bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics and analgesic effects of intravenous propacetamol vs rectal paracetamol in children after major craniofacial surgery
Authors: PRINS SANDRA A. , VAN DIJK MONIQUE , VAN LEEUWEN PIM , SEARLE SUSAN , ANDERSON BRIAN J. , TIBBOEL DICK , MATHOT RON A.A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryBackground:  The pharmacokinetics and analgesic effects of intravenous and rectal paracetamol were compared in nonventilated infants after craniofacial surgery in a double‐blind placebo controlled study.Methods:  During surgery all infants (6 months–2 years) received a rectal loading dose of 40 mg·kg−1 paracetamol 2 h before anticipated extubation. On admittance to the pediatric surgical ICU, the children were randomized to receive either a 15 min intravenous infusion of 40 mg·kg−1 propacetamol, a prodrug of paracetamol, or 20 mg·kg−1 paracetamol rectally every 6 h. A population pharmacokinetic analysis of the paracetamol plasma concentration time‐profiles was undertaken using nonlinear mixed effects models. The visual analogue scale (VAS) (score 0–10 cm) and COMFORT Behavior scale (score 6–30) were used to monitor analgesia in the 24‐h period following surgery.Results:  Twelve infants received intravenous propacetamol and 14 paracetamol suppositories. Paracetamol pharmacokinetics were described according to a two‐compartmental model with linear disposition. Pharmacokinetic parameters were standardized to a 70 kg person using allometric ‘1/4 power’ models. Parameter estimates were: absorption half‐life from the rectum 4.6 h, propacetamol hydrolysis half‐life 0.028 h, clearance 12 l·h−1·70 kg−1, intercompartmental clearance 116 l·h−1·70 kg−1, central and peripheral volume of distribution 7.9 and 44 l·70 kg−1, respectively. During the 24‐h study period 22 infants exhibited VAS scores <4 cm, which was considered a cutoff point. On single occasions four patients, two in each group, exhibited a VAS score ≥4 cm. Nine patients in the rectal treatment group and three patients in the intravenous treatment group received midazolam for COMFORT‐B scores exceeding 17 (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  Intravenous propacetamol proved to be more effective than rectal paracetamol in infants after craniofacial surgery. Midazolam was more frequently administered to patients receiving paracetamol suppositories, indicating that these children experienced more distress, possibly caused by pain.
Feasibility of ultrasound‐guided peripheral nerve block catheters for pain control on pediatric medical missions in developing countries
Authors: MARIANO EDWARD R. , ILFELD BRIAN M. , CHENG GLORIA S. , NICODEMUS HECTOR F. , SURESH SANTHANAM 
Published: May 2008

SummaryContinuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNB) are effective for postoperative pain management in children in the hospital and at home. CPNB techniques are particularly advantageous when compared with systemic or oral opioids on medical missions to unfamiliar environments with minimal monitoring capacity. In addition, ultrasound‐guidance facilitates the placement of perineural catheters in anesthetized children even in the absence of commercially packaged regional anesthesia equipment. We present a series of successful cases employing ultrasound‐guided CPNB for postoperative analgesia on medical missions and discuss the impact of this technology on present and future patients in underserved countries.
Genetic diversity of Daphnia magna populations enhances resistance to parasites
Authors: Altermatt Florian , Ebert Dieter 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe diversity‐disease hypothesis states that decreased genetic diversity in host populations increases the incidence of diseases caused by pathogens (= monoculture effect) and eventually influences ecosystem functioning. The monoculture effect is well‐known from crop studies and may be partially specific to the artificial situation in agriculture. The effect received little attention in animal populations of different diversities. Compared with plants, animals are mobile and exhibiting social interactions. We followed the spread of a microsporidian parasite in semi‐natural outdoor Daphnia magna populations of low and high genetic diversity. We used randomly selected, naturally occurring host genotypes. Host populations of low diversity were initially monoclonal, while the host populations of high diversity started with 10 genotypes per replicate. We found that the parasite spread significantly better in host populations of low diversity compared with host populations of high diversity, independent of parasite diversity. The difference was visible over a 3‐year period. Host genotypic diversity did not affect host population density. Our experiment demonstrated a monoculture effect in independently replicated semi‐natural zooplankton populations, indicating that the monoculture effect may be relevant beyond agriculture.
