bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality and relevance of evidence in support of guideline recommendations for sleep laboratory investigations
Authors: Hailey David , Tran Khai 
Published: November 2005

Objectives:As part of a review of guidelines for sleep laboratories, this study summarizes the quality and relevance of evidence cited in support of recommendations on investigations for individuals with sleep disorders.Methods:Quality of evidence in support of each recommendation was rated as A (from well-conducted, prospective controlled studies), B (from controlled studies and case series, with minor shortcomings), or C (from case series or case series plus controlled studies with substantial limitations). Relevance of the cited evidence was also rated from A to C, in decreasing order of merit.Results:Of eighty-one recommendations from thirty-seven guidelines, forty-six were supported by evidence from primary studies. Six recommendations were supported by category A evidence, fifteen by category B, and twenty-five recommendations by category C. The cited evidence was highly relevant to eighteen recommendations, of some relevance for twenty-two and of little or no relevance to six. Four recommendations were informed by an absence of available evidence. For the other thirty-one, no evidence was provided in support.Conclusions:The approach used provided a concise overview of recommendations and supporting evidence for decision-makers. Guidelines on the use of sleep laboratory investigations contain much detailed information, but evidence supporting several recommendations is of limited quality and relevance. Furthermore, good-quality studies of many sleep laboratory applications are needed to assist both health policy formulation and clinical practice.
Toward a multidimensional assessment of picture archiving and communication system success
Authors: Paré Guy , Lepanto Luigi , Aubry David , Sicotte Claude 
Published: November 2005

Objectives: Based on a prevalent framework in the information systems field, this study proposes and describes an integrated model for evaluating picture archiving and communication system (PACS) success from multiple users' perspectives.Methods: Our study details the validation process of the proposed model at a large tertiary-care teaching hospital in Canada. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected to assess the psychometric properties of the measurement instrument and test the research hypotheses.Results: Our findings clearly reveal that radiologists, technologists, and clinicians have different views regarding the factors influencing PACS success. For instance, the results for radiologists show that their concern with efficiency and productivity is best guaranteed by a system that is reliable and easy to use. Furthermore, that only perceived system usefulness influenced clinicians' satisfaction with PACS is a reflection of the primary impact that technology has on their work, namely, the ability to have instant access to images from any point in the hospital. Even though, overall, all three groups view the adoption of PACS positively, the mean scores indicate that radiologists and technologists seem to be more satisfied and their expectations to be met at a higher level than clinicians.Conclusions: We believe the measurement instruments developed in this study can be used as a diagnostic tool by project managers interested in better understanding the extent to which different groups of stakeholders perceive the deployment of PACS as being successful and how factors influencing perceptions of PACS success vary across user types.
Ximelagatran: A new type of oral anticoagulant
Authors: Kwok Lisa , Molckovsky Dana , Boucher Michel 
Published: November 2005

Objectives: This assessment sought to evaluate the comparative benefit and adverse effect profile of ximelagatran, as well as the clinical issues surrounding its potential use.Methods: We performed a Dialog OneSearch across BIOSIS Previews, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PASCAL, and ToxFile to identify published literature. PubMed and The Cochrane Library were also searched. Gray literature was identified by searching a variety of Web sites of health technology assessment and related agencies and their associated databases. The manufacturer's Canadian office, AstraZeneca, was invited to submit information.Results: Ximelagatran is the first oral agent from a new class of anticoagulants called direct thrombin inhibitors. Other oral anticoagulants require routine blood monitoring; ximelagatran does not. Ximelagatran has been evaluated in the areas of venous thromboembolism management, particularly after orthopedic surgery, and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Overall, ximelagatran's efficacy appears comparable to other anticoagulants in these clinical settings. Also, bleeding rates were generally similar between ximelagatran and comparators but, as for warfarin, bleeding risk increases with higher ximelagatran doses. In addition, there is no specific antidote to help manage ximelagatran-induced bleeding. Finally, significantly more patients exposed to long-term ximelagatran developed elevated liver enzymes more than three times the upper normal limit, compared with patients on comparator anticoagulants.Conclusions: Given its apparent simplicity of use, ximelagatran carries the potential to replace, at least in part, anticoagulants currently used in the management of venous thromboembolism or for preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation patients. However, the safety of ximelagatran will not be fully known without further evaluation and surveillance for potential liver toxicity. There is also a need to evaluate its use in special populations such as patients with renal failure and patients using several concurrent medications.
Time-trends in health technology assessments: An analysis of developments in composition of international health technology assessments from 1989 to 2002
Authors: Draborg Eva , Gyrd-Hansen Dorte 
Published: November 2005

