bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PRN prescribing in psychiatric inpatients – potential for pharmacokinetic drug interactions
Authors: Davies Simon J. C. , Lennard Martin S. , Ghahramani Parviz , Pratt Peter , Robertson Andrea , Potokar John 
Published: February 2007

Medications are commonly prescribed to psychiatric inpatients on a PRN ( pro re nata/as required) basis, allowing drugs to be administered on patient request or at nurses' discretion for psychiatric symptoms, treatment side effects or physical complaints. However, there has been no formal study of the pharmacokinetic implications of PRN prescribing. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of PRN drug prescription and administration, and to assess the potential for interactions involving CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 between drugs prescribed and administered to inpatients on psychiatry wards. A cross-sectional survey of prescriptions on general adult and functional elderly psychiatric wards in one city was carried out. Data were recorded from prescription charts of 323 inpatients (236 on general adult and 87 on functional elderly wards). Of 2089 prescriptions, 997 (48%) of prescriptions were on a PRN basis (most commonly benzodiazepines and other hypnotic agents, antipsychotics, analgesics and anticholinergic agents), but only 143 (14%) of these had been administered in the previous 24 hours. One fifth of patients were prescribed drug combinations interacting with CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 of potential clinical importance which included one or more drugs prescribed on a PRN basis. PRN prescribing is common among inpatients in psychiatry, and may lead to cytochrome P450 mediated interactions. Prescribers should be aware of the potential for unpredictability in plasma concentrations, side effects and efficacy which PRN prescribing may cause through these interactions, particularly in old age psychiatry and in treatment of acute psychosis.
Is there a case for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in the UK?
Authors: Sessa Ben 
Published: February 2007

Much has been written in scientific and popular literature in recent years about the dangers surrounding the recreational use of the drug MDMA/ecstasy. What is little known and understood however is the history of the apparently safe and effective use of MDMA as a therapeutic tool for psychotherapy. In this paper the author explores this history and describes the recent re-emergence of scientific interest in MDMA and other psychedelic drugs. There are currently several new double-blind randomised controlled trials underway re-visiting the subject. By acknowledging the limitations of this new research and emphasising the importance of exercising appropriate but realistic caution, the author asks that the medical profession consider a dispassionate and open-minded debate to examine whether MDMA might have a legitimate place as an adjunct to psychotherapy in modern psychiatric practice.
HIV/AIDS Occurrence in the Main University Teaching Hospital in Cameroon
Authors: Kengne André Pascal , Kaze François Folefack , Dzudie Anastase , Awah Paschal Kum , Ngu Kattlen Blackett 
Published: February 2007

