bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluctuations in sedation levels may contribute to delirium in ICU patients
Authors: SVENNINGSEN H. , EGEROD I. , VIDEBECH P. , CHRISTENSEN D. , FRYDENBERG M. , TØNNESEN E. K. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundDelirium in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) is a serious complication potentially increasing morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of fluctuating sedation levels on the incidence of delirium in ICU.MethodsA prospective cohort study of adult patients at three multidisciplinary ICUs. The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale (RASS) and the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU were used at least twice a day.ResultsDelirium was detected at least once in 65% of the patients (n = 640). Delirious patients were significantly older, more critically ill, more often intubated, had longer ICU stays, and had higher ICU mortality than non‐delirious patients. The median duration of delirium was 3 days (interquartile range: 1;10), and RASS was less than or equal to 0 (alert and calm) 91% of the time. The odds ratio (OR) for development of delirium if RASS changed more than two levels was 5.19 when adjusted for gender, age, severity of illness, and ICU site and setting. Continuous infusion of midazolam was associated with a decrease in delirium incidence (OR: 0.38; P = 0.002).ConclusionsFluctuations in sedation levels may contribute to development of delirium in ICU patients. The risk of developing delirium might be reduced by maintaining a stable sedation level or by non‐sedation.
Gambling in Sweden: the cultural and socio‐political context
Authors: Binde Per 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimTo provide an overview, with respect to Sweden, of the cultural history of gambling, the commercialization of gambling, problem gambling research, the prevalence of problem gambling and its prevention and treatment.MethodA review of the literature and official documents relating to gambling in Sweden; involvement in gambling research and regulation.ResultsGambling has long been part of Swedish culture. Since about 1980 the gambling market, although still largely monopolistic, has been commercialized. At the same time, problem gambling has emerged as a concept in the public health paradigm. Debate regarding whether or not Sweden's national restrictions on the gambling market are compliant with European Community legislation has helped to put problem gambling on the political agenda. Despite expanded gambling services, the extent of problem gambling on the population level has not changed significantly over the past decade.ConclusionsThe stability of problem gambling in Sweden at the population level suggests a homeostatic system involving the gambling market, regulation, prevention and treatment and adaption to risk and harm by gamblers. We have relatively good knowledge of the extent and characteristics of problem gambling in Sweden and of how to treat it, but little is known of how to prevent it effectively. Knowledge is needed of the effectiveness of regulatory actions and approaches, and of responsible gambling measures implemented by gambling companies.
Micromorphological changes in cardiac tissue of drug‐related deaths with emphasis on chronic illicit opioid abuse
Authors: Seltenhammer Monika H. , Marchart Katharina , Paula Pia , Kordina Nicole , Klupp Nikolaus , Schneider Barbara , Fitzl Christine , Risser Daniele U. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimsThe main intention of this retrospective study was to investigate whether chronic illicit drug abuse, especially the intravenous use of opioids (heroin), could potentially trigger the development of myocardial fibrosis in drug addicts.DesignA retrospective case–control study was performed using myocardial tissue samples from both drug‐related deaths (DRD) with verifiable opioid abuse and non‐drug‐related deaths in the same age group.SettingDepartment of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria (1993–94).ParticipantsMyocardial specimens were retrieved from 76 deceased intravenous opioid users and compared to those of 23 deceased non‐drug users.MeasurementsDrug quantification was carried out using the enzyme‐multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), followed by [gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), MAT 112®], and analysed using the Integrator 3390A by Hewlett Packard® and LABCOM.1 computer (MSS‐G.G.). The amount of fibrous connective tissue (FCT) in the myocardium was determined by using the morphometric software LUCIA Net version 1.16.2©, Laboratory Imaging, with NIS Elements 3.0®.FindingsDrug analysis revealed that 67.11% were polydrug users and the same proportion was classified as heroin addicts (6‐monoacetylmorphine, 6‐MAM)—32.89% were users of pure heroin. In 76.32% of DRD cases, codeine was detected. Only 2.63% consumed cocaine. The mean morphine concentrations were 389.03 ng/g in the cerebellum and 275.52 ng/g in the medulla oblongata, respectively. Morphometric analysis exhibited a strong correlation between DRD and myocardial fibrosis. The mean proportion of FCT content in the drug group was 7.6 ± 2.9% (females: 6.30 ± 2.19%; males: 7.91 ± 3.01%) in contrast to 5.2 ± 1.7% (females: 4.45 ± 1.23%; males: 5.50 ± 1.78%) in the control group, indicating a significant difference (P = 0.0012), and a significant difference in the amount of FCT between females and males (P = 0.0383). There was no significant interaction of age and FCT (P = 0.8472).ConclusionsThere is a long‐term risk of cardiac dysfunction following chronic illicit drug abuse with opioids as a principal component. Regular cardiological examination of patients receiving substitution treatment with morphine is strongly recommended.
