bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between cardiac output and reversibility of rocuronium‐induced moderate neuromuscular block with sugammadex
Authors: YOSHIDA F. , SUZUKI T. , KASHIWAI A. , FURUYA T. , KONISHI J. , OGAWA S. 
Published: November 2011

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between cardiac output (CO) and reversibility of rocuronium‐induced moderate neuromuscular block with sugammadex in elderly patients.MethodsFifty elderly (≥ 65 years) patients were enrolled in this study. During 1.0–1.5% end‐tidal sevoflurane and remifentanil anaesthesia, contraction of the adductor pollicis muscle in response to ulnar nerve stimulation was acceleromyographically quantified. All patients initially received 1 mg/kg rocuronium followed by 0.2 mg/kg whenever the second twitch T2 of the train‐of‐four (TOF) response reappeared. CO was measured throughout the study using a FloTrac™/Vigileo™ monitor. After completion of surgery and at the reappearance of T2, the time required for a bolus dose of 2 mg/kg sugammadex to facilitate recovery to a TOF ratio of 0.9 was recorded, and its correlation with CO was analysed.ResultsAdequate recovery of neuromuscular block was achieved after sugammadex in all patients. Mean CO at the time of reversal with sugammadex was 5.3 l/min (1.3), and recovery time to a TOF ratio of 0.9 was 173.4 s (54.8). A statistically significant inverse correlation was seen between the time to recovery to a TOF ratio of 0.9 and CO [reversal time (s) = −27.7·CO + 298.7, R2
= 0.461, P < 0.0001].ConclusionsThe time to reach a TOF ratio of 0.9 following sugammadex is dependent on CO in elderly patients.
High‐throughput multiplex PCR genotyping for 35 red blood cell antigens in blood donors
Authors: Jungbauer C. , Hobel C. M. , Schwartz D. W. M. , Mayr W. R. 
Published: November 2011

Background and Objectives  One to two per cent of patients in need of red cell transfusion carry irregular antibodies to red blood cell (RBC) antigens and have to be supplied with specially selected blood units. To be able to respond to those requests, blood centres have to screen a significant number of donors for a variety of antigens serologically, which is a costly and through the shortage of reagents, also limited procedure. To make this procedure more efficient, the Austrian Red Cross has developed a genotyping assay as an alternative approach for high throughput RBC typing.Materials and Methods  A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was designed for typing 35 RBC antigens in six reaction mixes. The assay includes both common as well as high‐frequency‐alleles:MNS1, MNS2, MNS3 and MNS4; LU1, LU2, LU8 and LU14; KEL1, KEL2, KEL3, KEL4, KEL6, KEL7, KEL11, KEL17 and KEL21; FY1, FY2, FYBWK and FY0 (FYBES); JK1 and JK2; DI1, DI2, DI3 and DI4; YT1 and YT2; DO1 and DO2; CO1 and CO2; IN1 and IN2.The assay was validated using 370 selected serologically typed samples. Subsequently 6000 individuals were screened to identify high frequency antigen (HFA)‐negative donors and to facilitate the search for compatible blood for alloimmunized patients.Results  All controls showed complete concordance for the tested markers. The screening of 6000 donors revealed 57 new HFA‐negative donors and the blood group database was extended by approximately 210 000 results.Conclusion  The study shows that in practice, this high‐throughput genotyping assay is feasible, fast and provides reliable results. Compared to serological testing, this molecular approach is also very cost‐efficient.
Rural maternity care and health policy: Parents' experiences
Authors: Evans Rebecca , Veitch Craig , Hays Richard , Clark Michele , Larkins Sarah 
Published: November 2011

AbstractObjective:  To explore rural residents' experiences of access to maternity care with consideration of the policy context.Design:  This paper describes findings from focus groups with parents which formed part of case study data from a larger study.Setting:  Four north Queensland rural towns.Participants:  Thirty‐three parents living in one of the four rural towns.Main outcome measures:  Identifying prevalent themes in case studies regarding rural parents' expectations and experiences in accessing maternity care.Results:  Parents desired a local, safe and consistent maternity service. Removing or downgrading rural services introduced new barriers to care for rural residents: (i) increased financial costs; (ii) family issues; and (iii) safety concerns.Conclusions:  Although concerns about rural residents' health status and health care access have received significant policy attention for over a decade, many of the problems which prompted these policy initiatives remain today. Current policy approaches should be re‐evaluated in order to improve rural Australians' access to vital health services such as maternity care.
