bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting smokers in priority groups: the influence of government targets and policy statements
Authors: Pound Elspeth , Coleman Tim , Adams Catherine , Bauld Linda , Ferguson Janet 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  Cessation services were instructed to make special attempts to attract smokers from three ‘priority groups’: those who were young, pregnant and economically disadvantaged. Progress with attracting priority groups was not assessed formally, but services were set monitored targets to encourage throughput of smokers. Initial research suggests that services have been successful in attracting smokers who live in disadvantaged areas. This paper investigates how smoking cessation services responded to targets and instructions to attract priority groups and discusses the relative impact these on service development.Objectives  To describe how monitored throughput targets influenced the development of smoking cessation services, including attracting priority groups. To describe the range of priority groups that smoking cessation services targeted, methods used and reported progress with this.Methods  Postal surveys of English smoking cessation coordinators conducted in April 2001 and April 2002. Seventy‐eight qualitative, semistructured interviews with cessation service staff in two former English health regions conducted in autumn 2001 and 1 year later.Findings  A total of 69.3% of coordinators responded to the first survey (79% to the second survey). In the first survey 91% reported targeting priority groups (100% in the second survey). The proportions (second survey in brackets) who reported targeting the different priority groups were: pregnant women 86% (99%), economically disadvantaged 79% (100%) and young smokers 20% (75%). Interviews showed that coordinators gave the greatest priority to reaching monitored targets as they came under pressure to achieve these. Service staff were generally unclear about how to attract priority groups and developing strategies for this was hindered by the need to meet throughput targets. Locating services in poor areas was thought to attract economically disadvantaged smokers and specialist staff were being appointed to work with pregnant smokers, but otherwise there was little evidence of active strategies for attracting priority groups being applied in practice.Conclusions  Monitored targets for smoker throughput ensured that services quickly began to treat smokers, but this rapid implementation diverted service staff from devising methods for attracting priority group smokers. Coordinators found reaching priority groups challenging and, particularly in the case of young smokers, would have appreciated clear instructions for this aspect of service implementation. Those implementing services in other countries should consider whether similar targets would be helpful to stimulate service development within their health systems.
Association between CYP1A2 activity and riluzole clearance in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Van Kan H. J. M. , Groeneveld G. J. , Kalmijn S. , Spieksma M. , Van Den Berg L. H. , Guchelaar H. J. 
Published: March 2005

AimsRiluzole is used in a fixed dosing schedule of 50 mg twice daily to treat patients with amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), one form of motor neurone disease. The large variability in the pharmacokinetics of riluzole may be a factor contributing to its limited therapeutic benefit. Riluzole is assumed to be mainly metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme 1A2 (CYP1A2). The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between CYP1A2 activity and riluzole clearance with a view to optimize drug treatment.MethodsA group of 30 ALS patients participated in the study. In each patient the CYP1A2 activity was determined using caffeine as a metabolic probe. Riluzole clearance was estimated from serum drug concentration measurements followed by Bayesian fitting.ResultsRiluzole clearance and the serum paraxanthine : caffeine (P/C) ratio showed a positive correlation (r = 0.693; P = 0.0002). Linear regression analysis identified the P/C ratio (beta: 1.16) and height (beta: 0.027) as independent predictors of riluzole clearance (adjusted r2 = 0.369).ConclusionsThe P/C ratio, used as measure of CYP1A2 activity, significantly correlated with the riluzole clearance, although only 37% of the observed variability could be explained.
Pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in subjects with Child‐Pugh A and B cirrhosis
Authors: Hui C. K. , Cheung B. M. Y. , Lau G. K. K. 
