bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healthcare Epidemiology is the Paradigm for Patient Safety
Authors: Scheckler William E. 
Published: February 2006

I was honored to receive the 2001 Lectureship Award from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). It was my intent during the talk to review our field and implications that some of the new initiatives called “patient safety” have for our expertise. This article is based on the SHEA Lectureship that was given April 1, 2001, at the SHEA Annual Meeting in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.This article consists of four sections. First, I review lessons learned from colleagues during the 33 years that I have been associated with the field of hospital epidemiology and infection control, since my first days at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Second, I explore issues raised by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on patient safety, adverse events, and medical errors, evaluating research that went into the extrapolation of the numbers of preventable deaths that this report highlighted. Those deaths gained everyone's attention. Third, I review the field of healthcare epidemiology, highlighting the three decades of success in our field in enhancing the safety of patients, improving their outcomes, and making a difference in the quality of medical care received in the United States. Finally, I discuss the challenges that hospital epidemiology currently faces and the opportunities that come with the expertise we have developed during more than 30 years.
On the construction of frames for Triebel-Lizorkin and Besov spaces
Authors: Kyriazis George , Petrushev Pencho 
Published: February 2006

We present a general method for construction of frames

{

ψ
I

}

I
∈

D

\{\psi _I\}_{I\in \mathcal {D}}

for Triebel-Lizorkin and Besov spaces, whose nature can be prescribed. In particular, our method allows for constructing frames consisting of rational functions or more general functions which are linear combinations of a fixed (small) number of shifts and dilates of a single smooth and rapidly decaying function

θ
\theta

such as the Gaussian

θ
(
x
)
=
exp
⁡
(
−

|

x

|

2

)

\theta (x)=\exp (-|x|^2)

. We also study the boundedness and invertibility of the frame operator

S
f
=

∑

I
∈

D

⟨

f
,

ψ
I

⟩

ψ
I

Sf=\sum _{I\in \mathcal {D}} \langle {f,\psi _I}\rangle \psi _I

on Triebel-Lizorkin and Besov spaces and give necessary and sufficient conditions for the dual system

{

S

−
1

ψ

}

I
∈

D

\{S^{-1}\psi \}_{I\in \mathcal {D}}

to be a frame as well.
A perturbed elementary operator and range-kernel orthogonality
Authors: Duggal B. 
Published: February 2006

LetB(H)B(\mathcal {H})denote the algebra of operators on a HilbertH\mathcal {H}. IfAjA_jandBj∈B(H)B_j\in B(\mathcal {H})are commuting normal operators, andCjC_jandDj∈B(H)D_j\in B(\mathcal {H})are commuting quasi-nilpotents such thatAjCj−CjAj=BjDj−DjBj=0A_jC_j-C_jA_j=B_jD_j-D_jB_j=0, then defineMj,Nj∈B(H)M_j, N_j\in B(\mathcal {H})andE,E∈B(B(H)){\mathcal E}, E\in B(B(\mathcal {H}))byMj=Aj+CjM_j=A_j+C_j,Nj=Bj+DjN_j=B_j+D_j,E(X)=A1XA2+B1XB2{\mathcal E}(X)=A_1XA_2+B_1XB_2andE(X)=M1XM2+N1XN2E(X)=M_1XM_2+N_1XN_2. It is proved thatE−1(0)⊆H0(E)=E−1(0)E^{-1}(0)\subseteq H_0({\mathcal E})={\mathcal E}^{-1}(0)andX∈E−1(0)⟹||X||≤kdist(X,E(B(H)))X\in E^{-1}(0)\Longrightarrow ||X||\leq k \textrm {dist}(X, {\mathcal E}(B(\mathcal {H}))), wherek≥1k\geq 1is some scalar andH0(E)H_0({\mathcal E})is the quasi-nilpotent part of the operatorE{\mathcal E}.
Estimation of local extinction rates when species detectability covaries with extinction probability: is it a problem?
Authors: Jenouvrier Stephanie , Boulinier Thierry 
Published: February 2006