Objectives:Health Technology Assessment (HTA) as a method for producing evidence in the health-care sector has been used for more than 25 years but has grown in extent during the past years. The objective of this study is to explore a possible evolution in these HTAs, in type of assessed technologies, in type of assessors, and in its methods.Methods:A structured literature review was conducted of 433 HTA reports from the period 1989 to 2002 by eleven leading HTA institutions worldwide. The review focused on the methodology used, the assessors, and the assessed technologies and was designed to elucidate general time-trends in the practical application of HTA.Results:The study shows that literature reviews are still the most often used method of assessment and accounts for a relatively stable fraction of assessments. The fraction of economic evaluations shows a slightly decreasing trend in contrast to randomized controlled trials and modeling/evaluations, which are applied more frequently. The data also demonstrate a more frequent use of external partners as assessors and a shift between devices and pharmaceuticals as assessed technologies.Conclusions:The study shows an increase in the number of HTAs but no major developments in assessment methods used and, therefore, no widespread spillover from the development in research methods in general to the field of HTA methodology.
A test of prospect theory
Authors: Feeny David , Eng Ken 
Published: November 2005

Objectives:Prospect theory (PT) hypothesizes that people judge states relative to a reference point, usually assumed to be their current health. States better than the reference point are valued on a concave portion of the utility function; worse states are valued on a convex portion. Using prospectively collected utility scores, the objective is to test empirically implications of PT.Methods:Osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty periodically provided standard gamble scores for three OA hypothetical states describing mild, moderate, and severe OA as well as their subjectively defined current state (SDCS). Our hypothesis was that most patients improved between the pre- and postsurgery assessments. According to PT, scores for hypothetical states previously > SDCS but now < SDCS should be lower at the postsurgery assessment.Results:Fourteen patients met the criteria for testing the hypothesis. Predictions were confirmed for 0 patients; there was no change or mixed results for 6 patients (42.9 percent); and scores moved in the direction opposite to that predicted by PT for 8 patients (57.1 percent).Conclusions:In general, the direction and magnitude of the changes in hypothetical-state scores do not conform to the predictions of PT.
Addressing telehealth's foremost barrier: Provider as initial gatekeeper
Authors: Whitten Pamela S. , Mackert Michael S. 
Published: November 2005

Objectives: During the past decade, telehealth has enjoyed a plethora of public funding and publication outlets around the world. Yet, rhetoric appears to be outpacing the actual diffusion and utilization of telehealth technologies for patient care. Several barriers, such as reimbursement and legal/regulatory issues, are commonly cited as impeding the successful deployment of this innovation. However, two separate studies carried out in Michigan that controlled for these barriers point out a more significant initial gatekeeper to the deployment of telehealth, namely providers.Methods: Multiple data collection strategies were used in both the telehospice and telepsychiatry projects, including utilization logs, surveys, telehospice nursing notes, cost frame data collection, patient interviews, caregiver interviews and focus groups, and videotaped visits.Results: This study summarizes data from the two studies to support the hypothesis that the provider is the most important initial gatekeeper for telemedicine.Conclusions: The implications from this conclusion have important consequences for health system deployment strategies. Specifically, telemedicine project managers must keep providers' needs (ease of use and incentives) in mind when designing a telemedicine system.
A Guide to Publishing Your First Book: The Ins and Outs
of Obtaining a Book Contract
Authors: Jeydel Alana S. , Dolan Julie 
Published: November 2005

