bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bulky Thiols and Their Coordination Compounds. An Improvement of the Removal Method of Tetrahydropyranyl Group from Thiols and Its Application for Ligand Syntheses
Authors: Watanabe Hideaki , Ogo Seiji , Yamamura Takeshi 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
The route for the syntheses of alkanthiols having bulky groups at the neighborhood of sulfur atoms was improved, and applied for the preparation of thiol ligands that mimic the cysteine containing metal binding sites in proteins. The new method developed the deprotection of tetrahydropyranyl group from α,α-diphenylalkyl 2-tetrahydropyranyl sulfides.
NXY-059: Review of Neuroprotective Potential for Acute Stroke
Authors: Fong Jeffrey J , Rhoney Denise H 
Published: March 2006

Objective: To review available literature on the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and tolerability of NXY-059, an Investigational agent with a potential role in the treatment of acute stroke. Data Sources: Information was obtained from a MEDLINE search (1966–February 2006) of English-language literature utilizing the following search terms: NXY-059, cerovive, nitrones, neuroprotection, free radical trapper, and secondary neurologic injury. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Data from animal and human trials were evaluated to summarize the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of NXY-059. All published and unpublished trials and abstracts citing NXY-059 were selected. Data Synthesis: NXY-059 is an intravenous, nitrone-based, free radical trapping agent in Phase III trials for treatment of acute stroke. In various animal models, NXY-059 has shown reductions in infarct volume and neurologic deficits. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that NXY-059 displays a predictable pharmacokinetic profile and primarily undergoes renal elimination. Results from 2 Phase II clinical trials showed favorable results for the safety and tolerability of the drug. A recent analysis of one of the Phase III trials showed a statistically significant reduction in the primary outcome of disability after acute stroke in patients who received NXY-059 compared with placebo. Conclusions: NXY-059 is a novel agent undergoing worldwide Phase III trials. Initial safety and efficacy data have not revealed any serious adverse events requiring special monitoring and/or precautions, with the exception of drug accumulation in patients with renal insufficiency. The potential benefit of this agent can change the current management algorithm for acute stroke and may represent significant advancement for the care of these patients.
Optic Neuritis with Visual Field Defect—Possible Ibuprofen-Related Toxicity
Authors: Gamulescu Maria-A , Schalke Berthold , Schuierer Gerhard , Gabel Veit-P 
Published: March 2006

Objective: To report a case of optic neuritis with visual field defect associated with ibuprofen. Case Summary: A 41-year-old white man developed blurred vision in his right eye and pain with eye and head movements that lasted 2 days after use of ibuprofen 400 mg 3 times daily during the preceding 3 weeks. Medical and family histories were negative for significant related disease. Ophthalmologic examination revealed a marked decrease in visual acuity to 20/200 in the right eye with quadrant visual field loss and absent responses in visual evoked potential (VEP). After discontinuation of the drug and treatment with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone and subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin, the patient's vision improved to 20/70, the visual field defect vanished, and the VEP returned to almost normal values during a 1 year follow-up period. An objective causality assessment revealed that the adverse reaction was possibly related to ibuprofen. Discussion: Ocular toxicity with blurred vision and centrocecal visual field defects have been rarely associated with long-term ibuprofen intake. We report a case of retrobulbar optic neuritis with quadrant visual field defect following short-term but regular ibuprofen intake. Although idiopathic optic neuritis cannot be completely ruled out, the absence of other risk factors and additional findings plus the improvement after discontinuation of the drug speak for isolated toxic optic neuritis of the right eye. Conclusions: Drug toxicity is an important differential diagnosis in retrobulbar optic neuritis. Clinicians should be aware of the potential optic toxicity, even with short-term use of a drug, and perform a thorough medication history in every patient with visual disturbances without a clear cause.
