bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Progress in management of the obstructed airway
Authors: Patel A. , Pearce A. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThere is no consensus as to the ideal approach for the anaesthetic management of the adult obstructed airway and there are advocates of awake fibreoptic intubation, inhalational induction and intravenous induction techniques. This review considers the different options available for obstruction at different anatomical levels. Decisions must also be made on the urgency of the required intervention. Particular controversies revolve around the role of inhalational vs intravenous induction of anaesthesia, the use or avoidance of neuromuscular blockade and the employment of cannula cricothyroidotomy vs surgical tracheostomy.
Education in airway management
Authors: Baker P. A. , Weller J. M. , Greenland K. B. , Riley R. H. , Merry A. F. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryIn airway management, poor judgment, education and training are leading causes of patient morbidity and mortality. The traditional model of medical education, which relies on experiential learning in the clinical environment, is inconsistent and often inadequate. Curriculum change is underway in many medical organisations in an effort to correct these problems, and airway management is likely to be explicitly addressed as a clinical fundamental within any new anaesthetic curriculum. Competency‐based medical education with regular assessment of clinical ability is likely to be introduced for all anaesthetists engaged in airway management. Essential clinical competencies need to be defined and improvements in training techniques can be expected based on medical education research. Practitioners need to understand their equipment and diversify their airway skills to cope with a variety of clinical presentations. Expertise stems from deliberate practice and a desire constantly to improve performance with a career‐long commitment to education.
Cysteine, histidine and glycine exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in human coronary arterial endothelial cells
Authors: Hasegawa S , Ichiyama T , Sonaka I , Ohsaki A , Okada S , Wakiguchi H , Kudo K , Kittaka S , Hara M , Furukawa S 
Published: November 2011

Summary
The activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in vascular endothelial cells may be involved in vascular pathogeneses such as vasculitis or atherosclerosis. Recently, it has been reported that some amino acids exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the inhibitory effects of a panel of amino acids on cytokine production or expression of adhesion molecules that are involved in inflammatory diseases in various cell types. The activation of NF-κB was determined in human coronary arterial endothelial cells (HCAECs) because NF-κB modulates the production of many cytokines and the expression of adhesion molecules. We examined the inhibitory effects of the amino acids cysteine, histidine and glycine on the induction of NF-κB activation, expression of CD62E (E-selectin) and the production of interleukin (IL)-6 in HCAECs stimulated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Cysteine, histidine and glycine significantly reduced NF-κB activation and inhibitor κBα (IκBα) degradation in HCAECs stimulated with TNF-α. Additionally, all the amino acids inhibited the expression of E-selectin and the production of IL-6 in HCAECs, and the effects of cysteine were the most significant. Our results show that glycine, histidine and cysteine can inhibit NF-κB activation, IκBα degradation, CD62E expression and IL-6 production in HCAECs, suggesting that these amino acids may exhibit anti-inflammatory effects during endothelial inflammation.
Relationship between δ13C of chironomid remains and methane flux in Swedish lakes
Authors: Van HARDENBROEK M. , LOTTER A.F. , BASTVIKEN D. , DUC N.T. , HEIRI O. 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. Methanogenic carbon can be incorporated by methane‐oxidising bacteria, leading to a 13C‐depleted stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of chironomids that feed on these microorganisms. This has been shown for the chironomid tribe Chironomini, but very little information is available about the δ13C of other abundant chironomid groups and the relationship between chironomid δ13C and methane production in lakes.2. Methane flux was measured at the water surface of seven lakes in Sweden. Furthermore, fluxes from the sediments to the water column were measured in transects in two of the lakes. Methane fluxes were then compared with δ13C of chitinous chironomid remains isolated from the lake surface sediments. Several different chironomid groups were examined (Chironomini, Orthocladiinae, Tanypodinae and Tanytarsini).3. Remains of Orthocladiinae in the seven study lakes had the highest δ13C values (−31.3 to −27.0‰), most likely reflecting δ13C of algae and other plant‐derived organic matter. Remains of Chironomini and Tanypodinae had lower δ13C values (−33.2 to −27.6‰ and −33.6 to −28.0‰, respectively). A significant negative correlation was observed between methane fluxes at the lake surface and δ13C of Chironomini (r = −0.90, P = 0.006). Methane release from the sediments was also negatively correlated with δ13C of Chironomini (r = −0.67, P = 0.025) in the transect samples obtained from two of the lakes. The remains of other chironomid taxa were only weakly or not correlated with methane fluxes measured in our study lakes (P > 0.05).4. Selective incorporation of methane‐derived carbon can explain the observed correlations between methane fluxes and δ13C values of Chironomini. Remains of this group might therefore have the potential to provide information about past changes in methane availability in lakes using sediment records. However, differences in productivity, algal δ13C composition and the importance of allochthonous organic matter input between the studied lakes may also have influenced Chironomini δ13C. More detailed studies with a higher number of analysed samples and detailed measurement of δ13C of different ecosystem components (e.g. methane, dissolved inorganic carbon) will be necessary to further resolve the relative contribution of different carbon sources to δ13C of chironomid remains.