Specification and regionalisation of the neural plate border
Authors: Patthey Cédric , Gunhaga Lena 
Published: November 2011

AbstractDuring early vertebrate development, the embryonic ectoderm becomes subdivided into neural, neural plate border (border) and epidermal regions. The nervous system is derived from the neural and border domains which, respectively, give rise to the central and peripheral nervous systems. To better understand the functional nervous system we need to know how individual neurons are specified and connected. Our understanding of the early development of the peripheral nervous system has been lagging compared to knowledge regarding central nervous system and epidermal cell lineage decision. Recent advances have shown when and how the specification of border cells is initiated. One important insight is that border specification is already initiated at blastula stages, and can be molecularly and temporally distinguished from rostrocaudal regionalisation of the border. From findings in several species, it is clear that Wnt, Bone Morphogenetic Protein and Fibroblast Growth Factor signals play important roles during the specification and regionalisation of the border. In this review, we highlight the individual roles of these signals and compare models of border specification, including a new model that describes how temporal coordination and epistatic interactions of extracellular signals result in the specification and regionalisation of border cells.
Postnatal differentiation of cortical interneuron signalling
Authors: Sauer Jonas‐Frederic , Bartos Marlene 
Published: November 2011

AbstractMost GABAergic interneurons in the cortex are born at embryonic stages in the ganglionic eminences and migrate tangentially to their final destination. They continue, however, to differentiate and functionally integrate in the circuitry until later postnatal stages of the rodent brain. Recent investigations show that interneurons undergo marked changes in their morphological, intrinsic and synaptic properties as they mature. Action potential shape and its propagation, the period of transmitter release and the time course of the postsynaptic GABAA receptor‐mediated conductance become faster during the first three to four postnatal weeks, resulting in a developmental switch of interneurons from slow to fast signalling units. At the same time, the nature of GABAergic signalling is classically considered to shift from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing. However, recent studies oppose this view as interneuron synapses can be shunting, excitatory or hyperpolarizing in the mature cortex, demonstrating the coexistence of diverse developmental rules for the emerging effects of GABAergic synapses. Thus, mature interneuron signalling comes in many forms and is apparently optimized to the network in which the neurons are embedded.
Electrical activity patterns and the functional maturation of the neocortex
Authors: Kilb Werner , Kirischuk Sergei , Luhmann Heiko J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAt the earliest developmental stages, sensory neocortical areas in various species reveal distinct patterns of spontaneous neuronal network activity. These activity patterns either propagate over large neocortical areas or synchronize local neuronal ensembles. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that these spontaneous activity patterns are generated from neuronal networks in the cerebral cortex, in subcortical structures or in the sensory periphery (retina, cochlea, whiskers). At early stages spontaneous periphery‐driven and also sensory evoked activity is relayed to the developing cerebral cortex via the thalamus and the neocortical subplate, which amplifies the afferent sensory input. These early local and large‐scale neuronal activity patterns influence a variety of developmental processes during corticogenesis, such as neurogenesis, apoptosis, neuronal migration, differentiation and network formation. The experimental data also indicate that disturbances in early neuronal patterns may have an impact on the development of cortical layers, columns and networks. In this article we review our current knowledge on the origin of early electrical activity patterns in neocortical sensory areas and their functional implications on shaping developing cortical networks.
