bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of famciclovir and penciclovir in tears following oral administration of famciclovir to cats: a pilot study
Authors: Thomasy Sara M. , Covert Jill C. , Stanley Scott D. , Maggs David J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective  To validate a means of collecting tears from cats, develop an assay for quantifying famciclovir and penciclovir in tears, and to assess famciclovir and penciclovir concentrations and pharmacokinetics in the tears of cats being treated orally with famciclovir for suspected herpetic disease.Animals  Seven client‐owned cats.Procedures  Cats were treated orally with a median (range) dose of 40 (39–72) mg of famciclovir/kg three times daily for at least 24 h. At various time points following famciclovir administration, tear samples were collected using Schirmer tear test strips. Tear famciclovir and penciclovir concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and concentration‐time profiles were analyzed noncompartmentally. The relationship between famciclovir dose and tear penciclovir concentration near its maximum was evaluated using least squares linear regression.Results  Maximum tear famciclovir concentration of 0.305 μg/mL occurred at 2.64 h; elimination half‐life was 2.28 h. Maximum tear penciclovir concentration (0.981 μg/mL) occurred 2.25 h following oral administration of famciclovir; elimination half‐life was 2.77 h. A significant positive correlation was noted between famciclovir dose and tear penciclovir concentration at various time points between 0.5 and 3.75 h following drug administration (P = 0.025). Tear penciclovir concentration exceeded the concentration shown to have in vitro efficacy against feline herpesvirus (FHV‐1) (0.304 μg/mL) in about half of samples collected.Conclusions  Oral administration of 40 mg of famciclovir/kg to cats resulted in a tear penciclovir concentration‐time profile that approximated the plasma penciclovir concentration‐time profile and frequently achieved a penciclovir concentration at the ocular surface likely to be effective against FHV‐1.
Early infectious complications with transponder placement for external beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Berglund Ryan K. , Zaytoun Osama , Thousand Richard , Stephans Kevin , Tendulkar Rahul , Klein Eric A. , Jones J. Stephen 
Published: February 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)Level of Evidence 4What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Little has been published related to transponders per se, but a number of studies relating to prostate biopsy‐related infections and the increased incidence of quinolone‐resistant Escherichia coli have been published.The study alerts the practising urologist to the risk of quinolone‐resistant E. coli in the setting of transrectally placed transponders. Furthermore, it proposes an antibiotic regimen that should reduce this risk.OBJECTIVE
To report our series of early infectious complications after placement of Calypso® transponders (Calypso Medical, Seattle, WA, USA) into the prostate.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between February 2008 and October 2010, 50 consecutive patients underwent placement of Calypso® transponders into the prostate.
Patients were administered ciprofloxacin 500 mg every 12 h, starting the night before the procedure and for 2 days after the procedure.
Data were collected via chart review, and complications were classified according to the Clavien classification system.
RESULTS
Of the 50 patients undergoing the procedure, five (10%) developed infectious complications, and three (6%) developed a grade II complication with a UTI requiring antibiotic therapy. One patient (2%) developed a grade IIIb complication with an epidural abscess and osteomyelitis of the lumbar vertebrae requiring open debridement and a lumbar fusion. One patient (2%) developed a prostatic abscess with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and subsequently died of an unrelated lower GI bleed.
In 4/50 patients (8%), a culture confirmed the responsible bacteria, of which three cases were quinolone‐resistant Escherichia coli.
CONCLUSION
As with prostate biopsy, the emergence of quinolone‐resistant E. coli remains a challenging infectious complication with transrectal prostate procedures. We propose an alternative strategy of double antibiotic coverage with one dose of oral ciprofloxacin 500 mg and gentamicin 80 mg i.m. before this procedure.
