bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Who's that sleeping in my bed? Potential and actual utilization of public and private in-patient beds in Irish acute public hospitals
Authors: O'Reilly Jacqueline , Wiley Miriam 
Published: July 2010

Objective: To examine the impact of the unusual public/private mix on public and private in-patient bed utilization within Irish acute public hospitals. Methods: Data from the Department of Health and Children and the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry were used to estimate and compare potential and actual utilization of public and private designated in-patient beds in 54 acute public hospitals from 2000 to 2004. Results: Private in-patients used more bed days than were potentially available to them in 14.1% of hospital-year observations. The equivalent figure for public in-patients was 12.6%. Although the prevalence of excess utilization of private beds was relatively small, it did increase over the study period. Hospitals with excess private utilization were characterized by a relatively low proportion of private- or non-designated beds despite their patient profile being broadly similar to that of hospitals where there was no excess private utilization. Conclusions: Despite policies designed to limit private practice in Irish acute public hospitals, some hospitals have apparently been able to overcome these restrictions. In a system where financial incentives to treat private patients exist both for consultants and hospitals, it is not clear whether this excess private practice in public hospitals reflects a more efficient utilization of resources (when demand from public patients is low) or the displacement of public patients in favour of private patients. However, that a smaller number on hospital waiting lists possess private health insurance provides some support for the displacement hypothesis. Thus, it appears that policy-makers may need to reconsider attempts to ensure an appropriate division of acute public hospital resources between public and private patients.
Adopting and assimilating new non-pharmaceutical technologies into health care: A systematic review
Authors: Robert Glenn , Greenhalgh Trisha , Macfarlane Fraser , Peacock Richard 
Published: July 2010

Objective: To explore what is known about organizational processes that determine whether (and the extent and rate at which) new non-pharmaceutical technologies are adopted and assimilated into routine health care. Methods: Electronic searching of four databases, hand searching of six journals and electronic citation tracking searches of three key research papers. A narrative synthesis was conducted. Results: Ninety-nine empirical studies and seven narrative overviews informed the findings. The majority (62%) of the studies took a deterministic approach (mainly using cross-sectional mailed questionnaires) and typically studied the impact of organizational variables - such as organizational size - on the rate of adoption of technological innovations. The remaining studies were process-based using a single- or multi-case study approach. The organizational processes that determine whether and how technological innovations are adopted and assimilated into routine health care practice are dependent upon the specific innovation concerned, the different actors involved at various points in time, and the particular organizational context in which decisions are made. It is important to see ‘adoption’ and ‘assimilation’ as part of an ongoing process rather than discrete events, and as a process that comprises both ‘formal’ organizational and ‘informal’ decisions by individual users (the latter often shaped by discussions with their peers and colleagues). Conclusions: Further process-based studies are needed to provide a clearer evidence base for recommendations on how to facilitate the adoption and assimilation of beneficial new technologies. Three theoretical perspectives could form the basis of such studies and produce practical advice for managers and practitioners.
Relational and management continuity survey in patients with multiple long-term conditions
Authors: Gulliford Martin , Cowie Luke , Morgan Myfanwy 
Published: July 2010

Objective: To quantify problems of relational and management continuityof care in patients with multiple long-term conditions. Methods: A mailed questionnaire survey was conducted among people aged 60 years and older from 15 general practices. The questionnaire included 16 items concerning relational and management continuity of care. The number of long-term conditions was measured using the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire. Results: Data were analysed for 1,125 participants, a response rate of 37%. There were 123 (11%) with no long-term conditions, 225 (20%) with one, 284 (25%) with two, 218 (19%) with three and 275 (24%) with four or more. Factor analysis confirmed two factors with seven items for management continuity (alpha 0.88) and nine items for relational continuity (alpha 0.83). Experiences of difficulties with management continuity were higher in participants with three long-term conditions or more (adjusted odds ratio 2.01, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 3.73), with ‘poor’ self-rated health (2.21, 1.21 to 4.02), or at least three hospital outpatient attendances each year (2.60, 1.32 to 5.12). The number of long-term conditions was not consistently associated with relational continuity. Difficulties of relational continuity were experienced by participants with ‘poor’ self-rated health (2.11, 1.16 to 3.85). Patients with more frequent general practice consultations experienced fewer difficulties of relational continuity (0.63, 0.42 to 0.92). Conclusion: People with many long-term conditions are at increased risk of inadequate management continuity with potential negative impacts on their care. Experiences of relational continuity, with potential buffering effects, are not associated with the number of long-term conditions.
