bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estrogen Supplementation Selectively Enhances Hypothalamo-Pituitary Sensitivity to Ghrelin in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Kok Petra , Paulo Remberto C. , Cosma Mihaela , Mielke Kristi L. , Miles John M. , Bowers Cyril Y. , Veldhuis Johannes D. 
Published: July 2008

Context: Sex-steroid hormones amplify pulsatile GH secretion by unknown mechanisms. Ghrelin is the most potent natural GH secretagogue discovered to date. A plausible unifying postulate is that estradiol (E2) enhances hypothalamo-pituitary sensitivity to ghrelin (a physiological effect). The hypothesis is relevant to understanding the basis of hyposomatotropism in aging and other relatively hypogonadal states.
Objective: Our objective was to test the hypothesis that E2 supplementation potentiates ghrelin’s stimulation of pulsatile GH secretion.
Setting: The study was conducted at an academic medical center.
Subjects: Healthy postmenopausal women (n = 20) were included in the study.
Interventions: Separate-day iv infusions of saline vs. five graded doses of ghrelin were performed in volunteers prospectively randomly assigned to receive (n = 8) or not receive (n = 12) transdermal E2 for 21 d were performed.
Measures: GH secretion was estimated by deconvolution analysis and abdominal visceral fat mass determined by computerized axial tomography were calculated.
Results: E2 supplementation augmented ghrelin’s stimulation of basal (nonpulsatile) GH secretion by 3.6-fold (P = 0.022), increased GH responses to low-dose ghrelin by 2.9-fold (P = 0.035), did not alter ghrelin efficacy, and elicited more regular patterns of acylated ghrelin concentrations during saline infusion (P = 0.033). Abdominal visceral fat negatively determined responses to ghrelin (R = −0.346; P &lt; 0.005).
Conclusions: Transdermal E2 supplementation potentiates GH secretion stimulated by physiological but not pharmacological concentrations of acylated ghrelin, and concomitantly regularizes patterns of bioactive ghrelin secretion in postmenopausal women. Accordingly, the estrogen milieu appears to control sensitivity of the hypothalamopituitary unit to acylated ghrelin.
A content analysis of prescription drug information in the UK print news media
Authors: Prosser Helen , Clayson Karen 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the frequency and nature of news stories of prescription drugs in a range of widely distributed UK newspapers, and to examine what information is presented.SettingUK newsprint media.MethodContent analysis.Key findingsSeven-hundred and eighty-five daily and 130 Sunday newspapers were examined. A total of 556 articles mentioning at least one prescription medicine were identified. The majority of news stories (n = 352) present one of two dominant, but conflicting characterisations of modern medicine. On one side, most articles (n = 251) are positive in their portrayal of medicines, with an emphasis on the potential benefits of new drugs. Of these, only 21 (14%) were concerned with new drugs currently available and licensed in the UK. On the other side, a smaller number of articles represented ‘negative news’ about medicines, generally reporting the side-effects or iatrogenic effects of prescription drugs. Positive stories frequently excluded mention of the harmful effects or potential risks of drugs, and equally, ‘negative’ stories frequently excluded any mention of a drug's beneficial effects. Just over one-third of articles (36%, 128/352) included reference to other treatment options. Fifty-six per cent of articles referred to the findings of a specific research study. Of these, 58% cited a specific information source - a journal (66%) or scientific meeting/conference (34%).ConclusionThe findings indicate that while the news print media are prolific communicators of information about medicines, the information provided is often incomplete and ambiguous, thus constraining the reader's ability to evaluate the risks and benefits of medicines and make informed treatment decisions. It emphasises the benefits of new drugs, particularly those yet to receive a product licence, and the harms of established prescription drugs. Findings highlight the need to make medicines reporting in the UK press more comprehensive.
Development and use of the critical incident technique in evaluating causes of dispensing incidents
Authors: James K Lynette , Barlow David , Hiom Sarah , Roberts Dave , Whittlesea Cate 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Aims and objectives
The study aimed to evaluate the causes of prevented dispensing incidents reported by hospitals using the critical incident technique developed by key-informant interviews, focus group and observation.

