bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Burden of community-onset bloodstream infection: a population-based assessment
Authors: LAUPLAND K. B. , GREGSON D. B. , FLEMONS W. W. , HAWKINS D. , ROSS T. , CHURCH D. L. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYAlthough community-onset bloodstream infection (BSI) is recognized to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality, there is a paucity of population-based studies defining its overall burden. We conducted population-based laboratory surveillance for all community-onset BSI in the Calgary Health Region during 2000–2004. A total of 4467 episodes of community-onset BSI were identified for an overall annual incidence of 81·6/100 000. The three species,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus, andStreptococcus pneumoniaewere responsible for the majority of community-onset BSI; they occurred at annual rates of 25·8, 13·5, and 10·1/100 000, respectively. Overall 3445/4467 (77%) episodes resulted in hospital admission representing 0·7% of all admissions to major acute care hospitals. The subsequent hospital length of stay was a median of 9 (interquartile range, 5–15) days; the total days of acute hospitalization attributable to community-onset BSI was 51 146 days or 934 days/100 000 annually. Four hundred and sixty patients died in hospital for a case-fatality rate of 13%. Community-onset BSI is common and has a major patient and societal impact. These data support further efforts to reduce the burden of community-onset BSI.
Accuracy of ICD-9 coding for Clostridium difficile infections: a retrospective cohort
Authors: SCHEURER D. B. , HICKS L. S. , COOK E. F. , SCHNIPPER J. L. 
Published: December 2006

SUMMARYClostridium difficile (C. diff) is a major nosocomial problem. Epidemiological surveillance of the disease can be accomplished by microbiological or administrative data. Microbiological tracking is problematic since it does not always translate into clinical disease, and it is not always available. Tracking by administrative data is attractive, but ICD-9 code accuracy for C. diff is unknown. By using a large administrative database of hospitalized patients with C. diff (by ICD-9 code or cytotoxic assay), this study found that the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of ICD-9 coding were 71%, 99%, 87%, and 96% respectively (using micro data as the gold standard). When only using symptomatic patients the sensitivity increased to 82% and when only using symptomatic patients whose test results were available at discharge, the sensitivity increased to 88%. C. diff ICD-9 codes closely approximate true C. diff infection, especially in symptomatic patients whose test results are available at the time of discharge, and can therefore be used as a reasonable alternative to microbiological data for tracking purposes.
The Possible Role of Transplacentally‐Acquired Antibodies to Infectious Agents, With Molecular Mimicry to Nervous System Sialic Acid Epitopes, as Causes of Neuromental Disorders: Prevention and Vaccine Implications
Authors: Nahmias André J. , Nahmias Susanne Beckman , Danielsson Dan 
Published: December 2006

Proof of causality of most neuromental disorders (NMD′s) is largely unavailable. Lessons from four‐decade investigations of the epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis, prevention and therapy of perinatal infectious agents, which invade directly the nervous system, have led us to propose a new indirect effect hypothesis: maternal transplacentally‐acquired antibodies, to agents with epitope molecular mimicry with the developing nervous system, can cross the fetus/infant′s blood–nervous system barriers to cause NMD′s, clinically manifest years later.Further rationale is provided by relevant evolutionary/developmental (EVO–DEVO) considerations—applicable also to some vaccines. The hypothesis is being tested in: (a) older pregnancy studies with available maternal and newborn sera, and follow‐up of the progeny for NMD′s; and (b) NMD registry individuals linked to their stored newborn blood spots. Preliminary results support a possible role for schizophrenia of high‐tittered antibodies to some agents (toxoplasma, influenza and herpes simplex type 2 virus).A model that includes likely genetic and postnatal influences is schematized and a list of putative agents and factors, based on varying rationales, is tabulated. In case pilot studies are confirmed, the identified agent(s) and antibodies would need to be tested in new prospectively enrolled pregnant women, so as to establish further risk factors leading to possible preventive modalities.
