bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluticasone Is Associated with Lower Asthma‐Related Costs than Leukotriene Modifiers in a Real‐World Analysis
Authors: Armstrong Edward P. , Malone Daniel C. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To compare the impact of fluticasone propionate versus three leukotriene modifiers—montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton—on the cost of asthma within a managed care organization.Design. Retrospective quasi‐experimental comparison.Setting. Managed care organization with approximately 350,000 enrollees.Patients. Three hundred forty‐seven patients with asthma who received at least two prescriptions for either fluticasone or a leukotriene modifier. Patients receiving both fluticasone and a leukotriene modifier were excluded.Measurements and Main Results. Multivariate analysis was used to compare total asthma‐related costs between treatment groups. A significant difference in total asthma‐related costs was found between patients receiving fluticasone (adjusted mean cost $511) compared with those receiving a leukotriene modifier ($1092; p=0.0001). Other significant predictors of postindex asthma‐related costs were pre‐index asthma‐related costs, a severity adjustment score, and the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Patients taking a leukotriene modifier obtained more short‐acting β‐agonists than patients receiving fluticasone (6.49 ± 4.05 vs 4.30 ± 3.41, p<0.0001). A survival analysis of time to receive any additional controller therapy revealed that patients receiving fluticasone were significantly less likely to receive another controller than were those receiving a leukotriene modifier (p=0.0014).Conclusion. These results suggest that fluticasone is associated with lower asthma‐related costs than leukotriene modifiers. (Pharmacotherapy 2002;22(9):1117–1123)
Long‐Term Lamivudine Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis B in Patients with and without Cirrhosis
Authors: Oh Jung Mi , Kyun Ms. Jinok , Won Cho Sung 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To evaluate the effects and safety of 52‐week lamivudine therapy in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), with and without cirrhosis.Design. Long‐term retrospective studySetting. Ajoo University Medical Center, Soowon, Korea.Patients. Twenty‐seven men and two women who had received oral lamivudine 100 mg/day for 52 weeks for treatment of biopsy‐proven chronic HBV; 11 patients had cirrhosis, 18 did not.Measurements and Main Results. All 29 patients were positive for HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) before treatment began; 25 (86%) patients were positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). Lamivudine therapy suppressed serum HBV DNA to undetectable levels in 26 (90%) patients within a median of 4 weeks. Serum HBV DNA of 28 patients (97%) fell significantly to undetectable levels within 12 weeks and remained undetectable in 24 (83%) patients after 52 weeks, and HBeAg had converted to negative in 10 (40%) of the 25 patients who were positive. Mean serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of the 29 patients decreased to within the normal range by 12 weeks and remained at 33–48 IU/L thereafter. Differences in responses of HBV DNA and ALT to lamivudine therapy in HBeAg‐positive and ‐negative patients were negligible (p=0.786 and p=0.225, respectively). Pretreatment HBV DNA and ALT levels had no effect on the efficacy of lamivudine (p=0.9116). Furthermore, differences in responses of HBV DNA (p=0.641), HBeAg seroconversion (p=0.386), and ALT (p=0.689) and in development of drug resistance (p=0.617) between patients with and without cirrhosis were negligible. No serious adverse effects were reported.Conclusion. Lamivudine is an effective and well‐tolerated therapeutic agent for treating chronic HBV in patients with and without cirrhosis.
Effect of Age and Degree of Immune Activation on Cytochrome P450 3A4 Activity After Influenza Immunization
Authors: Hayney Mary S. , Buck Jessica M. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To measure age‐ or sex‐related changes in cytochrome P450 (CYP) activity secondary to influenza vaccination.Design. Open‐label, single‐dose study.Setting. General clinical research center at a university hospital.Subjects. Fifteen healthy volunteers aged 22–51 years.Intervention. Each subject was given an erythromycin breath test (ERMBT) to measure CYP3A4 activity before influenza immunization and again on day 7 after immunization. Blood was drawn before immunization and on day 28 after immunization to measure influenza antibody concentrations.Measurements and Main Results. Age of subject and change in ERMBT results after influenza immunization were correlated (correlation coefficient −0.624, p<0.015). However, no correlations could be made between antibody concentrations after influenza immunization or change in antibody concentrations from baseline and age.Conclusion. Decreases in CYP3A4 activity after influenza immunization are associated with increasing age. The decreases in CYP3A4 activity, however, are not associated with influenza antibody concentrations. This study bears repeating in an older cohort since the study sample did not include elderly individuals.
