bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The international PROGRESS registry of patients with severe sepsis: drotrecogin alfa (activated) use and patient outcomes
Authors: Martin Greg , Brunkhorst Frank M , Janes Jonathan M , Reinhart Konrad , Sundin David P , Garnett Kassandra , Beale Richard 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Introduction
Since the launch of drotrecogin alfa activated (DrotAA), institutions and individual countries have published data on its use in clinical practice, based on audit or registry data. These studies were limited in size and geographic locale and included patients with greater disease severity and higher mortality than those in clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to compare baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes (using appropriate statistical adjustments) of patients treated or not treated with DrotAA from the international PROGRESS (Promoting Global Research Excellence in Severe Sepsis) cohort study of severe sepsis.

Methods
PROGRESS was a global, non-interventional, multi-center, prospective, observational study of patients having a diagnosis of severe sepsis treated in intensive care units at a participating institution. All treatment modalities were as per standard of care at the participating institutions. Baseline characteristics and hospital mortality were analyzed and regression techniques used to develop propensity and outcome models adjusted for baseline imbalances between groups.

Results
Overall, 14,543 patients from 37 countries were enrolled and 12,492 had complete data for analysis. Germany was the highest enrolling country (1,810; 14.5%) and the US had the most DrotAA patients (206, 23.3%); 882 (7%) overall received DrotAA therapy. DrotAA-treated patients were younger (median age 58 vs. 61 years), had greater organ dysfunction (cardiovascular: 90% vs. 74%; respiratory: 90% vs. 81%; renal: 60% vs. 45%; metabolic: 63% versus 42%; 3 or more organ dysfunctions: 84% vs. 67%) and had a higher median APACHE II score (26 vs. 23, all with P < 0.001). Although in-hospital mortality was similar for DrotAA and non-DrotAA-treated patients (49.6% vs. 49.7%, respectively), after adjusting for imbalances, patients receiving DrotAA had a 28% (0.60 to 0.86, 95% Confidence Intervals) reduction in the odds of death and a relative risk reduction of 17% (P = 0.0003).

Conclusions
In the PROGRESS registry, DrotAA-treated patients were younger, more severely ill, and had fewer co-morbidities than patients not treated with DrotAA. After adjustment for group differences, a significant reduction in the odds of death was observed for patients that received DrotAA compared with those that did not.
Midregional pro-Adrenomedullin in addition to b-type natriuretic peptides in the risk stratification of patients with acute dyspnea: an observational study
Authors: Potocki Mihael , Breidthardt Tobias , Reichlin Tobias , Morgenthaler Nils G , Bergmann Andreas , Noveanu Markus , Schaub Nora , Uthoff Heiko , Freidank Heike , Buser Lorenz , Bingisser Roland , Christ Michael , Mebazaa Alexandre , Mueller Christian 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Introduction
The identification of patients at highest risk for adverse outcome who are presenting with acute dyspnea to the emergency department remains a challenge. This study investigates the prognostic value of the newly described midregional fragment of the pro-Adrenomedullin molecule (MR-proADM) alone and combined to B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) in patients with acute dyspnea.

Methods
We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study in the emergency department of a University Hospital and enrolled 287 unselected, consecutive patients (48% women, median age 77 (range 68 to 83) years) with acute dyspnea.

Results
MR-proADM levels were elevated in non-survivors (n = 77) compared to survivors (median 1.9 (1.2 to 3.2) nmol/L vs. 1.1 (0.8 to 1.6) nmol/L; P < 0.001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) to predict 30-day mortality were 0.81 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.90), 0.76 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.84) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.74) for MR-proADM, NT-proBNP and BNP, respectively (MRproADM vs. NTproBNP P = 0.38; MRproADM vs. BNP P = 0.009). For one-year mortality the AUC were 0.75 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.81), 0.75 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.81), 0.69 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.76) for MR-proADM, NT-proBNP and BNP, respectively without any significant difference. Using multivariate linear regression analysis, MR-proADM strongly predicted one-year all-cause mortality independently of NT-proBNP and BNP levels (OR = 10.46 (1.36 to 80.50), P = 0.02 and OR = 24.86 (3.87 to 159.80) P = 0.001, respectively). Using quartile approaches, Kaplan-Meier curve analyses demonstrated a stepwise increase in one-year all-cause mortality with increasing plasma levels (P < 0.0001). Combined levels of MR-proADM and NT-proBNP did risk stratify acute dyspneic patients into a low (90% one-year survival rate), intermediate (72 to 82% one-year survival rate) or high risk group (52% one-year survival rate).