Aim: This study describes the impact of HIV/AIDS on the inpatient service of the main teaching hospital in Cameroon in 2001. Methods: The authors analyzed routinely collected hospital data and data validated by survey of clinical notes. Results: Admission and bed utilization rates for HIV/AIDS over the period accounted for 20.1% and 17%, respectively, primarily due to the management of opportunistic infections in young people (mean age, 39.9 years). Housewives (21.9%) and students (10.3%) were the most identified groups. Tuberculosis (23.3%), the most frequent infection, was associated with a good prognosis. Hospital stay ranged from 1 to 99 days. HIV/AIDS accounted for 49.3% of deaths registered. Conclusion: HIV/AIDS is the major cause of hospital admissions and death in this service. This situation is likely to remain constant for some time given the national prevalence of HIV. Consideration needs to be given to the options for prevention and provision of care.
CD38/CD19: a lipid raft–dependent signaling complex in human B cells
Authors: Deaglio Silvia , Vaisitti Tiziana , Billington Richard , Bergui Luciana , Omede' Paola , Genazzani Armando A. , Malavasi Fabio 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe present work deals with the mechanisms of signal transduction mediated via CD38 in normal and neoplastic human B lymphocytes. The results indicate that CD38 is a receptor and that CD38-mediated signals are tightly regulated at 3 distinct levels. The first concerns the structural organization of CD38, which is clearly divided into monomeric and dimeric forms. The second level of regulation is based on the dynamic localization of CD38 molecules in lipid microdomains within the plasma membrane. Lateral associations with other proteins, namely with the CD19/CD81 complex, determine the third level of control. Raft localization and association with the CD19 complex are prerequisites for CD38-mediated signals in tonsillar B cells and in continuous lines. Lastly, the results indicate that lipid microdomain disruption and silencing of CD19 directly impacts on CD38's ability to mediate Ca2+ fluxes, while leaving its surface expression unchanged. CD38 is also an enzyme capable of producing several calcium-mobilizing metabolites including cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose (cADPR). Our inability to identify a correlation between the production of cADPR and the receptorial functions support the hypothesis that CD38 is a pleiotropic molecule whose behavior as a receptor is independent from its enzymatic activity.
Phylo-mLogo: an interactive and hierarchical multiple-logo visualization tool for alignment of many sequences
Authors: Shih Arthur Chun-Chieh , Lee DT , Peng Chin-Lin , Wu Yu-Wei 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
When aligning several hundreds or thousands of sequences, such as epidemic virus sequences or homologous/orthologous sequences of some big gene families, to reconstruct the epidemiological history or their phylogenies, how to analyze and visualize the alignment results of many sequences has become a new challenge for computational biologists. Although there are several tools available for visualization of very long sequence alignments, few of them are applicable to the alignments of many sequences.

Results
A multiple-logo alignment visualization tool, called Phylo-mLogo, is presented in this paper. Phylo-mLogo calculates the variabilities and homogeneities of alignment sequences by base frequencies or entropies. Different from the traditional representations of sequence logos, Phylo-mLogo not only displays the global logo patterns of the whole alignment of multiple sequences, but also demonstrates their local homologous logos for each clade hierarchically. In addition, Phylo-mLogo also allows the user to focus only on the analysis of some important, structurally or functionally constrained sites in the alignment selected by the user or by built-in automatic calculation.

Conclusion
With Phylo-mLogo, the user can symbolically and hierarchically visualize hundreds of aligned sequences simultaneously and easily check the changes of their amino acid sites when analyzing many homologous/orthologous or influenza virus sequences. More information of Phylo-mLogo can be found at URL http://biocomp.iis.sinica.edu.tw/phylomlogo.
Compared genomics of the strand switch region of Leishmania chromosome 1 reveal a novel genus-specific gene and conserved structural features and sequence motifs
Authors: Puechberty Jacques , Blaineau Christine , Meghamla Sabrina , Crobu Lucien , Pagès Michel , Bastien Patrick 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Trypanosomatids exhibit a unique gene organization into large directional gene clusters (DGCs) in opposite directions. The transcription "strand switch region" (SSR) separating the two large DGCs that constitute chromosome 1 of Leishmania major has been the subject of several studies and speculations. Thus, it has been suspected of being the single replication origin of the chromosome, the transcription initiation site for both DGCs or even a centromere. Here, we have used an inter-species compared genomics approach on this locus in order to try to identify conserved features or motifs indicative of a putative function.

Results
We isolated, and compared the structure and nucleotide sequence of, this SSR in 15 widely divergent species of Leishmania and Sauroleishmania. As regards its intrachromosomal position, size and AT content, the general structure of this SSR appears extremely stable among species, which is another demonstration of the remarkable structural stability of these genomes at the evolutionary level. Sequence alignments showed several interesting features. Overall, only 30% of nucleotide positions were conserved in the SSR among the 15 species, versus 74% and 62% in the 5' parts of the adjacent XPP and PAXP genes, respectively. However, nucleotide divergences were not distributed homogeneously along this sequence. Thus, a central fragment of approximately 440 bp exhibited 54% of identity among the 15 species. This fragment actually represents a new Leishmania-specific CDS of unknown function which had been overlooked since the annotation of this chromosome. The encoded protein comprises two trans-membrane domains and is classified in the "structural protein" GO category. We cloned this novel gene and expressed it as a recombinant green fluorescent protein-fused version, which showed its localisation to the endoplasmic reticulum. The whole of these data shorten the actual SSR to an 887-bp segment as compared with the original 1.6 kb. In the rest of the SSR, the percentage of identity was much lower, around 22%. Interestingly, the 72-bp fragment where the putatively single transcription initiation site of chromosome 1 was identified is located in a low-conservation portion of the SSR and is itself highly polymorphic amongst species. Nevertheless, it is highly C-rich and presents a unique poly(C) tract in the same position in all species.

