bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clonidine as an adjuvant for lidocaine in axillary brachial plexus block in patients with chronic renal failure
Authors: Adnan T. , Elif A. A. , Ayşe K. , Gülnaz A.
Published: March 2005

Background:  Clonidine is often used as an adjuvant for local anaesthetics in regional anaesthesia; however, its effects on axillary block in chronic renal failure patients have not been investigated. These effects were the focus of this study.

Methods:  Twenty‐eight adult chronic renal failure patients (ASA physical status III) scheduled for arteriovenous fistula construction were studied in a prospective, randomized, double‐blind, controlled design. All axillary block procedures were performed by the same anaesthesiologist using the nerve stimulator technique. The control group received 40 ml of lidocaine (10 mg ml−1) combined with 1 ml of saline, and the clonidine group received 40 ml of lidocaine (10 mg ml−1) mixed with 150 µg of clonidine. Characteristics of the patients and the blocks were recorded, in addition to data on the nerves stimulated, intraoperative haemodynamic parameters, and sedative and analgesic requirements.

Results:  The onset time for sensory blockade was longer in the clonidine group than in the controls (P = 0.013), and both motor and sensory blocks lasted longer in the clonidine group (P = 0.004, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the clonidine group had lower mean arterial pressures, heart rates and higher sedation scores compared to the controls (P < 0.05 for all).

Conclusion:  Use of clonidine (150 µg) as adjuvant for lidocaine in axillary blocks for arteriovenous fistula construction in chronic renal failure patients prolongs blockade, decreases both heart rates and blood pressures and provides sedative effects.
Effects of anticoagulant treatment on intestinal ischaemia and reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Olanders K. , Börjesson A. , Zhao X. , Andersson R.
Published: March 2005

Background:  In recent years it has become increasingly clear that a cross‐talk between the inflammatory response and blood coagulation exists, although many of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study we investigated the potential anti‐inflammatory properties of two different anticoagulant compounds, i.e. active‐site inactivated FVIIa (FVIIai) and fondaparinux sodium, a selective FXa inhibitor, administered as pretreatment in a model of intestinal I/R in rats.

Methods:  Endothelial barrier permeability was assessed using the vascular leakage of radiolabelled human serum albumin, tissue neutrophil sequestration was quantitated by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and plasma levels of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐2 were examined using an enzyme‐linked‐immuno‐sorbent assay after 40 min of intestinal ischaemia and 6 h of reperfusion in the rat (n = 34). Pretreatment with FVIIai or fondaparinux sodium was administered 90 min before initiation of ischaemia.

Results:  Endothelial‐barrier permeability in all examined organs, myeloperoxidase activity in the lungs, and ileum and MIP‐2 levels in plasma increased after intestinal I/R. Pretreatment with FVIIai decreased the endothelial barrier permeability and MPO activity in the ileum, and a tendency towards decreased permeability was also observed in the lungs. Fondaparinux did not affect the endothelial barrier permeability or MPO activity. Both FVIIai and fondaparinux decreased the MIP‐2 levels in plasma after intestinal I/R.

Conclusions:  Inhibition of the TF‐FVIIa complex by FVIIai can attenuate inflammatory responses in connection with intestinal I/R‐injury and could represent a potentially important therapeutic strategy for the prevention of organ dysfunction. Potential anti‐inflammatory properties of fondaparinux and other inhibitors of FXa are not excluded and need further investigation.
The diagnosis and management of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Royle J , Burgner D , Curtis N
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis of childhood with a predilection for the coronary arteries. It is the predominant cause of paediatric acquired heart disease in developed countries. The aetiology of KD remains unknown and consequently there is no diagnostic test. The diagnosis is made using a constellation of clinical criteria that in isolation have poor sensitivity and specificity. Early treatment prevents overt coronary artery damage in the majority of children. The long‐term effects of childhood KD on later cardiovascular health remain unknown. A recent study showed that treatment of KD in Australia is suboptimal, with late diagnosis occurring in approximately half of the cases and an unacceptably high incidence of acute cardiac involvement. These guidelines highlight the difficulties in the diagnosis of KD and offer some clues that may assist early recognition of this important paediatric disease. They also detail current treatment recommendations and the evidence on which they are based. Increased awareness of the epidemiology and spectrum of the clinical presentation of KD is essential for early recognition and optimal management.
Reduce the rads: A quality assurance project on reducing unnecessary chest X‐rays in children with asthma
Authors: Buckmaster A , Boon R
Published: March 2005

Objectives: To quantify and then reduce the number of unnecessary chest X‐rays (CXR) being performed on children presenting with asthma.

Methods: A retrospective review of case notes of all children, aged 1–15 years, who presented with asthma and had a CXR performed. The setting was two General Hospitals that see all children presenting to an emergency department in the region. The period of review was before and after the development and implementation of a simple guide for staff, with an education programme, outlining when CXR were deemed unnecessary (known asthmatic, primary diagnosis asthma, improving with treatment, pneumothorax not suspected, and not in Intensive Care Unit).

