bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of combined high frequency ventilation with and without continuous positive airway pressure in experimental lung injury
Authors: Jousela I. , Mäkeläinen A. , Linko K.
Published: December 2008

Combined high frequency ventilation (CHFV) with 8 mmHg (1.0 kPa) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and without CPAP (CHFV0) were compared to each other, and to continuous positive pressure ventilation (CPPV) with 8 mmHg (1.0 kPa) CPAP in pigs with oleic acid induced lung injury. The respiratory rate was 15 min‐1 and the high frequency (HF) rate 360 min‐1. Arterial carbon dioxide tension (Paco2) was adjusted to 5 kPa and 25% oxygen was used. After CHFV, CPAP was briefly discontinued to allow the establishment of CHFV0 in order to examine the cardiovascular and pulmonary effects of combined high frequency ventilation alone. Mean arterial oxygen tension (Pao2) was 15.8± 3.9 kPa during CPPV, 15.5 + 3.2 kPa during CHFV and 13.2 + 5.1 kPa during CHFV0 (ns). The peak airway pressure and the pericardiac pressure were lowest during CHFV0. CHFV provoked significant cardiovascular depression (mean arterial pressure, stroke index, left and right ventricle stroke work index). When compared to CPPV, a non‐significant trend towards improved cardiovascular function was found during CHFV0. With similar mean airway pressures (during CHFV0) or the same CPAP (during CHFV) as during CPPV, no further improvement in oxygenation due to HF waves was found. Airway pressure was the major factor causing alterations in cardiovascular function, not the ventilation technique.
Single‐dose oral omeprazole for reduction of gastric residual acidity in adults for outpatient surgery
Authors: Haskins D. A. , Jahr J. S. , Texidor M. , Ramadhyani U.
Published: December 2008

Omeprazole is a substituted benzimidazole that causes dose‐dependent intracellular inhibition of gastric acid secretion in humans. This double‐blind study examined the effect of omeprazole in decreasing gastric acidity and gastric residual volume in outpatient adults. Unpremedicated outpatients, ASA I–III, 18 years or older (n=17), were randomly assigned to receive omeprazole 80 mg, or placebo by mouth the night before scheduled elective outpatient surgery. The patients were fasted for 8 h prior to surgery. After the patient was anesthetized, an orogastric tube was inserted with proper placement verified by auscultation for gastric sounds. Gastric residual contents were withdrawn into a Luken's trap, and pH was then determined and gastric volume indexed to weight (ml ˙ kg‐1). Data were analyzed by a t‐test, with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Patient characteristics of both groups were similar. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups for pH (P=0.02), but not between the two groups for gastric volume indexed to weight (P=0.07).
Recovery following thiopentone or propofol anaesthesia assessed by computerized coordination measurements
Authors: Ryom C. , Flarup M. , Suadicani P. , Palm T. , Mikkelsen S. , Gyntelberg F.
Published: December 2008

Quantitative measurements of coordination ability and performance speed were carried out on 76 female day‐case patients undergoing minor gynaecological operations. The women were assigned at random to the anaesthetic agent used, propofol 2.5 mg/kg or thiopentone 4 mg/kg. Spacing control, timing control and performance speed were recorded using a newly developed computerized coordination ability test system. The patients were tested once before the operation and 0.5, 1 and 2 h after awakening. Postoperatively the initial impairment and the subsequent regression towards preoperative test results were very similar whether the anaesthetic agent was propofol or thiopentone. Although the test apparatus was able to detect even minor differences, no postoperative test showed statistically significant differences between the two groups. We find it reasonable to conclude that there is no difference in recovery of coordination ability following propofol‐ or thiopentone‐induced anaesthesia.
Atelectasis and lung function in the postoperative period
Authors: Lindberg P. , Gunnarsson L. , Tokics L. , Secher E. , Lundquist H. , Brismar B. , Hedenstierna G.
Published: December 2008

Thirteen patients with healthy hearts and lungs, and with a mean age of 68 years, who were scheduled for lower abdominal surgery during isoflurane anaesthesia with muscular paralysis, were investigated with arterial blood gases, spirometry, pulmonary x‐ray and computed tomography (CT) of the chest before and during anaesthesia, as well as during the first 4 postoperative days. Before anaesthesia, lung function and gas exchange were normal in all patients. Pulmonary x‐ray and CT scans of the lungs were also normal. During anaesthesia, 6 of 13 patients developed atelectasis (mean 1.0% of intrathoracic transverse area in all patients). Two hours postoperatively, 11 of 13 patients had atelectasis and the mean atelectatic area was 1.8%. Pao2 was significantly reduced by 2.1 kPa to 9.8 kPa. On the first postoperative day, the mean atelectasis was unaltered (1.8%). None of the atelectasis found on CT scanning could be detected on standard pulmonary x‐ray. Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV1) were significantly decreased to 2/3 of preoperative level. Pao2 was significantly reduced to less than 80% of the preoperative level (mean 9.4 kPa). There were significant correlations between the atelectatic area and the impairment in FVC, FEV1, and Pao2. Spirometry and blood gases improved during the succeeding postoperative days, and atelectasis decreased. No patient suffered from pulmonary complications, as judged from clinical criteria and pulmonary x‐ray, in contrast to the findings of atelectasis in 85% of the patients by computed tomography.
Injection pain, cardiovascular changes and recovery following induction of anaesthesia with propofol in combination with alfentanil or lignocaine in children
Authors: Hiller A. , Saarnivaara L.
Published: December 2008

