bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mortality among a cohort of drug users after their release from prison: an evaluation of the effectiveness of a harm reduction program in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Yen‐Fang , Kuo Hsu‐Sung , Lew‐Ting Chin‐Yin , Tian Fang , Yang Chin‐Hui , Tsai Tzu‐I. , Gange Stephen J. , Nelson Kenrad E. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTAims  To determine the effect of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) on mortality among injection drug users.Design  A cohort of prisoners with a history of injecting opiates who were followed after their release from prison in July 2007. Mortality between July 2007 and December 2008 was determined by linking the National Death Registry with the Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) database.Setting  Taiwan.Participants  A total of 4357 amnestied prisoners with a history of opiate injection.Measurements  The total mortality rates (MR) among the cohort were calculated based on their person‐time contribution to methadone attendance and re‐incarceration during follow‐up. We used survival methods with MMT and re‐incarceration as time‐varying covariates adjusted for length of follow‐up in the community.Results  A total of 142 deaths occurred: 13 in the 1st week after release [MR = 13.7/100 person‐years (pyrs)], which was greater than that in the next 4 weeks [MR = 3.2/100 pyrs, relative rate (RR) = 4.3, P < 0.001]. Overall, 1982 (46%) subjects enrolled in MMT; however, 1282 of them discontinued MMT after enrolling.Findings  The mortality among those who continued in MMT attendance was lower (MR = 0.24/100 pyrs) than those who never enrolled in MMT (MR = 2.6/100 pyrs) or those who enrolled but dropped out of MMT (MR = 7.0/100 pyrs) after adjusting for age, gender and human immunodeficiency virus status at amnesty (RR = 0.07).Conclusions  In ex‐prisoners in Taiwan with a history of opiate injecting, enrollment and continued participation in methadone maintenance treatment is associated with substantially lower mortality.
Prospective predictors of quitting behaviours among adult smokers in six cities in China: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) China Survey
Authors: Li Lin , Feng Guoze , Jiang Yuan , Yong Hua‐Hie , Borland Ron , Fong Geoffrey T. 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTAims  To examine predictors of quitting behaviours among adult smokers in China, in light of existing knowledge from previous research in four western countries and two southeast Asian countries.Design  Face‐to‐face interviews were carried out with smokers in 2006 using the International Tobacco Control (ITC) China Survey, with follow‐up about 16 months later. A stratified multi‐stage cluster sampling design was employed.Setting  Beijing and five other cities in China.Participants  A total of 4732 smokers were first surveyed in 2006. Of these, 3863 were re‐contacted in 2007, with a retention rate of 81.6%.Measurements  Baseline measures of socio‐demographics, dependence and interest in quitting were used prospectively to predict both making quit attempts and staying quit among those who attempted.Findings  Overall, 25.3% Chinese smokers reported having made at least one quit attempt between waves 1 and 2; of these, 21.7% were still stopped at wave 2. Independent predictors of making quit attempts included having higher quitting self‐efficacy, previous quit attempts, more immediate intentions to quit, longer time to first cigarette upon waking, negative opinion of smoking and having smoking restrictions at home. Independent predictors of staying quit were being older, having longer previous abstinence from smoking and having more immediate quitting intentions.Conclusions  Predictors of Chinese smokers' quitting behaviours are somewhat different to those found in previous research from other countries. Nicotine dependence and self‐efficacy seem to be more important for attempts than for staying quit in China, and quitting intentions are related to both attempts and staying quit.
Surveying the range and magnitude of alcohol's harm to others in Australia
Authors: Laslett Anne‐Marie , Room Robin , Ferris Jason , Wilkinson Claire , Livingston Michael , Mugavin Janette 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTAims  This study aims to document the adverse effects of drinkers in Australia on people other than the drinker.Design  Cross‐sectional survey.Setting  In a national survey of Australia, respondents described the harmful effects they experienced from drinkers in their households, family and friendship networks, as well as work‐place and community settings.Participants  A randomly selected sample of 2649 adult Australians.Measurements  Problems experienced because of others' drinking were ascertained via computer‐assisted telephone interviews. Respondent and drinker socio‐demographic and drinking pattern data were recorded.Findings  A total of 70% of respondents were affected by strangers' drinking and experienced nuisance, fear or abuse, and 30% reported that the drinking of someone close to them had negative effects, although only 11% were affected by such a person ‘a lot’. Women were more affected by someone they knew in the household or family, while men were more affected by strangers, friends and co‐workers. Young adults were consistently the most negatively affected across the majority of types of harm.Conclusions  Substantial proportions of Australians are affected by other people's drinking, including that of their families, friends, co‐workers and strangers. These harms range in magnitude from noise and fear to physical abuse, sexual coercion and social isolation.