Results: In the 12 months prior to the education programme, 466 children presented with asthma: 260 had a CXR, of which 211 (81.1%) were unnecessary. During the 6 month period following implementation of the programme 197 presented with asthma: 72 had a CXR, of which 56 (78%) were deemed unnecessary. However the percentage of all children presenting with asthma who had an unnecessary CXR fell from 45.3% (211/466) to 28.4% (56/197): P = 0.00005. There was also a decrease in the admission rate from 46% before to 31% after the period of education.

Conclusion: This study determined that an unacceptably high rate of unnecessary CXR was being ordered in children presenting to hospital with asthma. It also showed how a clinically and statistically significant reduction in the overall number of CXR could be achieved, through a simple and easy to implement educational programme. Further measures are needed in addition to ongoing education in order to improve on this achievement.
Hair‐thread tourniquet syndrome
Authors: Golshevsky J , Chuen J , Tung PH
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  We report a case of hair‐thread tourniquet syndrome involving the labia majora of a 14‐year‐old autistic child. ‘Hair‐thread tourniquet’ refers to the process whereby a thread of hair leads to the ischaemic strangulation of an appendage or other piece of tissue. Uncommonly recognized, this syndrome has gradually gained recognition since its first description in 1612. As it remains infrequent, many have attributed its aetiology to abuse or socio‐cultural practices. We review the published literature on this infrequent but important paediatric condition.
Anterior tongue cancer and the incidence of cervical lymph node metastases with increasing tumour thickness: should elective treatment to the neck be standard practice in all patients?
Authors: Veness Michael J. , Morgan Gary J. , Sathiyaseelan Yasoda , Gebski Val
Published: March 2005

Background:  There is an increasing risk of cervical lymph node metastases as tumour thickness increases in patients with anterior tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The role of elective neck treatment in early anterior tongue cancer in unclear.

Methods:  Patients diagnosed with anterior tongue cancer and treated with glossectomy ± neck dissection were identified. The aim was to document the incidence of pathological lymph node metastases and outcome with increasing tumour thickness. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify prognostic factors. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan−Meier method.

Results:  Between 1980 and 2002 99 patients (63 male and 36 female) with anterior tongue SCC were treated at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, and had a documented tumour thickness. Median age at diagnosis was 63 years (23−89 years). Median follow up was 37 months (6−205 months). Sixty‐three patients underwent partial glossectomy and neck dissection. Thirty‐six underwent partial glossectomy only. At the time of presentation 45/63 (71%) were clinically node negative. Using tumour thickness ≤5 mm versus >5 mm the incidence of nodal metastases was 8% versus 51% (P = 0.007). On multivariate analysis pathological nodal involvement and advanced stage both significantly predicted survival. The 2‐year disease‐free survival difference based on tumour thickness (≤5 mm vs >5 mm) was 76% versus 65% (P = 0.47).

Conclusions:  Elective treatment to the ipsilateral neck is not indicated in all patients with anterior tongue cancer. However, for patients with a tumour thickness >5 mm it is recommended that they undergo treatment to the ipsilateral neck in the form of a supraomohyoid neck dissection.
A prospective study comparing the analgesic efficacy of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine in pediatric patients undergoing caudal blockade
Authors: Breschan Christian , Jost Robert , Krumpholz Ruth , Schaumberger Florian , Stettner Haro , Marhofer Peter , Likar Rudolf
Published: March 2005

Background:  The aim of our study was to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy, analgesic duration and motor blockade of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine administered caudally in equal concentrations to children undergoing elective minor surgery.

Methods:  In the study, 182 children, aged 1–7 years, undergoing either inguinal hernia repair or orchidopexy, were randomly allocated to one of the three groups. They received via a caudal extradural either 1 ml·kg−1 levobupivacaine 0.2% (Group L) or 1 ml·kg−1 ropivacaine 0.2% (Group R) or 1 ml·kg−1 bupivacaine 0.2% (Group B).

Results:  No statistically significant difference was noted in age, weight, duration of the operation or level of the caudal block between the groups. The onset of analgesia was significantly later after levobupivacaine. Postoperative pain scoring evaluated with Children's and Infant's Postoperative Pain Scale observational scale showed no statistical difference between groups. Median postoperative analgesia was 5.75 h (SEMed: ± 0.65) in Group L, 5.7 h (SEMed: ± 0.8) in Group R and 5.35 h (SEMed: ± 1.3) in Group B the difference being statistically nonsignificant.

Conclusions:  The degree of motor block was significantly less after ropivacaine and levobupivacaine during the first 2 h postoperatively.
Premedication in children: hypnosis versus midazolam
Authors: CALIPEL SÉVERINE , LUCAS‐POLOMENI MARIE‐MADELEINE , WODEY ERIC , ECOFFEY CLAUDE
Published: March 2005

Background:  The main objectives of premedication in children are to facilitate the separation from the parents, to reduce preoperative anxiety, to smooth the induction of anesthesia and to lower the risk of postoperative behavioral disorders. The most common technique is sedative premedication with midazolam. Hypnosis enables a state of relaxation to be achieved and has never been evaluated as a premedication technique. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of hypnosis on anxiety and perioperative behavioral disorders versus midazolam.