Dependence on the transcription factor Shox2 for specification of sensory neurons conveying discriminative touch
Authors: Abdo Hind , Li Lili , Lallemend Francois , Bachy Isabelle , Xu Xiao‐Jun , Rice Frank L. , Ernfors Patrik 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTouch sensation is mediated by specific subtypes of sensory neurons which develop in a hierarchical process from common early progenitor neurons, but the molecular mechanism that underlies diversification of touch‐sensitive mechanoreceptive neurons is not fully known. Here, we use genetically manipulated mice to examine whether the transcription factor short stature homeobox 2 (Shox2) participates in the acquisition of neuronal subtypes conveying touch sensation. We show that Shox2 encodes the development of category I low‐threshold mechanoreceptive neurons in glabrous skin, i.e. discriminative touch‐sensitive neurons which form innervations of epidermal Merkel cell and Meissner corpuscles. In contrast, other sensory fiber endings, including those innervating Pacinian corpuscles, are not dependent on Shox2. Shox2 is expressed in neurons of most or all classes of sensory neurons at early embryonic stages and is later confined to touch‐sensitive neurons expressing Ret and/or TrkB. Conditional deletion of Shox2 and analysis of Runx3−/−;Bax−/− mutant mice reveals that Runx3 is suppressing Shox2 while Shox2 is necessary for TrkB expression, and that these interactions are necessary for diversification of TrkB+ and TrkC+ mechanoreceptive neurons. In particular, development of TrkB+/Ret+ and TrkB+/Ret− touch‐sensitive neurons is critically dependent on Shox2. Consistently, Shox2 conditional mutant mice demonstrate a dramatic impairment of light touch responses. These results show that Shox2 is required for specification of a subclass of TrkB+ sensory neurons which convey the sensation of discriminative touch arising from stimuli of the skin.
Differential gene expression in migratory streams of cortical interneurons
Authors: Antypa Mary , Faux Clare , Eichele Gregor , Parnavelas John G. , Andrews William D. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractCortical interneurons originate in the ganglionic eminences of the subpallium and migrate into the cortex in well‐defined tangential streams. At the start of corticogenesis, two streams of migrating neurons are evident: a superficial one at the level of the preplate (PPL), and a deeper one at the level of the intermediate zone (IZ). Currently, little is known about the signalling mechanisms that regulate interneuron migration, and almost nothing is known about the molecules that may be involved in their choice of migratory stream. Here, we performed a microarray analysis, comparing the changes in gene expression between cells migrating in the PPL and those migrating in the IZ at embryonic day 13.5. This analysis identified genes, many of them novel, that were upregulated in one of the two streams. Moreover, polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization experiments and immunohistochemistry showed the expression of these genes in interneurons migrating within the PPL or IZ, suggesting that they play a role in their migration and choice of stream.
Bidirectional pattern‐specific plasticity of the slow afterhyperpolarization in rats: role for high‐voltage activated Ca2+ channels and Ih
Authors: Kaczorowski C. C. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA burst of action potentials in hippocampal neurons is followed by a slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) that serves to limit subsequent firing. A reduction in the sAHP accompanies acquisition of several types of learning, whereas increases in the sAHP are correlated with cognitive impairment. The present study demonstrates in vitro that activity‐dependent bidirectional plasticity of the sAHP does not require synaptic activation, and depends on the pattern of action potential firing. Whole‐cell current‐clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices from young rats (postnatal days14–24) were performed in blockers of synaptic transmission. The sAHP was evoked by action potential firing at gamma‐related (50 Hz, gamma‐AHP) or theta frequencies (5 Hz, theta‐AHP), two firing frequencies implicated in attention and memory. Interestingly, when the gamma‐AHP and theta‐AHP were evoked in the same cell, a gradual potentiation of the gamma‐AHP (186 ± 31%) was observed that was blocked using Ca2+ channel blockers nimodipine (10 μm) or ω‐conotoxin MVIIC (1 μm). In experiments that exclusively evoked the sAHP with 50 Hz firing, the gamma‐AHP was similarly potentiated (198 ± 44%). However, theta‐burst firing pattern alone resulted in a decrease (65 ± 19%) of the sAHP. In these experiments, application of the h‐channel blocker ZD7288 (25 μm) selectively prevented enhancement of the gamma‐AHP. These data demonstrate that induction requirements for bidirectional AHP plasticity depend on the pattern of action potential firing, and result from distinct mechanisms. The identification of novel mechanisms underlying AHP plasticity in vitro provides additional insight into the dynamic processes that may regulate neuronal excitability during learning in vivo.