As part of its mission to address issues of recruitment, retention,
and integration of women and people of color in the profession, the
APSA Task Force on Mentoring periodically publishes articles on some
aspect of mentoring that will help political scientists move
successfully through the profession. This brief symposium on
“Publishing Your First Book” is just one such example of this
initiative. For more information about the Task Force and its
ongoing projects, contact Linda Lopez, APSA Director of Education
and Professional Development Programs, at llopez@apsanet.org.The right contract can make or break tenure and promotion. The
following article presents pearls of wisdom from David Meyer, Clyde
Wilcox, Susan Clarke, Terri Givens, Carol Swain, Robert Spitzer, and
Peter Labella. We divide these suggestions into two parts—those on
obtaining and those on negotiating a contract.
Solution structure of γS‐crystallin by molecular fragment replacement NMR
Authors: Wu Zhengrong , Delaglio Frank , Wyatt Keith , Wistow Graeme , Bax Ad 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe solution structure of murine γS‐crystallin (γS) has been determined by multidimensional triple resonance NMR spectroscopy, using restraints derived from two sets of dipolar couplings, recorded in different alignment media, and supplemented by a small number of NOE distance restraints. γS consists of two topologically similar domains, arranged with an approximate twofold symmetry, and each domain shows close structural homology to closely related (∼50% sequence identity) domains found in other members of the γ‐crystallin family. Each domain consists of two four‐strand “Greek key” β‐sheets. Although the domains are tightly anchored to one another by the hydrophobic surfaces of the two inner Greek key motifs, the N‐arm, the interdomain linker and several turn regions show unexpected flexibility and disorder in solution. This may contribute entropic stabilization to the protein in solution, but may also indicate nucleation sites for unfolding or other structural transitions. The method used for solving the γS structure relies on the recently introduced molecular fragment replacement method, which capitalizes on the large database of protein structures previously solved by X‐ray crystallography and NMR.
Modulation of oxygen binding to insect hemoglobins: The structure of hemoglobin from the botfly Gasterophilus intestinalis
Authors: Pesce Alessandra , Nardini Marco , Dewilde Sylvia , Hoogewijs David , Ascenzi Paolo , Moens Luc , Bolognesi Martino 
Published: November 2005

AbstractHemoglobins (Hbs) reversibly bind gaseous diatomic ligands (e.g., O2) as the sixth heme axial ligand of the penta‐coordinate deoxygenated form. Selected members of the Hb superfamily, however, display a functionally relevant hexa‐coordinate heme Fe atom in their deoxygenated state. Endogenous heme hexa‐coordination is generally provided in these Hbs by the E7 residue (often His), which thus modulates accessibility to the heme distal pocket and reactivity of the heme toward exogenous ligands. Such a pivotal role of the E7 residue is prominently shown by analysis of the functional and structural properties of insect Hbs. Here, we report the 2.6 Å crystal structure of oxygenated Gasterophilus intestinalis Hb1, a Hb known to display a penta‐coordinate heme in the deoxygenated form. The structure is analyzed in comparison with those of Drosophila melanogaster Hb, exhibiting a hexa‐coordinate heme in its deoxygenated derivative, and of Chironomus thummi thummi HbIII, which displays a penta‐coordinate heme in the deoxygenated form. Despite evident structural differences in the heme distal pockets, the distinct molecular mechanisms regulating O2 binding to the three insect Hbs result in similar O2 affinities (P50 values ranging between 0.12 torr and 0.46 torr).
Crystal structures of T cell receptor β chains related to rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Li Hongmin , Van Vranken Sandra , Zhao Yiwei , Li Zhong , Guo Yi , Eisele Leslie , Li Yixin 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe crystal structures of the Vβ17+ β chains of two human T cell receptors (TCRs), originally derived from the synovial fluid (SF4) and tissue (C5–1) of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), have been determined in native (SF4) and mutant (C5–1F104→Y/C187→S) forms, respectively. These TCR β chains form homo‐dimers in solution and in crystals. Structural comparison reveals that the main‐chain conformations in the CDR regions of the C5–1 and SF4 Vβ17 closely resemble those of a Vβ17 JM22 in a bound form; however, the CDR3 region shows different conformations among these three Vβ17 structures. At the side‐chain level, conformational differences were observed at the CDR2 regions between our two ligand‐free forms and the bound JM22 form. Other significant differences were observed at the Vβ regions 8–12, 40–44, and 82–88 between C5–1/SF4 and JM22 Vβ17, implying that there is considerable variability in the structures of very similar β chains. Structural alignments also reveal a considerable variation in the Vβ–Cβ associations, and this may affect ligand recognition. The crystal structures also provide insights into the structure basis of T cell recognition of Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen (MAM), a superantigen that may be implicated in the development of human RA. Structural comparisons of the Vβ domains of known TCR structures indicate that there are significant similarities among Vβ regions that are MAM‐reactive, whereas there appear to be significant structural differences among those Vβ regions that lack MAM‐reactivity. It further reveals that CDR2 and framework region (FR) 3 are likely to account for the binding of TCR to MAM.
The crystal structure of a novel SAM‐dependent methyltransferase PH1915 from Pyrococcus horikoshii
Authors: Sun Warren , Xu Xiaohui , Pavlova Marina , Edwards Aled M. , Joachimiak Andrzej , Savchenko Alexei , Christendat Dinesh 
Published: November 2005