Extracellular adenosine initiates rapid arteriolar vasodilation induced by a single skeletal muscle contraction in hamster cremaster muscle
Authors: Ross G. A. , Mihok M. L. , Murrant C. L. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimRecent studies suggest that adenosine (ADO) can be produced extracellularly in response to skeletal muscle contraction. We tested the hypothesis that a single muscle contraction produces extracellular ADO rapidly enough and in physiologically relevant concentrations to be able to contribute to the rapid vasodilation that occurs at the onset of muscle contraction.MethodsWe stimulated four to five skeletal muscle fibres in the anaesthetized hamster cremaster preparation in situ and measured the change in diameter of arterioles at a site of overlap with the stimulated muscle fibres before and after a single contraction (stimulus frequencies: 4, 20 and 60 Hz; 250 ms train duration). Muscle fibres were stimulated in the absence and presence of non‐specific ADO membrane receptor antagonists 8‐phenyltheophylline (8‐PT, 10−6 m) or xanthine amine congener (XAC, 10−6 m) or an inhibitor of an extracellular source of ADO, ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase inhibitor α,β‐methylene adenosine 5′‐diphosphate (AMPCP, 10−5 m).ResultsWe observed that the dilatory event at 4 s following a single contraction was significantly inhibited at all stimulus frequencies by an average of 63.9 ± 2.6% by 8‐PT. The 20‐s dilatory event that occurred at 20 and 60 Hz was significantly inhibited by 53.6 ± 2.6 and 73.8 ± 2.3% by 8‐PT and XAC respectively. Further, both the 4‐ and 20‐s dilatory events were significantly inhibited by AMPCP by 78.6 ± 6.6 and 67.1 ± 1.5%, respectively, at each stimulus frequency tested.ConclusionsOur data show that ADO is produced extracellularly during a single muscle contraction and that it is produced rapidly enough and in physiologically relevant concentrations to contribute to the rapid vasodilation in response to muscle contraction.
Effect of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single dose of rivaroxaban, an oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor
Authors: Kubitza Dagmar , Roth Angelika , Becka Michael , Alatrach Abir , Halabi Atef , Hinrichsen Holger , Mueck Wolfgang 
Published: January 2013

AimThis study investigated the effects of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a single dose of rivaroxaban (10 mg), an oral, direct Factor Xa inhibitor.MethodThis single centre, non‐randomized, non‐blinded study included subjects with mild (n = 8) or moderate hepatic impairment (n = 8), according to the Child–Pugh classification, and gender‐matched healthy subjects (n = 16).ResultsRivaroxaban was well tolerated irrespective of hepatic function. Mild hepatic impairment did not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban, compared with healthy subjects. However, in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment, total body clearance was decreased, leading to a significant increase in the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC). The least‐squares (LS)‐mean values for AUC were 1.15‐fold [90% confidence interval (CI) 0.85, 1.57] and 2.27‐fold (90% CI 1.68, 3.07) higher in subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, respectively, than in healthy subjects. Consequently, the pharmacodynamic responses were significantly enhanced in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment. For inhibition of Factor Xa, increases in the area under the effect–time curve and the maximum effect were observed, with LS‐mean ratios of 2.59 and 1.24, respectively, vs. healthy subjects. Prolongation of prothrombin time was similar in healthy subjects and those with mild hepatic impairment, but was significantly enhanced in those with moderate hepatic impairment.ConclusionModerate (but not mild) hepatic impairment reduced total body clearance of rivaroxaban after a single 10 mg dose, leading to increased rivaroxaban exposure and pharmacodynamic effects.