Individualized Drug Use Assessment in the Elderly
Authors: Raehl Cynthia L. , Bond C. A. , Woods Tresa , Patry Roland A. , Sleeper Rebecca B. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To quantify how seniors' ability to take oral prescription drugs safely may correlate with age, sex, socioeconomic status, education, cognitive impairment, depression, and drug self‐management.Design. Cross‐sectional study.Setting. Three retirement communities and an adult day care center.Patients. Fifty‐seven elderly individuals (mean age 79.49 ± 7.26 yrs; mean education 11.33 ± 3.8 yrs; 72% women).Intervention. After completing a comprehensive medical history, and with drug vials and pillboxes available for consultation, each subject described how he or she was taking prescribed oral drugs.Measurements and Main Results. The MedTake test evaluated dosage, indication, food or water coingestion, and regimen. For each agent, the test was scored as percentage of correct actions, equally weighted, and compared with label directions or self‐expressed physician changes. A composite MedTake test score (0–100%) summarized a subject's overall ability to take their drug(s) safely. A follow‐up qualitative assessment by a single pharmacist assigned each agent to one of four potential risk categories: correct use, partial correct use without potential clinical significance, partial correct use with potential clinical significance, or incorrect use with high potential of clinical significance. Most subjects (80%) managed their own drug therapy; 70% used reminder systems (calendar, pillbox). The number of medical conditions and prescription drugs was 6.11 ± 4.2 and 5.88 ± 3.44, respectively. Of 325 agents, correct dosage was reported for 94% (306), correct indication for 95% (309), correct coingestion with food or water for 97% (314), and correct regimen for 89% (288). The composite MedTake test score was 88.5 ± 21.3%. The multivariate model, with that score as the dependent variable, adjusted for age and sex, used Mini‐Mental State Examination (p=0.002) and Medicaid assistance within 10 years (p=0.021) as significant factors. The most frequent problem was underdosing of cardiovascular drugs.Conclusion. Seniors' ability to take oral prescription drugs safely was affected by cognitive function and socioeconomic status. Although the MedTake test helped identify some problems with therapy adherence, a pharmacist's follow‐up evaluation of comprehensive medical and drug histories identified additional potentially clinically significant problems in 20% of subjects.
Effect of Telephone Follow‐up on the Physical Well‐Being Dimension of Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer
Authors: Beney Johnny , Devine E. Beth , Chow Valby , Ignoffo Robert J. , Mitsunaga Lisa , Shahkarami Mina , McMillan Alex , Bero Lisa A. 
Published: May 2004

Objective. To evaluate the effect of telephone follow‐up on the physical wellbeing dimension of health‐related quality of life in patients with cancer.Design. Randomized, controlled trial.Setting. Public teaching hospital.Patients. One hundred fifty patients with cancer who were discharged to home from the hospital.Intervention. Patients received a telephone follow‐up call 48–72 hours after discharge. Information was solicited regarding drug‐related (and other) problems. Problems were addressed, and advice and support were given.Measurements and Main Results. Analysis of variance revealed no differences in the physical well‐being dimension of health‐related quality of life between patients who received telephone follow‐up and a control group who did not. Sixty‐eight percent of the follow‐up group and 40% of the control group (p=0.007) reported having had at least one contact with a health professional.Conclusion. One possible explanation for the lack of effect of the intervention is that high‐risk patients in the control group received a similar intervention from other health care professionals. We suggest that telephone follow‐up be coordinated among health professionals.
