bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in drug prescription over a decade in an Arctic child population
Authors: Niclasen Birgit V.‐L. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract Aim: To describe the changes in drug prescription to 0–14‐y‐old outpatient children from 1991 to 2001. Methods: ATC codes on prescriptions were compared. Main results: Prescriptions rose from 2.00 to 2.18 drugs/child/year, and the proportion of prescribed drugs rose from 60.7% to 70.4% of the child population (p<0.001). The 10 most prescribed subgroups accounted for 92.7% of all drugs in 0–1‐y‐olds and 75.9% in the schoolchildren. The individual prescription of anti‐asthmatics increased by 155% (p<0.001), the use of nasal preparations and drugs against cough decreased, and more of the antibiotics were penicillin V. In 0–1‐y‐olds, prescriptions halved, while they nearly doubled in schoolchildren (p<0.001). Conclusion: In Nuuk, a unique possibility exists: to be able to study changes in drug use and prescriptions to individual children over time from one health clinic. In the last decade, major changes have occurred regarding the number of drugs, the distribution of therapeutic subgroups, and prescriptions to all age groups. If interpreting from the magnitude of prescriptions, the prevalence of asthma doubled in this period. In summary, this study has revealed changes in prescription that can hardly be explained by changes in disease patterns. Even if unrecognized, this might also be found elsewhere.
Vibrio vulnificus serovar A: an emerging pathogen in European anguilliculture
Authors: Fouz B , Larsen J L , Amaro C 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe spread of the emerging pathogen Vibrio vulnificus biotype 2 serovar A in Danish anguilliculture is reported. Serovar A was originally isolated in a Spanish eel farm in 2000 and occurred in Denmark in the summer of 2004, affecting eels of 5–10 g body weight cultured in fresh water. The Danish eels showed clinical signs different from those reported for Spanish eels, such as severe haemorrhages in the head and gill region with necrosis of the soft tissues. Danish isolates were biochemically and serologically identical to Spanish serovar A strains and also highly virulent for eels by both intraperitoneal injection and immersion challenges. Vaccination with Vulnivaccine, a vaccine against V. vulnificus serovar E, cross‐protected eels against serovar A. The LD50 for experimentally infected vaccinated animals was significantly higher than for non‐vaccinated animals.
Scale of relief growth in the forearc of the Andes of Northern Chile (Arica latitude, 18°S)
Authors: Schlunegger Fritz , Zeilinger Gerold , Kounov Alexandre , Kober Florian , Hüsser Bernice 
Published: May 2006

AbstractThe stream profiles of rivers of northern Chile reveal two graded segments separated by 20‐km‐long knickzones. Their formation was initiated in the Late Miocene in response to surface uplift of the western flank of the Altiplano. This phase of uplift that was coeval with the shift of deformation from the Altiplano to the sub‐Andean zone caused relief to grow at the scale of the whole drainage basin. Above and beneath these knickzones, the presence of braided channels and the absence of erosion on adjacent pediplains suggest no substantial modification in the local relief. The knickzones, however, show bedrock channels, and fluvial dissection rates have exceeded erosion rates on adjacent pediplains by two orders of magnitudes. Hence, the data imply that the only geomorphic recorders of relief growth are the knickzones that currently transpose the effects of the Late Miocene phase of surface uplift from the coast to the Altiplano.
Over‐expression of SOB5 suggests the involvement of a novel plant protein in cytokinin‐mediated development
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Wrage Elizabeth L. , Vankova Radomira , Malbeck Jiri , Neff Michael M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryCytokinins are a class of phytohormones that play a critical role in plant growth and development. sob5‐D, an activation‐tagging mutant, shows phenotypes typical of transgenic plants expressing the Agrobacterium tumefaciens isopentenyltransferase (ipt) gene that encodes the enzyme catalyzing the first step of cytokinin biosynthesis. The sob5‐D mutant phenotypes are caused by over‐expression of a novel gene, SOB5. Sequence analysis places SOB5 in a previously uncharacterized family of plant‐specific proteins. A translational fusion between SOB5 and the green fluorescent protein reporter was localized in the cytoplasm as well as associated with the plasma membrane when transiently expressed in onion epidermal cells. Analysis of transgenic plants harboring an SOB5:SOB5–β‐glucuronidase (GUS) translational fusion under the control of the SOB5 promoter region showed GUS activity in vegetative tissues (hydathodes and trichomes of leaves, shoot meristems and roots) as well as in floral tissues (pistil tips, developing anthers and sepal vasculature). Cytokinin quantification analysis revealed that adult sob5‐D plants accumulated higher levels of trans‐zeatin riboside, trans‐zeatin riboside monophosphate and isopentenyladenine 9‐glucoside when compared to the wild‐type. Consistent with this result, AtIPT3 and AtIPT7 were found to be up‐regulated in a tissue‐specific manner in sob5‐D mutants. Physiological analysis of the sob5‐D mutant demonstrated reduced responsiveness to exogenous cytokinin in both root‐elongation and callus‐formation assays. Taken together, our data suggest a role for the novel gene SOB5 in cytokinin‐mediated plant development.
Effect of montelukast on lung function in asthma patients with allergic rhinitis: analysis from the COMPACT trial
Authors: Price D. B. , Swern A. , Tozzi C. A. , Philip G. , Polos P. 
Published: May 2006

