bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic Review of the Safety of Regular Preventive Asthma Medications During Pregnancy
Authors: Lim Angelina , Stewart Kay , König Kai , George Johnson 
Published: June 2011

Objective: To review the safety of regular preventive asthma medications during pregnancy. Data Sources: The following databases were searched from inception to February 2011: Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and CINAHL Plus. Study Selection and Data Extraction: The search was limited to human studies published in the English language. Titles of all articles were screened for relevance. Abstracts of relevant articles were scrutinized to confirm relevance before obtaining full text. Data Synthesis: Selected articles were read by 2 authors and the accuracy of the data extracted was confirmed. Results: Thirty-three articles were included in the final review. Small sample size, missing data, inadequate control for confounding factors, and poor documentation of dosage range were common limitations of the studies reviewed. The use of inhaled corticosteroids, cromolyns, and long-acting β2 agonists during pregnancy was not associated with any particular adverse event, although the fluticasone/salmeterol combination has been associated with poor outcomes in postmarketing studies. Congenital malformations have been reported with leukotriene receptor antagonist exposure during pregnancy, but those women also had exposure to other medications, including oral corticosteroids. Conclusions: Some negative outcomes of preventive asthma medications have been reported, although their direct link with medication use is inconclusive. Selection of preventive medications for asthma management during pregnancy should be based on an assessment of the risks and benefits of medication use versus the risks of poorly controlled asthma.
Medication Utilization and Illness Management Study in Nigeria
Authors: Enato Ehijie FO , Sounyo Adebukola A , Einarson Thomas R 
Published: June 2011

Background: Little is known about rates of illness, illness management, or drug utilization in developing countries. Objective: To determine patterns of illness and drug utilization in urban and rural households in Nigeria. Methods: A survey was developed and validated for data collection. A random sample from some communities in Owan East Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State, Nigeria, was selected, based on a national population survey, using both the supervisory and enumeration areas of the LGA. We determined the sample size using methods described by Cochran, including 5% precision, 5% α, and allowing for 5% data error. Respondents were queried in face-to-face interviews about illnesses in their households during the previous 2 weeks; demographic information; how they were treated; and where they sought treatment, advice, and medicines. As well, we determined how they kept families well. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Results: Out of 549 persons, 497 completed the questionnaires, giving a response rate of 90.5%. Of these respondents, 395 (79.5%) reported 517 illnesses during the previous 2 weeks. The average age of the ill person was 30.6 ± 24.3 years (range 3 months to 95 years). Percentages by age were: infants younger than 1 year 1.0%, children aged 1-17 years 36.0%, and adults aged ≥18 years 63.0%. Average monthly income per household was low (13,247 naira/88.31 US$). Malaria and its symptoms (fever, chills, joint pain, headache, gastrointestinal problems) and upper respiratory symptoms were most common. A majority (44.8%) of the ill persons self-treated, with 93.6% using antibiotic and antimalarial drugs. Among the households surveyed, 42.1% had drugs on hand (average 2.3 ± 1.3, range 1-7, median 2) for disease prevention, and the most used drugs were analgesics (46.2%) and antimalarial drugs (37.3%). Conclusions: Illness is frequent in Nigeria and is usually self-treated with antibiotic and antimalarial drugs. Medications were reported to be the most frequently used measure to prevent household illness. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Rapid Onset of Iatrogenic Adrenal Insufficiency in a Patient with Cystic Fibrosis–Related Liver Disease Treated with Inhaled Corticosteroids and a Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitor
Authors: Hoover Wynton C , Britton LaCrecia J , Gardner Jay , Jackson Tracy , Gutierrez Hector 
Published: June 2011

