bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metformin‐associated lactic acidosis in patients with renal impairment solely due to drug accumulation?
Authors: Runge S. , Mayerle J. , Warnke C. , Robinson D. , Roser M. , Felix S. B. , Friesecke S. 
Published: September 2006

Aim:  We suspect that the life‐threatening complication of metformin‐associated lactic acidosis, solely due to drug accumulation following renal impairment, occurs more frequently than that previously reported and is not necessarily associated with other predisposing factors for lactic acidosis.Methods:  During a period of 13 months, at a tertiary referral centre, the incidence of lactic acidosis of any aetiology was 12.8% [67 of 524 total intensive care unit (ICU) admissions]. Metformin‐associated lactic acidosis solely as the result of drug accumulation was diagnosed in 6% of all the patients suffering from lactic acidosis (4 of 67 patients).Results:  These patients presented with severe circulatory shock due to lactic acidosis. We could not identify any predisposing factor for lactic acidosis other than renal impairment. Intercurrent deterioration of diabetic nephropathy was suspected to be responsible for the accumulation of metformin followed by lactic acidosis, finally resulting in multiorgan failure. The diagnosis was supported by extensively elevated serum levels of metformin. Two patients died during ICU treatment.Conclusions:  Our data indicate that the incidence of metformin‐associated lactic acidosis solely due to metformin accumulation is possible and underestimated. Symptoms of metformin‐associated lactic acidosis are unspecific and physicians should be aware that metformin, if prescribed in patients with renal impairment, can cause fatal lactic acidosis due to drug accumulation.
Size at the onset of sexual maturity in the anomuran crab, Aegla uruguayana (Aeglidae)
Authors: Viau Verónica E. , López Greco Laura S. , Bond‐Buckup Georgina , Rodríguez Enrique M. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe size at maturity was studied in the crab Aegla uruguayana from the Areco River (31°14′ S, 59°28′ W), Argentina. Size at sexual maturity was determined according to three criteria: morphometric (change in the relative growth of reproductive characters), histological (first maturation of gonads) and functional (capability to mate and carry eggs). Regarding females, morphometric maturity occurred at a carapace length (CL) of 11.50 mm, considering abdomen width as a reproductive character. Gonad maturity of females could be observed at a minimum size ranging from 15 to 17 mm CL. The smallest ovigerous female observed in the field was 15.60 mm CL, although a relevant population incidence of ovigerous females (86.6%) has just been observed at values higher than 17 mm CL. As for males, the relative growth of the left chela length changed at a value of 15.40 mm CL, while morphological changes in sexual tube occurred between CL of 14 and 16 mm. Testicular maturation occurred at a CL ranging from 17 to 19 mm. The smallest size of males having spermatozoids in their vasa deferentia was 18.70 mm CL. The results obtained indicated that, in both sexes, functional maturity occurred after morphometric maturity and at a size similar to that of gonad maturity. Comparing sexes, females acquired sexual maturity (morphometric, gonad and functional maturity) at sizes statistically smaller than those of males.
A spinose stem group brachiopod with pedicle from the Middle Cambrian Burgess Shale
Authors: Holmer Lars Erik , Caron Jean‐Bernard 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA new genus and species of a Middle Cambrian stem group brachiopod, Acanthotretella spinosa n. gen. and n. sp., is described from the Burgess Shale Formation. Most of the 42 specimens studied came from the Greater Phyllopod bed (Walcott Quarry) and were collected from five bed assemblages, each representing a single obrution event. Specimens are probably preserved within their original habitat. In contrast to all brachiopods known from the Burgess Shale, the shells of the new stem group brachiopod are often deformed and do not show signs of brittle breakage, which suggests that the valves were originally either entirely organic in composition or, more likely, had just a minor mineral component. Acanthotretella spinosa differs from all the other described Cambrian brachiopods in that it is covered by long, slender and possibly partly mineralized spines that are posteriorly inclined at an oblique angle away from the anterior margin. The spines penetrate the shell and are mainly comparable with the thorn‐like organic objects that have been inferred from early siphonotretoid brachiopods. The pedicle was slender and was composed of a central coelomic region and emerged from an apical foramen at the end of an internal pedicle tube. The finding of a pedicle attached to the macrobenthic algae Dictyophycus and other epibenthos implies that A. spinosa did not have an infaunal mode of life. The visceral region and interior characters are poorly preserved.