Effect of Food on Everolimus Absorption: Quantification in Healthy Subjects and a Confirmatory Screening in Patients with Renal Transplants
Authors: Kovarik John M. , Hartmann Stefan , Figueiredo Joaquim , Rordorf Christiane , Golor Georg , Lison Arno , Budde Klemmens , Neumayer Hans H. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To quantify the influence of a high‐fat meal on the oral bioavailability of the immunosuppressant everolimus in a single‐dose study in healthy subjects and to confirm the results in a small food‐effect screening assessment in patients with renal transplants who were receiving multiple‐dose everolimus.Design. Randomized, open‐label, crossover, single‐dose study and confirmatory screening.Setting. Phase 1 unit for the single‐dose study and two German hospitals for the patient screening.Subjects. Twenty‐four healthy male volunteers; six clinically stable patients with renal transplants who were originally part of a phase I dose‐escalation study.Intervention. The 24 healthy men received everolimus 2 mg orally under fasting conditions and after a high‐fat meal. The six patients received everolimus 2.5 mg/day orally, in addition to cyclosporine and prednisone. On two occasions, a pharmacokinetic profile was obtained over the dosing interval after drug administration under fasting conditions and after a high‐fat meal in a randomized sequence.Measurements and Main Results. In the single‐dose study in healthy subjects, a high‐fat meal delayed everolimus time to maximum concentration (Tmax) by a median 1.25 hours, reduced peak blood concentration (Cmax) by 60%, and reduced area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) by 16%. In the multiple‐dose screening in patients with renal transplants, a high‐fat meal delayed (Tmax by a median 1.75 hours and reduced Cmax by 53% and AUC by 21%. Everolimus trough levels showed no food effect, whereas the peak‐trough fluctuation was dampened by 52%.Conclusions. A high‐fat meal modestly reduced everolimus AUC. To minimize longitudinal variability in exposure, everolimus should be administered consistently either with food or without food.
Economic Impact of Asthma Therapy with Fluticasone Propionate, Montelukast, or Zafirlukast in a Managed Care Population
Authors: Pathak Dev S. , Davis E. Anne , Stanford Richard H. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To compare asthma‐related health care expenditures among patients newly prescribed fluticasone propionate 44 or 110 μg, montelukast 5 or 10 mg, or zafirlukast 20 mg.Design. Retrospective cohort analysis of medical and pharmacy claims.Setting. University‐affiliated health outcomes research center.Patients. Seven hundred eighty‐one patients (aged ≥ 4 yrs) with asthma treated with controller therapy for 9 months (postindex period), with no claim for an inhaled corticosteroid or leukotriene modifier in the previous 9 months (preindex period).Intervention. Asthma‐related medical and pharmacy data from insurance claims of four managed care plans (two Northeastern, one Midwestern, and one Western) were tabulated over the pre‐ and postindex periods.Measurements and Main Results. Numbers of patients identified were 284 beginning fluticasone propionate; 302, montelukast; and 195, zafirlukast. Fluticasone propionate treatment was associated with significantly (p<0.001) lower risk‐adjusted asthma‐related charges compared with montelukast and zafirlukast treatment: $528, $967, and $1359, respectively. In this cohort, fluticasone propionate also was associated with fewer hospitalizations, less need for additional controller agents, and longer maintenance on the index drug compared with montelukast and zafirlukast.Conclusions. Based on these real‐world data, as well as established national and international asthma guidelines, consideration should be given to inhaled corticosteroid therapy, particularly fluticasone propionate, for first‐line, long‐term effective management of asthma.
Pharmacokinetics of Levofloxacin During Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration and Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Guenter Sven G. , Iven Heiko , Boos Carsten , Bruch Hans‐Peter , Muhl Elke 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To assess the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin during continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) and continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH).Design. Nonrandomized pharmacokinetic evaluation.Setting. University surgical intensive care unit.Patients. Six critically ill patients.Intervention. Five patients received levofloxacin 500 mg/day and one patient received levofloxacin 125 mg/day. All patients received continuous renal replacement therapy: CVVHDF on day 1 and CVVH on day 2, using an acrylonitrile hollow‐fiber 0.9‐m2 filter, constant blood flow rate of 90 ml/minute, substitution flow rate of 1 L/hour predilution, and dialysate flow rate of 1 L/hour (CVVHDF).Measurements and Main Results. Serum, ultrafiltrate, and dialysate concentrations of levofloxacin were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Extracorporeal clearance was 26.05 ± 4.66 ml/hour during CVVHDF and 15.71 ± 2.73 ml/hour during CVVH (p<0.05). Elimination half‐life was 28.08 ± 4.5 hours and 45.9 ± 17.7 hours, and distribution volume was 1.51 ± 0.52 L/kg and 1.42 ± 0.42 L/kg for CVVHDF and CVVH, respectively. Saturation was 0.76 ± 0.13 for CVVHDF versus a sieving coefficient of 0.77 ± 0.16 for CVVH.Conclusion. Marked extracorporeal elimination of levofloxacin occurs, requiring a dosage adjustment that can be calculated from the characteristics of CVVH and CVVHDF.
