bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and microbiological efficacy of continuous versus intermittent application of meropenem in critically ill patients: a randomized open-label controlled trial
Authors: Chytra Ivan , Stepan Martin , Benes Jan , Pelnar Petr , Zidkova Alexandra , Bergerova Tamara , Pradl Richard , Kasal Eduard 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Meropenem bactericidal activity depends on the time when the free drug concentrations remain above the minimum inhibitory concentration of pathogens. The goal of this study was to compare clinical and bacteriological efficacy of continuous meropenem infusion versus bolus administration in critically ill patients with severe infection, and to evaluate the safety of both dosing regimens.

Methods
Patients admitted to the interdisciplinary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) who suffered from severe infections and received meropenem were randomized either in the Infusion group (n = 120) or in the Bolus group (n = 120). Patients in the Infusion group received a loading dose of 2 g of meropenem followed by a continuous infusion of 4 g of meropenem over 24 hours. Patients in the Bolus group were given 2 g of meropenem over 30 minutes every 8 hours. Clinical and microbiological outcome, safety, meropenem-related length of ICU and hospital stay, meropenem-related length of mechanical ventilation, duration of meropenem treatment, total dose of meropenem, and ICU and in-hospital mortality were assessed.

Results
Clinical cure at the end of meropenem therapy was comparable between both groups (83.0% patients in the Infusion vs. 75.0% patients in the Bolus group; P = 0.180). Microbiological success rate was higher in the Infusion group as opposed to the Bolus group (90.6% vs. 78.4%; P = 0.020). Multivariate logistic regression identified continuous administration of meropenem as an independent predictor of microbiological success (OR = 2.977; 95% CI = 1.050 to 8.443; P = 0.040). Meropenem-related ICU stay was shorter in the Infusion group compared to the Bolus group (10 (7 to 14) days vs. 12 (7 to 19) days; P = 0.044) as well as shorter duration of meropenem therapy (7 (6 to 8) days vs. 8 (7 to 10) days; P = 0.035) and lower total dose of meropenem (24 (21 to 32) grams vs. 48 (42 to 60) grams; P < 0.0001). No severe adverse events related to meropenem administration in either group were observed.

Conclusions
Continuous infusion of meropenem is safe and, in comparison with higher intermittent dosage, provides equal clinical outcome, generates superior bacteriological efficacy and offers encouraging alternative of antimicrobial therapy in critically ill patients.
Childhood cognitive function and adult psychopathology:
associations with psychotic and non-psychotic symptoms in the general
population
Authors: Barnett Jennifer H. , McDougall Fiona , Xu Man K. , Croudace Tim J. , Richards Marcus , Jones Peter B. 
Published: June 2012

BackgroundLower cognitive ability in childhood is associated with increased risk of
future schizophrenia, but its relationship with adult psychotic-like
experiences and other psychopathology is less understood.AimsTo investigate whether this childhood risk factor is shared with adult
subclinical psychiatric phenotypes including psychotic-like experiences
and general psychiatric morbidity.MethodA population-based sample of participants born in Great Britain during 1
week in March 1946 was contacted up to 20 times between ages 6 weeks and
53 years. Cognition was assessed at ages 8, 11 and 15 years using a
composite of age-appropriate verbal and non-verbal cognitive tests. At
age 53 years, psychotic-like experiences were self-reported by 2918
participants using four items from the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire
and general psychiatric morbidity was assessed using the scaled version
of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28).ResultsPsychotic-like experiences were reported by 22% of participants, and were
highly comorbid with other psychopathology. Their presence in adults was
significantly associated with poorer childhood cognitive test scores at
ages 8 and 15 years, and marginally so at age 11 years. In contrast, high
GHQ scores were not associated with poorer childhood cognition after
adjustment for the presence of psychotic-like experiences.ConclusionsPsychotic and non-psychotic psychopathologic symptoms are highly comorbid
in the general population. Lower childhood cognitive ability is a risk
factor for psychotic-like experiences in mid-life; these phenomena may be
one end of a continuum of phenotypic expression driven by variation in
early neurodevelopment.
Probing indiscretions: contamination of cardiac troponin reagent by very high patient samples causes false-positive results
Authors: Gould Michael J , Wilgen Urs , Pretorius Carel J , Ungerer Jacobus PJ 
Published: June 2012

