bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of electronic prescribing on the quality of prescribing
Authors: Donyai Parastou , O'Grady Kara , Jacklin Ann , Barber Nick , Franklin Bryony Dean 
Published: July 2007

What is already known about this subject • Electronic prescribing has been shown to reduce prescribing errors in US hospitals.• However we know little about its effect on prescribing quality, or its effectiveness in UK hospitals where systems for medication prescribing and supply are very different.• Hospital pharmacists already review prescriptions to both detect errors and improve prescription quality. What this study adds • Electronic prescribing significantly increased prescribing quality in a UK hospital, as shown by fewer pharmacists' interventions and fewer prescribing errors.• However, some new types of error were introduced.• There was relatively little overlap between prescribing errors and pharmacists' interventions, signifying their different contributions to prescribing quality.• Electronic prescribing and pharmacists' interventions should be viewed as an integrated system.AimsTo investigate the effects of electronic prescribing (EP) on prescribing quality, as indicated by prescribing errors and pharmacists' clinical interventions, in a UK hospital.MethodsPrescribing errors and pharmacists' interventions were recorded by the ward pharmacist during a 4 week period both pre‐ and post‐EP, with a second check by the principal investigator. The percentage of new medication orders with a prescribing error and/or pharmacist's intervention was calculated for each study period.ResultsFollowing the introduction of EP, there was a significant reduction in both pharmacists' interventions and prescribing errors. Interventions reduced from 73 (3.0% of all medication orders) to 45 (1.9%) (95% confidence interval (CI) for the absolute reduction 0.2, 2.0%), and errors from 94 (3.8%) to 48 (2.0%) (95% CI 0.9, 2.7%). Ten EP‐specific prescribing errors were identified. Only 52% of pharmacists' interventions related to a prescribing error pre‐EP, and 60% post‐EP; only 40% and 56% of prescribing errors resulted in an intervention pre‐ and post‐EP, respectively.ConclusionsEP improved the quality of prescribing by reducing both prescribing errors and pharmacists' clinical interventions. Prescribers and pharmacists need to be aware of new types of error with EP, so that they can best target their activities to reduce clinical risk. Pharmacists may need to change the way they work to complement, rather than duplicate, the benefits of EP.
Cell type‐specific regulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in states of allergic inflammation
Authors: Groneberg D. A. , Fischer T. C. , Peckenschneider N. , Noga O. , Dinh Q. T. , Welte T. , Welker P. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryBackground
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a molecule influencing neuronal proliferation and differentiation. In states of allergy, it may orchestrate inflammatory changes by linking the immune system with the nervous system. Because the precise regulation of gene transcription in mast cells MCs is not clear, the present studies assessed the gene regulation of BDNF in this inflammatory cell type.Methods
Transcriptional expression of BDNF in human skin was studied in isolated cells using RT‐PCR. In situ lesional MC BDNF protein expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry and related to the differential staining of MCs and functional effects of BDNF on HaCaT keratinocytes.Results
BDNF mRNA expression was found in isolated human skin MCs, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. Also, low levels were found in endothelial cells and melanocytes. BDNF protein expression was found in situ in lesional and non‐lesional MCs. A significantly decreased expression of BDNF protein was found in atopic dermatitis lesional MCs when compared with control MC expression. Functional in vitro experiments demonstrated that a decrease in BDNF stimulation led to increased secretion rates for stem cell factor and IL‐8 in HaCaT keratinocytes.Conclusion
The demonstration of a decreased level of BDNF gene transcription in lesional MCs points to a differential regulation of MC‐released neutrotrophins in cutaneous allergic inflammation. Topically administered neurotrophin receptor‐modulating compounds should be receptor target specific and not universally acting in diseases such as atopic dermatitis or allergic asthma.
Increased levels of HPV16 E6*I transcripts in high‐grade cervical cytology and histology (CIN II+) detected by rapid real‐time RT‐PCR amplification
Authors: Kösel S. , Burggraf S. , Engelhardt W. , Olgemöller B. 
