bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug‐Induced Lithium Toxicity in the Elderly: A Population‐Based Study
Authors: Juurlink David N. , Mamdani Muhammad M. , Kopp Alexander , Rochon Paula A. , Shulman Kenneth I. , Redelmeier Donald A. 
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To study the association between hospital admission for lithium toxicity and the use of diuretics, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the elderly.Design: Population‐based nested case‐control study.Setting: Ontario, Canada.Participants: Ontario residents aged 66 and older treated with lithium.Measurements: Estimated relative risk of hospital admission for lithium toxicity.Results: From January 1992 to December 2001, 10,615 elderly patients continuously receiving lithium were identified, of whom 413 (3.9%) were admitted to the hospital at least once for lithium toxicity. After adjustment for potential confounders, a dramatically increased risk of lithium toxicity was seen within a month of initiating treatment with a loop diuretic (relative risk (RR)=5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.9–16.1) or an ACE inhibitor (RR=7.6, 95% CI=2.6–22.0). Conversely, neither thiazide diuretics nor NSAIDs were independently associated with a significantly increased risk of hospitalization for lithium toxicity.Conclusion: The use of loop diuretics or ACE inhibitors significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for lithium toxicity, particularly in naïve recipients.
Increased Velocity Exercise Specific to Task (InVEST) Training: A Pilot Study Exploring Effects on Leg Power, Balance, and Mobility in Community‐Dwelling Older Women
Authors: Bean Jonathan F. , Herman Seth , Kiely Dan K. , Frey Ingrid C. , Leveille Suzanne G. , Fielding Roger A. , Frontera Walter R. 
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To evaluate a dynamic form of weighted vest exercise suitable for home use and designed to enhance muscle power, balance, and mobility.Design: A single‐blind, randomized, controlled trial.Setting: Outpatient exercise research facility situated within an academic long‐term care center.Participants: Twenty‐one community‐dwelling women aged 70 and older with a Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score between 4 and 10 (out of 12).Interventions: Subjects were randomized into a progressive resistance‐training program using weighted vests for resistance with exercises designed to be specific to mobility tasks and have a component performed at the fastest possible velocity (Increased Velocity Exercise Specific to Task (InVEST), n=11) or a control exercise group (control, n=10), which performed slow‐velocity, low‐resistance exercise. Both groups exercised three times a week for 12 weeks.Measurements: Changes in muscle power, balance, and physical performance were compared.Results: In comparison to control group, InVEST group manifested significant improvements (P<.05) in leg power across measurements obtained at 75% to 90% of the one‐repetition maximum. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in chair stand and SPPB score from baseline, and the InVEST group showed significant improvements in gait speed and chair stand from baseline (P<.05). InVEST produced significantly greater changes in chair stand time than control (P<.05).Conclusion: InVEST training appears be an effective means of enhancing leg power and chair rise in this population and is worthy of further investigation as a means of enhancing balance and mobility.
Rib Fractures in the Elderly: A Marker of Injury Severity
Authors: Stawicki Stanislaw P. , Grossman Michael D. , Hoey Brian A. , Miller Donna L. , Reed James F. 
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To examine the relationship between the number of rib fractures (RIBFs) and mortality, injury severity, and resource consumption in elderly patients admitted to trauma centers.Design: Thirteen‐year retrospective statewide database analysis.Setting: Participating trauma centers in Pennsylvania.Participants: A total of 27,855 trauma patients, including 8,648 elderly patients, admitted to a trauma center with more than one RIBF.Measurements: Patient demographics, number of RIBFs, Injury Severity Score, complications, patient mortality, preexisting conditions (PECs), and hospital and intensive care unit length of stay.Results: Mortality for elderly patients (aged≥65) with RIBFs was greater than for patients younger than 65 (20.1% vs 11.4%, P<.001). Mortality rates increased with increasing numbers of RIBFs for both age groups and were always significantly higher in elderly trauma patients. The effect of PECs on patient mortality was inversely related to number of RIBFs and was most pronounced for patients with four or more RIBFs. Seven of 10 complications were more common in elderly patients despite lower mean±standard deviation Injury Severity Score (19.4±13.4 vs 23.2±14.2, P<.001).Conclusion: Overall trauma‐related mortality is higher in elderly patients with RIBFs than younger patients with RIBFs. Mortality rates rise with increasing number of RIBFs. The number of RIBFs is easy to quantify and may be a useful predictor of overall injury severity and outcome for elderly trauma patients.
Emerging Trends in Psychological Practice in Long‐Term Care
Authors: Goldberg Roy J. , Devine Jeanne M. 
Published: April 2004

