bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of graded leg cycling on postischaemic forearm blood flow in healthy subjects
Authors: Charles Marc , Pichot Vincent , Dauphinot Virginie , Barthelemy Jean‐Claude , Denis Christian , Roche Frédéric , Costes Frédéric 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThis study assessed in healthy subjects, the effect of leg cycling on the forearm vascular responses to ischaemia to confirm previous results showing that exercise‐induced sympathetic activation during leg cycling reduced postischaemic forearm hyperaemia. Seven young healthy subjects performed two bouts of cycling exercises at 50% and 80% of their maximal aerobic capacity (Ex50, Ex80 respectively) during which forearm arterial blood flow was successively occluded for 40, 90 and 180 s. Control forearm blood flow (FBF) and postischaemic forearm blood flow (pi‐FBF) measured at the release of arterial occlusions were assessed using plethysmography. Digital arterial pressure was continuously monitored allowing calculation of control and postischaemic forearm conductance (FC and pi‐FC respectively). At rest, pi‐FBF increased with the duration of ischaemia (5 ± 1, 19 ± 3, 29 ± 3, 31 ± 4 ml min−1 100 ml−1 after 0, 40, 90 and 180 s of ischaemia respectively). During Ex50, FBF and pi‐FBF did not change significantly although pi‐FC was significantly reduced (Δpi‐FC = −39%, −33%, −27% for 40, 90, 180 s of ischaemia respectively). During Ex80, there was a further dramatic decrease in pi‐FC (−53%, −66%, −62% from rest) and pi‐FBF were largely blunted (13 ± 4 versus 19 ± 3, 14 ± 4 versus 29 ± 3, 17 ± 5 versus 31 ± 4 ml min−1 100 ml−1). These results demonstrated that forearm responses to ischaemia depended on leg activities. It was suggested that exercise‐induced sympathetic activation may have interfered on local vasodilatation because of ischaemia.
Randomized controlled trial of supervised exercise to evaluate changes in cardiac function in patients with peripheral atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Hodges L. D. , Sandercock G. R. H. , Das S. K. , Brodie D. A. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryIntroduction:  Peripheral atherosclerotic disease (PAD) is a condition characterized by low functional capacity which is associated with impaired free living, ambulation and low exercise tolerance. The purpose of this randomized controlled study was to evaluate whether changes in maximal walking time are associated with adaptations in cardiovascular function following supervised exercise.Methods:  After ethics approval, 28 patients (63 ± 11 years) completed a graded treadmill test (2 min stages, 3·2 km h−1, with gradient increasing 2% every 2 min) until they reached level three or four on the claudication pain scale. Peak oxygen consumption was assessed on a breath‐by‐breath basis, by online expiratory gas analysis. Following a 40‐min recovery period, peak cardiac output was measured using the non‐invasive carbon dioxide rebreathing method described by Defares (J Appl Physiol, 13, 1958, 159). Peak cardiac power output was then computed using the equation described by Cooke et al. (Heart, 1998, 79, 289). Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: supervised, who exercised at the hospital twice weekly for 12 weeks or control, who received normal treatment which included encouragement to walk regularly.Results:  After 12 weeks, there were no significant changes in body mass, peak oxygen consumption, peak cardiac output, peak heart rate, peak cardiac power output, respiratory exchange ratio or rating of perceived exertion in both the supervised and control group. There was a significant improvement (91%) in maximal walking distance following the supervised exercise programme. Although patients’ peak cardiovascular measurements were unchanged, the patients in the supervised exercise group were able to complete a higher workload at the end of the 12 weeks of exercise, for the equivalent demands on the circulation system.Conclusions:  The findings from this study suggest that a short‐term period of supervised exercise training results in an improved walking time in patients with limiting claudication because of PAD. It also demonstrated that the cardiovascular system becomes more efficient in meeting the demands of exercise. It is recommended that individuals with PAD should undertake exercise as a form of treatment.