Background Cardiac troponin (cTn) has become the standard biomarker for the diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes. False-positive cTnI results have previously been reported on the Beckman Coulter analysers, which were shown to be random, not reproducible and occurred more commonly than expected. Our investigation ensued after a patient sample with an inordinately elevated cTnI was analysed, followed by a series of false-positive results being reported. The implications of falsely elevated cTnI results on patient care could be considerable. Methods Multiple experiments with patient sample pools with concentrations below the 99th percentile to extremely high (0.025, 15, 175 and 884 μg/L) were conducted in varying sequences of high and low samples on the Beckman Coulter Access2, UniCel DxI600 and UniCel DxI800 analysers. Results Our results demonstrate a significant increase in cTnI concentrations in the negative pool after analysis of high pool samples in various sequences. This increase is sufficient to cause elevations above the 99th percentile cut-off and false-positive cTnI results. These findings were reproducible on all three analysers. Conclusions Our study is highly suggestive of carryover and cTnI reagent pack contamination by the pipettors on the Access2, DxI600 and DxI800 analysers when patient samples with extremely high cTnI concentrations are analysed, leading to potential false-positive cTnI results on subsequent samples.
Validation and comparison of currently available stratification systems for patients with diabetes by risk of foot ulcer development
Authors: Monteiro-Soares M , Vaz-Carneiro A , Sampaio S , Dinis-Ribeiro M 
Published: June 2012

Aims/hypothesisThere are five systems to stratify the risk for the development of a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). This study aimed to prospectively validate all of them in the same cohort of participants to allow their direct comparison.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on all patients with diabetes but without an active DFU attending our podiatry section (n=364) from January 2008 to December 2010. Participants' characteristics and all variables composing the stratification systems were assessed at baseline. Follow-up was performed for 1 year or until DFU occurred.ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 64 years; 99.7% had type 2 diabetes and 48.6% were male. Median follow-up was 12 months (1–12) during which 33 subjects (9.1%) developed a DFU. Age, diabetes duration, foot deformity, peripheral vascular disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, previous DFU, and previous lower extremity amputation were associated with DFU occurrence. All systems presented greater DFU occurrence frequency as the risk group was higher (χ2,P<0.001) and showed good diagnostic accuracy values, especially negative predictive value (≥95%) and area under the receiver operating curve (≥0.73). The lowest performance concerned positive predictive value (≤29.5%).Conclusions/interpretationAll the currently available stratification systems show high accuracy to detect which patients will develop a DFU with no significant differences among them. Therefore, for diabetic foot screening and resource allocation, it would be desirable to have a single unified system, combining the available systems, prospectively validated in a multicenter context and testing the inclusion of novel predictive variables' pertinence.
A Health Impact Assessment of California’s Proposed Cap-and-Trade Regulations
Authors: Richardson Maxwell J. , English Paul , Rudolph Linda 
Published: June 2012

