Entries Tagged as 'Am J Gastroenterol'
Prospective assessment of inpatient gastrointestinal consultation requests in an academic teaching hospital.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Mar;105(3):484-9
Authors: Day LW, Cello JP, Madden E, Segal M
OBJECTIVES:To assess the completeness of gastrointestinal (GI) inpatient consultations at an academic teaching hospital.METHODS:We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study of 278 inpatient GI consultation requests evaluated from 1 July 2005 to 31 May 2007. A questionnaire assessing multiple aspects of the requesting health-care providers' knowledge and documentation of patient information was completed by first-year GI fellows. Completeness of the consultation was evaluated by the GI consultation attending physician.RESULTS:The most frequent consultation requests pertained to patients with GI hemorrhage (52.5%) and were made by first-year residents (56.8%). In 15% of requests, health-care providers lacked basic knowledge about the patients for whom consultations were sought. Conversely, in 17% of consultations, pertinent information could not be located in patients' paper medical chart/electronic medical record. The strongest predictors for a complete consultation were requesters' knowledge of patients' past medical history (P < 0.001), documentation of patients' current illness (P < 0.001), and presence of the providers' admission note in the paper medical chart (P = 0.002). Consultations requested between 5 and 10 PM were assessed to be more complete (P = 0.02), and more incomplete consultations occurred in the first 3 months of the academic year (P = 0.04).CONCLUSIONS:In 16% of inpatient GI consultation requests analyzed, crucial patient data were missing or were unknown by the requesting provider. Several aspects of requesting providers' knowledge and documentation of patient information were strongly associated with completeness of inpatient GI consultations.
PMID: 20203634 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Increased prevalence of and associated mortality with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among hospitalized IBD patients.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Feb;105(2):371-7
Authors: Nguyen GC, Patel H, Chong RY
OBJECTIVES: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has become increasingly prevalent in US hospitals, and the impact of MRSA on hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is unknown. METHODS: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify admissions for IBD (n=116,842) between 1998 and 2004. We compared prevalence and in-hospital mortality of MRSA among IBD, non-IBD gastrointestinal (GI), and general medical inpatients. RESULTS: MRSA prevalence increased from 4.5/10,000 to 19.0/10,000 over the 7-year period (P<0.0001). After adjustment for confounders, IBD inpatients were at increased risk of MRSA compared with the non-IBD GI (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-1.96) and general medical (aOR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.11-1.66) groups. Of those with MRSA, catheter-related infections were specifically more common among IBD compared with non-IBD GI and general inpatients (28.8% vs. 11.0% and 8.5%, respectively, P<0.0002). Bowel surgery, parenteral nutrition, and health insurance were predictors of MRSA infection, but the first two became insignificant after controlling for length of stay (LOS). Compared with LOS < or = 7 days, MRSA was more likely among those hospitalized 8-21 days (aOR 7.40; 95% CI: 4.68-11.7) and >21 days (aOR 58.6; 95% CI: 36.0-95.3). MRSA infection was associated with sevenfold increase in mortality (aOR 7.61; 95% CI: 3.33-17.4). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalized IBD patients are at increased risk of MRSA compared with non-IBD GI and general medical inpatients. Increased mortality in the IBD population associated with MRSA reinforces the importance of measures to prevent nosocomial infection and to reduce length of hospitalization.
