bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are decisions by purchasers in an English health district evidence-based?
Authors: Johnstone Paul , Lacey Prabha 
Published: October 2002

Objectives: First, to investigate how many decisions by one commissioning body (district health authority) were based on evidence of effectiveness from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of RCTs. Second, to investigate whether other types of quantitative studies and qualitative studies could be used as evidence to support commissioning decisions. Method: From three planning documents (for 1997-1998), all statements were identified. Effectiveness questions were constructed from each and used to search for evidence from trials and reviews in the Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 1998). Further searches for other studies (all methodologies) were performed on a subset of decisions and appraised by an independent expert panel. Results: A total of 124 decisions were identified of which two-thirds concerned organisation of care. Evidence existed for less than half (48.4%) the decisions, with 33.9% favouring the decision and 14.5% where evidence was either equivocal or unfavourable. From a random subset of ten decisions, relevant non-randomised quantitative studies and qualitative studies were identified for half the decisions. Evidence from economic evaluations was identified for only one decision. Conclusions: Large gaps in knowledge exist if health care purchasers are to base their decisions on evidence of effectiveness from RCTs. However, other types of evidence can be used to support such decisions. Summaries of research should be published in a format that is accessible to purchasers.
Continuing exposure to hexavalent chromium, a known lung carcinogen: An analysis of OSHA compliance inspections, 1990–2000
Authors: Lurie Peter , Wolfe Sidney M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundHexavalent chromium is widely recognized to be a lung carcinogen. However, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has failed to reduce the permissible exposure limit (PEL), despite having acknowledged in 1994 that the current limit is too high. In 1993, Public Citizen and the Paper, Allied‐Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union (PACE) petitioned to lower the PEL from the current 100 μg/m3 to 0.5 μg/m3 as an 8‐hr time‐weighted average (TWA).MethodsTo assess industry compliance with the current PEL, and to determine the feasibility of achieving the proposed lower limit of 0.5 μg/m3, we conducted a secondary data analysis of OSHA's Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) database. This database contains 813 measurements of hexavalent chromium exposure from inspections performed during the years 1990–2000.ResultsThere was a statistically significant decline in the annual number of measurements over the study period from 127 in 1990 to 67 in 2000 (F = 0.0009; linear regression). The median TWA measurement was 10 μg/m3 (range: 0.01–13,960 μg/m3) and the median ceiling measurement was 40.5 μg/m3 (range: 0.25–25,000 μg/m3). Neither median TWA nor median ceiling exposures (if hexavalent chromium was detected) declined significantly during the study period (F = 0.065 and 0.57, respectively). Overall, 13.7% of TWA measurements were at or below the Public Citizen/PACE proposed standard; 65.0% were between the Public Citizen/PACE proposal and the current OSHA PEL; and 21.3% exceeded the OSHA PEL. Compared to OSHA measurements, state measurements were less likely to detect hexavalent chromium (40.2% vs. 52.1%; P = 0.0007; chi‐square) and less likely to issue any citation (9.3% vs. 19.1%; P = 0.0003), including citations for overexposure if the exposure exceeded the PEL (54.8% vs. 78.8%; P = 0.012).ConclusionsU.S. workers continue to be exposed to dangerously high hexavalent chromium levels, but low exposure levels were found in some industries. Further investigations should examine whether state plans provide weaker enforcement than federal OSHA. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:378–383, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Smoking cessation in a blue‐collar population: Results from an evidence‐based pilot program
Authors: Ringen Knut , Anderson Norman , McAfee Tim , Zbikowski Susan M. , Fales Donald 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundTaft Hartley Funds provide group health care coverage for 10 million union workers as well as their dependents in industries such as construction and transportation. The adult smoking rate in these populations is estimated at approximately 40%, therefore, these funds include 9 million adult smokers. The absence of evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of smoking cessation programs has kept Taft Hartley Funds from investing in smoking cessation benefits.MethodsA prototype for Taft Hartley Funds consistent with the Federal Clinical Guidelines for Smoking Cessation was designed and implemented in a pilot demonstration in the Carpenters Health and Security Trust of Western Washington. Participants chose a 1‐call or more intensive 5‐call smoking cessation counseling plan provided by the Group Health Cooperative's Free and Clear program. Medications were limited to the nicotine patch, nicotine gum, and Bupropion. Assessment of