bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex‐related differences in hospital admissions attributed to adverse drug reactions in the Netherlands
Authors: Rodenburg Eline M. , Stricker Bruno H. Ch. , Visser Loes E. 
Published: September 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECTWomen are more at risk for developing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) due to differences in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and drug use. ADRs regularly lead to hospital admissions.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDSThere are differences between the sexes in hospital admissions attributed to ADRs. The risk of being hospitalized with an ADR varies between the sexes in the type of reaction and the causative drug.AIMAdverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major burden in health care, regularly leading to hospital admission, morbidity or death. Women tend to have a higher risk of adverse drug reactions with a 1.5 to 1.7‐fold greater risk than men. Our primary aim was to study differences in ADR‐related hospitalizations between the sexes.METHODSWe conducted a nationwide study of all ADR‐related hospitalizations in the period between 2000 and 2005 in the Netherlands, which were selected from all 9 287 162 hospital admissions in this period. ADR–drug group combinations with at least 50 admissions in one of the sexes were selected. Relative risks and confidence intervals were calculated with respect to total admissions and total prescriptions with men as reference.RESULTSIn total, 0.41% of the 4 236 368 admissions in men (95% CI 0.40, 0.42%) and 0.47% of the 5 050 794 admissions in women (95% CI 0.46, 0.48%) were attributed to an ADR by medical specialists (57% of all ADR‐related admissions were in women). Differences between the sexes in risk for ADR‐related hospitalization were found for antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drugs, antirheumatics, anticoagulants and salicylates, cardiovascular and neurological drugs, steroids and antibiotics. In certain drug categories, risks for hospitalization changed after taking into account total drug prescriptions.CONCLUSIONIn all different drug classes, significant differences exist between the sexes in ADR‐related hospital admissions. Cardiovascular drugs account for the most pronounced differences between men and women. More research is needed to explain the clear sex differences in ADR‐related hospital admissions.
Von Willebrand factor and fibrinolytic parameters during the desmopressin test in patients with Cushing's disease
Authors: Giraldi Francesca Pecori , Ambrogio Alberto G. , Fatti Letizia M. , Rubini Valentina , Cozzi Giovanna , Scacchi Massimo , Federici Augusto B. , Cavagnini Francesco 
Published: September 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Desmopressin is a known haemostatic agent and is also being used, albeit at lower doses, during the diagnostic work‐up of Cushing's syndrome, a condition characterized by excess cortisol concentrations and frequent thromboembolic events. No study has yet evaluated whether admininistration of desmopressin for diagnostic purposes induces significant, adverse changes in endothelial cell markers in these patients. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Administration of desmopressin to patients with Cushing's disease induces changes in endothelial cell markers comparable with those observed in obese and normal weight subjects. It follows, that desmopressin testing does not induce disease‐specific untoward changes in coagulatory markers in patients with endogenous hypercortisolism and its use in this context appears safe.AIMS Desmopressin, a vasopressin analogue, is used for various clinical purposes, including haemostasis and, in recent times, the diagnostic work‐up of patients with Cushing's syndrome, a condition associated with a known prothrombotic profile. We decided to evaluate whether and to what extent a diagnostic dose of desmopressin induces significant changes in endothelial parameters in patients with Cushing's disease (CD) and obese and normal weight controls.METHODS Twelve patients with CD, 10 obese and five normal weight controls were studied. Von Willebrand antigen (VWF : Ag), tissue plasminogen activator (t‐PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) were measured at baseline and up to 4 h after 10 µg desmopressin i.v.RESULTS Desmopressin 10 µg transiently increased VWF : Ag and t‐PA and decreased PAI‐1 in all subjects. The magnitude of the VWF : Ag and t‐PA increases after desmopressin was comparable in the three groups (VWF : Ag peak‐to‐basal ratio 1.9 ± 0.17, 1.5 ± 0.11 and 1.8 ± 0.13 and t‐PA peak‐to‐basal ratio 1.6 ± 0.18, 1.6 ± 0.20 and 1.8 ± 0.24 for CD, obese and controls, respectively, all NS). The PAI‐1 decrease observed in patients with CD was comparable with obese (0.7 ± 0.07 and 0.6 ± 0.09, NS) and controls (0.7 ± 0.07 vs. 0.4 ± 0.09, P= 0.08).CONCLUSIONS Administration of desmopressin to patients with CD for diagnostic purposes induces a transitory increase in VWF : Ag counterbalanced by a decrease in PAI‐1 and increase in t‐PA. The magnitude of these changes is largely comparable with that observed in obese and normal weight controls. Our data show that testing with desmopressin does not induce disease‐specific changes in endothelial markers in patients with CD.
