bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Point‐of‐care Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c in Emergency Department Patients without Known Diabetes: Implications for Opportunistic Screening
Authors: Ginde Adit A. , Cagliero Enrico , Nathan David M. , Camargo Jr Carlos A. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives:  The objectives were to evaluate the correlation between random glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in emergency department (ED) patients without known diabetes and to determine the ability of diabetes screening in the ED to predict outpatient diabetes.Methods:  This was a cross‐sectional study at an urban academic ED. The authors enrolled consecutive adult patients without known diabetes during eight 24‐hour periods. Point‐of‐care (POC) random capillary glucose and HbA1c levels were tested, as well as laboratory HbA1c in a subset of patients. Participants with HbA1c ≥ 6.1% were scheduled for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).Results:  The 265 enrolled patients were 47% female and 80% white, with a median age of 42 years. Median glucose and HbA1c levels were 93 mg/dL (interquartile range [IQR] = 82–108) and 5.8% (IQR = 5.5–6.2), respectively. The correlation between POC and laboratory HbA1c was r = 0.96, with mean difference 0.33% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.27% to 0.39%). Glucose threshold ≥ 120 mg/dL had 89% specificity and 26% sensitivity for predicting the 76 (29%) patients with abnormal HbA1c; ≥ 140 mg/dL had 98% specificity and 14% sensitivity. The correlation between random glucose and HbA1c was moderate (r = 0.60) and was affected by age, gender, prandial status, corticosteroid use, and current injury. Only 38% of participants with abnormal HbA1c returned for OGTTs; 38% had diabetes, 34% had impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance, and 28% had normal glucose tolerance.Conclusions:  ED patients have a high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes. Although screening with POC random glucose and HbA1c is promising, improvement in follow‐up with confirmatory testing and initiation of treatment is needed before opportunistic ED screening can be recommended.
Epidemiology of Adverse Events in Air Medical Transport
Authors: MacDonald Russell D. , Banks Brie Ann , Morrison Merideth 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives:  This observational study determined frequency and describes all‐cause adverse event epidemiology in a large air medical transport system.Methods:  Records of a mandatory reporting system were reviewed and a data set containing all of the patient care records was searched to identify aviation‐ and non–aviation‐related adverse events. Two reviewers independently identified adverse events and categorized them using an established taxonomy. Descriptive statistics were used to report adverse events, with frequency calculated per 1,000 flights and 1,000 hours flown.Results:  Between January 1, 2002, and June 30, 2005, there were 1,447 reports, of which 598 included an adverse event. Case‐finding identified an additional 125. A complete report was available in 680 of 723 (94.1%) events. There were 58,956 flights and 103,632 hours flown during the study period, for a rate of 11.53 adverse events per 1,000 flights (95% CI = 10.7 to 12.4 adverse events) or 6.56 per 1,000 hours flown (95% CI = 6.1 to 7.1 adverse events). The frequencies of events by category were as follows: communication (229; 33.7%), transport vehicle (143; 21.0%), medical equipment (88; 12.9%), patient management (77; 11.4%), clinical performance (68; 10.0%), weather (30; 4.4%), unclassified (24; 3.5%), and patient factors causing death (21; 3.1%). There was possible patient harm in 117 events.Conclusions:  Air medical transport is associated with a low incidence of adverse events and possible patient harm. Communication problems were the most common cause of an event. Determining event epidemiology is necessary to identify modifiable factors, propose solutions to decrease the adverse events, and direct future efforts to improve safety.