Background:  The Clinical Outcomes with Montelukast as a Partner Agent to Corticosteroid Therapy (COMPACT) trial demonstrated that montelukast added to budesonide (MNT + BD) was as efficacious as double the dose of budesonide (dBD) in improving morning peak expiratory flow (AM PEF) in adult asthmatics. Recent studies have demonstrated that montelukast is also effective in treating daytime and nighttime allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms in asthmatic patients. This analysis was designed to examine whether asthmatic patients with comorbid AR respond differently than patients without comorbid AR in terms of asthma control (lung function).Methods:  There were 216 asthmatic patients in the MNT + BD group and 184 patients in the dBD group with AR. Treatment differences in the change from baseline in AM PEF were compared. Least square (LS) mean and 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived from an anova model adjusting for baseline and study site.Results:  There was a 9.2% increase in AM PEF from baseline in the MNT + BD group compared with a 6% increase in the dBD group. The LS mean difference [(MNT + BD) − dBD] was 14.2 l/min (P = 0.028). Other secondary endpoints were similar between groups.Conclusion:  In the subgroup of asthmatic patients with AR, a combined treatment approach that included montelukast and budesonide provided significantly greater efficacy in reducing airflow obstruction compared with doubling the dose of budesonide. These results support recommendations by the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma initiative that suggest a unified approach aimed at treating the airway inflammation common to both diseases is beneficial for the large proportion of asthmatics who also suffer from AR.
Nasal nitric oxide in objective evaluation of chronic rhinosinusitis therapy
Authors: Ragab S. M. , Lund V. J. , Saleh H. A. , Scadding G. 
Published: May 2006

Background:  The assessment of the response of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) to therapy is difficult. Computerized tomographic (CT) scans cannot be repeatedly used so measures such as symptom scores, endoscopic findings, and parallel measures such as saccharin clearance time are employed instead.Objective:  To study the effect of CRS therapy on nasal nitric oxide and to see whether nasal nitric oxide level changes correlate with other assessments.Methods:  The study was a prospective randomized trial of patients with CRS, with or without polyps, who had failed initial medical therapy with douching and nasal corticosteroids and who then had abnormal CT scans. They were treated either medically or surgically, with follow up at 6 and 12 months whilst still taking nasal corticosteroids. Nasal nitric oxide was measured initially and at 6 and 12 months as well as symptom scores, endoscopy, polyp grading, and saccharin clearance time.Results:  Initial absolute nasal nitric oxide levels correlated inversely with CT scan changes, (P < 0.001). The percentage rise in nasal nitric oxide seen on both medical and surgical treatment correlated with changes in symptom scores (P < 0.001), saccharin clearance time (P < 0.001), endoscopic changes (P < 0.001), polyp grades (P < 0.05 at 6 months, P < 0.01 at 12 months) and surgical scores (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation with age, sex, smoking or allergy.Conclusion:  Nasal nitric oxide, which is easily measured, provides a valuable non‐invasive objective measure of the response of CRS to therapy. Topical nasal corticosteroids may be needed to reduce the contribution of nasal epithelial nitric oxide and allow that emanating from the sinuses to be measured.
The Waiting Place: A caregiver's narrative
Authors: Salmon Nancy 
Published: May 2006