PMID: 19809406 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Clostridium difficile is associated with poor outcomes in patients with cirrhosis: A national and tertiary center perspective.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2010 Jan;105(1):106-13
Authors: Bajaj JS, Ananthakrishnan AN, Hafeezullah M, Zadvornova Y, Dye A, McGinley EL, Saeian K, Heuman D, Sanyal AJ, Hoffmann RG
OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is associated with antibiotic use, acid suppression, and hospitalization, all of which occur frequently in cirrhosis. The aim was to define the effect of CDAD on outcomes and identify risk factors for its development in cirrhosis. METHODS: Case-control studies using the de-identified national (Nationwide Inpatient Sample, NIS) and an identified liver transplant center database of hospitalized cirrhotics with and without CDAD were performed. The NIS 2005 was queried for mortality, charges, and length of stay (LOS) in cirrhotics with/without CDAD. Outcomes of cirrhosis and infections were also analyzed. In the transplant center database, risk factors for CDAD were defined in hospitalized cirrhotics with/without CDAD who were age matched in a 1:2 ratio. RESULTS: The NIS 2005 included 1,165 cirrhotics with and 82,065 without CDAD. Cirrhotics with CDAD had a significantly higher mortality (13.8% vs. 8.2%, P<0.001), LOS (14.4 days vs. 6.7 days, P<0.001), and charges ($79,351 vs. $35,686, P<0.001) compared with those without CDAD. On multivariate analysis, CDAD was associated with higher mortality (odds ratio (OR) 1.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-1.85), charges, and LOS despite controlling for cirrhosis complications and infections. In the transplant center database, 54 cirrhotics with and 108 cirrhotics without CDAD were included. Outpatient spontaneous bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis (35% vs. 13%, P=0.01), inpatient antibiotic (63% vs. 35%, P=0.0001), and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use (74% vs. 31%, P=0.0001) were significantly higher in those with CDAD. CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotics with CDAD have a higher mortality, LOS, and charges on the NIS 2005 compared with those without CDAD. Antibiotic and PPI use are risk factors for CDAD development in hospitalized cirrhotics.
PMID: 19844204 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Management of anticoagulation before and after gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Dec;104(12):3085-97; quiz 3098
Authors: Kwok A, Faigel DO
The management of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures is a common clinical problem. Although guidelines have been published, they are supported by little prospective or randomized trial data, but are primarily based on observational studies, expert opinion, and best clinical practices. As a general principle, the risks of thromboembolism need to be balanced against the risks of bleeding during the endoscopic procedure. By understanding these risks, management plans for individual cases may be made. This article reviews the current data and guidelines on the management of anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, use of reversal agents, and the role and risks of concomitant proton pump inhibitors.
PMID: 19672250 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Management and treatment of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: recommendations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program and the National Hepatitis C Program.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jul;104(7):1802-29
Authors: Garcia-Tsao G, Lim JK, Lim J,
Cirrhosis represents the end stage of any chronic liver disease. Hepatitis C and alcohol are currently the main causes of cirrhosis in the United States. Although initially cirrhosis is compensated, it eventually becomes decompensated, as defined by the presence of ascites, variceal hemorrhage, encephalopathy, and/or jaundice. These management recommendations are divided according to the status, compensated or decompensated, of the cirrhotic patient, with a separate section for the screening, diagnosis, and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as this applies to patients with both compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. In the compensated patient, the main objective is to prevent variceal hemorrhage and any practice that could lead to decompensation. In the decompensated patient, acute variceal hemorrhage and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis are severe complications that require hospitalization. Hepatorenal syndrome is also a severe complication of cirrhosis but one that usually occurs in patients who are already in the hospital and, as it represents an extreme of the hemodynamic alterations that lead to ascites formation, it is placed under treatment of ascites. Recent advances in the pathophysiology of the complications of cirrhosis have allowed for a more rational management of cirrhosis and also for the stratification of patients into different risk groups that require different management. These recommendations are based on evidence in the literature, mainly from randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses of these trials. When few or no data exist from well-designed prospective trials, emphasis is given to results from large series and consensus conferences with involvement of recognized experts. A rational management of cirrhosis will result in improvements in quality of life, treatment adherence, and, ultimately, in outcomes.
PMID: 19455106 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Hyponatremia in hepatic encephalopathy: an accomplice or innocent bystander?
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Jun;104(6):1390-1
Authors: Yun BC, Kim WR
Hyponatremia, a common complication inpatients with advanced liver disease and impaired free water clearance, has been shown to be an important predictor of short-term mortality. Hepatic encephalopathy, also a late complication of end-stage liver disease, has been associated with low-grade cerebral edema as a result of swelling of astrocytes. Guevara et al. hypothesized that hyponatremia and the resultant depletion of organic osmolytes (e.g.,myo-inositol) from brain cells contribute to brain edema, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Using a multivariable analysis, they demonstrated that hyponatremia increased the risk of hepatic encephalopathy more than eightfold, after adjustment for serum bilirubin and creatinine concentrations and previous history of encephalopathy. Their magnetic resonance spectroscopy data correlated low brain concentrations of myoinositol with hepatic encephalopathy. As both hyponatremia and encephalopathy occur in patients with advanced liver disease, it has been difficult to implicate hyponatremia independently in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy. Guevara’s data do suggest that hyponatremia is more likely an accomplice than an innocent bystander.