Glaucoma Medication Ignored in General Medical and Surgical Patients
Authors: Masri Ibrahim , Robinson Rosemary 
Published: July 2010

Objectives To quantify the risk glaucoma patients are at, having their eye treatment omitted on admission to non-ophthalmic wards at a tertiary referral centre. Design A criterion audit surveying all adult inpatients on 13 wards at a tertiary referral centre on two separate dates to reduce convenient sample bias. Setting A tertiary referral centre in the West Midlands of England. Participants All inpatients on 13 general medical and surgical wards were surveyed on two different dates. Glaucoma patients were identified by looking at electronic clinical letters. Main outcome measures Glaucoma patients were identified based on the electronic clinical letters. Their inpatient drug charts were scrutinized to determine whether their eye treatment was omitted. In case of omission, a standardized message was left with the drug chart notifying the team looking after the patient of the missing treatment. The response to the message prompt was noted two weeks later. Results In total, 837 patients were surveyed. Thirty-one glaucoma patients were identified. Eighteen patients (58.06%) had their drops omitted. Out of the 18 patients, 16 (88.88%) had no documented indication for stopping regular glaucoma treatment. None of the 18 patients had an alternative treatment prescribed. Conclusions This audit confirms that eye drops are often overlooked on non-ophthalmic wards.
Re-Evaluation of the Diagnosis of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda in Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort
Authors: Peters T J , Levell N J 
Published: July 2010

Objectives Two biographies of Admiral Francis Beaufort (1774-1857) have stated that, aged 20-25 years, he suffered from porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) that was ‘cured’ following severe blood loss during a naval skirmish. We have examined the evidence concerning the nature of his skin disease. Design Primary records, most notably Beaufort's correspondence with his family, his journals and his father's diaries were sought out and analysed. Setting This case report is discussed in the context of 18th-century naval medicine and concepts and treatment of skin disease. Results The description of his lesions, their age of onset, their progression and response to treatment, particularly topical tar and associated features are quite inconsistent with a diagnosis of PCT. His mother, Mary Waller Beaufort (1739-1821), consulted Dr Robert Darwin in 1803 about a painful skin disease affecting her legs. Detailed description of the lesions and a contemporary diagnosis are not available but possible diagnoses include chronic psoriasis and stasis eczema. Conclusions A more tenable diagnosis is that Francis Beaufort had chronic plaque psoriasis remitted by bed rest and convalescence in the sunny Mediterranean climate with cessation of alcohol consumption and improved nutrition as well as topical and oral medications.
A Study of the Association Between Smoking and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Eftekharian Mohammad Mahdi , Basiri Zahra , Kashani Khosro Mani , Langroudi Ladan 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the chronic autoimmune disease with several opinions about its aetiology, has affected more than 50 million people in the world. The aim of this 2008 study was to investigate the association between smoking and RA in Hamedan, a western city of Iran.Methods:As a case-control study, information from 130 cases and 130 controls, matched for age and sex, were collected by questionnaire and analysed using SPSS (chi-square, phi and Cramer tests).Results:From 130 cases, 80 cases were females and the rest were males. Statistical analysis showed that smoking less or more than 10 cigarettes daily has a significant association with RA in both sexes, together or separately (p< .05). However, there is no significant association between duration of smoking cessation within 2 years or more, and RA in both sexes (p> .05). This means that cigarette cessation at any time can be useful in RA prevention.Conclusion:Considering previous global investigations on this topic and the results of our study, it seems that smoking even low numbers of cigarettes affects the presence of RA and it is never too late to give up smoking.