Conclusions
MR-proADM alone or combined to NT-proBNP has a potential to assist clinicians in risk stratifying patients presenting with acute dyspnea regardless of the underlying disease.
Channel Pass-Through of Trade Promotions
Authors: Nijs Vincent , Misra Kanishka , Anderson Eric T. , Hansen Karsten , Krishnamurthi Lakshman 
Published: July 2009

Packaged goods manufacturers spend in excess of $75 billion annually on trade promotions, even though their effectiveness has been hotly debated by academics and practitioners for decades. One reason for this ongoing debate is that empirical research has been limited mostly to case studies, managerial surveys, and data from one or two supermarket chains in a single market. In this paper, we assemble a unique data set containing information on prices, quantities, and promotions throughout the entire channel in a category. Our study extends the empirical literature on pass-through in three important ways. First, we investigate how pass-through varies across more than 1,000 retailers in over 30 states. Second, we study pass-through at multiple levels of the distribution channel. Third, we show how the use of accounting metrics, such as average acquisition cost, rather than transaction cost, yields biased estimates of pass-through and therefore overstates the effectiveness of trade promotions. We find that mean pass-through elasticities are 0.71, 0.59, and 0.41, for the wholesaler, retailer, and total channel, respectively. More importantly, at each level of the channel we observe large variances in pass-through estimates that we explain using various measures of cost and competition. Surprisingly, we find that market structure and competition have a relatively small impact on pass-through. We conclude by showing how the profitability of manufacturer and wholesaler deals can be improved by utilizing detailed effectiveness estimates. For example, a manufacturer using an inclusive trade promotion strategy might offer a 10% off invoice deal to all retailers on every product. This strategy would decrease manufacturer and wholesaler profits for 56% of product/store combinations, whereas retailers experience a profit boost in 96% of cases. Manufacturers and wholesalers can avoid unprofitable trade deals for specific products and retailers by utilizing estimates of pass-through, consumer price elasticity, and margins. Compared to the inclusive strategy, such a selective trade promotion strategy would improve deal profitability by 80% and reduce costs by 40%.
Nonfluorescent Denaturing HPLC–Based Primer-Extension Method for Allele-Specific Expression: Application to Analysis of Mismatch Repair Genes
Authors: Aceto Gitana M , De Lellis Laura , Catalano Teresa , Veschi Serena , Radice Paolo , Di Iorio Angelo , Mariani-Costantini Renato , Cama Alessandro , Curia Maria Cristina 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground: Altered germline expression of genes may represent a powerful marker of genetic or epigenetic predisposition to cancer or other diseases.Methods: We developed and validated a method of nonfluorescent primer extension that uses a single dideoxynucleotide and denaturing HPLC (DHPLC) to analyze the relative allele expression. We devised 5 independent assays for measuring allele-specific expression (ASE) to exploit different markers of mismatch repair genes MLH1 [mutL homolog 1, colon cancer, nonpolyposis type 2 (E. coli)] and MSH2 [mutS homolog 2, colon cancer, nonpolyposis type 1 (E. coli)]. We initially confirmed method reproducibility with genomic DNA (gDNA) from individuals heterozygous for a frequent single-nucleotide polymorphism in the MLH1 gene. After this preliminary validation with gDNA, we confirmed assay reproducibility with cDNA templates from control individuals. Relative allele expression was estimated by comparing the heights of the peaks corresponding to the 2 alleles. Results obtained with gDNA templates were used to normalize cDNA results.Results: With these DHPLC-based primer-extension assays, we detected and confirmed a 5-fold imbalance in MLH1 allele expression in a mutation-negative patient with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and in another patient with a modest degree of imbalance in MLH1 expression. Among control individuals, the relative expression of MLH1 alleles displayed a narrow range of variation.Conclusions: Independent DHPLC-based primer-extension assays for measuring and confirming ASE can be developed for different sequence variants of interest. This DHPLC application provides a cost-effective method for detecting ASE in cases for which conventional screening fails to detect pathogenic mutations in candidate genes and may be applicable for confirming ASE revealed by other methods, such as those used for transcriptome-wide analyses. .
Biological control of sapstain fungi: From laboratory experiments to field trials 10th EWLP, Stockholm, Sweden, August 25–28, 2008
Authors: Gradinger Cornelia , Boisselet Tsilla , Stratev Daniel , Ters Thomas , Messner Kurt , Fackler Karin 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Sapstain fungi, which reduce the value of pine wood, were isolated from an industrial wood yard in north-eastern Germany. The predominant wood discolouring species on the industrial wood yard and in the forests of the investigated region was Sphaeropsis sapinea (syn. Diplodia pinea), but Ophiostoma minus was also found. These fungi were challenged with antagonistic micro-organisms in laboratory trials and in field experiments. Amongst the tested microorganisms only strains of filamentous fungi (Trichoderma sp. and Phlebiopsis gigantea) could control the sapstain fungi on pine wood blocks efficiently. Although P. gigantea was unable to inhibit stain formation completely, the wood was bleached by this fungus in later incubation stages. In two field trials, sapstain on pine wood logs was successfully retarded for a period of 10 and 12 weeks, respectively, with a white sporulating mutant of Trichoderma harzianum. Thus, the concept using filamentous fungi as antagonists against sapstain developed under laboratory conditions also proved to be valid under natural conditions in forest eco-systems.
Association of hypovitaminosis D with metabolic disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Wehr E , Pilz S , Schweighofer N , Giuliani A , Kopera D , Pieber T R , Obermayer-Pietsch B 
Published: July 2009