AbstractThe S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAM)‐dependent methyltransferases represent a diverse and biologically important class of enzymes. These enzymes utilize the ubiquitous methyl donor SAM as a cofactor to methylate proteins, small molecules, lipids, and nucleic acids. Here we present the crystal structure of PH1915 from Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3, a predicted SAM‐dependent methyltransferase. This protein belongs to the Cluster of Orthologous Group 1092, and the presented crystal structure is the first representative structure of this protein family. Based on sequence and 3D structure analysis, we have made valuable functional insights that will facilitate further studies for characterizing this group of proteins. Specifically, we propose that PH1915 and its orthologs are rRNA‐ or tRNA‐specific methyltransferases.
Interactions of microorganisms isolated from gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata L., on Vibrio harveyi, a pathogen of farmed Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup)
Authors: Chabrillón M , Rico R M , Arijo S , Díaz‐Rosales P , Balebona M C , Moriñigo M A 
Published: November 2005

AbstractFour bacterial isolates from farmed gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, included in a previous study as members of the Vibrionaceae and Pseudomonodaceae and the genus Micrococcus, have been evaluated for their adhesive ability to skin and intestinal mucus of farmed Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis, and their antagonistic effect on Vibrio harveyi, a pathogen of sole. These isolates showed higher adhesion to sole mucus than the pathogenic strains of V. harveyi assayed. Only two of the isolates showed antagonistic activity to V. harveyi. Interactions of the four isolates with V. harveyi in respect of adhesion to skin and intestinal mucus under exclusion, competition and displacement conditions were studied. Three isolates were able to reduce the attachment to skin and intestinal sole mucus of a pathogenic strain of V. harveyi under displacement and exclusion conditions, but not under competition conditions. The in vivo probiotic potential of isolate Pdp11 was assessed by oral administration followed by challenge with the pathogenic V. harveyi strain Lg14/00. A group of 50 Senegalese sole received a commercial diet supplemented with 108 cfu g−1 of lyophilized Lg14/00 for 15 days. A second group of fish received a non‐supplemented commercial diet. After challenge the mortality of the fish receiving the diet supplemented with the potential probiotic isolate was significantly lower than that in the fish receiving the non‐supplemented commercial diet. This study has shown that the ability to interfere with attachment of pathogens, as well as the adhesion to host surfaces, are suitable criteria for selection of candidate probiotics for use in the culture of Senegalese sole.
Development of a rapid assay for the diagnosis of Myxobolus cerebralis in fish and oligochaetes using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification
Authors: El‐Matbouli M , Soliman H 
Published: November 2005