Methods:  Fifty children from 2 to 11 years of age were randomized into two groups: group H received hypnosis as premedication; group M were given 0.5 mg·kg−1 midazolam orally, 30 min before surgery. Preoperative anxiety was evaluated using the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) score when arriving in the department (T1), when entering the operating room (T2), and when fitting the facemask (T3). Postoperative behavioral disorders were evaluated using the Posthospitalization Behavioral Questionnaire (PHBQ) at days 1, 7 and 14.

Results:  The two groups showed no significant difference preoperatively with the PHBQ: (M) 21 (17–25) vs (H) 20 (8–25) and mYPAS score: (M) 28 (23–75) vs (H) 23 (23–78). The number of anxious children was less during induction of anesthesia in the hypnosis group (T3: 39% vs 68%) (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, hypnosis reduced the frequency of behavior disorders approximately by half on day 1 (30% vs 62%) and day 7 (26% vs 59%).

Conclusions:  Hypnosis seems effective as premedication in children scheduled for surgery. It alleviates preoperative anxiety, especially during induction of anesthesia and reduces behavioral disorders during the first postoperative week.
Narrative vigilance: the analysis of stories in health care
Authors: Paley John , Eva Gail
Published: March 2005

Abstract The idea of narrative has been widely discussed in the recent health care literature, including nursing, and has been portrayed as a resource for both clinical work and research studies. However, the use of the term ‘narrative’ is inconsistent, and various assumptions are made about the nature (and functions) of narrative: narrative as a naive account of events; narrative as the source of ‘subjective truth’; narrative as intrinsically fictional; and narrative as a mode of explanation. All these assumptions have left their mark on the nursing literature, and all of them (in our view) are misconceived. Here, we argue that a failure to distinguish between ‘narrative’ and ‘story’ is partly responsible for these misconceptions, and we offer an analysis that shows why the distinction between them is essential. In doing so, we borrow the concept of ‘narrativity’ from literary criticism. Narrativity is something that a text has degrees of, and our proposal is that the elements of narrativity can be ‘sorted’ roughly into a continuum, at the ‘high narrativity’ end of which we find ‘story’. On our account, ‘story’ is an interweaving of plot and character, whose organization is designed to elicit a certain emotional response from the reader, while ‘narrative’ refers to the sequence of events and the (claimed) causal connections between them. We suggest that it is important not to confuse the emotional persuasiveness of the ‘story’ with the objective accuracy of the ‘narrative’, and to this end we recommend what might be called ‘narrative vigilance’. There is nothing intrinsically authentic, or sacrosanct, or emancipatory, or paradigmatic about narrative itself, even though the recent health care literature has had a marked tendency to romanticize it.
Homeland Security and the U.S. Public Management Policy Agenda
Authors: MOYNIHAN DONALD P.
Published: March 2005

The U.S. has been described as an “uninteresting laggard” in comparative public management policy. The passage of the Homeland Security Act in 2002 demands a reevaluation of this label. The Act created the Department of Homeland Security, but also marked a dramatic shift toward greater public personnel flexibility, both for the new Department and the entire federal government. It is tempting to suggest that the Act is an effort to “catch up” with the New Public Management benchmark countries. However, such an argument is overly simplistic and misleading. This article argues that the Act represents a triumph of a preexisting management agenda that was successfully tied to the issue of security during a political window of opportunity. The management agenda of the Bush administration pursues many of the concerns of the Clinton era, but does so with a more top‐down and centralized interpretation of flexibility, reflecting an executive‐centered philosophy toward government and a willingness to tackle the dominant stakeholder in this area, public service unions.
The Politics of Administrative Reforms in Asia: Paradigms and Legacies, Paths and Diversities
Authors: CHEUNG ANTHONY B. L.
Published: March 2005

Many Asian governments have embarked on administrative reforms of one kind or another, engaging in rhetoric that resonates with the global paradigms of “new public management” and “good governance.” This article seeks to understand Asian administrative reforms against the background of international influence, policy diffusion, domestic politics, institutional dynamics, and administrative traditions and legacies. It is impossible to capture the whole range of national reform types within any neat and tidy Asian paradigm, but some common strands of national reform paths in the region can still be traced. Different problems and failures are found to be addressed by Asian reforms, reflecting diverse motives and resulting in varied outcomes. The “old” public administration regime has largely coexisted with the “new” public management approaches and tools.
Care needs and economic consequences after acute ischemic stroke: the Erlangen Stroke Project
Authors: Ward A. , Payne K. A. , Caro J. J. , Heuschmann P. U. , Kolominsky‐Rabas P. L.
Published: March 2005