Weight loss in obese men by caloric restriction and high‐dose diazoxide–mediated insulin suppression
Authors: Van Boekel G. , Loves S. , Van Sorge A. , Ruinemans‐Koerts J. , Rijnders T. , De Boer H. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  To examine the concept whether high‐dose diazoxide (DZX)–mediated insulin suppression, in combination with moderate caloric restriction and increased physical activity, can establish a weight loss of at least 15% in obese hyperinsulinaemic men.Design:  Open, uncontrolled, 6‐month pilot study. Energy intake was reduced by 30%, and walking for at least 30 min a day was strongly recommended. DZX treatment was started at 50 mg t.i.d. and increased by 50 mg per dose every 4 weeks to a maximum of 300 mg t.i.d., unless hyperglycaemia or other side‐effects occurred.Subjects and Methods:  Eighteen obese hyperinsulinaemic men with a body mass index of 30–35 kg/m2. Measurements included body weight, body composition, blood pressure, glycaemic control, insulin response, adiponectin and serum lipids.Results:  Body weight decreased by 9.4 kg (95% CI: 5.6–13.2 kg, p < 0.001), waist circumference reduced by 9.2 cm (95% CI: 5.3–12.9 cm, p < 0.001) and total body fat mass decreased by 23.3% (95% CI: 13.7–32.9%, p < 0.001), without a concomitant change in soft tissue lean body mass or bone mass. Fat loss was inversely related to fasting insulin levels achieved at 6 months (r = −0.76, p < 0.002). Diastolic blood pressure decreased by 10.9 mmHg (95% CI: 6.5–15.4 mmHg, p < 0.002). Fasting and postmeal peak insulin levels were reduced by about 65% (p < 0.001) and decreased to the normal range for non‐obese men. Fasting and postmeal peak glucose levels increased by 0.8 ± 0.3 mmol/l (p = 0.01) and 1.4 ± 0.7 mmol/l (p = 0.06) respectively. Haemoglobin A1c rose by 0.5% to 5.9 ± 0.2%.Conclusion:  High‐dose DZX–mediated insulin suppression, in combination with moderate caloric restriction and lifestyle advice, is associated with a clinically relevant degree of weight reduction. A more extensive exploration is warranted to optimize this mode of treatment and to further clarify its risks and benefits.
A Principal‐Agent Model for Evaluating the Economic Value of a Traceability System: A Case Study with Injection‐site Lesion Control in Fed Cattle
Authors: Resende-Filho Moises A. , Buhr Brian L. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractTraceability can link the identity of cattle feeders with retail beef cuts. The economic problem for the packer implementing traceability is to choose the level of investment in traceability and the level of incentive payments to cattle feeders so that cattle feeders will avoid production actions that can damage retail beef cuts. A case study of injection‐site lesions in cattle is the basis for technical parameters to numerically solve this principal‐agent problem. Results show that cattle feeders will give injections in sites preferred by the packer even with low rates of successful tracking and minimal incentives.
Robust Estimation in the Normal Mixture Model Based on Robust Clustering
Authors: Cuesta-Albertos J. A. , Matrán C. , Mayo-Iscar A. 
Published: May 2008

Summary
We introduce a robust estimation procedure that is based on the choice of a representative trimmed subsample through an initial robust clustering procedure, and subsequent improvements based on maximum likelihood. To obtain the initial trimming we resort to the trimmed k-means, a simple procedure designed for finding the core of the clusters under appropriate configurations. By handling the trimmed data as censored, maximum likelihood estimation provides in each step the location and shape of the next trimming. Data-driven restrictions on the parameters, requiring that every distribution in the mixture must be sufficiently represented in the initial clustered region, allow singularities to be avoided and guarantee the existence of the estimator. Our analysis includes robustness properties and asymptotic results as well as worked examples.
Phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinase and protein kinase C zeta mediate retinoic acid induction of DARPP‐32 in medium size spiny neurons in vitro
Authors: Pedrini Steve , Bogush Alexey , Ehrlich Michelle E 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMature striatal medium size spiny neurons express the dopamine and cAMP‐regulated phosphoprotein, 32 kDa (DARPP‐32), but little is known about the mechanisms regulating its levels, or the specification of fully differentiated neuronal subtypes. Cell extrinsic molecules that increase DARPP‐32 mRNA and/or protein levels include retinoic acid (RA), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, and estrogen (E2). We now demonstrate that RA regulates DARPP‐32 mRNA and protein in primary striatal neuronal cultures. Furthermore, DARPP‐32 induction by RA in vitro requires phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinase, but is independent of tropomyosin‐related kinase B, cyclin‐dependent kinase 5, and protein kinase B. Using pharmacologic inhibitors of various isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC), we also demonstrate that DARPP‐32 induction by RA in vitro is dependent on PKC zeta (PKCζ). Thus, the signal transduction pathways mediated by RA are very different than those mediating DARPP‐32 induction by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor. These data support the presence of multiple signal transduction pathways mediating expression of DARPP‐32 in vitro, including a novel, important pathway via which phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinase regulates the contribution of PKCζ.
A New Method for Estimating Race/Ethnicity and Associated Disparities Where Administrative Records Lack Self‐Reported Race/Ethnicity
Authors: Elliott Marc N. , Fremont Allen , Morrison Peter A. , Pantoja Philip , Lurie Nicole 
Published: May 2008

Objective. To efficiently estimate race/ethnicity using administrative records to facilitate health care organizations' efforts to address disparities when self‐reported race/ethnicity data are unavailable.Data Source. Surname, geocoded residential address, and self‐reported race/ethnicity from 1,973,362 enrollees of a national health plan.Study Design. We compare the accuracy of a Bayesian approach to combining surname and geocoded information to estimate race/ethnicity to two other indirect methods: a non‐Bayesian method that combines surname and geocoded information and geocoded information alone. We assess accuracy with respect to estimating (1) individual race/ethnicity and (2) overall racial/ethnic prevalence in a population.Principal Findings. The Bayesian approach was 74 percent more efficient than geocoding alone in estimating individual race/ethnicity and 56 percent more efficient in estimating the prevalence of racial/ethnic groups, outperforming the non‐Bayesian hybrid on both measures. The non‐Bayesian hybrid was more efficient than geocoding alone in estimating individual race/ethnicity but less efficient with respect to prevalence (p<.05 for all differences).Conclusions. The Bayesian Surname and Geocoding (BSG) method presented here efficiently integrates administrative data, substantially improving upon what is possible with a single source or from other hybrid methods; it offers a powerful tool that can help health care organizations address disparities until self‐reported race/ethnicity data are available.
Cancer Incidence in Elderly Medicare and Dually Eligible Beneficiaries
Authors: Bradley Cathy J. , Luo Zhehui , Given Charles W. 
Published: May 2008

Objective. We assessed how Medicaid enrollment and race influence cancer incidence among patients age 65 years and older.Data Sources and Method. Population‐based Michigan Tumor Registry was merged with Medicaid eligibility files for 1996 through 2000. All analyses were age‐adjusted and gender‐specific. We compared cancer incidence in the elderly Medicaid population to the cancer incidence in the Medicare population. We then examined cancer incidence in patients continuously enrolled in Medicaid 12 or more months relative to the incidence in the Medicare population.Principal Findings. When comparing cancer incidence in Medicaid patients without regard to enrollment before diagnosis, the incidence rates of prostate cancer in black men and colorectal cancer in black women were statistically higher relative to the incidence rates in white patients. The overall cancer incidence rate for all cancers combined was statistically significantly higher for black women and men compared with white women and men (incidence rate ratio=1.18 and 1.48, 95 percent confidence interval 1.05–1.32 and 1.28–1.71, respectively). In dually eligible patients enrolled 12 or more months before diagnosis, an excess cancer incident was observed for black patients relative to white patients in every cancer site examined with the exception of lung cancer.Conclusions. Medicaid data in addition to Medicare data revealed patterns of cancer incidence that varied according to Medicaid enrollment and race. These findings suggest that the cancer burden among African Americans and dually eligible patients is substantial.