Self-Reported Adherence in Patients with Asthma
Authors: De Smet Brian D , Erickson Steven R , Kirking Duane M 
Published: March 2006

Background: Not all patients with asthma adhere to their prescribed drug regimens. The Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization, organized as predisposing, enabling, and need variables, may be useful in identifying variables related to adherent medication-taking behavior. Objective: To examine the relationship between predisposing, enabling, and need variables and self-reported adherence with asthma controller drugs. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted from a cross-sectional study using survey and claims data obtained from adults with asthma enrolled in a managed care organization. Independent variables included predisposing (age, gender, race, years with asthma, number of comorbidities, health beliefs), enabling (income, number of metered-dose inhaler [MDI] instructors, inhaler technique, perceived physician access), and need (patient-perceived severity, symptom-derived severity, health-related quality of life). Adherence was measured using a 4 item questionnaire scored as the mean of the responses, with 5 denoting highest adherence. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify variables with statistically significant relationships to self-reported adherence. Stepwise backward elimination was used, with the final model consisting of variables considered significant at p less than 0.05. Results: The 573 respondents (1270 packets sent; 45% response rate) were primarily white (89.5%) and female (71.0%), with an average age of 40.5 ± 12.4 years (mean ± SD) and average asthma duration of 18.3 ± 14.2 years. The mean adherence scale score was 3.7 ± 1.1, with 84.6% indicating some level of nonadherence (score < 5). The final model had an adjusted R2 of 0.26 and Included 6 independent variables. Better adherence was associated with stronger beliefs in the benefits of treatment and trigger avoidance, greater perceived asthma severity, longer asthma duration, more MDI Instructors, and higher scores on the Short-Form 36 mental component summary. Conclusions: Complex beliefs, perceptions, and experiences constitute the variables associated with adherent medication-taking behavior. Future longitudinal studies should include these variables to determine the predictive strength of the model.
Cell-Free Plasma DNA: A Marker for Apoptosis during Hemodialysis
Authors: Atamaniuk Johanna , Ruzicka Katharina , Stuhlmeier Karl M , Karimi Alireza , Eigner Manfred , Mueller Mathias M 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground: We evaluated whether cell-free plasma DNA might be an appropriate marker for cell damage during hemodialysis (HD) and whether it correlated with annexin V expression and 7-amino-actinomycin D (7AAD) nuclear staining of blood leukocytes.Methods: Circulating DNA, annexin V, and 7AAD were measured in HD patients before HD, 20 min after start of HD, and after HD had ended. Healthy volunteers provided control measurements. Necrosis and apoptosis were monitored by gel electrophoresis.Results: Plasma DNA concentrations were not significantly different between controls and patients before HD. Circulating DNA increased significantly (P &lt;0.05) after 20 min of treatment with HD. Post-HD concentrations of DNA were significantly higher compared with pre-HD and controls (P &lt;0.005). Agarose gel electrophoresis showed ladders typical of apoptosis in post-HD samples. Two subpopulations of CD45+ leukocytes were defined by flow cytometry: annexin V+/7AAD+ population for apoptosis, and annexin V+/7AAD− for early apoptosis. Compared with healthy controls, mean fluorescence (MF) of 7AAD+ apoptotic cells in the annexin V+/7AAD+ subpopulation before HD was not significantly increased. HD increased MF of 7AAD+ cells in the annexin V+/7AAD+ subpopulation. In this subpopulation, MF of annexin V+ cells was significantly higher (P &lt;0.01). MF of annexin V+ cells in the annexin V+/7AAD+ subpopulation increased during HD.Conclusions: During HD, cell-free plasma DNA concentrations, annexin V expression, and 7AAD uptake in leukocytes increases. The increase in plasma DNA, appearing as ladders typical of apoptosis, and the 7AAD uptake in leukocytes demonstrate that the predominant portion of circulating DNA in HD patients originates from apoptotic leukocytes.