Immune‐Neuroendocrine Interactions and Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Jara Luis J. , Navarro Carmen , Medina Gabriela , Vera-Lastra Olga , Blanco Francisco 
Published: December 2006

The relationship between immune‐neuroendocrine system is firmly established. The messengers of this connection are hormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters and cytokines. The immune‐neuroendocrine system have the capacity to synthesize and release these molecules, which, in turn, can stimulate or suppress the activity of immune or neuroendocrine cells by binding to receptors. In fact, hormones, neuropeptides and neurotransmitters participate in innate and adaptive immune response.Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) are characterized by aberrant production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, which are a potent activator of the HPA axis. In consequence, high levels of pro‐inflammatory hormones such as estrogens and prolactin, and low levels of glucocorticoids, an anti‐inflammatory hormone, have been described in the active phase of ARD. In addition, high levels of pro‐inflammatory hormones and cytokines have also been frequently detected in organ involvement of patients with ARD, suggesting an abnormal local neuroendocrine immune interaction. There is evidence that hormonal changes may appear before the symptomatic phase of the disease. Therefore, it is possible that a pro‐inflammatory hormone favors the rupture of tolerance, which is a key feature of autoimmune diseases. The interactions between the immune‐neuroendocrine system have a major impact on our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnosis and therapy of ARD.
Bayesian-based selection of metabolic objective functions
Authors: Knorr Andrea L. , Jain Rishi , Srivastava Ranjan 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMotivation: A critical component of in silico analysis of underdetermined metabolic systems is the identification of the appropriate objective function. A common assumption is that the objective of the cell is to maximize growth. This objective function has been shown to be consistent in a few limited experimental cases, but may not be universally appropriate. Here a method is presented to quantitatively determine the most probable objective function.Results: The genome-scale metabolism of Escherichia coli growing on succinate was used as a case-study for analysis. Five different objective functions, including maximization of growth rate, were chosen based on biological plausibility. A combination of flux balance analysis and linear programming was used to simulate cellular metabolism, which was then compared to independent experimental data using a Bayesian objective function discrimination technique. After comparing rates of oxygen uptake and acetate production, minimization of the production rate of redox potential was determined to be the most probable objective function. Given the appropriate reaction network and experimental data, the discrimination technique can be applied to any bacterium to test a variety of different possible objective functions.Contact: srivasta@engr.uconn.eduSupplementary information: Additional files, code and a program for carrying out model discrimination are available at .
AllerTool: a web server for predicting allergenicity and allergic cross-reactivity in proteins
Authors: Zhang Zong Hong , Koh Judice L. Y. , Zhang Guang Lan , Choo Khar Heng , Tammi Martti T. , Tong Joo Chuan 
Published: December 2006

AbstractSummary: Assessment of potential allergenicity and patterns of cross-reactivity is necessary whenever novel proteins are introduced into human food chain. Current bioinformatic methods in allergology focus mainly on the prediction of allergenic proteins, with no information on cross-reactivity patterns among known allergens. In this study, we present AllerTool, a web server with essential tools for the assessment of predicted as well as published cross-reactivity patterns of allergens. The analysis tools include graphical representation of allergen cross-reactivity information; a local sequence comparison tool that displays information of known cross-reactive allergens; a sequence similarity search tool for assessment of cross-reactivity in accordance to FAO/WHO Codex alimentarius guidelines; and a method based on support vector machine (SVM). A 10-fold cross-validation results showed that the area under the receiver operating curve (AROC) of SVM models is 0.90 with 86.00% sensitivity (SE) at specificity (SP) of 86.00%.Availability: AllerTool is freely available atContact: zhzhang@i2r.a-star.edu.sg
Protein solubility: sequence based prediction and experimental verification
Authors: Smialowski Pawel , Martin-Galiano Antonio J. , Mikolajka Aleksandra , Girschick Tobias , Holak Tad A. , Frishman Dmitrij 
Published: December 2006