Setting
All Welsh NHS hospitals (n = 20) were invited to participate in the study. Sixteen hospitals agreed to take part; 10 hospitals reported incidents, four hospitals did not report any incidents and two hospitals withdrew from the study.

Method
In June 2005 three key-informant interviews and a focus group were conducted to determine dispensary workflow, which was then validated by a piloted non-participant observational study at three Welsh hospitals. Self-reported critical incident forms were then developed to collect dispensing-incident data involving drugs at high risk of dispensing incidents. Sixteen Welsh hospitals participated in the 4-month study (January-August 2006).

Key findings
Dispensary workflow encompassed the following events: prescription receipt, validating patient information, log of prescription, technical check, clinical check, label generation, stock selection, medicines assembly, product labelling, completion of registers, self-checking/endorsing and final accuracy check. Twenty-four incidents were reported by 10 hospitals involving paediatrics (n = 9, 38%), morphine sulphate (n = 5, 21%), insulin (n = 5, 21%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (n = 3, 13%) and nifedipine (n = 2, 8%). Incidents commonly occurred at label generation (n = 9, 43%) and stock selection (n = 9, 43%), caused by error-producing conditions, active and latent failures. Active failures involved dispensing the wrong quantity of medication, interchanging different formulations, and computer and stock-selection errors. Error-producing conditions were reported as high workload, complex prescriptions and interruptions. Latent conditions were inadequate staffing/ skill mix, unclear drug computer selection lists and the storage of drugs on dispensary shelves.

Conclusion
The critical incident technique provided an in-depth understanding of the causes of dispensing incidents. Dispensing incidents arose because of organisational pathologies, error producing conditions and active failures such as inadequate staffing, high workload, interruptions, and computer and drug-selection errors.
Informal learning in the workplace: what are the environmental barriers for junior hospital pharmacists?
Authors: Noble Christy , Hassell Karen 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Objective
To determine the environmental barriers to informal learning in the workplace of junior hospital pharmacists.

Setting
A pharmacy department within a large teaching hospital in the north west of England.

Method
Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with the entire population of junior hospital pharmacists (n = 12). Interviewees were asked about their responsibilities and their learning in the workplace. Questions were also asked about how various aspects of the workplace environment influenced their learning and ability to develop as a pharmacist.

Key findings
Three key environmental barriers to informal learning in the workplace were identified. Firstly, the allocation and structuring of work inhibited the junior hospital pharmacists' informal learning by causing them to work under pressure and in isolation; in addition, the rotational nature of the job created barriers to informal learning. Secondly, lack of feedback and goals inhibited their learning. They also felt that the managers were not fostering an environment conducive to learning. Finally, structural inhibitors such as location of departments, and lack of desk space and computers were perceived to limit their ability to learn.

Conclusion
This study highlights the presence of environmental barriers to informal learning for junior hospital pharmacists. While these barriers are contextual and closely related to the workplace setting, their identification will enable those responsible for the development of junior pharmacists in the workplace to take these into consideration when promoting informal learning.
Client and pharmacist factors affecting practice in the management of upper respiratory tract infection presented in community pharmacies: a simulated client study
Authors: Saengcharoen Woranuch , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi , Lerkiatbundit Sanguan , Wongpoowarak Payom 
Published: July 2008

Abstract

Objectives
To assess the quality of care provided by community pharmacists for simulated clients (SCs) with upper respiratory tract infection (URI) and to examine the effects of gender and appearance of socioeconomic status (SES) of the SCs on the practice.

Setting
Thirty-two community pharmacies in the south of Thailand with four male and four female SCs.

Method
Each SC visited eight community pharmacies twice, 1month apart, once with moderate and once with an appearance of low SES, in random order. Key outcome variables were history-taking, advice-giving, and antibiotic-dispensing, based on international guidelines. Descriptive statistics and mixed-effects models with nesting of SCs and community pharmacies were conducted.

Key findings
The mean scores for history-taking and advice-giving were low. The proportions of 128 encounters ending up with antibiotics, corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were 87.5, 12.5 and 7.8%, respectively. Pharmacist practice did not differ by SC gender or appearance of SES.