outcomes was performed by Free and Clear through a telephone survey 12 months following the enrollment date.ResultsNine hundred thirty‐five smokers participated in the program. This pilot evaluation covers 325 participants with at least 12 months since enrollment; 75% were male, the average age was 41.4 and 63% had smoked at least one pack per day for more than 20 years. Sixty‐one percent selected 5‐Call Counseling; 39% 1‐Call. Seventy‐five percent also used smoking cessation medications: gum, 4%; patch, 32%; Bupropion 21.5%; patch plus Bupropion, 15.7%. The point‐prevalence‐quit rates were: overall, 27.5%; 1‐Call, 25.5%; and 5‐Call, 28.9%. The cost of the program was $1025.28 per smoker who quit, or $11.78 per full‐time equivalent employee covered by the Fund per year. The compounded savings in reduced lifetime tobacco‐related medical costs for the participants who quit are estimated to be 15 times the cost of the program, yielding an annual return on investment of 27.6%.ConclusionsThese results strongly suggest that smoking cessation programs can be effective even in such hard‐to‐reach populations as itinerant building trades workers, provided that the program is designed to their needs and environment. Based on these findings, health plans need to consider whether they are at risk of violating their fiduciary duties if they fail to offer smoking cessation benefits. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:367–377, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proportionate mortality of crop and livestock farmers in the United States, 1984–1993
Authors: Lee Eunil , Burnett Carol A. , Lalich Nina , Cameron Lorraine L. , Sestito John P. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundLivestock farmers are more likely to be exposed to a variety of different farming hazards than crop farmers. An analysis of occupation and industry‐coded U.S. death certificate data from 26 states for the years 1984–1993 was conducted to evaluate mortality patterns among crop and livestock farmers.MethodsCause‐specific proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs) were calculated using a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) computer program designed to calculate sex and race specific PMRs for occupations and industries in population‐based data.ResultsAmong white male (WM) livestock farmers, there was a significantly higher mortality from cancer of the pancreas, prostate and brain, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), multiple myeloma, acute and chronic lymphoid leukemia, and Parkinson's disease. WM crop farmers showed significantly higher mortality risk for cancer of the lip, skin, multiple myeloma, and chronic lymphoid leukemia.ConclusionsThese disease trends suggested that livestock farmers might be exposed to more carcinogens or agricultural chemicals than crop farmers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:410–420, 2002. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Membrane self‐assembly processes: Steps toward the first cellular life
Authors: Monnard Pierre‐Alain , Deamer David W. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis review addresses the question of the origin of life, with emphasis on plausible boundary structures that may have initially provided cellular compartmentation. Some form of compartmentation is a necessary prerequisite for maintaining the integrity of interdependent molecular systems that are associated with metabolism, and for permitting variations required for speciation. The fact that lipid‐bilayer membranes define boundaries of all contemporary living cells suggests that protocellular compartments were likely to have required similar, self‐assembled boundaries. Amphiphiles such as short‐chain fatty acids, which were presumably available on the early Earth, can self‐assemble into stable vesicles that encapsulate hydrophilic solutes with catalytic activity. Their suspensions in aqueous media have therefore been used to investigate nutrient uptake across simple membranes and encapsulated catalyzed reactions, both of which would be essential processes in protocellular life forms. Anat Rec 268:196–207, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Minimal difference in pain associated with change in quality of life in children with rheumatic disease
Authors: Dhanani Sonny , Quenneville Josee , Perron Megan , Abdolell Mohamed , Feldman Brian M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo establish the minimal change on a pain visual analog scale (VAS) associated with change in self‐reported quality of life in pediatric rheumatology patients.MethodsSubjects were a cohort of 533 pediatric rheumatology patients in Toronto. Pain and perceived quality of life were measured at 2 consecutive visits to a clinic.ResultsAmong patients who rated quality of life at the second visit as “a little better” and “much better,” the mean change in pain score on a 10‐cm VAS was reduced by 0.82 and 1.45 cm, respectively. For those whose quality of life changed to “a little worse” and “much worse,” the pain scores increased by 1.90 and 3.69 cm.ConclusionOur results suggest that future studies of the assessment and treatment of pain in this population should aim for a minimum reduction in pain score of 0.82 cm on a 10‐cm VAS to achieve clinical improvement in quality of life.
