bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive pharmaceutical services and the community pharmacist: are South African patients receiving them and are they willing to pay?
Authors: Hill Peter , Dowse Ros 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Objective
The objectives of this study were to ascertain the opinions of randomly selected South African medical aid members regarding the provision by community pharmacists of patient counselling and information; member satisfaction with pharmacist services; their rating of pharmacist accessibility; and if pharmacists should be reimbursed for providing cognitive pharmaceutical services.

Setting
A South African private healthcare insurance company.

Method
A 39-item web-based survey instrument was used to telephonically interrogate randomly selected insured participants to determine their use of prescription medicines, if they received medication counselling and disease-related information, their satisfaction with the advice provided, how they rated their relationships with pharmacists, if they believed that pharmacists should be reimbursed for providing professional services and their rating of pharmacist accessibility. A total of 628 randomly selected insured patients were telephonically surveyed and their responses included.

Key findings
Of the 507 participants, 60% received prescription medicine for their own use from pharmacists at least once during the six-month period under review, 26% from dispensing doctors and 14% from both pharmacists and doctors. Seventy-nine per cent reported receiving medication counselling and 77% received health-related information from pharmacists. This contrasted with those participants who received medicines from doctors where 98% reported being counselled on medicine use and 99% received health-related information. Almost 90% of those who consulted pharmacists believed that they were provided with good advice. Just over two-thirds of participants (68%) rated their relationships with pharmacists as good, 62% considered doctors more accessible than pharmacists and 46% said that they were willing to pay pharmacists for providing professional cognitive services.

Conclusion
Although pharmacists were significantly more likely to provide participants with their prescription medicines, they compared unfavourably with doctors in terms of healthcare provider accessibility and in providing patients with health-related information and medication counselling. While the majority of participants surveyed classified their relationships with their pharmacists as good, just under half were willing to pay pharmacists for providing professional pharmacy services.
How do patients use medicine information leaflets in the UK?
Authors: Raynor D K , Silcock J , Knapp P , Edmondson H 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Objective
To determine how patients use patient information leaflets (PILs) for prescription medicines. Setting Community pharmacies and patients' homes in the North of England.

Method
Patients were recruited as they collected their prescriptions, and telephoned about 7 days later. A structured telephone interview was administered with questions about how the PIL had been used (either this time or from previous prescriptions).

Key findings
Structured telephone interviews were completed for 456 patients (81% of those who consented), with a mean age of 54 years. Almost all patients (97%) were aware of the leaflet, a significant improvement on previous studies. Thirty-five per cent said they had read at least some of the leaflet with this supply. However, this figure was 71% for first-time users, and 87% of repeat users said they had read the leaflet at some time in the past. Of repeat users, nearly 60% said they had never or rarely looked at the leaflet after the first time. The side-effects section was most commonly read, and the information in this section was the most common specific reason given for reading the PIL. Eleven per cent of first-time users and 15% of repeat users said they had at some time taken action as a result of reading the PIL.

Conclusions
Almost all patients surveyed were aware of the PIL, showing that 8 years after becoming mandatory, the presence of the leaflets is now being felt. It is encouraging that most read the leaflet with the first supply, although the same cannot be assumed for very old individuals, who were under-represented. The fact that a majority taking a medicine long term did not read the leaflet again, after the first time, is a concern. Much will have been forgotten and some information may have changed. Pharmacists continue to have a role in encouraging the use of PILs.
Unused medicines with potential for misuse or abuse in primary care
Authors: Mackridge Adam J , Marriott John F , Langley Christopher A 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Objective
To assess the quantity and nature of prescribed medicines with potential for misuse returned to community pharmacies and general practice surgeries.

Setting
Community pharmacies (n = 51, 85% total) and general practice surgeries (n = 42, 69%) within the boundaries of Eastern Birmingham Primary Care Trust, UK.