The Financial Impact of Ambulance Diversion on Inpatient Hospital Revenues and Profits
Authors: Handel Daniel A. , John McConnell K. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractObjectives:  The objective was to study the association between ambulance diversion and weekly inpatient hospital revenues and profits.Methods:  This was a retrospective review of administrative data from one academic medical center from July 1, 2003, to December 31, 2006. Given the high amount of daily variability, inpatient hospital revenues and profits were collapsed by week and evaluated in four categories: no diversion, mild diversion (from >0 and <10 hours), moderate diversion (>10 and <20 hours), and high diversion (>20 hours). Revenues and profits for two categories of patients admitted to the hospital were calculated: 1) patients admitted from the emergency department (ED; i.e., those arriving by ambulance and by other means) and 2) electively admitted patients.Results:  A total of 166,460 ED patients were included in the analysis. Inpatient hospital revenues were included from 85,111 patients, 28,665 of which were admissions from the ED (33.7%). For patients admitted from the ED, the average weekly revenues during periods of high diversion were $265K higher than periods of no diversion. For patients admitted on an elective basis, revenues were significantly higher when comparing periods of mild divert to high diversion (an additional $415K weekly). The overall increase in profitability was significant for periods of severe divert compared to no divert ($119K per week).Conclusions:  Periods of greater diversion are associated with higher inpatient revenues and profits for ED, electively admitted patients, and the overall inpatient hospital population. Therefore, no financial disincentive exists from an inpatient perspective for the boarding of admitted patients in the ED and increasing periods of diversion. Efforts to decrease ambulance diversion must therefore be based on other rationales, like patient safety, quality of care, and improving access to care, or new models of reimbursement that reward hospitals for reducing ambulance diversion.
Ten‐year follow‐up study of PTSD diagnosis, symptom severity and psychosocial indices in aging holocaust survivors
Authors: Yehuda R. , Schmeidler J. , Labinsky E. , Bell A. , Morris A. , Zemelman S. , Grossman R. A. 
Published: September 2008

Objective:  We performed a longitudinal study of holocaust survivors with and without post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by assessing symptoms and other measures at two intervals, approximately 10 years apart.Method:  The original cohort consisted of 63 community‐dwelling subjects, of whom 40 were available for follow‐up.Results:  There was a general diminution in PTSD symptom severity over time. However, in 10% of the subjects (n = 4), new instances of delayed onset PTSD developed between time 1 and time 2. Self‐report ratings at both assessments revealed a worsening of trauma‐related symptoms over time in persons without PTSD at time 1, but an improvement in those with PTSD at time 1.Conclusion:  The findings suggest that a nuanced characterization of PTSD trajectory over time is more reflective of PTSD symptomatology than simple diagnostic status at one time. The possibility of delayed onset trajectory complicates any simplistic overall trajectory summarizing the longitudinal course of PTSD.
Association of polymorphisms in the human surfactant protein‐D (SFTPD) gene and postnatal pulmonary adaptation in the preterm infant
Authors: Hilgendorff Anne , Heidinger Kathrin , Bohnert Anette , Kleinsteiber Anja , König Inke R. , Ziegler Andreas , Lindner Ulrike , Frey Georg , Merz Catherine , Lettgen Bernhard , Chakraborty Trinad , Gortner Ludwig , Bein Gregor 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground. Surfactant protein‐D (SP‐D) is a member of the collagenous subfamily of calcium‐dependent lectins (collectins). Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the human gene coding surfactant protein‐D (SFTPD) and infectious pulmonary diseases have been established by several groups. As the outcome of very preterm infants is mainly determined by pulmonary morbidity, the aim of the present study was to investigate the potential association between sequence variations within the SFTPD gene and pulmonary morbidity in preterm infants below 32 weeks of gestational age (GA).Materials and Results. Four validated SNPs were genotyped with sequence‐specific probes (TaqMan 7000) in 284 newborn infants below 32 weeks of GA. An association between the SNP rs1923537 and the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in the study population was found with a lower prevalence of RDS in infants having homozygous a minor allele genotype (odds ratio = 1.733, 95% confidence interval 1.139–2.636, adjusted p = 0.0408). Consecutively, the indicated polymorphism was found to be associated with a lower number of repetitive surfactant doses, and with a lower prevalence for the requirement of oxygen supplementation on day 28, as well as the use of diuretics.Conclusion. The finding of an association of a variant of the SFTPD gene, that has previously been shown to be associated with increased SP‐D serum levels in adult patients with acute respiratory failure, i.e. RDS in preterm infants, may provide a basis for the initial risk assessment of RDS and modification of surfactant treatment strategies. A role for SP‐D in neonatal pulmonary adaptation has to be postulated.