Eltrombopag increases plasma rosuvastatin exposure in healthy volunteers
Authors: Allred Alicia J. , Bowen Carolyn J. , Park Jung Wook , Peng Bin , Williams Daphne D. , Wire Mary Beth , Lee Edmund 
Published: March 2011

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• OATP1B1 is important for hepatic uptake of rosuvastatin and BCRP is important for rosuvastatin absorption and elimination. Eltrombopag inhibits OATP1B1 and BCRP in vitro at clinically relevant concentrations. Inhibition of these transporters could change cholesterol‐lowering efficacy and increase the risk of exposure‐dependent toxicities. To determine if co‐administration of eltrombopag with rosuvastatin alters plasma rosuvastatin exposure, an open‐label study was conducted in 42 healthy adult subjects.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Concomitant administration of eltrombopag with rosuvastatin was associated with increased rosuvastatin exposure via inhibition of drug transporters. The therapeutic index of HMG Co‐A reductase inhibitors may be reduced by the concomitant use of eltrombopag. In subjects taking eltrombopag, a reduced dose of HMG Co‐A reductase inhibitors may be needed.AIM Eltrombopag, an oral, nonpeptide thrombopoietin receptor agonist, inhibits the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) in vitro. OATP1B1 is important for hepatic uptake of rosuvastatin and inhibition of this transporter could reduce cholesterol‐lowering efficacy and increase the risk of exposure‐dependent toxicities. In contrast, BCRP is an efflux transporter and inhibition of this transporter could increase both hepatic and plasma rosuvastatin concentrations, resulting in increased efficacy and toxicity. To determine if co‐administration of eltrombopag with rosuvastatin alters plasma rosuvastatin exposure, an open‐label study was conducted in 42 healthy adult subjects.METHODS Subjects received rosuvastatin and eltrombopag orally: day 1, rosuvastatin 10 mg single dose; days 6 to 9, eltrombopag 75 mg once daily; day 10, eltrombopag 75 mg once daily and rosuvastatin 10 mg single dose. Adverse event assessments were performed daily and at the follow‐up visit. Plasma samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected days 1 to 5 and days 10 to 14.RESULTS Co‐administration of eltrombopag with rosuvastatin increased geometric mean (90% confidence interval) plasma rosuvastatin AUC(0,∞) by 55% (42%, 69%) and Cmax by 103% (82%, 126%) in the overall study population, with a larger interaction in the non‐Asian compared with Asian subjects.CONCLUSIONS Concomitant administration of eltrombopag with rosuvastatin was associated with increased rosuvastatin exposure. The therapeutic index of HMG Co‐A reductase inhibitors may be reduced by the concomitant use of eltrombopag. In subjects taking eltrombopag, a reduced dose of HMG Co‐A reductase inhibitors may be needed.
How common are motor problems in children with a developmental disorder: rule or exception?