Conclusion
Such practice by pharmacists needs improvement. Further studies to confirm the lack of effect of clients' gender and SES are needed.
Computing Virtual Nesting Controls for Network Revenue Management Under Customer Choice Behavior
Authors: van Ryzin Garrett , Vulcano Gustavo 
Published: July 2008

We consider a revenue management, network capacity control problem in a setting where heterogeneous customers choose among the various products offered by a firm (e.g., different flight times, fare classes, and/or routings). Customers may therefore substitute if their preferred products are not offered. These individual customer choice decisions are modeled as a very general stochastic sequence of customers, each of whom has an ordered list of preferences. Minimal assumptions are made about the statistical properties of this demand sequence. We assume that the firm controls the availability of products using a virtual nesting control strategy and would like to optimize the protection levels for its virtual classes accounting for the (potentially quite complex) choice behavior of its customers. We formulate a continuous demand and capacity approximation for this problem, which allows for the partial acceptance of requests for products. The model admits an efficient calculation of the sample path gradient of the network revenue function. This gradient is then used to construct a stochastic steepest ascent algorithm. We show the algorithm converges in probability to a stationary point of the expected revenue function under mild conditions. The algorithm is relatively efficient even on large network problems, and in our simulation experiments it produces significant revenue increases relative to traditional virtual nesting methods. On a large-scale, real-world airline example using choice behavior models fit to actual booking data, the method produced an estimated 10% improvement in revenue relative to the controls used by the airline. The examples also provide interesting insights into how protection levels should be adjusted to account for choice behavior. Overall, the results indicate that choice behavior has a significant impact on both capacity control decisions and revenue performance and that our method is a viable approach for addressing the problem.
Die Seuche im Heerlager der Achäer vor Troia. Orakel und magische Rituale im hethiterzeitlichen Kleinasien und im archaischen Griechenland1
Authors: Högemann Peter , Oettinger Norbert 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Das zentrale Anliegen dieses Aufsatzes besteht in dem Versuch, den Iliasdichter als realen Menschen darzustellen, der in der Lebenswelt Westkleinasiens um 700 v. Chr. wurzelte. Hier hat der Dichter hethiterzeitliche Traditionen noch in praxi erlebt und so auch die Art, Orakel zu befragen und magische Rituale zur Abwehr von Seuchen im Heer anzuwenden. Im ersten Gesang der Ilias lassen sich auf Grund erhaltener Spuren ein in hethitischer Tradition stehendes Vogelflugorakel und ein Seuchenritual rekonstruieren, für die es keine Parallelen im griechischen Mutterland gibt. Das anatolische Orakel unterscheidet sich fundamental von der Orakelpraxis Delphis und Dodonas. Das ist der Grund, warum Kroisos, der in anatolischer Tradition stand, in Delphi scheiterte.
Lepreon and Phyrkos in 421–420
Authors: Paradiso Annalisa , Roy James 
Published: July 2008

Summary
This paper examines the tension between Sparta and Elis in 421–420 over Lepreon and the fort at Phyrkos, reported principally by Thucydides. Sparta sent Brasideioi and neodamodeis to garrison Lepreon some months before the Olympic Games of 420. The Eleans objected to this garrison as a breach of the hieromenia (rather than the shorter ekecheiria) of the Games, and both the garrisoning and an attack on the fort at Phyrkos seem to have been part of a single military operation. Phyrkos was situated in the territory of Lepreon, probably near the River Neda. Thucydides presents as parallel Mantinean control of southern Parrhasia with a fort at Kypsela near the Lakonian frontier, and Elis' desire to control Lepreon with a fort at Phyrkos near the Messenian frontier. He shows Sparta acting in 421 to remove unfriendly control of access to Sparta's frontiers and to neutralise forts posted near the frontiers.
Democracia frente a populismo en Isócrates
Authors: Rocher Laura Sancho 
Published: July 2008

Resumen
Tradicionalmente la posición política de Isócrates ha sido tachada de conservadora. Como maestro de la elite ateniense a lo largo de un periodo que abarca casi por entero la IVa centuria ha sido considerado ideólogo del llamado proyecto político moderado cuyo objetivo sería abolir la democracia real a través de reformas institucionales que tendrían por meta la exclusión del pueblo del control político. En este artículo se plantea una interpretación alternativa: Isócrates pretendería salvar la democracia mejorando la dirección política por lo que su crítica pone especial énfasis en el engaño demagógico y su exhortación se orienta al desarrollo de la libertad de criterio de los hombres educados.
M. Titius, Menas and the insignia scutorum
*
Authors: Tansey Patrick 
Published: July 2008