Objective: To report the rapid onset of adrenal insufficiency and subsequent development of Cushing syndrome precipitated by a CYP3A4-mediated drug-drug interaction that may have been enhanced by the presence of cystic fibrosis (CF)-related liver disease. Case Summary: A 9-year-old girl with CF and cirrhosis experienced a decline in lung function that led to a diagnosis of asthma. After initiation of asthma therapy with inhaled fluticasone 110 μg/actuation, the patient experienced improvement in lung function to baseline. Seven weeks after the initiation of inhaled fluticasone, she developed vaginal candidiasis and was prescribed fluconazole 100 mg/day, a CYP3A4 inhibitor. Three days after starting fluconazole, she developed polyuria and polydipsia and was found to have severe hyperglycemia, which led to the diagnosis of Cushing syndrome. Fluticasone was discontinued, and the patient's adrenal function normalized. Discussion: Patients with CF are commonly prescribed complex medication regimens that may affect drug metabolism. CYP3A4 inhibitors may significantly decrease metabolic clearance in patients using chronic inhaled corticosteroids. Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome has been reported in patients with CF treated concomitantly, and for extended duration, with inhaled corticosteroids and CYP3A4 inhibitors. This case highlights rapid onset of adrenal insufficiency in a patient with CF-related liver disease treated briefly with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor. Use of the Horn drug interaction probability scale indicates that the interaction between fluticasone and fluconazole was probable. Conclusions: CYP3A4-mediated drug interactions represent a significant risk in patients treated with long-term inhaled corticosteroids. The presence of clinically significant CF-related liver disease may enhance this risk.
Dofetilide Dose Calculation Errors in Elderly Associated with Use of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Equation
Authors: Denetclaw Tina H , Oshima Nancy , Dowling Thomas C 
Published: June 2011

Objective: To report 2 cases of drug dosage calculation errors that occurred when the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation was used for initiating drug therapy with dofetilide in eiderly patients with chronic kidney disease. Case Summary: An 83-year-old woman and a 92-year-old man were admitted for dofetilide treatment initiation and cardioversion for atrial fibrillation. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) determined with use of the MDRD equation was significantly higher than the estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl) determined with use of the Cockcroft-Gault equation for both cases (85 vs 43 mL/min for the man and 40 vs 24 mL/min for the woman). Initial dofetilide dosages calculated by the MDRD equation were 2-fold higher than those calculated by eCrCl in both cases. Initiation of dose based on the MDRD in the first patient ted to a 32% increase in the QTc interval from baseline. Dofetilide therapy was adjusted for QTc interval prolongation based on eCrCl and reinitiated at a lower dose, and the patient did not develop further significant increases in the QTc interval. In the second patient, the lower dose based on eCrCl was initiated and the QTc interval remained within an acceptable range. Discussion: The initial dosing of dofetilide is based on eCrCl as specified by the drug manufacturer. Recent widespread use and automated reporting of the eGFR by clinical laboratories has tempted some clinicians to consider using eGFR for calculating drug doses. However, recent data suggest that the eGFR, calculated by the MDRD equation, consistently overestimates eCrCl, leading to dose discrepancies, particularly in the elderly. The cases reported here illustrate the drug dose calculation errors that may occur when using the MDRD equation for initiating doses of dofetilide. Conclusions: Use of the eGFR or MDRD equation for calculation of doses in renal dysfunction has not been validated, and significant drug dose errors have been reported. The use of eGFR to calculate doses of dofetilide should be avoided.
Interoperabilität von Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
Authors: Schleipen Miriam , Münnemann Ansgar , Sauer Olaf 
Published: June 2011

