articles+ search results

RATINGS of hospitals and MEDICATION errors

Aims To demonstrate an epidemiological method to assess predictors of prescribing errors. Methods A retrospective case-control study, comparing prescriptions with and without errors. Results Only prescriber and drug characteristics were associated with errors. Prescriber characteristics were medical specialty (e.g. orthopaedics: OR: 3.4, 95% CI 2.1, 5.4) and prescriber status (e.g. verbal orders transcribed by nursing staff: OR: 2.5, 95% CI 1.8, 3.6). Drug characteristics were dosage form (e.g. inhalation devices: OR: 4.1, 95% CI 2.6, 6.6), therapeutic area (e.g. gastrointestinal tract: OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.2, 2.4) and continuation of preadmission treatment (Yes: OR: 1.7, 95% CI 1.3, 2.3). Conclusions Other hospitals could use our epidemiological framework to identify their own error predictors. Our findings suggest a focus on specific prescribers, dosage forms and therapeutic areas. We also found that prescriptions originating from general practitioners involved errors and therefore, these should be checked when patients are hospitalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

APPLE blue mold and MYCOTOXINS

Aims: To study the influence of culture preservation methods and culture conditions on the production of the mycotoxins patulin and citrinin by Penicillium expansum . Methods and results: Ten strains of Penicillium expansum were preserved using subculture and maintenance at 4 °C, mineral oil, drying on silica gel and freeze-drying. Patulin and citrinin production was assessed on yeast extract sucrose agar (YES) and grape juice agar (GJ), using TLC before and after 0·5, 2–3, 6 and 12 months preservation. Citrinin was detected in all cultures for all preservation techniques on YES. The patulin profiles obtained differed with strain and culture media used. Conclusions: Citrinin production seems to be a stable character for the tested strains. There is a tendency for patulin detection with time apparently more consistent for silica gel storage and freeze-drying, especially when the strains are grown on GJ. Significance and Impact of the Study: Variability in the profiles of the mycotoxins tested seems to be more strain-specific than dependent on the preservation technique used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HERBICIDES, CORN, WEEDS, and CROP yields

Summary This work was initiated to integrate an image analysis system and a prediction equation to support decisions for post-emergence herbicide applications under field conditions. Data were collected from 1999 to 2001 in 32 commercial fields to obtain weed cover data at the three to four leaf stage of maize (Zea mays L.), and crop yield at maturity. Relative crop yield was predicted using a non-linear sigmoidal equation with relative weed cover as the predictor variable (P < 0.0001; R [sup 2] = 0.39). The decision procedure consists of using the equation within the limits of a yield loss threshold that represents the loss one is willing to tolerate. The tolerance threshold (TT) allows determination of a weed threshold (WT). The procedure considers the variability around the prediction equation by setting the WT at the intersection between the lower 95% confidence interval of the prediction line and the TT. It also considers the variability around the weed cover estimate. For a given field, the decision is made by comparing the average weed cover corrected for sampling error, to the WT. We tested the performance of the decision procedure and found it could lead to a saving of 25% of herbicide use. We also computed a probability table showing the chances of getting relative yield above or below the TT. We suggest using the probability table in combination with the decision procedure to manage risks. The proposed approach does not offer a set ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer but rather provides a framework to support decisions by producers who ultimately must manage the risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RUBIACEAE, WEEDS, PLANT viruses, SEED industry, and ERIOPHYIDAE

Galium spurium L. (Rubiaceae), native to Europe, is an increasingly serious annual weed of cultivated crops in the prairie provinces of Canada. The gall mite Cecidophyes rouhollahi Craemer (Acari, Eriophyidae), originally found on the related plant species Galium aparine L. in southern France, was evaluated as a potential biological control agent for G. spurium. In greenhouse tests, C. rouhollahi caused severe stunting and complete prevention of seed production by G. spurium. Host specificity tests showed that C. rouhollahi developed only on three closely related annual Galium species in the Kolgyda section. No native North American Galium species were attacked, with the exception of G. aparine. A review of available information on G. aparine suggests that it is probably an introduced species in North America. It has been reported that a related gall mite attacking G. aparine might be associated with a plant virus. A series of tests on a greenhouse colony of G. spurium infested with C. rouhollahi showed no evidence of viral infection. On the basis of these results, C. rouhollahi has been approved for field release against G. spurium in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PROSTATE cancer, EPITHELIAL cells, ESTROGEN, and STEROLS