AbstractMotivation: Obtaining soluble proteins in sufficient concentrations is a recurring limiting factor in various experimental studies. Solubility is an individual trait of proteins which, under a given set of experimental conditions, is determined by their amino acid sequence. Accurate theoretical prediction of solubility from sequence is instrumental for setting priorities on targets in large-scale proteomics projects.Results: We present a machine-learning approach called PROSO to assess the chance of a protein to be soluble upon heterologous expression in Escherichia coli based on its amino acid composition. The classification algorithm is organized as a two-layered structure in which the output of primary support vector machine (SVM) classifiers serves as input for a secondary Naive Bayes classifier. Experimental progress information from the TargetDB database as well as previously published datasets were used as the source of training data. In comparison with previously published methods our classification algorithm possesses improved discriminatory capacity characterized by the Matthews Correlation Coefficient (MCC) of 0.434 between predicted and known solubility states and the overall prediction accuracy of 72% (75 and 68% for positive and negative class, respectively). We also provide experimental verification of our predictions using solubility measurements for 31 mutational variants of two different proteins.Availability: A web server for protein solubility prediction is available at http://webclu.bio.wzw.tum.de:8080/prosoContact: d.frishman@wzw.tum.deSupplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online
Viewing videotape of themselves while experiencing delirium tremens could reduce the relapse rate in alcohol‐dependent patients
Authors: Mihai Adriana , Damsa Cristian , Allen Michael , Baleydier Bertrand , Lazignac Coralie , Heinz Andreas 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTAims  The aim of this prospective randomized controlled study was to determine whether viewing videotape of themselves while experiencing delirium tremens (DT) reduces the relapse rate in alcohol‐dependent patients. Our hypothesis about the efficacy of videotapes exposure to DT is consistent with a cognitive behavior model.Design  Sixty patients with DT and a minimum of 3 years of severe alcohol dependence [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM‐IV criteria] were included in this study. Patients were videotaped during the acute phase of DT and randomized into two groups: group A patients received individual exposure to their videotape and an explanation of the symptoms by a psychiatrist; and control group B patients, who were without videotape experience. Both groups received the same treatment during the acute and the maintenance phases, without aversive therapy or psychotherapy. The two groups did not differ significantly in number of drinks per day prior to admission, age, marital status, social environment, education, professional and financial status or family psychiatric history.Setting  An in‐patient crisis unit for patients with alcohol dependence.Measurements  All patients were observed for 6 months during monthly visits. Outcomes included relapse, drinking days per week and number of drinks per drinking day. All patients and their families signed informed consent.Findings  The patients with videotape experience had a significantly lower relapse rate after the first month (0% versus 20%), 2 months (13.33% versus 46.67%) and 3 months (26.67% versus 53.33%). Patients with videotape experience had less severe relapses and consumed fewer units of alcohol than controls.Conclusions  Videotape exposure in delirium tremens is an original therapeutic method which seems to be effective in reducing relapse risk in patients with alcohol dependence.
Smoking in the absence of nicotine: behavioral, subjective and physiological effects over 11 days
Authors: Donny Eric C. , Houtsmuller Elizabeth , Stitzer Maxine L. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTAims  Sensorimotor stimuli associated with tobacco smoking influence smoking behavior; however, current research has focused almost exclusively on the effects of brief, laboratory‐based exposure to smoking‐related stimuli. The purpose of this experiment was to characterize the effects of smoking stimuli delivered in the absence of nicotine over an extended (11‐day) exposure.Design, setting and participants  Thirty adult regular smokers participated in an in‐patient study. After assessing preferred brand smoking, participants were assigned randomly to one of three groups corresponding to subsequent smoking conditions: nicotine‐containing cigarettes, de‐nicotinized cigarettes or no smoking.Measurements  Measures of smoking reinforcement, subjective effects, physiological effects, withdrawal/craving and puff topography were taken repeatedly during both periods of free access and controlled assessments during abstinence.Findings  Daily de‐nicotinized cigarette use declined immediately by 1.7 cigarettes/day compared to the preferred brand baseline and declined by another 3.5 cigarettes over time; participants smoking de‐nicotinized cigarettes also demonstrated a 31% decline in the number of puffs earned on a progressive ratio, a measure of the motivation to smoke, during the study. Subjective ratings of smoking were largely negative throughout the study in the de‐nicotinized group, while the nicotine‐containing condition reported increasingly positive subjective effects with repeated exposure. Acute craving suppression following smoking remained evident throughout the study regardless of nicotine content.Conclusions  These effects highlight the importance of non‐nicotine sensorimotor stimuli as determinants of the maintenance of smoking behavior and suggests that extinction of conditioned reinforcement in the absence of nicotine progresses slowly.
