bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Brazilian experience: 40 years using operations research at Petrobras
Authors: Iachan Roberto 
Published: July 2009

AbstractPetrobras was created as an integrated company to operate in oil and oil byproduct exploration, production, refining, marketing, and transportation. Petrobras is now the biggest Brazilian company, operating in a number of areas in the energy sector and currently present in 27 countries. This article describes the evolution of the activities and the achievements of its Operations Research group, created in the 1960s, and its work offering decision support to the most diverse segments of the company.
Multi‐product supply chain horizontal network integration: models, theory, and computational results
Authors: Nagurney Anna , Woolley Trisha , Qiang Qiang 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we develop multi‐product supply chain network models with explicit capacities, before and after their horizontal integration. In addition, we propose a measure, which allows one to quantify and assess, from a supply chain network perspective, the synergy benefits associated with the integration of multi‐product firms through mergers/acquisitions. We utilize a system‐optimization perspective for the model development and provide the variational inequality formulations, which are then utilized to propose a computational procedure which fully exploits the underlying network structure. We illustrate the theoretical and computational framework with numerical examples. This paper is a contribution to the literatures of supply chain integration and mergers and acquisitions.
Clinical pathological and epidemiological assessment of morphologically and immunologically confirmed canine leukaemia
Authors: Adam F. , Villiers E. , Watson S. , Coyne K. , Blackwood L. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractTraditionally, classification of leukaemia in dogs has relied on morphological examination and cytochemical staining patterns, but aberrant cellular morphology and stain uptake often curtails accurate categorization, and historical data based on this classification may be unreliable. Immunophenotyping is now the gold standard for classification of leukaemias. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the clinical pathological and epidemiological features of a population of dogs with morphologically and immunologically confirmed leukaemia and to compare them within categories: acute and chronic lymphoid leukaemia (ALL and CLL), and acute and chronic myeloid leukaemia (AML and CML). There were 64 cases of morphologically and immunologically confirmed leukaemia: 25 cases of ALL, 17 cases of CLL and 22 cases of AML. Prevalence of B and T immunophenotypes in ALL and CLL was not statistically different. Dogs with AML were significantly younger than those with ALL at presentation (P= 0.04). Golden Retriever dogs in the study population were overrepresented in comparison with a control population of dogs (6/25 ALL cases, 8/64 leukaemia cases). No sex was overrepresented. Dogs with ALL had significantly more severe neutropenia (P= 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (P= 0.002) than those with CLL and had significantly more cytopenias. The severity and numbers of cytopenias seen in ALL and AML were not significantly different. Twenty‐one of the leukaemia cases showed one cytopenia, fourteen had two cytopenias and twenty‐one cases had pancytopenia. Anaemia was the most common cytopenia seen in isolation (17/21). No dogs had neutropenia without anaemia and/or thrombocytopenia. Total white blood cell counts were not different between the groups. The atypical cell counts within the peripheral blood were significantly higher in ALL than AML; both in isolation and as a percentage of the total white blood cell count (P= 0.03). This study strengthens the hypothesis that acute leukaemias give rise to more profound cytopenias, affecting more cell lines, than chronic leukaemias.
Characteristics of Nurses Who Used the Internet‐Based Nurses QuitNet® for Smoking Cessation
Authors: Bialous Stella Aguinaga , Sarna Linda , Wells Marjorie , Elashoff David , Wewers Mary Ellen , Froelicher Erika S. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Background: Smoking among nurses is higher than other health care professionals but nurse‐specific cessation programs are limited. Nurses QuitNet®, launched in January 2004, provided an evidence‐based online smoking cessation program for nurses and nursing students.Objectives: To describe Nurses QuitNet® registrants and relationships among the demographic and smoking characteristics, program dissemination strategies, and site utilization patterns.Design: Cross‐sectional study.Sample: 1,790 Nurses QuitNets® registrants.Measurements: Demographics and smoking characteristics on the Nurses QuitNet® intake questionnaire.Results: Most registrants were female (92.5%), 45–54 years old (34.3%), Caucasian (84.5%), and college graduates (57.5%). Over 68% smoked 10–20 cigarettes/day; 66.4% smoked within 30 min of waking. Half of those with previous quit attempts did not use evidence‐based methods; 30% had not made a quit attempt in the past year. “Read‐only” social support was the most frequently used Nurses Quitnet® feature.Conclusions: The Internet can be a viable option to support nurses' cessation and is available to accommodate their work schedules. The sample is similar to the general nursing population, except for higher levels of education. Efforts are needed to assist nurses struggling with nicotine addiction and disseminate cessation resources, particularly targeting nurses with the highest prevalence of current smoking, for example licensed practical nurses.