Zusammenfassung
Informationstechnik befähigt moderne Produktionssysteme dazu, sich entsprechend der Marktanforderungen zu wandeln, im Netzwerk zu arbeiten und in Echtzeit Informationen auszutauschen. Die Integration vorhandener und neuer IT-Systeme spielt dabei eine immer bedeutendere Rolle, um Geschäftsprozesse durchgängig zu unterstützen. Basis dieser Integration sind Mechanismen zur Interoperabilität, von denen einige in diesem Heft vorgestellt werden. Die Autoren dieses Betrags beschreiben die Dimensionen der Interoperabilität auf der Fertigungsleitebene.
From Alleviation to Eradication: A Reassessment of Modernization, Market‐Based, and Communitarian Solutions to Global Poverty
Authors: Roxas Sixto K. , Ungson Gerardo R. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractEconomic growth and modernization are widely held to be the antidote to global poverty, but what if they actually contribute to the problem? A parallel question is whether poverty alleviation and eradication that have been used interchangeably are, in fact, the same. On the first question, extant theories, ranging from modernization to dependency, are limited in delivering a poverty‐free world, and, in some cases, have been more the problem than the solution. On the second question, poverty alleviation and eradication derive from different theoretical interests. Alleviation measures, such as market‐based solutions, are limited by profit‐maximizing objectives of enterprise. In contrast, poverty eradication entails a radical transformation of the poor to become self‐reliant. To meet this requirement, communitarian initiatives anchored on a different valuation, management, and organizational systems are proposed.
Localization of energy for a regular black hole solution in an asymptotically de Sitter spacetime geometry
Authors: Radinschi Irina , Grammenos Theophanes , Spanou Andromahi 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The energy and momentum distributions of a regular black hole in a four-dimensional, asymptotically de Sitter spacetime geometry are computed, whereby the Einstein, Landau-Lifshitz, Weinberg and Møller energy-momentum complexes are utilized. It is found, for all prescriptions applied, that the momentum distribution vanishes, while the energy distribution depends on the mass parameter M, the electric charge Q, and the cosmological constant Λ. In addition, various limiting cases are discussed.
Determination of photoredox properties of individual kinetically labile complexes in equilibrium systems
Authors: Šimo František , Šima Jozef 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThe paper evaluates the possibilities and limitations in characterising photochemical properties of individual kinetically labile species being in mutual equilibrium. A model of calculating quantum yield values is elaborated and applied to azidokojic iron(III) complexes in aqueous solutions. Based on the known speciation of the complexes as a function of pH, Fe(III) and azidokojic acid concentrations, electronic absorption spectra of individual species, and the determined overall quantum yield of Fe(II) photoformation at irradiation with monochromatised radiation at 366 nm, the quantum yield of Fe(III) to Fe(II) photoreduction was obtained for each of the complexes present in the investigated systems.
Comparison and optimisation of biodiesel production from Jatropha curcas oil using supercritical methyl acetate and methanol
Authors: Niza Noorzalila , Tan Kok , Ahmad Zainal , Lee Keat 
Published: June 2011

AbstractIn this study, biodiesel has been successfully produced by transesterification using non-catalytic supercritical methanol and methyl acetate. The variables studied, such as reaction time, reaction temperature and molar ratio of methanol or methyl acetate to oil, were optimised to obtain the optimum yield of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). Subsequently, the results for both reactions were analysed and compared via Response Surface Methodology (RSM) analysis. The mathematical models for both reactions were found to be adequate to predict the optimum yield of biodiesel. The results from the optimisation studies showed that a yield of 89.4 % was achieved for the reaction with supercritical methanol within the reaction time of 27 min, reaction temperature of 358°C, and methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 44. For the reaction in the presence of supercritical methyl acetate, the optimum conditions were found to be: reaction time of 32 min, reaction temperature of 400°C, and methyl acetate-to-oil molar ratio of 50 to achieve 71.9 % biodiesel yield. The differences in the behaviour of methanol and methyl acetate in the transesterification reaction are largely due to the difference in reactivity and mutual solubility of Jatropha curcas oil and methanol/methyl acetate.
Hybrid Moulds with Epoxy-based Composites – Effects of Materials and Processing on Shrinkage and Warpage
Authors: Martinho P. G. , Netto A. Sabino , Ahrens C. H. , Salmoria G. V. , Pouzada A. S. 
Published: June 2011