Estimating the rate of change of the composition of communities is of direct interest to address many fundamental and applied questions in ecology. One methodological problem is that it is hard to detect all the species present in a community. Nichols et al. presented an estimator of the local extinction rate that takes into account species probability of detection, but little information is available on its performance. However, they predicted that if a covariance between species detection probability and local extinction rate exists in a community, the estimator of local extinction rate complement would be positively biased.Here, we show, using simulations over a wide range of parameters that the estimator performs reasonably well. The bias induced by biological factors appears relatively weak. The most important factor enhancing the performance (bias and precision) of the local extinction rate complement estimator is sampling effort. Interestingly, a potentially important biological bias, such as the covariance effect, improves the estimation for small sampling efforts, without inducing a supplementary overestimation when these sampling efforts are high. In the field, all species are rarely detectable so we recommend the use of such estimators that take into account heterogeneity in species detection probability when estimating vital rates responsible for community changes.
Review article: the role of pH monitoring in extraoesophageal gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease
Authors: VAEZI M. F. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryGastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is associated with several extraoesophageal disease states including laryngitis, asthma, chronic cough and non‐cardiac chest pain. Currently, the exact role reflux of gastric contents play in the pathogenesis of extraoesophageal symptoms remain controversial.Twenty‐four hours pH monitoring is often considered the ‘gold standard’ in the diagnosis of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease and is increasingly utilized in patients with extraoesophageal symptoms. The use of this test is aimed at improving the association between patients’ extraoesophageal symptoms and oesophageal or hypopharyngeal acid reflux events. However, the clinical utility of pH monitoring in this patient population remains controversial.Important clinical questions in this area include: does the presence of abnormal oesophageal acid reflux suggest a causal association between patients’ extraoesophageal symptoms and gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease?Conversely, does the absence of abnormal acid exposure in the oesophagus suggest lack of such an association? Should the test be performed on or off therapy and does it matter? In this study, the role of pH monitoring in laryngitis, asthma, chronic cough and non‐cardiac chest pain is examined and answers to the above questions are addressed based on current data.
An in vivo internal deletion in the N‐terminus region of Arabidopsis cystathionine γ‐synthase results in CGS expression that is insensitive to methionine
Authors: Hacham Yael , Schuster Gadi , Amir Rachel 
Published: February 2006

SummaryCystathionine γ‐synthase (CGS), the first enzyme of methionine biosynthesis in higher plants, plays an important role in the biosynthesis pathway and in regulating methionine metabolism in plant cells. In response to methionine, the expression of this enzyme is regulated via amino acid sequences located in its N‐terminal. Here, using reverse transcription PCR and ribonuclease protection analysis, we demonstrate that, in addition to the full‐length CGS transcript, a deleted form exists in Arabidopsis. The deleted transcript of CGS that lacks 90 or 87 nt located internally in the regulatory N‐terminal region of CGS maintains the reading frame of the protein. Its association with polyribosomes indicates that this deleted form of CGS is translated. In order to study the function of this deleted form of CGS, we overexpressed it in transgenic tobacco plants. We found that the transgenic plants engineered to express only the deleted form of CGS accumulated methionine to a much higher level than those that expressed the full‐length CGS. Furthermore, in vitro feeding experiments revealed that the deleted form of CGS is not subject to feedback regulation by methionine, as reported for the full‐length transcript. Therefore, although most likely produced from the full‐length CGS, the transcript of the deleted form is insensitive to methionine application and its expression may be important for maintaining methionine metabolism even in the presence of a high level of methionine.
Paraneoplastic pemphigus resembling linear IgA bullous dermatosis
Authors: Lee Joyce Siong‐See , Ng Patricia Pei‐Lin , Tao Miriam , Lim Wan‐Teck 
Published: February 2006