Revisiting the particle‐size distribution of soils: comparison of different methods and sample pre‐treatments
Authors: Vdović N. , Obhođaš J. , Pikelj K. 
Published: September 2010

The choice of analytical method and sample pretreatment has significant consequences for the shape of particle‐size distribution (PSD) frequency curves, and therefore for the evaluation of soil textural parameters. Here, the comparison of several granulometric methods based on different physical principles is presented: wet sieving (WS), based on gravity and the mechanical force of water, was combined with pipette (PP) sedimentation/settling velocity, Micromeritics SediGraph (MS) sedimentation/x‐ray attenuation and Coulter Counter (CC) electroresistance particle counting. The Malvern Mastersizer (MM), an instrument based on laser diffraction, was used without WS. Twelve typical temperate‐region soil types were chosen for this study on the basis of their mineral composition, organic matter content, conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. The modalities of PSD frequency curves obtained by different methods were compared. The results showed considerably larger clay‐fraction contents determined with the sedimentation techniques, PP and MS, than that obtained by CC or MM.Statistical correlation and regression models were used to compare the fractions of clay, silt and sand obtained with different methods. Linear correlations were found in almost all cases, except those comparing clay fractions obtained by CC with those obtained by MM, PP and MS methods. These correlations were non‐linear. The observed difference was attributed to the presence of aggregates and/or magnetic properties of soil particles. However, more data are needed to verify this hypothesis. The implications of sample pre‐treatment with dispersant and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were evaluated by the MS and CC techniques and observed by the scanning electron microscope. H2O2 was found to be an efficient disaggregating agent. The use of dispersant resulted in the increased amount of the clay fraction measured by the MS method.
Are elevated δ15N values in herbivores in hot and arid environments caused by diet or animal physiology?
Authors: Hartman Gideon 
Published: September 2010

Summary 1. Mammalian species from hot and arid environments often have elevated nitrogen isotope values compared to animals from similar trophic levels in more temperate climates. This pattern has most often been explained as the result of a physiological response by animals to heat and water stress. However, a positive correlation between rainfall and the δ15N values of plants and herbivorous mammalian species suggests that diet may be responsible. 2. This study uses the horn keratin of desert‐adapted bovids (Dorcas gazelle and Nubian ibex) to test whether the δ15N values of herbivore body tissues are determined by heat and water stress or by the isotopic composition of their diet. The δ15N values of horn keratin are compared against several climatic factors that affect heat and water stress to determine if a relationship exists. In addition, the range of δ15N values measured in desert vegetation is used to evaluate the contribution of the diet to the isotopic values of bovid body tissue. 3. The δ15N values of desert bovid horn keratin were correlated against individual climatic factors that induce water stress and were not found to be significant. When climatic factors were combined, a significant positive correlation was found between the δ15N values of Dorcas gazelles and temperature, humidity, and rainfall. This observation contradicts the physiological stress hypothesis that predicts a negative correlation between rainfall and humidity and δ15N values. Instead, this correlation is likely attributable to denitrification processes in the soil that directly affect the isotopic values of the plants. Values for δ15N of horn keratin fall within the range predicted by discrimination between diet and consumer (Δ = 4·1‰) which supports the diet hypothesis. 4. The results suggest that the isotopic composition of the diet is the dominant factor determining the δ15N values of herbivore body tissue.