Published: July 2007

Objective:  As cervical dysplasia may regress to normal cytology or progress to cervical carcinoma, it would be valuable to have a diagnostic tool to help decide whether therapeutic conization should be performed.Methods:  Cervical samples of 301 HPV16 positive women were collected in RNAlater reagent to prevent RNA degradation. Relative levels of HPV16 DNA and HPV16 E6*I mRNA in the samples were determined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Findings were correlated with histological diagnoses and cytological follow‐up.Results:  HPV16 E6*I mRNA levels were significantly higher in women with cytologically diagnosed severe cervical dysplasia (mean normalized ratio = 0.25) than in those with mild‐to‐moderate dysplasia (mean norm. ratio = 0.12), atypical squamous cells of uncertain origin (mean norm. ratio = 0.071) or normal cytology (mean norm. ratio = 0.034). Viral DNA levels were not significantly different between severe and mild‐to‐moderate dysplasia (mean norm. ratios, 55.8 and 63.5, respectively). The PPV for a histological diagnosis of severe cervical dysplasia [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) II+] increased with the amounts of E6*I mRNA to more than 90% whereas the sensitivity decreased. The absence of HPV16 E6*I transcripts as well as HPV16 DNA considerably increased the negative predictive value and the specificity. However, low concentrations (or complete absence) of E6*I mRNA did not preclude a CIN II+ diagnosis.Conclusions:  Although the sensitivity is low, high levels of HPV16 E6*I mRNA are indicative of CIN II+ in cytologically diagnosed cervical dysplasia of individual patients. Thus, quantification of HPV16 E6*I mRNA could be helpful in managing follow‐up and treatment in a subset of HPV16 positive women.
Human settlement and baobab distribution in south‐western Mali
Authors: Duvall Chris S. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAim Human settlement establishment and reproduction of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) appear spatially and temporally dependent because baobabs are abundant in many settlement sites in Africa. This paper tests the spatiotemporal relationship between baobab and settlement distribution.Location South‐western Mali.Methods In an area of 183 km2, 1240 baobabs were located and mapped, their diameters measured, and habitat characteristics recorded for each individual. All occupied (n = 9) and abandoned (n = 84) settlements were located and mapped, and occupation dates were determined through interviews. Chi‐squared analysis indicated baobab habitat preferences, and bivariate point‐pattern analysis tested baobab–settlement spatiotemporal independence.Results Baobabs and human settlements are positively spatially associated at most distances and for all baobab size‐class–settlement age‐class pairs. However, positive spatial association is significant only at distances < 500 m, and young settlements and large baobabs are not significantly associated. Positive association between small and large baobabs is marginally significant at <300 m, but observed significance is less than that for baobab–settlement positive association. Baobab abundance is not evenly distributed across the range of habitats it occupies; recruitment is strongest in settlements and fields, and on cliffs, while mortality is highest on cliffs. Ethnographic observations suggest that human settlement practices and fruit use are the main human factors contributing to baobab–settlement positive spatial association.Main conclusions There are three main conclusions: (1) Human settlement and baobab recruitment are spatially dependant because settlement leads directly and indirectly to the development of baobab groves at settlement sites. (2) The lower than expected abundance of mature individuals in natural habitats, and the habitat preferences of the observed population, suggest that baobabs were introduced to south‐western Mali, probably centuries ago. (3) Human mobility over decadal time‐scales is necessary to maintain baobab population structure in landscapes dominated by shifting land use, where baobabs are not purposefully planted. Baobab population processes in such landscapes occur at the scale of human settlement.
