bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sociocultural practices in Ethiopia: association with onset and persistence of postnatal common mental disorders
Authors: Hanlon Charlotte , Medhin Girmay , Alem Atalay , Araya Mesfin , Abdulahi Abdulreshid , Tomlinson Mark , Hughes Marcus , Patel Vikram , Dewey Michael , Prince Martin 
Published: December 2010

BackgroundTraditional perinatal practices may protect against postnatal common mental disorders (CMD) in non-Western societies.AimsTo evaluate the association between perinatal practices and postnatal CMD in rural Ethiopia.MethodA population-based sample of 1065 women was followed up from pregnancy until 2 months postpartum. Qualitative investigation informed the development of scales measuring attitudes towards and adherence to perinatal practices. Postnatal CMD was measured using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire.ResultsEndorsement of sociocultural perinatal practices was associated with lower odds of antenatal CMD persisting into the postnatal period (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.66, 95% CI 0.45–0.95). Women who endorsed protective and celebratory perinatal practices but were unable to complete them had increased odds of incident (adjusted OR = 7.26, 95% CI 1.38–38.04) and persistent postnatal CMD (adjusted OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.11–4.23) respectively.ConclusionsThere is evidence for an independent role of sociocultural practices in maintaining perinatal mental health in this Ethiopian community.
Effectiveness of reminders in reducing non-attendance among out-patients
Authors: Rajasuriya Mahesh , de Silva Varuni , Hanwella Raveen 
Published: December 2010

Aims and methodNon-attendance rates in a psychiatric out-patient clinic and the effectiveness of telephone or postal reminders in reducing non-attendance were evaluated. All patients who did not attend the clinic for their second appointment within 2 weeks were contacted by telephone or letter. Patients who failed to attend the clinic 6 weeks after the reminder were classified as non-attendees.ResultsRate of non-attendance before the intervention was 31.3% (n = 61/195). After the intervention this was reduced to 23.1%, a relative risk reduction of 26.2%. Being male, not being prescribed medicines, having a diagnosis of psychoactive substance use or dementia were risk factors for non-attendance (odds ratio, OR>1). Risk of non-attendance was low for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depressive disorder (OR <1).Clinical implicationsA simple low-cost intervention in the form of a reminder reduced non-attendance rates. Routine implementation of this intervention should be considered in all psychiatry out-patient services in low- and middle-income countries.
What happens to femoral neck bone mineral density after hip resurfacing surgery?
Authors: Cordingley R. , Kohan L. , Ben-Nissan B. 
Published: December 2010

The major advantage of hip resurfacing is the decreased amount of bone resection compared with a standard total hip replacement. Fracture of the femoral neck is the most common early complication and poor bone quality is a major risk factor. We undertook a prospective consecutive case control study examining the effect of bone mineral density changes in patients undergoing hip resurfacing surgery. A total of 423 patients were recruited with a mean age of 54 years (24 to 87). Recruitment for this study was dependent on pre-operative bilateral femoral bone mineral density results not being osteoporotic. The operated and non-operated hips were assessed. Bone mineral density studies were repeated over a two-year period. The results showed no significant deterioration in the bone mineral density in the superolateral region in the femoral neck, during that period. These findings were in the presence of a markedly increased level of physical activity, as measured by the short-form 36 health survey physical function score.
The use of osteo-articular allografts for reconstruction after resection of the distal radius for tumour
Authors: Scoccianti G. , Campanacci D. A. , Beltrami G. , Caldora P. , Capanna R. 
Published: December 2010

Several techniques have been described to reconstruct a mobile wrist joint after resection of the distal radius for tumour. We reviewed our experience of using an osteo-articular allograft to do this in 17 patients with a mean follow-up of 58.9 months (28 to 119). The mean range of movement at the wrist was 56° flexion, 58° extension, 84° supination and 80° pronation. The mean ISOLS-MSTS score was 86% (63% to 97%) and the mean patient-rated wrist evaluation score was 16.5 (3 to 34). There was no local recurrence or distant metastases. The procedure failed in one patient with a fracture of the graft and an arthrodesis was finally required. Union was achieved at the host-graft interface in all except two cases. No patient reported more than modest non-disabling pain and six reported no pain at all. Radiographs showed early degenerative changes at the radiocarpal joint in every patient. A functional pain-free wrist can be restored with an osteo-articular allograft after resection of the distal radius for bone tumour, thereby avoiding the donor site morbidity associated with an autograft. These results may deteriorate with time.
Simultaneous bilateral versus unilateral total ankle replacement
Authors: Barg A. , Knupp M. , Hintermann B. 
Published: December 2010