A 69‐year‐old Chinese man presented in 2001 with a blistering eruption over the upper and lower limbs associated with oral ulceration for 1 month. He had stage IIIA follicular small cell cleaved non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed 5 years previously, and had received several lines of palliative chemotherapy, including two courses of chlorambucil, six cycles of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP), and two four‐cycle courses of rituximab, with disease stabilization at the time of presentation.Examination revealed erythematous, annular plaques with raised, urticarial borders studded with tense bullae and vesicles over the thighs. Some lesions were arciform and annular, with vesicles arranged in a ring at the border (Fig. 1). There was involvement of the feet with desquamation at the tips of the toes (Fig. 2). Severe erosions with hemorrhagic crusts on the lips, tongue, and buccal mucosa were seen.Arciform and annular lesions on the posterior thigh, with vesicles arranged in a ring at the border, resembling the “crown of jewels” seen in linear IgA dermatosisimageVesicles, pustules, and bullae present on both feet and anklesimageHerpes simplex virus serology was negative. A biopsy specimen from a vesicle on the left thigh showed suprabasal acantholysis (Fig. 3), some apoptotic keratinocytes (Fig. 4), satellite cell necrosis in the epidermis, and a superficial perivascular infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Direct immunofluorescence showed intercellular immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3 within the epidermis and along the basement membrane zone. Indirect immunofluorescence on monkey esophagus was positive for anti‐intercellular antibody at a titre of 1/160 and positive on rat bladder at a titre of 1/80. A presumptive diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus was made. This was later confirmed by the presence of antibodies against envoplakin (210 kDa), periplakin (190 kDa), and desmoglein 1 on immunoprecipitation studies.Suprabasal acantholysis of the epidermis (arrow). The blister cavity contains fibrin, red blood cells, nuclear debris, and acantholytic keratinocytes (hematoxylin and eosin stain; magnification, ×400)imageA few apoptotic keratinocytes seen in the epidermis (thin arrows). Early suprabasal acantholysis of keratinocytes is present (thick arrows) (hematoxylin and eosin, ×400)imageHe was started on prednisolone 60 mg/day (1 mg/kg/day), with complete resolution of skin lesions within 1 week, but persistence of oral ulcers. Cyclophosphamide was added at a low dose of 1 mg/kg/day as he had baseline leukopenia. Cyclosporine was later added to a maximum of 4 mg/kg/day with only mild improvement of the oral lesions. He declined rituximab therapy. He died 2 months later from fulminant pneumonia.
Antibodies against desmoglein 1 in healthy subjects in endemic and nonendemic areas of pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem) in Peru
Authors: Ortega Loayza Alex G. , Ramos Willy , Elgart George , Bouman Peter , Jiménez Gerardo , Avila Jack , Rojas Isabel , Vilcarromero María , Hurtado Jorge , Lindo Gisella , Galarza Carlos 
Published: February 2006

AbstractBackground  Endemic pemphigus foliaceus or fogo selvagem is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by the presence of subcorneal superficial blisters and antibodies of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) class specific for the desmosomal glycoprotein, desmoglein 1. In Peru, no studies have been published on the seroprevalence of antibodies against desmoglein 1 in healthy subjects from endemic foci.Subjects and methods  This was a cross‐sectional study. The sample included 82 healthy subjects, 41 from the Pueblo Libre community, a focus of endemic pemphigus foliaceus, and 41 from a nonendemic urban area in Pucallpa City. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the presence of antibodies against desmoglein 1. Samples were processed and tested at the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.Results  It was found that 31.7% of healthy individuals (13 subjects) from the endemic focus had anti‐desmoglein 1 antibodies. A statistically significant association was found between the distance from the endemic focus and the presence of antibodies against desmoglein 1 in subjects living within the endemic focus [Mantel–Haenszel odds ratio (OR), 3.34; P = 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06–10.48]. Agriculture as an occupation showed a statistically significant association with the presence of antibodies against desmoglein 1 (Mantel–Haenszel OR, 7.84; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 2.47–24.87).Conclusions  Antibodies against desmoglein 1 are present in healthy subjects exposed to an endemic focus of pemphigus foliaceus (fogo selvagem). Agriculture is associated with a high risk of development of antibodies against desmoglein 1 in the endemic focus of the Pueblo Libre community.
Clonidine addition prolongs the duration of caudal analgesia
Authors: Yildiz T. S. , Korkmaz F. , Solak M. , Toker K. 
Published: February 2006