AbstractA loop‐mediated isothermal amplification assay was developed for the rapid detection of Myxobolus cerebralis in both fish and oligochaete hosts. The assay was optimized to amplify parasitic DNA by incubation with Bst DNA polymerase and a set of six specially constructed primers at 65 °C for 60 min. The amplification products were detected visually using SYBR Green I dye which gave identical results to gel electrophoresis analysis. Parasite DNA was detected from infected oligochaetes, and from the anal fin, caudal fin, dorsal fin and operculum of clinically infected fish. This ‘Myxo‐LAMP’ assay has a detection limit similar to that of a polymerase chain reaction assay (10−6), but is more rapid and only requires a water bath for amplification and is therefore practical for simple and rapid diagnosis of infected tissue.
Exhaled nitric oxide and exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction in young male conscripts: association only in atopics
Authors: Rouhos A. , Ekroos H. , Karjalainen J. , Sarna S. , Sovijärvi A. R. A. 
Published: November 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate how bronchial responsiveness to direct and indirect stimuli relate to nitric oxide producing airway inflammation, and whether the relationship differs between atopic and nonatopic patients with various degrees of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation in a group of otherwise homogenous young men.We studied 181 consecutive non‐smoking steroid‐naive young male conscripts referred to military hospital because of respiratory symptoms suggesting asthma. Skin prick tests, spirometry, measurement of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and standardized airway challenges with histamine and exercise were performed.128 patients were atopic. FENO was significantly higher in the atopic group, median 21.2 ppb, compared to 10.2 ppb in the nonatopic group. Still, 36% of all nonatopic patients had elevated FENO. Bronchial responsiveness to histamine (HIB) was similar in the two groups, but exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) was stronger in atopics (P < 0.01). FENO associated significantly with atopy (P < 0.001), severity of EIB (P < 0.001) and HIB (P = 0.006) in multiple linear regression model. In separate regression models for atopic and nonatopic patients FENO associated with severity of EIB and HIB in atopic patients only. The results were similar when patients with confirmed diagnosis of asthma were analyzed separately.Our results indicate that FENO significantly associates with EIB and HIB in atopic, but not in nonatopic steroid‐naïve patients with asthmatic symptoms. The finding suggests that in such atopic patients degree of airway hyperresponsiveness may reflect severity of airway inflammation. However, in nonatopic patients with similar symptoms other mechanisms of airway hyperresponsiveness may be more important.
Quality of asthma care: results from a community pharmacy based survey
Authors: Laforest L. , Van Ganse E. , Devouassoux G. , Chretin S. , Bauguil G. , Pacheco Y. , Chamba G. 
Published: November 2005

Background:  Optimal control is a major objective of disease management of asthma. The aim of the present study was to provide descriptive data on disease management in asthma patients, including medical resource utilization.Methods:  Asthma patients (age 18–50 years) were consecutively recruited in 348 dispensing pharmacies. They completed a questionnaire which collected data on personal characteristics, asthma management, including medical resource utilization, including asthma management. Asthma control was measured with the Asthma Control Test. Data from computerized pharmacy records of medications, dispensed before inclusion, were also collected.Results:  In 1791 eligible patients, 1559 accepted to participate in the study (mean age = 36.5, 56.1% of females). During the previous 4 weeks, the asthma control was satisfactory for only 28% of the patients, despite extensive provision of anti‐inflammatory asthma control treatments (89%). Combinations of long acting beta agonists (LABA) and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were commonly used (59%), while fewer patients received LABA and ICS as two separate medications (15%). In addition, short‐acting beta agonists, were frequently dispensed (71%). A substantial number of patients consulted their GPs on a monthly basis. Patients commonly reported daily shortness of breath (30%), daily use of rescue medication (29%) and weekly nocturnal symptoms (32%). Surprisingly, most patients considered their asthma as completely or well controlled (76%).Conclusions:  Our results clearly identify a need to improve the management of asthma. Education programmes would be beneficial to improve asthma control.