The effect of pretreatment with alfentanil 10 (Alf10), 15 (Alf15) or 20 (Alf20) μ ˙ kg‐1 on reducing injection pain caused by propofol was compared with lignocaine 10 mg mixed with propofol (Lign). This double‐blind, double‐dummy and randomized study included 100 children with a mean age of 4.3 ± 0.6 years, 25 children in each group, undergoing minor otolaryngological surgery. The children were premedicated orally with midazolam 0.5 mg ˙ kg‐1 and atropine 0.03 mg ˙ kg‐1. Injection pain occurred in 4% in the Lign group. The corresponding figures were 40, 16 and 20% in the Alf10, Alf15 and Alf20 groups, respectively. Both 1% lignocaine 10 mg and alfentanil 15 μg ˙ kg‐1reduced injection pain significantly compared with alfentanil 10 μ ˙kg‐1.Pretreatment with alfentanil significantly diminished haemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation. Furthermore, the concomitant use of alfentanil and propofol caused transient severe bradycardia and a significant decrease in heart rate after laryngoscopy.
Changes in ventilatory pattern and arterial oxygen saturation during spinal anaesthesia in man
Authors: Yamakage M. , Namiki A. , Tsuchida H. , Iwasaki H.
Published: December 2008

Using a respiratory inductive plethysmograph and a pulse oximeter, we investigated the changes in the respiratory pattern and peripheral oxygen saturation (Spo2) of the finger before and during spinal anaesthesia in 20 surgical patients. The rib cage contribution to the tidal volume (%RC) increased significantly from before (20.4 ± 4.3%) to during spinal anaesthesia (30.4 ± 4.8%). However, in those patients who fell asleep 60 min after subarachnoid injection of a local anaesthetic, %RC returned to the preanaesthetic value (23.0 ?± 5.9%). Finger Spo2 increased significantly during spinal anaesthesia, but the femoral arterial oxygen saturation did not change. The authors conclude that spinal anaesthesia increases %RC in conscious patients. However, the increment of %RC does not cause a major change in arterial oxygen saturation.
Heat and moisture exchangers with bacterial filters: a laboratory evaluation
Authors: Mebius C.
Published: December 2008

Six commercially available heat‐moisture exchanger (HME) humidifiers with built‐in bacterial filtration were evaluated by laboratory tests. Physical characteristics, humidification efficiency, resistance to flow and filtration capability were investigated. The resistance was comparable for all units and did not change notably with exposure to humidity. Deadspace values were in the range 55–92 ml and weight values between 34–55 g. The humidification efficiency of two units (Group 1) was clearly less (54%–63% at 11 tidal volume), than for the other four devices (Group 2) (77%–82%). This corresponds to an average humidification output of 22.0 g/m3 for Group 1 as compared to an output of 29.9 g/m3 for Group 2. The average filtration capability of Group 1 was 99.9998%, which is somewhat higher than the 99.9973% obtained for Group 2. There are significant differences between the humidification efficiency and deadspace of different units, with the Pall Conserve device having the least satisfactory performance. All units exhibit good filtering properties, with the Pall Conserve device performing best in this respect.
Serum potassium, catecholamine levels and ECG during field block for inguinal hernia surgery
Authors: Löfgren A. , Hahn R. G.
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this study was to find out whether hypokalaemia and associated ECG changes occur as a result of field block for hernial repair, alone or in combination with surgery. We recorded the ECG and measured the serum potassium and the plasma catecholamine concentrations at 10‐min intervals in three groups of patients. In Group 1 (n = 7), and in Group 2 (n = 7), the blockade was instituted with prilocaine 0.5% and adrenaline 1:250,000, while in Group 3 plain prilocaine 0.5% was used. In Group 1 surgery was withheld for 40 min, while in Groups 2 and 3 surgery started as soon as the blockade became effective. There was a prolonged 4 to 5‐fold elevation of the plasma adrenaline level from the adrenaline‐containing solutions, the peak being 2.44 ±0.48 nmol/l (mean ±s.d.) 10 min after the blockade had been instituted. The S‐K level was unchanged in Group 1, while in Group 2 it decreased from 4.14 ±0.33 mmol/l to 3.91 ±0.29 at 60 min (P<0.05). An ECG pattern consistent with hypokalaemia did not develop. In Group 3, with plain prilocaine, there was a significant increase in the S‐K level from 3.86 ±0.21 mmol/l to 4.08 ± 0.36 at 40 min (P<0.05).
Intramuscular low‐dose ketamine versus pethidine for postoperative pain treatment after thoracic surgery
Authors: Dich‐Nielsen J. O. , Svendsen L. B. , Berthelsen P.
Published: December 2008

In a double‐blind prospective study the effects of low‐dose intramuscular ketamine (1 mg/kg) were compared to pethidine (1 mg/kg) in the treatment of pain after pulmonary surgery. Thirty patients were admitted to the study and postoperatively randomized to either a ketamine or a pethidine group. The analgesic effect was evaluated using a scale ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 denoted no pain and 10 severe pain. We did not find any significant difference between the analgesic effect of ketamine and pethidine; however, the duration of action of ketamine appeared to be slightly longer. Throughout the study Paco2 was significantly lower in the ketamine group. Pao2 increased through the study in both groups and was significantly higher after 2 h. Heart rates increased significantly only in the pethidine group. Mean arterial pressures remained unchanged and the respiratory frequencies were similar in the two groups. The incidence of adverse reactions was low and not significantly different between the groups. The findings indicate that low‐dose intramuscular ketamine is a potent analgesic for postoperative analgesia following thoracic surgery and that it has no respiratory depressive effect.
Oxygen consumption after flumazenil reversal
Authors: Duvaldestin P. , Lebrault C. , Costes H. , Barral N. , Raimbault E.
Published: December 2008