Open‐label study of infliximab treatment for psoriatic arthritis: Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging measurements of reduction of inflammation
Authors: Antoni Christian , Dechant Claudia , Hanns‐Martin Lorenz P. D. , Wendler Joerg , Ogilvie Alexandra , Lueftl Mathias , Kalden‐Nemeth Dolores , Kalden Joachim R. , Manger Bernhard 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate infliximab efficacy and safety in disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug–unresponsive psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsIn a 54‐week, open‐label, compassionate‐use study, 10 patients received intravenous infliximab (5 mg/kg; weeks 0, 2, 6; individualized dosing after week 10). Patients continued their current therapy (stable dose) until week 10. Assessments were performed at weeks 2, 6, 10, and 54. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) objectively measured joint inflammation at weeks 0 and 10.ResultsPatients achieved a 20% improvement according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria (ACR20) in all patients by week 2; 8 patients improved 70% (ACR70) at week 10; 6 patients maintained ACR70 after week 54. Week 10 MRI revealed an 82.5% mean reduction in inflammation from baseline, and psoriasis area and severity index scores were reduced by 71.3% ± 16.7%. There were no significant adverse events, severe infections, or infusion reactions.ConclusionInfliximab was effective, safe, and well tolerated in PsA. Arthritis and psoriasis improved in all patients during the 54‐week evaluation. Further investigation of the use of infliximab for PsA and psoriasis is warranted.
Comparative analysis of thermoadaptation within the archaeal glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenases from mesophilic Methanobacterium bryantii and thermophilic Methanothermus fervidus
Authors: Charron Christophe , Vitoux Bernard , Aubry André 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTo gain insight into the molecular determinants of thermoadaptation within the family of archaeal glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenases (GAPDH), a homology‐based 3‐D model of the mesophilic GAPDH from Methanobacterium bryantii was built and compared with the crystal structure of the thermophilic GAPDH from Methanothermus fervidus. The homotetrameric model of the holoenzyme was initially assembled from identical subunits completed with NADP molecules. The structure was then refined by energy minimization and simulated‐annealing procedures. PROCHECK and the 3‐D profile method were used to appraise the model reliability. Striking molecular features underlying the difference in stability between the enzymes were deduced from their structural comparison. First, both the increase in hydrophobic contacts and the decrease in accessibility to the protein core were shown to discriminate in favor of the thermophilic enzyme. Besides, but to a lesser degree, the number of ion pairs involved in cooperative clusters appeared to correlate with thermostability. Finally, the decreased stability of the mesophilic enzyme was also predicted to proceed from both the lack of charge–dipole interactions within α‐helices and the enhanced entropy of unfolding due to an increase in chain flexibility. Thus, archaeal GAPDHs appear to be governed by thermoadaptation rules that differ in some aspects from those previously observed within their eubacterial counterparts. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 65: 263–273, 2002
Cloning of BCAS3 (17q23) and BCAS4 (20q13) genes that undergo amplification, overexpression, and fusion in breast cancer†
Authors: Bärlund Maarit , Monni Outi , Weaver J. Donald , Kauraniemi Päivikki , Sauter Guido , Heiskanen Mervi , Kallioniemi Olli‐P. , Kallioniemi Anne 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn breast cancer, several chromosomal sites frequently undergo amplification, implicating the location of genes important for tumor development and progression. Here we cloned two novel genes, breast carcinoma amplified sequence 3 (BCAS3) and 4 (BCAS4), from the two most common amplification sites in breast cancer, 17q23 and 20q13. The BCAS3 gene at 17q23 spans more than 600 kb at the genomic level and was predicted to encode a 913 amino acid nuclear protein. The