The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of bilateral sequential total ankle replacement (TAR) with that of unilateral TAR. We reviewed 23 patients who had undergone sequential bilateral TAR under a single anaesthetic and 46 matched patients with a unilateral TAR. There were no significant pre-operative differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anaesthesiologists classification and aetiology of the osteoarthritis of the ankle. Clinical and radiological follow-up was carried out at four months, one and two years. After four months, patients with simultaneous bilateral TAR reported a significantly higher mean pain score than those with a unilateral TAR. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score and short-form 36 physical component summary score were better in the unilateral group. However, this difference disappeared at the one-and two-year follow-ups. Bilateral sequential TAR under one anaesthetic can be offered to patients with bilateral severe ankle osteoarthritis. However, they should be informed of the long recovery period.
The Role of Benzalkonium Chloride in the Occurrence of Punctate Keratitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trials
Authors: Trocme Stefan , Hwang Lie-Ju , Bean Gerald W , Sultan Maria B 
Published: December 2010

Background: Benzalkonium chloride (BAK), the most commonly used preservative in topical ophthalmic solutions, has undergone considerable criticism in recent years, principally based on in vitro and in vivo studies. Relevance to the clinical setting has not been confirmed. Objective: To determine whether administration of twice the amount of BAK was associated with an increased incidence of punctate keratitis in long-term, double-masked trials comparing latanoprost ophthalmic solution and vehicle with timolol ophthalmic solution in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Methods: A meta-analysis of the double-masked phases of 7 prospective, controlled clinical trials compared the incidence of punctate keratitis among patients assigned to treatment with latanoprost or timolol. In all studies, the amount of BAK administered daily in the latanoprost arms was approximately twice the amount used in the timolol arms. All reports of punctate keratitis either as a finding or an adverse event were included. A fixed-effect model was used because the heterogeneity was small and not statistically significant. Sensitivity analyses were conducted. Funnel plots were provided to address potential publication bias. Results: Of the 1694 patients enrolled in the double-masked portion of the trials (latanoprost, n = 892; timolol, n = 802), the overall incidence of punctate keratitis was 6.3% (106/1694). The incidence in latanoprost-treated patients was 6.5% and in timolol-treated patients was 6.0%. The risk difference for punctate keratitis of latanoprost versus timolol was 0.005 (95% CI –0.011 to 0.020; p = 0.574), and the risk ratio of latanoprost versus timolol was 1.084 (95% CI 0.739 to 1.589; p = 0.680). Conclusions: These results indicate that BAK does not produce significant corneal toxicity in the vast majority of patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension at the concentrations used in these studies.
A Pharmaceutical Care Program to Improve Adherence to Statin Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Eussen Simone RBM , Elst Menno E van der , Klungel Olaf H , Rompelberg Cathy JM , Garssen Johan , Oosterveld Marco H , Boer Anthonius de , Gier Johan J de , Bouvy Marcel L 
Published: December 2010

Background: Despite the well-known beneficial effects of statins, many patients do not adhere to chronic medication regimens. Objective: To implement and assess the effectiveness of a community pharmacy-based pharmaceutical care program developed to improve patients' adherence to statin therapy. Methods: An open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted at 26 community pharmacies in the Netherlands. New users of statins who were aged 18 years or older were randomly assigned to receive either usual care or a pharmacist intervention. The intervention consisted of 5 individual counseling sessions by a pharmacist during a 1-year period. During these sessions, patients received structured education about the importance of medication adherence, lipid levels were measured, and the association between adherence and lipid levels was discussed. Adherence to statin therapy was assessed as discontinuation rates 6 and 12 months after statin initiation, and as the medication possession ratio (MPR), and compared between the pharmaceutical care and usual care groups. Results: A total of 899 subjects (439 in the pharmaceutical care group and 460 in the usual care group) were evaluable for effectiveness analysis. The pharmaceutical care program resulted in a significantly lower rate of discontinuation within 6 months after initiating therapy versus usual care (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.96). No significant difference between groups was found in discontinuation at 12 months (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.10). Median MPR was very high (>99%) in both groups and did not differ between groups. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of a community pharmacy–based pharmaceutical care program to improve medication adherence in new users of statins. Frequent counseling sessions (every 3 months) are necessary to maintain the positive effects on discontinuation. Although improvements are modest, the program can be applied easily to a larger population and have a large impact, as the interventions are relatively inexpensive and easy to implement in clinical practice.
Unintentional Therapeutic Errors Involving Insulin in the Ambulatory Setting Reported to Poison Centers
Authors: Spiller Henry A , Borys Douglas J , Ryan Mark L , Sawyer Tama S , Wilson Brooke L 
Published: December 2010