Evaluation of an Educational Intervention to Promote Breast Pump Use Among Women With Infants in a Special Care Nursery in Kenya
Authors: Friend Dana , Chertok Ilana R. A. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACT
Objectives: Development of an educational program for women of special care nursery (SCN) infants in Kenya about the use and cleaning of breast pumps through culturally appropriate teaching tools as well as conduction of an evaluation of change in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practical ability in pump use following the educational intervention.Design: An evaluation of an educational intervention.Sample: 40 women with infants in the SCN unable to directly breastfeed.Intervention: Educational intervention instructing electric or pedal breast pump use and cleaning with a pre‐ and posttest evaluation.Results: Paired t test scores of the combined practically oriented questions were significantly increased from 1.8 to 4.6 (p<.001) from pre‐ to posttest scores. Likewise, the practical demonstration of learned pump use skills significantly improved from 0.08 preintervention to 4.8 postintervention ( p<.001).Conclusions: Results of the evaluation indicated the intervention significantly increased women's practical knowledge regarding use and cleaning of the breast pump and accessories. With knowledge of proper use of breast pumps, women will be more likely to successfully utilize pumps to provide adequate milk volumes for SCN infants. A culturally appropriate educational intervention in developing countries appears to be a feasible means of facilitating instruction of breast pump use.
Alcohol‐Induced Electrical Remodeling: Effects of Sustained Short‐Term Ethanol Infusion on Ion Currents in Rabbit Atrium
Authors: Laszlo Roman , Eick Christian , Schwiebert Mareike , Schreiner Birgit , Weig Hans‐Joerg , Weretka Slawomir , Bosch Ralph F. , Schreieck Juergen 
Published: July 2009

Background:  In some patients, above‐average alcohol consumption before occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in terms of a “holiday heart syndrome” (HHS) can be determined. There is evidence that long before development of apparent alcohol‐induced cardiomyopathy, above‐average alcohol consumption generates an arrhythmogenic substrate which abets the onset of AF. Changes of atrial current densities in terms of an electrical remodeling after sustained short‐term ethanol infusion in rabbits as a potential part of HHS pathophysiology were examined in this study.Methods:  Rabbits of the ethanol group (EG) received sustained short‐term intravenous alcohol infusion for 120 hours (during infusion period, blood alcohol level did not fall below 158 mg/dl), whereas NaCl 0.9% was infused in the placebo group (PG). Using patch clamp technique in whole‐cell mode, atrial current densities were measured and compared between both groups.Results:  Ethanol infusion did not alter current densities of Ito [58.7 ± 5.0 pA/pF (PG, n = 20 cells) vs. 53.9 ± 5.0 pA/pF (EG, n = 24)], Isus [11.3 ± 1.4 pA/pF (PG, n = 20) vs. 10.2 ± 1.0 pA/pF (EG, n = 24)], and IK1 [−1.6 ± 0.3 pA/pF (PG, n = 17) vs. −2.0 ± 0.3 pA/pF (EG, n = 22)]. However, alcohol infusion resulted in a remarkable reduction of ICa,L current densities [−28.4 ± 1.8 pA/pF (PG, n = 20) vs. −15.2 ± 1.4 pA/pF (EG, n = 22)] and INa [−75.4 ± 3.6 pA/pF (PG, n = 17) vs. −35.4 ± 4.4 pA/pF (EG, n = 21)], respectively.Conclusion:  Sustained short‐term ethanol infusion in rabbits alters atrial current densities. HHS might be favored by alcohol‐induced atrial electrical remodeling.