Histomorphometrical Evaluation of Fresh Frozen Bone Allografts for Alveolar Bone Reconstruction: Preliminary Cases Comparing Femoral Head with Iliac Crest Grafts
Authors: Buffoli Barbara , Boninsegna Ramon , Rezzani Rita , Poli Pier P. , Santoro Franco , Rodella Luigi F. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurposeIn the past few years, the use of fresh frozen bone (FFB) grafts has significantly increased. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reconstruction of alveolar bone using femoral head and iliac crest FFB grafts.Materials and MethodsThe study included 10 patients who need endosseous implant insertion in severe atrophic maxillae. The patients were treated with FFB grafts collected from the femoral head or iliac crest. Bone regeneration was evaluated 6 months after surgery by macroscopic and microscopic analyses.ResultsOur results showed good regenerative capacity, both with the FFB from the femoral head and iliac crest. In particular, similar percentages of new‐bone formation and graft residual were observed, whereas differences between the percentage of total bone (higher for the iliac crest) and the percentage of non‐mineralized tissue (higher for the femoral head) were present. A significantly higher percentage of CD34‐positive vessels in the FFB allograft from the femoral head than in the iliac crest were observed.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that FFB allografts could represent a reliable option in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Nevertheless, differences between the use of femoral head or iliac crest bone allografts linked with their different structures should be considered for a more effective surgery.
Science Centers in a New World of Learning
Authors: Ucko David A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBy creating new media channels that enable anyone to reach the public directly, the Internet has reduced the need for a middleman, resulting in the “disintermediation” of science communication. New providers of informal science learning are emerging in community settings, as well as in sources online. These changes raise the critical question of how science centers can adapt to an expanding ecosystem of mediated and unmediated sources. This article points out strengths of science centers that offer some grounds for optimism. Promising efforts are identified and possible directions are proposed at the community and institutional level.
From Parachutes to Partnerships: An “Integrated” Natural History Museum Expedition in the Philippines
Authors: Gosliner Terrence M. , Burke Meg 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe 2011 Hearst Philippine Biodiversity Expedition was the largest ever launched by the California Academy of Sciences, and was also the largest and most diverse expedition to ever take place in the Philippines. Filipino collaboration and participation were vitally important from the outset. Scientists of both nations documented biodiversity in a variety of habitats and across multiple biological disciplines, identifying more than 500 species new to science. The expedition also modeled a new way of embedding substantial educational outreach and media coverage, and promoting conservation actions. More than 900 people attended educational events in the Philippines. Extensive television, radio, online, and print media coverage occurred both in the Philippines and in the U.S. during the expedition and after. A conference at the end shared preliminary results among scientists, educators, policy makers, and media, before the Academy team even left the country.
Portal to the Public: Museum Educators Collaborating with Scientists to Engage Museum Visitors with Current Science
Authors: Selvakumar Meena , Storksdieck Martin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractScience museums play a role in creating visitor experiences that relate to contemporary issues in science, and in linking audiences to the scientific enterprise and the community of scientists. In the Portal to the Public approach, science researchers are trained by museum educators with experience in inquiry‐based learning, and are then given opportunities to translate their current research for museum audiences. Portal to the Public offers one solution to museums seeking to sustain a commitment to delivering experiences that reflect the dynamic pace of research, and the need to connect local communities to scientific research occurring in their midst.
