bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of fentanyl, alfentanil, and sufentanil in isoflurane‐anesthetized cats
Authors: Pypendop B. H. , Brosnan R. J. , Majewski‐Tiedeken C. R. , Stanley S. D. , Ilkiw J. E. 
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of fentanyl, alfentanil, and sufentanil in isoflurane‐anesthetized cats. Six adult cats were used. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. End‐tidal isoflurane concentration was set at 2% and adjusted as required due to spontaneous movement. Fentanyl (10 μg/kg), alfentanil (100 μg/kg), or sufentanil (1 μg/kg) was administered intravenously as a bolus, on separate days. Blood samples were collected immediately before and for 8 h following drug administration. Plasma drug concentration was determined using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Compartment models were fitted to concentration–time data. A 3‐compartment model best fitted the concentration–time data for all drugs, except for 1 cat in the sufentanil group (excluded from analysis). The volume of the central compartment and the volume of distribution at steady‐state (L/kg) [mean ± SEM (range)], the clearance (mL/min/kg) [harmonic mean ± pseudo‐SD (range)], and the terminal half‐life (min) [median (range)] were 0.25 ± 0.04 (0.09–0.34), 2.18 ± 0.16 (1.79–2.83), 18.6 ± 5.0 (15–29.8), and 151 (115–211) for fentanyl; 0.10 ± 0.01 (0.07–0.14), 0.89 ± 0.16 (0.68–1.83), 11.6 ± 2.6 (9.2–15.8), and 144 (118–501) for alfentanil; and 0.06 ± 0.01 (0.04–0.10), 0.77 ± 0.07 (0.63–0.99), 17.6 ± 4.3 (13.9–24.3), and 54 (46–76) for sufentanil. Differences in clearance and volume of distribution result in similar terminal half‐lives for fentanyl and alfentanil, longer than for sufentanil.
Prevalence and causes of abnormal liver function in patients with coeliac disease
Authors: Casella Giovanni , Antonelli Elisabetta , Di Bella Camillo , Villanacci Vincenzo , Fanini Lucia , Baldini Vittorio , Bassotti Gabrio 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackground & AimsCoeliac disease patients frequently display mild elevation of liver enzymes and this abnormality usually normalizes after gluten‐free diet. To investigate the cause and prevalence of altered liver function tests in coeliac patients, basally and after 1 year of gluten‐free diet.Patients and methodsData from 245 untreated CD patients (196 women and 49 men, age range 15–80 years) were retrospectively analysed and the liver function tests before and after diet, as well as associated liver pathologies, were assessed.ResultsOverall, 43/245 (17.5%) patients had elevated values of one or both aminotransferases; the elevation was mild (<5 times the upper reference limit) in 41 (95%) and marked (>10 times the upper reference limit) in the remaining 2 (5%) patients. After 1 year of gluten‐free diet, aminotransferase levels normalized in all but four patients with HCV infection or primary biliary cirrhosis.ConclusionsIn coeliac patients, hypertransaminaseaemia at diagnosis and the lack of normalization of liver enzymes after 12 months of diet suggest coexisting liver disease. In such instance, further evaluation is recommended to exclude the liver disease. Early recognition and treatment of coeliac disease in patients affected by liver disease are important to improve the liver function and prevent complications.
Facultative predation and scavenging by mammalian carnivores: seasonal, regional and intra‐guild comparisons
Authors: Pereira Laura M. , Owen-Smith Norman , Moleón Marcos 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The extent to which vertebrate carnivores shift facultatively between predation and scavenging has recently been emphasized. Potentially, all carnivores have to do is wait until animals succumb to the debilitating effects of advancing age. However, this may be insufficient because of intense competition among other scavengers and decomposers for food. Moreover, the availability of carcasses of animals dying from causes other than predation varies seasonally, so carnivores must be adapted to exploit various sources of food through the seasonal cycle.
We explore how mammalian carnivores cope with seasonality in carrion supply and in prey vulnerability to predation. We focus mainly on large carnivores and ungulates, and compare especially ecological communities in northern temperate and African savanna ecosystems.