Objectives. To identify unintended health effects of California’s controversial cap-and-trade regulations and establish health-promoting policy recommendations, we performed a health impact assessment. Methods. We used literature reviews, public data, and local health surveys to qualitatively assess potential health risks and benefits related to changes in employment and income, energy costs, effects of emission offset projects, and cobenefits from the allocation of program revenue. We examined case studies from various communities to find existing social, economic, and environmental health conditions. Results. We found that policy implementation will minimally impact job creation (< 0.1% change) and that health effects from job sector shifts are unlikely. Fuel prices may increase (0%–11%), and minor negative health effects could accrue for some low-income households. Conclusions. Offset projects would likely benefit environmental health, but more research is needed. Allocating some program revenue for climate change adaptation and mitigation would have substantial health benefits. Health impact assessment is a useful tool for health agencies to engage in policy discussions that typically fall outside public health. Our results can inform emission reduction strategies and cap-and-trade policy at the federal level.
Three new records for diatoms from the Nišava River and its tributary, the Jerma River (Southern Serbia)
Authors: Andrejić Jelena , Krizmanić Jelena , Cvijan Mirko 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
The main objective of this paper is to report three benthic diatom species from the Nišava and Jerma Rivers, which prove to be new findings in the context of the Serbian diatom flora. These are also new distributional records for all three species. Monthly samples (from stones, sediments and macrophytes) were collected from May 2008 to May 2009. Diatom frustules were cleaned using chemical agents, and mounted on permanent slides. Descriptions (main valve measurement of the populations in the Nišava and Jerma Rivers), ecology, distribution in Serbia and Europe, and appropriate photomicrographs of three species are presented. Navicula novaesiberica Lange-Bertalot and Neidiomorpha binodiformis (Krammer) Lange-Bertalot & Cantonati are rarely found in Europe, while Parlibellus protracta (Grunow) Witkowski is more common. Navicula novaesiberica and Neidiomorpha binodiformis were found at higher water temperatures in comparison to temperatures reported in the existing literature. These new taxa significantly contribute to diatom floristic richness of the Nišava and Jerma Rivers in Serbia.
Methane flux from sediment into near-bottom water in the coastal area of the Puck Bay (Southern Baltic)
Authors: Reindl Andrzej , Bolałek Jerzy 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
This work presents the results of the study on methane emission from the sea bottom in the coastal zone of Puck Bay. The investigations were conducted from June through September 2010 at seven sampling sites located along the Hel Peninsula. The research results indicate that the methane flux rates vary periodically. Methane emission from seabed into near-bottom water in the coastal zone of Puck Bay along the Hel Peninsula ranged from 0.91 mmol m−2 d−1 to 49.15 mmol m−2 d−1.
How threatened is the Polish wetland flora?
Authors: Kopeć Dominik , Michalska-Hejduk Dorota 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
Wetlands cover almost 14% of the area of Poland, but most of them are in bad condition. This paper aims are compiling an up-to-date Polish list of wetland species based on the data on their distribution and threat status in individual regions. 609 species were analyzed and their respective threat categories were examined in 13 local lists. It has been shown that 65% of the wetland species are classified as threatened taxa in at least one red local list. The data were used to create a formula for calculating the new threat category for each of the species. The resulting red list of wetland species includes 283 taxa.
Characterization of microsatellites in the mountain plant Armeria caespitosa (Plumbaginaceae) and transferability to congeners
Authors: García‐Fernández Alfredo , Lara‐Romero Carlos , Segarra‐Moragues José Gabriel , Iriondo José María , Widmer Alex , Escudero Adrian 
Published: June 2012

• Premise of the study: The focus of this study is to develop microsatellite markers in Armeria caespitosa, a narrow endemic of central Spain. Microsatellite loci are sought to clarify population structure and estimate gene flux among populations.• Methods and Results: Enriched microsatellite genomic libraries were used for microsatellite isolation. Sixteen microsatellite loci were characterized, eight of which can be used for successful genotyping. Allele number ranged from two to seven per locus. Observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.300 to 0.800 and from 0.296 to 0.733, respectively. Cross‐amplification of seven and six loci was successful for A. maritima and A. cantabrica, respectively.• Conclusions: These microsatellites are suitable in the study of population genetics and gene flow among A. caespitosa populations. The information provided by these markers may be useful in the study of this plant's response to global warming.
La greffe des outils de gestion dans les hôpitaux publics tunisiens
Authors: Abid Lobna 
Published: June 2012

