bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the association between type of prescription drug plan and asthma patients' use of controller medications
Authors: Vaidya Varun , Peeters Michael J , Partha Gautam , Potnis Priyanka 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Objectives
To explore the association between the type of prescription drug plan (PDP) and taking preventive daily asthma medication (controller medication) in patients with poor asthma control of their asthma (defined as taking more than three canisters of short-acting β-agonists each month).

Methods
A retrospective, cross-sectional study using the 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative sample of the non-institutionalized, civilian US population. Asthma patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code 493. Only those patients that reported use of more than three canisters of rescue inhalers in a 3-month period were included. Based on patients' self-reported use of preventive medications, they were classified as controller drug users and non-users. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the population. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine odds of controller usage based on type of PDP using demographic characteristics (age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, perceived health status) as confounders. All analysis was done using SAS version 9.1.

Key findings
Asthma controller drug use was found to be 67% among the study population. The logistic regression analysis showed that patients having Medicare as their PDP were more likely to use controller medications compared with patients with no PDP (odds ratio (OR) 4.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33–15.77). Higher odds were seen for Medicaid (OR 2.09, CI 0.96–4.54) and Veterans Affairs (OR 1.66, CI 0.16–17.05) prescription beneficiaries too, but the effect was not significant.

Conclusions
Type of PDP was found to have an effect of utilization of controller drugs among asthma patients. Future research should explore viable plan options that encourage guideline-recommended medication use in asthma patients.
Patients' information on their prescribed current treatment†
Authors: Ekedahl Anders , Hoffmann Mikael 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Objective
To investigate how many patients, with five or more prescriptions in the Swedish National Prescription Repository (NPR) had received (1) the Medication List (ML) from the electronic medical record and (2) the Prescription List (PL) on prescriptions stored in the NPR and how these lists were used.

Methods
Patients &gt;18 years of age, with five or more prescriptions stored electronically in the NPR, collecting medicines on prescription for themselves at nine pharmacies all around Sweden were interviewed about their knowledge of, and if they had received, the ML, the PL and/or the pharmacy record on medicines purchased on prescription during the last 15 months, and what documentation they used to track their current, prescribed treatment.

Key findings
A total of 777 consensual patients (485 women) were interviewed. Of these, 32% were aware of the ML, but only 13% had received the ML at least once a year, and only 9% used the ML to track their current, prescribed medicines. Virtually all patients (99%) had received the PL at every pharmacy dispensing and 68% said they used the PL as documentation on their current, prescribed medicines. 52% used the dispensed packs to track their medication and 10% said they used a handwritten list. Only few patients were aware of the pharmacy record.

Conclusion
Our study shows that patients' access to information on their prescribed medicines is not in accordance with intentions in health care. The risk for errors in medicine use at home is substantial.
Oral Histories in Meteoritics and Planetary Science––XVI: Grenville Turner
Authors: SEARS Derek W. G. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract– In this interview, Grenville Turner (Fig. 1) recounts how he became interested in meteorites during postdoctoral research with John Reynolds at the University of California, Berkeley, after completing a DPhil with Ken Mayne at the University of Oxford. At Berkeley, he worked on xenon isotopes with fellow students Bob Pepin and Craig Merrihue, but Reynolds’ insistence that they analyze all the inert gases in their samples meant that they also made important contributions to Ne isotope studies and potassium‐argon dating leading to the Ar‐Ar technique. In 1964, Grenville obtained a teaching position at the University of Sheffield where he developed his own laboratory for inert gas isotope measurements. After the return of samples from the Moon by the Apollo program, he became involved in determining the chronology of volcanism and major impacts on the Moon. In 1988, Grenville and his team moved to the University of Manchester as part of a national reorganization of earth science departments. During the post Apollo years, Grenville’s interest turned to the development of new instrumentation (resonance ionization mass spectrometry and the ion microprobe), and to problems in terrestrial isotope geochemistry, particularly the source of inert gases in fluid inclusions. He received the Leonard Medal of the Meteoritical Society in 1999, and he has also received awards from the Royal Society, the European Association of Geochemistry, and the Royal Astronomical Society. Grenville Turner.image
Mechanisms of aquatic therapy and its potential use in managing equine osteoarthritis
Authors: King M. R. , Haussler K. K. , Kawcak C. E. , McIlwraith C. W. , Reiser R. F. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryAquatic therapy has become increasingly popular in its use for rehabilitation of equine musculoskeletal injuries. Unfortunately, there has been no scientific evaluation of its clinical application for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) or associated musculoskeletal injuries in horses. The purpose of this review is to describe mechanisms of action of aquatic therapy and its potential use in the clinical management of equine OA.
T cell rich, B cell lymphoma in the small colon of a yearling horse
Authors: Smith K. M. , Clark C. K. , Dark M. J. , Kiupel M. , Gary J. 
Published: March 2012