Method
Medicines returned spontaneously by patients to participating sites were collected over eight weeks in May and June 2003. Data were recorded for each medicinal item including: patient sex, recommended International Non-proprietary Name (rINN), strength, form, legal classification, quantity and number of doses per day. Medicines were categorised into BNF therapeutic groups. A ‘medicinal item’ was defined as the total number of dose units of a medicine of the same form, strength and date of issue, returned for a given patient.

Key findings
Medicines were returned from 910 patients comprising 3765 medicinal items (2782 (73.9%) prescription-only medicines and 356 (9.5%) controlled drugs). Substantial amounts of unused, prescribed medicines with potential to cause harm or for misuse were returned, with analgesics, psychoactive and antiepileptic agents comprising 19.4% of returned medicinal items. Medicines of note that were returned included paracetamol-containing medicines (16 630 tablets), morphine (56 g), diamorphine (4.3 g), tramadol (2840 tablets and capsules), benzodiazepines (677 tablets) and tricyclic antidepressants (2831 tablets).

Conclusions
Substantial quantities of prescribed medicines with potential to cause harm or be misused are routinely present in the community. The management of these unused medicines, and in particular controlled drugs, is currently inadequate and further work is required to identify the legislative and patient-centred processes required to minimise the potential for these medicines to be misused or cause harm.
Introducing a mandatory continuing professional development system: an evaluation of pharmacists' attitudes and experiences in Northern Ireland
Authors: Haughey Sharon L , Hughes Carmel M , Adair Colin G , Bell Heather M 
Published: August 2007

Abstract

Objective
To determine the extent of pharmacists' understanding of continuing professional development (CPD) prior to the implementation of a mandatory CPD system and the level of implementation of CPD, and to gain insight into pharmacists' attitudes towards the concept and the introduction of a mandatory CPD system.

Setting
Northern Ireland.

Method
A pre-piloted, self-administered, postal questionnaire was distributed to all registered pharmacists in Northern Ireland (n = 1821) in September 2004. A second mailing was carried out four weeks after the initial mailing. The questionnaire was divided into three sections to determine pharmacists' attitudes towards CPD, their understanding and experience of CPD and their attitudes towards sanctions and portfolio review.

Key findings
A response rate of 41% was achieved after two mailings. The majority of respondents supported the concept of CPD, with over 84% of respondents agreeing that it was essential for all practising pharmacists to engage in CPD. Over half of respondents (56%) reported regularly identifying their learning needs, but only a quarter (25%) maintained a CPD portfolio. Female pharmacists were more likely to maintain a CPD portfolio. Less than half of respondents (42%) indicated that sanctions should be in place for pharmacists who do not engage in CPD.

Conclusion
Overall, there was support for the concept of CPD but considerable variation was observed in the level of participation. A support system to encourage participation was favoured over sanctions for those pharmacists who did not engage in CPD.
Effects of Information-Revelation Policies Under Market-Structure Uncertainty
Authors: Arora Ashish , Greenwald Amy , Kannan Karthik , Krishnan Ramayya 
Published: August 2007

Geographically dispersed sellers in electronic reverse marketplaces such as those hosted by market-makers like Ariba are uncertain about the number of competitors they face in any given market session. We refer to this uncertainty about the number of competitors as market-structure uncertainty. Over the course of several market sessions sellers learn about the competitive nature of the marketplace. How they learn to reduce the market-structure uncertainty depends on the market-transparency scheme, or the revelation policy adopted. A revelation policy determines the extent to which information—the number of sellers in a session, their bidding patterns, etc.—is revealed to sellers. Because these policies control what sellers learn and how they bid in future sessions, they determine buyer surplus. Possibly because market-structure uncertainty is more prevalent in information technology-enabled marketplaces than traditional ones, prior work has not addressed the impact of revelation policies on this type of uncertainty. Currently, there is little guidance available to buyers in choosing the appropriate revelation policy. To address this information-technology-enabled problem, we use game theory to compare the buyer surplus generated under a set of revelation policies commonly used in electronic reverse marketplaces. We demonstrate that the policy that generates the least amount of market-structure uncertainty for the sellers always maximizes buyer surplus. We further investigate to provide intuition regarding how bidders’ reactions to overcome uncertainty differs with the nature of uncertainty, and how those reactions impact buyer surplus.
The Effects of Preventive Intervention for Betel Nut Chewing in School
Authors: Wang Su-Chen , Tsai Chi-Cheng , Huang Shun-Te , Hong Yu-Jue 
Published: August 2007