Review of: Norris MP, Molinari V, Ogland‐Hand S, eds. Trends in Psychological Practice in Long‐Term Care, Copublished Clinical Gerontologist (Vol. 25, nos. 1/2/3/4, 2002), Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press, 2002, pp 303.Purpose: To bring geropsychologists up to date on the ever‐evolving field of geriatric mental health in long‐term care settings.Background: Over the last 25 years, the number of older adults with mental disorders in nursing homes has surpassed the number in state mental health facilities as these facilities have closed down. This has made skilled nursing homes often times de facto inpatient psychiatric care units for older adults using a large amount of psychotropic and neuroleptic medications. In addition, many older adults with no premorbid history of mental illness develop a range of psychiatric, psychological, and behavioral disorders in response to the losses experienced through aging, illness, and subsequent placement in long‐term care (LTC) settings. The balance between appropriate therapeutic usage of psychoactive medications and overmedication resulting in usage as chemical restraint has always been a difficult one. With the institution of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, which restricted use of physical and chemical restraints in nursing homes, opting instead for psychological and behavioral interventions, the role of the psychologist has become more important in the LTC setting. Not only are there far fewer iatrogenic effects, but also nursing home residents' quality of life has improved, enabling each of them to achieve the highest practical, physical, mental, and psychosocial well‐being. Emerging Trends in Psychological Practice in Long‐Term Care has been copublished as Clinical Gerontologist, Volume 25, Numbers 1/2/3/4, 2002. Margaret P. Norris, PhD, president, Psychologists in Long‐Term Care, Victor Molinari, PhD, president‐elect, American Psychological Association section on clinical geropsychology, and Suzann Ogland‐Hand, PhD, geropsychologist and former secretary for Psychologists in Long‐Term Care, edited it. Each editor is also a contributor of a chapter in the book.Contents: The book is divided into three sections.
Candida
Infections of Medical Devices
Authors: Kojic Erna M. , Darouiche Rabih O. 
Published: April 2004

SUMMARY
The number of indwelling medical devices is escalating, and an increasing proportion of device-related infections are being caused by Candida spp. Candida spp. produce biofilms on synthetic materials, which facilitates adhesion of the organisms to devices and renders them relatively refractory to medical therapy. Management of device-related Candida infections can be challenging. Removal of the infected device is generally needed to establish cure of Candida infections of medical devices. However, since the pathogenesis of Candida bloodstream infection is complicated, more studies are necessary to determine the role of catheter exchange in patients with both gastrointestinal tract mucositis and indwelling catheters. The medical and economic impact of these infections is enormous.
Determination of Fungicidal Activities against Yeasts and Molds: Lessons Learned from Bactericidal Testing and the Need for Standardization
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Sheehan D. J. , Rex J. H. 
Published: April 2004