A Medieval Food List from the Monastery of Cluny
Authors: ambrose kirk 
Published: March 2006

The sixth-century Rule of Saint Benedict places a premium on silence and proscribes speaking at various times, including during meals. In keeping with the spirit of this mandate, the monks of Cluny, an extremely wealthy and powerful monastery in southern Burgundy, placed a premium on silence from a very early date. The earliest descriptions of a sign language used at Cluny are recorded in two of the monastery's customaries, compiled during the last quarter of the eleventh century. A host of signals are described, but, tellingly, these lists begin with those for food. There were practical reasons for this, namely mandated silence in the refectory, but it also might evidence the relish with which monks enjoyed their food. Indeed, the translation offered here suggests that the monks ate very well.
Because the signals translated here are almost exclusively substantives, it would be nearly impossible to communicate any but the most rudimentary thoughts. That entire conversations were possible by means of gestures is suggested by contemporary criticisms of monks chattering away with hand signals. For our purposes, this would confirm the likely suspicion that the medieval monk enjoyed an even greater variety of foods than indicated here.
Simulation of Pediatric Trauma Stabilization in 35 North Carolina Emergency Departments: Identification of Targets for Performance Improvement
Authors: Hunt Elizabeth A. , Hohenhaus Susan M. , Luo Xuemei , Frush Karen S. 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE. Trauma is the leading cause of death in children. Most children present to community hospital emergency departments (EDs) for initial stabilization. Thus, all EDs must be prepared to care for injured children. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the quality of trauma stabilization efforts in EDs and (2) identify targets for educational interventions.METHODS. This was a prospective observational study of simulated trauma stabilizations, that is, “mock codes,” at 35 North Carolina EDs. An evaluation tool was created to score each mock code on 44 stabilization tasks. Primary outcomes were (1) interrater reliability of tool, (2) overall performance by each ED, and (3) performance per stabilization task.RESULTS. Evaluation-tool interrater reliability was excellent. The median number of stabilization tasks that needed improvement by the EDs was 25 (57%) of 44 tasks. Although problems were numerous and varied, many EDs need improvement in tasks uniquely important and/or complicated in pediatric resuscitations, including (1) estimating a child's weight (17 of 35 EDs [49%]), (2) preparing for intraosseous needle placement (24 of 35 [69%]), (3) ordering intravenous fluid boluses (31 of 35 [89%]), (4) applying warming measures (34 of 35 [97%]), and (5) ordering dextrose for hypoglycemia (34 of 35 [97%]).CONCLUSIONS. This study used simulation to identify deficiencies in stabilization of children presenting to EDs, revealing that mistakes are ubiquitous. ED personnel were universally receptive to feedback. Future research should investigate whether interventions aimed at improving identified deficiencies can improve trauma stabilization performance and, ultimately, the outcomes of children who present to EDs.
Volume Matters: Physician Practice Characteristics and Immunization Coverage Among Young Children Insured Through a Universal Health Plan
Authors: Guttmann Astrid , Manuel Doug , Dick Paul T. , To Teresa , Lam Kelvin , Stukel Therese A. 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVES. We studied the association between immunization coverage for a cohort of 2-year-old children covered by a universal health insurance plan and pediatric provider and other health services characteristics.METHODS. We assembled a cohort of 101570 infants born in urban areas in Ontario, Canada, between July 1, 1997, and June 31, 1998. Children were considered to have up-to-date (UTD) immunization coverage if they had ≥5 immunizations by 2 years of age, ie, the recommended 3 doses and 1 booster of diphtheria-polio-tetanus-pertussis/Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine and 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Provider practice characteristics were derived from outpatient billing records, and 1996 census data were used to derive neighborhood income quintiles. The association between UTD immunization status and provider characteristics was assessed with multilevel regression models, controlling for patient characteristics.RESULTS. Overall, the rate of complete UTD immunization coverage was low (66.3%) despite a large number of primary care visits (median: 19 visits). Children whose usual provider had a low volume of pediatric primary care were less than one half as likely to be UTD. Other factors associated with not being UTD included very low continuity of care, low continuity of care, and usual provider in practice for &lt;5 years. With adjustment for patient and provider characteristics, there was no difference in immunization coverage for general practitioners versus pediatricians. Children from low-income neighborhoods were less likely to be UTD.CONCLUSIONS. Despite universal access to primary care services, rates of complete immunization coverage among 2-year-old children in Ontario are low. Because visit rates are high, primary care reform should include interventions directed at provider immunization practices to reduce missed opportunities.