AbstractThis paper contributes with the analysis of the case of a complex three-dimensional shape that was moulded in a standard steel mould and an alternative hybrid mould with steel cavity and epoxy-based composites cores. The mouldings were produced in semicrystalline and amorphous polymers. Pressure and temperature were recorded at two locations in the cavity. The processing conditions were simulated. The effect of the processing was observed on some dimensions of the part that were used for assessment of the shrinkage and warpage. The results suggest the importance of predicting the regime mould temperature when low thermal conductivity materials are used in moulding blocks. Results also evidenced that in hybrid moulds with resin blocks the shrinkage of the mouldings is a consequence of the specific polymer shrinkage and the deformation of the non-metallic core deformed by the processing pressure. The warpage occurring on these parts is also larger in comparison with conventional steel moulds.
Establishment of Gas Counter Pressure Technology and Its Application to Improve the Surface Quality of Microcellular Injection Molded Parts
Authors: Chen S. C. , Hsu P. S. , Lin Y. W. 
Published: June 2011

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to establish the Gas Counter Pressure (GCP) technology in combined with microcellular injection molding process. The application of gas into the mold cavity during the melt injection period provides a counter force against the melt front advancement, restricting the foaming process during the melt filling stage. Various gas counter pressures from 0 bar up to 300 bar and gas holding times of 0 to 10 s after filling completion were employed for investigating their relevant effect. It was found that when gas counter pressure is greater than 100 bar, foaming does not appear in the skin layer if no holding time is applied after melt-filling. As gas counter pressure increases, thickness of the solid skin layer without foaming also increases. Employment of holding time after melt-filling also assists foaming restriction in the melt core area. If a holding time of 10 s is applied combined with a counter pressure greater than 100 bar, foaming is completely restricted resulting in a transparent PS sample part. The part surface of those subjected to foaming-restriction in the skin layer also appears to be smooth and glossy. For the black PS parts molded via microcellular injection combined with gas counter pressure, it appears the same gloss quality as that achieved by conventional injection molding.
Photosynthetic Mediterranean meadow orchids feature partial mycoheterotrophy and specific mycorrhizal associations
Authors: Girlanda Mariangela , Segreto Rossana , Cafasso Donata , Liebel Heiko Tobias , Rodda Michele , Ercole Enrico , Cozzolino Salvatore , Gebauer Gerhard , Perotto Silvia 
Published: June 2011

• Premise of the study: We investigated whether four widespread, photosynthetic Mediterranean meadow orchids (Ophrys fuciflora, Anacamptis laxiflora, Orchis purpurea, and Serapias vomeracea) had either nutritional dependency on mycobionts or mycorrhizal fungal specificity. Nonphotosynthetic orchids generally engage in highly specific interactions with fungal symbionts that provide them with organic carbon. By contrast, fully photosynthetic orchids in sunny, meadow habitats have been considered to lack mycorrhizal specificity.• Methods: We performed both culture‐dependent and culture‐independent ITS sequence analysis to identify fungi from orchid roots. By analyzing stable isotope (13C and 15N) natural abundances, we also determined the degree of autotrophy and mycoheterotrophy in the four orchid species.• Key results: Phylogenetic and multivariate comparisons indicated that Or. purpurea and Oph. fuciflora featured lower fungal diversity and more specific mycobiont spectra than A. laxiflora and S. vomeracea. All orchid species were significantly enriched in 15N compared with neighboring non‐orchid plants. Orchis purpurea had the most pronounced N gain from fungi and differed from the other orchids in also obtaining C from fungi.• Conclusions: These results indicated that even in sunny Mediterranean meadows, orchids may be mycoheterotrophic, with correlated mycorrhizal fungal specificity.
Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy of the RTVue Fourier-Domain OCT and the GDx-VCC/ECC Polarimeter to Detect Glaucoma
Authors: Garas Anita , Vargha Péter , Holló Gábor 
Published: June 2011