Aims:  This autoethnography presents a portion of the author's experience as a full‐time family caregiver awaiting her mother's nursing home placement. The purpose of this article is three pronged: (i) to give voice to an experience shrouded in silent expectations, (ii) to actively support caregivers who know ‘The Waiting Place’ by heart, and (iii) to raise the awareness of health professionals and academics regarding aspects of this critical phase of community‐based caregiving. Methods and results:  This article combines the narrative analysis of personal diary entries with poetry and autobiographical excerpts to represent the last phase of caregiving at home. The four themes that emerged from the narrative analysis are explored: the waiting place, grieving, coping and the cost of caring. Conclusion:  Poetry is employed to challenge the reader's beliefs and expectations about caregiving. Specific recommendations for promoting the health of caregivers are embedded within each verse.
Perceptions of occupational therapists practising in rural Australia: A graduate perspective
Authors: Devine Susan 
Published: May 2006

Background:  The difficulty in recruiting and retaining health professionals into rural and remote areas of Australia is well recognised. This study explored the perceptions of occupational therapists practising in rural locations regarding the essential skills necessary for rural practice and the ability of undergraduate education to prepare them for rural practice. Methods:  A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted using semistructured in‐depth interviews. Participants included occupational therapists who were graduates of James Cook University, who were practising in rural areas in Queensland and Victoria, and academic staff. Results:  This study demonstrates that it is important for universities to develop both a mindset in their graduates for rural practice, as well as developing broader skills in addition to core discipline‐specific skills. While subjects developing core occupational therapy skills are at the centre of undergraduate education, the importance of developing a broader understanding of rural health issues and skills in public health, primary health care and health promotion was emphasised. Conclusion:  The development of specific skills to become competent rural practitioners and to cope with the challenges of rural practice can be strengthened through initiatives at the undergraduate level. Ongoing commitment from all universities across Australia to include rural curriculum content has the potential to improve recruitment and retention of occupational therapists and other health professionals into rural Australia.
Using a Spanish Surname Match to Improve Identification of Hispanic Women in Medicare Administrative Data
Authors: Wei Iris I. , Virnig Beth A. , John Dolly A. , Morgan Robert O. 
Published: May 2006

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of a Spanish surname match for improving the identification of Hispanic women in Medicare administrative data in which Hispanics are historically underrepresented.Data Sources. We collected self‐identified race/ethnicity data (N=2,997) from a mailed survey sent to elderly Medicare beneficiaries who resided in 11 geographic areas consisting of eight metropolitan counties and three nonmetropolitan areas (171 counties) in the fall of 2004. The 1990 Census Spanish Surname list was used to identify Hispanics in the Medicare data. In addition, we used data published on the U.S. Census Bureau website to obtain estimates of elderly Hispanics.Study Design. We used self‐identified race/ethnicity as the gold standard to examine the agreement with Medicare race code alone, and with Medicare race code+Spanish surname match. Additionally, we estimated the proportions of Hispanic women and men, in each of the 11 geographic areas in our survey, using the Medicare race code alone and the Medicare race code+Spanish surname match, and compared those estimates with estimates derived from U.S. Census 2000 data.Principal Findings. The Spanish surname match dramatically increased the accuracy of the Medicare race code for identifying both Hispanic and white women, producing improvements comparable with those seen for men.Conclusions. We recommend the addition of a proxy race code in the Medicare data using the Spanish surname match to improve the accuracy of racial/ethnic representation.
Use of Geocoding and Surname Analysis to Estimate Race and Ethnicity
Authors: Fiscella Kevin , Fremont Allen M. 
Published: May 2006