Published: March 2005

AimLipid lowering therapy with 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitors is increasingly used for the prevention of cardiovascular events, but they should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function. We therefore studied the pharmacokinetics of pitavastatin in patients with liver cirrhosis.MethodsPlasma concentrations of pitavastatin were determined after administration of 2 mg single‐dose pitavastatin to 12 male patients with liver cirrhosis (six Child‐Pugh grade A and six grade B). These results were compared with the single‐dose pharmacokinetic results obtained from six male volunteers without liver disease.ResultsAdministration of 2 mg single‐dose pitavastatin to patients with Child‐Pugh grade A and grade B cirrhosis resulted in a 1.19‐ and 2.47‐fold increase in Cmax and 1.27‐ and 3.64‐fold increase in AUCt, respectively, when compared with normal subjects. The geomean Cmax of pitavastatin was 59.5 ng ml−1, 70.7 ng ml−1 and 147.1 ng ml−1 in the control, Child‐Pugh grade A and Child‐Pugh grade B groups, respectively. The geomean AUCt of pitavastatin in the three groups was 121.2 ng h−1 ml−1, 154.2 ng h−1 ml−1 and 441.7 ng h−1 ml−1, respectively. The geomean Cmax of pitavastatin lactone was 20.3 ng ml−1, 19.1 ng ml−1 and 9.9 ng ml−1 in the control, Child‐Pugh grade A and grade B groups, respectively. The AUCt of pitavastatin lactone was 120.2 h−1 ml−1, 108.8 h−1 ml−1 and 87.5 h−1 ml−1, respectively.ConclusionThe plasma concentration of pitavastatin is increased in patients with liver cirrhosis. In such patients, caution is required, although dose reduction may not be necessary in Child‐Pugh A cirrhosis.
Dosing strategy for enoxaparin in patients with renal impairment presenting with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Green B. , Greenwood M. , Saltissi D. , Westhuyzen J. , Kluver L. , Rowell J. , Atherton J. 
Published: March 2005

BackgroundPhase III clinical studies have confirmed that enoxaparin is superior to standard heparin in reducing the rate of recurrent ischaemic events in patients with non‐ST elevation acute coronary syndromes. Patients with moderate to severe renal impairment were, however, excluded from these studies. Due to the hydrophilic disposition of enoxaparin, accumulation is likely in patients with renal dysfunction, thereby increasing the risk of haemorrhagic complications if standard weight adjusted treatment doses are used. Arbitrary dose reduction has been reported to increase the risk of ischaemic events, presumably due to inadequate enoxaparin concentrations.AimThe aims of this study were to investigate the influence of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) on the pharmacokinetics of subcutaneously administered enoxaparin, and to develop a practical dosing algorithm in renal impairment that can easily be used at the bedside.MethodsThirty‐eight patients, median age 78 years (range 44–87), mean GFR 32 ml min−1 (range 16–117) and mean weight 69 kg (range 32–95), presenting with acute coronary syndrome were recruited into the study. Approximately 10 anti‐Xa concentrations were taken per patient over their period of therapy. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using non linear mixed effects modelling techniques, utilizing the software NONMEM. Stochastic simulations were performed to identify the most suitable dosing regimen.ResultsThree hundred and thirteen anti‐Xa concentrations were collected. A two compartment, first order input model was identified as the best baseline model. Covariates found to improve model fitting were GFR as a linear function on clearance (CL) and weight as a linear function on the central volume compartment (Vc). The fraction of drug excreted unchanged (Fu) was estimated at 71%. CL and Vc from the final covariate model were estimated as;CL (l h−1) = 0.681 per 4.8 l hr−1 (GFR) + 0.229Vc (l) = 5.22 per 80 kg (total body weight)ConclusionsClearance of enoxaparin was predictably related to GFR estimated using the Cockroft and Gault equation, with ideal body weight used as the size descriptor. According to our model no dosage adjustment from the standard 1.0 mg kg−1 12 hourly is required for the first 48 h of treatment. Maintenance doses thereafter can be calculated using standard proportional adjustments based on Fu equal to 0.71.