Developmental changes in mesophyll diffusion conductance and photosynthetic capacity under different light and water availabilities in Populus tremula: how structure constrains function
Authors: TOSENS TIINA , NIINEMETS ÜLO , VISLAP VIVIAN , EICHELMANN HILLAR , CASTRO DÍEZ PILAR 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTFinite mesophyll diffusion conductance (gm) significantly constrains net assimilation rate (An), but gm variations and variation sources in response to environmental stresses during leaf development are imperfectly known. The combined effects of light and water limitations on gm and diffusion limitations of photosynthesis were studied in saplings of Populus tremula L. An one‐dimensional diffusion model was used to gain insight into the importance of key anatomical traits in determining gm. Leaf development was associated with increases in dry mass per unit area, thickness, density, exposed mesophyll (Smes/S) and chloroplast (Sc/S) to leaf area ratio, internal air space (fias), cell wall thickness and chloroplast dimensions. Development of Smes/S and Sc/S was delayed under low light. Reduction in light availability was associated with lower Sc/S, but with larger fias and chloroplast thickness. Water stress reduced Sc/S and increased cell wall thickness under high light. In all treatments, gm and An increased and CO2 drawdown because of gm, Ci–Cc, decreased with increasing leaf age. Low light and drought resulted in reduced gm and An and increased Ci–Cc. These results emphasize the importance of gm and its components in determining An variations during leaf development and in response to stress.
Combined impacts of irradiance and dehydration on leaf hydraulic conductance: insights into vulnerability and stomatal control
Authors: GUYOT GAËLLE , SCOFFONI CHRISTINE , SACK LAWREN 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTThe leaf is a hydraulic bottleneck, accounting for a large part of plant resistance. Thus, the leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) is of key importance in determining stomatal conductance (gs) and rates of gas exchange. Previous studies showed that Kleaf is dynamic with leaf water status and irradiance. For four species, we tested the combined impacts of these factors on Kleaf and on gs. We determined responses of Kleaf and gs to declining leaf water potential (Ψleaf) under low and high irradiance (<6 and >900 µmol photons m−2 s−1 photosynthetically active radiation, respectively). We hypothesized greater Kleaf vulnerability under high irradiance. We also hypothesized that Kleaf and gs would be similar in their responses to either light or dehydration: similar light‐responses of Kleaf and gs would stabilize Ψleaf across irradiances for leaves transpiring at a given vapour pressure deficit, and similar dehydration responses would arise from the control of stomata by Ψleaf or a correlated signal. For all four species, the Kleaf light response declined from full hydration to turgor loss point. The Kleaf and gs differed strongly in their light‐ and dehydration responses, supporting optimization of hydraulic transport across irradiances, and semi‐independent, flexible regulation of liquid and vapour phase water transport with leaf water status.
Non‐targeted analyses of animal plasma: betaine and choline represent the nutritional and metabolic status
Authors: Katayama K. , Sato T. , Arai T. , Amao H. , Ohta Y. , Ozawa T. , Kenyon P. R. , Hickson R. E. , Tazaki H. 