Improving the Quality of End-of-Life Care in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Parents' Priorities and Recommendations
Authors: Meyer Elaine C. , Ritholz Marilyn D. , Burns Jeffrey P. , Truog Robert D. 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE. Despite recognition that dying children and their families have unique palliative care needs, there has been little empirical inquiry of parent perspectives to improve the quality of end-of-life care and communication. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the priorities and recommendations for end-of-life care and communication from the parents' perspective.METHODS. This was a qualitative study based on parental responses to open-ended questions on anonymous, self-administered questionnaires, conducted at 3 pediatric ICUs in Boston, Massachusetts. Fifty-six parents whose children had died in PICUs after withdrawal of life support participated in this study. We measured parent-identified priorities for end-of-life care and communication.RESULTS. Parents identified 6 priorities for pediatric end-of-life care including honest and complete information, ready access to staff, communication and care coordination, emotional expression and support by staff, preservation of the integrity of the parent-child relationship, and faith.CONCLUSIONS. Parental priorities and recommendations offer simple yet compelling guidance to improve pediatric end-of-life clinical practice and research.
Do Changes in Body Mass Index Percentile Reflect Changes in Body Composition in Children? Data From the Fels Longitudinal Study
Authors: Demerath Ellen W. , Schubert Christine M. , Maynard L. Michele , Sun Shumei S. , Chumlea W. Cameron , Pickoff Arthur , Czerwinski Stefan A. , Towne Bradford , Siervogel Roger M. 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE. Our aim was to examine the degree to which changes in BMI percentile reflect changes in body fat and lean body mass during childhood and how age and gender affect these relationships.
METHODS. This analysis used serial data on 494 white boys and girls who were aged 8 to 18 years and participating in the Fels Longitudinal Study (total 2319 observations). Total body fat (TBF), total body fat-free mass (FFM), and percentage of body fat (%BF) were determined by hydrodensitometry, and then BMI was partitioned into its fat and fat-free components: fat mass index (FMI) and FFM index (FFMI). We calculated predicted changes (Δ) in FMI, FFMI, and %BF for each 10-unit increase in BMI percentile using mixed-effects models.
RESULTS. FFMI had a linear relationship with BMI percentile, whereas FMI and %BF tended to increase dramatically only at higher BMI percentiles. Gender and age had significant effects on the relationship between BMI percentile and FFMI, FMI, and %BF. Predicted Δ%BF for boys 13 to 18 years of age was negative, suggesting loss of relative fatness for each 10-unit increase in BMI percentile.
CONCLUSIONS. In this longitudinal study of white children, FFMI consistently increased with BMI percentile, whereas FMI and %BF had more complicated relationships with BMI percentile depending on gender, age, and whether BMI percentile was high or low. Our results suggest that BMI percentile changes may not accurately reflect changes in adiposity in children over time, particularly among male adolescents and children of lower BMI.
