bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predicting Changes in Staff Morale and Burnout at Community Health Centers Participating in the Health Disparities Collaboratives
Authors: Graber Jessica E. , Huang Elbert S. , Drum Melinda L. , Chin Marshall H. , Walters Amy E. , Heuer Loretta , Tang Hui , Schaefer Cynthia T. , Quinn Michael T. 
Published: January 2008

Objective.To identify predictors of changes in staff morale and burnout associated with participation in a quality improvement (QI) initiative at community health centers (HCs).Data Sources.Surveys of staff at 145 HCs participating in the Health Disparities Collaboratives (HDC) program in 2004.Data Collection and Study Design.Self‐administered questionnaire data collected from 622 HC staff (68 percent response rate) were analyzed to identify predictors of reported change in staff morale and burnout. Predictive categories included outcomes of the QI initiative, levels of HDC integration, institutional support, the use of incentives, and demographic characteristics of respondents and centers.Principal Findings.Perceived improvements in staff morale and reduced likelihood of staff burnout were associated with receiving personal recognition, career promotion, and skill development opportunities. Similar outcomes were associated with sufficient funding and personnel, fair distribution of work, effective training of new hires, and consistent provider participation.Conclusions.Having sufficient personnel available to administer the HDC was found to be the strongest predictor of team member satisfaction. However, a number of low‐cost, reasonably modifiable, organizational and leadership characteristics were also identified, which may facilitate improvements in staff morale and reduce the likelihood of staff burnout at HCs participating in the HDC.
Publication of Quality Report Cards and Trends in Reported Quality Measures in Nursing Homes
Authors: Mukamel Dana B. , Weimer David L. , Spector William D. , Ladd Heather , Zinn Jacqueline S. 
Published: January 2008

Objective. To examine associations between nursing homes' quality and publication of the Nursing Home Compare quality report card.Data Sources/Study Settings. Primary and secondary data for 2001–2003: 701 survey responses of a random sample of nursing homes; the Minimum Data Set (MDS) with information about all residents in these facilities, and the Nursing Home Compare published quality measure (QM) scores.Study Design. Survey responses provided information on 20 specific actions taken by nursing homes in response to publication of the report card. MDS data were used to calculate five QMs for each quarter, covering a period before and following publication of the report. Statistical regression techniques were used to determine if trends in these QMs have changed following publication of the report card in relation to actions undertaken by nursing homes.Principal Findings. Two of the five QMs show improvement following publication. Several specific actions were associated with these improvements.Conclusions. Publication of the Nursing Home Compare report card was associated with improvement in some but not all reported dimensions of quality. This suggests that report cards may motivate providers to improve quality, but it also raises questions as to why it was not effective across the board.
Senators or courtiers: negotiating models for the College of Cardinals under Julius II and Leo X
Authors: DeSilva Jennifer Mara 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTThe early sixteenth century marked the intensification of papal efforts to transform the papacy from a senatorial model, with a cooperative relationship between the pope and cardinals, into a court. Using ecclesiastical ritual, Popes Julius II and Leo X constructed a courtly environment in which the College of Cardinals was a silent but visible supporter of the papacy, rather than a group of vocal political counsellors. The written work of the papal Master of Ceremonies Paris de' Grassi (1504–1521) shows the direction and expectation of the dominant courtly model, while Paolo Cortesi's treatise De cardinalatu (1510) exemplifies the eclipsed conciliarist ideals. While modern historians accord Cortesi's treatise attention that does not reflect its original interest to contemporaries, de' Grassi's diary has yet to be contextualized as a practical guide to publicly constructing the cardinal‐courtier as a client of the papal monarchy. This article examines the rituals of the cardinal elevation ceremony as a vehicle for this model's implementation, as well as a site for the expression of discontent by certain cardinals.
Incidence of seizures in the acute phase of stroke: A population‐based study
Authors: Szaflarski Jerzy P. , Rackley Angela Y. , Kleindorfer Dawn O. , Khoury Jane , Woo Daniel , Miller Rosemary , Alwell Kathleen , Broderick Joseph P. , Kissela Brett M. 
Published: January 2008