Effect of artificial dermal substitute, cultured keratinocytes and split thickness skin graft on wound contraction
Authors: Reid Michael J. , Currie Lachlan J. , Elizabeth James S. , Sharpe Justin R. 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTIn this study, the effect of different wound treatments on contraction was evaluated in an established porcine model. In two separately conducted experiments full thickness wounds treated with artificial dermal substitute, split thickness skin graft (STSG), meshed STSG applied in combination with cultured keratinocytes or meshed STSG alone were compared with untreated wounds. The surface area of all wounds was quantified at regular time intervals. After 20 days wounds from some groups were subjected to histological analysis to establish the degree of epithelialization. Wounds treated with STSG contracted more than with artificial dermal substitute until day 21. From day 21 to day 35 wounds treated with STSG showed the least contraction. Wounds sprayed with cultured keratinocytes demonstrated a slower rate of contraction than those with meshed STSG alone after 20 days. The untreated control wounds showed a greater rate of contraction and had almost closed by day 20. This study demonstrates that there is a significant difference in contraction between wounds treated with artificial dermal substitute and control wounds and between wounds treated with STSG with cultured keratinocytes and meshed STSG alone. STSG with cultured keratinocytes, unmeshed STSG, and artificial dermal substitute all reduced wound contraction significantly.
Comparison of topical iodine and silver sulfadiazine as therapies against sulfur mustard burns in a pig model
Authors: Margulis Alexander , Chaouat Malka , Ben‐Bassat Hannah , Eldad Arieh , Icekson Michael , Breiterman Semion , Neuman Rami 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTSulfur mustard (SM) is a powerful vesicant used as an agent of chemical warfare. The severity of lesions incurred after exposure to SM reiterated the need for an efficient and rapid neutralizing agent against SM. Previous studies have shown that postexposure treatment with iodine is effective against SM lesions in rodents. In the current study we used the pig model to emulate SM‐induced burn lesions, and observed the immediate effect of a single dose of iodine formulation treatment on these burns. SSD, a common agent recommended for use in both chemical and thermal burns was used as control. Results indicated that 1.27 mg of SM caused deep lesions and histopathological changes in the pig skin as scored in the biopsies obtained. A single application of an iodine formulation 20 minutes from exposure to SM exhibited no protective action on the skin as evident in the biopsies obtained 1, 3, 5, 10, and 21 days after treatment. SSD treatment induced the least protective action. The SSD‐treated wounds also took the longest to heal. Attempts to neutralize the SM action with iodine compounds were not successful in the pig model. Currently, other compounds are being investigated. Attention must be drawn to the adverse effect of SSD on SM‐induced wounds. Further studies must be initiated to elucidate this phenomenon.
Diet and Its Relationship with Grip Strength in Community‐Dwelling Older Men and Women: The Hertfordshire Cohort Study
Authors: Robinson Sian M. , Jameson Karen A. , Batelaan Sue F. , Martin Helen J. , Syddall Holly E. , Dennison Elaine M. , Cooper Cyrus , Sayer Avan Aihie ,   the Hertfordshire Cohort Study Group
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVES: To examine relationships between diet and grip strength in older men and women and to determine whether prenatal growth modifies these relationships.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional and retrospective cohort study.SETTING: Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand nine hundred eighty‐three men and women aged 59 to 73 who were born and still living in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.MEASUREMENTS: Weight at birth recorded in Health Visitor ledgers; current food and nutrient intake assessed using an administered food frequency questionnaire; and grip strength measured using a handheld dynamometer.RESULTS: Grip strength was positively associated with height and weight at birth and inversely related to age (all P<.001). Of the dietary factors considered in relation to grip strength, the most important was fatty fish consumption. An increase in grip strength of 0.43 kg (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.13–0.74) in men (P=.005) and 0.48 kg (95% CI=0.24–0.72) in women (P<.001) was observed for each additional portion of fatty fish consumed per week. These relationships were independent of adult height, age, and birth weight, each of which had additive effects on grip strength. There was no evidence of interactive effects of weight at birth and adult diet on grip strength.CONCLUSION: These data suggest that fatty fish consumption can have an important influence on muscle function in older men and women. This raises the possibility that the antiinflammatory actions of omega‐3 fatty acids may play a role in the prevention of sarcopenia.