PMID: 19455127 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis: presentation and management.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Apr;104(4):984-91
Authors: Tsuang W, Navaneethan U, Ruiz L, Palascak JB, Gelrud A
Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is reported to cause 1-4% of acute pancreatitis (AP) episodes. HTG is also implicated in more than half of gestational pancreatitis cases. Disorders of lipoprotein metabolism are conventionally divided into primary (genetic) and secondary causes, including diabetes, hypothyroidism, and obesity. Serum triglyceride (TG) levels above 1,000 mg/dl are usually considered necessary to ascribe causation for AP. The mechanism for hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP) is postulated to involve hydrolysis of TG by pancreatic lipase and release of free fatty acids that induce free radical damage. Multiple small studies on HTGP management have evaluated the use of insulin, heparin, or both. Many series have also reported use of apheresis to reduce TG levels. Subsequent control of HTG with dietary restrictions, antihyperlipidemic agents, and even regular apheresis has been shown anecdotally in case series to prevent future episodes of AP. However, large multicenter studies are needed to optimize future management guidelines for patients with HTGP.
PMID: 19293788 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Oral antibiotic prophylaxis reduces spontaneous bacterial peritonitis occurrence and improves short-term survival in cirrhosis: a meta-analysis.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Apr;104(4):993-1001; quiz 1002
Authors: Saab S, Hernandez JC, Chi AC, Tong MJ
OBJECTIVES: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication of advanced liver disease resulting in high mortality rates. Although studies that assessed the use of oral antibiotics in advanced liver disease demonstrated a clear benefit in reducing the risk of recurrent peritonitis, it is unclear whether mortality rates are similarly affected by this practice. The goal of this study was to determine whether oral antibiotic therapy provides a survival benefit for patients with advanced cirrhosis and ascites. Through subgroup analysis, we also evaluated the effect of prophylactic oral antibiotic therapy on the prevention of SBP and the incidence of all infections (including SBP) when compared with non-treated or placebo controls. METHODS:We conducted a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE (1966 to May 2008), bibliographies of retrieved trials, and reports presented at major scientific meetings. Eligible studies included prospective, randomized controlled trials comparing high-risk cirrhotic patients receiving oral antibiotic prophylaxis for SBP with groups receiving placebo or no intervention. Dichotomous outcomes were reported as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 647 patients were identified and included in this analysis. The combined analysis showed an overall mortality benefit (RR=0.65; 95% CI, 0.48-0.88) for treatment groups. The overall mortality rate was 16% (52/324) for treated patients and 25% (81/323) for the control group. Groups treated with prophylactic antibiotics also demonstrated a lower incidence of all infections (including SBP) of 6.2% as compared with the control groups with a rate of 22.2% (RR=0.32; P<0.00001; 95% CI, 0.20-0.51). Subgroup analysis showed a survival benefit at 3 months (RR=0.28; P=0.005; 95% CI, 0.12-0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic prophylaxis improved short-term survival in treated patients when compared with untreated control groups and reduced the overall risk of infections, including SBP, during follow-up. In summary, antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered for high-risk cirrhotic patients with ascites.
PMID: 19277033 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Proton pump inhibitor use and enteric infections.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar;104(2 Suppl):S10-6
Authors: Dial MS
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) are very commonly prescribed drugs and are routinely used in the chronic management of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Concerns have been raised about the possible association of PPIs with enteric infections. This article reviews the studies that have examined the associations of proton pump inhibitors in particular, and enteric infections.
PMID: 19262540 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Acid inhibition and infections outside the gastrointestinal tract.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar;104(2 Suppl):S17-20
Authors: Vakil N
Acid-inhibitory agents can alter the flora of the stomach, and epidemiologic studies suggest an association between the use of these agents and the development of pneumonia. Microbiologic studies suggest that a causal association may be biologically plausible because gastric colonization with organisms can occur in patients taking acid suppressive agents. In mechanically ventilated patients, colonization of the oropharynx and stomach may predispose to Gram-negative pneumonias. Despite the associations between acid inhibitor use and pneumonia shown in some studies, the data on community-acquired pneumonias are not conclusive. In clinical practice, prudence would dictate that the need for acid inhibition with histamine-2 receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors should be carefully considered in patients who are at risk for pneumonias (elderly patients with chronic lung disease who are on immunosuppressive drugs or corticosteroids and patients with recurrent lung infections requiring frequent antibiotic therapy).