BCAS4 gene at 20q13.2 encodes a 211 amino acid cytoplasmic protein. Both BCAS3 and BCAS4 represent novel genes with no homologies to any other known gene or protein. In the MCF7 breast cancer cell line, the BCAS3 and BCAS4 genes were co‐amplified, and cloning of a highly overexpressed 1.3‐kb transcript revealed a rearrangement fusing the last two exons of BCAS3 with BCAS4. The fusion led to a novel message in which only the first exon of BCAS4 and part of exon 23 of BCAS3 were transcribed. The BCAS4–BCAS3 fusion transcript was detected only in MCF7 cells, but the BCAS4 gene was also overexpressed in nine of 13 breast cancer cell lines. In conclusion, our results indicate that these novel genes, BCAS3 at 17q23 and BCAS4 at 20q13.2, undergo amplification, overexpression, and fusion in breast cancer and therefore may have a role in the frequent chromosomal alterations affecting these two loci. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rationale for medical director acceptance or rejection of allogeneic plateletpheresis donors with underlying medical disorders
Authors: Strauss Ronald G. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractA survey was completed by 25 medical directors at different institutions performing plateletpheresis. The practices of these 25 physicians were analyzed regarding the acceptance/rejection of plateletpheresis donors with a history of cardiac disease/surgery, seizures/epilepsy, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Although available medical literature documents little risk of these disorders either to donors (i.e., donation reactions) or to transfusion recipients (i.e., disease transmission), up to 24% of medical directors outright reject some of these potential donors while others accept patients/donors with these illnesses, providing they meet certain medical/health criteria. Acceptance/rejection of individuals with medical disorders has relevance for the availability of the blood supply and blood product shortages because several million Americans, diagnosed with these illnesses, represent a sizable pool of potential blood and platelet donors. J. Clin. Apheresis 17:111–117, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of radio‐iodinated melatonergic agents
Authors: Dischino Douglas D. , Mattson Ronald J. , Ogan Marc D. , Parker Michael F. , Yevich Joseph P. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe synthesis of two 125I‐labeled trisubstituted aromatic melatonergic agents is reported. N‐[[2‐[125I]iodo‐5‐methoxyphenyl)‐1R, 2R‐cyclopropyl]methyl] butanamide was prepared from the corresponding thallium salt and Na 125I in radiochemical yields of 13–45% (n = 3). High performance liquid chromatography separation of the two resulting radioiodinated isomers (8:2) from each other and the parent compound required the use of two different columns run in series. Synthesis of N‐[[2‐[125I]iodo‐5‐fluorophenyl)‐1R, 2R‐cyclopropyl]methyl] butanamide was prepared from the corresponding trimethylstannane precursor in radiochemical yields consistently in the range of 60–65% (n = 6). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular determinants of the hanatoxin binding in voltage‐gated K+‐channel drk1
Authors: Lou Kuo‐Long , Huang Po‐Tsang , Shiau Yu‐Shuan , Shiau Yuh‐Yuan 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe carboxyl terminus of S3 segment (S3C) in voltage‐gated potassium channels was proposed to bear the binding site for gating modifier toxins like Hanatoxin and a helical secondary structural arrangement was suggested. Due to the lack of complete structure in high resolution for such a channel molecule, no further direct experimental data to elucidate the mechanism for their binding conformations could thus far be derived. In order to examine the putative three‐dimensional structure of S3C and to illustrate the residues required for Hanatoxin binding, molecular simulation and docking were performed, based on the solution structure of Hanatoxin and the structural information from lysine‐scanning results for S3C fragment. From our results, it is indicated that both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are utilized to stabilize the toxin binding. Detailed docking residues and appropriate orientation for binding regarding hydrophobic/‐philic environments are also described. Compared with the functional data proposed by previous studies, the helical structural arrangement for the C‐terminus of S3 segment in voltage‐gated potassium channels can therefore be further emphasized. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and evolution of inner ear sensory epithelia and their innervation