Rehospitalization After Hip Fracture: Predictors and Prognosis from a National Veterans Study
Authors: French Dustin D. , Bass Elizabeth , Bradham Douglas D. , Campbell Robert R. , Rubenstein And Laurence Z. 
Published: November 2007

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the risk and long‐term prognostic significance of 30‐day readmission postdischarge of a 4‐year cohort of elderly veterans first admitted to Medicare hospitals for treatment of hip fractures (HFx), controlling for comorbidities.DESIGN: Retrospective, national secondary data analysis.SETTING: National Medicare and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities.PARTICIPANTS: The study cohort was 41,331 veterans with a HFx first admitted to a Medicare eligible facility during 1999 to 2002.MEASUREMENTS: HFxs were linked with all other Medicare and VHA inpatient discharge files to capture dual inpatient use. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between 30‐day readmission and age, sex, inpatient length of stay, and selected Elixhauser comorbidities.RESULTS: Approximately 18.3% (7,579/41,331) of HFx patients were readmitted within 30 days. Of those with 30‐day readmissions, 48.5% (3,675/7,579) died within 1 year, compared with 24.9% (8,388/33,752) of those without 30‐day readmissions. Readmission risk was significantly greater in the presence of specific comorbidities, ranging from 11% greater risk for patients with fluid and electrolyte disorders (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04–1.20) to 43% for renal failure (95% CI=1.29–1.60). For this cohort, cardiac arrhythmias (24%), chronic pulmonary disease (28%), and congestive heart failure (16%) were common comorbidities, and all affected the risk of 30‐day readmission.CONCLUSION: Patients with HFx with 30‐day readmissions were nearly twice as likely to die within 1 year. Identification of several predictive comorbidities at discharge and examination of reasons for subsequent readmission suggests that readmission was largely due to active comorbid clinical problems. These comorbidity findings have implications for the current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) pay‐for‐performance initiatives, especially those related to better coordination of care for patients with chronic illnesses. These comorbidity findings for elderly patients with HFx may also provide data to enable CMS and healthcare providers to more accurately differentiate between comorbidities and hospital‐acquired complications under the current CMS initiative related to nonpayment for certain types of medical conditions and hospital acquired infections.
Experience of a network of transfusion coordinators for blood conservation (Ontario Transfusion Coordinators [ONTraC])
Authors: Freedman John , Luke Katherine , Escobar Michael , Vernich Lee , Chiavetta Jo Anne 
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: The experiences of the development of a provincial program to promote blood conservation are herein reported.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Transfusion coordinators were placed in 23 Ontario hospitals. Anonymized laboratory and clinical information was collected in a defined number of all consecutive patients admitted for three designated procedures: knee arthroplasty, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery (n ≈ 1100, 300, and 300 at each time period, respectively).RESULTS: Considerable interinstitutional variation was observed in the proportion of patients who received transfusions. At 12 months, and over the 24‐month period of the project, most hospitals demonstrated decreased use of allogeneic blood; at 12 months an approximate 24 percent reduction in patients undergoing knee surgery, 14 percent in AAA, and 23 percent in CABG was obtained. In addition, patients who received transfusions received less allogeneic blood. Patients who did not receive allogeneic transfusions had lower postoperative infection rates (p < 0.05) and length of stay (p < 0.0001); allogeneic transfusion was an independent predictor of increased length of stay. The main blood conservation measures employed during this time were education, preoperative autologous donation, erythropoietin, and cell salvage.CONCLUSION: The implementation of a provincial network of transfusion coordinators was feasible and allogeneic transfusion rates declined over the period the program has been in place.