Résumé En quête d’une meilleure efficience, les hôpitaux publics tunisiens ont été contraints à une réforme par le transfert des pratiques de gestion inspirées du secteur privé. Les programmes de modernisation publique sont portés par l’idéologie du New Public Management. Il est question dans cet article d’une étude rétrospective de la réforme dans le contexte tunisien par la dissection du degré d’appropriation de ses outils par les acteurs hospitaliers. Ces outils, vecteur d’un discours managérial, sont loin d’être neutres, ils ne se cantonnent pas aux référents officiels écrits mais intègrent également les représentations et les perceptions des utilisateurs. C’est ainsi qu’ils ont été soumis à une analyse discursive par étude de cas visant la traduction des cartes mentales et cognitives des usagers hospitaliers. L’analyse qualitative a conclu à une institutionnalisation « épidermique » de la réforme et de ses mécanismes. Cette dernière présenterait les symptômes d’une « boulimie managériale » accouplée à une « anémie stratégique », confortant par la-même, l’hypothèse d’une « hypocrisie organisationnelle ».
Théorie du management : une approche systémique pour comprendre les pratiques et les comportements des managers
Authors: Davies John 
Published: June 2012

Résumé Cet article vise à développer une approche systémique des interactions entre les chercheurs, la théorie du management et les pratiques des managers. Il revient sur les questions soulevées par Ghoshal sur la façon dont l’acceptation sans remise en question d’une vision pessimiste idéologique sur la nature humaine a conduit aux « mauvaises théories du management... qui détruisent les bonnes pratiques des managers », mais aussi sur la façon dont la pratique peut influencer la théorie. Cette approche permet de réinterpréter et mettre en évidence la nature systémique de processus appelés double herméneutique par Giddens (1987) et déterminisme réciproque par Bandura (1978) et de faire le parallèle avec le rôle de la théorie dans les sciences de la décision. Cet article offre un exemple de recours aux outils de représentation de la dynamique systémique pour développer une approche systémique de ces questions, identifier la structure systémique sous-jacente menant à la thèse de Ghoshal et identifier des moyens d’aborder ces points.
High resolution 3D near surface imaging of fracture corridors and cavities by combining Plus‐Minus method and refraction tomography
Authors: Mari1 Jean‐Luc , Mendes Manuela 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTTomographic inversion helps to generate detailed geophysical models of the subsurface.This paper shows how the velocity model obtained by the conventional Plus‐Minus refraction travel‐time picking method can be used as initial input in a subsequent refraction tomography to build an even more accurate subsurface velocity model. This new fast procedure becomes an interesting alternative technique considering the important computational time effort required for the global search algorithms or the simple two‐layered model provided by the conventional refraction analysis, as the Plus‐Minus method.The proposed methodology proved attractive when testing with synthetic and field data. The illustration with synthetic data shows the final result and reference model very well matched. It is shown that the ray coverage is a useful tool for assessing the quality of the reconstructed model. The application to field data enables us to map the irregular shape of the top of a karstic reservoir, to be sure that no cavities filled with clays are present near there (top of the reservoir) to obtain a 3D velocity‐depth model of a heterogeneous low velocity superficial zone revealing the main orientation of fracture corridors (N90°), and also to estimate appropriate static corrections for use in subsequent data processing.
The Effects of Health Information Technology Change Over Time: A Study of Tele-ICU Functions
Authors: Woods D.D. , Schweikhart S. , Ebright P. , Patterson E. , Anders S.H. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryObjective: Longitudinal studies exploring the evolution of health information technology functions provide valuable information about how technology systems are integrated and exploited in situ. This study reports changes in the distribution of functions for a specific health information technology, the tele-ICU, over time. The studied tele-ICU provided care to six remote ICUs within a local geographic region in the same state and had nursing staff around the clock.Methods: The intervention logs of tele-ICU nurses were collected during two discrete times and coded into nine emergent functional categories, who initiated the intervention and, if required, subsequent escalation. All coded functional categories were investigated for significant changes over time in the nursing logged interventions.Results: A total of 1927 interventions were coded into the nine emergent functional categories. Seven of the nine categories (78%) were significantly different between 2005 and 2007. The functions of the tele-ICU system continue to change and develop over time.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the tele-ICU increased support when ICU nurses were off the unit, inter-hospital coordinating and adherence to best practices, while simultaneously decreasing real-time support for ICU nurses. This research suggests that sustaining safety features in a new technology over time have post-conditions after implementation.