Published: November 2011

SummarySimple liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) was applied to non‐targeted metabolic analyses to discover new metabolic markers in animal plasma. Principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares–discriminate analysis (PLS‐DA) were used to analyse LC‐MS multivariate data. PCA clearly generated two separate clusters for artificially induced diabetic mice and healthy control mice. PLS‐DA of time‐course changes in plasma metabolites of chicks after feeding generated three clusters (pre‐ and immediately after feeding, 0.5–3 h after feeding and 4 h after feeding). Two separate clusters were also generated for plasma metabolites of pregnant Angus heifers with differing live‐weight change profiles (gaining or losing). The accompanying PLS‐DA loading plot detailed the metabolites that contribute the most to the cluster separation. In each case, the same highly hydrophilic metabolite was strongly correlated to the group separation. The metabolite was identified as betaine by LC‐MS/MS. This result indicates that betaine and its metabolic precursor, choline, may be useful biomarkers to evaluate the nutritional and metabolic status of animals.
Pure non‐gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma in a 45,XO/46,XX SRY‐negative true hermaphrodite
Authors: Hu Ting , Yang Mei , Zhu Hongmei , Shi Gang , Wang He 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNon‐gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma (NGCO) is an extremely rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis and is difficult to distinguish from gestational choriocarcinoma. True hermaphrodite (TH) is genetically a heterogenous condition causing ovarian and testicular tissue development in the same individual. We report here the first case of pure NGCO in the right ovotestis of a 23‐year‐old 45,XO/46X,X sex‐determining region Y chromosome (SRY)‐negative TH. The diagnosis of non‐gestational origin was confirmed by testing five short tandem repeats (STR). The patient responded well to radical surgery with bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) regimen. We also hypothesize that some mutations of an X‐linked or autosomal gene lead to testicular determination in SRY‐negative TH patients.
How is dispersal integrated in life histories: a quantitative analysis using butterflies
Authors: Stevens Virginie M. , Trochet Audrey , Van Dyck Hans , Clobert Jean , Baguette Michel 
Published: November 2011

Ecology Letters(2011)14: 74–86AbstractAs dispersal plays a key role in gene flow among populations, its evolutionary dynamics under environmental changes is particularly important. The inter‐dependency of dispersal with other life history traits may constrain dispersal evolution, and lead to the indirect selection of other traits as a by‐product of this inter‐dependency. Identifying the dispersal’s relationships to other life‐history traits will help to better understand the evolutionary dynamics of dispersal, and the consequences for species persistence and ecosystem functioning under global changes. Dispersal may be linked to other life‐history traits as their respective evolutionary dynamics may be inter‐dependent, or, because they are mechanistically related to each other. We identify traits that are predicted to co‐vary with dispersal, and investigated the correlations that may constrain dispersal using published information on butterflies. Our quantitative analysis revealed that (1) dispersal directly correlated with demographic traits, mostly fecundity, whereas phylogenetic relationships among species had a negligible influence on this pattern, (2) gene flow and individual movements are correlated with ecological specialisation and body size, respectively and (3) routine movements only affected short‐distance dispersal. Together, these results provide important insights into evolutionary dynamics under global environmental changes, and are directly applicable to biodiversity conservation.
Long‐term functional outcome after restorative proctocolectomy in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Karlbom U. , Lindfors A. , Påhlman L. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAim  The aim of this study was to evaluate the long‐term functional outcome of ileal pouch–anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis and to compare symptoms over time.Methods  In all, 188 patients were operated with an ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. Short‐term functional outcome has previously been evaluated with a symptom questionnaire. The same questionnaire was sent to the 162 patients who were alive and had an intact pouch. A symptom index was studied over time and in relation to early complications and pouchitis.Results  The response rate of the questionnaire was 139/162 at a median of 12.5 (9.5–21) years postoperatively. Overall, the symptom index remained unchanged over time but both the frequency of night‐time defaecation and episodes of night‐time incontinence increased. Patients’ global assessment was unchanged with approximately 80% stating an excellent or a good result. Frequency of pouchitis doubled in 10 years. Symptom index for patients with episodic pouchitis [median 40 (8–89), P = 0.018] and recurrent/chronic pouchitis [71 (8–136), P < 0.001] was higher than in patients without pouchitis [29 (0–105)]. Early complications did not affect the symptom index.Conclusion  The overall functional outcome of ileal pouch–anal surgery for ulcerative colitis is stable over time. Patients’ satisfaction with outcome remains high. Pouchitis is a determinant of functional outcome.