Purpose: This study was to explore the effect of preventive health education intervention in the knowledge, attitude, practice of betel nut chewing, and self-efficacy of anti-betel nut chewing for adolescent students. Methods One hundred eighty-six indigenous samples were recruited, and divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent fourteen-week classes regarding the prevention of betel nut chewing. Both groups took post-tests immediately after intervention in order to evaluate the instant effect of the teaching program. The follow-up (post-post-test) evaluated the instant improvement at the 28th week (14 weeks after the end of the class). Results There was no difference in knowledge of the hazards of betel nut chewing among pre-tests, post-tests, and post-post-test in the experimental group. The attitude, practice of betel nut chewing and self-efficacy of anti-betel nut chewing aspects was significantly different among pre-tests, post-tests, and post-post-test after intervention. There was a significantly immediate and instant improvement after health education intervention. Conclusion Health education enables students to better resist the use of betel nuts. This study confirmed the importance of health education programs in dealing with the health risks of betel nut chewing for the risk group Students.
The Effects of Media Exposure on Alcohol Consumption Patterns in African American Males
Authors: Miller Vanessa , Lykens Kristine , Quinn James 
Published: August 2007

Objectives The study examined the role of media exposure, ethnicity, mood/affect, socio-demographic factors and religion on alcohol consumption patterns. Methods Secondary analysis of the General Social Survey (GSS), 1972-2002 cumulative data file was used to provide quantitative estimates of the relationship between media exposure, ethnicity, mood/affect, socio-demographic factors and religion. The sample consisted of (n = 13,742) White subjects and (n = 2,192) African American subjects. Results Watching television and reading the newspaper were significant predictors of alcohol use. Watching television had a positive significant effect on alcohol use and abuse; but only in the absence of religiosity. Race did not have a significant effect on alcohol use or abuse. The survey year had significant effects on media use. Conclusion This research has significant policy implications in explaining predictors of alcohol use and abuse as well as protective factors for this behavior.
Cultural differences in personal identity in post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: Jobson Laura. , O'Kearney Richard. 
Published: August 2007