MicroRNA Expression Profile in Lieber‐DeCarli Diet‐Induced Alcoholic and Methionine Choline Deficient Diet‐Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Models in Mice
Authors: Dolganiuc Angela , Petrasek Jan , Kodys Karen , Catalano Donna , Mandrekar Pranoti , Velayudham Arumugam , Szabo Gyongyi 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are leading causes of liver diseases worldwide. While of different etiology, these share common pathophysiological mechanisms and feature abnormal fat metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are highly conserved noncoding RNAs that control gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level either via the degradation of target mRNAs or the inhibition of translation. Each miRNA controls the expression of multiple targets; miRNAs have been linked to regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammation.Methods:  We fed Lieber‐DeCarli alcohol or methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diets to C57Bl6 and analyzed livers for histopathology, cytokines by ELISA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by biochemical assay, and microRNA profile by microarray.Results:  Both Lieber‐DeCarli and MCD diets lead to development of liver steatosis, liver injury, indicated by increased ALT, and elevated levels of serum TNFα, suggesting that animal models portray the pathophysiological features of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver, respectively. We identified that Lieber‐deCarli diet up‐regulated 1% and down‐regulated 1% of known miRNA; MCD diet up‐regulated 3% and down‐regulated 1% of known miRNA, compared to controls. Of miRNAs that changed expression levels, 5 miRNAs were common in alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty livers: the expression of both miR‐705 and miR‐1224 was increased after Lieber‐DeCarli or MCD diet feeding. In contrast, miR‐182, miR‐183, and miR‐199a‐3p were down‐regulated in Lieber‐deCarli feeding, while MCD diet lead to their up‐regulation, compared to corresponding controls.Conclusions:  Our findings indicate etiology‐specific changes in miRNA expression profile during steatohepatitis models, which opens new avenues for research in the pathophysiology of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Modulation of Brain Endocannabinoid Levels by Voluntary Alcohol Consumption in Alcohol‐Preferring AA Rats
Authors: Malinen Hanna , Lehtonen Marko , Hyytiä Petri 
Published: July 2009

Background:  The central nervous system cannabinoid CB1 receptors have been implicated in regulation of alcohol consumption. Less data are available on the role of the endogenous ligands for these receptors, anandamide (AEA) and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG), in alcohol‐related behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of voluntary alcohol consumption on the levels of these endocannabinoids in key brain areas mediating alcohol reinforcement.Methods:  Female and male alcohol‐preferring AA (Alko, Alcohol) rats were trained to drink 10% (v/v) alcohol during 90‐min limited access sessions every second day. Following establishment of stable alcohol drinking, half of the subjects were killed immediately before the daily alcohol access (“pre‐session” group), while the other half was killed after the drinking session (“post‐session” group). A separate control group consisted of water‐drinking rats. AEA and 2‐AG levels were measured from prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate putamen (CPu), amygdala, and hippocampus using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS).Results:  Voluntary alcohol drinking caused widespread alterations in the levels of both AEA and 2‐AG. Compared to the water group, increased AEA levels were seen in the pre‐session group, but they were decreased immediately following limited access drinking in the female AA rats. Also 2‐AG levels were significantly elevated after long alcohol exposure, and an additional increase was found after limited access drinking in PFC. In males, however, the only alterations caused by alcohol drinking were significantly elevated AEA levels in NAc and CPu in the post‐session group. No changes were seen in the levels of 2‐AG.Conclusions:  These results demonstrate that voluntary alcohol drinking modulates the levels of endocannabinoids in several brain areas implicated in alcohol reinforcement. AEA and 2‐AG were differentially affected, suggesting that they could have partially separate modulatory roles. Alterations were more widespread in females than males, possibly reflecting their higher alcohol intake. Taken together, alcohol‐induced release of endocannabinoids may have an important role in alcohol reinforcement and development of alcohol addiction.
A Single, Moderate Ethanol Exposure Alters Extracellular Dopamine Levels and Dopamine D2Receptor Function in the Nucleus Accumbens of Wistar Rats
Authors: Franklin Kelle M. , Engleman Eric A. , Ingraham Cynthia M. , McClaren Joseph A. , Keith Carrie M. , McBride William J. , Murphy James M. 