Summary
Purpose: The incidence of seizures within 24 h of acute stroke has not been studied extensively. We aimed to establish the incidence of acute poststroke seizures in a biracial cohort and to determine whether acute seizure occurrence differs by race/ethnicity, stroke subtype, and/or stroke localization.
Methods: We identified all stroke cases between July 1993 and June 1994 and in 1999 within the population of the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan region. Patients with a prior history of seizures/epilepsy were excluded from analysis.
Results: A total of 6044 strokes without a history of seizure(s) were identified; 190 (3.1%) had seizures within the first 24 h of stroke onset. Of ICH/SAH patients, 8.4% had a seizure within the first 24 h of stroke onset (p ≤ 0.0001 vs. all other stroke subtype). Of the patients with ischemic stroke, we observed higher incidence of seizures in cardioembolic versus small or large vessel ischemic (p = 0.02) strokes. Patients with seizures experienced higher mortality than patients without seizures (p < 0.001) but seizures were not an independent risk factor of mortality at 30 days after stroke. Independent risk factors for seizure development included hemorrhagic stroke, younger age, and prestroke Rankin score of ≥1. Race/ethnicity or localization of the ischemic stroke did not influence the risk for seizure development in the studied population.
Discussion: The overall incidence of acute seizures after stroke was 3.1%, with a higher incidence seen in hemorrhagic stroke, younger patients, and those presenting with higher prestroke Rankin scores. Acute seizures were associated with a higher mortality at 30 days after stroke.
Lamotrigine inhibits postsynaptic AMPA receptor and glutamate release in the dentate gyrus
Authors: Lee Chun‐Yao , Fu Wen‐Mei , Chen Chih‐Chuan , Su Ming‐Jai , Liou Horng‐Huei 
Published: January 2008

Summary
Purpose: The dentate gyrus (DG) is a gateway that regulates seizure activity in the hippocampus. We investigated the site of action of lamotrigine (LTG), an effective anticonvulsant, in the regulation of alpha‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) and N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor‐mediated excitatory synaptic transmission on DG.
Methods: Evoked AMPA and NMDA receptor‐mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSC

ampa

and eEPSC

nmda

) were recorded by whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording from the granule cells of DG in brain slice preparation of young Wistar rats (60–120 g). Exogenously applied AMPA and NMDA‐induced currents and AMPA receptor‐mediated miniature EPSC (mEPSC

ampa

) were recorded in the presence of specific antagonists.
Results: LTG inhibited both eEPSC

ampa

and eEPSC

nmda

, and had no effect on exogenously applied NMDA‐induced current indicating LTG inhibited glutamate release. Previous studies demonstrated that alteration in glutamate concentration in synaptic cleft causes parallel changes of eEPSC

ampa

and eEPSC

nmda

. Our results showed that LTG inhibited eEPSC

ampa

significantly more than eEPSC

nmda

(p < 0.05), suggesting that LTG may also have blocked the postsynaptic AMPA receptor. The hypothesis is further supported by the facts that; (1) LTG (30–100 μM) inhibited direct exogenously applied AMPA‐induced currents (to 90%), (2) LTG significantly reduced the amplitude, but not the frequency of mEPSC

ampa

and asynchronous (EPSC), and (3) LTG‐induced reduction of eEPSC

ampa

was not associated with a modification of the paired‐pulse ratio. To sum up, LTG exerts a postsynaptic inhibitory mechanism on the AMPA receptor.
Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that LTG suppresses postsynaptic AMPA receptors and reduces glutamate release in granule cells of DG. The postsynaptic effect can be one of the underlying mechanisms of LTG's anticonvulsant action.
Analysis of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Haplotypes in the Neuropeptide Y Gene: No Evidence for Association With Alcoholism in a German Population Sample
Authors: Zill Peter , Preuss Ulrich W. , Koller Gabrielle , Bondy Brigitta , Soyka Michael 
Published: January 2008