SummaryA one‐year‐old, Thoroughbred colt presented for evaluation due to a one month history of fever of unknown origin and progressive weight loss. On initial presentation, the horse was febrile and showed signs localised to the respiratory tract. These included bilaterally increased bronchovesicular sounds and a moderate, diffuse interstitial pattern on thoracic radiographs. A transtracheal wash yielded mucopurulent debris, culture of which grew small numbers ofStaphylococcus epidermidisandAspergillusspp. The horse was discharged with a diagnosis of bronchointerstitial pneumonia and placed on antibiotic therapy. Ten days after initial presentation, he developed abdominal pain that was unresponsive to on‐farm treatment. The horse was febrile, displayed increased respiratory rate and effort, and showed moderate signs of abdominal pain. On rectal examination, a firm, 8–10 cm mass was palpated on midline. The colt was admitted to the hospital and scheduled for exploratory laparotomy, but died a short time later before surgery could be performed. This report describes the clinical, diagnostic and histopathological findings of a case of alimentary lymphoma in a yearling colt.
Tubular carcinoids of the appendix: the CK7/CK20 immunophenotype can be a diagnostic pitfall
Authors: Matsukuma Karen E , Montgomery Elizabeth A 
Published: March 2012

AimsTubular carcinoid is a rare variant of appendiceal well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumour. Although considered benign lesions, the small infiltrating tubules that characterise the tumour may raise concern for metastatic adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, the cytokeratin 7 (CK7)/cytokeratin 20 (CK20) expression profile of these neoplasms remains unexplored.MethodsThe authors characterised the CK7/CK20 immunophenotype and Ki-67 expression of the eight available tubular carcinoids seen at their institution from 1991 to 2011.ResultsCK7 and CK20 staining was variable, ranging from none to focal staining for either or both CK7 and CK20, to diffuse expression of CK7 or CK20.ConclusionsThe CK7/CK20 expression profile is of limited value when the differential diagnosis includes primary tubular carcinoid and well-differentiated metastatic adenocarcinoma. In such cases, careful attention to the location of the neoplasm, mitotic count and presence or absence of an associated classic carcinoid component are more useful for arriving at the correct diagnosis.
Significance of acquired diverticular disease of the vermiform appendix: a marker of regional neoplasms?
Authors: Kallenbach Klaus , Hjorth Sofie Vetli , Engel Ulla , Schlesinger Nis Hallundbæk , Holck Susanne 
Published: March 2012

AimTo assess the prevalence of acquired diverticulum of the appendix (DA), including incipient forms and its possible significance as a marker of local/regional neoplasms.Materials and MethodsThe pathology database at Hvidovre Hospital was searched for appendix specimens, received between 2001 and 2010, coded for DA or for a space-occupying lesion. Slides were reviewed to determine DA status and the nature of lesions possibly causing DA.ResultAmong 4413 appendix specimens, DA were identified in 39 (0.9%, CI 0.6% to 1.2%) cases, 17 (43.6%, 28.0% to 59.2%) of which additionally harboured an appendiceal neoplasm/neoplastic precursor, whereas this figure was 1.2% (CI 0.9% to 1.6%) for non-DA specimens (p<0.0001). Six of the 39 DA specimens comprised incipient DA, three of which coexisted with appendiceal neoplasms. In addition, local/regional non-neoplastic lesions (six cases) and colorectal carcinomas (four cases) coexisted with DA.ConclusionDA has significance as a putative marker of local/regional neoplasms. Therefore, a DA specimen proved significantly more likely to harbour a neoplastic growth than a non-DA counterpart. Submission for microscopy of the entire DA specimen, whether transmural or only incipient, and a comment in the pathology report on the occasional concurrence of local/regional neoplasms in this setting seem appropriate. The observation of DA may thus provide a valuable contribution in the diagnostic process.
Prolonged sampling of spontaneous sputum improves sensitivity of hypermethylation analysis for lung cancer
Authors: Hubers A Jasmijn , Heideman Daniëlle A M , Herder Gerarda J M , Burgers Sjaak A , Sterk Peter J , Kunst Peter W , Smit Henk J , Postmus Pieter E , Witte Birgit I , Duin Sylvia , Snijders Peter J F , Smit Egbert F , Thunnissen Erik 
Published: March 2012

