the partition function q=V/Λ
3 of a single free particle within the volume V. Here Λ
3 is a small volume element taking into account the wave–particle dualism of a single free particle of mass m at temperature T. Extension to a system of N free particles leads us to a simple geometrical model and to the conclusion that an ideal gas of independent particles becomes instable below a critical temperature T
C. T
C corresponds to the critical temperature T
BE of Bose–Einstein condensation.