Aquatic birnavirus induces apoptosis through activated caspase‐8 and ‐3 in a zebrafish cell line
Authors: Hong J‐R , Huang L‐J , Wu J‐L 
Published: March 2005

AbstractIn this study, the possible influence of temperature on infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV)‐induced apoptosis in a zebrafish liver epithelium (ZLE) cell line was investigated. At a lower temperature (18 °C), there was expression of viral proteins VP2 and VP3 at 4 h post‐infection (p.i.). At this time no expression was found in the high temperature group at 28 °C. The cell survival ratio was 52 and 18% at 24 and 48 h p.i., respectively, during IPNV infection at 18 °C. In addition, we assayed for apoptosis in IPNV‐infected cells with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated end labelling (TUNEL) of DNA at different dosages of virus. We found a ratio of apoptotic cells of 8 and 25% at 12 and 18 h p.i., respectively, in the multiplicity of infection (MOI) 1 group. The MOI 10 group had 20 and 45% apoptotic cells at 12 and 18 h, respectively. Furthermore, at 18 °C IPNV activated the caspase‐8 and 3 from 1.5 to 2 times at 12 and 18 h p.i., respectively. Taken together, these findings suggest that successful virus replication occurs at the low temperature (18 °C) compared with the non‐permissive temperature of 28 °C. Thus, IPNV replication is capable of activating caspase‐8 and ‐3 and inducing host apoptosis.
Response of crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, haemocytes infected by white spot syndrome virus
Authors: Shi Z , Wang H , Zhang J , Xie Y , Li L , Chen X , Edgerton B‐F , Bonami J‐R 
Published: March 2005

AbstractWhite spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is a serious pathogen of aquatic crustaceans. Little is known about its transmission in vivo and the immune reaction of its hosts. In this study, the circulating haemocytes of crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, infected by WSSV, and primary haemocyte cultures inoculated with WSSV, were collected and observed by transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy following in situ hybridization. In ultra‐thin sections of infected haemocytes, the enveloped virions were seen to be phagocytosed in the cytoplasm and no viral particles were observed in the nuclei. In situ hybridization with WSSV‐specific probes also demonstrated that there were no specific positive signals present in the haemocytes. Conversely, strong specific positive signals showed that WSSV replicated in the nuclei of gill cells. As a control, the lymphoid organ of shrimp, Penaeus monodon, infected by WSSV was examined by in situ hybridization which showed that WSSV did not replicate within the tubules of the lymphoid organ. In contrast to previous studies, it is concluded that neither shrimp nor crayfish haemocytes support WSSV replication.
Efficacy of furunculosis vaccines in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.): evaluation of immersion, oral and injection delivery
Authors: Santos Y , García‐Marquez S , Pereira P G , Pazos F , Riaza A , Silva R , El Morabit A , Ubeira F M 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe commercial furunculosis vaccine Aquavac Furovac 5 and an autogenous vaccine, based on the challenge strain, induced immune protection in turbot, Scophthalmus maximus (L.), as shown in challenge tests 120 days post‐immunization by injection (relative percentage of survival, RPS = 72–99%). This protective effect lasted for at least 6 months post‐immunization at appreciable levels (RPS = 50–52%). Neither the autogenous vaccine nor the commercial vaccine was able to induce significant levels of protection against Aeromonas salmonicida in turbot when administered by immersion. Antibody levels were high or moderate in fish vaccinated by injection with the different vaccines and very low in fish vaccinated by immersion. The field results show that delivering an oral boost after the primary vaccination by injection did not enhance protection of turbot against furunculosis and that water‐based (autogenous vaccine) and oil adjuvanted (Alpha Ject 1200) vaccines administered by injection conferred similar levels of protection (RPS > 80%) in turbot.
Galaxy occupation statistics of dark matter haloes: observational results
Authors: Yang Xiaohu , Mo H. J. , Jing Y. P. , van den Bosch Frank C. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
We study the occupation statistics of galaxies in dark matter haloes using galaxy groups identified from the Two-degree Field Galaxy Redshift Survey with the halo-based group finder of Yang et al.. The occupation distribution is considered separately for early- and late-type galaxies, as well as in terms of central and satellite galaxies. The mean luminosity of the central galaxies scales with halo mass approximately as Lc∝M2/3 for haloes with masses M &lt; 1013h−1M⊙, and as Lc∝M1/4 for more massive haloes. The characteristic mass of 1013h−1M⊙ is consistent with the mass scale where galaxy formation models suggest a transition from efficient to inefficient cooling. Another characteristic halo mass scale, M∼ 1011h−1M⊙, which cannot be probed directly by our groups, is inferred from the conditional luminosity function (CLF) that matches the observed galaxy luminosity function and clustering. For a halo of given mass, the distribution of Lc is rather narrow. A detailed comparison with mock galaxy redshift surveys indicates that this implies a fairly deterministic relation between Lc and the halo mass. The satellite galaxies, however, are found to follow a Poissonian number distribution, in excellent agreement with the occupation statistics of dark matter subhaloes. This provides strong support for the standard lore that satellite galaxies reside in subhaloes. The central galaxies in low-mass haloes are mostly late-type galaxies, while those in massive haloes are almost all early types. We also measure the CLF of galaxies in haloes of given mass. Over the mass range that can be reliably probed with the present data, 13.3 ≲ log[M/(h−1M⊙)]≲ 14.7, the CLF is reasonably well fitted by a Schechter function. Contrary to recent claims based on semi-analytical models of galaxy formation, the presence of central galaxies does not show up as a strong peak at the bright end of the CLF. The CLFs obtained from the observational data are in good agreement with the CLF model obtained by matching the observed luminosity function and large-scale clustering properties of galaxies in the standard Λ cold dark matter model.