Changing age distribution of the blood donor population in the United States
Authors: Zou Shimian , Musavi Fatemeh , Notari Edward P. , Fang Chyang T. ,   ARCNET Research Group
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: The American Red Cross has been maintaining a research database of all blood donors. Such a database provides a unique opportunity for monitoring changes over time in donor and donation patterns.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Changes in age distribution among blood donors were analyzed through comparison of the volunteer donor population in 1996, 1999, 2002, and 2005, before and after adjustment for demographic changes of the general population in the United States.RESULTS: Donations by repeat donors 50 years or older as a proportion of total donations increased from 22.1 percent in 1996 to 34.5 percent in 2005, or 1.4 percent per year, whereas donations from repeat donors of 25 to 49 years decreased from 49.1 percent in 1996 to 37.1 percent in 2005, or 1.3 percent per year. After adjusting for general population trends, the effective number of donors decreased by more than 10 percent in female and male repeat donors of age 20 to 49 years and male first‐time donors of age 25 to 49 years from 1996 to 2005; female and male repeat donors of age 25 to 39 years decreased by greater than 40 percent. Prevalence rates of major infectious disease markers decreased by 3.3 percent or more per year for first‐time donations and by 6.4 percent or more per year for repeat donations.CONCLUSION: The aging patterns of blood donors suggest the need for improved recruitment and retention in the young adult and middle‐aged groups. A severe shortage of blood and blood components may be forecast in the foreseeable future unless offset by significant increased supply or reduced usage of blood and blood components.
A comparative labor productivity analysis of blood collection centers
Authors: Bell Adam M. , Kemp John D. , Raife Thomas J. 
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: Blood center labor benchmarking data may be helpful to optimize staffing and to establish productivity targets. Data were gathered and labor productivity was analyzed among blood donor centers of different sizes collecting different product mixes.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Blood collection volumes and blood center labor data were obtained from eight blood centers: six regional centers, one mobile collection operation, and our hospital‐affiliated center. A total of 2004 annual whole‐blood (WB) collections and apheresis platelet (PLT) collections were captured. Full‐time equivalents (FTEs) associated with blood collection operations were captured. With these data total unit (WB + PLT) collection rates per FTE were calculated. To compare value associated with each center's total unit collections, an indexed monetary value was assigned to WB and PLT and the value was calculated.RESULTS: Despite a 12‐fold range in the size of operations, there was a strong correlation between total annual products collected and number of FTEs (mean 460 ± 39 units/FTE). As expected, centers that collected relatively more PLTs had higher value per total unit collected. Surprisingly, however, there was no relationship between proportion of PLTs collected and total units collected per FTE. Centers collecting proportionately more PLTs therefore had higher value per FTE.CONCLUSION: A benchmark scale of labor productivity among blood donor centers of different sizes and product mixes was established. Product mix is not a major determinant of total unit collections per FTE but is an important determinant of value per FTE. Correlating collection targets with benchmark data from this survey may help determine optimal blood center labor allocation strategies.
Factors influencing donor return
Authors: Schlumpf Karen S. , Glynn Simone A. , Schreiber George B. , Wright David J. , Randolph Steele Whitney , Tu Yongling , Hermansen Sigurd , Higgins Martha J. , Garratty George , Murphy Edward L. ,   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND: To predict future blood donation behavior and improve donor retention, it is important to understand the determinants of donor return.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A self‐administered questionnaire was completed in 2003 by 7905 current donors. With data mining methods, all factors measured by the survey were ranked as possible predictors of actual return within 12 months. Significant factors were analyzed with logistic regression to determine predictors of intention and of actual return.RESULTS: Younger and minority donors were less likely to return in 12 months. Predictors of donor return were higher prior donation frequency, higher intention to return, a convenient place to donate, and having a good donation experience. Most factors associated with actual donor return were also associated with a high intention to return. Although not significant for actual return, feeling a responsibility to help others, higher empathetic concern, and a feeling that being a blood donor means more than just donating blood were related to high intention to return.CONCLUSION: Prior donation frequency, intention to return, donation experience, and having a convenient location appear to significantly predict donor return. Clearly, donor behavior is dependent on more than one factor alone. Altruistic behavior, empathy, and social responsibility items did not enter our model to predict actual return. A donor's stated intention to give again is positively related to actual return and, while not a perfect measure, might be a useful proxy when donor return cannot be determined.