Background:  Several lines of evidence from animal and electrophysiological studies indicate that the neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene is involved in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence. Recent studies have provided evidence for an association between a Leu7Pro polymorphism, as well as 2 promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NPY gene (G‐602T, T‐399C) and alcohol dependence. The aim of the present study was to analyze these variants in a large sample of the Munich Gene Bank of Alcoholism.Methods:  We performed single SNP and haplotype studies in 465 alcohol dependent patients and 448 healthy controls with 3 SNPs in the promoter region (−883ins/del, G‐602T, T‐399C) and the Leu7Pro polymorphism in exon 2 of the NPY gene.Results:  Neither single SNP‐, nor haplotype analysis could detect significant associations with alcohol dependence. Additionally we could not detect any relation to Cloninger’s Type 1/2 or Babor’s Type A/B classification, to withdrawal symptoms, to the age of onset or to the amount of alcohol intake.Conclusions:  In conclusion, our results suggest that the analyzed SNPs, as well as the corresponding haplotypes of the NPY gene are unlikely to play a major role in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence in the investigated sample from the German population. Further analyses are needed to confirm the present results.
Face Processing in Chronic Alcoholism: A Specific Deficit for Emotional Features
Authors: Maurage P. , Campanella S. , Philippot P. , Martin S. , De Timary P. 
Published: January 2008

Background:  It is well established that chronic alcoholism is associated with a deficit in the decoding of emotional facial expression (EFE). Nevertheless, it is still unclear whether this deficit is specifically for emotions or due to a more general impairment in visual or facial processing. This study was designed to clarify this issue using multiple control tasks and the subtraction method.Methods:  Eighteen patients suffering from chronic alcoholism and 18 matched healthy control subjects were asked to perform several tasks evaluating (1) Basic visuo‐spatial and facial identity processing; (2) Simple reaction times; (3) Complex facial features identification (namely age, emotion, gender, and race). Accuracy and reaction times were recorded.Results:  Alcoholic patients had a preserved performance for visuo‐spatial and facial identity processing, but their performance was impaired for visuo‐motor abilities and for the detection of complex facial aspects. More importantly, the subtraction method showed that alcoholism is associated with a specific EFE decoding deficit, still present when visuo‐motor slowing down is controlled for.Conclusion:  These results offer a post hoc confirmation of earlier data showing an EFE decoding deficit in alcoholism by strongly suggesting a specificity of this deficit for emotions. This may have implications for clinical situations, where emotional impairments are frequently observed among alcoholic subjects.
The Effect of Alcohol Intake on Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality Disappeared After Taking Lifetime Drinking and Covariates Into Account
Authors: Friesema Ingrid H.M. , Zwietering Paul J. , Veenstra Marja Y. , Knottnerus J. André , Garretsen Henk F.L. , Kester Arnold D.M. , Lemmens Paul H.H.M. 
Published: January 2008

Background:  Current alcohol intake has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The effect of past and lifetime drinking has received less attention. In the present study, the impact of current, past and lifetime drinking on cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality has been assessed. Secondly, the effect of accounting for covariates within these relationships has been studied.Methods:  The Lifestyle and Health study is a prospective cohort study in 2 regions of the Netherlands. Men and women aged 45 to 70 years registered in 34 general practices were followed over the period July 1996 to June 2001. At baseline, an extensive questionnaire had to be filled in. It included 3 questionnaires about alcohol intake: a Weekly Recall, a Quantity‐Frequency about last year, and the Lifetime Drinking History questionnaire. Health problems were registered by the general practitioners.Results:  During follow‐up, 679 men and 397 women had a cardiovascular event and 330 men and 204 women died. Current drinking was associated with lower risks of cardiovascular events (women) and all‐cause mortality (men and women) compared with never drinkers. The relationships were strongest for alcohol intake measured with the Weekly Recall. Lifetime alcohol intake and alcohol intake in the distant past did not seem to be related to all‐cause mortality or cardiovascular events. Adjustments for covariates weakened the relationships.Conclusions:  Potential positive effects of drinking seem to be of a transient nature, as lifetime drinking and drinking in the past could not be related to all‐cause mortality or cardiovascular events. The alleged benefits of current drinking at baseline diminished with increasing methodological quality and rigor.
Bicortical Implant Insertion in Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy: A Computed Tomography Simulation in Affected Doberman Pinschers
Authors: CORLAZZOLI DANIELE 
Published: January 2008