The objective was to determine the functional outcome, location of care and economic consequences in the first 3 months after ischemic stroke. As part of the Erlangen Stroke Project, (ESPro) information was collected on patients suffering a first‐ever ischemic stroke. Three months after the stroke, location of care, dependence on caregivers and function based on Barthel Index: poor (0–55), moderate (60–90) or good function (95–100) were recorded. Data about health services used were combined with cost estimates for Germany (€2000 Euros, undiscounted). Of 491 patients hospitalized, 383 were alive 3 months afterwards, 79% residing in the community. The majority of patients with poor function (60%) were still in institutional care. Patients with good function typically accrued the lowest costs, whether in an institution (€17 965) or not (€11 032) compared with poorer function who were living in an institution (poor: €26 370; moderate: €28,121), or community (poor: €27,207; moderate: €19,350). Hospitalization and rehabilitation services were the major costs accrued at each level of function. Many patients were left requiring a substantial amount of care and the costs associated with providing institutional care has a major impact on the economic consequences of a stroke.
Changes of seizures activity during rapid withdrawal of lamotrigine
Authors: Wang‐Tilz Y. , Tilz C. , Wang B. , Pauli E. , Koebnick C. , Stefan H.
Published: March 2005

Quantitatively evaluating the rapid withdrawal effects of lamotrigine (LTG) and carbamazepine (CBZ) on seizure activity during pre‐surgical evaluation in patients with pharmacoresistant complex partial epilepsy. The duration and frequency of seizure activities and electrographic seizure onset of 41 patients totally withdrawing from CBZ monotherapy (n = 20), LTG monotherapy (n = 10) and CBZ + LTG combined therapy (n = 11) were intensively studied by therapeutic intensive seizure analysis (TISA) method. Study phases ran from the baseline phase to the antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal phase until the AED free phase, 3 days for each phase. Seizure duration and frequency obviously increased during the withdrawal process in each group (P < 0.05). The duration of secondarily generalized clonic signs markedly increased with the tapering of each drug; tonic signs, however, only in the AED free phase (P < 0.05). The frequency of secondary tonic and clonic signs only increased in the CBZ and CBZ + LTG group. Intergroup comparisons of all variables were insignificant (P > 0.05). There was no change of ictal EEG localization during all withdrawal protocols. All patients experienced more severe seizures during the withdrawal processes. An earlier aggravation of the clonic signs than the tonic signs was observed in each group. Difference between the withdrawal effects of LTG and CBZ monotherapy and LTG + CBZ polytherapy was mainly in the frequency change of ictal signs. The withdrawal process did not influence the ictal EEG localization. This study justified the withdrawal in pre‐surgical localization, rationalized precautions for possible accompanying risks, and also aroused attentions in clinical anticonvulsant trials and substitutions involving withdrawal process.
Effect of IL‐4 and IL‐13 on collagen production in cultured LI90 human hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Sugimoto Rie , Enjoji Munechika , Nakamuta Makoto , Ohta Satoshi , Kohjima Motoyuki , Fukushima Marie , Kuniyoshi Masami , Arimura Eiichiro , Morizono Shusuke , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Nawata Hajime
Published: March 2005

Background: Recently, it has been reported that interleukin 4 (IL‐4) and 13 (IL‐13) directly activate fibroblasts and promote fibrosis. In the process of hepatic fibrosis, the effects of these cytokines on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are not well known.

Methods: We evaluated the effects of IL‐4 and IL‐13 on the collagen production and the proliferation of LI90, a hepatic stellate cell line. We also examined whether interferon (IFN) interferes with the expression of collagen, since IFN has been reported to clinically suppress hepatic fibrosis.

Results: The receptor complex for IL‐4 and IL‐13 was IL‐4Rα/IL‐13Rα1 on LI90 cells, and the phosphorylation of Stat6 was induced by IL‐4 and IL‐13. The treatment of LI90 cells with IL‐4 or IL‐13 increased the production of collagen I protein levels by nearly three times in comparison with untreated cells. Collagen mRNA levels were increased roughly 10‐fold by IL‐4 and 100‐fold by IL‐13. Interestingly, BrdU incorporation in LI90 cells was decreased by IL‐4 or IL‐13 treatment. Furthermore, induction of collagen I production by these cytokines was blocked by IFNα or IFNβ treatment, although neither treatment alone suppressed collagen production.

Conclusions: Our data suggested that IL‐4 and IL‐13 directly affected HSCs by increasing collagen production and suppressing cell proliferation. The anti‐fibrogenetic effect of IFN may be due in part to the blockade of IL‐4 and IL‐13 stimulation of HSCs.
Evaluation of the relationship between interleukin‐1 gene cluster polymorphisms and early implant failure in non‐smoking patients
Authors: Campos Maria I. G. , Santos Maria C. L. G. , Trevilatto Paula C. , Scarel‐Caminaga Raquel M. , Bezerra Fábio J. B. , Line Sergio R. P.
Published: March 2005

Objective:The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between specific polymorphisms of the interleukin‐1 gene cluster and the early failure of osseointegrated implants.

Material and methods:The subject population was composed by a test group comprising 28 non‐smoking patients (mean age 52.7) that had suffered one or more early implant failures and by a control group consisting of 34 individuals (mean age 43.3) with one or more healthy implants. Genomic DNA from buccal mucosa was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and submitted to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to distinguish the alleles of the interleukin‐1A (−889), interleukin‐1B (+3953), interleukin‐1B (−511) and interleukin‐RN (intron 2) gene polymorphisms. Differences in the allele and genotype frequencies between control and test groups were assessed by χ2test or by Monte Carlo simulations (P<0.05). Haplotype frequencies, linkage disequilibrium and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were also estimated.