PMID: 19262541 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Management of Crohn’s disease in adults.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Feb;104(2):465-83; quiz 464, 484
Authors: Lichtenstein GR, Hanauer SB, Sandborn WJ,
Guidelines for clinical practice are intended to suggest preferable approaches to particular medical problems as established by interpretation and collation of scientifically valid research, derived from extensive review of published literature. When data that will withstand objective scrutiny are not available, a recommendation may be made based on a consensus of experts. Guidelines are intended to apply to the clinical situation for all physicians without regard to specialty. Guidelines are intended to be flexible, not necessarily indicating the only acceptable approach, and should be distinguished from standards of care that are inflexible and rarely violated. Given the wide range of choices in any health-care problem, the physician should select the course best suited to the individual patient and the clinical situation presented. These guidelines are developed under the auspices of the American College of Gastroenterology and its Practice Parameters Committee. Expert opinion is solicited from the outset for the document. The quality of evidence upon which a specific recommendation is based is as follows: Grade A: Homogeneous evidence from multiple well-designed randomized (therapeutic) or cohort (descriptive) controlled trials, each involving a number of participants to be of sufficient statistical power. Grade B: Evidence from at least one large well-designed clinical trial with or without randomization, from cohort or case-control analytic studies, or well-designed meta-analysis. Grade C: Evidence based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees. The Committee reviews guidelines in depth, with participation from experienced clinicians and others in related fields. The final recommendations are based on the data available at the time of the production of the document and may be updated with pertinent scientific developments at a later time.
PMID: 19174807 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Non-variceal upper GI bleeding in patients already hospitalized for another condition.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 Feb;104(2):330-9
Authors: Müller T, Barkun AN, Martel M
OBJECTIVES: To compare outpatients (OPs) presenting with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) to those who started hemorrhaging while in a hospital (inpatients, IPs) in a contemporary setting and to better identify predictors of outcome. METHODS: Retrospective data from the Canadian Registry of Patients With Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Undergoing Endoscopy (RUGBE). Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate logistic regression models were carried out in 469 IPs (68.5+/-14 years, 36% women) and 1,395 OPs (65.5+/-18 years, 39% women) in 18 Canadian community and tertiary care centers. RESULTS: Main outcomes were rebleeding, mortality, and their predictors. IPs differed from OPs in disease acuity (P=0.02) and comorbidities (3.1+/-1.7 vs. 2.3+/-1.5, P<0.001), and were admitted longer (7.2+/-7.4 vs. 5+/-5.4 days, P<0.001) and more often to intensive care unit (ICU; 40.5% vs. 16%, P<0.001). Ulcers or erosions predominated (83% vs. 85%, P=0.28), treated by endotherapy (38% vs. 36%, P=0.46). More IPs received proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; 88% vs. 83%, P=0.009). Mortality was greater for IPs (11% vs. 3.5%, P<0.001), but rebleeding (15.7% vs. 13.4%, P=0.23) and surgery (6.9% vs. 6.4%, P=0.72) were not. Among IPs, comorbidity (odds ratio, OR=1.15; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.01-1.32) and endoscopic high-risk stigmata increased (OR=3.86, 95% CI:2.05-7.26), whereas PPI decreased (OR=0.20, 95% CI:0.10-0.42) rebleeding; high-risk stigmata (OR=3.13, 95% CI:1.23-7.99) and rebleeding (OR=4.19, 95% CI:2.06-8.55) increased mortality, whereas low disease acuity was protective (OR=0.20; 95% CI:0.46-0.90). CONCLUSIONS: IPs are sicker than OPs. Endoscopic hemostasis and PPI therapy favorably affect rebleeding in IPs, whereas patient characteristics principally determine the threefold greater IPs mortality.