Photosynthetic pathway variation among C4grasses along a precipitation gradient in Argentina
Authors: Cabido Marcelo , Pons Estela , Cantero Juan José , Lewis Juan Pablo , Anton Ana 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAim Based on the biochemical and physiological attributes of C4grasses, and on the close association between decarboxylation pathways and the taxa in which they evolved, the hypotheses tested were: (1) that C4grasses would become progressively more abundant as precipitation decreased, with grasses of the NADP‐me subtype more abundant in wetter sites and those of the NAD‐me subtype more common in arid regions; and (2) that the distribution of grass subfamilies would also be correlated with annual precipitation.Location The study was conducted along a precipitation gradient in central Argentina, from the eastern Pampas (>1000 mm year−1) to the western deserts and semi‐deserts near the Andes (<100 mm year−1).Methods Percentage of species and relative cover of C3and C4grasses (including C4subtypes) in local floras from 15 lowland sites of central Argentina were obtained from our own unpublished data and from recently published floristic surveys. Pearson correlation coefficients were obtained between grass distribution parameters and the available climatic data.Results The percentage of C4grasses increased towards the arid extreme and showed a strong negative correlation with annual rainfall (r = −0.74,P < 0.01). Within the C4subtypes, the NADP‐me species showed a higher proportional representation at the wetter extreme, whereas the representation of NAD‐me species increased towards the more arid extreme. The relationship of PEP‐ck species with climatic parameters in central Argentina was less evident. The distributions of the Panicoideae and Chloridoideae subfamilies along the precipitation gradient were diametrically opposed, with the Panicoideae positively (r = 0.86,P < 0.001) and the Chloridoideae negatively (r = −0.87,P < 0.001) correlated with annual precipitation.Main conclusions Our data are consistent with the broad observation that C4grasses tend to dominate in areas where the wet season falls in the warmer summer months. In agreement with previously reported results for Africa, Asia, Australia and North America, we describe here for the first time a significant relationship between annual precipitation and the prevalence of the NADP‐me and NAD‐me photosynthetic pathways along climatic gradients for the Neotropics. We also report for the first time that correlations between C4species and annual rainfall are stronger when the relative cover of grass species is considered. The association of grass subfamilies Panicoideae and Chloridoideae with rainfall is as strong as that recorded for the NADP‐me and NAD‐me variants, respectively, suggesting that characteristics other than decarboxylation type may be responsible for the geographic patterns described in this study.
Compositional changes over space and time along an occurrence–abundance continuum: anthropogenic homogenization of the North American avifauna
Authors: La Sorte Frank A. , McKinney Michael L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAim Changes in community attributes due to the influence of anthropogenic activities have been examined primarily using occurrence data with little consideration of associated changes in abundance. To determine how this influences our perception of biotic homogenization, we examined compositional patterns for avian assemblages over space and time along an occurrence–abundance continuum.Location The contiguous United States and southern Canada.Methods We examined avian assemblages at 951 Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes from 1970 to 2005 that contained a total of 443 species. We used five dissimilarity indices to estimate compositional patterns along an occurrence–abundance continuum of assemblage structure (from species occurrence to transformed abundance to raw abundance) for 396,925 unique combinations of BBS route pairs. We examined annual plots of dissimilarity by distance between BBS routes pairs to estimate spatial and temporal patterns for each index.Results Dissimilarity declined with increasing distance between route pairs for occurrence and transformed abundance, reaching an asymptote at approximately 2500 km. For raw abundance, dissimilarity peaked at intermediate distances (1000–2500 km) with no evidence of an asymptote. Avian assemblages became more similar over time at all points along the continuum. Occurrence and transformed abundance presented the weakest temporal trends, which were uniform or poorly delineated as a function of distance between routes. Raw abundance presented the strongest temporal trends, which declined in strength with increasing distance between routes.Main conclusions With the addition of abundance, there was a substantial and consistent pattern of degradation of β‐diversity for North American avifauna that differed considerably from that observed from occurrence data alone. The geographical expansion of a few species, which recently benefited from the direct and indirect consequences of anthropogenic activities, probably played a prominent role in these patterns. When broad‐scale expansions in occupancy are evident, minor gains in similarity based on species occurrence can mask more substantial gains in similarity based on local abundance. When abundance information is unavailable, its role can be estimated by how occupancy has responded geographically to anthropogenic activities and the expectations of the abundance–occupancy relationship. Our findings support previous work indicating that widespread and locally abundant species will tend to benefit more from anthropogenic activities, creating a possible synergism that enhances biotic homogenization.
Divergent echolocation call frequencies in insular rhinolophids (Chiroptera): a case of character displacement?