When carrion is scarce, carnivores can (i) take advantage of temporarily vulnerable segments of prey populations, such as newborn young, heavily pregnant females and males distracted or debilitated by reproduction, (ii) switch to carcass remains left by or stolen from other carnivores, or (iii) exploit small animals and non‐animal food sources.
Relationships between carnivores tending towards predation or scavenging can be both competitive and facilitative. Top carnivores may provide a supply of carcasses throughout the year, which subsidizes scavengers when carrion availability from other sources is low. Alterations of seasonal patterns due to anthropogenic environmental change may enhance the role of top carnivores as buffers of anthropogenic perturbations of natural processes.
Megaherbivores, which are not normally regarded as prey but can provide huge carrion subsidies, may strongly influence interspecific interactions between carnivores and the proportion of food flowing towards scavenging relative to predation.
Relationships among carnivores based on hunting vs. scavenging strategies are flexible and subject to changes in response to circumstances. Their functional complexity is relevant for assessing the effects of global change on ecosystem function.
Numerical modeling of asteroid survivability and possible scenarios for the Morokweng crater‐forming impact
Authors: Potter Ross W. K. , Collins Gareth S. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe fate of the impactor is an important aspect of the impact‐cratering process. Defining impactor material as surviving if it remains solid (i.e., does not melt or vaporize) during crater formation, previous numerical modeling and experiments have shown that survivability decreases with increasing impact velocity, impact angle (with respect to the horizontal), and target density. Here, we show that in addition to these, impactor survivability depends on the porosity and shape of the impactor. Increasing impactor porosity decreases impactor survivability, while prolate‐shaped (polar axis > equatorial axis) impactors survive impact more so than spherical and oblate‐shaped (polar axis < equatorial axis) impactors. These results are used to produce a relatively simple equation, which can be used to estimate the impactor fraction shocked to a given pressure as a function of these parameters. By applying our findings to the Morokweng crater‐forming impact, we suggest impact scenarios that explain the high meteoritic content and presence of unmolten fossil meteorites within the Morokweng crater. In addition to previous suggestions of a low‐velocity and/or high‐angled impact, this work suggests that an elongated and/or low porosity impactor may also help explain the anomalously high survivability of the Morokweng impactor.
Thermal modeling of shock melts in Martian meteorites: Implications for preserving Martian atmospheric signatures and crystallization of high‐pressure minerals from shock melts
Authors: Shaw Cliff S. J. , Walton Erin 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe distribution of shock melts in four shergottites, having both vein and pocket geometry, has been defined and the conductive cooling time over the range 2500 °C to 900 °C calculated. Isolated 1 mm2 pockets cool in 1.17 s and cooling times increase with pocket area. An isolated vein 1 × 7 mm in Northwest Africa (NWA) 4797 cools to 900 °C in 4.5 s. Interference between thermal haloes of closely spaced shock melts decreases the thermal gradient, extending cooling times by a factor of 1.4 to 100. This is long enough to allow differential diffusion of Ar and Xe from the melt. Small pockets (1 mm2) lose 2.2% Ar and 5.2% Xe during cooling, resulting in a small change in the Ar/Xe ratio of the dissolved gas over that originally trapped. With longer cooling times there is significant fractionation of Xe from Ar and the Ar/Xe ratio increases rapidly. The largest pockets show less variation of Ar/Xe and likely preserve the original trapped gas composition. Considering all of the model calculations, even the smallest isolated pockets have cooling times greater than the duration of the pressure pulse, i.e., >0.01 s. The crystallization products of these shock melts will be unrelated to the peak shock pressure experienced by the meteorite.
Microevolution in time and space: SNP analysis of historical DNA reveals dynamic signatures of selection in Atlantic cod