AimsThe adequacy of lung cancer diagnosis with sputum cytology depends on duration of sputum sampling. The aim of this methodological study was to determine whether the hypermethylation detection rate of RASSF1A, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and cytoglobin (CYGB) is influenced by the duration of sputum collection.MethodsProspective sputum samples were collected from 53 lung cancer patients and 47 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients as controls. Subjects collected spontaneous sputum at home during nine consecutive days in three canisters I, II and III (ie, days 1–3, days 4–6, days 7–9, respectively). Quantitative methylation-specific PCR was performed to assess gene promoter methylation status of RASSF1A, APC and CYGB.ResultsAnalysis of each canister separately showed hypermethylation of RASSF1A, APC and/or CYGB in samples I, II and III, in 43%, 40% and 47% of cases, respectively. In control samples, these numbers were 4%, 2% and 4%, respectively. Cumulative analysis for days 1–6 and days 1–9 revealed an increase in sensitivity to 53% and 64%, and specificity of 94% and 91%, respectively.ConclusionSputum collected over multiple successive days results in a gain in sensitivity for the detection of lung cancer, at the expense of a small loss in specificity.Condensed abstractAssessment of hypermethylation sensitivity of biomarkers in sputum collected over a prolonged period for the detection of lung cancer resulted in a promising gain in sensitivity, at the expense of a small loss in specificity.
KRAS mutational status of endoscopic biopsies matches resection specimens
Authors: Yang Qing-Hua , Schmidt Jason , Soucy Genvieve , Odze Robert , Dejesa-Jamanila Liza , Arnold Keely , Kuslich Christine , Lash Richard 
Published: March 2012

AimsThis study was performed to determine systematically whether KRAS mutational analysis in biopsy tissue is a reliable indicator of KRAS status in subsequent corresponding resection specimens.Methods30 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with biopsy and corresponding subsequent surgical resection specimens were studied. KRAS mutational analysis was performed on each biopsy sample as well as two separate samples from each resection specimen by PCR and Sanger sequencing.ResultsOverall, KRAS mutations were identified in 12/30 (40%) of the tumours. There was 100% correlation between biopsy and resection specimens regarding the presence or absence of KRAS mutations. In fact, the same point mutation was identified in both biopsy and corresponding resection specimens in 12/12 (100%) cases. In addition, in two cases, there were two different point mutations detected within the same biopsy specimen.ConclusionThis study shows perfect correlation between KRAS mutation status in biopsy and resection specimens from an individual patient, and suggests that biopsy material is adequate for KRAS mutational analysis in CRC patients.
Immediate procedural outcomes in 35 consecutive pipeline embolization cases: a single-center, single-user experience
Authors: Colby Geoffrey P , Lin Li-Mei , Gomez Juan F , Paul Alexandra R , Huang Judy , Tamargo Rafael J , Coon Alexander L 
Published: March 2012