Background Adverse drug events in the ambulatory care setting are not uncommon and can cause significant morbidity. Little research has been published on the management of adverse drug events involving insulin in the outpatient setting. Objective To analyze data on patients with unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin managed by 9 regional poison control centers. Methods A retrospective search was performed for all records involving insulin at 9 poison centers, covering the population of 4 states for the years 2000–2009. A subgroup of the study population was selected with a reason for exposure of “unintentional–therapeutic error.” Results: There were 3819 insulin exposures reported, with an increase in the annual incidence of insulin exposures of 279% (from 170 to 645 patients/year) and a mean annual increase of 16%. Of the insulin exposures, 2584 were unintentional therapeutic errors (68%). The percentage of all insulin exposures that were unintentional therapeutic errors increased progressively, from 41% to 78%. There was a 495% increase in annual incidence of unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin, with a mean annual increase of 26%. Unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin occurred primarily in adults >40 years (73%), with 63% occurring in women. There was a pronounced increase in unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin in the later evening hours, with 71% occurring between 1800 and 2400 and reaching a peak at 2200. The majority (n = 1803; 70%) of patients were managed in a non–health-care facility location, primarily their own residence. Conclusions: This is the first report of an increasing trend of insulin-related unintentional therapeutic errors in the ambulatory setting. Our study highlights a number of striking features, including: (1) a consistent and dramatic increase of unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin over the 10-year period, (2) a high incidence of unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin in the late evening hours, and (3) a high incidence of unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin involving adults >40 years and females. With their 24/7 availability, poison centers appear to be an increasingly important resource for patients experiencing unintentional therapeutic errors involving insulin.
Increasing Research Familiarity Among Members of a Clubhouse for People With Mental Illness
Authors: Marshall Sarah Louise , Deane Frank , Hancock Nicola 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis study describes a project that aimed to train people with mental illness in introductory research skills to support the development of a Clubhouse. Eight mental health consumers from the Illawarra region in New South Wales, Australia were recruited to participate in the project. The group met weekly over a 10-week period to participate in training sessions. The training program focused on increasing familiarity and confidence with research related activities considered useful for Clubhouse members. Measures related to Familiarity with the Clubhouse model, Clubhouse Role Confidence, Research Self Efficacy, and Familiarity with Research Terminology were completed by six of eight participants before and after training. There were significant improvements in consumer's familiarity with components of the Clubhouse and research terminology. There was also increased confidence in performing roles relevant to research activities in Clubhouse settings but no significant improvements in Research Self efficacy related to more general research skills. There is a need for future research to confirm the findings in larger trials with a control condition.
Analysing the Expert Judgment of a Rehabilitation Counsellor: A Case Study
Authors: Athanasou James A. , Kaufmann Esther 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThis case study analysed the expert judgments of a rehabilitation counsellor. The counsellor was given 37 accident victims' self-ratings of health, energy, daily activities, self-esteem, personal relations, financial resources and living conditions. The accident victims also rated their own overall quality of life as poor or good. The expert was required to make judgments about whether the quality of life was poor or good in each case and matched the ratings of the accident victims in 64.8% of cases. The results suggest that under conditions of uncertainty and complexity an expert may be more accurate than chance but still fail to use the properties of information to their maximum advantage.
Impacts of Uncertainty of Progressive Disability on Life Perspectives
Authors: Chen Roy K. , Miller Eva , Seo Wonsun (Sunny) , Mendoza Eliana 
Published: December 2010

AbstractThe present study examined ways in which progressive disability affects the pursuit of personal goals and how the uncertainty of progressive disability influences life perspectives. A total of 117 individuals with muscular dystrophy responded to two open-ended questions designed to elicit their views on the psychological and behavioural manifestations of progressive disability. Specifically, the study used a three-step phenomenological existential approach to analyse the written responses by the participants (Creswell, 2009). The results indicated that factors such as involuntary early retirement, problems establishing and maintaining romantic relationships; changing personal and career goals, fear of uncertainties, feeling undesirable and unattractive, lack of accessible transportation, and fear of passing on hereditary diseases affect an individual's psychological well-being. The need for around-the-clock care can present a burden that leads to caregiver burnout and resentment. Implications for rehabilitation professionals are provided based upon review of the literature and qualitative data analysis.
A novel liquidchip platform for simultaneous detection of 70 alleles of DNA somatic mutations on EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded slides containing tumor tissue
Authors: Li Guoqiang , Luo Xiaodi , He Jiaying , Zhu Zeyao , Yu Gang , Qin Huijuan , Zeng Tao , Liu Zhiming , Wu Shiyang , Xu Jiasen , Ren-Heidenreich Lifen 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background: DNA somatic mutations of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway play critical roles in the response or resistance of tumors to targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). To provide a high-throughput (HTP) clinical testing service for detecting these mutations, we developed a novel platform, SurPlex

®
-xTAG70plex-EGFR liquidchip.