Authors: Therkildsen Nina O. , Hemmer‐Hansen Jakob , Als Thomas D. , Swain Douglas P. , Morgan M. Joanne , Trippel Edward A. , Palumbi Stephen R. , Meldrup Dorte , Nielsen Einar E. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractLittle is known about how quickly natural populations adapt to changes in their environment and how temporal and spatial variation in selection pressures interact to shape patterns of genetic diversity. We here address these issues with a series of genome scans in four overfished populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) studied over an 80‐year period. Screening of >1000 gene‐associated single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified 77 loci that showed highly elevated levels of differentiation, likely as an effect of directional selection, in either time, space or both. Exploratory analysis suggested that temporal allele frequency shifts at certain loci may correlate with local temperature variation and with life history changes suggested to be fisheries induced. Interestingly, however, largely nonoverlapping sets of loci were temporal outliers in the different populations and outliers from the 1928 to 1960 period showed almost complete stability during later decades. The contrasting microevolutionary trajectories among populations resulted in sequential shifts in spatial outliers, with no locus maintaining elevated spatial differentiation throughout the study period. Simulations of migration coupled with observations of temporally stable spatial structure at neutral loci suggest that population replacement or gene flow alone could not explain all the observed allele frequency variation. Thus, the genetic changes are likely to at least partly be driven by highly dynamic temporally and spatially varying selection. These findings have important implications for our understanding of local adaptation and evolutionary potential in high gene flow organisms and underscore the need to carefully consider all dimensions of biocomplexity for evolutionarily sustainable management.
Esophageal motor responses to increasing adjustment of an implanted gastric band
Authors: Burgerhart J. S. , Aarts E. O. , van de Meeberg P. C. , Berends F. J. , Siersema P. D. , Smout A. J. P. M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe adjustable gastric band is an effective surgical treatment to induce weight loss in patients with morbid obesity. We aimed to assess the effects of band placement and stepwise adjustment on esophageal motility, using high‐resolution manometry (HRM).MethodsPatients underwent esophageal HRM before and 6 weeks after gastric band placement. During postoperative assessment, HRM was combined with intraband pressure measurement at increasing filling volumes.Key ResultsIn total, 15 patients were studied. Mean DCI (±SD) decreased from 1085.3 ± 1064.1 mmHg s−1 cm−1 before to 507 ± 347.2 mmHg s−1 cm−1 (P = 0.015) after band placement, mean IBP from 10.7 ± 1.7 mmHg to 7.7 ± 1.6 mmHg (P = 0.01). Stepwise band adjustment from 1 to 8 mL had an immediate and profound effect on swallow‐induced esophageal contractions: DCI increased from 766 ± 590.4 to 7231 ± 6298.1 mmHg s−1 cm−1, IBP from 4.3 mmHg to 31.1 ± 17.3 mmHg, and intraband pressure increased from −109.1 ± 60.6 mmHg to 150.2 ± 65 mmHg. During band filling with volumes >5 mL, upward displacement of the LES was observed, indicative of shortening of the esophagus; the distance between the UES and LES decreased from 23.5 ± 1.3 cm at 0 mL to 19.9 ± 2 cm at 8 mL.Conclusions & InferencesStepwise gastric band adjustment leads to immediate enforcement of esophageal peristalsis associated with an increase in intrabolus pressure and with pronounced esophageal shortening. Subjects who lack these responses to outflow obstruction may be more prone to dysphagia after band placement.
Fungal community analysis by high‐throughput sequencing of amplified markers – a user's guide
Authors: Lindahl Björn D. , Nilsson R. Henrik , Tedersoo Leho , Abarenkov Kessy , Carlsen Tor , Kjøller Rasmus , Kõljalg Urmas , Pennanen Taina , Rosendahl Søren , Stenlid Jan , Kauserud Håvard 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Novel high‐throughput sequencing methods outperform earlier approaches in terms of resolution and magnitude. They enable identification and relative quantification of community members and offer new insights into fungal community ecology. These methods are currently taking over as the primary tool to assess fungal communities of plant‐associated endophytes, pathogens, and mycorrhizal symbionts, as well as free‐living saprotrophs.