Development of raphe serotonin neurons from specification to guidance
Authors: Kiyasova Vera , Gaspar Patricia 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe main features of the development of the serotonin (5‐HT) raphe neurons have been known for many years but more recent molecular studies, using mouse genetics, have since unveiled several intriguing aspects of the specification of the raphe serotonergic system. These studies indicated that, although all 5‐HT neurons in the raphe follow the same general program for their specification, there are also clear regional differences in the way that these neurons are specified and are guided towards different brain targets. Here we overview recent progress made in the understanding of the developmental programming of serotonergic neurons in the mouse raphe, emphasizing data showing how heterogeneous subsets of 5‐HT neurons may be generated. Serotonergic progenitors are produced in the brainstem in different rhombomeres under the influence of a set of secreted factors, sonic hedgehog and fibroblast growth factors, which determine their position in the neural tube. Two main transcriptional gene networks are involved in the specification of 5‐HT identity, with Lmx1b and Pet1 transcription factors as main players. A differential requirement for Pet1 was, however, revealed, which underlies an anatomical and functional diversity. Transcriptional programs controlling 5‐HT identity could also impact axon guidance mechanisms directing 5‐HT neurons to their targets. Although no direct links have yet been established, a large set of molecular determinants have already been shown to be involved in the growth, axon guidance and targeting of 5‐HT raphe neurons, particularly within the forebrain. Alterations in the molecular mechanisms involved in 5‐HT development are likely to have significant roles in mood disease predisposition.
Do brain responses to emotional images and cigarette cues differ? An fMRI study in smokers
Authors: Versace Francesco , Engelmann Jeffrey M. , Jackson Edward F. , Costa Vincent D. , Robinson Jason D. , Lam Cho Y. , Minnix Jennifer A. , Brown Victoria L. , Wetter David W. , Cinciripini Paul M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractChronic smoking is thought to cause changes in brain reward systems that result in overvaluation of cigarette‐related stimuli and undervaluation of natural rewards. We tested the hypotheses that, in smokers, brain circuits involved in emotional processing: (i) would be more active during exposure to cigarette‐related than neutral pictures; and (ii) would be less active to pleasant compared with cigarette‐related pictures, suggesting a devaluation of intrinsically pleasant stimuli. We obtained whole‐brain blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 35 smokers during the presentation of pleasant (erotica and romance), unpleasant (mutilations and sad), neutral, and cigarette‐related pictures. Whole‐brain analyses showed significantly larger BOLD responses during presentation of cigarette‐related pictures relative to neutral ones within the secondary visual areas, the cingulate gyrus, the frontal gyrus, the dorsal striatum, and the left insula. BOLD responses to erotic pictures exceeded responses to cigarette‐related pictures in all clusters except the insula. Within the left insula we observed larger BOLD responses to cigarette‐related pictures than to all other picture categories. By including intrinsically pleasant and unpleasant pictures in addition to neutral ones, we were able to conclude that the presentation of cigarette‐related pictures activates brain areas supporting emotional processes, but we did not find evidence of overall reduced activation of the brain reward systems in the presence of intrinsically pleasant stimuli.
An audit of anesthetic management and complications of tracheo‐esophageal fistula and esophageal atresia repair
Authors: Knottenbelt Graham , Costi David , Stephens Philip , Beringer Richard , Davidson Andrew 
Published: November 2011

SummaryBackground:  Many different anesthetic techniques have been suggested for the management of tracheo‐oesophageal fistula/oesophageal atresia (TOF/OA) although the incidence of ventilation difficulty is not well known and it is unclear which technique is best in managing this. The aim of our audit was to determine the incidence of ventilation difficulty during repair of TOF/OA. We also recorded the current practice for anesthesia and analgesia in these children as well as the incidence of comorbidities and surgical complications.Methods:  We retrospectively audited cases of TOF/OA repair over a 3‐year period in four hospitals, recording demographics, comorbidities, surgical data, postoperative complications, and anesthetic technique, including ventilation difficulty and management strategy.Results:  A total of 111 patients were identified with TOF/OA, and 106 patient notes and 101 anesthetic records were found. 42% of patients were premature, and 57.5% had significant comorbidities. Death was most likely in infants with low birth weight and low gestational age at birth and in those with major cardiac comorbidity. A range of techniques were used for induction, maintenance, extubation, and pain control. There were ventilation difficulties recorded at induction in seven patients, and significant desaturations were recorded in 15 patients intraoperatively.Conclusions:  This audit adds to the data already published about incidences of complications and comorbidities associated with TOF/OA repair. Defining anesthetic practice with regard to ventilation and analgesic strategies is important in comparing the adequacy and risk of techniques used. Our audit shows that a range of differing anesthetic techniques are still employed by different anesthetists and institutions and details some of the techniques being used for managing difficult ventilation.