Authors: Fritzsch B. , Beisel K. W. , Jones K. , Fariñas I. , Maklad A. , Lee J. , Reichardt L. F. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe development and evolution of the inner ear sensory patches and their innervation is reviewed. Recent molecular developmental data suggest that development of these sensory patches is a developmental recapitulation of the evolutionary history. These data suggest that the ear generates multiple, functionally diverse sensory epithelia by dividing a single sensory primordium. Those epithelia will establish distinct identities through the overlapping expression of genes of which only a few are currently known. One of these distinctions is the unique pattern of hair cell polarity. A hypothesis is presented on how the hair cell polarity may relate to the progressive segregation of the six sensory epithelia. Besides being markers for sensory epithelia development, neurotrophins are also expressed in delaminating cells that migrate toward the developing vestibular and cochlear ganglia. These delaminating cells originate from multiple sites at or near the developing sensory epithelia and some also express neuronal markers such as NeuroD. The differential origin of precursors raises the possibility that some sensory neurons acquire positional information before they delaminate the ear. Such an identity of these delaminating sensory neurons may be used both to navigate their dendrites to the area they delaminated from, as well as to help them navigate to their central target. The navigational properties of sensory neurons as well as the acquisition of discrete sensory patch phenotypes implies a much more sophisticated subdivision of the developing otocyst than the few available gene expression studies suggest. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 53: 143–156, 2002
Castration reduces motoneuron soma size but not dendritic length in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus of wild‐type and BCL‐2 overexpressing mice
Authors: Park J.‐J. , Zup S.L. , Verhovshek T. , Sengelaub D.R. , Forger N.G. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractMotoneurons in the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) and their target muscles, bulbocavernosus and levator ani (BC/LA), constitute an androgen‐sensitive neuromuscular system. Testosterone regulates SNB soma size, SNB dendritic length, and BC/LA muscle mass in adult male rats. Recent evidence indicates that the cell death‐regulatory protein, Bcl‐2, may also play a role in adult neural plasticity. The present study examined whether gonadal hormones and/or the Bcl‐2 protein influence the morphology of the SNB neuromuscular system in adult B6D2F1 mice. In Experiment 1, adult wild‐type and Bcl‐2 overexpressing males were castrated and implanted with silastic capsules containing testosterone or left blank. Six weeks after castration, cholera toxin‐horseradish peroxidase was injected into the BC muscle to label SNB dendrites. Animals were killed 48 h later, and BC/LA muscle mass, SNB soma size, and SNB dendritic arbors were examined. In Experiment 2, wild‐type and Bcl‐2 overexpressing males were castrated or sham castrated, implanted with testosterone‐filled or blank capsules, and examined 12 weeks later. In both experiments, BC/LA muscle mass and SNB soma size were significantly reduced in castrates receiving blank capsules. Surprisingly, however, there was no effect of hormone manipulation on any of several measures of dendritic length. Thus, the dendritic morphology of SNB motoneurons appears to be relatively insensitive to circulating androgen levels in B6D2F1 mice. Bcl‐2 overexpression did not influence BC/LA muscle mass, SNB soma size, or SNB dendritic length, indicating that the morphology of this neuromuscular system and the response to castration are not altered by forced expression of the Bcl‐2 protein. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 53: 403–412, 2002