THE EFFECTS OF LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANTS ON SERIOUS CRIME*
Authors: WORRALL JOHN L. 
Published: September 2008

Research Summary The Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEBG) Program was second only to the Community‐Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program in its funding levels. Some $3 billion was dispensed to local jurisdictions to reduce crime and improve public safety; yet the effects of LLEBG funding on crime have been all but ignored. Accordingly, panel data from more than 5,000 cities covering a 12‐year period (1990–2001) were collected, and index crime rates were regressed on LLEBG funding and appropriate demographic controls. Additional controls for police levels and other federal grants were also introduced, proper checks for endogeneity of grants (and police levels) were performed, and the models were subjected to an array of robustness checks. A consistent message emerged: LLEBG Program funding was associated with significant reductions in serious crime. Policy Implications Although LLEBG funding seemed to reduce serious crime, the results also revealed that the decrease did not occur through the hiring of additional police officers, even though many funds were used for that purpose. Other mechanisms were thus at work, but the data did not provide insights into what these mechanisms were. In any case, every $1 in LLEBG funding per capita was associated with approximately 59 fewer index crimes per 100,000 people. When combined with the findings from recent studies of the effects of community policing grants on crime, this study suggests additional federal support for local law‐enforcement agencies should be considered.
The ß1‐Adrenergic Receptor Mediates the Pharmacogenetic Interaction of the ACE D Allele and ß‐Blockers
Authors: Ishizawar David C. , Janosko Karen M. , Teuteberg Jeffrey J. , Cadaret Linda M. , Mathier Michael A. , McNamara Dennis M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe role of β‐receptor selectivity for the interaction between the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism and β‐blocker therapy was investigated in 479 subjects with left ventricular dysfunction. Subjects were separated into no β‐blocker, β1 ‐selective, and nonselective β‐blocker treatment groups. The D allele adversely affected transplant‐free survival for subjects not on β‐blockers (p= 0.004). Treatment with selective β1‐blockers eliminated the impact of the D allele (p= 0.51) in a manner similar to nonselective β1,2‐blockers (p= 0.80). Treatment with β1‐blockers was sufficient to eliminate the adverse impact of the ACE D allele, suggesting this pharmacogenetic interaction is mediated through the β1‐receptor.
Cardiac‐Restricted Overexpression of the A2A‐Adenosine Receptor in FVB Mice Transiently Increases Contractile Performance and Rescues the Heart Failure Phenotype in Mice Overexpressing the A1‐Adenosine Receptor
Authors: Chan Tung O. , Funakoshi Hajime , Song Jianliang , Zhang Xue‐Qian , Wang JuFang , Chung Paul H. , DeGeorge, Jr Brent R. , Li Xue , Zhang Jin , Herrmann David E. , Diamond Maura , Hamad Eman , Houser Steven R. , Koch Walter J. , Cheung Joseph Y. , Feldman Arthur M. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn the heart, adenosine binds to pharmacologically distinct G‐protein‐coupled receptors (A1‐R, A2A‐R, and A3‐R). While the role of A1‐and A3‐Rs in the heart has been clarifed, the effect of genetically manipulating the A2A‐R has not been defned. Thus, we created mice overexpressing a cardiac‐restricted A2A‐R transgene. Mice with both low (Lo) and high (Hi) levels of A2A‐R overexpression demonstrated an increase in cardiac contractility at 12 weeks. These changes were associated with a signifcantly higher systolic but not diastolic [Ca2+]i, higher maximal contraction amplitudes, and a signifcantly enhanced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake activity. At 20 weeks, the effects of A2A‐R overexpression on cardiac contractility diminished. The positive effects elicited by A2A‐R overexpression differ from the heart failure phenotype we observed with A1‐R overexpresson. Interestingly, coexpression