ObjectivesWomen with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently suffer from metabolic disturbances, in particular from insulin resistance. Accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome (MS). Hence, the aim of our study was to investigate the association of 25(OH)D levels and the components of the MS in PCOS women.Methods25(OH)D levels were measured by means of ELISA in 206 women affected by PCOS. Metabolic, endocrine, and anthropometric measurements and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed.ResultsThe prevalence of insufficient 25(OH)D levels (<30 ng/ml) was 72.8% in women with PCOS. PCOS women with the MS had lower 25(OH)D levels than PCOS women without these features (17.3 vs 25.8 ng/ml respectively; P<0.05). In multivariate regression analysis including 25(OH)D, season, body mass index (BMI), and age, 25(OH)D and BMI were independent predictors of homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI; P<0.05 for all). In binary logistic regression analyses, 25(OH)D (OR 0.86, P=0.019) and BMI (OR 1.28, P<0.001) were independent predictors of the MS in PCOS women. We found significantly negative correlations of 25(OH)D levels with BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting and stimulated glucose, area under the glucose response curve, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, triglycerides, and quotient total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and positive correlations of 25(OH)D levels with QUICKI and HDL (P<0.05 for all).ConclusionWe demonstrate that low 25(OH)D levels are associated with features of the MS in PCOS women. Large intervention trials are warranted to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic disturbances in PCOS women.
Immune Depletion With Cellular Mobilization Imparts Immunoregulation and Reverses Autoimmune Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice
Authors: Parker Matthew J. , Xue Song , Alexander John J. , Wasserfall Clive H. , Campbell-Thompson Martha L. , Battaglia Manuela , Gregori Silvia , Mathews Clayton E. , Song Sihong , Troutt Misty , Eisenbeis Scott , Williams John , Schatz Desmond A. , Haller Michael J. , Atkinson Mark A. 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVEThe autoimmune destruction of β-cells in type 1 diabetes results in a loss of insulin production and glucose homeostasis. As such, an immense interest exists for the development of therapies capable of attenuating this destructive process through restoration of proper immune recognition. Therefore, we investigated the ability of the immune-depleting agent antithymocyte globulin (ATG), as well as the mobilization agent granulocyte colony–stimulating factor (GCSF), to reverse overt hyperglycemia in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSEffects of each therapy were tested in pre-diabetic and diabetic female NOD mice using measurements of glycemia, regulatory T-cell (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) frequency, insulitis, and/or β-cell area.RESULTSHere, we show that combination therapy of murine ATG and GCSF was remarkably effective at reversing new-onset diabetes in NOD mice and more efficacious than either agent alone. This combination also afforded durable reversal from disease (&gt;180 days postonset) in animals having pronounced hyperglycemia (i.e., up to 500 mg/dl). Additionally, glucose control improved over time in mice subject to remission from type 1 diabetes. Mechanistically, this combination therapy resulted in both immunological (increases in CD4-to-CD8 ratios and splenic regulatory T-cell frequencies) and physiological (increase in the pancreatic β-cell area, attenuation of pancreatic inflammation) benefits.CONCLUSIONSIn addition to lending further credence to the notion that combination therapies can enhance efficacy in addressing autoimmune disease, these studies also support the concept for utilizing agents designed for other clinical applications as a means to expedite efforts involving therapeutic translation.
Is Prehypertension a Risk Factor for the Development of Type 2 Diabetes?
Authors: Mullican David R. , Lorenzo Carlos , Haffner Steven M. 
Published: July 2009