SUMMARY
In certain unique clinical settings, the ability of the antimicrobial agent administered to kill the pathogen outright may be quite important. These situations invariably involve infection of a site not easily accessed by host defenses and/or of a structure with essential anatomic or physiologic function such as the heart (endocarditis), central nervous system (meningitis), or bone (osteomyelitis). Likewise, infections in immunosuppressed hosts, especially those who are neutropenic, are often thought to require microbicidal therapy. Proof of the cidal nature of an antimicrobial agent in vitro is tedious, complex, and fraught with error. Although several methods for assessing in vitro bactericidal activity have been standardized (NCCLS M26-A and M21-A), the clinical relevance of these determinations is questionable and the tests are performed infrequently in most laboratories. Most of the clinical data supporting the need for microbicidal therapy and testing have focused on bacterial infections. However, given the fact that most serious fungal infections occur in profoundly immunosuppressed individuals, it is generally assumed that a cidal regimen would be preferable in that setting as well. In view of this clinical concern and the perceived need to assess the fungicidal activity of a variety of agents, we considered that it would be useful to review what is known about the issues and problems in assessing bactericidal activity and the clinical utility of such measurements. Following this review, we discuss the issue of how one defines fungicidal activity in vitro and in vivo and how feasible it might be to determine the fungicidal activity of organism-drug combinations for purposes of both drug development and clinical care. Proposed methods for fungal time-kill determinations and minimal fungicidal concentration determinations are also discussed.
HLA-B27-Associated Reactive Arthritis: Pathogenetic and Clinical Considerations
Authors: Colmegna Inés , Cuchacovich Raquel , Espinoza Luis R. 
Published: April 2004

SUMMARYCurrent evidence supports the concept that reactive arthritis (ReA) is an immune-mediated synovitis resulting from slow bacterial infections and showing intra-articular persistence of viable, nonculturable bacteria and/or immunogenetic bacterial antigens synthesized by metabolically active bacteria residing in the joint and/or elsewhere in the body. The mechanisms that lead to the development of ReA are complex and basically involve an interaction between an arthritogenic agent and a predisposed host. The way in which a host accommodates to invasive facultative intracellular bacteria is the key to the development of ReA. The details of the molecular pathways that explain the articular and extra-articular manifestations of the disease are still under investigation. Several studies have been done to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of ReA; these constitute the basis for a more rational therapeutic approach to this disease.
Microorganisms Resistant to Free-Living Amoebae
Authors: Greub Gilbert , Raoult Didier 
Published: April 2004

SUMMARYFree-living amoebae feed on bacteria, fungi, and algae. However, some microorganisms have evolved to become resistant to these protists. These amoeba-resistant microorganisms include established pathogens, such asCryptococcus neoformans, Legionellaspp.,Chlamydophila pneumoniae,Mycobacterium avium,Listeria monocytogenes,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, andFrancisella tularensis, and emerging pathogens, such asBoseaspp.,Simkania negevensis, Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, andLegionella-like amoebal pathogens. Some of these amoeba-resistant bacteria (ARB) are lytic for their amoebal host, while others are considered endosymbionts, since a stable host-parasite ratio is maintained. Free-living amoebae represent an important reservoir of ARB and may, while encysted, protect the internalized bacteria from chlorine and other biocides. Free-living amoebae may act as a Trojan horse, bringing hidden ARB within the human “Troy,” and may produce vesicles filled with ARB, increasing their transmission potential. Free-living amoebae may also play a role in the selection of virulence traits and in adaptation to survival in macrophages. Thus, intra-amoebal growth was found to enhance virulence, and similar mechanisms seem to be implicated in the survival of ARB in response to both amoebae and macrophages. Moreover, free-living amoebae represent a useful tool for the culture of some intracellular bacteria and new bacterial species that might be potential emerging pathogens.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Authors: Grubman Marvin J. , Baxt Barry 
Published: April 2004

SUMMARYFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed animals. The disease was initially described in the 16th century and was the first animal pathogen identified as a virus. Recent FMD outbreaks in developed countries and their significant economic impact have increased the concern of governments worldwide. This review describes the reemergence of FMD in developed countries that had been disease free for many years and the effect that this has had on disease control strategies. The etiologic agent, FMD virus (FMDV), a member of thePicornaviridaefamily, is examined in detail at the genetic, structural, and biochemical levels and in terms of its antigenic diversity. The virus replication cycle, including virus-receptor interactions as well as unique aspects of virus translation and shutoff of host macromolecular synthesis, is discussed. This information has been the basis for the development of improved protocols to rapidly identify disease outbreaks, to differentiate vaccinated from infected animals, and to begin to identify and test novel vaccine candidates. Furthermore, this knowledge, coupled with the ability to manipulate FMDV genomes at the molecular level, has provided the framework for examination of disease pathogenesis and the development of a more complete understanding of the virus and host factors involved.
6-Amino-2,6-dideoxy- or -2,3,6-trideoxyhexono-1,6-lactams: Synthesis and Conformation
Authors: Hamerníková Michaela , Havlíček Jaroslav , Bláhová Romana , Pospíšilová Helena , Votavová Hana , Kefurt Karel 
Published: April 2004