The effect of flumazenil reversal of midazolam‐induced anesthesia on whole body oxygen uptake (Vo2) was investigated in a double‐blind trial in 48 patients (ASA, 1 or 2) undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia. Vo2 was measured in spontaneously breathing patients during recovery from anaesthesia induced with midazolam 0.25 mg ˙kg‐1 and maintained with nitrous oxide 60% in oxygen and halothane. The level of sedation was evaluated by a subjective score. To reverse midazolam‐induced anesthesia, patients were randomly allocated to receive placebo or flumazenil (6 μg ˙ kg‐1). No significant changes in Vo2 (160 ± 53 vs 150 ± 39 ml ˙ min‐1 ˙ m‐2 or sedation score (2.5 ±1.0 vs 2.1 ± 0.9) were observed in the placebo group. After flumazenil administration, the sedation score significantly (P<0.05) improved (2.9 ± 1.0 vs 1.3 ± 0.8) whereas no significant change in Vo2 was observed (158 ± 67 vs 157 ± 61 ml O2 ˙ min***1 ˙ m‐2). These data show that reversal of benzodiazepine effects with flumazenil resulted in no significant change in oxygen uptake.
Onset and duration of hypoalgesia of lidocaine spray applied to oral mucosa – a dose response study
Authors: Schønemann N. K. , van der Burght M. , Arendt‐Nielsen L. , Bjerring P.
Published: December 2008

Lidocaine is often used as a topical analgesic prior to painful procedures performed in the oral cavity and upper airways. In this study the optimal time interval for performance of painful procedures in the oral cavity and the upper airways was determined by spraying lidocaine solution on the mucous membranes of the mouth with subsequent measurements of pain thresholds induced by argon‐laser stimulation. Two different dosages (30 mg and 60 mg) of lidocaine spray were administered to the oral mucosa of the lower lip in healthy volunteers. Repeated measurements were performed until normal sensitivity returned after 15 min. Pain thresholds increased 62% after 30 mg lidocaine and 50% after 60 mg lidocaine (a non‐significant difference). Thus repeated applications were found to be without any additional hypoalgesic effect. Maximal hypoalgesia was reached after 4 to 5 min. Complete analgesia was not obtained. The hypoalgesic effect lasted until 14 min, but painful procedures should be performed in the time interval 3–8 min after application.
Retracted: Evaluation of residual neuromuscular blockade using modified double burst stimulation
Authors: SAITOH Y. , NAKAZAWA K. , MAKITA K. , TANAKA H. , TOYOOKA H.
Published: December 2008

Background:To assess the degree of residual neuromuscular blockade, double burst stimulation (DBS) is commonly applied in the clinical setting. However, fades in response to DBS3,3 can rarely be identified manually when train‐of‐four (TOF) ratios are ≧0.70, and, in contrast, fades in response to DBS3,2 are felt manually in an undesirably high proportion of cases, even at TOF ratios greater than 0.7. We investigated whether a new monitoring method, modified DBS, would be useful to determine an adequate degree of recovery from neuromuscular blockade. For modified DBS, two burst stimuli were applied at an interval of 750 ms. The first stimulation in the modified DBS consisted of two stimuli of 0.3 ms duration at 50 Hz and the second of two stimuli of 0.2 ms duration at 50 Hz.

Methods: Forty‐five adult patients undergoing elective nitrous oxide‐oxygen‐isoflurane anesthesia were randomly divided into one of three groups: DBS3,3 group (n=15), DBS3,2 group (n=15), or modified DBS group (n=15). During recovery from vecuroni‐um‐induced neuromuscular blockade, on both forearms, DBS3, 3, DBS3, 2, and modified DBS were delivered in the DBS3, 3 group, DBS3, 2 group, and modified DBS group, respectively. One hand and forearm (fixed arm) were immobilized to quantify the degree of neuromuscular blockade mechanically, and the contralateral arm (free arm) was unrestrained. An observer deter‐mined tactilely on the free arm the presence or absence of fade in response to the three DBS patterns.

Results:Probabilities of detection of fade in response to the DBS3, 3 were 67% (TOF ratio of 0.51–0.60), 40% (0.61–0.70), 19% (0.71–4).80), 5% (0.81–0.90), and 0% (0.91–1.00). Those to the DBS3, 2 were 95% (0.51–0.60), 93% (0.61–0.70), 83% (0.71–0.80), 65% (0.81–0.90), and 38% (0.91–1.00). Those to modified DBS were 90% (0.51–0.60), 86% (0.61–0.70), 65% (0.71–0.80), 25% (0.81–0.90), and 3% (0.91–1.00). The modified DBS was more sensitive in diagnosing residual neuromuscular blockade than DBS3, 3 at the TOF ratio of 0.51–0.90, but was less sensitive than DBS3, 2 at the TOF ratio of 0.81–1.00 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that the modified DBS may be a useful stimulation pattern to diagnose the adequacy of recovery from neuromuscular blockade.
Relationships between the olive fly and bacteria
Authors: Sacchetti P. , Granchietti A. , Landini S. , Viti C. , Giovannetti L. , Belcari A.
Published: December 2008