The biology of vernix caseosa
Authors: Hoath S. B. , Pickens W. L. , Visscher M. O. 
Published: September 2006

SynopsisThe biology and physical properties of the uniquely human skin cream ‘vernix caseosa’ are discussed. This material coats the foetal skin surface during the last trimester of gestation and provides multiple beneficial functions for the foetus and newborn infant. Vernix has a complex structure similar to stratum corneum but lacks lipid lamellae and is more plastic due to the absence of desmosomal constraints. In utero, vernix is made in part by foetal sebaceous glands, interacts with pulmonary surfactant, detaches into the amniotic fluid, and is swallowed by the foetus. At the time of birth, vernix has a remarkably constant water content approximating 80%. Postnatally, vernix is simultaneously a cleanser, a moisturizer, an anti‐infective, and an anti‐oxidant. Vernix facilitates acid mantle development and supports normal bacterial colonization. Its hydrated cellular structure and unusual lipid composition provide a ‘best’ solution for the needs of the foetus and newborn, not least of which is the attraction of caregivers. Vernix is an important natural biomaterial of potential interest to cosmetic scientists, and other disciplines involved in product development and therapies targeting the complex interface between the stratum corneum and a changing terrestrial environment.
Workplace Drug Testing and Worker Drug Use
Authors: Carpenter Christopher S. 
Published: September 2006

Objective. To examine the nature and extent of the association between workplace drug testing and worker drug use.Data Sources. Repeated cross‐sections from the 2000 to 2001 National Household Surveys on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) and the 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).Study Design. Multivariate logistic regression models of the likelihood of marijuana use are estimated as a function of several different workplace drug policies, including drug testing. Specific questions about penalty severity and the likelihood of detection are used to further evaluate the nature of the association.Principal Findings. Individuals whose employers perform drug tests are significantly less likely to report past month marijuana use, even after controlling for a wide array of worker and job characteristics. However, large negative associations are also found for variables indicating whether a firm has drug education, an employee assistance program, or a simple written policy about substance use. Accounting for these other workplace characteristics reduces—but does not eliminate—the testing differential. Frequent testing and severe penalties reduce the likelihood that workers use marijuana.Conclusions. Previous studies have interpreted the large negative correlation between workplace drug testing and employee substance use as representing a causal deterrent effect of drug testing. Our results using more comprehensive data suggest that these estimates have been slightly overstated due to omitted variables bias. The overall pattern of results remains largely consistent with the hypothesis that workplace drug testing deters worker drug use.
Assigning Ambulatory Patients and Their Physicians to Hospitals: A Method for Obtaining Population‐Based Provider Performance Measurements
Authors: Bynum Julie P. W. , Bernal‐Delgado Enrique , Gottlieb Daniel , Fisher Elliott 
Published: September 2006

Objective. To develop a method for assigning Medicare enrollees and the physicians who serve them to individual hospitals with adequate validity to allow population‐based assessments of provider specific costs and quality of care.Data Sources/Study Setting. The study populations consist of a 20 percent sample of Medicare fee‐for‐service enrollees and all physicians submitting claims for Medicare services from 1998 to 2000. Data were obtained from Medicare claims and enrollment files, Medicare's MPIER file, and from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey.Study Design. Cross‐sectional analysis of the characteristics of hospitals, their extended medical staffs (EMSs) and the utilization patterns of their assigned Medicare enrollees.Data Collection Methods. Medicare enrollees were assigned to their predominant ambulatory physician and then to the hospital where that physician provided inpatient services or where a plurality of that physician's patient panel had medical admissions. Each beneficiary was linked to a physician and a hospital regardless of whether the patient was hospitalized creating Ambulatory Provider Specific Cohorts (APSCs).Principal Findings. Ninety‐six percent of eligible Medicare enrollees who had an index physician visit in 1998 were assigned to a specific provider. Two‐thirds of the medical admissions during a 2‐year period occurred at the assigned hospital and two‐thirds of evaluation and management services were billed by the assigned hospital's EMS. The empirically derived EMS for hospitals had reasonable face and discriminant validity in terms of number and type of physicians practicing at different sized and type hospitals. Estimates of risk‐adjusted costs across physician groups in year one are highly predictive of costs in a subsequent year (r=0.87, p<.0001 and weighted κ=0.65, p<.0001).Conclusions. Medicare claims data can be used to assign virtually all Medicare enrollees to empirically defined care systems comprised of hospitals and the physicians who practice at these hospitals. Studies of patterns of practice, costs and outcomes of care experienced by these APSCs could complement other methods of monitoring provider performance.