Results:No statistically significant differences were found in the genotype distribution or allelic frequencies of the polymorphisms. No differences were observed between control and test groups when different interleukin‐1 gene cluster haplotypes were compared. Nevertheless, the interleukin‐1A (−889) and interleukin‐1B (+3953) polymorphic sites were in strong linkage disequilibrium (P=0.00014 for control group andP=0.0238 for the test group).

Conclusion:This study suggests that polymorphisms in the interleukin‐1 gene cluster are not associated with early implant failure in a non‐smoking Brazilian population.
Implant design and intraosseous stability of immediately placed implants: a human cadaver study
Authors: Akkocaoglu Murat , Uysal Serdar , Tekdemir Ibrahim , Akca Kιvanc , Cehreli Murat Cavit
Published: March 2005

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore effects of implant macrodesign and diameter on initial intraosseous stability and interface mechanical properties of immediately placed implants.

Material and method: Mandibular premolars of four fresh‐frozen human cadavers were extracted. Ø 4.1/4.8 mm ITI® TE®, Ø 4.1 and 4.8 mm solid screw synOcta® ITI® implants were placed into freshly prepared extraction sockets. Resonance frequency analysis was conducted to quantify primary implant stability quotient (ISQ). Installation torque value (ITV) and removal torque value (RTV) of the implants were measured using a custom‐made strain‐gauged torque wrench connected to a data acquisition system at a sample rate of 10,000 Hz. The vertical defect depth around the collar of each implant was measured directly by an endodontic spreader. The bone–implant contact was determined in digitalized images of periapical radiographs and expressed as percentage bone contact.

Results: The ISQ values of the TE® implant was higher than the Ø 4.1 mm implant (P<0.01), and comparable with the Ø 4.8 mm implants (P>0.05). ITVs and RTVs of TE® and Ø 4.8 mm implants were higher than the Ø 4.1 mm implant, although the differences between groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). The vertical defect depths around all types of implants were similar. In the radiographic analyses, percentage bone–implant contact of the TE® and Ø 4.8 mm implants were comparable at the marginal bone region and both were higher than that of the Ø 4.1 mm ITI® implant. Nonparametric correlations between groups revealed a significant correlation between ITV and RTV (r=0.838; P<0.001), but not between ISQ values and ITVs and RTVs (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Immediately placed ITI® TE® implant leads to initial intraosseous stability and interface mechanical properties comparable with a wide diameter implant.
Healing of dehiscence‐type defects in implants placed together with different barrier membranes: a comparative clinical study
Authors: Moses Ofer , Pitaru Sandu , Artzi Zvi , Nemcovsky Carlos E.
Published: March 2005

Objective: Premature exposure of membranes used in guided bone regeneration (GBR) results in decreased bone formation. The effect of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e‐PTFE) and two collagen membrane on bone healing of buccal dehiscence defects around implants in cases with and without premature membrane exposure was clinically evaluated.

Methods: Three groups were established: Group OS (Ossix™, n=73 implants, 41 patients), Group BG (Bio‐Gide®, n=53 implants, 28 patients) and Group GT (e‐PTFE, Gore‐Tex®, n=34 implants, 17 patients). Defect height and width were measured at the time of implant placement and at second stage surgery. Surface area was calculated as half ellipses. When several implants were placed simultaneously, a mean of their defect width and height was calculated.

Results: Mean percentage reduction of defect area (92.2±13.78% Group OS, 94.6±6.69% Group BG, and 97.3±4.91% Group GT) and height (81.6±23.19%, 85.4±12.26%, and 93.4±9.39% respectively) did not show statistically significant differences between groups. Differences between groups were not statistically significant for all parameters when cases without spontaneous membrane exposure were compared. However, differences were significant when spontaneous membrane exposure occurred. Mean percentage reduction of defect area among cases where membrane exposure occurred was 91.5±10.86% Group OS, 71.5±8.61% Group BG, and 73.7±13.97% Group GT. Mean percentage reduction of defect height among cases with membrane exposure was 76.4±18.28%, 53.4±9.86%, and 49.4±11.05%, respectively.

Conclusions: Premature exposure of membranes and subsequent and consequent exposure of implants results in impaired bone healing. Certain barrier membranes, as used in group OS, are apparently capable of supporting gingival healing even when prematurely exposed that could be advantageous in GBR procedures.
Surgical advantages with ITI TE® implants placement in conjunction with split crest technique
Authors: Ferrigno Nicola , Laureti Mauro
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Implant rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla may be somewhat problematic because of anatomic situations involving insufficient bone thickness. One approach in this situation is localized ridge augmentation with the split crest technique. This surgical approach allows the external cortical plate of the maxilla to be moved in a labial direction to gain an increase in width to introduce implants of appropriate diameter. This ongoing prospective study evaluated: (i) the surgical advantages that the new ITI TE® implants have showed compared with the ITI standard solid‐screw implants when placed in conjunction with the split crest technique and (ii) the implant success rate associated with 42 ITI TE® implants and 40 ITI standard solid‐screw implants placed in 40 patients in conjunction with the split crest technique. ITI TE® implants have shown direct and indirect advantages in reducing the risk of fracture of the labial cortical plate during all the three fundamental surgical steps of this technique: (a) the ridge expansion with osteotomes; (b) implant site preparation with drills and (c) implant insertion. The overall success rates of ITI TE® implants and standard screw implants were 100% and 95%, respectively. Based on the preliminary results of the present study, it can be concluded that ITI TE® implants inserted in conjunction with split crest technique seem to be a promising surgical procedure to treat selected anatomic situations involving insufficient maxillary bone thickness.
Estimation of genetic parameters for growth and feed utilization traits in Japanese Black cattle
Authors: SHOJO Masayuki , YONG Jiang , ANADA Katsuhito , OYAMA Kenji , MUKAI Fumio
Published: March 2005