Objective. To review two indirect methods, geocoding and surname analysis, for estimating race/ethnicity as a means for health plans to assess disparities in care.Study Design. Review of published articles and unpublished data on the use of geocoding and surname analyses.Principal Findings. Few published studies have evaluated use of geocoding to estimate racial and ethnic characteristics of a patient population or to assess disparities in health care. Three of four studies showed similar estimates of the proportion of blacks and one showed nearly identical estimates of racial disparities, regardless of whether indirect or more direct measures (e.g., death certificate or CMS data) were used. However, accuracy depended on racial segregation levels in the population and region assessed and geocoding was unreliable for identifying Hispanics and Asians/Pacific Islanders. Similarly, several studies suggest surname analyses produces reasonable estimates of whether an enrollee is Hispanic or Asian/Pacific Islander and can identify disparities in care. However, accuracy depends on the concentrations of Asians or Hispanics in areas assessed. It is less accurate for women and more acculturated and higher SES persons due intermarriage, name changes, and adoption. Surname analysis is not accurate for identifying African Americans. Recent unpublished analyses suggest plans can successfully use a combined geocoding/surname analyses approach to identify disparities in care in most regions. Refinements based on Bayesian methods may make geocoding/surname analyses appropriate for use in areas where the accuracy is currently poor, but validation of these preliminary results is needed.Conclusions. Geocoding and surname analysis show promise for estimating racial/ethnic health plan composition of enrollees when direct data on major racial and ethnic groups are lacking. These data can be used to assess disparities in care, pending availability of self‐reported race/ethnicity data.
Putting the brain in Jeopardy: a novel comprehensive and expressive language task?
Authors: Berntsen Erik Magnus , Rasmussen Inge-Andre , Samuelsen Petter , Xu Jian , Haraldseth Olav , Lagopoulos Jim , Malhi Gin S. 
Published: May 2006

Objective:To develop and test a novel fMRI compatible comprehensive and expressive language task that reliably and predictably activates both Wernicke's and Broca's cortical brain regions, respectively, and has utility for the determination of hemispheric language dominance.Methods:Ten healthy men (seven) and women (three) were administered a task based on the television game Jeopardy that was adapted for fMRI presentation. The task was programmed using E-PRIME software and designed to run as an event-related experiment. The study was conducted on 3 T MRI Phillips Intera scanner, and data was anlysed using Brain Voyager QX. All subjects provided written informed consent.Results:The Jeopardy task produced robust left hemisphere activation in regions corresponding to Wernicke's and Broca's areas.Conclusion:This novel fMRI compatible task (Jeopardy) reliably maps both Broca's and Wernicke's areas with robust hemispheric lateralization. It is potentially useful in language localization studies as it offers advantages over conventional procedures and other fMRI tasks by virtue of being non-invasive and mapping both language areas in one experiment.
Parkinson's disease and primate research: past, present, and future
Authors: Pereira E A C , Aziz T Z 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Scientific research involving non-human primates has contributed towards many advances in medicine and surgery. This review discusses its role in the progress made towards our understanding of Parkinson's disease and its treatment. Established medical treatments like dopamine agonists continue to need primate models to assess their efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action. The recently developed treatment of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus required validation in primates before entering the clinic. Controversies surrounding future treatments such as gene therapy show the need for properly evaluated preclinical research using appropriate animal models before progression to clinical trials. Research on primates has played—and continues to play—a crucial part in deepening our understanding of Parkinson's disease, improving current therapies, and developing new treatments that are both safe and effective. In animal research, the “three Rs” of humane technique—reduction, refinement, and replacement—should be adhered to.
A wandering fish bone
Authors: Patel V M , Barai R S , Thomas P R 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
A unique case is described of an ingested fish bone migrating into the common hepatic duct, without perforation. Most foreign bodies are known to pass through the gastrointestinal tract uneventfully. Sharper objects such as fish bones have been known to cause perforation. This is more common, in countries where fish consumption is considerably higher, such as, south east Asia. However, even in these regions there have been no reports of such a proximal migration.
Increasing Flt3L availability alters composition of a novel bone marrow lymphoid progenitor compartment
Authors: Ceredig Rhodri , Rauch Melanie , Balciunaite Gina , Rolink Antonius G. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractWe have recently described a CD19– B220+CD117low bone marrow subpopulation with B, T, and myeloid developmental potential, which we have called “early progenitors with lymphoid and myeloid potential” or EPLM. These cells also expressed Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3, Flt3, or CD135. Treatment of mice with the corresponding ligand, Flt3L, showed a 50-fold increase in EPLM. In addition to the expected increase in dendritic cell numbers, Flt3L treatment had a reversible inhibitory effect on B lymphopoiesis. Limiting dilution analysis of sorted EPLM from Flt3L-treated mice showed that B-lymphocyte progenitor activity was reduced 20-fold, but that myeloid and T-cell progenitor activity was largely preserved. EPLM from treated mice transiently reconstituted the thymus and bone marrow of recipient mice, generating cohorts of functional T and B cells in peripheral lymphoid organs. Thus, Flt3L treatment results in a dramatic increase in a novel bone marrow cell with lymphoid and myeloid progenitor activity.
Network motifs: structure does not determine function
Authors: Ingram Piers J , Stumpf Michael PH , Stark Jaroslav 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
A number of publications have recently examined the occurrence and properties of the feed-forward motif in a variety of networks, including those that are of interest in genome biology, such as gene networks. The present work looks in some detail at the dynamics of the bi-fan motif, using systems of ordinary differential equations to model the populations of transcription factors, mRNA and protein, with the aim of extending our understanding of what appear to be important building blocks of gene network structure.