CD56 (NCAM) expression in ameloblastomas and other odontogenic lesions
Authors: Cairns Lindsey , Naidu Aparna , Robinson Conrad Max , Sloan Philip , Wright John M , Hunter Keith D 
Published: September 2010

Cairns L, Naidu A, Robinson C M, Sloan P, Wright J M & Hunter K D (2010) Histopathology 57, 544–548 CD56 (NCAM) expression in ameloblastomas and other odontogenic lesionsAims:  Ameloblastomas recapitulate certain elements of tooth formation. CD56 is expressed by a variety of cells and is used in tumour diagnosis, but is also expressed in the enamel organ during tooth development. The aim of this study was to describe the expression of CD56 in odontogenic lesions with particular reference to the differential diagnosis of ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst.Methods:  Cases were selected from the pathology archives at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle and Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas. The study population included 38 ameloblastomas, 19 odontogenic keratocysts and a number of other odontogenic lesions, including nine compound odontomes. All sections were examined for CD56 immunoreactivity and the extent of staining was recorded.Results:  Thirty‐seven of 38 (97%) ameloblastomas expressed CD56 on the cell membrane of peripheral cells in tumour nests (16 extensively, 21 focally). Immunoreactivity was lost in areas of inflammation, acanthomatous differentiation, in areas of cystic change and upon fusion with overlying surface epithelium. One odontogenic keratocyst expressed CD56 (5%, P < 0.0001). CD56 was expressed very focally in two odontomes, exclusively in stratum intermedium‐like cells.Conclusions:  CD56 expression in odontogenic epithelium is highly suggestive of ameloblastoma and can help in differentiating this from odontogenic keratocyst.
T cell lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma associated with a microenvironment of thymic asteroid B cells in the bone marrow
Authors: Naresh Kikkeri N , May Philippa C , Reid Alistair G , Marks Alexandra J , Macdonald Donald , Kanfer Ed 
Published: September 2010

Naresh K N, May P C, Reid A G, Marks A J, Macdonald D & Kanfer E (2010) Histopathology 57, 549–554 T cell lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma associated with a microenvironment of thymic asteroid B cells in the bone marrowAims:  Asteroid B cells are a component of normal thymus. It is currently unclear whether these cells are identifiable in T cell lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma (T‐ALL/LBL) of the thymus. The aim of this study was to identify asteroid B cells both in thymic and extrathymic tissue involved by T‐ALL/LBL.Methods and results:  Thymic, lymph node (LN) and bone marrow trephine biopsy (BMTB) samples from eight patients with T‐ALL/LBL were reviewed. All had been investigated by immunohistochemistry and one by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The BMTB samples of two of eight T‐ALL/LBLs and LN sample in one of them showed the presence of asteroid‐shaped B cells with dendritic cytoplasmic processes. These B cells also expressed CD23 and the features were akin to the unique thymic asteroid B cells. Both patients had aggressive/resistant disease. Cytogenetic analysis in one showed a complex translocation involving the T cell receptor beta (TCRB) gene at 7q35 and a distal region of 9q known to harbour the NOTCH1 gene.Conclusion:  This is the first report of T‐ALL/LBL documenting the presence of an asteroid B cell‐rich microenvironment at bone marrow and LN sites. In this small subset, T‐ALL/LBL cells are possibly dependent upon asteroid B cells, and whether targeting of asteroid B cells with anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody in such cases will result in clinical benefit remains to be determined.