OBJECTIVE
Prehypertension is associated with cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance. However, whether subjects with prehypertension have more diabetes risk is not known. We examine whether prehypertension is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Incident diabetes was examined in nondiabetic normotensive participants in the San Antonio Heart Study (n = 2,767; aged 25–65 years; median follow-up 7.8 years).

RESULTS
Incident diabetes was 12.4% in subjects with prehypertension and 5.6% in subjects with normal blood pressure. The odds of incident diabetes were 2.21 greater for individuals with prehypertension than for those with normal blood pressure (95% CI 1.63–2.98) after adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity. Prehypertension was not associated with incident diabetes after additional adjustment for BMI, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and secretion, and family history of diabetes (odds ratio 1.42 [95% CI 0.99–2.02]).

CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with prehypertension are at increased risk of diabetes. Much of this risk is explained by disorders related to the insulin resistance syndrome.
Legal Frankensteins and Monstrous Women
Authors: Lodhia Sharmila 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Anti-violence activism for women in India has been riddled with a unique advocacy challenge. Women experiencing violence within the home confront a widespread backlash against Penal Code section 498A, the only criminal law in India that specifically encompasses domestic violence. Analysis of this phenomenon reveals that this prohibition against marital cruelty has been drastically undermined by a level of skepticism that not only permeates societal consciousness, but more perilously, has entered judicial decision-making in these cases. In this essay I deconstruct the patriarchal narratives that undergird the judicial backlash against Section 498A, arguing that they reflect a modern incarnation of the “crisis” discourses that have characterized state responses to women's right claims. I contend that Indian patriarchies are being recast in law through the construction of gendered subjects who threaten to destabilize the sanctity of the Indian family, and who are therefore deemed undeserving of the law's protection.
Never Innocent
Authors: Meiners Erica R. 
Published: July 2009