Background:  In this study, using a dose‐ranging design, we examined the effects of clonidine with 0.125% bupivacaine on the duration of post‐operative analgesia in caudal anaesthesia in children.Methods:  We conducted a controlled, prospective study of clonidine in caudal anaesthesia in 60 children, aged 1–10 years, undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair. Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia were performed by inhalation of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide. The children were randomized in a double‐blind fashion to four groups, and were given a caudal anaesthetic with either 0.125% plain isobaric bupivacaine (1 ml/kg) or bupivacaine plus 1, 1.5 or 2 µg/kg of clonidine. The blood pressure and heart rate were recorded peri‐operatively. Analgesia was evaluated by the modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (mCHEOPS) or a visual analogue scale (VAS). Paracetamol was given when the mCHEOPS score was greater than five or when the VAS score was greater than 30 mm. The monitoring of scores for pain, haemodynamic changes and post‐operative nausea and vomiting was performed by nurses blind to the study allocation.Results:  The duration of analgesia was found to be significantly longer in the group given bupivacaine plus 2 µg/kg of clonidine (median, 650 min; range, 300–900 min). Peri‐operative hypotension and bradycardia, post‐operative respiratory depression and motor block were not recorded in any patient.Conclusions:  The addition of clonidine to 0.125% bupivacaine prolongs the duration of post‐operative analgesia without any respiratory or haemodynamic side‐effects.
Effects of high peak airway pressure on the expression of heat shock protein 70 in rat lungs: a preliminary study
Authors: Kira S. , Mori M. , Takatani J. , Uchino T. , Yasuda N. , Miyakawa H. , Noguchi T. 
Published: February 2006