Conclusion
This inter-specific comparative study, the first of its kind, (a) allowed to reveal a novel genus-specific gene and (b) identified a conserved poly(C) tract in the otherwise highly polymorphic region containing the putative transcription initiation site. This allows hypothesising an intervention of poly(C)-binding proteins known elsewhere to be involved in transcriptional control.
Aerosolized amikacin for treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium aviuminfections: an observational case series
Authors: Davis Kala K , Kao Peter N , Jacobs Susan S , Ruoss Stephen J 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Current systemic therapy for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection is limited by poor clinical response rates, drug toxicities and side effects. The addition of aerosolized amikacin to standard oral therapy for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infection may improve treatment efficacy without producing systemic toxicity. This study was undertaken to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary clinical benefits of the addition of aerosolized amikacin to a standard macrolide-based oral treatment regimen.

Case Presentations
Six HIV-negative patients with Mycobacterium avium intracellulare pulmonary infections who had failed standard therapy were administered aerosolized amikacin at 15 mg/kg daily in addition to standard multi-drug macrolide-based oral therapy. Patients were monitored clinically and serial sputum cultures were obtained to assess response to therapy. Symptomatic improvement with radiographic stabilization and eradication of mycobacterium from sputum were considered markers of success.
Of the six patients treated with daily aerosolized amikacin, five responded to therapy. All of the responders achieved symptomatic improvement and four were sputum culture negative after 6 months of therapy. Two patients became re-infected with Mycobacterium avium intracellulare after 7 and 21 months of treatment. One of the responders who was initially diagnosed with Mycobacterium avium intracellulare became sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium chelonae resistant to amikacin after being on intermittent therapy for 4 years. One patient had progressive respiratory failure and died despite additional therapy. There was no evidence of nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity associated with therapy.

Conclusion
Aerosolized delivery of amikacin is a promising adjunct to standard therapy for pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Larger prospective trials are needed to define its optimal role in therapy of this disease.
Low back pain education and short term quality of life: a randomized trial
Authors: Tavafian Sedigheh Sadat , Jamshidi Ahmadreza , Mohammad Kazem , Montazeri Ali 
Published: February 2007

Abstract

Background
Different interventions can reduce the burden of the chronic low back pain. One example is the use of a 'Back School Programme'. This is a brief therapy that uses a health education method to empower participants through a procedure of assessment, education and skill development. This study aimed to evaluate to what extent the programme could improve quality of life in those who suffer from the condition.

Methods
This was a randomized controlled trial. One-hundred and two female patients with low back pain (n = 102) were randomly allocated into two groups, matched in terms of age, weight, education, socioeconomic status, occupation and some aspects of risk behavior. Group 1 (back school group, n = 50) but not group 2 (clinic group, n = 52) received the 'Back School Programme'. Then quality of life using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was assessed at two time points: at baseline and at three months follow-up. The findings were compared both within and between two groups.

Results
The 'Back School Programme' was effective in improving patients' quality of life; significant differences were found on all eight subscales of the SF-36 for group 1. In the clinic group (group 2), improvement was observed on three scales (bodily pain, vitality and mental health) but these improvements were less than in group 1. The mean improvement over all eight subscales of the SF-36 was significantly better for the 'Back School Programme' group.