Performance test results of 3250 sire candidates were used to estimate the genetic parameters of growth and feed utilization traits in Japanese Black cattle. Growth traits analyzed were six body measurements at the end of the performance test and daily gain (DG) during the test. Feed utilization traits were intakes and conversions of concentrate, roughage, digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient (TDN). Genetic (co)variance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood procedure using an expectation maximization algorithm under the two‐trait animal model. Heritabilities for growth traits ranged from 0.40 to 0.70 and for feed utilization traits from 0.21 to 0.74. Genetic correlations of DG were positive with feed intake (0.15–0.77) and negative with feed conversions (−0.63 to −0.30). These relationships indicate that the selection based on DG improves feed efficiency but it simultaneously increases feed intake. Feed conversions showed genetic correlations ranging from −0.09 to 0.03 with total available energy consumption, TDN intake. Thus the results suggested that feed conversions were not efficient selection criteria to decrease TDN intake and to improve comprehensive feed utilization ability.
Effect of theanine, γ‐glutamylethylamide, on bodyweight and fat accumulation in mice
Authors: ZHENG Guodong , BAMBA Kimio , OKUBO Tsutomu , RAJ JUNEJA Lekh , OGUNI Itaro , SAYAMA Kazutoshi
Published: March 2005

To clarify the details of the anti‐obesity effect of theanine, γ‐glutamylethylamide, female ICR mice were fed diets containing theanine at the concentrations of 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.16% for 16 weeks. Bodyweight and food intake in the mice were measured every 4 weeks, and several organs and intraperitoneal adipose tissues (IPAT) were weighed after the feeding. In addition, lipid levels in the serum and liver were analyzed. As a result, the bodyweight increase and weight of IPAT were significantly reduced in mice fed 0.04% theanine compared with controls, but not in mice fed other diets. The levels of triglycerides (TG) and non‐esterified fatty acids in the serum and TG level in the liver in mice fed the 0.04% theanine diet were remarkably decreased. These results indicated that bodyweight increase and fat accumulation were suppressed by a limited concentration of 0.04% theanine in mice.
Staphylococcus aureus
NfrA (SA0367) Is a Flavin Mononucleotide-Dependent NADPH Oxidase Involved in Oxidative Stress Response
Authors: Streker Karin , Freiberg Christoph , Labischinski Harald , Hacker Jörg , Ohlsen Knut
Published: March 2005

The NfrA protein, a putative essential oxidoreductase in the soil bacterium
Bacillus subtilis
, is induced under heat shock and oxidative stress conditions. In order to characterize the function of an homologous NfrA protein in
Staphylococcus aureus
, an
nfrA
deletion strain was constructed, the protein was purified, the enzymatic activity was determined, and the transcriptional regulation was investigated. The experiments revealed that NfrA is not essential in
S. aureus
. The purified protein oxidized NADPH but not NADH, producing NADP in the presence of flavin mononucleotide, suggesting that NfrA is an NADPH oxidase in
S. aureus
. In addition, the NfrA enzyme showed nitroreductase activity and weak disulfide reductase activity. Transcription was strongly induced by ethanol, diamide, and nitrofurantoin. Hydrogen peroxide induced
nfrA
transcription only at high concentrations. The expression of
nfrA
was independent of the alternative sigma factor σ
B
. Furthermore, the transcriptional start site was determined, which allowed identification of a PerR box homologous sequence upstream of the
nfrA
promoter. The observations presented here suggest that NfrA is a nonessential NADPH oxidoreductase which may play a role in the oxidative stress response of
S. aureus
, especially in keeping thiol-disulfide stress in balance.
Pleiotropic Effect of a Histidine Kinase on Carbohydrate Metabolism in
Synechocystis
sp. Strain PCC 6803 and Its Requirement for Heterotrophic Growth
Authors: Singh Abhay K. , Sherman Louis A.
Published: March 2005