Authors: Pieters S. , De Block K. , Scheiris J. , Eyssen M. , Desoete A. , Deboutte D. , Van Waelvelde H. , Roeyers H. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Few co‐morbidity studies have been conducted since the Leeds Consensus Statement on developmental co‐ordination disorder (DCD) in 2006. In this Statement, international cut‐offs and inclusion criteria were agreed and consequently, the status of DCD changed. Furthermore, most existing co‐morbidity studies are small clinical studies, rather than epidemiological studies, resulting in a broad range of co‐morbidity rates. DCD has a higher incidence for boys in comparison with girls; questions arise if this preponderance remains the same in combination with other developmental disorders. Therefore, in this study we aimed to determine co‐morbidity and gender differences of motor problems in children with a pervasive developmental disorder, a hyperkinetic disorder and/or a speech, language or learning disability.Methods  Profiles of 3608 children (mean age: 9 years 1 month) referred to rehabilitation centres for behavioural, developmental and sensorineural disorders were studied.Results  Motor problems were reported in one‐fifth of the total sample. Co‐morbidity of motor problems in specific disorders varied from almost one‐fourth to more than one‐third. The male/female ratio was significantly higher in children with motor problems and two or more other disorders, compared with children with motor problems and less than two other disorders.Conclusions  This study indicates that co‐morbidity of motor problems with other clinical disorders is not exceptional and developmental deviance is seldom specific to one domain. However, current co‐morbidity studies tend to overestimate the number of children with motor problems. In addition, there may be different patterns of symptoms between the genders. These findings stress the importance of assessing motor skills in children with various developmental disorders.
Expression of CD64 on polymorphonuclear neutrophils in patients with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Migita K , Agematsu K , Yamazaki K , Suzuki A , Yazaki M , Jiuchi Y , Miyashita T , Izumi Y , Koga T , Kawakami A , Eguchi K 
Published: March 2011

SummaryFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serosal or synovial inflammation. We examined the utility of CD64 (FcγRI) expression in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) as clinical and biological parameters in patients with FMF. We studied 12 Japanese FMF patients (mean age; 22·8 ± 15·5 years, male/female: 2/10), along with rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA, n = 38 male/female: 6/32, mean age; 52·2 ± 15·3 years), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 15 male/female: 0/15, mean age; 38·5 ± 15·9 years) and 12 healthy subjects (male/female: 3/9, mean age; 37·9 ± 17·2 years). CD64 expression on PMNs was determined using flow cytometry. The quantitative expression of CD64 in patients with FMF (2439·6 ± 2215·8 molecules per PMN) was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (547·8 ± 229·5, P = 0·003) or in patients with RA (606·5 ± 228·2, P &lt; 0·0001) and SLE (681·3 ± 281·1, P = 0·004). The increased CD64 expression on PMNs isolated from untreated FMF patients was down-regulated by colchicine treatment. NACHT-LRR-PYD-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) activation using MurNAc-L-Ala-D-isoGln (MDP) resulted in increased CD64 expression on PMNs from healthy subjects. Our results suggest that quantitative measurement of CD64 expression on PMNs can be a valuable tool to discriminate between FMF and autoimmune diseases.
Mathematical modelling of soybean oil solubility in supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Jokić Stela , Svilović Sandra , Zeković Zoran , Vidović Senka 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe solubility of soybean oil in supercritical carbon dioxide has been determined in the pressure range of 100–300 bar and in the temperature range of 313–323 K. The obtained values (from 0.0005 to 0.02055 g L−1) have been correlated using four different empirical equations proposed correspondingly by Chrastil, del Valle and Aquilera, Adachi and Lu and Sparks et al. Since the Sparks et al. equation provided the lowest average absolute relative deviation (AARD) (10.25%) than other models in the examined experimental range, a modified equation of Sparks et al. model was developed for predicting the solubility of soybean oil in supercritical carbon dioxide as a function of temperature and density. An improved equation showed the lowest deviation (2.15%) between experimental data than the other empirical equations considered in this study. The proposed equation was also applied for correlating the solubility of linoleic acid (AARD was 2.40%).
Effect of different cooking methods on the flavour constituents of mushroom (Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing) soup
Authors: Li Qin , Zhang Hai‐Hua , Claver Irakoze Pierre , Zhu Ke‐Xue , Peng Wei , Zhou Hui‐Ming 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe effect of different cooking methods on the flavour of mushroom soup was assessed. The results indicated that the levels of free amino acids and 5’‐nucleotides in the microwaved mushroom soup were (P < 0.05) higher than those in boiled and autoclaved mushroom soup. The number of volatile compounds identified in the boiled mushroom soup was (P < 0.05) higher than those in autoclaved and microwaved mushroom soup. The main aroma‐active compounds found in mushroom soup were 1‐octen‐3‐one (mushroom‐like), 3‐octen‐2‐one (cooked mushroom‐like), 2,6‐dimethyl pyrazine (roast nut), benzeneacetaldehyde (floral), dihydro‐5‐methyl‐2(3H)‐furanone (sweet) and some unknown compounds with popcorn and sauce flavour. In addition, boiled, autoclaved and microwaved mushroom soup possessed thirteen, ten and nine aroma‐active compounds (with flavour dilution factors > 1), respectively. Thus the flavour of mushroom soup is dependent on the cooking methods as proved by gas chromatography and olfactometry analysis.