6-Amino-2,6-dideoxy-D-ribo-hexono-1,6-lactam (1a), 6-amino-2,6-dideoxy-D-arabino-hexono-1,6-lactam (2a), 6-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-L-threo-hexono-1,6-lactam (3a) and per-O-acetyl derivatives 1b-3b were synthesized and their seven-membered lactam ring conformation was studied. 1H and 13C NMR spectra of the named lactams, measured at low temperature, always disclosed the presence of both 1,NC4 and 4C1,N conformations in ratios which were affected mainly by the stereochemistry of cyclohexane. There were no CD extremes over 200 nm found in water solutions of the lactams 1a and 2a, probably owing to the symmetry of the C2-C6 parts of their seven-membered rings. These results contrast with those previously found for the lactams having OH or OAc at C2, and support a concept of the directive role of the C2 substituent in conformation equilibrium.
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF GaxIn1-xASyP1-y QUATERNARY ALLOY BY RECURSION METHOD
Authors: EL-HASAN MUSA 
Published: April 2004

The electronic structure of Ga x In 1-x As y P 1-y quaternary alloy, calculated by recursion method is reported. A five orbitals sp3s* per atom model was used in the tight-binding representation of the Hamiltonian. The local density of states and its orbital decomposition (LDOS), integrated density of states (IDOS) and structural energy (STE) were calculated for Ga, In, As and P sites in Ga 0.5 In 0.5 As 0.5 P 0.5, GaInAsP lattice matched to InP and lattice matched to GaAs as well. There are 216 atoms arranged in a zinc-blend structure. The calculated quantities are as expected for such systems.
A new species of Phyllodytes (Anura: Hylidae) from the State of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Caramaschi Ulisses , Peixoto Oswaldo Luiz 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA new species of the genus Phyllodytes is described from Fazenda Gravatá (10° 47'S, 36° 54'W), Municipality of Santo Amaro das Brotas, State of Sergipe, Brazil. Phyllodytes punctatus sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus by the small size (SVL 18.2-22.8 mm; x 20.6, s 1.49), dorsum of body pale brown with distinctive brown dots and smaller brown dots on dorsal surfaces of hindlimbs, dorsal surfaces of body and hindlimbs with small rounded tubercles, and presence of a distinctive tubercle on the tip of snout and one to three small tubercles on upper eyelid.
Diet divergence, jaw size and scale counts in two neighbouring populations of tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus)
Authors: Bradshaw Don , Fabien Aubret , Maumelat Stéphanie , Schwaner Terry , Bonnet Xavier 
Published: April 2004