Temperament and Social Problem Solving Competence in Preschool: Influences on Academic Skills in Early Elementary School
Authors: Walker Olga L. , Henderson Heather A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe goals of the current study were to examine whether children's social problem solving (SPS) skills are a mechanism through which temperament influences later academic achievement and whether sex moderates these associations. The participants included 1117 children enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care. During preschool, mothers and childcare providers rated children's temperamental shyness and inhibitory control, and SPS was assessed using a hypothetical–reflective measure during a laboratory visit. During kindergarten and first grade, teacher‐report of math and language skills was collected. The results indicated that high ratings of inhibitory control in preschool, but not shyness, predicted better kindergarten and first‐grade academic skills. Furthermore, children's SPS competence mediated the relations between both shyness and inhibitory control on later academic skills. The child's sex did not moderate these associations. The results suggest that preventative efforts targeting early SPS skills may buffer against later academic adjustment problems among temperamentally extreme children.
Fatigue in early Parkinson’s disease. Minor inconvenience or major distress?
Authors: Herlofson K. , Ongre S. O. , Enger L. K. , Tysnes O. B. , Larsen J. P. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  Although fatigue is recognized as a common and debilitating symptom in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), little is known on how and when this symptom emerges during disease progression. The aim of the study was to explore the presence and severity of fatigue in patients with PD at the time of diagnosis, before dopaminergic treatment has been instituted.Methods:  The present study is part of the Norwegian ParkWest project, a large cohort study of patients with incident PD in Norway. PD was diagnosed according to the Gelb criteria. The study population comprised 199 patients with untreated, newly diagnosed PD and 172 control subjects, matched for gender and age. Fatigue was measured by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS).Results:  Fifty‐five percent of the patients with PD had clinical significant fatigue (FSS > 4), compared with about 20% of the controls (RR = 2.9). The mean score in patients on the FSS was 4.4 (SD 1.7) and in controls 3.1 (SD 1.3). In addition, there were highly significant differences between patients and controls in each of the nine FSS items. In a regression analysis, only the Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale‐Activities of Daily Living scores were significantly associated with fatigue. There was no correlation between fatigue and cognitive impairment and hypersomnia.Conclusion:  Fatigue is a common symptom in PD, also in patients with early, untreated disease, and it has a negative impact on these patients’ activity of daily living. Also in early PD, fatigue is an important consideration in the management of patients with the disease.
The N355K atlastin 1 mutation is associated with hereditary sensory neuropathy and pyramidal tract features
Authors: Leonardis L. , Auer‐Grumbach M. , Papić L. , Zidar J. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  Mutations in atlastin‐1 (ATL‐1), a gene known to cause pure, early‐onset autosomal dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia SPG3A, have been recently reported to cause hereditary sensory neuropathy I (HSN I). We describe the detailed clinical and electrophysiologic findings in the first family with ulcero‐mutilating sensory neuropathy carrying the c. C1065A, p.N355K mutation in ATL‐1.Methods:  Detailed clinical and electrophysiologic studies were performed in affected and at‐risk family members. Motor and sensory nerve conductions studies (NCS) were carried out in upper and lower limbs. ATL‐1 was screened for mutations by direct sequencing.Results:  Ten patients were found to carry the N355K mutation. With the exception of the two youngest patients, all had trophic skin changes in the feet consisting mainly of painless ulcers. Frequently, amputation of toes, feet, or even more proximal parts of the lower legs became necessary. A variable degree of increased muscle tone was observed in younger patients, whilst some older affected individuals only presented with hyperreflexia of patellar tendon reflexes. NCS revealed signs of an axonal motor and sensory neuropathies.Conclusions:  Our family carrying the N355K ATL1 mutation, which was initially diagnosed as HSN I, enlarges the SPG3A phenotype. We therefore suggest that patients with HSN I excluded for more common causes of HSN I, and in particular, affected individuals who exhibit additional pyramidal tract features should also be screened for mutations in ATL1.