The Effects of Health Sector Market Factors and Vulnerable Group Membership on Access to Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Care
Authors: Stockdale Susan E. , Tang Lingqi , Zhang Lily , Belin Thomas R. , Wells Kenneth B. 
Published: September 2006

Objective. This study adapts Andersen's Behavioral Model to determine if health sector market conditions affect vulnerable subgroups' use of alcohol, drug, and mental health services (ADM) differently than the general population, focusing specifically on community‐level predisposing and enabling characteristics.Data Sources. Wave 2 data (2000–2001) from the Health Care for Communities study, supplemented with cases from wave 1 (1997–1998), were merged with area characteristics taken from Census, Area Resource File (ARF), and other data sources.Study Design. The study used four‐level hierarchical logistic regression to examine access to ADM care from any provider and specialty ADM access. Interactions between community‐level predisposing and enabling vulnerability characteristics with individual race/ethnicity, age, income category, and insurance type were explored.Principal Findings. Nonwhites, the poor, uninsured, and elderly had lower likelihoods of service use, but interactions between race/ethnicity, income, age and insurance status with community‐level vulnerability factors were not statistically significant for any service use. For ADM specialty care, those with Medicare, Medicaid, private fully managed, and private partially managed insurance, the likelihood of utilization was higher in areas with higher HMO penetration. However, for those with other insurance or no insurance plan, the likelihood of utilization was lower in areas with higher HMO penetration.Conclusions. Community‐level enabling factors explain part of the effect of disadvantaged status but, with the exception of the effect of HMO penetration on the relationship between insurance and specialty care use, do not modify any of the residual individual‐level effects of disadvantage. Interventions targeting both structural and individual levels may be necessary to address the problem of health disparities. More research with longitudinal data is necessary to sort out the causal direction of social context and ADM access outcomes, and whether policy interventions to change health sector market conditions can shift ADM treatment utilization.
The Value Premium and the CAPM
Authors: FAMA EUGENE F. , FRENCH KENNETH R. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTWe examine (1) how value premiums vary with firm size, (2) whether the CAPM explains value premiums, and (3) whether, in general, average returns compensate β in the way predicted by the CAPM. Loughran's (1997) evidence for a weak value premium among large firms is special to 1963 to 1995, U.S. stocks, and the book‐to‐market value‐growth indicator. Ang and Chen's (2005) evidence that the CAPM can explain U.S. value premiums is special to 1926 to 1963. The CAPM's more general problem is that variation in β unrelated to size and the value‐growth characteristic goes unrewarded throughout 1926 to 2004.
Are IPO Allocations for Sale? Evidence from Mutual Funds
Authors: REUTER JONATHAN 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTCombining data on brokerage commissions that mutual fund families paid for trade execution between 1996 and 1999 with data on mutual fund holdings of initial public offerings (IPOs), I document a robust, positive correlation between commissions paid to lead underwriters and reported holdings of the IPOs they underwrite. Moreover, I find that the correlation is limited to IPOs with nonnegative first‐day returns and strongest for IPOs that occur shortly before mutual funds report their holdings, when the noise introduced by flipping is smallest. Overall, the evidence suggests that business relationships with lead underwriters increase investor access to underpriced IPOs.