Risks for Low Intellectual Performance Related to Being Born Small for Gestational Age Are Modified by Gestational Age
Authors: Bergvall Niklas , Iliadou Anastasia , Johansson Stefan , Tuvemo Torsten , Cnattingius Sven 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE. We sought to study whether the association between being born small for gestational age and risk for low intellectual performance was modified by gestational age.METHODS. A population-based cohort study was conducted of 352125 boys who were born between 28 and 43 completed weeks of gestation from 1973 to 1981 in Sweden. Risk for low intellectual performance at military conscription, estimated as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals was measured.RESULTS. Compared with men who were born preterm (28–36 weeks) and had normal birth weight for gestational age, men who were born preterm and had a very low birth weight for gestational age were not at increased risk for low intellectual performance. In contrast, men who were born preterm with a very short birth length or a very small head circumference for gestational age faced a near doubled risk for low intellectual performance compared with their appropriate peers. Among men who were born at term (37–41 weeks), risk for low intellectual performance was increased among those with very or moderately small birth weight, birth length, or head circumference for gestational age.CONCLUSIONS. During early stages of gestation, growth in length and head circumference may be more important for intellectual development than weight increase. Future studies on size at birth and intellectual performance should consider also including anthropometric measurements other than birth weight.
A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Removable Splinting Versus Casting for Wrist Buckle Fractures in Children
Authors: Plint Amy C. , Perry Jeffrey J. , Correll Rhonda , Gaboury Isabelle , Lawton Louis 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE. Wrist buckle fractures are a frequent reason for emergency department visits. Although textbooks recommend 2 to 4 weeks of immobilization in a short arm cast, management varies. Treatment with both casts and splints is common, and length of immobilization varies. The objective was to determine if children with distal radius and/or ulna buckle fractures treated with a removable splint have better physical functioning than those treated with a short arm cast for 3 weeks.
METHODS. This was a randomized, controlled trial in the emergency department of an academic, tertiary care children's hospital. Participants were children 6 to 15 years of age with distal radius and/or ulna buckle fractures who were randomly assigned to treatment with a short arm cast for 3 weeks or a removable splint. Cast removal was at 3 weeks. A validated self-reported outcome tool, the Activities Scales for Kids performance version (ASKp), was used to measure physical functioning over a 4-week period. The main outcome was the ASKp score at 14 days postinjury.
RESULTS. We randomly assigned 113 patients, and 87 were included in the final analysis: 42 in the splint group and 45 in the cast group. Study groups were similar in age, gender, bone fractured, and dominant hand injured. There were significant differences in ASKp score at day 14 and change in ASKp from baseline at days 14 and 20, indicating better functioning in the splint group. Splinted children had less difficulty with bathing throughout the entire study. There were no significant differences in pain between groups as measured by visual analog scale. There were no refractures.
CONCLUSIONS. Children treated with removable splinting have better physical functioning and less difficulty with activities than those treated with a cast.
There Is No Meaningful Relationship Between Television Exposure and Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Stevens Tara , Mulsow Miriam 
Published: March 2006

OBJECTIVE. The recent but methodologically limited longitudinal study of the adverse attentional effects of television viewing in early childhood suggests a possible association. The purpose of the present study was to extend this investigation to a more current sample of kindergarten students using structural equation modeling, which allows for the simultaneous evaluation of predictors.
METHODS. Two samples were randomly selected from nationally representative data collected from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. A structural equation model was developed positing a relationship between kindergartners' television exposure and subsequent first-grade symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while controlling for variables related to socioeconomic status and parent involvement. Variables were selected rather than developed and do not include an acceptable measure of ADHD, which limited the scope of the measures used. The model was tested by using the first sample and then cross-validated to the second sample.
RESULTS. Although the adequate fit of the model to the data suggests that children's television exposure during kindergarten was related to symptoms of ADHD during the first grade, the amount of variance accounted for in the ADHD-symptoms variable revealed television exposure as a weak predictor of later ADHD symptoms. Effect sizes for the relationship between television exposure and symptoms of ADHD were close to zero and not statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS. Methodologic issues, including participant age, the measurement of ADHD symptoms, and evaluation of the importance of variables, may explain the differences between the present study and the results of others who have found television exposure to be related to attention problems. The measurement of ADHD symptoms through the use of longitudinal databases is an important limitation, because only a small number of items can be selected to represent symptoms. Future research is necessary to address these issues.