Seeking harmony in the provision of care to the stroke‐impaired: views of Chinese family caregivers
Authors: Lee Regina LT , Mok Esther SB 
Published: September 2010

Aims.  To explore the coping strategies of Chinese family caregivers of stroke‐impaired older relatives.Background.  Many stroke‐impaired patients rely heavily on support from their families, and the daily lives of such family caregivers are severely impacted. However, services and support for family caregivers of stroke‐impaired relatives in the home setting have received little attention. Appropriate and relevant information and support to family caregivers are important in facilitating the care‐giving task. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the nature and demands of care‐giving before planning specific educational and support programmes.Design.  Grounded theory.Methods.  Fifteen Chinese family caregivers of stroke‐impaired older relatives were recruited and interviewed in 2003 and 2004. Theoretical sampling and constant comparative analysis were used to recruit the sample and perform data analysis.Results.  Seeking harmony to provide care for the stroke‐impaired was the core category for describing and guiding the family care‐giving process, with five main stages: (1) living with ambiguity, (2) monitoring the recovery progress, (3) accepting the downfalls, (4) meeting family obligations and (5) reconciling with harmony. These issues were seldom discussed openly with health professionals.Conclusions.  The findings indicated that Chinese family caregivers determine their own needs by seeking harmony to continue to provide care without thinking about getting help from others or their own health problems. These findings help to define some of the complex dynamics that have an impact on the development of partnership care and might challenge nurses practising in the community.Relevance to clinical practice.  Community nurses should assess and understand the coping strategies of family caregivers and assist them to engage in stress‐reducing practices. This is an important partnership to be formed in stroke care for family caregivers in the community. The study findings will guide further development of family care‐giving aspects in nursing practice.
An evaluation of a managed clinical network for personality disorder: breaking new ground or top dressing?
Authors: Hogard Elaine , Ellis Roger 
Published: September 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  This article describes an evaluation of an innovative managed clinical network in the UK. The purpose of the network was to establish a better‐coordinated service for those with personality disorder. The network was evaluated with regard to the extent it met its stated and implied outcomes; the process whereby it was established and operated; and the views of the various stakeholders involved. Managed clinical networks are briefly reviewed.Methods  Methods to gather evaluation data included documentary analysis, the use of specially devised tools to assess partnership, staff development needs and record keeping, and interviews.Results  While the network had achieved its objectives to establish new operational structures and communication networks and staff showed a high level of commitment, it was unclear whether the network had maintained or improved the clinical service. Record keeping for assessment and clinical intervention was at an early stage and there was a need for more systematic use of assessment instruments and data management systems. The creation of a new category of staff – the Network coordinator – raised problems of delivery and staff development.Conclusions  On the basis of this evaluation and at this stage of one network's development it is concluded that the benefits of a managed clinical network remain theoretical rather than proven.
Cost‐effectiveness of screening for hepatocellular carcinoma among subjects at different levels of risk
Authors: Chang Yaojen , Lairson David R. , Chan Wenyaw , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Aoki Noriaki 
Published: September 2010

AbstractObjective  The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2005 practice guidelines for management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recommends that various high‐risk groups of people undergo HCC surveillance. Our study aimed to investigate whether screening for HCC among subjects with early‐stage cirrhosis is more cost‐effective than screening among chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers without cirrhosis.Method  Markov‐based decision models were constructed to simulate development and progression of cirrhosis and HCC in the following 2 cohorts: subjects with early‐stage cirrhosis and subjects who are chronic HBV carriers but do not have cirrhosis. The models also were used to estimate the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) for each cohort over a time horizon of 25 years.Results  The average cost per person was less and the average effect was greater for the cohort of chronic HBV carriers without cirrhosis than for the cohort of subjects with cirrhosis. The incremental effects for use of the screening strategy and the non‐screening strategy in the 2 cohorts were 0.28 years and 0.86 years, respectively. The ICERs for the 2 cohorts were $25 578 and $15 191, respectively. The cohort of chronic HBV carriers had a greater ICER with respect to the HCC screening programme because of the smaller incremental effect. The sensitivity analyses revealed that HCC incidence and the probability of accidental diagnosis of HCC were critical parameters in the model.Conclusion  Screening for HCC among subjects with early‐stage cirrhosis is more cost‐effective than screening among chronic HBV carriers who do not have cirrhosis.