A population‐based case–control study of 1250 stroke deaths in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Mateen F. J. , Carone M. , Alam N. , Streatfield P. K. , Black R. E. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose: There are limited population‐based studies to determine the risk factors for stroke in Bangladesh.Methods: A health and demographic surveillance system has been maintained in Matlab, Bangladesh (population 223 886, 142 villages in 2008). All adult stroke and injury deaths (2005–2008) were monitored by verbal autopsy. Risk factors for stroke deaths were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model with adult injury deaths as controls.Results: A total of 1250 stroke deaths (51% women; mean age 72.3 years, range 20–101) occurred out of 4955 total deaths and were compared with 246 adult injury deaths (47% women, mean age 55.8 years, range 20–100). The population‐attributable mortality of stroke was 25.2% based on the verbal autopsy instrument and 17.8% when accounting for the reported sensitivity and specificity of a similar verbal autopsy instrument that has been validated for stroke death. Risk of stroke death was significantly increased with hypertension (OR 7.94, 95% CI 4.44–15.54, P < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.54, 1.21–6.21, P = 0.02), and betel consumption (OR 2.36, 1.45–3.80, P < 0.001) when adjusted for age and sex. An increased risk was not observed with heart disease (OR 1.37, 0.45–5.95, P = 0.62), cigarette smoking (OR 1.41, 0.82–2.45, P = 0.22), tobacco powder (OR 1.15, 0.30–7.64, P = 0.86), or cigar/hookah pipe smoking 0.94 (0.45–2.18, P = 0.88) when adjusted for age and sex. There were more strokes in winter (December–March) than summer (June–September) (P < 0.001).Conclusions: There is a high modifiable burden of risk factors for adult stroke deaths in rural Bangladesh, most notably including hypertension. Betel consumption may be an under‐recognized risk factor for stroke death.
Vitamin D insufficiency and mild cognitive impairment: cross‐sectional association
Authors: Annweiler C. , Fantino B. , Schott A. M. , Krolak‐Salmon P. , Allali G. , Beauchet O. 
Published: February 2012

Background:  Low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations have been associated with dementia. The association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has not yet been explored. Our aim was to examine the association between vitamin D status and MCI status amongst older community‐dwellers with subjective memory complaint.Methods:  Ninety‐five non‐demented Caucasian community‐dwellers with subjective memory complaint (mean, 71.1 ± 6.4 years; 54.7% women) included in the Gait and Alzheimer Interaction Tracking (GAIT) study were categorized into two groups according to Winblad et al. consensus criteria [i.e., subjects with MCI or cognitively healthy individuals (CHI)]. Serum 25OHD concentration was divided into quartiles, the fourth quartile corresponding to the highest 25OHD concentration. The cross‐sectional associations between 25OHD concentrations and MCI were modeled using logistic regressions. Age, gender, body mass index, number of comorbidities, education level, Mini‐Mental State Examination score, Frontal Assessment Battery score, Geriatric Depression Scale score, creatinine clearance, and season tested were considered as potential confounders.Results:  Compared to CHI, patients with MCI (n = 43; mean, 71.4 ± 5.6 years; 34.9% women) had lower mean serum 25OHD concentrations (P = 0.006) and belonged more often to the lower quartiles compared to the highest quartile (P = 0.03). Increased serum 25OHD concentration was associated with a lower risk of MCI [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.96, P = 0.002]. Accordingly, lower quartiles of 25OHD were positively associated with MCI whilst using the highest quartile as reference (adjusted OR = 25.46, P = 0.002 for the first quartile; adjusted OR = 6.89, P = 0.03 for the second quartile; and adjusted OR = 10.29, P = 0.02 for the third quartile).Conclusions:  Low 25OHD concentrations were associated with MCI status in older non‐demented community‐dwellers with subjective memory complaint.