PMID: 19174801 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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High- versus low-dose proton pump inhibitors after endoscopic hemostasis in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding: a multicentre, randomized study.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Dec;103(12):3011-8
Authors: Andriulli A, Loperfido S, Focareta R, Leo P, Fornari F, Garripoli A, Tonti P, Peyre S, Spadaccini A, Marmo R, Merla A, Caroli A, Forte GB, Belmonte A, Aragona G, Imperiali G, Forte F, Monica F, Caruso N, Perri F
BACKGROUND: The most effective schedule of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) administration following endoscopic hemostasis of bleeding ulcers remains uncertain. METHODS: Patients with actively bleeding ulcers and those with nonbleeding visible vessel or adherent clot were treated with epinephrine injection and/or thermal coagulation, and randomized to receive intravenous PPIs according to an intensive regimen (80 mg bolus followed by 8 mg/h as continuous infusion for 72 h) or a standard regimen (40 mg bolus daily followed by saline infusion for 72 h). After the infusion, all patients were given 20 mg PPI twice daily orally. The primary end point was the in-hospital rebleeding rate, as ascertained at the repeat endoscopy. RESULTS: Bleeding recurred in 28 of 238 patients (11.8%) receiving the intensive regimen, and in 19 of 236 (8.1%) patients receiving the standard regimen (P= 0.18). Most rebleeding episodes occurred during the initial 72-h infusion: 18 (7.6%) and 19 events (8.1%) in the intensive and standard groups, respectively (P= 0.32). Mean units of blood transfused were 1.7 +/- 2.1 in the intensive and 1.5 +/- 2.1 in the standard regimen group (P= 0.34). The duration of hospital stay was <5 days for 88 (37.0%) and 111 patients (47.0%) in the intensive and standard groups (P= 0.03). There were fewer surgical interventions in the standard versus intensive regimen (1 vs 3). Five patients in each treatment group died. CONCLUSIONS: Following endoscopic hemostasis of bleeding ulcers, standard-dose PPIs infusion was as effective as a high-dose regimen in reducing the risk of recurrent bleeding. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00374101).
PMID: 19086953 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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The risk of developing Crohn’s disease after an appendectomy: a meta-analysis.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Nov;103(11):2925-31
Authors: Kaplan GG, Jackson T, Sands BE, Frisch M, Andersson RE, Korzenik J
BACKGROUND: Studies exploring the association between appendectomy and Crohn's disease (CD) have reported conflicting findings. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis to assess the risk of CD following an appendectomy and determine the effect of time between appendectomy and CD diagnosis. METHODS: MEDLINE was used to identify observational studies evaluating the association between appendectomy and CD. Authors were contacted when data were insufficient. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random effects model. Studies that analyzed their data by the interval between the appendectomy and the diagnosis of CD were assessed separately. The Woolf chi(2) statistic was used to test for homogeneity. Egger's test was used to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS: The summary RR estimate for CD following an appendectomy was significantly elevated (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.28-2.02), though heterogeneity was observed (P < 0.0001). The risk was elevated within the first year following the operation (RR 6.69, 95% CI 5.42-8.25). The risk of CD was also significantly increased 1-4 yr following an appendectomy (RR 1.99, 95% CI 1.66- 2.38); however, after 5 yr or more, the risk fell to baseline levels (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.99-1.18). Publication bias was not detected (P = 0.2). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis demonstrated a significant risk of CD following an appendectomy, though heterogeneity was observed between the studies. The elevated risk early after an appendectomy, which diminishes thereafter, likely reflects diagnostic problems in patients with incipient CD.
PMID: 18775018 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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ACCF/ACG/AHA 2008 expert consensus document on reducing the gastrointestinal risks of antiplatelet therapy and NSAID use.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Nov;103(11):2890-907
Authors: Bhatt DL, Scheiman J, Abraham NS, Antman EM, Chan FK, Furberg CD, Johnson DA, Mahaffey KW, Quigley EM, Harrington RA, Bates ER, Bridges CR, Eisenberg MJ, Ferrari VA, Hlatky MA, Kaul S, Lindner JR, Moliterno DJ, Mukherjee D, Schofield RS, Rosenson RS, Stein JH, Weitz HH, Wesley DJ, , ,
PMID: 18853965 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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