Background:  Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is induced by a wide variety of stresses in addition to hyperthermia. Recent studies have clarified that mechanical stretching and pressure overload can induce HSP70 in some tissues and cells. However, it remains unclear whether HSP70 is induced in stretch‐subjected lungs, such as those under mechanical ventilation. This study was designed to investigate the effects of high peak airway pressure (PAP) ventilation on HSP70 expression in intact rat lungs.Methods:  Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly allocated to one of three groups: non‐ventilated (anesthesia alone) control group; PAP 15 cmH2O group (P15); and PAP 30 cmH2O group (P30). The rats in the PAP groups were subjected to pressure‐controlled assisted ventilation at the appropriate PAP for 30 min. Rats were killed at 12, 24 and 48 h after ventilation or anesthesia alone, and the lungs were removed. The lung tissues were processed for immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses of HSP70.Results:  Following 30 min of pressure‐controlled assisted ventilation, HSP70 expression in the P30 group was significantly up‐regulated in bronchiolar cells and subepithelial tissues at 12 h, and this up‐regulation continued throughout the observation period. In contrast, there were no significant differences between the control and P15 groups, although the expression of HSP70 was higher in the P15 group than in the control group at all time points.Conclusions:  HSP70 was induced by high PAP ventilation, but its specific role and induction mechanism remain unclear. Therefore, further investigations should be encouraged.
Neural responses to water surface waves in the midbrain of the aquatic predator Xenopus laevis laevis
Authors: Behrend Oliver , Branoner Francisco , Zhivkov Zhivko , Ziehm Ulrike 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMany aquatic vertebrates use mechano‐sensory lateral lines to decipher water movements. The peripheral and central organization of the lateral line system has much in common with the auditory system. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the information processing of both systems could be related. Analogous to acoustic objects, for instance, object representations along the central lateral line pathway must be generated from patterns of particle motion across peripheral receivers. Thus, the lateral line offers insight into key features of neural computation beyond a specific sensory system. Here, central processing of water surface waves was described in the African clawed frog which depends on wave signals for prey detection, recognition and localization. Neural responses to surface wave stimuli were recorded in the brainstem and midbrain of Xenopus. A total of 109 units displayed either excitatory or inhibitory responses to surface waves. The response pattern distribution differed significantly across the optic tectum and torus semicircularis magnocellularis (chi‐square test, P < 0.05). Stimulus frequencies from 10 to 40 Hz were represented equally across lateral line nuclei but best frequencies were systematically distributed along the rostrocaudal axis of the midbrain (chi‐square test, P < 0.05). Forty‐one percent of 102 widely distributed units phase locked significantly to stimulus frequencies (Rayleigh test, P < 0.05; vector strength > 0.3) and 41% of 39 tested units featured non‐monotone rate‐level functions. These neurones were registered mainly in the dorsal tectum and magnocellular torus semicircularis (chi‐square test, P < 0.05). Across all tested nuclei, 16 of 17 discreetly distributed units showed a directional response to spatial stimulation. The results suggest midbrain subdivisions with respect to processing of stimulus timing, frequency and amplitude.
Spatial memory deficits in middle‐aged mice correlate with lower exploratory activity and a subordinate status: role of hippocampal neurotrophins
Authors: Francia N. , Cirulli F. , Chiarotti F. , Antonelli A. , Aloe L. , Alleva E. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe aim of the present work was to relate age‐related individual differences in cognitive function with behavioural strategies employed in social and non‐social challenges. To this purpose, the behaviour of adult (5‐month‐old) and middle‐aged (13‐month‐old) CD‐1 mice was scored in the social interaction, plus‐maze, Morris water maze (MWM) and open‐field tests. In addition, brain levels of nerve growth factor and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analysed and correlated with the behaviours scored. Compared to adults, middle‐aged mice showed greater anxiety in both non‐social and social situations, spending less time in the open arms of the plus‐maze and performing more freezing behaviour in response to aggression. Based upon their behaviour in the social interaction test, adult and middle‐aged subjects were classified as dominant or subordinate and their behaviour in the open field, plus‐maze and MWM tests subjected to factor analysis, taking into account age and social status. Results highlighted meaningful differences in exploratory strategies as a function of social status only in middle‐aged subjects. In particular, middle‐aged dominants were, overall, more explorative than same‐aged subordinates, spending less time in peripheral areas and approaching more readily a novel object. Interestingly, in middle‐aged mice, superior performance in the MWM task was associated with exploratory strategies exploited by dominants. At adulthood, BDNF hippocampal levels, but not specific behaviours, were positively correlated with the ability to learn a spatial task. Overall, data indicate that, in middle‐aged subjects individual differences in exploratory strategies, rather than neurotrophin levels, are able to predict the degree of impairment in a spatial learning task.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor enhances expression of superior cervical ganglia clone 10 in lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex of developing kittens
Authors: Imamura Kazuyuki , Morii Hiroshi , Nakadate Kazuhiko , Yamada Tomiko , Mataga Nobuko , Watanabe Yasuyoshi , Mori Nozomu 
Published: February 2006

AbstractNeuronal growth‐associated proteins, including superior cervical ganglia clone 10 (SCG10) family molecules, play roles in neurite outgrowth and network formation as well as structural and functional plasticity. The present ontogenetic study revealed that the expression of neuronal growth‐associated proteins in the visual cortex (VC) exhibited a sharp peak in the early postnatal period when growing lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) axon terminals segregate into the ocular dominance columns depending on retinal activity. We then hypothesized that SCG10 family molecules, known for catastrophic factors of microtubules, play important roles in the formation of ocular dominance columns. To test this hypothesis, we studied whether: (i) monocular blockade of retinal activity changed the SCG10 expression in LGN and VC and (ii) brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) cortical infusion modified the expression of SCG10 family molecules and the number of excitatory/inhibitory cortical synapses. Using northern blot and in situ hybridization, we revealed that: (i) silencing retinal activity with tetrodotoxin eye injections dynamically reduced the expression of SCG10 mRNA and (ii) it was enhanced by BDNF in VC and LGN of kittens but not adult cats. These findings suggest that cortical infusion of BDNF and retinal activity up‐regulate the expression of SCG10 in the LGN and VC and that up‐regulated SCG10 in turn initiates marked reorganization of the microtuble network, eventually resulting in increase in synapse formation in the VC.