Tracheal tube tip displacement during laparoscopy in children*
Authors: Böttcher‐Haberzeth S. , Dullenkopf A. , Gitzelmann C. A. , Weiss M. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryThe risk of endobronchial intubation during laparoscopy because of displacement of the tip of the tracheal tube is a well known problem in adults. Laparoscopy in children is increasingly performed, but there are no data available regarding the above problem. We prospectively studied 46 children aged 2 months to 15.7 years (median 4.2 years) undergoing laparoscopy. After tracheal intubation with the Microcuff Pediatric Endotracheal Tube, with the ‘intubation depth marking’ of the tube at the vocal cords, the distance from the tracheal tube tip to the carina was endoscopically measured with the patient in the neutral position and with 20° head‐down tilt, both with and without capnoperitoneum. Maximal displacement of the tip of the tracheal tube tip in cm was 0.5 + (0.05 × age (years)) for 20° head‐down tilt, 0.6 + (0.09 × age (years)) for capnoperitoneum alone, and 1.2 + (0.11 × age (years)) for 20° head‐down tilt with capnoperitoneum. In no patients did endobronchial intubation occur with the tracheal tube placed according to the intubation depth marking.
A comparison of intubating conditions in children following induction of anaesthesia with propofol and suxamethonium or propofol and remifentanil
Authors: Morgan J. M. , Barker I. , Peacock J. E. , Eissa A. 
Published: December 2006

SummarySixty ASA 1 and 2 children aged between 2 and 16 years who required tracheal intubation as part of anaesthesia for elective surgery were studied. We evaluated intubating conditions, haemodynamic responses and duration of apnoea following propofol 4 mg.kg−1 combined with either remifentanil 1.25 μg.kg−1 (group R), or suxamethonium 1 mg.kg−1 (group S). Tracheal intubation was graded as excellent, good or poor according to ease of laryngoscopy, vocal cord position, coughing, and jaw relaxation and limb movement. Thirty of group S and 28 of group R children were successfully intubated on the first attempt. Overall, intubation conditions were excellent or good in 26/30 (87%) patients in group S and 20/30 (67%) in group R (p < 0.05). Mean apnoea time was 190 s in group S, and 362 s in group R (p < 0.001). Heart rate increased in response to suxamethonium (p < 0.01) and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased in the remifentanil group (p < 0.01).
Inflation with air via a facepiece for facilitating insertion of a nasogastric tube: a prospective, randomised, double‐blind study
Authors: Gupta D. , Agarwal A. , Nath S. S. , Goswami D. , Saraswat V. , Singh P. K. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryInsertion of a nasogastric tube is a routine procedure but during anaesthesia it is often difficult and time consuming. One hundred and sixty adults undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. After induction of anaesthesia, neuromuscular blockade and tracheal intubation, a nasogastric tube was inserted through the nose with the head of the patient in the neutral position, either with or without prior inflation with air via a facepiece attached to a self‐inflating bag applied firmly with the face. Insertion of the nasogastric tube was successful in 75/78 (96%) following inflation compared with 54/80 (68%) without inflation (p < 0.001). In four patients receiving inflation, a fibreoptic endoscope was passed as far as the upper oesophageal sphincter; this revealed opening of the upper oesophageal sphincter during inflation.