The deletion of a gene coding for a histidine kinase (sll0750, Hik8) in the unicellular cyanobacterium
Synechocystis
sp. strain PCC 6803 resulted in a conditional lethal phenotype with a pleiotropic effect on the expression of genes involved in glucose metabolism. This mutant had comparable doubling times to wild type (WT) in continuous-light-grown photoautotrophic and mixotrophic cultures, whereas it grew poorly under mixotrophic conditions with different light and dark cycles. Growth was completely stopped, and cells eventually died, when the light duration was less than 6 h on a 24-h regimen. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that steady-state transcript levels of genes encoding key enzymes of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and glycogen metabolism were significantly altered in a strain with mutant
hik8
(
Δhik8
) grown with or without glucose. In some cases, differential expression was dependent on growth conditions (photoautotrophic versus mixotrophic). The enzyme activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, and phosphofructokinase were significantly reduced in
Δhik8
compared to WT. Glycogen determination indicated that
Δhik8
accumulated glycogen under mixotrophic conditions but was unable to utilize these reserves for heterotrophic growth. The results suggest that the loss of
gap1
transcription in the absence of Hik8 was the key factor that rendered cells unable to catabolize glucose and grow heterotrophically. Additionally, the transcript levels of the phytochrome gene (
cph1
) and its cotranscribed response regulator gene (
rcp1
) were significantly reduced and its dark inducibility was lost in
Δhik8
. The results demonstrated that Hik8 plays an important role in glucose metabolism and is necessary for heterotrophic growth.
Involvement of AlpV, a New Member of the
Streptomyces
Antibiotic Regulatory Protein Family, in Regulation of the Duplicated Type II Polyketide Synthase
alp
Gene Cluster in
Streptomyces ambofaciens
Authors: Aigle Bertrand , Pang Xiuhua , Decaris Bernard , Leblond Pierre
Published: March 2005

A type II polyketide synthase gene cluster located in the terminal inverted repeats of
Streptomyces ambofaciens
ATCC 23877 was shown to be responsible for the production of an orange pigment and alpomycin, a new antibiotic probably belonging to the angucycline/angucyclinone class. Remarkably, this
alp
cluster contains five potential regulatory genes, three of which (
alpT
,
alpU
, and
alpV
) encode proteins with high similarity to members of the
Streptomyces
antibiotic regulatory protein (SARP) family. Deletion of the two copies of
alpV
(one in each
alp
cluster located at the two termini) abolished pigment and antibiotic production, suggesting that AlpV acts as a transcriptional activator of the biosynthetic genes. Consistent with this idea, the transcription of
alpA
, which encodes a ketosynthase essential for orange pigment and antibiotic production, was impaired in the
alpV
mutant, while the expression of
alpT
,
alpU
, and
alpZ
, another regulatory gene encoding a γ-butyrolactone receptor, was not significantly affected. Real-time PCR experiments showed that transcription of
alpV
in the wild-type strain increases dramatically after entering the transition phase. This induction precedes that of
alpA
, suggesting that AlpV needs to reach a threshold level to activate the expression of the structural genes. When introduced into an
S. coelicolor
mutant with deletions of
act
II-ORF4 and
redD
, the SARP-encoding genes regulating the biosynthesis of actinorhodin and undecylprodigiosin, respectively,
alpV
was able to restore actinorhodin production only. However,
act
II-ORF4 did not complement the
alpV
mutant, suggesting that AlpV and ActII-ORF4 may act in a different way.
MODULAR NEURAL NETWORK DESIGN FOR THE PROBLEM OF ALPHABETIC CHARACTER RECOGNITION
Authors: FERGUSON BRENT , GHOSH RANADHIR , YEARWOOD JOHN
Published: March 2005

This paper reports on an experimental approach to find a modularized artificial neural network solution for the UCI letters recognition problem. Our experiments have been carried out in two parts. We investigate directed task decomposition using expert knowledge and clustering approaches to find the subtasks for the modules of the network. We next investigate processes to combine the modules effectively in a single decision process. After having found suitable modules through task decomposition we have found through further experimentation that when the modules are combined with decision tree supervision, their functional error is reduced significantly to improve their combination through the decision process that has been implemented as a small multilayered perceptron. The experiments conclude with a modularized neural network design for this classification problem that has increased learning and generalization characteristics. The test results for this network are markedly better than a single or stand alone network that has a fully connected topology.
A GALLERY OF ATTRACTORS FROM SMOOTH CHUA'S EQUATION
Authors: TSUNEDA AKIO
Published: March 2005

In this tutorial paper, we present some interesting phenomena from Chua's equation with a cubic nonlinearity as well as that with a piecewise-linear characteristic, where a cubic polynomial approximates the original three-segment piecewise-linear function. A gallery of attractors and bifurcation diagrams obtained by numerical simulations are presented. We hope this will motivate researchers to study the smooth version of this extremely simple yet versatile equation with more than 20 attractors.
ON THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRIC CONDUCTION MEDIATED BY DISSIPATIVE SOLITONS
Authors: VELARDE MANUEL G. , EBELING WERNER , CHETVERIKOV ALEXANDER P.
Published: March 2005

Based on the study of the dynamics of a dissipation-modified Toda anharmonic (one-dimensional, circular) lattice ring we predict here a new form of electric conduction mediated by dissipative solitons. The electron-ion-like interaction permits the trapping of the electron by soliton excitations in the lattice, thus leading to a soliton-driven current much higher than the Drude-like (linear, Ohmic) current. Besides, as we lower the values of the externally imposed field this new form of current survives, with a field-independent value.
SQUARE FRACTAL ALGORITHM
Authors: SUCHARD EYTAN H.
Published: March 2005