New Ways of Looking and Learning in Natural History Museums: The Use of Gigapixel Imaging to Bring Science and Publics Together
Authors: Louw Marti , Crowley Kevin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article describes a series of demonstration projects that use multiscalar gigapixel image technology to iteratively design, test, and study how visitors learn to observe more scientifically in museums, online, and through museum‐based programming. We consider how the particular affordances of systems like these can move science communication and learning from didactic approaches centered on one‐way communication toward technology platforms that encourage shared observation, dialogue, and engagement.
Crowdsourcing—an Introduction: From Public Goods to Public Good
Authors: Proctor Nancy 
Published: January 2013

Abstract“Crowdsourcing” is a practice that combines the concepts of “the crowd” and “outsourcing.” Introducing two articles on crowdsourcing in this issue, Nancy Proctor argues that—although we associate crowdsourcing with Web 2.0 and the social media revolution—its origins stretch back to the nineteenth century. Crowdsourcing is examined for its usefulness in creating radical new relationships between museum constituents, users, and institutions—putting the “wisdom of the crowd” in dialogue rather than in competition with formal institutional knowledge.
Purification, kinetics, inhibitors and CD for recombinant β‐amyrin synthase from Euphorbia tirucalli L and functional analysis of the DCTA motif, which is highly conserved among oxidosqualene cyclases
Authors: Ito Ryousuke , Masukawa Yukari , Hoshino Tsutomu 
Published: January 2013

β‐Amyrin, a natural triterpene, is widely distributed in the plant kingdom, and its pentacyclic skeleton is produced by oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC). OSC enzymes are classified as membrane proteins, and they catalyze the polycyclization reaction of (3S)‐2,3‐oxidosqualene to yield nearly 150 different cyclic triterpene skeletons. To date, no report has described the successful purification and characterization of plant β‐amyrin synthase. The β‐amyrin synthase from Euphorbia tirucalli (EtAS) was expressed as a polyhistidine‐tagged protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae GIL77, which lacks the lanosterol synthase gene. The expression yield, determined by western blotting analysis, was 5–7 mg. By Ni2+–nitrilotriacetic acid affinity column chromatography and careful selection of the proper imidazole concentration during the purification processes of washing and elution, a single band was successfully obtained on SDS/PAGE. We then tested the effects of four detergents on the enzyme activity. Supplementation with Triton X‐100 at a concentration of 0.05% yielded the highest activity. The optimal pH and temperature were 7.0 and 30 °C, respectively. The kinetic parameters, Km and kcat, were determined to be 33.8 ± 0.53 μm and 46.4 ± 0.68 min−1, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports describing both Km and kcat for OSCs except for two examples of rat and bovine lanosterol synthases. The β‐amyrin synthase purified in this study showed a significantly higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) (~ 103‐fold) than those of the two reported lanosterol synthases. Gel‐filtration HPLC indicated that the OSC exists as a monomer, and the eluted OSC retained its activity. Furthermore, the inhibition constants Ki and IC50 and types of inhibition by iminosqualene, Ro48‐8071 and U18666A were determined, and indicated that iminosqualene and Ro48‐8071 are potent inhibitors. Additionally, this is the first report of the kinetic data of the mutated enzymes targeted for the DCTAE(485–489) motif, which is a putative initiation site for the polycyclization reaction. No activity of the D485N variant and significantly decreased activity of the C564A variant were found, definitively demonstrating that the acidic carboxyl residue Asp485 serves as a proton donor to initiate the polycyclization reaction, and that Cys564 is involved in hydrogen bond formation with the carboxyl residue Asp458 to enhance the acidity. The CD spectrum is the first to be reported for OSCs, and the CD spectra of the wild‐type and the mutated EtASs were almost the same, indicating that the protein architecture was not altered by these mutations.
Unusual Headache Syndromes
Authors: Queiroz Luiz P. 