Measuring the relative importance of preferences for country of origin in China, France, Niger, and the United States
Authors: Ehmke Mariah D. , Lusk Jayson L. , Tyner Wallace 
Published: May 2008

AbstractRecent labeling policies in developed countries place new focus on origin labeling, especially country of origin labeling, for a variety of food products. It is not clear if this new emphasis on origin is the result of more ethnocentric consumer preferences for food. We measure consumer preferences for country of origin in four different international locations and one domestic control location using a conjoint experiment to test the null hypotheses that consumers do not have stronger own‐country preferences. In addition, we compare the relative importance of consumer preferences for origin to their preferences for genetically modified food and pesticide‐free production using attribute coefficients from within location ordered probit models. The study was conducted in China, France, Niger, and the United States. We find consumers tend to prefer food from their own location indicating ethnocentric tendencies do play a role in shaping country‐of‐origin preferences. Country of origin is generally less important to consumers than genetically modified food content and pesticide use in food production.
Assessing the impact of NERICA on income and poverty in central and western Uganda
Authors: Kijima Yoko , Otsuka Keijiro , Sserunkuuma Dick 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPersistent food shortage and poverty in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) are major development issues. New Rice for Africa (NERICA) was developed to boost crop yield and income of rural households in SSA. Although its high‐yielding traits have become fairly well known, there is no empirical analysis of its impact on income and poverty. By taking the case of Uganda where a NERICA promoting program was initiated as one of the major poverty eradication measures, this study attempts to compare actual income with the hypothetical income without NERICA. We found that introduction of NERICA decreases poverty to a significant extent without deteriorating income distribution.
A model of optimal import phytosanitary inspection under capacity constraint
Authors: Surkov Ilya V. , Oude Lansink Alfons G. J. M. , Van Kooten Olaf , Van Der Werf Wopke 
Published: May 2008

AbstractGrowth and liberalization of world trade have increased the risks of introduction of quarantine plant pests into importing countries. Import inspection of incoming commodities is a major tool for prevention of pest introductions related to world trade, but inspection capacities are limited. This article develops a theoretical and an empirical model for the optimal allocation of inspection effort for phytosanitary inspection of imported commodities when the inspecting agency has a limited capacity. It is shown that the optimal allocation of inspection effort equalizes marginal costs of pest introduction across risky commodity pathways. The numerical illustration finds the optimal allocation of inspection effort of chrysanthemum cuttings imported in the Netherlands. The numerical results suggest that ceteris paribus, greater inspection effort should be allocated to pathways whose inspection yields a greater reduction in the expected costs of pest introduction. The numerical results also suggest that import inspection has a high marginal benefit. In particular, we found that each additional euro of the inspection capacity decreases the expected costs of pest introduction from 18 to 49 euros, depending on the initial inspection capacity.
Acculturation is associated with the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia and akathisia in community‐treated patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Sundram S. , Lambert T. , Piskulic D. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  Ethnicity is a risk factor for tardive dyskinesia (TD) and other antipsychotic drug‐induced movement disorders (ADIMD). It is unclear whether this association is mediated through genetic, environmental or cultural factors individually or in combination. This pilot study aimed to explore this interaction by determining if acculturation in migrant groups contributed to the prevalence of ADIMD.Method:  Culturally diverse but relatively genetically homogeneous (white Caucasian) patients with schizophrenia (n = 40) treated at a single site were assessed for the presence of ADIMD and level of acculturation.Results:  Higher levels of acculturation correlated with an increased prevalence of TD and akathisia but not Parkinsonism. The level of acculturation significantly predicted TD.Conclusion:  This study identifies for the first time that acculturation significantly contributes to the prevalence of TD and akathisia but not Parkinsonism in culturally diverse migrant populations and must be accounted for when explaining ethnic variation in rates of ADIMD.