The relationship between the olive fly population and epiphytic bacteria of the olive tree was investigated by carrying out a 1‐year survey in the field. The olive fly population affected the number of bacteria present on the olive surface. Scanning electron microscope observations demonstrated that bacteria may be ingested by the fly’s mouth apparatus through the midline of the pseudotracheae. DNA amplification of the oesophageal bulb content using 16S bacteria universal primers and DNA sequencing evidenced that Candidatus Erwinia dacicola was the predominant species present. The role of bacteria in olive fly biology is discussed.
Mating competitiveness of the adult oriental fruit fly reared as larvae in liquid vs. those raised on standard wheat‐based diets
Authors: Chang C. L. , McInnis D. O.
Published: December 2008

Three strains (standard laboratory, dorsalis translocation white pupae (DTWP) pupal colour sexing strain and wild strain) of adult oriental fruit flies, which were reared as larvae on liquid diet (LD), mill‐feed diet (MF) (Tanaka’s diet) or natural host fruit diet, were evaluated for mating competitiveness in both indoor and outdoor Boller’s mating cages and outdoor field cages. The Relative Sterility Index (RSI) was used as an indicator of mating capability. The RSI between standard strain adults that grew as larvae in LD and those in Tanaka’s MF indicated no statistically significant difference in Boller’s mating cage results after irradiation and dye marking. These results show that irradiation and dye marking had no effect on laboratory mating ability. Adults of the DTWP genetic sexing strain based on pupal colour that were reared as larvae in a LD (DTWP‐LD) or MF (DTWP‐MF) had a lower mating ability than the standard laboratory strain in Boller’s cages, and against the wild strain in both Boller’s and field cages. However, there was no statistically significant difference between irradiated DTWP‐LD strains in competition with non‐irradiated standard laboratory strain or DTWP‐MF strain in Boller’s cages. These findings indicate that (i) the quality of the DTWP sexing strain may be less capable in mating than the standard laboratory and wild strains and (ii) LD reared larvae can produce adults of equal mating ability compared with adults reared on a conventional diet. LD reared fruit flies should therefore be ready for mass scale rearing for Sterile Insect Technique programmes following the completion of other field quality control tests, including those measuring dispersal abilities.
Inheritance of vector competence by the thrips Ceratothripoides claratris (Shumsher) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Halaweh N. , Poehling H.‐M.
Published: December 2008

The thrips Ceratothripoides claratris is an efficient vector of the Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV). Transmission studies with a natural population of C. claratris found in a greenhouse ‘GH’ and a ‘colony’ derived from this ‘GH’ population by selection and inbreeding resulted in lowering the percentage of viruliferous individuals within the ‘colony’. After passing through approximately 20 generations, the ‘colony’ lost the ability to transmit the CaCV. When either viruliferous or non‐viruliferous virgin females reproduced parthenogenetically, 81% of F1 arrhenotokous males inherited their viruliferous status from their mothers, whilst, no viruliferous offspring arose from non‐viruliferous virgin mothers. Crosses between viruliferous and non‐viruliferous individuals suggest that the competence of the thrips C. claratris as a vector for this virus is probably a heritable trait controlled by a recessive allele.
Attraction of Mexican fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) to bacteria: effects of culturing medium on odour volatiles
Authors: Robacker D. C. , Lauzon C. R. , Patt J. , Margara F. , Sacchetti P.
Published: December 2008

Effects of culturing medium on production and emission of volatiles by Pantoea agglomerans (Beijerinck 1888) Gavini et al. 1989 preparations and on attractiveness of the preparations to the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew, were investigated. Bacterial cultures in each of four biochemically different types of liquid media emitted different volatiles. Cultures in a medium containing uric acid as its primary nitrogen source emitted more ammonia and 2‐nonanone than the other media. We postulate that the high production of ammonia was because of uricase activity by this uricase (+) strain. Regardless of media type, supernatants emitted more volatiles than preparations containing cells that had been removed from whole cultures and put into distilled water. Attractiveness varied little with biochemical make‐up of the culturing medium although the uric acid and carbohydrate preparations were as a group more attractive than preparations made from the other two media. Supernatants and whole cultures generally were more attractive than cell preparations and non‐inoculated media. Bacteria grown in aqueous uric acid‐based media emitted volatiles similar but not identical to those emitted by bacteria grown on gel (agar or solid) uric acid‐based media in Petri plates.
Bactrocera oleae: a single large population in Northern Mediterranean basin
Authors: Segura M. D. , Callejas C. , Ochando M. D.
Published: December 2008