Taking advantage of the collective experience of six research groups, we here review the different stages involved in fungal community analysis, from field sampling via laboratory procedures to bioinformatics and data interpretation. We discuss potential pitfalls, alternatives, and solutions.

Highlighted topics are challenges involved in: obtaining representative DNA/RNA samples and replicates that encompass the targeted variation in community composition, selection of marker regions and primers, options for amplification and multiplexing, handling of sequencing errors, and taxonomic identification.

Without awareness of methodological biases, limitations of markers, and bioinformatics challenges, large‐scale sequencing projects risk yielding artificial results and misleading conclusions.
Foliar uptake of fog water and transport belowground alleviates drought effects in the cloud forest tree species, Drimys brasiliensis (Winteraceae)
Authors: Eller Cleiton B. , Lima Aline L. , Oliveira Rafael S. 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Foliar water uptake (FWU) is a common water acquisition mechanism for plants inhabiting temperate fog‐affected ecosystems, but the prevalence and consequences of this process for the water and carbon balance of tropical cloud forest species are unknown.

We performed a series of experiments under field and glasshouse conditions using a combination of methods (sap flow, fluorescent apoplastic tracers and stable isotopes) to trace fog water movement from foliage to belowground components of Drimys brasiliensis. In addition, we measured leaf water potential, leaf gas exchange, leaf water repellency and growth of plants under contrasting soil water availabilities and fog exposure in glasshouse experiments to evaluate FWU effects on the water and carbon balance of D. brasiliensis saplings.

Fog water diffused directly through leaf cuticles and contributed up to 42% of total foliar water content. FWU caused reversals in sap flow in stems and roots of up to 26% of daily maximum transpiration. Fog water transported through the xylem reached belowground pools and enhanced leaf water potential, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and growth relative to plants sheltered from fog.

Foliar uptake of fog water is an important water acquisition mechanism that can mitigate the deleterious effects of soil water deficits for D. brasiliensis.
Protozoa enhance foraging efficiency of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for mineral nitrogen from organic matter in soil to the benefit of host plants
Authors: Koller Robert , Rodriguez Alia , Robin Christophe , Scheu Stefan , Bonkowski Michael 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Dead organic matter (OM) is a major source of nitrogen (N) for plants. The majority of plants support N uptake by symbiosis with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Mineralization of N is regulated by microfauna, in particular, protozoa grazing on bacteria. We hypothesized that AM fungi and protozoa interactively facilitate plant N nutrition from OM.

In soil systems consisting of an OM patch and a root compartment, plant N uptake and consequences for plant carbon (C) allocation were investigated using stable isotopes.

Protozoa mobilized N by consuming bacteria, and the mobilized N was translocated via AM fungi to the host plant. The presence of protozoa in both the OM and root compartment stimulated photosynthesis and the translocation of C from the host plant via AM fungi into the OM patch. This stimulated microbial activity in the OM patch, plant N uptake from OM and doubled plant growth.

The results indicate that protozoa increase plant growth by both mobilization of N from OM and by protozoa–root interactions, resulting in increased C allocation to roots and into the rhizosphere, thereby increasing plant nutrient exploitation. Hence, mycorrhizal plants need to interact with protozoa to fully exploit N resources from OM.
Interventions designed to limit gestational weight gain: a systematic review of theory and meta‐analysis of intervention components
Authors: Hill B. , Skouteris H. , Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz M. 
Published: March 2013

SummaryLimiting gestational weight gain (GWG) to recommended levels is important to optimize health outcomes for mother and baby. Surprisingly, a recent review revealed that theory‐based interventions to limit GWG were less effective than interventions that did not report a theory‐base; however, strict criteria were used to identify theory‐informed studies. We extended this review and others by systematically evaluating the theories of behaviour change informing GWG interventions using a generalized health psychology perspective, and meta‐analysing behaviour change techniques reported in the interventions. Interventions designed to limit GWG were searched for using health, nursing and psychology databases. Papers reporting an underpinning theory were identified and the CALO‐RE taxonomy was used to determine individual behaviour change techniques. Nineteen studies were identified for inclusion. Eight studies were informed by a behaviour change theory; six reported favourable effects on GWG. Overall, studies based on theory were as effective as non–theory‐based studies at limiting GWG. Furthermore, the provision of information, motivational interviewing, behavioural self‐monitoring and providing rewards contingent on successful behaviour appear to be key strategies when intervening in GWG. Combining these behaviour change techniques with dietary interventions may be most effective. Future research should focus on determining the exact combination of behaviour change techniques, or which underpinning theories, are most useful for limiting GWG.
Pneumoperitoneum for neonatal laparoscopy: how safe is it?
Authors: Olsen Melanie , Avery Nicole , Khurana Sanjeev , Laing Rob 
Published: March 2013