Review: exploring the role of mental health nurse‐practitioner in the treatment of early psychosis
Authors: Morse Megan , Procter Nicholas 
Published: March 2011

Aims and objectives.  The aim of this paper is to examine high‐level evidence in early intervention in psychosis and scope the potential role of the mental health nurse‐practitioner in the treatment of management of early psychosis.Background.  Psychosis imposes complex symptoms that impact on the individual and their social network, often resulting in long‐term disability. As specialised early intervention in psychosis is emerging, the nurse‐practitioner role in mental health is also gaining momentum. The background literature highlights several critical synergies between nurse‐practitioners’ scope of practice and needs of patients with early psychosis.Design.  Literature review.Method.  Electronic databases including Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Medline, TRIP and EMBASE. Searching was limited to articles published between 1988–2009. Eligible studies were limited to systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials.Results.  Two systematic reviews and five randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. No studies were located which specifically addressed the nurse‐practitioner role in early psychosis.Conclusions.  Specific interventions require further research but there is emerging evidence that specialised intervention for people in the early phase of psychotic illness is achievable and possibly essential. It is within the scope of practice of mental health nurse‐practitioners to ensure patient and carer education and support, adherence to medication and other treatments, promotion of social inclusion and social connectedness.Relevance to clinical practice.  Mental health nurse‐practitioners have the potential to provide specialist support to meet the needs of this complex group. Central to this is an ability to build an evidence‐base around the treatment and management of people with early psychosis and deliver effective education and leadership across clinical, inter‐professional and organisational domains. The paper concludes by positing a set of recommendations for nurse‐practitioners in the field of early psychosis in the Australian mental health setting.
Development of non‐verbal intellectual capacity in school‐age children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Smits D. W. , Ketelaar M. , Gorter J. W. , van Schie P. E. , Becher J. G. , Lindeman E. , Jongmans M. J. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at greater risk for a limited intellectual development than typically developing children. Little information is available which children with CP are most at risk. This study aimed to describe the development of non‐verbal intellectual capacity of school‐age children with CP and to examine the association between the development of non‐verbal intellectual capacity and the severity of CP.Methods A longitudinal analysis in a cohort study was performed with a clinic‐based sample of children with CP. Forty‐two children were assessed at 5, 6 and 7 years of age, and 49 children were assessed at 7, 8 and 9 years of age. Non‐verbal intellectual capacity was assessed by Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM). Severity of CP was classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System, type of motor impairment and limb distribution.manovafor repeated measurements was used to analyse time effects and time × group effects on both RCPM raw scores and RCPM intelligence quotient scores.Results The development of non‐verbal intellectual capacity was characterised by a statistically significant increase in RCPM raw scores but no significant change in RCPM intelligence quotient scores. The development of RCPM raw scores was significantly associated with the severity of CP. Children with higher levels of gross motor functioning and children with spastic CP showed greater increase in raw scores than children with lower levels of gross motor functioning and children with dyskinetic CP.Conclusions Children with CP aged between 5 and 9 years show different developmental trajectories for non‐verbal intellectual capacity, which are associated with the severity of CP. The development of non‐verbal intellectual capacity in children with less severe CP seems to resemble that of typically developing children, while children with more severe CP show a limited intellectual development compared to typically developing children.