Taking decisions on expenditure for high‐cost drugs at the regional level: a model for evaluating the overall impact of Trastuzumab in the Veneto Region of Italy
Authors: Buja Alessandra , Perissinotto Egle , Compostella Antonio , Tramarin Andrea , Rebba Vincenzo , Pastorelli Davide , Grigoletto Francesco , Gallo Costantino , Rausa Giuseppe , Gregori Dario 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIntroduction  Cost‐effectiveness analysis provides a ratio that indicates the value created per unit of money by a given therapy but says nothing about the total expected costs or net health and social impact of this therapy in a particular population of interest.Objective  The main objective of this study is to define a methodology to calculate the effects of interventions from a local perspective. This will help determine parameters that provide information about resource planning and management to local decision makers.Methods  The described methodology calculates four indicators using local demographic and epidemiological data and a Markovian decision tree approach.Results  The method was applied to evaluate the economic, health and social impact of introducing a new cancer drug, Trastuzumab, for the early treatment of breast cancer in the Veneto Region of Italy.Discussion  The indicators described in this study allow public policy makers to clearly understand the benefits and costs of a particular health intervention in a local population and to compare it with other strategies.
Invasion genetics of the Ciona intestinalis species complex: from regional endemism to global homogeneity
Authors: ZHAN AIBIN , MACISAAC HUGH J. , CRISTESCU MELANIA E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDetermining the degree of population connectivity and investigating factors driving genetic exchange at various geographical scales are essential to understanding population dynamics and spread potential of invasive species. Here, we explore these issues in the highly invasive vase tunicate, Ciona intestinalis, a species whose invasion history has been obscured by its poorly understood taxonomy and population genetics. Recent phylogenetic and comparative genomic studies suggest that C. intestinalis is a cryptic species complex consisting of at least three species. We reconstructed phylogenies based on both mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 3—NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 region and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 gene) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer 1) sequences, results of which support four major phylogroups corresponding to the previously reported spA, spB and Ciona spp. (spC) as well as an undescribed cryptic species (spD). While spC and spD remain restricted to their native ranges in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea, respectively, the highly invasive species (spA and spB) have disjunct global distributions. Despite extensive interspecific divergences, we identified low phylogeographical structure within these two invasive species. Haplotype network analyses revealed comparatively limited mutation steps among haplotypes within each species. Population genetic analyses based on two mtDNA fragments and eight unlinked microsatellites illustrated relatively low population differentiation and high population connectivity at both regional and continental scales in the two invasive species. Human‐mediated dispersal coupled with a high potential for natural dispersal is probably responsible for the observed genetic homogeneity.
Transcriptome analysis of nitrate assimilation in Aspergillus nidulans reveals connections to nitric oxide metabolism
Authors: Schinko Thorsten , Berger Harald , Lee Wanseon , Gallmetzer Andreas , Pirker Katharina , Pachlinger Robert , Buchner Ingrid , Reichenauer Thomas , Güldener Ulrich , Strauss Joseph 
Published: September 2010

SummaryNitrate is a dominant form of inorganic nitrogen (N) in soils and can be efficiently assimilated by bacteria, fungi and plants. We studied here the transcriptome of the short‐term nitrate response using assimilating and non‐assimilating strains of the model ascomycete Aspergillus nidulans. Among the 72 genes positively responding to nitrate, only 18 genes carry binding sites for the pathway‐specific activator NirA. Forty‐five genes were repressed by nitrate metabolism. Because nirA‐ strains are N‐starved at nitrate induction conditions, we also compared the nitrate transcriptome with N‐deprived conditions and found a partial overlap of differentially regulated genes between these conditions. Nitric oxide (NO)‐metabolizing flavohaemoglobins were found to be co‐regulated with nitrate assimilatory genes. Subsequent molecular characterization revealed that the strongly inducible FhbA is required for full activity of nitrate and nitrite reductase enzymes. The co‐regulation of NO‐detoxifying and nitrate/nitrite assimilating systems may represent a conserved mechanism, which serves to neutralize nitrosative stress imposed by an external NO source in saprophytic and pathogenic fungi. Our analysis using membrane‐permeable NO donors suggests that signalling for NirA activation only indirectly depends on the nitrate transporters NrtA (CrnA) and NrtB (CrnB).