Authors: Russo Danilo , Mucedda Mauro , Bello Monica , Biscardi Stefania , Pidinchedda Ermanno , Jones Gareth 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAims  Because rhinolophids have been hypothesized to use echolocation call frequency to recognize conspecifics, sympatric species calling at similar frequencies should be subject to acoustic character displacement, i.e. a drift in frequency values to minimize the risk of misidentification of conspecifics. However, it has been proposed that insufficient geographical separation between populations in sympatry and allopatry may counter the establishment of frequency differences by character displacement. Here we tested the hypothesis that insular populations should exhibit acoustic divergence, and this should be revealed by comparing call frequencies with those observed in mainland, allopatric populations of conspecifics. We also tested whether the evolutionary pressure towards acoustic divergence should be especially strong at sites where rhinolophid species emitting similar call frequencies roost together in order to minimize interspecific frequency overlap.Location  Sardinia and southern Italy (Campania, Lazio, Abruzzo).Methods  Time‐expanded echolocation calls and body size were recorded from Sardinian populations of Rhinolophus mehelyi Matschie, Rhinolophus hipposideros (Bechstein) and Rhinolophus euryale Blasius. Both call frequencies and forearm length of insular R. hipposideros and R. euryale were compared with those of populations from mainland areas of Italy where R. mehelyi is absent, to explore the hypothesis that the presence of the latter species (which calls at frequency values intermediate between the other two) may determine acoustic divergence in the other species. For Sardinian R. mehelyi and R. euryale, we also carried out intraspecific comparisons of call frequencies between bats from monospecific colonies and those from mixed colonies.Results  As hypothesized, Sardinian R. hipposideros and R. euryale called at frequencies higher and lower, respectively, than in the peninsula. In this way, overlap with R. mehelyi is avoided. Body size showed no difference between insular and peninsular populations, i.e. frequency differences are not a by‐product of difference in body size determined by insularity. Frequency values in Sardinian R. euryale from monospecific colonies did not differ from those of bats roosting together with R. mehelyi. However, R. mehelyi showed frequency values significantly higher when associated with R. euryale, possibly to minimize the risk of species misrecognition.Main conclusions  At least under geographical isolation, character displacement may be a causal mechanism for shifts in call frequency of sympatric rhinolophids. Species recognition and facilitation of intraspecific communication (with possible implications for mate recognition) constitute the best candidate factors for the phenomenon we observed.
Severe streptococcal infection is associated with M protein‐induced platelet activation and thrombus formation
Authors: Shannon Oonagh , Hertzén Erika , Norrby‐Teglund Anna , Mörgelin Matthias , Sjöbring Ulf , Björck Lars 
Published: July 2007

SummaryDisturbed haemostasis is a central finding in severe Streptococcus pyogenes infection. In particular, microthrombi are found both at the local site of infection and at distant sites. Platelets are responsible for maintaining vascular function and haemostasis. We report here that M1 protein of S. pyogenes triggers immune‐mediated platelet activation and thrombus formation. M1 protein is released from the bacterial surface and forms complexes with plasma fibrinogen. These complexes bind to the fibrinogen receptor on resting platelets. When these complexes also contain immunoglobulin G (IgG) against M1 protein, this will engage the Fc receptor on the platelets and activation will occur. Activation of the platelets leads to platelet aggregation and the generation of platelet‐rich thrombi. Neutrophils and monocytes are in turn activated by the platelets. Platelet thrombi are deposited in the microvasculature, and aggregated platelets, IgG and M1 protein colocalize in biopsies from patients diagnosed with S. pyogenes toxic shock syndrome. This chain of events results in a pro‐coagulant and pro‐inflammatory state typical of severe S. pyogenes infection.