The tephritid Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) is a harmful pest of olive crops; its larvae are monophagous and feed exclusively on olive fruits. Despite the economic importance of this species, important issues remain to be clarified. In the present study, the genetic variability within and among 21 populations was assessed using random amplified polymorphic DNA–PCR (seven primers). A considerable level of intraspecific diversity was detected (at population level: P = 51–70%, Hpop = 4.61; at species level: P = 63%, Hsp = 5.38) but the genetic differentiation among the populations was low (Shannon’s diversity index 14%, amova 4–8%). However, the dendrogram and principal components analysis reflect some interesting points. The most southerly of the Mediterranean populations (Tunisia) differ significantly from the remaining populations. The general results might be explained by the length of time that has elapsed as B. oleae became established in the Mediterranean region, the large effective sizes expected of its populations and gene flow among these populations. The results strongly suggest the existence of a single, large Northern Mediterranean olive fly population rather than several small, isolated populations and have a significant value in terms of control practices.
Effects of Serum‐Free In Vitro Maturation of Bovine Oocytes on Subsequent Embryo Development and Cell Allocation in Two Developmental Stages of Day 7 Blastocysts
Authors: Korhonen K , Kananen K , Ketoja E , Matomäki J , Halmekytö M , Peippo J
Published: December 2008

Contents

Maturation of oocytes and the subsequent outcome of the in vitro production (IVP) are affected by the composition of in vitro maturation (IVM) medium. To determine the use of serum interfering with effects of single molecules, we aimed at developing simplified IVM medium. The experimental IVM media were: (1) M199‐medium supplemented with hormones and serum (control), (2) as 1 but serum was substituted with fatty acid‐free serum albumin (FAFBSA) and (3) M199‐medium without hormonal and serum supplementation (M199). The quality of embryos was assessed on day 7 by morphology and cryotolerance, as well as by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin‐dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) and differential staining. Results showed that the nuclear maturation was suppressed in M199 group alone. Embryo cleavage and development rates, and the proportion of quality 1 blastocysts were lower in the FAFBSA and M199 groups compared to the control. Differences in the cell allocation of fresh embryos were observed at the blastocyst stage, but not at the expanded blastocyst stage. The control group blastocysts had larger number of cells allocated to the inner cell mass (ICM), and the FAFBSA group blastocysts larger apoptotic cell proportion compared to the blastocysts derived from other groups. After cryopreservation, the reduction of ICM proportion and increase of apoptotic cell proportion of embryos were equal between the experimental groups. In conclusion, exclusion of serum from the IVM media reduces embryo development and may cause perturbations in blastocyst development. Differences in the cell allocation of blastocysts between IVM media may appear only when the developmental stages are taken into account.
Supplementation with Calcium Salts of Linoleic and trans‐Octadecenoic Acids Improves Fertility of Lactating Dairy Cows
Authors: Juchem SO , Cerri RLA , Villaseñor M , Galvão KN , Bruno RGS , Rutigliano HM , DePeters EJ , Silvestre FT , Thatcher WW , Santos JEP
Published: December 2008

Contents

Objectives were to evaluate effects of feeding a calcium salt rich in linoleic and trans‐octadecenoic acids (LTFA) on synthesis of prostaglandin F2α based on its metabolite (PGFM), uterine involution and pregnancy rates in lactating dairy cows. Five hundred and eleven Holstein cows were blocked according to parity, body condition score and milk yield in the previous lactation. Primiparous and multiparous cows were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments consisting of calcium salt (2% diet dry matter) of either palm oil (PO) or LTFA from 25 days prepartum to 80 days of lactation. Cows were time‐inseminated at 70 ± 3 days postpartum. Feeding LTFA tended (p = 0.08) to decrease the incidence of puerperal metritis (15.1% vs 8.8%). Primiparous cows supplemented with LTFA showed larger increase in plasma PGFM concentration at day 1 postpartum (17018 vs 6897 pm). Pregnancy rate after first insemination tended (p = 0.07) to be greater at 27 days after insemination (37.9% vs 28.6%), and was greater (p = 0.05) at 41 days after insemination (35.5% vs 25.8%) for cows fed LTFA compared with PO. These results indicate that unsaturated fatty acids fed in a rumen inert form have the potential to modulate reproductive events and improve pregnancy rates in lactating dairy cows.
Survival and late effects on development of patients with infantile brain tumor
Authors: Nomura Yuko , Yasumoto Sawa , Yanai Fumio , Akiyoshi Hidetaka , Inoue Takahito , Nibu Keiko , Tsugu Hitoshi , Fukushima Takeo , Hirose Shinichi
Published: December 2008

Background:  Most infants with brain tumor may have a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to retrospectively analyze the survival and outcome with regard to mental and physical development in 11 subjects with brain tumor; these tumors were diagnosed when the patients were under 1 year of age.

Methods:  The histological diagnoses of these tumors were astrocytoma, n > 3; pineocytoma, n > 2; teratoma, n > 1; ependymoma, n > 1; atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, n > 1; glioblastoma, n > 1; medulloblastoma, n > 1; and choroid plexus papilloma, n > 1. Surgical resection was performed in eight patients, and adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to all except one patient with choroid plexus papilloma. Radiotherapy was additionally performed for four of the 10 chemotherapy patients.

Results:  Six patients survived. Among the surviving patients, five were under no treatment for 50–167 months after the diagnosis (median duration, 89 months), while one received chemotherapy for 20 months. Five patients exhibited mental retardation, and one patient experienced normal development after surgical removal of his choroid plexus papilloma. Diencephalic syndrome developed in one patient with pilomyxoid astrocytoma that necessitated hormone replacement therapy, and bodyweight over +2 SD was observed in two patients. The remaining five patients died 11–111 months after diagnosis (median duration, 24 months).