Methods: This platform was developed based on a universal 100-tag system. The procedures for multiplex PCR, allele specific primer extension (ASPE) and hybridization were optimized and standardized.

Results: A total of 70 alleles of somatic mutations of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA can be detected simultaneously in one reaction from one formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) slide within one day. Cross-reaction was <8% between individual amplimers and 70 different ASPE primers. The sensitivity for detecting mutants in the wild-type DNA was 1%–5%. Seventy-three FFPE samples with somatic mutations were used to validate the 70plex. Seventy-one showed a complete match, while two were not detected.

Conclusions: A simple, accurate, sensitive HTP technology was developed and standardized for detecting simultaneously 70 different alleles of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA gene mutations from FFPE tumor slides.
Impact of cryopreservation on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7, TIMP-1, vascular growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF-R2 in Biobank samples
Authors: Kisand Kalle , Kerna Irina , Kumm Jaanika , Jonsson Helgi , Tamm Agu 
Published: December 2010

Abstract

Background: Blood biomarkers are subject to pre-analytical variability. In many cases, the stability of important new tissue biomarkers during freeze cycles and storage has not been studied sufficiently.

Methods: To test the stability of matrix metalloproteinases-7 (MMP-7) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1), vascular growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF-receptor, serum samples were frozen and then thawed up to six times. The impact of storage temperature was investigated using an accelerated stability testing protocol. Stability at –20°C and –75°C was calculated using the Arrhenius equation.

Results: The average concentration of TIMP-1 was stable, even after six freeze/thaw cycles. One thawing did not change the concentration of MMP-7 and VEGF-receptor. However, repeated freeze/thaw cycles increased the measured values significantly. Decreases in VEGF concentrations were dramatic, even after the first freeze/thaw cycle. According to the Arrhenius calculation, MMP-7 showed excellent stability, at least 5 years at –20°C and several 100 years at –75°C. The VEGF-receptor maintains 90% of its initial concentration at –20°C over 3 months, and decades at –75°C. TIMP-1 and VEGF showed poor stability with cryopreservation, even at –75°C.

Conclusions: The stability of MMP-7, TIMP-1, VEGF or VEGF-receptor in biobanking is highly variable, and this should be taken into account in the interpretation of results. A temperature –20°C is unsuitable for prolonged storage of the biomarkers investigated, and repeated thawing of sera is not recommended. VEGF is especially unstable and should be quantitated using serum that has never been frozen.
Boundedly generated subgroups of finite groups
Authors: Lucchini Andrea , Morigi Marta , Shumyatsky Pavel 
Published: December 2010

Abstract.
The starting point for this work was the question whether every finite group G contains a two-generated subgroup H such that , where denotes the set of primes dividing the order of G. We answer the question in the affirmative and address the following more general problem.
Let G be a finite group and let be a property of G. What is the minimum number t such that G contains a t-generated subgroup H satisfying the condition that ? In particular, we consider the situation where is the set of composition factors (up to isomorphism), the exponent, the prime graph, or the spectrum of the group G. We give a complete answer in the cases where is the prime graph or the spectrum (obtaining that in the former case and t can be arbitrarily large in the latter case). We also prove that if is the exponent of G, then t is at most four.
Effects of Traditional Swaddling on Development: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Manaseki-Holland Semira , Spier Elizabeth , Bavuusuren Bayasgalantai , Bayandorj Tsogzolma , Sprachman Susan , Marshall Tom 
Published: December 2010

OBJECTIVE:Evidence of the effects of tight, prolonged binding of infants on development is inconclusive and based on small ethnographic studies. The null hypothesis was that Mongolian infants not swaddled or swaddled tightly in a traditional setting (to &gt;7 months of age) do not have significantly different scores for the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID-II).PATIENTS AND METHODS:In a randomized controlled trial, 1279 healthy newborns in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, were allocated at birth to traditional swaddling or nonswaddling. The families received 7 months of home visits to collect data and monitor compliance. At 11 to 17 months of age, the BSID-II was administered to 1100 children.RESULTS:No significant between-group differences were found in mean scaled mental and psychomotor developmental scores. The unadjusted mean difference between the groups was −0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.59 to 1.19) for psychomotor and −0.42 (95% CI: −1.68 to 0.84) for mental scores in favor of the swaddling group. A subgroup analysis of the compliant sample produced similar results. BSID-II–scaled psychomotor and mental scores were 99.98 (95% CI: 99.03–100.92) and 105.52 (95% CI: 104.89–106.14), respectively. Background characteristics were balanced across the groups.CONCLUSIONS:In the Mongolian context, prolonged swaddling in the first year of life did not have any significant impact on children's early mental or psychomotor development. Additional studies in other settings need to confirm this finding. The Mongolian infants in this trial had scaled BSID-II mental and psychomotor scores comparable to United States norms.