Summary
This paper explores an intriguing episode in Cass. Dio 48.30.4–6 in the light of the literary and archaeological evidence for shield blazons in the Roman legions. The statement of Menas, reported by Dio, that the soldiers of M. Titius carried the name of Sextus (Pompeius) on their shields is usually taken literally. It is argued, however, that the passage may involve an unrecognized pun and that some of the soldiers of M. Titius may have been veterans of Caesar's legio VI who carried shields emblazoned with their former legion's unit number.
Kanopos oder Menouthis?1 Zur Identifikation einer Ruinenstätte in der Bucht von Abuqir in Ägypten
Authors: Stolz Yvonne 
Published: July 2008

Zusammenfassung
Bevor endgültige Beweise unter Wasser gefunden worden sind, kann die Identifikation der in der Bucht von Abuqir gelegenen Ruinenstätte nur durch einen Indizienbeweis erfolgen. Für einen solchen bieten sich die Lage der Ruinenstätte und die dort zutage geförderten Kleinfunde an. Beide legen nahe, daß es sich bei der Ruinenstätte nicht um Kanopos, wie zunächst angenommen, sondern um Menouthis handelt. Die Umfassungsmauer TW4 wäre dann die Temenosmauer des berühmten Isieions von Menouthis und die byzantinische Anlage Teil des Pilgerheiligtums von Kyros und Ioannes.
Folate and Clefts of the Lip and Palate—A U.K.-Based Case-Control Study: Part I: Dietary and Supplemental Folate
Authors: Little J. , Gilmour M. , Mossey P. A. , FitzPatrick D. , Cardy A. , Clayton-Smith J. , Fryer A. E. 
Published: July 2008

Objectives: We sought to determine the associations between nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL−P) and cleft palate only (CP) and maternal intake of dietary folate and supplemental folic acid, in an area where the prevalence at birth of neural tube defects has been high and flour is not fortified with folic acid. Methods: Interviews regarding periconceptional dietary intake and supplement use were completed with the mothers of 112 CL−P cases, 78 CP cases, and 248 unaffected infants. The data were analyzed by logistic regression methods. Results: There was no overall association between CL−P and CP and either energy-adjusted total folate intake or supplemental folic acid use, irrespective of dosage. Conclusion: Overall, higher intakes of total folate do not appear to prevent oral clefts in this population.
A Comparison of Shepard's Osteotome versus Trapdoor Flap Technique to Harvest Iliac Crest Bone for Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting
Authors: Constantinides J. , Chhabra P. , Turner P. J. , Richard B. 
Published: July 2008

Objective: To compare the postoperative donor site morbidity and alveolar bone graft results following two different techniques for iliac crest bone graft harvest: a closed (Shepard's osteotome) and an open (trapdoor flap) technique. Design: A retrospective review of two cohorts of alveolar bone grafts performed from 1998 to 2004 in Birmingham Children's Hospital by two surgeons using different harvest techniques. Medical and nursing anesthetic notes and medication charts were reviewed. Alveolar bone graft results were assessed using preoperative and postoperative radiographic studies. Patients: A total of 137 patients underwent an operation. Of these, 109 patients were compatible with the inclusion criteria (data available, first operation, no multiple comorbidities). Sixty-four patients had iliac bone harvested using the open trapdoor technique, while 45 had the same procedure using the closed osteotomy technique. Results: Maximum bone graft volumes harvested were similar with both techniques. The mean length of hospital stay was 50.9 hours for the osteotome and 75.5 hours for the open technique group (p < .0001). The postoperative analgesia requirement was higher and the postoperative mobilization was delayed and more difficult for the open technique patients (p < .0005). Kindelan scores performed by two independent orthodontists were similar for both techniques. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that harvesting bone from the iliac crest using an osteotome technique reduces time in hospital, analgesia requirements, and postoperative donor site morbidity with no detrimental outcome.
Crossmodal Temporal Processing Acuity in Children with Oral Clefts
Authors: Mäenpää Pia , Laasonen Marja , Haapanen Marja-Leena , Pulkkinen Joonas , Virsu Veijo 
Published: July 2008