A phylogeographic, demographic and historical analysis of the short‐tailed pit viper (Gloydius brevicaudus): evidence for early divergence and late expansion during the Pleistocene
Authors: DING LI , GAN XIAO‐NI , HE SHUN‐PING , ZHAO ER‐MI 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe impact of quaternary glaciation in eastern China on local fanua and flora has been a topic of considerable interest. We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data and coalescent simulations to test two general biogeographic hypothesis related to the effects of Pleistocene climatic fluctuations for a widespread ophidian species (Gloydius brevicaudus) in eastern China and Korean Peninsula. The phylogenetic analysis revealed three major lineages, the southeast Coastal, Yangtze and North Lineages. The latter two are closely related and jointly form a continental lineage. Divergence dating and coalescent simulations indicate a Late Pliocene to Early Pleistocene divergence between lineages from the southeast coast and continental interior, followed by a mid‐to‐late Pleistocene divergence between lineages from the north and the middle–lower Yangtze Valley across East China, suggesting that all these lineages predated the last glacial maximum. An overlapping range between the two lineages within the continental lineage and a secondary contact associated with ecological transition zones on the margins of the North China Plain were also observed. These results show that vicariance patterns dominated the history of G. brevicaudus. Though the climatic events of the Pleistocene have had a marked effect on the historical distribution and intra‐specific divergence of reptiles in China, coalescent and non‐coalescent demographic analyses indicate that all lineages of G. brevicaudus seem not to have been adversely affected by glacial cycles during the Late Pleistocene, presumably because of an increase in the amount of climatically mild habitat in East Asia due to a decline in elevation and the development of monsoons since the Mid‐End Pleistocene.
The Serratia LuxR family regulator CarR39006 activates transcription independently of cognate quorum sensing signals
Authors: Poulter Simon , Carlton Timothy M. , Spring David R. , Salmond George P.C. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryIn Gram‐negative bacteria, quorum sensing control of gene expression is mediated by transcription factors of the LuxR family, whose DNA‐binding affinity is modulated by diffusible N‐acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signalling molecules. In Serratia sp. ATCC 39006 and the plant pathogen Erwinia carotovora ssp. carotovora (Ecc), the biosynthesis of the β‐lactam antibiotic 1‐carbapen‐2‐em‐3‐carboxylic acid (Car) is under quorum sensing control. This study has revealed that, uniquely, the LuxR family transcriptional activator CarR39006 from Serratia 39006 has no detectable affinity for cognate AHL molecules. Furthermore, CarR39006 was shown to be naturally competent to bind to its target promoter with high affinity, activate transcription and resist cellular proteolysis, and was unaffected by AHL signals. Experiments with chimeric proteins suggest that the C‐terminal DNA‐binding domain of CarR39006 may be responsible for conferring AHL independence. In contrast, we show that the homologous CarREcc protein binds to its 3O‐C6‐HSL ligand with high affinity, and that the highly conserved Trp‐44 residue is critical for this interaction. Unlike TraR from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, CarREcc is not directly protected from cellular proteolysis by AHL binding, but via AHL‐induced DNA binding. At physiological protein concentrations, AHL binding induces CarREcc to bind to its target promoter with higher affinity and activate transcription.
tmRNA regulates synthesis of the ArfA ribosome rescue factor
Authors: Garza‐Sánchez Fernando , Schaub Ryan E. , Janssen Brian D. , Hayes Christopher S. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryTranslation of mRNA lacking an in‐frame stop codon leads to ribosome arrest at the 3′ end of the transcript. In bacteria, the tmRNA quality control system recycles these stalled ribosomes and tags the incomplete nascent chains for degradation. Although ubiquitous in eubacteria, the ssrA gene encoding tmRNA is not essential for the viability of Escherichia coli and other model bacterial species. ArfA (YhdL) is a mediator of tmRNA‐independent ribosome rescue that is essential for the viability of E. coliΔssrA mutants. Here, we demonstrate that ArfA is synthesized from truncated mRNA and therefore regulated by tmRNA tagging activity. RNase III cleaves a hairpin structure within the arfA‐coding sequence to produce transcripts that lack stop codons. In the absence of tmRNA tagging, truncated ArfA chains are released from the ribosome. The truncated ArfAΔ18 protein (which lacks 18 C‐terminal residues) is functional in ribosome rescue and supports ΔssrA cell viability when expressed from the arfA locus. Other proteobacterial arfA genes also encode hairpins, and transcripts from Dickeya dadantii and Salmonella typhimurium are cleaved by RNase III when expressed in E. coli. Thus, synthesis of ArfA from truncated mRNA appears to be a general mechanism to regulate alternative ribosome rescue activity.