Classifying Health Information Technology patient safety related incidents – an approach used in Wales
Authors: Edwards P. , Warm D. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryInterest in the field of patient safety incident reporting and analysis with respect to Health Information Technology (HIT) has been growing over recent years as the development, implementation and reliance on HIT systems becomes ever more prevalent. One of the rationales for capturing patient safety incidents is to learn from failures in the delivery of care and must form part of a feedback loop which also includes analysis; investigation and monitoring. With the advent of new technologies and organizational programs of delivery the emphasis is increasingly upon analyzing HIT incidents.This thematic review had two objectives, to test the applicability of a framework specifically designed to categorize HIT incidents and to review the Welsh incidents as communicated via the national incident reporting system in order to understand their implications for healthcare. The incidents were those reported as IT/ telecommunications failure/ overload. Incidents were searched for within a national reporting system using a standardized search strategy for incidents occurring between 1st January 2009 and 31st May 2011. 149 incident reports were identified and classified. The majority (77%) of which were machine related (technical problems) such as access problems; computer system down/too slow; display issues; and software malfunctions. A further 10% (n = 15) of incidents were down to human-computer interaction issues and 13% (n = 19) incidents, mainly telephone related, could not be classified using the framework being tested.On the basis of this review of incidents, it is recommended that the framework be expanded to include hardware malfunctions and the wrong record retrieved/missing data associated with a machine output error (as opposed to human error).In terms of the implications for clinical practice, the incidents reviewed highlighted critical issues including the access problems particularly relating to the use of mobile technologies.
Reliability and Validity of the McDonald Play Inventory
Authors: McDonald Ann E. , Vigen Cheryl 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
OBJECTIVE. This study examined the ability of a two-part self-report instrument, the McDonald Play Inventory, to reliably and validly measure the play activities and play styles of 7- to 11-yr-old children and to discriminate between the play of neurotypical children and children with known learning and developmental disabilities.
METHOD. A total of 124 children ages 7–11 recruited from a sample of convenience and a subsample of 17 parents participated in this study.
RESULTS. Reliability estimates yielded moderate correlations for internal consistency, total test intercorrelations, and test–retest reliability. Validity estimates were established for content and construct validity.
CONCLUSION. The results suggest that a self-report instrument yields reliable and valid measures of a child’s perceived play performance and discriminates between the play of children with and without disabilities.
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation–Assisted Grasp Training and Restoration of Function in the Tetraplegic Hand: A Case Series
Authors: Martin Rebecca , Johnston Kristin , Sadowsky Cristina 
Published: June 2012

Abstract
OBJECTIVE. This study investigated the immediate effects of repetitive neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)–assisted grasp-and-release activities on the hand of patients with tetraplegia.
METHOD. Three participants with C-5–C-6 tetraplegia underwent grasp training with sequential application of NMES to wrist extensors, finger flexors, and finger extensors to assist participants in grasping and then releasing balls. Before the intervention, participants were assessed with the Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test and the Box and Block Test. They were evaluated with the same measures after the first and eighth sessions of intervention. Participants participated in eight 30-min sessions over 14 days.
RESULTS. Within-participant improvements in performance were observed in all outcome measures. Subtests of the Jebsen–Taylor Hand Function Test requiring grasping function showed the greatest improvements. Participants reported reduction of spasticity and more effective grasp.
CONCLUSION. NMES-assisted grasp paired with repetitive task practice resulted in improved performance on functional tests and subjectively improved hand function in the participants.