Neutralizing antibodies against rotavirus produced in transgenically labelled purple tomatoes
Authors: Juárez Paloma , Presa Silvia , Espí Joaquín , Pineda Benito , Antón María T. , Moreno Vicente , Buesa Javier , Granell Antonio , Orzaez Diego 
Published: November 2011

SummaryEdible fruits are inexpensive biofactories for human health‐promoting molecules that can be ingested as crude extracts or partially purified formulations. We show here the production of a model human antibody for passive protection against the enteric pathogen rotavirus in transgenically labelled tomato fruits. Transgenic tomato plants expressing a recombinant human immunoglobulin A (hIgA_2A1) selected against the VP8* peptide of rotavirus SA11 strain were obtained. The amount of hIgA_2A1 protein reached 3.6 ± 0.8% of the total soluble protein in the fruit of the transformed plants. Minimally processed fruit‐derived products suitable for oral intake showed anti‐VP8* binding activity and strongly inhibited virus infection in an in vitro virus neutralization assay. In order to make tomatoes expressing hIgA_2A1 easily distinguishable from wild‐type tomatoes, lines expressing hIgA_2A1 transgenes were sexually crossed with a transgenic tomato line expressing the genes encoding Antirrhinum majus Rosea1 and Delila transcription factors, which confer purple colour to the fruit. Consequently, transgenically labelled purple tomato fruits expressing hIgA_2A1 have been developed. The resulting purple‐coloured extracts from these fruits contain high levels of recombinant anti‐rotavirus neutralizing human IgA in combination with increased amounts of health‐promoting anthocyanins.
Serial sections of atrophic acne scars help in the interpretation of microscopic findings and the selection of good therapeutic modalities
Authors: Lee W.J. , Jung H.J. , Lim H.J. , Jang Y.H. , Lee S.‐J. , Kim D.W. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground  Acne scar causes problems cosmetically and psychologically. Although microscopic examination of acne scars is a necessity for understanding and treatment of them, and it is not easy to find a paper reporting the microscopic characterization of acne scars.Objective  The aim of this study was to examine the microscopic findings of acne scars and to select a good therapeutic modality based on the findings.Methods  Thirty‐one atrophic scars obtained from five patients for cosmesis and 18 serial sections were made from each atrophic scar. The sections were stained with H&E, Masson‐trichrome or Verhoeff van Gieson stains. Immunohistochemistry was done with antibodies against transforming growth factor‐β, metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1), MMP‐2, MMP‐9 and MMP‐13. The stained sections were examined under the microscope.Results  The epidermis of the acne scar was characterized by keratin plugging in the hair follicle orifice (32%) and multi‐channelled tracts (29%). The dermis of the acne scar had characteristics including a decrease in the dermal thickness and loss of pilosebaceous units. In addition, inflammatory cell infiltrates were seen in the dermis (77%), and insufficient dense collagen fibre deposition was found in the whole dermis (29%). Other findings such as calcium deposition and foreign body reaction were discovered.Conclusion  We have found the characteristics of acne scar through the serial sections of several atrophic scars, and suggest that the treatment must reflect several considerations, including the understanding of histopathological findings and the use of combination therapy.