of A2A‐R TGHi, but not A2A‐R TGLo, enhanced survival, prevented the development of left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, and improved Ca2+ handling in mice overexpressing the A1‐R. These results suggest that adenosine‐mediated signaling in the heart requires a balance between A1‐ and A2A‐Rs—a fnding that may have important implications for the ongoing clinical evaluation of adenosine receptor subtype‐specifc agonists and antagonists for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Deficiency of Lung Antioxidants in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Masri Fares A. , Comhair Suzy A. A. , Dostanic‐Larson Iva , Kaneko Francisco Takao , Dweik Raed A. , Arroliga Alejandro C. , Erzurum Serpil C. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIdiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is associated with lower levels of the pulmonary vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) and its biochemical reaction products (nitrite [NO2−], nitrate [NO3−]), in part, due to the reduction in pulmonary endothelial NO synthesis. However, NO levels are also determined by consumptive reactions, such as with superoxide to form peroxynitrite, which subsequently may generate stable products of nitrotyrosine (Tyr‐NO2) and/or NO3−. In this context, superoxide dismutase (SOD) preserves NO in vivo by scavenging superoxide and preventing the consumptive reactions. Here, we hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) consumption of NO may contribute to the low NO level and development of pulmonary hypertension. To test this, nitrotyrosine and antioxidants glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and SOD were evaluated in IPAH patients and healthy controls. SOD and GPx activities were decreased in IPAH lungs (all p < 0.05), while catalase and GSH activities were similar among the groups (all p > 0.2). SOD activity was directly related to exhaled NO (eNO) (R2= 0.72, p= 0.002), and inversely related to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) NO3− (R2=–0.73, p= 0.04). Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) could be predicted by a regression model incorporating SOD, GPx, and NO3 values (R2= 0.96, p= 0.01). These findings suggest that SOD and GPx are associated with alterations in NO and PAP in IPAH.
β2‐Adrenergic Receptor Promoter Haplotype Influences Spirometric Response During an Acute Asthma Exacerbation
Authors: Moore Paul E. , Williams Scott M. , Gebretsadik Tebeb , Jiang Lan , Minton Patricia L. , Shintani Ayumi , Phillips III John A. , Dawson Elliott P. , Hartert Tina V. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractGenetic variants in the β2‐adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) coding block have been associated with different parameters of asthma severity, but there is no consensus on which variants are most important. Our objective was to determine whether the genetic variants in the 5′‐ or 3′‐flanking regions of ADRB2 impact the response to therapy. DNA was obtained initially from 72 adults hospitalized for an asthma exacerbation. We sequenced a 5,000 bp region of the ADRB2 gene that spanned the flanking regions and identified 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Nonresponders to asthma therapy were defined as patients whose forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) worsened by >10% at 24 hours after admission. We then evaluated the relationship between the 19 common SNPs and response to asthma‐specific therapy during acute disease exacerbations. Our results showed a significant association between nonresponders and a haplotype of five promoter SNPs in a nearly complete linkage disequilibrium. An analysis of the promoter and coding block polymorphisms in an extended cohort of 99 patients confirmed that promoter haplotype was the genetic component most strongly associated with asthmatic nonresponders, which was statistically significant among whites (p < 0.05). An identification of this promoter haplotype may provide an alternate explanation for the variation in the asthma responses observed with ADRB2 coding block polymorphisms.