Purpose To compare sensitivity and specificity of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) measurements made using RTVue-100 Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (RTVue-OCT) and scanning laser polarimetry with variable (GDx-VCC) or enhanced compensation (GDx-ECC). Methods One eye of each of 177 consecutive patients was imaged. Healthy (n=50) and ocular hypertensive (n=28) eyes were defined as structurally undamaged, preperimetric (n=33) and perimetric (n=66) glaucoma eyes as diseased. Results For average RNFLT, sensitivity was higher (χ2 test, p=0.002) with RTVue-OCT (65.7%) than with GDx-VCC (49.5%). For superior and inferior RNFLT, sensitivity was similar with all methods. For the different nerve fiber bundle parameters, sensitivity of RTVue-OCT (64.6% to 84.8%) was consistently up to 35% higher (p<0.001) than that of GDx-VCC/ECC (28.3% to 72.7%). Specificity ranged from 84.6% to 98.7% with RTVue-OCT, 92.3% to 100% with GDx-VCC, and 94.9% to 100% with GDx-ECC, with no significant difference between the methods except for one nerve fiber bundle parameter, for which RTVue-OCT was less specific than either GDx method (p≤0.004). Diagnostic accuracy of the GDx-VCC/ECC nerve fiber indicator (NFI) and RTVue-OCT average RNFLT were similar. Of the detected glaucoma cases, 87.7% were identified both by GDx-VCC/ECC NFI and average RNFLT of RTVue-OCT. Conclusions In this clinical setting, all methods were similarly highly specific, but for localized RNFLT damage RTVue-OCT was statistically and clinically significantly more sensitive than GDx-VCC and GDx-ECC. Most detected glaucoma cases were identified with all 3 methods.
Platelet Activation in Heart Failure Patients Supported by the HeartMate II Ventricular Assist Device
Authors: Slaughter Mark S. , Sobieski Michael A. , Graham Joel D. , Pappas Patroklos S. , Tatooles Antone J. , Koenig Steven C. 
Published: June 2011

Objective Thromboembolic events have been observed in heart failure (HF) patients supported by long-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices. It has been hypothesized that these adverse events may be the result of platelet activation associated with high rotational speeds common to axial flow pumps. In this study, markers of platelet activation were investigated in HF patients supported by a HeartMate II left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Methods The study group consisted of 34 HF patients supported by a HeartMate II axial flow LVAD implanted for destination therapy (DT). This patient population was 94% male (31 M, 3 F), supported by LVAD for 30 to 723 days (average 268 days), and with an anticoagulation regimen of Coumadin (0-8 mg daily dose) and aspirin (0-325 mg daily dose). Platelet adhesion markers (soluble P-selectin and solube CD40 ligand), platelet count (PC), hematocrit (Hct), and creatinine (Cr) were measured. Results The soluble P-selectin marker was within normal platelet activity limits for all end points. The soluble CD40 ligand marker indicated platelet inactivity for all end points. Despite high shear stresses associated with a high-speed axial flow pump, the HeartMate II had no discernable effect on platelet activation. Current clinical doses of aspirin also appear to have little effect on platelet activation. Platelet count, hematocrit, and creatinine were normal in these patients over duration of support. Conclusions There were no discernable changes in platelet activation markers soluble P-selectin and soluble CD40 ligand in HF patients support by HeartMate II LVAD independently of length of support, anti-platelet, and anti-coagulation regimens.
“It's junk food and chicken nuggets”: Children's perspectives on ‘kids' food’ and the question of food classification
Authors: Elliott Charlene 
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACTGiven the expansive nature of children's food, banning the advertising of poorly nutritious products to children only deals with part of the problem. What is missing is an understanding of how child‐oriented food marketing has reconfigured children's broader perceptions of what food means and the kinds of foods that are ‘for them’. Drawing from focus groups conducted across Canada, this article examines the perspectives of 225 children who discussed both ‘kids' food’ and ‘adult food’. The research reveals the broader implications of particular food marketing strategies. When children think of ‘kids' food’, they generally think of junk food, sugar, sugary cereals and the fun shapes and unusual colours characterizing much of contemporary child‐oriented packaged food. When children think of ‘adult food’, they think of fruits, vegetables and meat. In short, ‘adult foods’ are generally the unprocessed fruits, vegetables and meats that all North Americans should be consuming more of, whereas ‘kids' foods’ are associated with processed, high‐sugar, low‐nutrient edibles. The paper further reveals how ‘kids' food’ functions as an object or technology of identification for children enacted through a set of characteristics that the edibles share. Children's classification of food also reveals their savvy awareness that both ‘kids' food’ and ‘adult food’ can contain transgressive elements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.