Conclusion:  The prognosis of infantile brain tumor with regard to mortality and developmental outcome remains poor. Furthermore, survivors require comprehensive medical and social support for an extended period.
Clinical features of neonatal sepsis caused by resistant Gram‐negative bacteria
Authors: Khassawneh Mohammad , Khader Yousef , Abuqtaish Nadeen
Published: December 2008

Background:  Clinical features and outcomes of neonatal sepsis caused by resistant Gram‐negative bacteria are not well described in Jordan. The aim of the present study was therefore to describe microbiology and clinical features, laboratory findings and outcomes of early‐ and late‐onset Gram‐negative neonatal sepsis.

Methods:  All patients with Gram‐negative bacteremia between July 2003 and June 2005 were retrospectively included. Resistance profiles, clinical features and outcomes of early and late‐onset neonatal sepsis were compared.

Results:  A total of 79 patients (after excluding all nine cases of Gram‐positive bloodstream infection (BSI) were identified as having Gram‐negative BSI (25 had early‐onset and 54 had late‐onset neonatal sepsis). Respiratory distress, metabolic acidosis and requirement of ventilation were found in 74.7%, 40.5%, and 58.2%, respectively. Hypotension was found in 22.9% of patients. Klebsiella pneumoniae was responsible for 43 cases (54.4.2%). Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance rates to ampicillin and ceftazidime were 100% and 50%, respectively. Mortality rate was 30.9%. Forty‐eight percent of deaths occurred within 3 days of sepsis. Meningitis was diagnosed in five cases. Elevated C‐reactive protein (CRP) and thrombocytopenia were seen in 28% and 24% of infants with early‐onset sepsis, respectively, and in 79.6%, 59.3% of infants with late‐onset sepsis respectively.

Conclusion:  Both early‐ and late‐onset neonatal sepsis are caused by highly resistant Gram‐negative bacteria. Mortality of sepsis is high. Elevated CRP and thrombocytopenia is seen more commonly in late‐onset neonatal sepsis.
Trans‐vitreal endoresection for vasoproliferative retinal tumours
Authors: Gibran Syed K
Published: December 2008

Abstract

We present an interventional consecutive case series to describe our experience of transvitreal endoresection (TVE) for vasoproliferative retinal tumours (VPRTs). Three patients with VPRTs refractory to conventional treatment modalities of cryotherapy, plaque radiotherapy and anti‐VEGF presented with macular exudative changes and were offered TVE. Complete ophthalmic examination with colour fundal photographs was performed before and during the follow‐up period. All patients were followed up for 6 months following silicone oil removal. At the last follow up, resolution of macular and retinal exudative changes with parallel improvement in vision was observed. No recurrences were detected during the follow‐up period. Two of three patients had simultaneous cataract surgery and developed fibrinous uveitis, requiring management with intensive topical steroids. After 3 months, these patients had a fibrotic pupillary membrane enveloping the intraocular lens (IOL) with posterior synechiae. These two patients underwent SO removal, IOL explantation and artisan IOL (iris clipped) insertion, resulting in visual improvement. We did not observe any PVR complications in our cases. TVE represents an effective and safe option for the treatment of VPRTs refractory to other treatment modalities. Further studies with a larger sample size and long‐term follow up are indicated to evaluate the role of TVE in the management of VPRTs.
Removal of internal limiting membrane for recurrent myopic traction maculopathy
Authors: Futagami Sou , Inoue Makoto , Hirakata Akito
Published: December 2008

Abstract

A 63‐year‐old man presented with a foveal detachment and retinoschisis associated with myopic traction maculopathy of his left eye with a refractive error of −12.0 dioptres. Both the retinoschisis and foveal detachment were initially successfully treated with vitreous surgery that was limited to the induction of a posterior vitreous detachment beyond the areas of retinoschisis over the posterior staphyloma. Three years later, the macula re‐detached and further surgery was performed, which involved peeling the internal limiting membrane (ILM). Following the second vitreous surgery the macula reattached within one month of the surgery and this success has been sustained for 2 years, suggesting that peeling the ILM may be an effective treatment for recurrent myopic traction maculopathy.
Acanthamoeba keratitis: a comprehensive photographic reference of common and uncommon signs
Authors: Patel Dipika V , McGhee Charles NJ
Published: December 2008

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in the number of reported cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis reported internationally over the last 24 months. Diagnosing Acanthamoeba keratitis is often difficult and part of the difficulty is attributed to the variability of presentation. This article provides a comprehensive photographic reference of common and uncommon clinical signs of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Expression of genes encoding kinin receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Dabek J. , Kulach A. , Smolka G. , Wilczok T. , Scieszka J. , Gasior Z.
Published: December 2008

Background:  Inflammation plays a critical role in all stages of atherogenesis, including plaque destabilization leading to the rupture and local thrombosis, clinically manifested as unstable angina (UA) or myocardial infarction (MI). Recent data report enhanced expression of numerous pro‐inflammatory genes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) both in plaque and in inflammatory cells. Kinins are peptides involved in vasodilation, vascular permeability, pain and inflammation. Their effects are mediated by two receptors, B1 and B2. As the role of kinins in ACS is not clear, the aim of the study was to assess the expression of the genes encoding kinin receptors in patients with ACS.

Methods:  The study was carried out on 40 patients with ACS and 10 age‐matched healthy subjects (control (C)). To evaluate gene expression of B1 and B2 kinin receptors, total mRNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the number of mRNA copies was assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction.