Abstract
Using recent work by anti-prison theorists and community-based activists who are working against the prison industrial complex, this article links prison abolition to feminist frameworks to question escalating sex offender registries and community notification laws that are the state's response to sexual violence against children and women. Part one offers a brief and queer history of sex offender registries in the United States and their growth in the last two decades, the available data on who assaults children and women. Part one will also use existing research to question the goal of safety that these registries advance. Part two builds on this foundation to use current shifts in the juvenile justice system to investigate how race, class, and gender complicate who has access to the protected categories of childhood and motherhood, and to the characteristic of innocence. Part three examines how sex offender registries participate in the larger practices of the privatization of public space and the expanding prison industrial complex. Part four concludes by using abolition as a possible framework to shift public dialogues about safety and conceptions about childhood and family, and discusses organizations that work within this framework to challenge our nation's over-reliance on incarceration.
Weddings and War
Authors: Johnson Penny , Nahleh Lamis Abu , Moors Annelies 
Published: July 2009

In our comparison of marriage arrangements and wedding celebrations during the first and the second intifada in Palestine, we focus on “political marriages” wherein the political activism and affiliation of the marital partners are of considerable importance. During the first intifada, political engagement became a major consideration in choice of marriage partner in some settings, and conventional boundaries of religion and class were transgressed. Simultaneously, marriage celebrations were transformed, whereby a widespread culture of austerity and mourning made weddings far more simple and inexpensive, as well as signaling solidarity and resistance. In the second intifada, marriage arrangements and wedding celebrations are very different. The changed political climate, with the hope and popular participation of the first intifada turned into the despair and exclusions of the second, transformed political engagement from a positive into a largely negative qualification. The material side of marriage has again become more important, public displays of consumption acceptable, and celebrations more expensive. These shift s are shaped by the effects of the post-Oslo transition, as well as by the warlike conditions on the ground. Although these conditions, from Israeli army intrusions to physical barriers to marriage, are more insecure and dangerous than in the earlier intifada, they function largely as external threats to the shaping of wedding arrangements and ceremonies, rather than generating internal transformations.
For Maha Mustaqlem Nassar (1954–2008) whose committed life inspired us.
Postoperative pain management with tramadol after craniotomy: evaluation and cost analysis
Authors: Rahimi Scott Y. , Alleyne Cargill H. , Vernier Eric , Witcher Mark R. , Vender John R. 
Published: July 2009

Object
Patients undergoing craniotomies have traditionally received opiates with acetaminophen for the management of their postoperative pain. The use of narcotic pain medications can be costly, decrease rates of early postoperative ambulation, lengthen hospital stays, and alter a patient's neurological examination. The use of alternative pain medications such as tramadol may benefit patients by resolving many of these issues.

Methods
The authors conducted a randomized, blinded prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of alternative pain management strategies for patients following craniotomies. Fifty patients were randomly assigned either to a control group who received narcotics and acetaminophen alone or an experimental group who received tramadol in addition to narcotic pain medications (25 patients assigned to each group).

Results
The control group was noted to have statistically significant higher visual analog scale pain scores, an increased length of hospital stay, and increased narcotic use compared with the tramadol group. The narcotics and acetaminophen group also had increased hospitalization costs when compared with the tramadol group.

Conclusions
The use of scheduled atypical analgesics such as tramadol in addition to narcotics with acetaminophen for the management of postoperative pain after craniotomy may provide better pain control, decrease the side effects associated with narcotic pain medications, encourage earlier postoperative ambulation, and reduce total hospitalization costs.
Séminaire interassociations
Authors: Battisti Michèle , Martinez Ruth 
Published: July 2009

Résumé Un récent décret relatif à l’accès aux documents administratifs et à la réutilisation des informations publiques ouvre la possibilisté d’élargir l’utilisation des données publiques au service du développement économique et de renforcer l’efficacité de l’administration. Organisé à Paris le 27 janvier 2006 par le groupe interassociations « Diffusion des données publiques » qui réunit l’ACSEL, l’AFIGEO, le GESTE, le FIGEC, le GFII et le SPDG, un séminaire a permis de réfléchir avec les acteurs concernés aux conditions d’exploitation de ces données pour créer des services d’information à valeur ajoutée adaptés aux différentes catégories d’utilisateurs.