Smoking Relapse Prevention Programs and Factors That Predict Abstinence: A Controlled Study Comparing the Efficacy of Workplace Group Counselling and Proactive Phone Counselling
Authors: Mayer Colombine , Vandecasteele Hilde , Bodo Martial , Primo Catherine , Slachmuylder Jean-Louis , Kaufman Léon , Razavi Darius 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAims:Most smokers who quit smoking usually relapse. Smoking relapse prevention programs are thus needed and their optimal content and duration should be therefore studied. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of two relapse prevention programs designed for subjects who reported to be abstinent after a smoking cessation program and to assess predictors of abstinence 9 months later.Participants and design:Two-hundred and seventy-five adults who reported to be abstinent were randomised in two 9-month relapse prevention programs: Workplace Group Counselling Program (WGC) or Proactive Phone Counselling Program (PPC).Measurements:Assessment included questionnaires (Brief Symptom Inventory, BSI; Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, DEBQ; Life Event Scale; sociodemographic and companies' characteristics; and companies' policy toward smoking), and abstinence measurements (self-report, breath carbon monoxide level and urinary cotinine concentration level).Findings:Quit rates at 9 months were respectively 57.5% in the PPC arm and 61.7% in the WGC arm (p= .552). Regression analysis indicated that urinary cotinine concentration level lower than or equal to 317ng/ml was associated with higher rate of abstinence (OR= 4.75, 95% CI = 1.23–18.30,p= .024). Moreover having higher BSI global severity index (OR= .36; 95% CI = .15–.83;p= .017), DEBQ external eating scores (OR= .67; 95% CI = .45–1.00;p= .050) and a free program (OR= .46; 95% CI = .22–.99;p= .048) were associated with lower rate of abstinence.Conclusions:Efficacy was similar for the two programs. This study underlines the need to monitor distress, eating behaviours, lapses and motivation, and to include in future relapse prevention programs specific psychological and/or pharmacological interventions that consider these dimensions.
Two new species of Polysiphonia (Ceramiales, Florideophyceae) from the western Atlantic
Authors: Stuercke Brooke , Freshwater D. Wilson 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Integrated morphological and molecular analyses of Polysiphonia species revealed that two western Atlantic species identified as P. denudata and P. urceolata (=P. stricta) represent undescribed taxa. Polysiphonia schneideri sp. nov. is proposed for specimens previously referred to P. denudata that are ecorticate and have six (5–7) pericentral cells, lateral branches that arise in the axils of trichoblasts, rhizoids cut-off from pericentral cells, trichoblasts irregularly arranged and not on every segment, spermatangial stichidia forming as a furcation of trichoblasts, and tetrasporangia arranged in straight series. Polysiphonia kapraunii sp. nov. is proposed for specimens previously referred to P. urceolata (=P. stricta) that are ecorticate and have four pericentral cells, lateral branches that replace trichoblasts, rhizoids in open connection with pericentral cells, trichoblasts irregularly arranged and not on every segment, spermatangial stichidia forming as a furcation of trichoblasts, and tetrasporangia arranged in straight series. Phylogenetic analyses of rbcL show that the newly described species are unique and clearly distinct from the species with which they had previously been identified.
Natural Selection and the Distribution of Identity-by-Descent in the Human Genome
Authors: Albrechtsen Anders , Moltke Ida , Nielsen Rasmus 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThere has recently been considerable interest in detecting natural selection in the human genome. Selection will usually tend to increase identity-by-descent (IBD) among individuals in a population, and many methods for detecting recent and ongoing positive selection indirectly take advantage of this. In this article we show that excess IBD sharing is a general property of natural selection and we show that this fact makes it possible to detect several types of selection including a type that is otherwise difficult to detect: selection acting on standing genetic variation. Motivated by this, we use a recently developed method for identifying IBD sharing among individuals from genome-wide data to scan populations from the new HapMap phase 3 project for regions with excess IBD sharing in order to identify regions in the human genome that have been under strong, very recent selection. The HLA region is by far the region showing the most extreme signal, suggesting that much of the strong recent selection acting on the human genome has been immune related and acting on HLA loci. As equilibrium overdominance does not tend to increase IBD, we argue that this type of selection cannot explain our observations.