Conservation of NADPH utilization by chorismate synthase and its implications for the evolution of the shikimate pathway
Authors: Ehammer Heidemarie , Rauch Gernot , Prem Anna , Kappes Barbara , Macheroux Peter 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe shikimate pathway is essential for the biosynthesis of aromatic compounds. The seventh and last step is catalysed by chorismate synthase, which has an absolute requirement for reduced FMN in its active site. There are two classes of this enzyme, which are distinguished according to the origin of the reduced cofactor. Monofunctional chorismate synthases sequester it from the cellular environment whereas bifunctional enzymes can generate reduced FMN at the expense of NADPH. These bifunctional enzymes are found in fungi and the ciliated protozoan Euglena gracilis while all bacterial and plant enzymes are monofunctional. In this study, we introduce an in vivo screen, which is based on a chorismate synthase‐deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain, allowing the classification of hitherto uncharacterized chorismate synthases. This analysis revealed that bifunctionality is present in the enzymes of protozoan species. In contrast, all bacterial and plant enzymes tested are monofunctional. In addition, we demonstrate that a monofunctional chorismate synthase confers prototrophy in conjunction with a NADPH :  FMN oxidoreductase indicating that bifunctionality is required due to the lack of free reduced FMN in fungal and possibly protozoan species. Interestingly, the distribution of bifunctional chorismate synthase concurs with the presence of a pentafunctional enzyme complex.
SNP discovery via 454 transcriptome sequencing
Authors: Barbazuk W. Brad , Emrich Scott J. , Chen Hsin D. , Li Li , Schnable Patrick S. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryA massively parallel pyro‐sequencing technology commercialized by 454 Life Sciences Corporation was used to sequence the transcriptomes of shoot apical meristems isolated from two inbred lines of maize using laser capture microdissection (LCM). A computational pipeline that uses the POLYBAYES polymorphism detection system was adapted for 454 ESTs and used to detect SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) between the two inbred lines. Putative SNPs were computationally identified using 260 000 and 280 000 454 ESTs from the B73 and Mo17 inbred lines, respectively. Over 36 000 putative SNPs were detected within 9980 unique B73 genomic anchor sequences (MAGIs). Stringent post‐processing reduced this number to > 7000 putative SNPs. Over 85% (94/110) of a sample of these putative SNPs were successfully validated by Sanger sequencing. Based on this validation rate, this pilot experiment conservatively identified > 4900 valid SNPs within > 2400 maize genes. These results demonstrate that 454‐based transcriptome sequencing is an excellent method for the high‐throughput acquisition of gene‐associated SNPs.
Sweet successes in diabetes genetics
Authors: Clee SM 
Published: July 2007

Variant of transcription factor 7‐like 2 (TCF7L2) gene confers risk of type 2 diabetes Grant et al. (2006) Nature Genetics 38: 320–323Combining information from common type 2 diabetes risk polymorphisms improves disease prediction Weedon et al. (2006) PLoS Medicine 3: e374A genome‐wide association study identifies novel risk loci for type 2 diabetes Sladek et al. (2007) Nature 445: 881–885
Methamphetamine use in deceased kidney donors impairs one‐yr graft function*
Authors: Inouye David S. , Kickertz Katherine , Wong Linda L 
Published: July 2007

Abstract:  Background:  Methamphetamine (MA) has cumulative deleterious effects on multiple organ systems. A history of MA exposure in kidney donors may affect adversely graft function in recipients.Methods:  Between September 2000 and March 2004, all deceased kidney donors were identified from the local registry (97 donors). Twenty donors (21%) with any MA exposure through history or toxicology were selected. Donors that did not fulfill UNOS standard criteria were excluded. Donor characteristics and subsequent recipient characteristics were retrospectively compared with a control group without MA exposure histories. The main outcome measure was mean serum creatinine at one‐yr post‐transplant (Cr365). Secondary outcome measures of delayed graft function and rejection episodes were reviewed.Results:  Baseline serum creatinine at seven d post‐transplant were equivalent between groups (Cr7 = 2.5 ± 2.0 vs. 2.8 ± 3.4, p = 0.75). At one yr, Cr365 was significantly elevated in recipients of MA exposed kidneys compared with controls (1.9 ± 1.0 vs. 1.4 ± 0.4, p = 0.028). When adjusted for confounding variables, MA exposure lost its statistical significance (p = 0.07–0.09) as an independent predictor of increased Cr365.Conclusion:  Donor MA exposure may be associated with increased Cr365 in recipients. Transplant centers can expect to encounter donors with MA use histories at rates higher that regional use rates. Larger studies may demonstrate MA exposure as an independent predictor of impaired graft function.