Background and objectiveFlow diverters are an exciting new class of endovascular devices that treat aneurysms by curative reconstruction of the parent artery. The Pipeline embolization device (PED) is the first FDA-approved intracranial flow diverting device available in the USA. This paper presents periprocedural results with the device in a series of 35 consecutive cases.MethodsAll patients who underwent PED treatment of an intracranial aneurysm at our institution following FDA approval of the device in April 2011 were included in the series. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural details and technical and clinical outcomes were analyzed.ResultsThirty-four patients (age range 23–78 years, mean 56.4 years) with 41 unruptured aneurysms (37 anterior circulation, four posterior circulation, mean size 11.4 mm, 20/21 large or giant) were treated with the PED in 35 cases (one patient had bilateral aneurysms treated on 2 separate occasions). Thirty-four of 35 cases (97%) were successfully completed. A total of 64 PEDs were implanted, with a mean number of 1.2 PEDs implanted per anterior circulation cases and 6.5 per posterior circulation cases. A single PED was implanted in 73% of cases. Immediate flow disruption occurred in 97% of the cases. The overall rate of major stroke or mortality was 3% (1/35 patients). Minor stroke, cranial nerve palsy, transient neurological deficit and groin complication occurred in one patient each (3% each, 12% total).ConclusionTreatment of cerebral aneurysms with the PED carries an acceptable risk profile when a rigorous and uniform technique is used. Although the long-term results will need to be analyzed, the immediate procedural outcomes in the study series using this technique appear quite promising.
Fibrates and estimated glomerular filtration rate: observations from an outpatient clinic setting and clinical implications
Authors: Abbas Ahmed , Saraf Sanjay , Ramachandran Shanath , Raju Jessie , Ramachandran Sudarshan 
Published: March 2012

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have demonstrated that fibrates have an effect on creatinine concentrations. The pattern of change with fibrates in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), widely used in clinical practice, has not been previously described.

Methods
Data was retrospectively collected from 132 consecutive case notes of patients started on fibrates in a lipid clinic between 2002 and 2008. Pre- and post-fibrate creatinine concentrations were measured and eGFR measurements were obtained.

Results
Of the 79 patients with both pre and post-treatment eGFR values &lt;90 ml/min/1.73 m2, a significant mean eGFR reduction of 8.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 was noted. Of these patients, 50% demonstrated a reduction in eGFR &gt;8 ml/min/1.73 m2, 25% demonstrated a reduction &gt;16 ml/min/1.73 m2, and 10% demonstrated a reduction &gt;21 ml/min/1.73 m2.

Conclusions
The authors demonstrate a significant effect of fibrates on eGFR in clinical practice. Awareness of the pattern of eGFR change is important for decisions regarding the continued use of fibrate therapy and/or commonly co-prescribed diabetic drugs and renal specialist referrals.
Profound destructive effects of adolescent exposure to vincristine accompanied with some sex differences in motor and memory performance
Authors: Shabani Mohammad , Larizadeh Mohammad Hassan , Parsania Shahrnaz , Asadi Shekaari Majid , Shahrokhi Nader 
Published: March 2012

Vincristine, an anticancer drug, is known to induce neuronal cell damage. We have elucidated the alteration in performance of the hippocampus and cerebellum following chronic vincristine treatment (0.2 mg·(kg body mass)–1·week–1) in male and female rats. Intraperitoneal injection of vincristine in adolescent rats caused impairment of motor and cognitive behavior. In the probe test, the length of path traveled and percent swimming time for vincristine-treated rats in the correct quadrant was significantly less than for the saline-treated (control) groups. The path length and time latency at the 2nd and 3rd blocks of trials for the male vincristine-treated group was significantly higher than that for the female saline- and the vincristine-treated rats. In the rod test, vincristine exposure impaired the motor coordination in both male and female rats. Exposure to vincristine caused a significant decrease in hanging time in male rats, compared with the saline- and the vincristine-treated female rats, while there were no differences between the female vincristine-treated rats and the saline-treated rats of both sexes. The rearing frequency, total distance moved, and velocity for both male and female rats were dramatically affected by exposure to vincristine. We have observed that the hippocampal and cerebellar functions of male and female rats were profoundly affected by exposure to vincristine, especially the male rats, suggesting a sexual dimorphism in the developing central nervous system that is affected by chemicals such as anticancer drugs.
Beneficial influence of fungal metabolite nigerloxin on eye lens abnormalities in experimental diabetes
Authors: Suresha Bharathinagar S. , Sattur Avinash P. , Srinivasan Krishnapura 
Published: March 2012