Objective— To evaluate the safety of the angle of insertion of bicortical implants in Doberman Pinschers affected by caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM) using simulation on computed tomography (CT) images.Animals— Doberman Pinschers (n=9) with dynamic spinal compression attributed to CCSM.Methods— Dogs had CT evaluation of the cervical vertebral column. Digital images were used to evaluate the safety of bicortical implant insertion from the midline at 30, 35, and 40° inclination by drawing a line simulating implant position. Correct surgical positioning of dogs was evaluated by measuring the degree of rotation of the spine along the longitudinal axis.Results— Insertion of an implant at 30, 35, and 40° inclination was considered safe in 42%, 59%, and 67% of selected sites. Rotation of the spine from 9° counter clockwise to 10° clockwise along the longitudinal axis occurred in 53% of the areas considered.Conclusions— These results suggest that bicortical implants in the caudal cervical area in Doberman Pinschers affected by CCSM carry a high risk of vertebral canal and intervertebral foramina violation.Clinical Relevance— Bicortical implants inserted at 30 and 35° in the caudal cervical area in Doberman Pinschers affected by CCSM carry a high risk of vertebral canal and intervertebral foramina violation. CT planning for individual dogs can facilitate selection of the appropriate insertion plane and vertebral column rotation needs to be considered in surgical planning.
Sparing Effect of a Low Dose of Intrathecal Morphine on Fentanyl Requirements During Spinal Surgery: A Preliminary Clinical Investigation in Dogs
Authors: NOVELLO LORENZO , CORLETTO FEDERICO , RABOZZI ROBERTO , PLATT SIMON R. 
Published: January 2008

Objective—To evaluate the effect of preoperative intrathecal administration of a low dose of morphine on intraoperative fentanyl requirements in dogs undergoing cervical and thoracolumbar spinal surgery.Study Design—Prospective randomized clinical study.Animals—Dogs (n=18) matched by surgical procedure administered intrathecal morphine (MG) or no‐treatment (control group, CG).Methods—After premedication with romifidine (4 μg/kg, intravenously) and induction with propofol, anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen. Intrathecal morphine 0.03 (0.023–0.034) mg/kg was administered at lumbar level 41 (25–65) minutes before surgery in MG. Ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) was administered hourly, starting before incision. Fentanyl infusion (1.2 and 4.2 μg/kg/h in MG and CG, respectively) was administered after a loading dose (5 and 10 μg/kg in MG and CG, respectively), and boluses were given if an increase >20% in heart rate and arterial blood pressure was observed. Total amount of fentanyl administered was recorded, to calculate hourly requirements and predict plasma concentration using a computer simulation.Results—Hourly fentanyl consumption and predicted plasma concentrations at the time of response to surgery were significantly lower in MG compared with CG.Conclusions—Preoperative administration of a low dose of intrathecal morphine has a sparing effect on intraoperative fentanyl requirements.Clinical Relevance—Preoperative intrathecal administration of a low dose of morphine at the lumbar level represented a safe and effective mean of providing intraoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing cervical and thoracolumbar spinal surgery.
Surgical Correction of Wry Nose in Four Horses
Authors: SCHUMACHER JIM , BRINK PALLE , EASLEY JACK , POLLOCK PATRICK 
Published: January 2008