Results:  In patients with MI and UA, the B1 receptor (B1R)/B2 receptor (B2R) ratio was inversed compared with healthy subjects (C group) (MI vs C: 1.54 ± 0.39 vs 0.36 ± 0.04; P < 0.01; UA vs C: 2.13 ± 0.98 vs 0.36 ± 0.04; P < 0.05 respectively). B2R gene mRNA level was markedly lower in MI group versus C group (24 216 ± 5409 copies/μg vs 39 908 ± 5309 copies/μg; P < 0.05). The difference in B1R gene expression between MI and C group was negligible. We have not observed differences in studied genes expression between UA and C groups.

Conclusion:  Patients with ACS show inverted B1R/B2R ratio. Such disturbance in kinin signalling may reflect increased activation of circulating mononuclears, which are important participants of atherosclerotic plaque development and eventually rupture.
Retinal vein occlusion: an approach to diagnosis, systemic risk factors and management
Authors: Yau J. W. Y. , Lee P. , Wong T. Y. , Best J. , Jenkins A.
Published: December 2008

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal vascular disease after diabetic retinopathy and is a common cause of visual morbidity and blindness in the elderly. A large proportion of patients with RVO have a history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or open‐angle glaucoma. Although RVO is sometimes associated with thrombophilias and coagulation abnormalities, the role of coagulation factors in the development of RVO remains unclear. This review did not find strong evidence to support an extensive work‐up for thrombophilic and coagulation diseases for the vast majority of patients. However, when tests for common cardiovascular risk factors for RVO are negative, evaluation for potential coagulation disorders may be indicated, particularly in young patients and in patients with bilateral RVO, a history of previous thromboses or a family history of thrombosis.
Decreasing mortality from non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in Australia
Authors: Coory M. , Gill D.
Published: December 2008

Based on the number of new cases (incidence), non‐Hodgkin lymphoma is an increasingly common cancer in Australia and many developed countries. Until recently, mortality trends have been stable or slightly increasing. However, since the year 2000, mortality has decreased every year by an average of 5.1% per year (95% confidence interval (CI) −7.1 to −3.1%), whereas incidence has continued to increase at 0.9% per year (95%CI 0.6 to 1.2%). It was not possible with the population‐based registry data available to us to untangle the causes of the decrease in mortality. The stable mortality rates during the 1990s (in the face of increasing incidence) might have been because of introduction of novel therapies such as autologous stem cell transplant for relapsed diffuse large cell lymphoma or the purine analogue‐based therapy for indolent lymphomas. A plausible explanation for the large decrease in mortality since 2000 is the introduction of the monoclonal antibody rituximab.
Heart transplantation: who should be considered and when?
Authors: Macdonald P.
Published: December 2008

Heart transplantation is now firmly established as the most effective therapy for selected patients with end‐stage heart disease who have exhausted all other treatment options. The excellent long‐term survival and quality of life achieved by the large majority of heart transplant recipients has led to considerable broadening of the recipient eligibility criteria over the past 24 years of continuous transplant activity in Australia and New Zealand. Although these changes in recipient eligibility criteria have resulted in a marked increase in the potential pool of transplant recipients, heart transplantation remains a relatively rare procedure because of the scarcity of suitable cardiac donors. The primary aim of this review was to provide clinicians with guidelines that enable them to identify patients who are potential candidates for heart transplantation and those who are not. Appropriate timing of referral is also discussed. Apart from their role in the evaluation and management of patients referred for heart transplantation, cardiopulmonary transplant units provide a number of other important services. These include assistance in the diagnostic evaluation and management of patients with primary myocardial diseases and the investigation of novel alternative therapies for patients with end‐stage heart disease.
Risk of dispersal in western spruce budworm
Authors: Nealis Vincent G. , Régnière Jacques
Published: December 2008

1 Western spruce budworm Choristoneura occidentalis Free. larvae emerge in the spring before buds have expanded and spend a variable period of time foraging on branches and mining needles.

2 Losses of dispersing budworms during this needle‐mining period are related directly to the severity of defoliation in previous years and inversely related to foliage biomass in the study plot and to temperature and rainfall during the needle‐mining period.

3 Losses can be interpreted in terms of risk of dispersal, which is the product of the propensity of early‐stage budworms to disperse in search of resources and the consequences of this behaviour for survival under variable ecological conditions.

4 A comparison of the species‐specific nature of risk of dispersal in three conifer‐feeding budworm systems of North America may elucidate the common nature but variable features of their respective population dynamics.
Comparison of the microbial diversity at different depths of the GISP2 Greenland ice core in relationship to deposition climates
Authors: Miteva Vanya , Teacher Catherine , Sowers Todd , Brenchley Jean
Published: December 2008