SummaryWe present the case of a 3 day old term neonate who experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest during creation of pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia. The arrest was thought likely to have occurred as a result of a gas embolism. We discuss the features of the neonatal circulation which may predispose neonates to embolic phenomena during laparoscopic procedures, and the potential benefit of priming the insufflation apparatus with carbon dioxide. The possibility of gas embolism should be considered when contemplating laparoscopic surgery in this patient group.
Evaluation of distal radial artery cross‐sectional internal diameter in pediatric patients using ultrasound
Authors: Varga Eliane Q.S. , Candiotti Keith A. , Saltzman Bruce , Gayer Steven , Giquel Jadelis , Castillo‐Pedraza Catalina , Sanchez Grace , Halliday Norman 
Published: March 2013

SummaryIn this study, we measure the radial artery internal diameter (RAID) in children up to 4 years of age before and after the induction of anesthesia. A B‐mode portable color Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the RAID. Three sets of measurements were taken for each child before and after the induction of anesthesia and with the wrist in the neutral and dorsiflexed positions. The reliability of the mean value of the RAID in the three sets in 24 patients was established. There were discrepancies between the RAID and the proposed catheter size in some individuals, which may not only render placement difficult but also have potential for arterial injury. There are good reasons to measure the RAID in small children prior to insertion of an intra‐arterial catheter.
Phenylephrine as a simulated intravascular epidural test dose in pediatrics: a pilot study
Authors: Pancaro Carlo , Nasr Viviane G. , Paulus Jessica K. , Bonney Iwona , Flores Alejandro F. , Galper Jonas B. , Ahmed Iqbal 
Published: March 2013

SummaryBackgroundA test dose is used to detect intravascular injection during neuraxial block in pediatrics. Accidental intravascular epidural local anesthetic injection might be unrecognized in anesthetized children leading to potential life‐threatening complications. In children, sevoflurane anesthesia blunts the hemodynamic response when intravascular cathecolamines are administered. No studies have explored the hemodynamics and the criteria for a positive test dose result following phenylephrine in sevoflurane anesthetized children.MethodsHealthy children undergoing minor procedures were randomly assigned to receive intravenous placebo, or 5 μg∙kg−1 phenylephrine (n = 11/group) during sevoflurane anesthesia. Hemodynamic response was assessed using electrocardiography, pulse oxymetry and non‐invasive blood pressure monitoring for 5 min following drug administration in anesthetized patients.ResultsAll patients receiving phenylephrine showed a decreased heart rate (HR) but not all of them met the positive criterion for test dose response. Overall, at 1 min, patients receiving phenylephrine showed a 25% decrease in HR from the baseline while an increase in blood pressure was noticed in 54% of patients receiving phenylephrine.DiscussionPhenylephrine might be a future indicator of positive intravascular test dose. Further investigation is needed to find out the phenylephrine dose that elicits a reliable hemodynamic response and whether phenylephrine needs to be dose age‐adjusted in order to appreciate relevant hemodynamic changes in children receiving neuraxial blocks undergoing general anesthesia.
Genome‐wide promoter methylation analysis identifies epigenetic silencing of MAPK13 in primary cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Gao Linda , Smit Marjon A. , van den Oord Joost J. , Goeman Jelle J. , Verdegaal Els M. E. , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , Stas Marguerite , Beck Samuel , Gruis Nelleke A. , Tensen Cornelis P. , Willemze Rein , Peeper Daniel S. , van Doorn Remco 
Published: March 2013

SummaryThe involvement of epigenetic alterations in the pathogenesis of melanoma is increasingly recognized. Here, we performed genome‐wide DNA methylation analysis of primary cutaneous melanoma and benign melanocytic nevus interrogating 14 495 genes using BeadChip technology. This genome‐wide view of promoter methylation in primary cutaneous melanoma revealed an array of recurrent DNA methylation alterations with potential diagnostic applications. Among 106 frequently hypermethylated genes, there were many novel methylation targets and tumor suppressor genes. Highly recurrent methylation of the HOXA9, MAPK13, CDH11, PLEKHG6, PPP1R3C, and CLDN11 genes was established. Promoter methylation of MAPK13, encoding p38δ, was present in 67% of primary and 85% of metastatic melanomas. Restoration of MAPK13 expression in melanoma cells exhibiting epigenetic silencing of this gene reduced proliferation, indicative of tumor suppressive functions. This study demonstrates that DNA methylation alterations are widespread in melanoma and suggests that epigenetic silencing of MAPK13 contributes to melanoma progression.