Published: July 2009

Background: The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has been implicated in the neurochemical effects of ethanol (EtOH). Evidence suggests that repeated EtOH exposures and chronic EtOH drinking increase dopamine (DA) neurotransmission in the NAc due, in part, to a reduction in D2autoreceptor function. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of a single EtOH pretreatment and repeated EtOH pretreatments on DA neurotransmission and D2autoreceptor function in the NAc of Wistar rats.Methods: Experiment 1 examined D2receptor function after a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection or repeated i.p. injections of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg EtOH to female Wistar rats. Single EtOH pretreatment groups received 1 daily i.p. injection of 0.9% NaCl (saline) for 4 days, followed by 1 day of saline or EtOH administration; repeated EtOH pretreatment groups received 5 days of saline or EtOH injections. Reverse microdialysis experiments were conducted to determine the effects of local perfusion with the D2‐like receptor antagonist (‐)sulpiride (SUL; 100 uM), on extracellular DA levels in the NAc. Experiment 2 evaluated if pretreatment with a single, moderate (1.0 g/kg) dose of EtOH would alter levels and clearance of extracellular DA in the NAc, as measured by no‐net‐flux (NNF) microdialysis. Subjects were divided into the EtOH‐naïve and the single EtOH pretreated groups from Experiment 1.Results: Experiment 1: Changes in extracellular DA levels induced with SUL perfusion were altered by the EtOH dose (p < 0.001), but not the number of EtOH pretreatments (p > 0.05). Post‐hoc analyses indicated that groups pretreated with single or repeated 1.0 g/kg EtOH showed significantly attenuated DA response to SUL, compared with all other groups (p < 0.001). Experiment 2: Multiple linear regression analyses yielded significantly (p < 0.05) higher extracellular DA concentrations in the NAc of rats receiving EtOH pretreatment, compared with their EtOH‐naïve counterparts (3.96 ± 0.42 nM and 3.25 ± 0.23 nM, respectively). Extraction fractions were not significantly different between the 2 groups.Conclusions: The present results indicate that a single EtOH pretreatment at a moderate dose can increase DA neurotransmission in the NAc due, in part, to reduced D2autoreceptor function.
Reduction of Alcohol’s Reinforcing and Motivational Properties by the Positive Allosteric Modulator of the GABABReceptor, BHF177, in Alcohol‐Preferring Rats
Authors: Maccioni Paola , Carai Mauro A.M. , Kaupmann Klemens , Guery Sébastien , Froestl Wolfgang , Leite‐Morris Kimberly A. , Gessa Gian Luigi , Colombo Giancarlo 
Published: July 2009

Background: The positive allosteric modulators of the GABABreceptor, CGP7930 and GS39783, have been found to reduce alcohol self‐administration in alcohol‐preferring rats. The present study was designed to assess the effect of the newly synthesized positive allosteric modulator of the GABABreceptor, BHF177, on alcohol’s reinforcing and motivational properties in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol‐preferring (sP) rats.Methods: sP rats were initially trained to respond on a lever [on a fixed ratio 4 (FR4) schedule of reinforcement] to orally self‐administer alcohol (15%, v/v) or sucrose (1 to 3%, w/v) in daily 30‐minute sessions. Once responding reached stable levels, rats were allocated to 2 different experiments: in the first experiment, rats were exposed to sessions with the FR4 schedule of reinforcement; in the second experiment, rats were exposed to sessions with a conventional progressive ratio (PR) schedule of reinforcement. In both experiments, the effect of BHF177 (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg; i.g.) on responding for alcohol and sucrose (FR experiment: 1%, w/v; PR experiment: 3%, w/v) was determined.Results: In the FR experiment, pretreatment with 25 and 50 mg/kg BHF177 produced a 30 and 45% reduction, respectively, in responding for alcohol. In the PR experiment, pretreatment with 50 mg/kg BHF177 resulted in a 35% reduction in breakpoint for alcohol (defined as the lowest response requirement not achieved by each rat and used as index of the motivational strength of alcohol). In both experiments, the effect of BHF177 on alcohol self‐administration was specific, since responding for sucrose was unaltered by BHF177 pretreatment.Conclusions: The present results extend to BHF177 the capacity of the 2 previously tested positive allosteric modulators of the GABABreceptor, CGP7930 and GS39783, to specifically suppress alcohol’s reinforcing and motivational properties in alcohol‐preferring rats.