Estradiol rapidly activates Src as well as the Src-dependent pathway in human mammary cancer-derived MCF-7 cells, in human prostate cancer-derived LNCaP cells and in Cos cells transiently expressing hERs [EMBO J. 15 (1996) 1292; EMBO J. 17 (1998) 2008]. In addition, estradiol immediately stimulates, yes, an ubiquitous member of the Src kinase family, in human colon carcinoma-derived Caco-2 cells [Cancer Res. 56 (1996) 4516]. Progestins and androgens activate the same pathway in human mammary and prostate cancer-derived cells [EMBO J. 17 (1998) 2008; EMBO J. 19 (2000) 5406]. We observed that estradiol also stimulates the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway in MCF-7 cells [EMBO J. 20 (2001) 6050]. In these cells, activation of the Src- and the PI3 K-dependent pathways is simultaneous and mediated by direct interactions of the two kinases with ERα. The signalling pathway activation by sex-steroid hormones leads to DNA synthesis and cell growth in human mammary and prostate cancer-derived cells [EMBO J. 19 (2000) 5406; EMBO J. 20 (2001) 6050; EMBO J. 18 (1999) 2500]. Furthermore, androgen stimulation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts activates the same pathways triggered by this hormone in LNCaP cells and promotes the S-phase entry or cytoskeleton changes in these cells [J. Cell Biol. 161 (2003) 547]. All the described effects are rapid and require classic steroid receptors, but, surprisingly, not their transcriptional activity. Indeed, a transcriptionally inactive mutant of hER mediates the estrogen-stimulated DNA synthesis of NIH3T3 fibroblasts [EMBO J. 18 (1999) 2500]. Furthermore, AR in NIH3T3 cells does not enter nuclei and is unable to respond to the hormone with transcription stimulation, whereas it activates signaling pathways and triggers important biological responses.Signaling pathway activation by steroids has also been described by other groups under different experimental conditions and/or in different cell types. In these cells, steroid stimulation triggers various effects, such as neuroprotection, vasorelaxation or bone protection [J. Neurosci. Res. 60 (2000) 321; Nature 407 (2000) 538; J. Cell Biochem. 76 (1999) 206]. Analysis of the mechanisms responsible for the hormone-dependent and steroid receptor-mediated pathway activation in epithelial as well as stromal cells reveals immediate association of steroid receptors with extranuclear signaling effectors [EMBO J. 17 (1998) 2008; Cancer Res. 56 (1996) 4516; EMBO J. 19 (2000) 5406; EMBO J. 20 (2001) 6050; J. Cell Biol. 161 (2003) 547]. These results further highlight the central role of the hormone-regulated protein–protein interactions in the steroid action. They also offer the possibility of interfering with important activities of hormones, such as proliferation or survival, cytoskeleton changes as well as invasiveness and vasorelaxation, without affecting the steroid effects that depend on receptor transcriptional activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ARTIFICIAL neural networks, COMPUTER architecture, EMBEDDED computer systems, PRODUCTION scheduling, and ESTIMATION theory

Real-time embedded systems are spreading to more and more new fields and their scope and complexity have grown dramatically in the last few years. Nowadays, real-time embedded computers or controllers can be found everywhere, both in very simple devices used in everyday life and in professional environments. Real-time embedded systems have to take into account robustness, safety and timeliness. The most-used schedulability analysis is the worst-case response time proposed by Joseph and Pandya (Comput J 29:390-395,1986). This test provides a bivaluated response (yes/no) indicating whether the processes will meet their corresponding deadlines or not. Nevertheless, sometimes the real-time designer might want to know, more exactly, the probability of the processes meeting their deadlines, in order to assess the risk of a failed scheduling depending on critical requirements of the processes. This paper presents RealNet, a neural network architecture that will generate schedules from timing requirements of a real-time system. The RealNet simulator will provide the designer, after iterating and averaging over some trials, an estimation of the probability that the system will not meet the deadlines. Moreover, the knowledge of the critical processes in these schedules will allow the designer to decide whether changes in the implementation are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CYTOKINES, GROWTH factors, CHEMICAL reactions, and PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