Evaluation of the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Largest United States‐Mexico Border City
Authors: Rivera José O. , Ortiz Melchor , Lawson Mark E. , Verma Kalpana M. 
Published: May 2004

Study Objective. To evaluate the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the El Paso, Texas, region.Design. Prospective observational study conducted from April‐October 2000.Setting. Several hospitals and clinics.Subjects. Five hundred forty‐seven participants.Intervention. Semi‐structured interview with a bilingual questionnaire.Measurements and Main Results. Complementary and alternative medicine was used in 77% of our population. The most common CAM providers were massage therapists (19.4%) and herbalists (12.4%). The most common herbal or home remedies were chamomile (13.1%) and aloe vera (8.5%). The most common nutritional or commercial products were multivitamins (16%), ginseng (3.6%), and ginkgo biloba (2.8%). We identified 599 CAM usages that could result in drug interactions, disease interactions, or adverse reactions.Conclusions. A wide range of CAM use was documented in this study. Our results indicate that Hispanics in this area use CAM at a higher rate than national trends. Many of these therapies can adversely affect a variety of disease states and drug therapies.
Partial rebound of molten‐metal droplets impacting on solid substrates
Authors: Megaridis Constantine M. , Boomsma Kevin , Bayer Ilker S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis study investigates droplet/wall impact events resulting in partial rebound, an overlooked regime between deposition and splash. Because of its relevance to the microelectronics manufacturing industry, high‐purity 63%Sn–37%Pb molten solder is used. The target wall consists of a smooth, flat, unyielding silicon substrate. Droplet diameters range from 0.7 to 1.4 mm, and impact velocities from 0.7 to 1.4 m/s. These conditions correspond to Re = O(1000), We = O(10), Fr = O(10–100), Bo = O(0.1), and Oh = O(10−3). High‐speed imaging is performed to determine droplet lateral spread and apparent contact angles, and examine how these quantities affect the impact outcome (deposition vs. partial rebound). The results indicate that partial rebound is favored by higher impact velocities and smaller droplet diameters. A recent rebound model is evaluated as a predictive tool for the impact outcome in this transition impact regime. In addition, three existing correlations are evaluated in terms of their ability to predict the current experimental data on droplet maximum spread. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 1356–1363, 2004
Undetectable maternal serum uE3 and postnatal abnormal sterol and steroid metabolism in Antley–Bixler syndrome
Authors: Cragun Deborah L. , Trumpy Sharon K. , Shackleton Cedric H.L. , Kelley Richard I. , Leslie Nancy D. , Mulrooney Neil P. , Hopkin Robert J. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAntley–Bixler syndrome (ABS) is a rare condition characterized by radiohumeral synostosis, craniosynostosis, midface hypoplasia, bowing of the femora, multiple joint contractures, and urogenital defects. Several reports have implicated errors of steroid or sterol metabolism in the pathogenesis of ABS. Evidence for this has included association with maternal luteomas, fetal 21‐hydroxylase deficiency, early pregnancy exposure to high‐dose fluconazole, lanosterol 14‐α‐demethylase deficiency, and a unique urinary steroid profile consistent with apparent pregnene hydroxylation deficiency (APHD). We report two sibs with classic ABS. During both pregnancies, mid‐trimester maternal serum screening demonstrated undetectable levels of uncongugated estriol (uE3). The brother had ambiguous genitalia and increased serum levels of progesterone and 17‐α‐hydroxyprogesterone. Postnatal tests performed on the sister demonstrated both the unique urinary steroid profile that defines APHD and evidence of impaired lanosterol 14‐α‐demethylase activity. Our results suggest that in at least some patients with ABS, the skeletal findings and altered steroidogenesis are not associated with genes specific to individual sterol or steroid pathways but rather are related to an element, such as NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) or cytochrome b5 (CYb5), that is common to all of these pathways. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of superabsorbent polymers by irradiation and their applications in agriculture