Epidemiology of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in Rural Chinese Men
Authors: Zhou Liang , Conner Kenneth R. , Phillips Michael R. , Caine Eric D. , Xiao Shuiyuan , Zhang Ruiling , Gong Yu 
Published: July 2009

Background:  Several national and regional epidemiological studies in China have reported increases in the prevalence of alcohol use disorders over the past 3 decades.Methods:  This cross‐sectional study conducted in 2007 identified 11,884 male subjects aged 18 to 60 years using multi‐stage randomized cluster sampling methods in 2 rural communities in China and interviewed 9,866 of them. Current and lifetime alcohol use disorders were assessed with a semi‐structured diagnostic interview.Results:  The age‐standardized prevalence of current (lifetime) alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence in Hunan were 1.8% (4.8%) and 4.7% (8.6%) respectively, and those in Henan were 7.6% (11.8%) and 8.7% (10.8%). Higher age (55 to 60) and lower education were risk factors for alcohol dependence in Hunan while middle age (35 to 44), currently married, and higher education and higher income were risk factors in Henan.Conclusions:  Alcohol abuse and dependence are no longer uncommon disorders among rural men in China. Unlike most western reports, alcohol dependence shows higher prevalence than abuse. There are significant differences in the prevalence of alcohol use disorders and the socio‐demographic profile of affected individuals in the 2 different regions of the country.
Symptoms of delusion: the effects of discontinuation of low‐dose venlafaxine
Authors: Koga M. , Kodaka F. , Miyata H. , Nakayama K. 
Published: July 2009

Objective:  We report a patient who experienced delusional symptoms during gradual discontinuation of low‐dose venlafaxine and required antipsychotic treatment.Method:  Case report.Results:  A 31‐year‐old woman with major depression had been treated abroad with venlafaxine before returning to Japan. Since venlafaxine is unavailable here, we supplemented her regular venlafaxine dosage of 37.5 mg/day with clomipramine 20 mg/day. After 5 weeks we reduced venlafaxine to 18.75 mg/day and uptitrated clomipramine to 40 mg/day. Four days later she developed delusions of reference, palpitations and nausea. Clomipramine was increased to 60 mg/day, and her symptoms subsided. Eight weeks later her supply of venlafaxine ran out, and within 4 days her condition deteriorated into more severe symptoms that required 4 months’ antipsychotic treatment.Conclusion:  We speculate that her symptoms were discontinuation syndrome, including psychotic symptoms and physical symptoms, caused by (i) venlafaxine‐clomipramine interaction and/or (ii) the serotonin reuptake inhibitor‐like effects of low‐dose venlafaxine.
Non‐transferrin‐bound iron in haematological patients during chemotherapy and conditioning for autologous stem cell transplantation
Authors: Sahlstedt Leila , Von Bonsdorff Leni , Ebeling Freja , Parkkinen Jaakko , Juvonen Eeva , Ruutu Tapani 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFree iron induced hydroxyl radical formation is one possible mechanism for tissue injury during cytotoxic therapy. We studied the appearance of free, non‐transferrin‐bound iron (NTBI) at baseline and during the 20‐d period after the onset of cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with haematological malignancy undergoing intensive chemotherapy or conditioning for autologous stem cell transplantation (aSCT). NTBI was detected on average for 15.6 d in patients treated with chemotherapy only, and for 6.1 d in patients undergoing aSCT. The recovery of the bone marrow function coincided with the disappearance of NTBI. The type of the conditioning regimen was also associated with the appearance of NTBI. The timing of the presence of NTBI accords with the presence of the most important non‐infectious complication of intensive chemotherapy and autologous transplantation, mucosal injury, and free iron is likely to contribute to this and probably other complications of the intensive treatments.
Abnormal adipokine levels and leptin‐induced changes in gene expression profiles in multiple myeloma
Authors: Reseland Janne E. , Reppe Sjur , Olstad Ole K. , Hjorth‐Hansen Henrik , Brenne Anne T. , Syversen Unni , Waage Anders , Iversen Per O. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractBackground:  Studies have revealed an association between overweight/obesity and multiple myeloma. However, the factors linking a dysregulated energy metabolism to this disease have not been identified. Adipose tissue produces and secretes the adipokines leptin, adiponectin and resistin, involved in metabolism and cell growth.Methods:  We measured the plasma concentrations of these three adipokines in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma as well as in patients with relapse. We further explored the importance of leptin in multiple myeloma by performing gene expression profiling in two myeloma cell lines.Results:  At diagnosis, leptin was increased (P < 0.05) in both female and male patients compared with controls. Adiponectin was reduced (P < 0.05) among male patients, whereas no significant changes in resistin were noted among any patients. In patients with relapse and treated with thalidomide, no particular adipokine pattern was revealed. Leptin induced the expression of several genes important for cell signaling, growth and viability.Conclusions:  The plasma concentrations of leptin and adiponectin, but not resistin, were abnormal in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Adipose tissue may modify the growth and metabolism of myeloma cells through adipokine‐mediated effects.