Objective— To describe surgical techniques used for correction of congenital nasal deviation (wry nose) in horses (wry nose) and to report outcome.Study Design— Retrospective study.Animals— Horses (n=4), 5–17 months old with wry nose.Methods— Nasal deviation was corrected by transecting the premaxillae/maxillae and nasal bones at their site of maximum curvature and realigning and stabilizing the bones in a more normal alignment using internal fixation. The nasal septum was removed during the same anesthetic period.Results— For each horse, physical appearance was improved and respiratory stridor eliminated.Conclusions— Wry nose can be corrected by transecting the premaxillae/maxillae and nasal bones and stabilizing the transected bones in a more normal alignment; the nasal septum can be removed concurrently.Clinical Relevance— Surgical correction of wry nose may provide a good functional and cosmetic outcome.
Prospective Evaluation of Techniques for Differentiating Shoulder Pathology As a Source of Forelimb Lameness in Medium and Large Breed Dogs
Authors: COGAR STEVEN M. , COOK CRISTI R. , CURRY STEPHEN L. , GRANDIS ANNAMARIA , COOK JAMES L. 
Published: January 2008

Objective— To assess lameness evaluation, shoulder abduction angles, radiography, and ultrasonography for determining presence, location, and severity of forelimb pathology.Study Design— Prospective cohort study.Animals— Dogs ≥20 kg (n=30).Methods— Each dog was assigned lameness scores. Shoulder abduction angles were determined. Radiographs of shoulders and elbows were subjectively graded for pathology. One investigator unaware of dog history (lameness, radiographic findings) performed ultrasonographic assessment of shoulders with subjective grading of pathology. Another investigator unaware of dog history (lameness, radiographic, ultrasonographic findings) performed arthroscopic assessment of shoulders with subjective grading of pathology. Elbows were disarticulated and evaluated for gross pathology. Histologic pathology scoring of shoulder tissues was performed. Data were compared for differences among groups, sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated.Results— Twenty‐seven forelimbs were considered clinically normal, 26 had shoulder pathology, 5 had elbow pathology, and 2 had pathology of both the shoulder and elbow. Dogs with shoulder pathology were twice as likely to be lame compared with dogs with elbow pathology. Limbs with medial shoulder instability had significantly higher abduction angles than normal limbs and those with elbow pathology. Radiographs were clinically useful for diagnosing elbow, but not shoulder, pathology. Ultrasonography was clinically useful for diagnosing shoulder pathology other than instability. Abduction angles, ultrasonographic evaluation, and arthroscopic assessments had strong, significant correlations with reference standards.Conclusions— Clinically relevant diagnostic techniques yielded characteristic, repeatable differences in objective and subjective assessments for distinguishing presence, location, and severity of forelimb lameness in dogs.Clinical Relevance— The diagnostic approach to forelimb lameness in dogs should include shoulder pathology as a differential with multiple assessments used to determine the clinical cause of lameness.
A Technique for Internal Fixation of Scapulohumeral Luxation Using Scapulohumeral Tension Sutures in Three Alpacas and One Miniature Steer
Authors: WATTS ASHLEE E. , FORTIER LISA A. , NIXON ALAN J. , DUCHARME NORM G. 
Published: January 2008

Objective—To report a technique for open reduction and internal fixation of scapulohumeral joint luxation in large animals, and outcome.Study Design—Clinical case reports.Animals—Mature alpacas (n=3) and immature miniature steer (1).Methods—Shoulder joint luxation was diagnosed by physical examination and confirmed by radiography. Open reduction was performed with internal fixation using lateral tension band sutures.Results—Animals maintained shoulder joint reduction and were sound with radiographically normal shoulder joints (n=2) and normal range of motion without appreciable gait abnormalities (4) at follow‐up 8–36 months later.Conclusions—In contrast to previous reports of open reduction with internal fixation of shoulder joint luxation in large animals, open reduction and use of lateral scapulohumeral tension sutures resulted in functionally normal shoulder joints.Clinical Relevance—Stabilization of the shoulder joint with lateral scapulohumeral tension sutures after open reduction is effective, technically simple, and should be considered in large animal species weighing <100 kg.