Conclusion
The 'Back School Programme' is an effective intervention and might improve the quality of life over a period of 3 months in patients who experience chronic low back pain.
Phantom investigation of 3D motion-dependent volume aliasing during CT simulation for radiation therapy planning
Authors: Tanyi James A , Fuss Martin , Varchena Vladimir , Lancaster Jack L , Salter Bill J 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Purpose
To quantify volumetric and positional aliasing during non-gated fast- and slow-scan acquisition CT in the presence of 3D target motion.

Methods
Single-slice fast, single-slice slow, and multi-slice fast scan helical CTs were acquired of dynamic spherical targets (1 and 3.15 cm in diameter), embedded in an anthropomorphic phantom. 3D target motions typical of clinically observed tumor motion parameters were investigated. Motion excursions included ± 5, ± 10, and ± 15 mm displacements in the S-I direction synchronized with constant displacements of ± 5 and ± 2 mm in the A-P and lateral directions, respectively. For each target, scan technique, and motion excursion, eight different initial motion-to-scan phase relationships were investigated.

Results
An anticipated general trend of target volume overestimation was observed. The mean percentage overestimation of the true physical target volume typically increased with target motion amplitude and decreasing target diameter. Slow-scan percentage overestimations were larger, and better approximated the time-averaged motion envelope, as opposed to fast-scans. Motion induced centroid misrepresentation was greater in the S-I direction for fast-scan techniques, and transaxial direction for the slow-scan technique. Overestimation is fairly uniform for slice widths < 5 mm, beyond which there is gross overestimation.

Conclusion
Non-gated CT imaging of targets describing clinically relevant, 3D motion results in aliased overestimation of the target volume and misrepresentation of centroid location, with little or no correlation between the physical target geometry and the CT-generated target geometry. Slow-scan techniques are a practical method for characterizing time-averaged target position. Fast-scan techniques provide a more reliable, albeit still distorted, target margin.
Antagonism between Notch and bone morphogenetic protein receptor signaling regulates neurogenesis in the cerebellar rhombic lip
Authors: Machold Robert P , Kittell Deborah Jones , Fishell Gordon J 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background
During the embryonic development of the cerebellum, neurons are produced from progenitor cells located along a ventricular zone within dorsal rhombomere 1 that extends caudally to the roof plate of the fourth ventricle. The apposition of the caudal neuroepithelium and roof plate results in a unique inductive region termed the cerebellar rhombic lip, which gives rise to granule cell precursors and other glutamatergic neuronal lineages. Recently, we and others have shown that, at early embryonic stages prior to the emergence of granule cell precursors (E12), waves of neurogenesis in the cerebellar rhombic lip produce specific hindbrain nuclei followed by deep cerebellar neurons. How the induction of rhombic lip-derived neurons from cerebellar progenitors is regulated during this phase of cerebellar development to produce these temporally discrete neuronal populations while maintaining a progenitor pool for subsequent neurogenesis is not known.

Results
Employing both gain- and loss-of-function methods, we find that Notch1 signaling in the cerebellar primordium regulates the responsiveness of progenitor cells to bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) secreted from the roof plate that stimulate the production of rhombic lip-derived neurons. In the absence of Notch1, cerebellar progenitors are depleted during the early production of hindbrain neurons, resulting in a severe decrease in the deep cerebellar nuclei that are normally born subsequently. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Notch1 activity prevents the induction of Math1 by antagonizing the BMP receptor-signaling pathway at the level of Msx2 expression.