Spanning a planar graph the way D. Hilbert's curve does has various image processing and industrial applications. Spanning a planar graph by two disjoint curves with fractal properties has even more scientific and industrial uses. For example, given two liquids and an active osmosis through membrane between them, we would like to both cool the liquids and to find a cost-effective structure for the osmosis to occur. Another equivalent problem is to expose two liquids to light that passes through a transparent slab as the osmosis between them occurs. Two disjoint curves can be the answer for the required structure. Differences of lengths between the curves can also be useful. A fractal structure is obvious in the lungs, where osmosis of oxygen is vital. Fractal structures are often found in organic osmotic processes in Nature. In this article, a method for spanning a planar graph by two disjoint curves will be presented.
Physical training reverses defect in 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase activity in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats
Authors: El Midaoui Adil , Chiasson Jean Louis , Tancrède Gilles , Nadeau André
Published: March 2005

To investigate one potential mechanism whereby physical training improves the plasma concentration of ketone bodies in experimental diabetes mellitus, we measured the activity of 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase, the key enzyme in the peripheral utilization of ketone bodies. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and training carried out on a treadmill with a progressive 10-wk program. Diabetes resulted in an increase ( P < 0.001) in plasma concentration of β-hydroxybutyric acid in sedentary rats, which was partly reversed by training ( P < 0.001). Diabetes was also associated with a decreased activity of 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase in gastrocnemius muscle. When expressed per total gastrocnemius, training increased the activity of 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase by 66% in nondiabetic rats ( P < 0.001) and by 150% in diabetic rats ( P < 0.001), the decrease present in diabetic rats being fully reversed by training. Simple linear regression between the log of 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase activity and the log of plasma β-hydroxybutyric acid levels showed a statistically significant ( r = 0.563, P < 0.001) negative correlation. The beneficial effects of training on plasma ketone bodies in diabetic rats are probably explained, at least in part, by an increase in ketone body utilization, mediated by an increase in skeletal muscle 3-ketoacid CoA-transferase activity.
Clenbuterol induces muscle-specific attenuation of atrophy through effects on the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway
Authors: Yimlamai Tossaporn , Dodd Stephen L. , Borst Stephen E. , Park Sooyeon
Published: March 2005

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is primarily responsible for myofibrillar protein degradation during hindlimb unweighting (HU). β-Adrenergic agonists such as clenbuterol (CB) induce muscle hypertrophy and attenuate muscle atrophy due to disuse or inactivity. However, the molecular mechanism by which CB exerts these effects remains poorly understood. The aims of this study were to investigate whether CB attenuates HU-induced muscle atrophy through an inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and whether insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mediates this inhibition. Rats were randomized to the following groups: weight-bearing control, 14-day CB-treated, 14-day HU, and CB + HU. HU-induced atrophy was associated with increased proteolysis and upregulation of components of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (ubiquitin conjugates, ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2-14kDa, and 20S proteasome activity). Upregulation of the ubiquitin proteasome occurred in all muscles tested but was more pronounced in muscles composed primarily of slow-twitch fibers (soleus) than in fast-twitch muscles (plantaris and tibialis anterior). Although CB induced hypertrophy in all muscles, CB attenuated the HU-induced atrophy and reduced ubiquitin conjugates only in the fast plantaris and tibialis anterior and not in the slow soleus muscle. CB did not elevate IGF-I protein content in either of the muscles examined. These results suggest that CB induces hypertrophy and alleviates HU-induced atrophy, particularly in the fast muscles, at least in part through a muscle-specific inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and that these effects are not mediated by the local production of IGF-I in skeletal muscle.
Impact of Time-Dependent Changes in Spine Density and Spine Shape on the Input-Output Properties of a Dendritic Branch: A Computational Study
Authors: Verzi D. W. , Rheuben M. B. , Baer S. M.
Published: March 2005

Populations of dendritic spines can change in number and shape quite rapidly as a result of synaptic activity. Here, we explore the consequences of such changes on the input–output properties of a dendritic branch. We consider two models: one for activity-dependent spine densities and the other for calcium-mediated spine-stem restructuring. In the activity-dependent density model we find that for repetitive synaptic input to passive spines, changes in spine density remain local to the input site. For excitable spines, the spine density increases both inside and outside the input region. When the spine stem resistances are relatively high, the transition to higher dendritic output is abrupt; when low, the rate of increase is gradual and resembles long-term potentiation. In the second model, spine density is held constant, but the stem dimensions are allowed to change as a result of stimulation-induced calcium influxes. The model is formulated so that a moderate amount of synaptic activation results in spine stem elongation, whereas high levels of activation result in stem shortening. Under these conditions, passive spines receiving modest stimulation progressively increase their spine stem resistance and head potentials, but little change occurs in the dendritic output. For excitable spines, modest stimulation frequencies cause a lengthening of both stimulated and neighboring spines and the stimulus eventually propagates. High-frequency stimulation that causes spines to shorten in the stimulated region decreases the amplitude of the dendritic output slightly or drastically, depending on initial spine densities and stem resistances.