Cognitive‐behavioural therapy for late‐life anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hendriks G. J. , Oude Voshaar R. C. , Keijsers G. P. J. , Hoogduin C. A. L. , Van Balkom A. J. L. M. 
Published: May 2008

Objective:  To examine and estimate the efficacy of cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) for late‐life anxiety disorders.Method:  A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing CBT with i) a waiting‐list control condition and ii) an active control condition controlling for non‐specific effects in patients aged over 60 years and suffering from an anxiety disorder. The main outcome parameter of individual studies, i.e. effect on anxiety, was pooled using the standardized mean difference (SMD).Results:  Seven papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including nine randomized controlled comparisons for 297 patients. Anxiety symptoms were significantly more reduced following CBT than after either a waiting‐list control condition [SMD = −0.44 (95 CI: −0.84 −0.04), P = 0.03] or an active control condition [SMD = −0.51 (95 CI: −0.81, −0.21), P<0.001]. Additionally, CBT significantly alleviated accompanying symptoms of worrying and depression.Conclusion:  Cognitive‐behavioural therapy is efficacious for the treatment of late‐life anxiety disorders.
A novel fibrinogen variant – Liberec: dysfibrinogenaemia associated with γ Tyr262Cys substitution
Authors: Kotlín Roman , Sobotková Alžběta , Suttnar Jiří , Salaj Peter , Walterová Lenka , Riedel Tomáš , Reicheltová Zuzana , Dyr Jan Evangelista 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective:  A 22‐yr‐old woman had abnormal preoperative coagulation test results and congenital dysfibrinogenaemia was suspected.Patients and methods:  The patient from Liberec (Czech Republic) had a low fibrinogen plasma level as determined by Clauss method, normal fibrinogen level as determined by immunoturbidimetrical method, and prolonged thrombin time. To identify the genetic mutation responsible for this dysfibrinogen, genomic DNA extracted from the blood was analysed. Fibrin polymerisation measurement, kinetics of fibrinopeptide release, fibrinogen clottability measurement and scanning electron microscopy were performed.Results:  DNA sequencing showed the heterozygous fibrinogen γ Y262C mutation. Kinetics of fibrinopeptide release was normal, however fibrin polymerisation was impaired. Fibrinogen clottability measurement showed that only about 45% molecules of fibrinogen are involved in the clot formation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed thicker fibres, which were significantly different from the normal control.Conclusion:  A case of dysfibrinogenaemia, found by routine coagulation testing, was genetically identified as a novel fibrinogen variant (γ Y262C) that has been named Liberec.
Removal of percutaneously inserted central venous catheters in neonates is associated with the occurrence of sepsis
Authors: Van Den Hoogen Agnes , Brouwer Mieke J , Gerards Leo J , Fleer André , Krediet Tannette G 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground: Clinical signs of sepsis are frequently observed after removal of a percutaneously inserted central venous catheter (PCVC) in neonates admitted at our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). To substantiate this finding and to evaluate the effect of antibiotics administered at the time of removal of a PCVC, we conducted a retrospective study among all infants with a PCVC, admitted at our NICU during 2002 and 2005.Methods: Clinical data, infectious complications and use of antibiotics were studied retrospectively.Results: A PCVC was inserted in 345 infants. Sepsis occurred in 90/345 (26%) infants, in 50/90 (56%) during indwelling PCVC and in 40/90 (44%) after removal of the PCVC. Of the latter 40 sepsis episodes, 24 (60%) occurred within 5 days after removal of a PCVC with a clustering of 21 cases of sepsis within 72 h after the removal. The remaining 16 episodes occurred after 7 days. Administration of antibiotics during removal of the PCVC significantly reduced the incidence of sepsis: 22/213 (10.3%) cases of sepsis occurred when no antibiotics were administered versus 2/132 (1.5%) cases of sepsis when antibiotics were administered (p = 0.002).Conclusion: Our study suggests that peripherally inserted central venous catheters are associated with sepsis not only during the indwelling period of the catheter, but also after removal. Administration of antibiotics targeted at the time of removal of the catheter significantly reduced the incidence of sepsis. Future prospective studies are warranted to confirm this observation.