Behavioral Responses to Hypoxia in Drosophila Larvae Are Mediated by Atypical Soluble Guanylyl Cyclases
Authors: Vermehren-Schmaedick Anke , Ainsley Joshua A , Johnson Wayne A , Davies Shireen-A , Morton David B 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe three Drosophila atypical soluble guanylyl cyclases, Gyc-89Da, Gyc-89Db, and Gyc-88E, have been proposed to act as oxygen detectors mediating behavioral responses to hypoxia. Drosophila larvae mutant in any of these subunits were defective in their hypoxia escape response—a rapid cessation of feeding and withdrawal from their food. This response required cGMP and the cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channel, cng, but did not appear to be dependent on either of the cGMP-dependent protein kinases, dg1 and dg2. Specific activation of the Gyc-89Da neurons using channel rhodopsin showed that activation of these neurons was sufficient to trigger the escape behavior. The hypoxia escape response was restored by reintroducing either Gyc-89Da or Gyc-89Db into either Gyc-89Da or Gyc-89Db neurons in either mutation. This suggests that neurons that co-express both Gyc-89Da and Gyc-89Db subunits are primarily responsible for activating this behavior. These include sensory neurons that innervate the terminal sensory cones. Although the roles of Gyc-89Da and Gyc-89Db in the hypoxia escape behavior appeared to be identical, we also showed that changes in larval crawling behavior in response to either hypoxia or hyperoxia differed in their requirements for these two atypical sGCs, with responses to 15% oxygen requiring Gyc-89Da and responses to 19 and 25% requiring Gyc-89Db. For this behavior, the identity of the neurons appeared to be critical in determining the ability to respond appropriately.
Bone Response to Early Orthodontic Loading of Endosseous Implants
Authors: Yavuz Umit , Kirtiloglu Tugrul , Acikgoz Gokhan , Turk Tamer , Trisi Paolo 
Published: July 2010

This study evaluated the clinical, radiographic, and histologic responses of tissues surrounding implants loaded with a heavy force of 500g for 20 weeks after a 1-week healing period. Unilateral mandibular and maxillary alveolar ridges in the premolar areas of a male dog and the bilateral mandibular alveolar ridges of a female dog were chosen for implant placement. The control implants (1 in the maxilla, 3 in the mandible) were placed in these quadrants after a 12-week healing period following extraction. The test implants (1 in the maxilla, 3 in the mandible) were implanted in the same quadrants after a 4-month osseointegration period of the control implants. Abutments were attached to the control and test implants after a 1-week healing period for the test implants. Superelastic nickel-titanium coil springs, producing a force of 500g (≈5 N), were activated between control and test implants for 20 weeks. Light microscopic assessment revealed that all implants were well integrated with the bone. Histologic analysis showed no definitive differences between test and control implants in the corticalization of bone trabeculae. The mean bone-implant contact values of the control implants for compression and tension sides were 55.99% and 64.04%, respectively. In the test implants, the bone-implant contact value was 57.27% for the compression side and 62.96% for the tension side. Potential clinical applications of these radiologic and histologic results include the possibility of minimizing the healing duration, even for high orthodontic forces, and the possibility of postorthodontic use of these implants as abutments for supporting prosthetic reconstruction.