Long‐distance biological transport processes through the air: can nature's complexity be unfolded in silico?
Authors: Nathan Ran , Sapir Nir , Trakhtenbrot Ana , Katul Gabriel G. , Bohrer Gil , Otte Martin , Avissar Roni , Soons Merel B. , Horn Henry S. , Wikelski Martin , Levin Simon A. 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTUnderstanding and predicting complex biological systems are best accomplished through the synthesis and integration of information across relevant spatial, temporal and thematic scales. We propose that mechanistic transport models, which integrate atmospheric turbulence with information on relevant biological attributes, can effectively incorporate key elements of aerial transport processes at scales ranging from a few centimetres and fractions of seconds, to hundreds of kilometres and decades. This capability of mechanistic models is critically important for modelling the flow of organisms through the atmosphere because diverse aerial transport processes — such as pathogen spread, seed dispersal, spider ballooning and bird migration — are sensitive to the details of small‐scale short‐term turbulent deviations from the mean airflow. At the same time, all these processes are strongly influenced by the typical larger‐scale variation in landscape structure, through its effects on wind flow patterns. We therefore highlight the useful coupling of detailed atmospheric models such as large eddy simulations (LES), which can provide a high‐resolution description of turbulent airflow, with regional atmospheric models, which can capture the effects of landscape heterogeneity at various scales. Further progress in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) will enable rigorous exploration of transport processes in heterogeneous landscapes.
Recent advances in the study of long‐distance dispersal of aquatic invertebrates via birds
Authors: Green Andy J. , Figuerola Jordi 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTAlthough Darwin pioneered the study of long‐distance dispersal (LDD) of aquatic invertebrates via waterbirds, it remains in its infancy as a modern discipline. A handful of recent studies have quantified internal or external transport in the field, confirming that a variety of long‐distance migrants carry invertebrates both internally and externally. These studies show that variation in the morphology of vectors influences the frequency and size of propagules transported, and suggest that more invertebrate groups disperse via birds than was previously thought. Dispersal limitation has mainly been investigated for zooplankton in small experimental systems from which waterbirds were effectively excluded, and the extent of such limitation for invertebrate populations in wetlands interconnected by waterbird movements remains unclear. We expect that the spatial and temporal scales at which dispersal limitation constrains geographical ranges, species richness and genetic structure of invertebrates depends partly on the density of migratory birds using the area. Birds may have a major role in the expansion of exotic species. We propose several avenues for future research. There is a particular need for more quantitative studies of LDD by birds that will enable modellers to assess its role in maintaining invertebrate biodiversity among increasingly fragmented wetlands and in the face of climate change, as well as in the spread of invasive species.