Abstract: Src family kinases are involved in transducing growth factor signals for cellular differentiation and proliferation in a variety of cell types. The activity of all Src family kinases (SFKs) is controlled by phosphorylation at their C-terminal 527-tyrosine residue by C-terminal SRC kinase, CSK. There is a paucity of information regarding the role of CSK and/or specific Src family kinases in neuronal differentiation. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with the Src family kinase inhibitor, PP1, blocked NGF-induced activation of SFKs and obliterated neurite outgrowth. To confirm a role for CSK and specific isoforms of SFKs in neuronal differentiation, we overexpressed active and catalytically dead CSK in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC12. CSK overexpression caused a profound inhibition of NGF-induced activation of FYN, YES, RAS, and ERK and inhibited neurite outgrowth, NGF-stimulated integrin-directed migration and blocked the NGF-induced conversion of GDP–RAC to its GTP-bound active state. CSK overexpression markedly augmented the activation state of AKT following NGF stimulation. In contrast, kinase-dead CSK augmented the activation of FYN, RAS, and ERK and increased neurite outgrowth. These data suggest a distinct requirement for CSK in the regulation of NGF/TrkA activation of RAS, RAC, ERK, and AKT via the differential control of SFKs in the orchestration of neuronal differentiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

SUICIDE prevention, MENTAL health services, SUICIDE, MEDICAL care, PSYCHIATRISTS, MENTAL health personnel, MENTAL depression, INTERPROFESSIONAL relations, and PSYCHIATRY

This article examines the role of psychiatrists in preventing suicide in Australia. It is noted that psychiatrists can help both in populations and in their patients but they cannot do it alone. It is recommended that primary care physicians need more training and education so that they can detect, engage in treatment and treat in collaboration patients with depression and substance abuse. Here again, psychiatrists can play a role through shared care models. Second, insufficient coordination between psychiatric services and addiction services was found in more than one-third of cases.

RADIOGRAPHY, MEDICAL radiology, PROSTATECTOMY, and THERAPEUTICS

Background: This study analyzed the outcome of salvage radiotherapy for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy (RP). By comparing the outcomes for patients who received RT alone and for those who received combined RT and hormonal therapy, we assessed the potential benefits of hormonal therapy. Patients and Methods: This cohort was comprised of 101 patients who received salvage RT between 1990 and 2001 for biochemical failure after RP. Fifty-nine of these patients also received hormone. Margin status (positive vs. negative), extracapsular extension (yes vs. no), seminal vesicle involvement (yes vs. no), pathologic stage, Gleason score, pre-RP PSA, post-RP PSA, pre-RT PSA, hormonal use, radiotherapy dose and technique, RP at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, and time from RP to salvage RT were analyzed. Statistically significant variables were used to construct prognostic groups. Results: Independent prognostic factors for the RT-alone group were margin status and pre-RT PSA. RP at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center was marginally significant (p = 0.06) in multivariate analysis. Pre-RT PSA was the only significant prognostic factor for the combined-therapy group. We used a combination of margin status and pre-RT PSA to construct a prognostic model for response to the salvage treatment based on the RT group. We identified the favorable group as those patients with positive margin and pre-RT PSA ≤0.5 ng/mL vs. the unfavorable group as otherwise. This stratification separates patients into clinically meaningful groups. The 5-year PSA control probabilities for the favorable vs. the unfavorable group were 83.7% vs. 61.7% with radiotherapy alone (p = 0.03). Androgen ablation seemed to be most beneficial in the unfavorable group. Conclusion: After prostatectomy, favorable-group patients may fare well with salvage radiotherapy alone. These patients may be spared the toxicity of androgen ablation. The other patients may benefit most from a combined approach with hormonal treatment. We further suggest that salvage radiotherapy should be given early when the PSA is still low. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

GENETIC polymorphisms, HUMAN population genetics, HUMAN evolution, GENETICS, POPULATION, ASIANS, and NATIVE Americans

Background : Alu insertions provide useful markers for the study of inter-population affinities and historical processes, but data on these systems are not numerous in Native Americans and related populations. Aim : The study aimed to answer the following questions: (a) do the population relationships found agree with ethnic, historical and geographical data? and (b) what can heterozygote levels and associated results inform us about the events that led to the colonization of the New World? Subjects and methods : Twelve Alu insertion polymorphisms were studied in 330 individuals belonging to South American Native, Siberian and Mongolian populations. These data were integrated with those from 526 persons, to ascertain the relationships between Asian, Northern Arctic and Amerindian populations. Results : A decreasing trend concerning heterozygosities and amount of gene flow was observed in the three sets, in the order indicated above. Most results indicated the validity of these subdivisions. However, no clear structure could be observed within South American Natives, indicating the importance of dispersive (genetic drift, founder effects) factors in their differentiation. Conclusions : The answers to the questions are: (a) yes; and (b) an initial moderate bottleneck, intensified by more recent historical events (isolation and inbreeding), can explain the current Amerindian pattern of diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]