ObjectivesThis study investigated cultural differences in goals, self‐defining memories, and self‐cognitions in those with and without post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).MethodTrauma survivors with and without PTSD, from independent and interdependent cultures (N= 106) provided major personal goals, self‐defining memories, and self‐cognitions.ResultsTrauma survivors with PTSD from independent cultures reported more goals, self‐defining memories, and self‐cognitions that were trauma‐related than non‐PTSD trauma survivors from independent cultures. In contrast, for those from interdependent cultures, there was no difference between trauma survivors with and without PTSD in terms of trauma‐centred goals, self‐defining memories, and self‐cognitions.ConclusionsThe results suggest cultural variability in the impact of trauma on memory and identity, and highlight the need for contemporary models of PTSD to more explicitly consider culture in their accounts of PTSD. Clinical implications of these findings, such as cultural considerations in assessment and treating trauma relevant self‐schema in cognitive therapy for PTSD, are discussed.
Quantification of Diphtheria Toxin–Mediated ADP-Ribosylation in a Solid-Phase Assay
Authors: Bachran Christopher , Sutherland Mark , Bachran Diana , Fuchs Hendrik 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground: Because of reduced vaccination programs, the number of diphtheria infections has increased in the last decade. Diphtheria toxin (DT) is expressed by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and is responsible for the lethality of diphtheria. DT inhibits cellular protein synthesis by ADP-ribosylation of the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). No in vitro system for the quantification of DT enzymatic activity exists. We developed a solid-phase assay for the specific detection of ADP-ribosylation by DT.Methods: Solid phase–bound his-tag eEF2 is ADP-ribosylated by toxins using biotinylated NAD+ as substrate, and the transferred biotinylated ADP-ribose is detected by streptavidin-peroxidase. DT enzymatic activity correlated with absorbance. We measured the amount of ADP-ribosylated eEF2 after precipitation with streptavidin-Sepharose. Quantification was done after Western blotting and detection with anti–his-tag antibody using an LAS-1000 System.Results: The assay detected enzymatically active DT at 30 ng/L, equivalent to 5 mU/L ADP-ribosylating activity. Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) activity was also detected at 100 ng/L. We verified the assay with chimeric toxins composed of the catalytic domain of DT or PE and a tumor-specific ligand. These chimeric toxins revealed increased signals at 1000 ng/L. Heat-inactivated DT and cholera toxin that ADP-ribosylates G-proteins did not show any signal increase.Conclusions: The assay may be the basis for the development of a routine diagnostic assay for the detection of DT activity and highly specific inhibitors of DT.
A Novel Method to Capture Methylated Human DNA from Stool: Implications for Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Zou Hongzhi , Harrington Jonathan , Rego Rafaela L , Ahlquist David A 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground: Assay of methylated DNA markers in stool is a promising approach for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. A method to capture hypermethylated CpG islands from stool would enrich target analyte and allow optimal assay sensitivity.Methods: Methyl-binding domain (MBD) protein was produced using a pET6HMBD plasmid with MBD DNA sequence cloned from rat MeCP2 gene and bound to a column of nickel-agarose resin. We first established the feasibility of using the MBD column to extract methylated human DNA in a high background of fecal bacterial DNA. To explore the impact of MBD enrichment on detection sensitivity, the tumor-associated methylated vimentin gene was assayed with methylation-specific PCR from stools to which low amounts of cancer cell DNA (0–50 ng) were added and from stools from CRC patients and healthy individuals. Stools from cancer patients were selected with low amounts of human DNA (median 7 ng, range 0.5–832 ng).Results: With MBD enrichment, methylated vimentin was detected in stools enriched with ≥10 ng of cancer cell DNA and in CRC stool with a range of native human DNA amounts from 4 to 832 ng. Without MBD enrichment, methylated vimentin was not detected in the enriched stools and was detected in only 1 cancer stool with high human DNA (832 ng). In stools from healthy individuals methylated vimentin was not detected, with or without MBD enrichment.Conclusions: MBD capture increases assay sensitivity for detecting methylated DNA markers in stool. Applied clinical studies for stool cancer screening are indicated.
HPLC Method for Plasma Vitamin K1: Effect of Plasma Triglyceride and Acute-Phase Response on Circulating Concentrations
Authors: Azharuddin Mohammed K , O’Reilly Denis St J , Gray Andrew , Talwar Dinesh 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground: The plasma concentration of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is the most reliable index for assessing vitamin K status. Our aim was to analytically validate an HPLC method for quantifying phylloquinone in plasma and to examine the effect of plasma triglyceride concentration on the phylloquinone reference interval. We also examined the effect of acute-phase response on phylloquinone concentration in plasma.Methods: Phylloquinone was extracted from fasting plasma samples by deproteinization and C18 solid-phase extraction, separated by reversed-phase HPLC, and detected fluorometrically after postcolumn reduction with a platinum catalyst. We synthesized a novel internal calibrator, docosyl naphthoate.Results: The recovery of phylloquinone was &gt;90%. Between-run imprecision was 8.7%–9.0%, and within-run imprecision was 3.8%–7.0%. The linearity was up to 44.8 nmol/L, limit of detection 0.08 nmol/L, and limit of quantification 0.14 nmol/L. The correlation between plasma phylloquinone and triglyceride concentrations was r = 0.7 in the reference population. The 95% reference interval for the phylloquinone:triglyceride ratio was 0.20 to 2.20 nmol/mmol. Plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein were significantly increased, whereas triglyceride and phylloquinone but not the phylloquinone:triglyceride ratio were transiently decreased &gt;50% after surgery.Conclusion: Phylloquinone population reference intervals should be expressed as a ratio of the triglyceride concentration. Phylloquinone concentrations in plasma are decreased in acute-phase response and, unless corrected for plasma triglyceride concentration, are unlikely to be a reliable index of vitamin K status.
Plasma Free Metanephrine Measurement Using Automated Online Solid-Phase Extraction HPLC–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: de Jong Wilhelmina HA , Graham Kendon S , van der Molen Jan C , Links Thera P , Morris Michael R , Ross H Alec , de Vries Elisabeth GE , Kema Ido P 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBackground: Quantification of plasma free metanephrine (MN) and normetanephrine (NMN) is considered to be the most accurate test for the clinical chemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and follow-up of pheochromocytoma patients. Current methods involve laborious, time-consuming, offline sample preparation, coupled with relatively nonspecific detection. Our aim was to develop a rapid, sensitive, and highly selective automated method for plasma free MNs in the nanomole per liter range.Methods: We used online solid-phase extraction coupled with HPLC-tandem mass spectrometric detection (XLC-MS/MS). Fifty microliters plasma equivalent was prepurified by automated online solid-phase extraction, using weak cation exchange cartridges. Chromatographic separation of the analytes and deuterated analogs was achieved by hydrophilic interaction chromatography. Mass spectrometric detection was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode using a quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer in positive electrospray ionization mode.Results: Total run-time including sample cleanup was 8 min. Intra- and interassay analytical variation (CV) varied from 2.0% to 4.7% and 1.6% to 13.5%, respectively, whereas biological intra- and interday variation ranged from 9.4% to 45.0% and 8.4% to 23.2%. Linearity in the 0 to 20 nmol/L calibration range was excellent (R2 &gt; 0.99). For all compounds, recoveries ranged from 74.5% to 99.6%, and detection limits were &lt;0.10 nmol/L. Reference intervals for 120 healthy adults were 0.07 to 0.33 nmol/L (MN), 0.23 to 1.07 nmol/L (NMN), and &lt;0.17 nmol/L (3-methoxytyramine).Conclusions: This automated high-throughput XLC-MS/MS method for the measurement of plasma free MNs is precise and linear, with short analysis time and low variable costs. The method is attractive for routine diagnosis of pheochromocytoma because of its high analytical sensitivity, the analytical power of MS/MS, and the high diagnostic accuracy of free MNs.
Laboratory Testing for Lupus Anticoagulants: A Review of Issues Affecting Results
Authors: Tripodi Armando 
Published: August 2007