Analysis of a simple capacity game
Authors: Song J. , Parlar M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractWe study a two‐player two‐fare‐class static single‐period capacity allocation game with complete information. Nonnested (partitioned) booking limit policies are investigated in both noncooperative and cooperative situations. We show the existence of unique Nash equilibrium in the noncooperative situation. In the cooperative game, we analyze the cost saving of the two players and investigate the concavity of the objective function. For both noncooperative and cooperative settings, we assume the demands to be a truncated normal distribution and provide a comprehensive sensitivity analysis to discover the effects of unit revenue, rejection cost, and transfer rate on the equilibrium solution. Our numerical experiments show that the nonnested model can be a good approximation to the nested booking limit model. For the cooperative setting, we identify conditions that give rise to improvements in the total system revenue. Finally, under each game‐theoretic setting, we present the managerial implications of our solutions along with numerical examples.
Inotropes and vasopressors: more than haemodynamics!
Authors: Bracht Hendrik , Calzia Enrico , Georgieff Michael , Singer Joel , Radermacher Peter , Russell James A 
Published: November 2011

Circulatory shock is characterized by arterial hypotension requiring fluid resuscitation combined with inotropes and/or vasopressors to correct the otherwise life‐threatening impairment of oxygen supply to peripheral tissues. Catecholamines represent the current therapeutic choice, but this standard is only based on empirical clinical experience. Although there is evidence that some catecholamines may be better than others, it is a matter of debate which one may be the most effective and/or the safest for the different situations. In their review in this issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology, Bangash et al. provide an overview of the pharmacology as well as the available clinical data on the therapeutic use of endogenous catecholamines, their synthetic derivatives and a range of other agents (vasopressin and its analogues, PDE inhibitors and levosimendan). The authors point out that, despite well‐established receptor pharmacology, the clinical effects of these treatments are poorly understood. Hence, further investigations are essential to determine which catecholamine, or, in a broader sense, which alternative vasopressor and/or inotrope is the most appropriate for a particular clinical condition.LINKED ARTICLES This article is a commentary on Bangash et al., pp. 2015–2033 of this issue and is commented on by De Backer and Scolletta, pp. 2012–2014 of this issue. To view Bangash et al. visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01588.x and to view De Backer and Scolletta visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01746.x
Evaluation of a Community Intervention for Promotion of Safe Motherhood in Eritrea
Authors: Turan Janet Molzan , Tesfagiorghis Mekonnen , Polan Mary Lake 
Published: November 2011

Introduction: We evaluated a community‐based intervention to promote safe motherhood, focusing on knowledge and behaviors that may reduce maternal mortality and birth complications. The intervention aimed to increase women's birth preparedness, knowledge of birth danger signs, use of antenatal care services, and birth at a health care facility. Methods: Volunteers from a remote rural community in Northern Eritrea were trained to lead participatory educational sessions on safe motherhood with women and men. The evaluation used a quasiexperimental design (nonequivalent group pretest‐posttest) including cross‐sectional surveys with postpartum women (pretest n = 466, posttest n = 378) in the intervention area and in a similar remote rural comparison area. Results: Women's knowledge of birth danger signs increased significantly in the intervention area but not in the comparison area. There was a significant increase in the proportion of women who had the recommended 4 or more antenatal care visits during pregnancy in the intervention area (from 18% to 80%, P < .001), although this proportion did not change significantly in the comparison area (from 53% to 47%, P= .194). There was a greater increase in birth in a health care facility in the intervention area. Discussion: Participatory sessions led by community volunteers can increase safe motherhood knowledge and encourage use of essential maternity services.
Price floors and technical inefficiency in India's sugar processing industry
Authors: Patlolla Sandhyarani , Goodhue Rachael E. , Sexton Richard J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn India, cane is processed into sugar by cooperatives, public enterprises, and private (for‐profit) firms. The Indian government sets a unique floor price for each processor that is increasing in the firm's effectiveness in converting cane into sugar. The floor price binds for public and private firms but not for cooperatives, which rebate profits to members. We argue that this price floor policy creates a disincentive for private and public firms to be technically efficient in converting cane to sugar. In support of this hypothesis an analysis of 593 Indian sugar factories from 1992 to 2007 reveals statistically significant differences in technical efficiency, with cooperatives being the most efficient and public firms least efficient. We estimate welfare losses due to the technical inefficiency attributable to the price‐floor policy and argue that it can be eliminated by enacting policy to base price floors upon quality of the cane input received by a factory.