Results
We develop an ordinary differential equation model of the bi-fan motif and analyse variants of the motif corresponding to its behaviour under various conditions. In particular, we examine the effects of different steady and pulsed inputs to five variants of the bifan motif, based on evidence in the literature of bifan motifs found in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (commonly known as baker's yeast). Using this model, we characterize the dynamical behaviour of the bi-fan motif for a wide range of biologically plausible parameters and configurations. We find that there is no characteristic behaviour for the motif, and with the correct choice of parameters and of internal structure, very different, indeed even opposite behaviours may be obtained.

Conclusion
Even with this relatively simple model, the bi-fan motif can exhibit a wide range of dynamical responses. This suggests that it is difficult to gain significant insights into biological function simply by considering the connection architecture of a gene network, or its decomposition into simple structural motifs. It is necessary to supplement such structural information by kinetic parameters, or dynamic time series experimental data, both of which are currently difficult to obtain.
Direct hospital costs of chest pain patients attending the emergency department: a retrospective study
Authors: Forberg Jakob L , Henriksen Louise S , Edenbrandt Lars , Ekelund Ulf 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
Chest pain is one of the most common complaints in the Emergency Department (ED), but the cost of ED chest pain patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the direct hospital costs for unselected chest pain patients attending the emergency department (ED).

Methods
1,000 consecutive ED visits of patients with chest pain were retrospectively included. Costs directly following the ED visit were retrieved from the hospital economy system.

Results
The mean cost per patient visit was 26.8 thousand Swedish kronar (kSEK) (median 7.2 kSEK), with admission time accounting for 73% of all costs. Mean cost for patients discharged from the ED was 1.4 kSEK (median 1.3 kSEK), and for patients without ACS admitted 1 day or less 7.6 kSEK (median 6.9 kSEK). The practice in the present study to admit 67% of the patients, of whom only 31% proved to have ACS, was estimated to give a cost per additional life-year saved by hospital admission, compared to theoretical strategy of discharging all patients home, of about 350 kSEK (39 kEUR or 42 kUSD).

Conclusion
Costs for chest pain patients are large and primarily due to admission time. The present admission practice seems to be cost-effective, but the substantial overadmission indicates that better ED diagnostics and triage could decrease costs considerably.