First‐Best Equilibrium in Insurance Markets With Transaction Costs and Heterogeneity
Authors: Liu Jerry W. , Browne Mark J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe investigate extensions of the classic Rothschild and Stiglitz (1976) (RS) model of adverse selection under asymmetric information. In RS, low‐risk customers are worse off owing to an externality created by high‐risk buyers in the market. We find critical changes in insurance buyers' behavior under the joint assumptions of transaction costs and buyer heterogeneity with respect to either risk aversion or wealth. Combining transaction costs and heterogeneity, we find a separating equilibrium in which neither high‐risk nor low‐risk individuals are penalized due to information asymmetry.
On the Corporate Demand for Insurance: The Case of Korean Nonfinancial Firms
Authors: Regan Laureen , Hur Yeon 
Published: November 2007

AbstractSeveral theories have been developed to explain the motives for corporate insurance purchases, but there are few empirical tests of these theories. Furthermore, the empirical results are not consistent across studies, suggesting the need for further research. This study uses accounting data for 433 publicly listed nonfinancial firms in Korea to test the determinants of insurance demand for the period 1990 through 2001. Our results support the theory that firm size, tax considerations, and firm ownership are important determinants of insurance demand. Firms that are members of chaebols demand more insurance than unaffiliated firms, all else equal. Contrary to theory, our results also indicate that firms that have higher debt‐to‐equity ratios demand less insurance than less leveraged firms, and that firms that have greater liquidity demand more insurance. This might be related to the overall high debt levels of firms in the period leading up to the Korean financial crisis in 1997, but that investigation is beyond the scope of this study.
The Organizational Structure of Insurance Companies: The Role of Heterogeneous Risks and Guaranty Funds
Authors: Ligon James A. , Thistle Paul D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe examine a market with observably heterogeneous risks and a government sponsored guaranty fund and consider whether it is optimal to form a single insurer or separate insurers for each consumer type. Given the economic environment, pooling never dominates the formation of separate insurance companies. This result provides an incentive for the phenomenon of insurance fleets.
Price Performance Following Share‐Repurchase Announcements by Closed‐End Funds
Authors: Akhigbe Aigbe , Kim Doseong , Madura Jeff 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe investigate the price performance of closed‐end funds that announce share‐repurchase programs. Closed‐end funds experience positive average stock‐price reactions to the announcements. The long‐run buy‐and‐hold abnormal returns of repurchasing funds over the subsequent three years are significantly higher than a nonrepurchasing control sample matched by size, type, investment style and geographic diversification. Funds with larger discounts, international funds, equity funds, and funds that announce larger repurchases or frequently announce repurchases, experience more positive stock‐price reactions. Except for larger repurchases, the same characteristics are associated with more positive long‐run buy‐and‐hold returns.
Effects of Injection‐Drug Injury on Ankle Mobility and Chronic Venous Disorders
Authors: Pieper Barbara , Templin Thomas N. , Birk Thomas J. , Kirsner Robert S. 
Published: November 2007

Purpose:
To identify potential confounders and test a causal model of injection‐site risk, chronic venous disorders (CVD), and ankle mobility. The reliability and validity of goniometry measurements of ankle mobility were also of interest because they are seldom performed in people with a history of injection‐drug use.
Design:
The study was a test‐retest design, consisting of 104 participants from a methadone maintenance treatment center.
Methods:
Each participant provided demographic information, health and drug histories, and underwent bilateral ankle goniometric measures of dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion. The clinical portion of the Clinical‐Etiology‐Anatomy‐Pathophysiology (CEAP)was used to classify CVD severity.
Findings:
Reliability of goniometry measurements ranged from .70 to .90. Causal modeling supported hypotheses of increased risk from leg injection and reciprocal effects involving ankle mobility and disease progression. Ankle inversion mobility was the strongest indicator of ankle mobility.
Conclusions:
Injury to the lower extremities from IDU affected CVD and mobility. Further research should include assessment of comorbidity and other potential confounders. Ankle inversion should remain part of the goniometry assessment.