Published: January 2013

Objective/Background.Some headache syndromes have few cases reported in the literature. Their clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, and treatment may have not been completely defined. They may not actually be uncommon but rather under‐recognized and/or underreported.Methods.A literature review of unusual headache syndromes, searching PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge, was performed. After deciding which disorders to study, relevant publications in scientific journals, including original articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, and letters or correspondences to the editors were searched.Findings.This paper reviewed the clinical characteristics, the pathogenesis, the diagnosis, and the treatment of five interesting and unusual headache syndromes: exploding head syndrome, red ear syndrome, neck‐tongue syndrome, nummular headache, and cardiac cephalgia.Conclusions.Recognizing some unusual headaches, either primary or secondary, may be a challenge for many non‐headache specialist physicians. It is important to study them because the correct diagnosis may result in specific treatments that may improve the quality of life of these patients, and this can even be life saving.
Transient depletion of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells results in multiple autoimmune diseases in wild‐type and B‐cell‐deficient NOD mice
Authors: Ellis Jason S. , Wan Xiaoxiao , Braley‐Mullen Helen 
Published: January 2013

SummaryApproximately 80% of female wild‐type non‐obese diabetic (WT NOD) mice spontaneously develop diabetes, whereas B‐cell‐deficient (B−/−) NOD mice are resistant to diabetes. B−/− mice are also resistant to other spontaneous and experimentally induced autoimmune diseases, including arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren syndrome and thyroiditis. Under normal conditions, activation of self‐reactive T cells in the periphery is limited by CD4+ CD25+ natural regulatory T (Treg) cells. B−/− NOD.H‐2h4 mice, normally resistant to spontaneous autoimmune thyroiditis (SAT), develop SAT when Treg cells are depleted, suggesting that Treg cells are preferentially activated when autoantigen is initially presented by non‐B‐cell antigen‐presenting cells. To test the hypothesis that increased Treg cell activity in B−/− mice contributes to their resistance to other autoimmune diseases, WT and B−/− NOD mice were given anti‐CD25 to transiently deplete CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells. The WT and B−/− NOD mice given anti‐CD25 developed diabetes much earlier than WT mice given rat IgG, whereas rat IgG‐treated B−/− mice did not develop diabetes. Treg‐cell‐depleted mice had increased lymphocyte infiltration of the pancreas, salivary glands and thyroid compared with controls given rat IgG. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that resistance of B‐cell‐deficient NOD mice to several autoimmune diseases is due to the activity of Treg cells.
Exploring Stakeholders' Perceptions with Analytic Hierarchy Process—A Case Study of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) Restoration in India
Authors: Kukrety Sidhanand , Jose Shibu , Alavalapati Janaki R. R. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractDiverse stakeholders and multiple management options pose challenges to restoration planning and management. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a multicriteria decision‐making tool, can be effectively used for incorporating stakeholders' perceptions in planning. By using Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) restoration as a case study, we demonstrate its suitability in eliciting stakeholders' perceptions about the most suitable management option, and their expectations from it. Four key stakeholder groups, Administrators, Field Officers, Community, and Knowledgeable Sources, were used to identify the most suitable management option from Government Management (GM), Quasi‐Government Management, Community Forest Management (CFM), and Private Management. Results indicate that stakeholders' preferences for management options were not homogeneous. Consolidated priorities across all the stakeholder groups indicated the CFM (34%) as the most preferred option followed by the GM (31%). With an average weight of 56%, the ecological criterion was considered as the most important. The ability of the managements in reducing disturbances (23%), improving Red sanders density (18%), improving ecosystem services (15%), and in improving rural livelihoods (15%) were considered important. The preferences of the Administrators and the Field Officers for the GM indicated their support for the top‐down management approach, and skepticism toward the CFM, a bottom‐up approach. Compared to the Administrators, the Field Officers' lack of support for the CFM was surprisingly more pronounced. Results indicate the usefulness of the AHP technique in identifying common grounds between the diverse stakeholders, and the management, in identifying a suitable management alternative and in prioritizing preferences.