Automation versus Intermediation: Evidence from Treasuries Going Off the Run
Authors: BARCLAY MICHAEL J. , HENDERSHOTT TERRENCE , KOTZ KENNETH 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the choice of trading venue by dealers in U.S. Treasury securities to determine when services provided by human intermediaries are difficult to replicate in fully automated trading systems. When Treasury securities go “off the run” their trading volume drops by more than 90%. This decline in trading volume allows us to test whether intermediaries' knowledge of the market and its participants can uncover hidden liquidity and facilitate better matching of customer orders in less active markets. Consistent with this hypothesis, the market share of electronic intermediaries falls from 81% to 12% when securities go off the run.
Retail Investor Sentiment and Return Comovements
Authors: KUMAR ALOK , LEE CHARLES M.C. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACTUsing a database of more than 1.85 million retail investor transactions over 1991–1996, we show that these trades are systematically correlated—that is, individuals buy (or sell) stocks in concert. Moreover, consistent with noise trader models, we find that systematic retail trading explains return comovements for stocks with high retail concentration (i.e., small‐cap, value, lower institutional ownership, and lower‐priced stocks), especially if these stocks are also costly to arbitrage. Macroeconomic news and analyst earnings forecast revisions do not explain these results. Collectively, our findings support a role for investor sentiment in the formation of returns.
Systemic antibiotic therapy of acne vulgaris
Authors: Ochsendorf Falk 
Published: September 2006

Summary Background: Inflammatory, medium to severe acne vulgaris is treated with systemic antibiotics worldwide. The rationale is an effect on Propionibacterium acnes as well as the intrinsic anti‐inflammatory properties of these antibiotics. Although there are no correlations between the number of P. acnes and the severity of the disease, associations between the degree of humoral and cellular immune responses towards P. acnes and the severity of acne have been reported. Exact data on practical use of these compounds, such as differential efficacy or side effects are unavailable.A summary of currently available studies is presented. Methods: The data of studies of systemic antibiotic therapy of acne vulgaris up to 1975, the summary of literature in English up to 1999, a systematic review of minocycline from 2002 as well as the data of randomized controlled studies published and listed in Medline thereafter were reviewed. Results: Tetracyclines [tetracycline 1 000 mg daily, doxycycline 100 (−200) mg daily, minocycline 100 (−200) mg daily, lymecycline 300 (−600) mg] and erythromycin 1 000 mg daily are significantly more effective than placebo in the systemic treatment of inflammatory acne.The data for tetracycline are best founded. Clindamycin is similarly effective. Co‐trimoxazole and trimethoprim are likely to be effective. Clear differences between the tetracyclines or between tetracycline and erythromycin cannot be ascertained. The data for the combination with topical treatments [topical benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or retinoids] suggest synergistic effects.Therefore systemic antibiotics should not be used as monotherapy.In case of similar efficacy, other criteria, such as pharmacokinetics (doxycycline, minocycline, lymecycline have longer half‐lives than tetracyclines), the rate of side‐effects (tetracycline: side effect‐rate ∼4 % mild side effects; erythromycin: frequent gastrointestinal complaints; minocycline: rare, but potentially severe hypersensitivity reactions; doxycycline: dose‐dependent phototoxic reactions), the resistance rate [percentage of resistant bacteria higher with erythromycin (∼ 50 %) than with tetracycline‐therapy (∼ 20 %)], and the costs of therapy have to be taken into account. Conclusions: The systemic antibiotic therapy of widespread papulo‐pustular acne not amenable to a topical therapy is effective and well‐tolerated. In general therapy can be carried out for 3 months and should be combined with BPO to prevent resistance.