Influence of Bisphosphonates on Alveolar Bone Loss Around Osseointegrated Implants
Authors: Zahid Talal M , Wang Bing-Yan , Cohen Robert E 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe relationship between bisphosphonates (BP) and dental implant failure has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this retrospective radiographic study was to examine whether patients who take BP are at greater risk of implant failure than patients not using those agents. Treatment records of 362 consecutively treated patients receiving endosseous dental implants were reviewed. The patient population consisted of 227 women and 135 men with a mean age of 56 years (range: 17–87 years), treated in the University at Buffalo Postgraduate Clinic from 1997–2008. Demographic information collected included age, gender, smoking status, as well as systemic conditions and medication use. Implant characteristics reviewed included system, date of placement, date of follow-up radiographs, surgical complications, number of exposed threads, and implant failure. The relationship between BP and implant failure was analyzed using generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis. Twenty-six patients using BP received a total of 51 dental implants. Three implants failed, yielding success rates of 94.11% and 88.46% for the implant-based and subject-based analyses, respectively. Using the GEE statistical method we found a statistically significant (P  =  .001; OR  =  3.25) association between the use of BP and implant thread exposure. None of the other variables studied were statistically associated with implant failure or thread exposure. In conclusion, patients taking BP may be at higher risk for implant thread exposure.
The Effect of Interleukin-1 Allele 2 Genotype (IL-1a−889 and IL-1b+3954) on the Individual's Susceptibility to Peri-Implantitis: Case-Control Study
Authors: Hamdy Ahmed Abd El-Meguid Mostafa , Ebrahem Mohamed Abd El-Moniem 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
Individuals bearing the combination of interleukin (IL)-1 allele 2 at IL-1A−889 and IL-1B+3954 are referred to as being genotype positive and are susceptible to increased periodontal tissue destruction. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association of IL-1 allele 2 (IL-1A−889 and IL-B+3954) genotypes with the severity of peri-implantitis progression and the effect of this combination on treatment outcomes. Fifty patients with International Team for Implantology implants were studied; patients ranged in age from 35–55 years, and each patient had 1 implant. According to peri-implant tissue status, patients were divided into 2 groups: group I consisted of 25 patients with peri-implantitis, and group II comprised 25 patients with healthy peri-implant tissue. Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Epithelial cells were collected from the oral mucosa by plastic spatula and were used for IL-1 genotyping by the polymerase chain reaction technique. Group I patients were subjected to a peri-implantitis treatment and maintenance program. In all, 17 patients from group I and 5 patients from group II were genotype positive, with a statistically significant difference noted between the 2 groups. Group I genotype-positive patients presented with higher scores and measurements of clinical parameters with increased suppuration from peri-implant tissues compared with group II; differences were statistically significant (P &lt; .05). In terms of response to treatment, genotype-negative patients demonstrated better response than genotype-positive patients. The combination of IL-1 allele 2 (IL-1A−889 and IL-1B+3954) in patients with inflamed periodontal or peri-implant tissues acts as a risk factor that leads to greater tissue destruction. IL-1 gene polymorphism at IL-1A−889 and IL-1B+3954 may affect outcomes of treatment for peri-implantitis in genotype-positive individuals.
Sex Differences in Destructive Periodontal Disease: Exploring the Biologic Basis
Authors: Shiau Harlan J. , Reynolds Mark A. 
Published: July 2010

Background: Epidemiologic studies provide broad‐based evidence that men are at greater risk for developing destructive periodontal disease than women, even after adjusting for behavioral and environmental factors, such as oral hygiene practice and smoking. What requires clarification, however, is whether sex‐specific differences in immune function provide a plausible biologic basis for a sexual dimorphism in susceptibility to destructive periodontal disease. This review examines evidence that might provide an underlying biologic basis for a sexual dimorphism in the prevalence and severity of destructive periodontal disease.Methods: A narrative review of the literature related to sexual dimorphism in pathogen‐mediated inflammatory diseases and immune response was retrieved from searches of computerized databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, and SCOPUS).Results: Sex steroids exert profound effects on multiple immunologic parameters regulating both the amplification and resolution of inflammation. Strong evidence exists for sexual dimorphisms in immune function, involving both innate and acquired immunity. Injury and infection have been associated with higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α, in men than women, paralleling observed sex‐specific differences in periodontitis.Conclusion: Differential gene regulation, particularly in sex steroid–responsive genes, may contribute to a sexual dimorphism in susceptibility to destructive periodontal disease.