Activation of phospholipase‐Cγ and protein kinase C signal pathways helps the survival of spinal motoneurons injured by root avulsion
Authors: Zhao Xiu‐Chun , Wang Lin‐Lin , Wang Ya‐Qiong , Song Fa‐Huan , Li Ying‐Qin , Fu Rao , Zheng Wen‐Hua , Wu Wutian , Zhou Li‐Hua 
Published: February 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 362–372.AbstractThe signaling transduction processes involved in avulsion‐induced motoneuron (MN) death have not been elucidated. Using the brachial plexus root avulsion rat model, we showed that avulsion‐activated phosphorylation of phospholipase‐Cγ (PLCγ) and protein kinase C (PKC) occurred in injured spinal MNs within 72 h of injury. Moreover, some MNs positive for PLCγ and PKC are also positive for avulsion‐induced neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Inhibition of PLCγ/PKC signal pathway, either with PLCγ inhibitor, 1‐[6‐((17β‐3‐methoxyestra‐1,3,5(10)‐trien‐17‐yl) amino)hexyl]‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione, or with PLCγ siRNA augmented avulsion‐induced MN death. 1‐[6‐((17β‐3‐Methoxyestra‐1,3,5(10)‐trien‐17‐yl) amino)hexyl]‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione also inhibited PKC phosphorylation and exacerbated avulsion‐induced reductions in the nNOS protein level in injured spinal segments. Moreover, activation of PLCγ/PKC signal pathway with PKC activator, phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate, decreased avulsion‐induced MN death. The temporal profile of PLCγ/PKC signaling appears to be crucial for the survival of spinal MNs after root avulsion. Our data suggest that PLCγ mediates, while PKC and nNOS are associated with, the avulsion‐induced MN death in brachial plexus root avulsion.
Hypertonic saline: a change of practice
Authors: Williams Elizabeth , von Fintel Nichola 
Published: February 2012

Background: This practice development review describes how the introduction of hypertonic saline in the treatment of raised intracranial pressure was brought about in one critical care unit. It considers the need for staff education and patient safety as an integral part of the change process.Aim: The aim was to review making a practice change, using Lewin's three step change model and describes possible pitfalls in the process and ways of overcoming or avoiding them.Methods: The inclusion criterion for critiqued literature was: Worldwide, English language studies from the last 26 years. Exclusion was articles from non‐academically recognized sources. The search was limited to primary and empirical sources.Discussion: This article uses Lewin's change model to describe driving and restraining forces, highlighting potential problems and suggesting ways in which they can be overcome when implementing a change in practice. Critical to the success of any change is the importance of evaluation, and suitable methods of evaluating the change are also suggested.Relevance to clinical practice: Critical care and neurosurgical nurses need to be aware of the potentially serious side effects, actions and correct methods of administration of hypertonic saline to ensure its safe use and ensure patient safety. Effects and side effects of hypertonic saline are described, highlighting the need for care in introducing such agents into a clinical area. The methodology used was an electronic search. The change in practice relates to the introduction of hypertonic saline, but could be adapted for any change in clinical nursing practice.
An audit of independent nurse prescribing in a critical care outreach team
Authors: Wilson Mark , Gerber Karin , Mahoney Sean , Odell Mandy 
Published: February 2012

Background: In 2006, legislative changes enabled independent prescribers to prescribe any licensed medication within their field of expertise. This has transformed nurse prescribing and opened up more opportunities for nurses to develop their practice in acute care settings. The need for further evaluation in this developing area of advanced practice was highlighted in the British Association of Critical Care Nurses (BACCN) position statement published in 2009.Aims: The aims of this audit were to describe the prescribing practices of nurses working in a critical care outreach (CCO) team by exploring: which medications were prescribed; the number of prescribing decisions being made and if prescribing practice changed during the out of hours period. The findings can be used to inform practice, develop CCO services, provide a basis for further research, and contribute to the debate in this developing area of CCO practice.Methods: The prescribing practices of two independent non‐medical prescribers in a CCO team were audited from January to April 2011.Results: The findings showed that; there were a wide range of medications prescribed, that prescribing decisions increased over time and that the majority of prescriptions were written out of hours.Conclusions: This preliminary audit has shown that prescribing in a CCO setting which covers a wide patient population is manageable. By evaluating drug prescribing patterns, a ‘critical care outreach formulary’ can be developed to guide individuals and the team in their continuing professional and service development. The CCO teams ability to prescribe could have the potential to improve the patients' experience and outcome, and positively affect the efficiency of service delivery; however, an increase in CCO referrals can have an impact on the CCO service resource. Further evaluation and study are needed to explore this developing area of critical care delivery.