Assessment of renal function in clinical practice at the bedside of burn patients
Authors: Conil J. M. , Georges B. , Fourcade O. , Seguin T. , Lavit M. , Samii K. , Houin G. , Tack I. , Saivin S. 
Published: December 2006

What is already known about this subject • In burn patients it has been shown ([2]), that there is a correlation between the creatinine clearance (CLCR) and the clearance of inulin.• The CLCR has never been studied in burn patients who have normal serum creatinine.• The Robert, Kirkpatrick and sMDRD formulae have never been evaluated in burn patients. What this study adds • Despite burn patients having normal serum creatinine concentrations, the study showed that there are large variations in CLCR which cannot be detected by single serum creatinine measurements, and which have important implications for drug therapy.• It showed that the formulae currently used to calculate creatinine clearance on the basis of serum creatinine are inadequate for use in burn patients, and they should be abandoned in favour of direct measurement from a 24 h urine collection.AimsThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether the renal function of burn patients could be correctly assessed using a single serum creatinine measurement, within normal limits, and three prediction equations of glomerular filtration taking into account, serum creatinine, age, weight and sex.MethodsThis was a prospective study comprising 36 adult burn patients with a serum creatinine <120 µmol l−1, within the second or third week following the burn injury. Renal function was assessed using serum creatinine, 24 h urinary CLCR, and the Cockcroft–Gault, Robert, Kirkpatrick and simplified MDRD equations.ResultsDespite normal serum creatinine concentrations in all patients, a significant number had a decreased CLCR. The urinary CLCR was <80 ml−1 min‐1 1.73 m−2 in nine patients (25%), and <60 ml−1 min−1 1.73 m−2 in five patients (14%). Between the groups having a CLCR lower or greater than 80 ml−1 min−1 1.73 m−2 there were no differences in gender, burn indices, percentage of mechanically ventilated patients or length of hospital stay, but a difference in age. The highest CLCR (>140 ml−1 min−1 1.73 m−2) was found in 13 patients younger than 40 years. Regression analysis, residual and Bland–Altman plots revealed that neither the Cockcroft–Gault, Robert, Kirkpatrick nor sMDRD equations were specific enough for the assessment of renal function.ConclusionsIn burn patients with normal serum creatinine during the hypermetabolic phase, serum creatinine and creatine based predictive equations are imprecise in assessing renal function.
Comparative assessment of four drug interaction compendia
Authors: Vitry Agnes I. 
Published: December 2006

AimsTo assess the consistency of inclusion and grading of major drug interactions for 50 drugs in four leading international drug interaction compendia.MethodsFour international drug interaction compendia were compared: the drug interactions appendix of the British National Formulary, the interaction supplement in the French drug compendium Vidal, and two US drug interaction compendia, Drug Interaction Facts and the Micromedex (Drug‐Reax) program. Major interactions were defined as potentially hazardous in BNF or with the warning ‘contraindication’ or ‘avoid’ in Vidal or with the significance grading 1 or 2 in DIF. Major interactions for a list of 50 drugs were searched in all four compendia.ResultsA total of 1264 interactions meeting the inclusion criteria were identified for these 50 drugs. After deletion of 169 duplicates, 1095 interactions were included in the analysis. Of the drug interactions classified as major in any one compendium between 14% and 44% were not listed in the other compendia. The grading systems used for the severity and the quality of the supporting evidence in Micromedex and DIF were inconsistent.ConclusionsThere is a lack of consistency in the inclusion and grading of drug interactions of major significance for 50 drugs across the four drug compendia examined. This may reflect the lack of standardization of the terminology used to classify drug interactions and the lack of good epidemiological evidence on which to base the assessment of the clinical relevance of drug interactions.