Abstract
Background: Lupus anticoagulants (LA) are a heterogeneous class of immunoglobulins. Persistent LA positivity is a risk factor for the occurrence and recurrence of venous/arterial thromboembolism and/or pregnancy morbidity and qualifies the patient for anticoagulation therapy. The laboratory diagnosis for LA that is used for crucial decision-making about the optimal duration of the therapy rests entirely on diagnostic criteria. These criteria are based on the prolongation of phospholipid-dependent tests not corrected upon mixing patient and normal plasmas, with confirmation provided by the evidence that the anticoagulant is directed against proteins bound to negatively charged phospholipids.
Aims: This article reviews issues related to the diagnosis of LA, including the effect of preanalytical variables, choice of tests, results interpretation of screening, mixing and confirmation procedures, patients to be investigated, and transmission of results. Unresolved issues and future direction for research on laboratory diagnosis are also discussed.
Methods: Search of PubMed with the key term “lupus anticoagulant” plus articles and unpublished data known to the author.
Results and Conclusions: The preanalytical variables (i.e., plasma preparation and storage before analysis) as well as the diagnostic steps to detect LA present potential problems that undermine the process of making a correct diagnosis. A truly specific test for LA detection is badly needed, but its development may require understanding of the mechanisms associated with the occurrence of clinical events. Until then, clinical laboratories should rely on the existing procedures, which must be applied with caution and awareness of the many issues that may affect their results.