Rapid fluid infusion therapy decreases the plasma concentration of continuously infused propofol
Authors: Adachi Y. U. , Satomoto M. , Higuchi H. , Watanabe K. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Rapid fluid infusion therapy to treat hypovolemia in anesthetized patients is a common practical regimen in daily clinical settings. This study investigated the effect of large volume loading on the plasma concentration of propofol (Cp), hemodynamic parameters, hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit value (Ht) and the bispectral index (BIS).Methods:  Sixty patients were administered propofol using a target‐controlled infusion technique. We studied two independent groups. Half of the patients (group F, n = 30) were administered fentanyl, and the other half (group E, n = 30) epidural administration of mepivacaine for analgesia. After achieving a pseudo‐steady state of propofol anesthesia, baseline values of blood pressure, heart rate, Hb, Ht, cardiac output, Cp and BIS were measured, and 10 ml/kg Ringer's solution was infused over 15 min.Results:  In group F, Cp was significantly decreased from 2.24 (0.69) [mean (SD)] to 2.07 (0.61) µg/ml and in group E from 2.02 (0.98) to 1.75 (0.51) µg/ml immediately after infusion (P < 0.05). The significant reduction lasted until 30 min in group F, whereas, Cp quickly recovered in group E. Cardiac output was increased only in group F. The dilution ratio demonstrated the prolonged diluting effect in group E and the significant correlation with the rate of decrease in Cp (P < 0.0003, R = 0.21). The BIS value showed no significant change immediately after infusion.Conclusion:  Large volume loading decreased Cp without a significant change in BIS values. The effect of infusion therapy on the depth of anesthesia might be small and usually negligible during propofol anesthesia.
Intensive care treatment of severe mixed metabolic acidosis
Authors: Schmidt A. , Christensson A. , Åkeson J. 
Published: March 2005

We report a case of severe metabolic acidosis associated with acute renal failure and septicaemia following treatment with maximal therapeutic doses of metformin and diclofenac. On the second day of intensive care the patient deteriorated with respiratory insufficiency and abdominal pain during continuous renal replacement therapy. A laparoscopy revealed a perforated cholecystitis with abscess formation. The patient regained renal function and recovered.Intake of diclofenac 5 days before this episode could have been the main cause of renal insufficiency and metabolic acidosis in this patient and could also have delayed surgical treatment by masking early clinical signs of perforated cholecystitis. The renal failure may also have caused metformin and lactate to accumulate, contributing to the mixed pattern of metabolic acidosis.This case report describes a mixed organic and non‐organic metabolic acidosis associated with acute renal failure, presumably resulting from a combination of drugs and diseases often found in the elderly – metformin for diabetes mellitus and a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug for cholecystolithiasis. Acid‐base balance and electrolyte changes were rapidly normalized by continuous renal replacement therapy.
Artificial colloids impair haemostasis. An in vitro study using thromboelastometry coagulation analysis
Authors: Niemi T. T. , Kuitunen A. H. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions impair haemostatic mechanisms. The impact of the degree of substitution (DS) of a HES solution on thromboelastometry tracings is unclear. Therefore we tested the hypothesis of whether the DS has an effect on the haemostatic defect caused by HES, and assessed whole blood coagulation by thromboelastometry coagulation analysis (ROTEM®, Pentapharm Co., Munich, Germany) in serial in vitro haemodilutions of colloids.Methods:  Whole blood was withdrawn from 12 volunteers in a crossover study. Six per cent low‐molecular weight HES with a high (HES MW 120 kDa/degree of substitution 0.7) and low (HES MW 130 kDa/0.4) degree of substitution, 4% succinylated gelatin (GEL) or 4% albumin (ALB) was added to citrated venous whole blood samples to make 20, 40, 60 vol.% end‐concentrations of each of the solutions. Samples were analyzed by ROTEM®.Results:  There was a comparable decrease in maximum clot firmness (MCF) and shear elastic modulus [G = 5000 × MCF/(100–MCF)] by HES 120/0.7 and HES 130/0.4 at 20 and 40 vol.% dilutions. At 60 vol.% dilution HES 120/0.7 decreased less alpha‐angle and MCF than HES 130/0.4 (P < 0.05). With moderate dilutions all colloids shortened coagulation time (CT). At 20, 40 and 60 vol.% dilutions MCF and G were more decreased in both HES groups than in the ALB and GEL groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, at 40 and 60 vol.% dilutions G deteriorated more in the GEL than in the ALB group (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  In vitro the impact of the degree of substitution of HES solution on thromboelastometry coagulation analysis was modest. Haemodilution with gelatin and albumin induced fewer coagulation abnormalities than HES. In addition, the haemodilution with gelatin impaired coagulation more than albumin solution.