Conclusion
Our results provide a mechanism by which a balance between neural induction and maintenance of neural progenitors is achieved in the rhombic lip throughout embryonic development.
Modulation of Adiponectin and Leptin during Refeeding of Female Anorexia Nervosa Patients
Authors: Modan-Moses Dalit , Stein Daniel , Pariente Clara , Yaroslavsky Amit , Ram Anka , Faigin Michal , Loewenthal Ron , Yissachar Eleanor , Hemi Rina , Kanety Hannah 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Context: Several studies assessed adiponectin levels in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients, however, data regarding the dynamics of changes in adiponectin levels during refeeding of these patients is limited and contradicting.
Objective: Our objective was to assess adiponectin levels and the distribution of its different isoforms in AN patients before and after long-term refeeding, and to relate them to alterations in body mass index, leptin, insulin sensitivity, and additional endocrine parameters.
Design, Setting, and Participants: We conducted a longitudinal controlled study of 38 female adolescent malnourished AN inpatients, with 13 young, lean, healthy women serving as controls. Blood samples were obtained upon admission and thereafter at 1, 3, and 5 months (at target weight).
Main Outcome Measures: Changes in body mass index, leptin, adiponectin, insulin sensitivity, and adiponectin multimeric forms were measured.
Results: At admission, leptin levels of AN patients were significantly lower, whereas insulin sensitivity (assessed by homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance), adiponectin levels, and the ratio of high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin to total adiponectin were significantly higher compared with controls. During weight recovery, leptin levels and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance increased significantly, whereas adiponectin and HMW adiponectin/total adiponectin ratio decreased significantly, to levels similar to controls. An initial increase in adiponectin levels was observed after 1 month of refeeding. There was no correlation between adiponectin and either T4 or cortisol levels.
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates hyperadiponectinemia, increased adiponectin HMW isoform, and increased insulin sensitivity in adolescent AN female patients and reversal of these findings with weight rehabilitation. We hypothesize that increased adiponectin levels may have a protective role in maintaining energy homeostasis during extreme malnourishment.
The Diagnosis of Partial Growth Hormone Deficiency in Adults with a Putative Insult to the Hypothalamo-Pituitary Axis
Authors: Murray Robert D. , Bidlingmaier Martin , Strasburger Christian J. , Shalet Stephen M. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Context: Similar to patients with severe GH deficiency (GHD), those with a more moderate impairment of GH secretion [GH insufficiency (GHI)] have abnormal body composition, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Given the inherent problems in the diagnosis of severe GHD, the situation is likely to be even more difficult in individuals with GHI.
Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the utility of GH stimulation tests and GH-dependent proteins in the diagnosis of GHI.
Design: The study was a cross-sectional, case-controlled study.
Patients: The study included 31 patients with GHD, 23 with GHI [peak GH 3–7 μg/liter (9–21 mU/liter)], and 30 age- and sex-matched controls.
Main Outcome Measures: Demographic and biochemical markers of GH status were measured.
Results: Nineteen of the patients with GHI (83%) had no additional anterior pituitary hormone deficits. Ten GHI patients showed discordant GH status based on the two GH stimulation tests performed. GH status was defined by the highest peak GH value achieved; in four this was to the insulin tolerance test (ITT), four the arginine test, and two the GHRH-arginine test. In five of the six patients in whom GH status was not defined by the ITT, peak GH levels to the ITT were in the range 2.4–2.9 μg/liter. IGF-I values for the GHI adults were significantly lower than the control subjects (121 ± 48 vs. 162 ± 75 μg/liter; P &lt; 0.05); however, only six (26%) had values below the 10th percentile of levels seen in the control group. IGF binding protein-3 and acid labile subunit levels of the GHI adults were not significantly different from the controls.
Conclusion: The diagnosis of GHI in an individual is extremely difficult because the patients rarely exhibit additional pituitary hormone deficits, and levels of GH-dependent proteins are normal in the majority. Diagnosis relies heavily on GH stimulation tests and requires two tests in all patients to define GHI; obesity when present is potentially a major confounder.
Recent developments in superporous hydrogels
Authors: Omidian Hossein , Park Kinam , Rocca Jose G 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Superporous hydrogels (SPHs) were originally developed as a novel drug delivery system to retain drugs in the gastric medium. These systems should instantly swell in the stomach and maintain their integrity in the harsh stomach environment, while releasing the pharmaceutical active ingredient. For years, the synthetic features and properties of these SPH materials have been modified and improved to meet the requirements for gastric retention applications. Furthermore, an instant swelling hydrogel has also shown potential application for peroral intestinal peptide and protein absorption. This review discusses the formulation, characterization, properties and applications of these polymers.