Axillary acne agminata (lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei with axillary involvement)
Authors: Hillen Uwe , Schröter Stefan , Denisjuk Natalja , Jansen Thomas , Grabbe Stephan 
Published: September 2006

SummaryAcne agminata (AA) and lupus miliaris disseminatus faciei (LMDF) have been used to describe very similar clinical conditions and it is now generally accepted that they are synonymous.The cause of these disorders has not been determined. Clinically the disease presents with often agminated redbrown to yellow papules which occasionally become pustular. Microscopically, superficial granulomatous inflammation with perifollicular caseating granulomas is the hallmark. Axillary involvement with LMDF has rarely been reported; in this area AA has been the preferred term. When only the axillae are affected, it may be difficult to distinguish acne agminata from other granulomatous diseases, especially from granulomas caused by antiperspirants containing aluminumzirconium complexes. We describe a 36‐year‐old woman with axillary acne agminata.
The use of an acellular dermal regenerative tissue matrix in the treatment of lower extremity wounds: a prospective 16‐week pilot study
Authors: Brigido Stephen A 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA prospective, single‐centre, randomized controlled study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Graftjacket, a human acellular regenerative tissue matrix as a treatment option for chronic non healing lower extremity wounds. Twenty‐eight diabetic patients with full‐thickness wounds that had been present for at least 6 weeks were treated with sharp debridement and randomized to a single application of Graftjacket tissue matrix plus mineral oil‐soaked fluff compression dressing or to a control treatment of wound gel with gauze dressings. All patients were seen weekly. By week 16, 12 of 14 patients treated with Graftjacket tissue matrix demonstrated complete wound closure compared with 4 of 14 patients in the control group. Patients treated with Graftjacket tissue matrix showed a statistically significant higher percentage of wound healing with respect to wound area, and clinically significant differences in wound depth and wound volume. This comparison is not performed to demonstrate that the application of the Grafjacket is more effective than sharp debridement. This study is done to help assign a role to the use of Graftjacket matrix in lower extremity wound care.
Topical application of the tumour necrosis factor‐α antibody infliximab improves healing of chronic wounds
Authors: Streit Markus , Beleznay Zsuzsanna , Braathen Lasse R 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe role of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in wound healing is not clear. Elevated levels of TNF‐α have been observed in fluids from chronic wounds and have been shown to decrease over time during the healing process. Therapeutic antibodies such as infliximab can inhibit TNF‐α activity. In this case series, we applied infliximab topically to eight patients with chronic ulcers of more than 4‐month durations. The ulcers had multifactorial aetiology, with chronic venous insufficiency being the most prominent factor. All the ulcers had failed to respond to any previous conventional treatment. Infliximab was applied repeatedly to ulcers either as a 10 mg/ml solution and covered with an adhesive sheet or as a gel formulation (0·45, 1, or 4·5 mg/g) under a hydrofiber dressing/adhesive sheet. Improvement was assessed by measuring the percentage of change in the ulcer surface area. Seven of the eight patients (12 of 14 ulcers) responded to treatment with infliximab. After 4 weeks of treatment, surface area was reduced by more than 50% in 6 of the 14 treated ulcers. Within 8 weeks, five ulcers completely healed, while another four were reduced by more than 75% in size. Chronic, therapy‐resistant leg ulcers responded well to repeated topical administration of a solution or a gel containing the TNF‐α antibody, infliximab. Randomised controlled studies should be conducted to further evaluate the effect of topical infliximab on chronic wound healing.
Surgical treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa: case series and review of the literature
Authors: Ather Shahzad , Chan David SY , Leaper David J , Harding Keith G 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe chronic and relapsing nature of hidradenitis suppurativa leads to physical and psychological damage. The absence of a proven cure further worsens the scenario. Patient 1 was a 28‐year‐old woman with a 10‐year history of abscesses and non healing sinuses with foul‐smelling discharge from her axilla, submammary and groin areas. This led to an episode of self‐harm due to severe depression. After failed medical therapy, she was referred for surgery with wide excision of the skin and healing by secondary intention. Her wounds were managed by our specialist wound clinic with the use of topical and systemic antibiotics and thus remained free from symptoms. Patient 2 was a 32‐year‐old woman with a similar history for 15 years. Patient 3 was a 41‐year‐old man with a 20‐year history of discharging sinuses and abscesses. All the patients had endured a long period of medical treatment and subsequently required surgery for a long‐term relief of symptoms. This has undoubtedly led to psychological symptoms and a decrease in quality of life.