Authors: Chen Peng , Zhang Wei'An , Luo Wei , Fang Yue'e 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) were synthesized by grafting copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide onto starch by using γ‐ray radiation technique and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a crosslinker. The samples were characterized by IR spectroscopy. The effect of various synthetic parameters such as irradiation dose, irradiation dose rate, monomer concentration, monomer/starch ratio, and PEG content were studied. The effects of different drying methods on water absorbency of the SAPs were also studied. The experimental results showed that the water absorbency of the SAPs depends largely on the specific conductance of water when the specific conductance is below 500 μs/cm. The water retention of sand and soil was enhanced by using the SAPs. Effects of the SAPs on the germination of seeds and growth of young plants were investigated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1748–1755, 2004
Removal of concentrated heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions using polymers with enriched amidoxime groups
Authors: Kavaklı Pınar Akkaş , Güven Olgun 
Published: June 2004

AbstractParticulate and fibrous adsorbents with enriched amidoxime groups were synthesized by using a novel monomer N,N′‐dipropionitrile acrylamide. The adsorption properties of amidoximated poly(N,N′‐dipropionitrile acrylamide) [poly(DPAAm)] particles and a nonwoven fabric grafted with the same for UO22+, Pb2+, Cu2+, and Co2+ at high concentrations were investigated by batch process. Metal ion adsorption studies were conducted from metal ion solutions with different initial concentrations (100–1500 ppm). It was shown that particulated amidoximated poly(DPAAm) has higher adsorption capacity than amidoximated nonwoven fabrics for all metal ions, especially for uranyl ions. The results of the adsorption studies showed that the interaction between UO22+ and amidoximated groups agree with the Langmuir‐type isotherm. From the Langmuir equation, the adsorption capacities were found as 400 mg UO22+/g dry amidoximated poly(DPAAm) and 250 mg UO22+/g dry amidoximated graft polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1705–1710, 2004
Porous polyimide films prepared by thermolysis of porogens with hyperbranched structure
Authors: Kim Dong Wook , Kang Yongku , Jin Moon Young , Seok Sangil , Won Jong Chan , Lee Changjin , Yi Jungboon , Kim Jeongsoo , Kang Jongku , Shin Jae Sup 
Published: June 2004

AbstractTwo hyperbranched molecules, benzenetricarboxylic acid dendritic benzyl ether ester (BTRC–BE) and benzenetricarboxylic acid polyethylene glycol ester (BTRC–PEG), were prepared and tested as pore‐generating agents (porogens) for the preparation of porous polyimide. The hyperbranched molecules were thermally stable during the imidization process and completely decomposed well below the degradation temperature of polyimides, indicating that they possessed desirable thermal decomposition characteristics as porogens for the porous polyimide. From the SEM analysis dispersed domains were observed in the poly(amic acid) films containing BTRC–BE, whereas no phase separation was observed in the poly(amic acid) films containing BTRC–PEG. This may be attributable to the different polarities of the porogens because the hydrophobic BTRC–BE was phase‐separated in the hydrophilic poly(amic acid) matrix but BTRC–PEG was well mixed with poly(amic acid). The morphology developed in the poly(amic acid) film was retained after imidization and decomposition of the porogens; thus only BTRC–BE produced the porous polyimide. As the content of BTRC–BE decreased from 20 to 5 wt %, the pore size decreased from 390 ± 100 to 90 ± 50 nm and the pore density also decreased. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1711–1718, 2004
Effects of calcium carbonate as the expanding inhibitor on the structural and mechanical properties of expanded starch/polyvinyl alcohol blends
Authors: Yang June‐Ho , Park Jongshin , Kim Daehyun , Lee Daehoon 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn this study, expanded starch/PVA/CaCO3 blends (ESPCs) were prepared using the pilot system composed of a supermixer and a twin‐screw extruder to investigate the effects of CaCO3 as the expanding inhibitor on the structural and mechanical properties of ESPCs. The pore ratio of ESPCs with the interconnecting open‐cell structure decreased with increasing CaCO3 content and the structure of ESPCs became more compact. The inhibiting process of CaCO3 during the expansion of starch/PVA blends was proposed and certified by FTIR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. At least two parts of CaCO3 were required to obtain a sufficient inhibiting effect on the expansion. The mechanical properties of ESPCs such as tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus, and specific work of rupture were improved by the addition of CaCO3 as the expanding inhibitor. As CaCO3 content increased from one to four parts, the tensile strength increased 2.6‐fold, from 70 to 180 kPa, whereas elongation at break increased about 1.5‐fold. The moduli of ESPCs also increased with increasing CaCO3 content. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1762–1768, 2004