This study presents comparative geochemical, microbiological and molecular analyses of Greenland GISP2 ice core samples representing different depths, ages, deposition climates, in situ temperatures, and gas and ionic compositions. Our goal was to determine whether specific organisms, preserved at different depths, correlate with past climate characteristics recorded chronologically in ice layers. Three clear ice samples were selected from 2495, 2545 and 2578 m to represent distinct climatic periods with milder (−45°C), colder (−51°C) and warmer (−39°C) deposition temperatures, and two Marine Isotope Stages, MIS3 (2495 m) and MIS4 (2545 and 2578 m). Results showed higher microbial abundance in ice deposited during colder climates with higher in situ ion content. The constructed universal SSU rRNA gene clone libraries were dominated by Gram‐positive sequences (55–65%), and had fewer Proteobacteria (6–9%) and Archaea (1%). The 2495 m library differed from the other two by being dominated by Actinobacteria (55%) rather than Firmicutes. Fungi were more prevalent in the colder climate (40%). For comparison, a library was constructed from an older silty ice sample (3044 m) possibly originating from underlying permafrost with different in situ characteristics (high temperature, high methane and higher cell numbers). It showed significantly different diversity not found in the clear ice libraries. The bacterial and fungal isolates from the clear ice samples were related to organisms originating from Asian deserts, marine aerosols and volcanic dust, suggesting these environments as sources of deposited microorganisms. The observed differences in microbial diversity patterns, especially with the 2495 m library, support the idea that local climate conditions and global atmospheric circulations at different time periods have influenced the origin and composition of the microbial populations preserved at different depths of Greenland ice. Further investigations may lead to the development of microbial ‘markers’ for identifying specific deposition climates.
‘Candidatus Lumbricincola’, a novel lineage of uncultured Mollicutes from earthworms of family Lumbricidae
Authors: Nechitaylo Taras Y. , Timmis Kenneth N. , Golyshin Peter N.
Published: January 2009

Molecular signatures of new, as yet uncultured mollicute‐like organisms (MLOs) have been detected in total rRNA and DNA extracted from tissues, gut contents and casts of four species of the earthworm family Lumbricidae. The MLO 16S rRNA sequences exhibited low identity to those of known Mollicutes species and formed a monophyletic cluster distantly affiliated to the ‘Candidatus Bacilloplasma’ (84.9%) and almost equidistant to the other main phylogenetic group of Mollicutes (< 79.8%) and the classes Bacilli (< 79.5%) and Clostridia (< 76.1%). SSCP profiling and sequence analysis of bands and bacterial clones derived from the earthworms and substrata revealed high phylogenetic relatedness of MLOs in earthworms from different geographic locations (Russia and Germany), with no obvious host species specificity being observed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis with a nucleotide probe specific for the new MLO group localized them to the coelomic fluids of earthworms. A new taxonomic group within the Mollicutes, designated ‘Candidatus Lumbricincola’, is proposed to include these as yet uncultured organisms.
Symptoms of depression and diabetes‐specific emotional distress are associated with a negative appraisal of insulin therapy in insulin‐naïve patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A study from the European Depression in Diabetes [EDID] Research Consortium
Authors: Makine C. , Karşıdağ Ç. , Kadıoğlu P. , Ilkova H. , Karşıdağ K. , Skovlund S. E. , Snoek F. J. , Pouwer F.
Published: January 2009

Aims  A meta‐analysis concluded that depression is associated with poor glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes (DM2). In DM2 patients with deteriorating glycaemic control, the initiation of insulin therapy is often postponed. The aim of the present study was to determine whether symptoms of depression and diabetes‐specific emotional distress are associated with a more negative appraisal of insulin therapy.

Methods  We collected cross‐sectional data in two outpatient university clinics in Istanbul, Turkey. The study sample consisted of 154 insulin‐naïve patients with DM2. A self‐report questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and clinical data. Main instruments were the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, (CES‐D), the Problem Areas In Diabetes scale (PAID) and the Insulin Treatment Appraisal Scale (ITAS).

Results  Analysis of variance revealed that patients with a higher depression score rated insulin therapy significantly more negative then patients with lower depression scores. Moreover, 47% of patients with a high depression score had a negative appraisal of insulin therapy on 7 or more of the 20 ITAS‐items, compared to 25 to 29% of those with low‐moderate depression scores. Multiple regression analyses showed that a negative appraisal of insulin therapy was significantly associated with higher depression and diabetes‐distress scores and low education, but not with sex, age or duration of diabetes.

Conclusions  Our results suggest that in insulin‐naïve Type 2 diabetes patients, higher levels of depression and diabetes‐distress tend to be associated with more negative beliefs about insulin. Whether these negative attitudes translate into postponing initiation of insulin therapy needs to be tested in longitudinal research.
Fear-Related Chemosignals Modulate Recognition of Fear in Ambiguous Facial Expressions
Authors: Zhou Wen , Chen Denise
Published: January 2009

Integrating emotional cues from different senses is critical for adaptive behavior. Much of the evidence on cross-modal perception of emotions has come from studies of vision and audition. This research has shown that an emotion signaled by one sense modulates how the same emotion is perceived in another sense, especially when the input to the latter sense is ambiguous. We tested whether olfaction causes similar sensory modulation of emotion perception. In two experiments, the chemosignal of fearful sweat biased women toward interpreting ambiguous expressions as more fearful, but had no effect when the facial emotion was more discernible. Our findings provide direct behavioral evidence that social chemosignals can communicate emotions and demonstrate that fear-related chemosignals modulate humans' visual emotion perception in an emotion-specific way—an effect that has been hitherto unsuspected.
Second‐order properties of locally stationary processes
Authors: Tamaki Kenichiro
Published: December 2008

Abstract.  In this article, we investigate an optimal property of the maximum likelihood estimator of Gaussian locally stationary processes by the second‐order approximation. In the case where the model is correctly specified, it is shown that appropriate modifications of the maximum likelihood estimator for Gaussian locally stationary processes is second‐order asymptotically efficient. We also discuss second‐order robustness properties.