Objective: We have previously found that, in children with certain oral clefts, the rate of sequential information processing is significantly impaired in vision and tactile somatosensation but not so clearly in audition. Here, we studied crossmodal functions by investigating temporal processing acuity of cleft children with audiovisual, audiotactile, and visuotactile tasks. Participants: Temporal processing acuity was studied in 10-year-old children, 19 with cleft lip with or without cleft palate and 38 with cleft palate or submucous cleft palate. Design: Children estimated whether brief stimuli of two concurrent three-stimulus sequences, each in a different modality, were simultaneous or not when the stimulus interval varied adaptively. The 8-millisecond stimuli were flashes in vision, tone bursts in audition, and solenoid touches of a finger in somatosensation. Results: The group with cleft lip with or without cleft palate performed better than the group with cleft palate or submucous cleft palate in audiovisual temporal processing acuity, but the group's superiority was not statistically significant in audiotactile or visuotactile temporal processing acuity. Conclusions: Audiovisual crossmodal sequential information processing is probably impaired in some cleft children in the group with cleft palate or submucous cleft palate. Our results suggest further studies on the audiovisual capacities of children with cleft.
Biotic interactions modify the transfer of cesium-137 in a soil-earthworm-plant-snail food web
Authors: Fritsch Clémentine , Scheifler Renaud , Beaugelin-Seiller Karine , Hubert Philippe , Cœurdassier Michaël , de Vaufleury Annette , Badot Pierre-Marie 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
The present study investigated the possible influence of the earthworm Aporrectodea tuberculata on the transfer of cesium-137 (137Cs) from a contaminated (130 Bq/kg) deciduous forest soil to the lettuce Lactuca sativa and to the snail Cantareus aspersus (formerly Helix aspersa) in two laboratory experiments. In the first experiment, the International Organization for Standardization 15952 test was used to expose snails for five weeks to contaminated soil with or without earthworms. In these conditions, the presence of earthworms caused a two- to threefold increase in 137Cs concentrations in snails. Transfer was low in earthworms as well as in snails, with transfer factors (TFs) lower than 3.7 × 10−2. Activity concentrations were higher in earthworms (2.8–4.8 Bq/kg dry mass) than in snails (&lt;1.5 Bq/kg). In the second experiment, microcosms were used to determine the contribution of soil and lettuce in the accumulation of 137Cs in snails. Results suggest that the contribution of lettuce and soil is 80 and 20%, respectively. Microcosms also were used to study the influence of earthworms on 137Cs accumulation in snail tissues in the most ecologically relevant treatment (soil-earthworm-plant-snail food web). In this case, soil-to-plant transfer was high, with a TF of 0.8, and was not significantly modified by earthworms. Conversely, soil-to-snail transfer was lower (TF, ˜0.1) but was significantly increased in presence of earthworms. Dose rates were determined in the microcosm study with the EDEN (elementary dose evaluation for natural environment) model. Dose rates were lower than 5.5 × 10−4 mGy/d, far from values considered to have effects on terrestrial organisms (1 mGy/d).
Raised plasma vitellogenin in male wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) near a wastewater treatment plant in ireland
Authors: Tarrant Heloise , Mousakitis Geriasimos , Wylde Suzanne , Tattersall Nicholas , Lyons Anne , Maloney Michelle , Llewellyn Neville 
Published: July 2008

Abstract
Ovotestis (intersex) and raised plasma vitellogenin in male fish are widely employed biomarkers of estrogencontamination in the aquatic environment. In the present study, these biomarkers were used to determine whether Irish rivers contain estrogenic chemicals at levels capable of affecting the reproductive health and success of exposed fish populations. A number of aquatic ecosystems were investigated (the rivers Liffey, Lee, and Bandon and the Killarney lakes). A survey of male wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) was carried out to assess the incidence of endocrine disruption in the feral fish population; no evidence of intersex was found in any of the wild fish sampled. Raised plasma vitellogenin was detected, however, in the wild brown trout downstream of a major municipal wastewater treatment plant on the river Liffey.