AbstractLarge snakes usually possess a higher number of scales to cover their larger bodies and their larger heads. It has been suggested that a diet based on large prey items also favours the development of scale number because the skin would be more extensible and would enable easier swallowing of voluminous prey. A recent study, however, suggested that although body size positively influences scale count in snakes, diet is probably unimportant (Shine, 2002). We took advantage of a natural experiment that separated two neighbouring and genetically indistinguishable populations of tiger snakes in the vicinity of Perth, Western Australia. In one population, situated on a small coastal Island (Carnac Island), snakes feed primarily on seagull chicks (large prey). In the second population, located on the mainland (Herdsman Lake), snakes feed mostly on frogs (small prey). Carnac Island snakes possess more scales (labial and mid-body rows) and larger relative jaw lengths compared with Herdsman Lake snakes. Although preliminary, these data suggest that tiger snakes, whose many populations show contrasted feeding habits, are suitable models to test the "dietary habits / scale count" hypothesis.
Integumental water movement and rate of water ingestion during rain harvesting in the Texas horned lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum
Authors: Sherbrooke Wade 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCapture of rainfall on skin surfaces and its transport via capillary channels between scales to the mouth for drinking has been documented in a few agamid (Moloch and Phrynocephalus) and iguanid (Phrynosoma spp.) lizards. Associated behaviors include a postural stance and jaw motions. This experimental study documents that rate of jaw opening and closing cycles is positively correlated with rate of water delivery to lizards' backs and to gain in mass of lizards attributable to drinking. The mean mass of water that can be held by the interscalar, capillary-flow system is correlated with body size, smaller lizards holding a larger percentage of their body mass in the rain-harvesting system. Ingestion mechanisms for water flow from the integumental channels to the mouth surfaces for drinking are discussed, with note being made of the possible roles of a fold of skin at the jaw angle (at the postlabial scales) and tongue actions. Recent hatchlings exhibit rain-harvesting behavior, suggesting its innate nature.
The effect of supplemental feeding on the territorial behavior of the green frog (Rana clamitans)
Authors: Gordon Noah 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe green frog, Rana clamitans, exhibits a resource defense mating strategy whereby males advertise for mates and defend territories along the shoreline of breeding ponds for periods up to several weeks. Because male green frogs may be energy-limited during the breeding season, I tested the predictions that males provided with extra food would 1) have longer tenures on territories, 2) show reduced movement between territories (due to greater site specificity), and 3) expend more energy in calling and territory defense. I tested these predictions by supplementally feeding frogs and by conducting regular surveys of frog location and behavior over the course of the breeding season in a fenced-in pond. My results support the second prediction but do not support the first and third predictions. Supplementally-fed male green frogs moved less than half the distance of sham-fed males. Green frog males reduce foraging but do not increase activities associated with aggression and territorial defense when food resources are more abundant.
Spatial patterns in species richness and priority areas for conservation of anurans in the Cerrado region, Central Brazil
Authors: Brandão Divino , Bastos Rogério , De Souza Márcia , Vieira Cleiber , Bini Luis , Oliveira Leandro , Diniz-Filho José Alexandre 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDeclines in anuran populations worldwide are increasingly creating demands for quick and urgent strategies to maximize efforts to conserve amphibian populations, especially in areas in which few detailed data on diversity, abundance and distribution are available, such as the Cerrado of Central Brazil. We used extent of occurrence of 105 species of Anura (Amphibia) in the Cerrado region to establish a regional system of potential areas that preserves all anuran species in the region, at a macroecological scale. The final network, obtained using a simple "greedy" algorithm based on complementarity, has a total of 10 regions, widely distributed in the biome. These areas were also evaluated in terms of their human demographic parameters (human population size and growth rate). Strong spatial autocorrelation in species richness indicates that alternative systems based on pre-existing conservation units will also be efficient in terms of biodiversity conservation. Although macro-scale approaches are usually coarse, they can provide overall guidelines for conservation and define the focus for more local and effective conservation efforts, which is particularly important when dealing with a taxonomic group such as anurans for which quick and drastic population declines have been reported in many regions of the world.
Reproductive biology of the southern Brazilian pitviper Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens (Serpentes, Viperidae)
Authors: Marques Otavio , Almeida-Santos Selma , Hartmann Marília 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDissection of 286 specimens of the Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens, combined with data on captive individuals, provided information on the reproductive biology of this viperid snake from southern Brazil. Females attained larger body sizes than males, and reproduction was seasonal with mating taking place in autumn when males were more frequently encountered. Vitellogenesis occurred from summer to spring (January-September), sperm storage during autumn and winter (May-September), ovulation and fertilization in early spring (September), embryonic development during middle spring and summer (October-March), and parturition in the summer (January-March). Embryonic development was estimated to last from three to five months, a shorter time than was previously reported. The number of offspring of Bothrops neuwiedi pubescens born in one litter can vary from four to 25 (x = 11). Fecundity is correlated with maternal body size. Neonates measure 17-25 cm SVL. Inferred growth rate of juveniles was low (10 mm/month in first year), with males attaining sexual maturity at about 16 months, but maturity is delayed in females for at least two additional years.