Osmotic and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract. Nigerloxin, a fungal metabolite, has been shown to possess aldose reductase inhibitory and free radical scavenging potential, in vitro. In the present study, the beneficial influence of nigerloxin was investigated on diabetes-induced alteration in the eye lens of rats treated with streptozotocin. Groups of diabetic rats were administered nigerloxin orally (100 mg·(kg body mass)–1·day–1) for 30 days. The activity of lens polyol pathway enzymes (aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase), lipid peroxides, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were increased in the diabetic animals. Levels of glutathione as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase) were decreased in the eye lens of the diabetic animals. The administration of nigerloxin significantly decreased levels of lipid peroxides and AGEs in the lens of the diabetic rats. Increase in the activity of aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase in the lens was countered by nigerloxin treatment. The activity of glutathione and antioxidant enzyme in the lens was significantly elevated in nigerloxin-treated diabetic rats. Examination of the treated rats’ eyes indicated that nigerloxin delayed cataractogenesis in the diabetic rats. The results suggest the beneficial countering of polyol pathway enzymes and potentiation of the antioxidant defense system by nigerloxin in diabetic animals, implicating its potential in ameliorating cataracts in diabetics.
Radioprotective effect ofCurcuma longaextract on γ-irradiation-induced oxidative stress in rats
Authors: Nada Ahmed S. , Hawas Asrar M. , Amin Nour El-Din , Elnashar Magdy M. , Abd Elmageed Zakaria Y. 
Published: March 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the modulatory effect of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa (L.) against γ-irradiation (GR), which induces biochemical disorders in male rats. The sublethal dose of GR was determined in primary hepatocytes. Also, the effect of C. longa extract was examined for its activity against GR. In rats, C. longa extract was administered daily (200 mg/kg body mass) for 21 days before, and 7 days after GR exposure (6.5 Gy). The lipid profile and antioxidant status, as well as levels of transaminases, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) were assessed. The results showed that in hepatocytes, the aqueous extract exhibited radioprotective activity against exposure to GR. Exposure of untreated rats to GR resulted in transaminase disorders, lipid abnormalities, elevation of lipid peroxidation, trace element alterations, release of IL-6 and TNF, and decrease in glutathione and protein level of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1) and peroxiredoxin-1 (PRDX-1). However, treatment of rats with this extract before and after GR exposure improved antioxidant status and minimized the radiation-induced increase in inflammatory cytokines. Changes occurred in the tissue levels of trace elements, and the protein levels of SOD-1 and PRDX-1 were also modulated by C. longa extract. Overall, C. longa exerted a beneficial radioprotective effect against radiation-induced oxidative stress in male rats by alleviating pathological disorders and modulating antioxidant enzymes.
Dexrazoxane provided moderate protection in a catecholamine model of severe cardiotoxicity
Authors: Zatloukalová Libuše , Filipský Tomáš , Mladěnka Přemysl , Semecký Vladimír , Macáková Kateřina , Holečková Magdalena , Vávrová Jaroslava , Palicka Vladimir , Hrdina Radomír 
Published: March 2012

Positive effects of dexrazoxane (DEX) in anthracycline cardiotoxicity have been mostly assumed to be associated with its iron-chelating properties. However, this explanation has been recently questioned. Iron plays also an important role in the catecholamine cardiotoxicity. Hence in this study, the influence of DEX on a catecholamine model of acute myocardial infarction (100 mg/kg of isoprenaline by subcutaneous injection) was assessed: (i) the effects of an intravenous dose of 20.4 mg/kg were analyzed after 24 h, (ii) the effects were monitored continuously during the first two hours after drug(s) administration to examine the mechanism(s) of cardioprotection. Additional in vitro experiments on iron chelation/reduction and influence on the Fenton chemistry were performed both with isoprenaline/DEX separately and in their combination. DEX partly decreased the mortality, reduced myocardial calcium overload, histological impairment, and peripheral haemodynamic disturbances 24 h after isoprenaline administration. Continuous 2 h experiments showed that DEX did not influence isoprenaline induced atrioventricular blocks and had little effect on the measured haemodynamic parameters. Its protective effects are probably mediated by inhibition of late myocardial impairment and ventricular fibrillation likely due to inhibition of myocardial calcium overload. Complementary in vitro experiments suggested that iron chelation properties of DEX apparently did not play the major role.