Anesthetic and perioperative risk in the patient with Ataxia‐Telangiectasia
Authors: Lockman Justin L. , Iskander Andrew J. , Bembea Melania , Crawford Thomas O. , Lederman Howard M. , McGrath‐Morrow Sharon , Easley R. Blaine 
Published: November 2011

SummaryObjectives/Aim:  To report our relatively large experience with perioperative care for patients with Ataxia‐Telangiectasia (A‐T) and to identify the nature and frequency of complications.Background:  Ataxia‐Telangiectasia is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder resulting in progressive multisystem degeneration and characteristic findings including complex neurodegeneration, immunodeficiency, increased risk of malignancy, and lung disease. Anecdotal reports have suggested high perioperative morbidity in patients with A‐T, but few data exist.Methods/Materials:  The Ataxia‐Telangiectasia Clinical Center database was cross‐referenced with operative records between 1995 and 2009 to identify patients with perioperative A‐T, and medical records were reviewed for preoperative history, management techniques, and complications.Results:  Twenty‐one patients with A‐T underwent 34 anesthetics during the study period. The median age was 12.5 years (range 6–33 years). Common comorbidities included neurologic (100%), pulmonary (68%), immunologic (50%), oncologic (47%), and gastroenterologic (35%) disorders. Supplemental oxygen was required on postanesthesia care unit discharge for 24% of patients with a maximal duration of 24 h. Although mild postoperative hypothermia was relatively common (44% of anesthetics), there were no major complications, no unplanned admissions, and no mortality in this series.Conclusions:  Although limited by its retrospective nature, this is the first series describing perioperative risk for patients with A‐T. Our results indicate that general anesthesia, airway manipulation, and perioperative mechanical ventilation may be tolerated with only minor postoperative anesthetic concerns. Perioperative providers should be aware of the complex multisystem medical concerns that may arise in these patients.
A giant cell surface protein in Synechococcus WH8102 inhibits feeding by a dinoflagellate predator
Authors: Strom Suzanne L. , Brahamsha Bianca , Fredrickson Kerri A. , Apple Jude K. , Rodríguez Andres Gutiérrez 
Published: November 2011

SummaryDiverse strains of the marine planktonic cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. show consistent differences in their susceptibility to predation. We used mutants of Sargasso Sea strain WH8102 (clade III) to test the hypothesis that cell surface proteins play a role in defence against predation by protists. Predation rates by the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Oxyrrhis marina on mutants lacking the giant SwmB protein were always higher (by 1.6 to 3.9×) than those on wild‐type WH8102 cells, and equalled predation rates on a clade I strain (CC9311). In contrast, absence of the SwmA protein, which comprises the S‐layer (surface layer of the cell envelope that is external to the outer membrane), had no effect on predation by O. marina. Reductions in predation rate were not due to dissolved substances in Synechococcus cultures, and could not be accounted for by variations in cell hydrophobicity. We hypothesize that SwmB defends Synechococcus WH8102 by interfering with attachment of dinoflagellate prey capture organelles or cell surface receptors. Giant proteins are predicted in the genomes of multiple Synechococcus isolates, suggesting that this defence strategy may be more general. Strategies for resisting predation will contribute to the differential competitive success of different Synechococcus groups, and to the diversity of natural picophytoplankton assemblages.