ErbB2 Induces Notch1 Activity and Function in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Lindsay Jaime , Jiao Xuanmao , Sakamaki Toshiyuki , Casimiro Mathew C. , Shirley Lawrence A. , Tran Thai H. , Ju Xiaoming , Liu Manran , Li Zhiping , Wang Chenguang , Katiyar Sanjay , Rao Mahadev , Allen Kathleen G. , Glazer Robert I. , Ge Changhui , Stanley Pamela , Lisanti Michael P. , Rui Hallgeir , Pestell Richard G. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe ErbB2 (Her2/neu epidermal growth receptor family) oncogene is overexpressed in 30% to 40% of human breast cancers. Cyclin D1 is the regulatory subunit of the holoenzyme that phosphorylates and inactivates the retinoblastoma (pRb) tumor suppressor and is an essential downstream target of ErbB2‐induced tumor growth. Herein, we demonstrate that ErbB2 induces the activity of the Notch signaling pathway. ErbB2 induction of DNA synthesis, contact‐independent growth, and mammosphere induction required Notch1. ErbB2‐induced cyclin D1 and cyclin D1 expression was suficient to induce Notch1 activity, and conversely, genetic deletion of Notch1 in mammary epithelial cells using foxed Notch (Notchfl/fl) mice demonstrated that cyclin D1 is induced by Notch1. Genetic deletion of cyclin D1 or small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cyclin D1‐reduced Notch1 activity and reintroduction of cyclin D1 into cyclin D1‐deficient cells restored Notch1 activity through the inhibition of Numb, an endogenous inhibitor of Notch1 activity. Thus, cyclin D1 functions downstream as a genetic target of Notch1, amplifies Notch1 activity by repressing Numb, and identifies a novel pathway by which ErbB2 induces Notch1 activity via the induction of cyclin D1.
Rapid reduction of hard exudates in eyes with diabetic retinopathy after intravitreal triamcinolone: data from a randomized, placebo‐controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Larsson Jörgen , Kifley Annette , Zhu Meidong , Wang Jie Jin , Mitchell Paul , Sutter Florian K. P. , Gillies Mark C. 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  To assess the effect of triamcinolone acetonide over 3 months on hard exudates in patients with diabetic macular oedema (DMO).Methods:  Thirty‐two eyes of 16 patients with DMO and hard exudates were included in a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial. Treated eyes received a single‐dose (4 mg) intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Control eyes received an injection of subconjunctival saline.Results:  The overall area of hard exudates decreased significantly between the baseline and 3‐month visits in treated eyes, but not in control eyes. The mean change in level of hard exudates between the two visits was − 0.75 arbitrary units (AU) (95% confidence interval [CI] − 1.32 to − 0.18) in the central plus inner circle (1500 μm) and − 0.81 AU (95% CI − 1.49 to − 0.13) over the whole grid (3000 μm) in treated eyes, compared with 0.31 AU (95% CI − 0.19 to 0.82) and 0.31 AU (95% CI − 0.11 to 0.74), respectively, in control eyes (p < 0.001). Mean visual acuity improved by five letters in treated but not in control eyes (p = 0.01).Conclusions:  Intravitreal triamcinolone reduces hard exudates in the short‐term in eyes with DMO.
Discontinuous drug combination therapy in autoimmune ocular disorders
Authors: Orsoni Jelka G. , Zavota Laura , Mora Paolo , Rubino Pierangela , Manzotti Francesca , Pellistri Isabella 
Published: September 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a steroid‐sparing immunosuppressive treatment (IST) protocol in the control of severe or steroid‐resistant autoimmune ocular inflammatory diseases.Methods:  We carried out a prospective, non‐randomized clinical study. Patients presenting with ocular inflammations that failed to respond adequately to steroids alone after monotherapy for a mean period of 9 ± 2 months (internal control) were offered the option to switch to a combined IST. The protocol consisted of different immunosuppressive drugs added in a stepladder sequence, where each drug (including the steroids) was administered discontinuously. Main outcome measures were control of inflammation, visual acuity and safety of treatment.Results:  A total of 76 subjects (121 affected eyes) enrolled in the IST protocol. Mean length of follow‐up was 43 ± 15 months. Complete control of inflammation was achieved in 86% of patients. During the first year of IST, the rate of inflammatory recurrences/patient was 0.78 ± 1.13. This ratio diminished further during succeeding follow‐up. Mean best corrected visual acuity improved from 0.31 logMAR to 0.24 logMAR (p < 0.001). Blood pressure and uric acid blood levels significantly altered for the worse in the study group.Conclusions:  Immunosuppressive treatment was effective in achieving inflammatory quiescence in a large majority of patients. The study also demonstrated the longterm safety of the protocol and its steroid‐sparing effect.