Therapeutic Apheresis for Renal Disorders
Authors: Sanchez Amber P. , Ward David M. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis review summarizes the clinical evidence and practical details for the use of plasmapheresis and other apheresis modalities for each indication in nephrology. Updated information on the molecular biology and immunology of each renal disease is discussed in relation to the rationale for apheresis therapy and its place amid other available treatments. Autoantibody‐mediated diseases, such as anti‐GBM (anti‐glomerular basement membrane) glomerulonephritis (GN), ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody)‐related GN and the antibody‐mediated type of TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), and alloantibody‐mediated diseases such as kidney transplant sensitization and humoral rejection, can be treated by various plasmapheresis methods. These include standard plasmapheresis with a replacement volume, or plasmapheresis with online plasma purification using adsorption columns or secondary filtration. However, it should be noted that the pathogenic molecules implicated in FSGS (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis), myeloma cast nephropathy, and perhaps other diseases are too small to be removed by most online purification methods. A great majority of controlled trials and series on which evidence‐based treatment recommendations are made were performed using centrifugal plasmapheresis; it is presumed that membrane‐separation plasmapheresis is equally efficacious. For some rarer diseases, such as MPGN (membranoproliferative GN) type 2 with factor H abnormalities or C3Nef (C3 nephritic factor) autoantibodies, there are only a few case reports, but enough scientific understanding to warrant a trial of plasmapheresis in severe cases. Photopheresis, which is effective for cell‐mediated rejection in heart and lung transplantation, has not yet found a place in the routine treatment of kidney transplant rejection.
Alcohol Outlet Density and Intimate Partner Violence‐Related Emergency Department Visits
Authors: Cunradi Carol B. , Mair Christina , Ponicki William , Remer Lillian 
Published: February 2012

Background:  Previous research has identified risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV) severity, injury, and emergency department (ED) visits. These risk factors have been shown at both the individual level (heavy drinking and other substance use on the part of 1 or both partners) and the neighborhood level (residence in an area characterized by poverty and social disadvantage). Alcohol outlet density has been linked with assaultive violence in community settings, but has not been analyzed in relation to IPV‐related ED visits. This study examined the effects of outlet densities on IPV‐related ED visits throughout California between July 2005 and December 2008.Methods:  Half‐yearly counts of ED visits related to IPV (E‐code 967.3) were computed for each zip code from patient‐level public data sets. Alcohol outlet density measures, calculated separately for bars, off‐premise outlets, and restaurants, were derived from California Alcohol Beverage Control records. Census‐based neighborhood demographic characteristics previously shown to be related to health disparities and IPV (percent black, percent Hispanic, percentage below 150% of poverty line, percent unemployed) were included in models. This study used Bayesian space–time models that allow longitudinal analysis at the zip code level despite frequent boundary redefinitions. These spatial misalignment models control for spatial variation in geographic unit definitions over time and account for spatial autocorrelation using conditional autoregressive (CAR) priors. The model incorporated data from between 1,686 (2005) and 1,693 (2008) zip codes across California for 7 half‐year time periods from 2005 through 2008 (n = 11,836).Results:  Density of bars was positively associated with IPV‐related ED visits. Density of off‐premise outlets was negatively associated with IPV‐related ED visits; this association was weaker and smaller than the bar association. There was no association between density of restaurants and IPV‐related ED visits.Conclusions:  Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms by which environmental factors, such as alcohol outlet density, affect IPV behaviors resulting in ED visits.