bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inner and outer retinal mechanisms engaged by epiretinal stimulation in normal and rd mice
Authors: MARGALIT EYAL , BABAI NORBERT , LUO JIANMIN , THORESON WALLACE B. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractRetinal prosthetic devices are being developed to bypass degenerated retinal photoreceptors by directly activating retinal neurons with electrical stimulation. However, the retinal circuitry that is activated by epiretinal stimulation is not well characterized. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from ganglion cells in normal and rd mice using flat-mount and retinal slice preparations. A stimulating electrode was positioned along the ganglion cell side of the preparation at different distances from the stimulated tissue. Pulses of cathodic current evoked action potentials in ganglion cells and less frequently evoked sustained inward currents that appeared synaptic in origin. Sustained currents reversed around ECl and were inhibited by blockade of α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-proprionate (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors with 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-sulfamoyl-benzo(f)-quinoxaline-2,3-dione (NBQX), γ aminobutyric acid a/c (GABAa/c) receptors with picrotoxinin, or glycine receptors with strychnine. This suggests that epiretinal stimulation activates glutamate release from bipolar cell terminals, which in turn evokes release of GABA and glycine from amacrine cells. Synaptic current thresholds were lower in ON ganglion cells than OFF cells, but the modest difference did not attain statistical significance. Synaptic currents were rarely observed in rd mice lacking photoreceptors compared to normal retina. In addition, confocal calcium imaging experiments in normal mice retina slices revealed that epiretinal stimulation evoked calcium increases in the outer plexiform layer. These results imply a contribution from photoreceptor inputs to the synaptic currents observed in ganglion cells. The paucity of synaptic responses in rd mice retina slices suggests that it is better to target retinal ganglion cells directly rather than to attempt to engage the inner retinal circuitry.
Efficiency and linearity analysis of a burst mode RF PA with direct filter connection
Authors: François Brecht , Singerl Peter , Wiesbauer Andreas , Reynaert Patrick 
Published: April 2011

Burst mode operation is proposed as an efficiency improving technique for power amplifiers. The core idea is to modulate the amplitude of the envelope signal into a series of square-wave pulses such that the width of the signal burst or the total amount of pulses are varied according to the envelope. The phase information is still contained by the timing of the pulses. This work presents the efficiency and linearity analysis of burst mode radio frequency (RF)/power amplifier (PA). In addition, the efficiency performance is compared when the burst mode RF power amplifiers (PA) is connected to a wideband load or a narrowband filter. It is shown that burst mode PAs are more efficient than the conventional Class B PAs. To achieve an even more favorable efficiency, a transmission line is inserted between the output of the switching RF PA and the filter to improve the filter's impedance characteristic. Additionally, the efficiency and linearity of the burst mode PA with and without transmission line has been studied and simulated thoroughly. To demonstrate the validity of the efficiency formulas and linearity considerations, a printed circuit board (PCB)-mounted burst mode PA using a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) transistor was fabricated. Measurements show a peak efficiency of 78% and 28.8 dBm of output power.
The BRIF: Success Factors and Crucial Considerations for Ensuring Impact.
Authors: Miranda Lisa 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThis presentation focused on the potential of the BRIF to capture data that demonstrates the initial and long term impact of bioresources and those who direct/operate them for support/participation in biomedical and clinical research and their effects on clinical care outcomes. The focus of this talk is also to share ideas and provide different ways to look at the BRIF. The BRIF can be used to measure impact but may also be utilized to ensure and accelerate impact. Implementing the BRIF would potentially lead to significant positive downstream effects. Many challenges exist for the biobanking area ahead of this. One central issue that is delaying/impeding impact is the ability to create economically viable and sustainable resources.
Manifestation of altruism: Perceptions among counselling students in the United Kingdom
Authors: Swank Jacqueline M. , Robinson Mike E.H. , Ohrt Jonathan H. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAims: The purpose of this study was to examine the applicability of a proposed model of the development of altruism, or unselfish caring for others, as perceived by counselling students in the UK. Method: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight counsellors‐in‐training. The data analysis involved open coding, axial coding, and the development of a coding paradigm. Findings: The findings address the four factors (biological, cognitive, social learning, and religiosity/spirituality) proposed in the model. Additional themes included: (a) community development and sustainability, (b) altruism across the lifespan, and (c) the counselling profession. Implications: The findings suggest a relationship between altruism and counsellor success. This supports the integration of altruism within the counselling curriculum, as it relates to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework (2010). Furthermore, the findings support future research focused on altruism.
Sexual transmissibility of HIV among opiate users with concurrent sexual partnerships: an egocentric network study in Yunnan, China
Authors: Li Jian , Liu Hongjie , Li Jianhua , Luo Jian , Koram Nana , Detels Roger 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate the patterns of concurrent sexual partnerships among young opiate users and sexual transmissibility of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in concurrent sexual partnerships in drug‐use and sexual networks.Design  Cross‐sectional design.Participants  A total of 426 young opiate users in Yunnan, China.Setting  Young opiate users recruited from their network ties.Measurement  Respondent‐driven sampling (RDS) was used to recruit participants. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to analyze the relationships of concurrent sexual partnerships with egocentric social network components, risky sexual behavior for HIV and drug‐use practices.Findings  The RDS‐adjusted prevalence of concurrent sexual partners was 42.9% among opiate users. Opiate users with concurrent sexual partnerships were more likely to engage in risky HIV‐related sexual behavior, compared to those without. Specifically, they were more likely to report having had four or more sexual partners (26.3% versus 2.0%), having had a spouse or boy/girlfriends who also had concurrent sexual partnerships (28.1% versus 8.2%), having exchanged drug for sex (12.4% versus 3.8%), having had sexual partners who were non‐injection drug users (22.6% versus 10.1%), having had sexual partners who were injection drug users (25.3% versus 13.5%) and having used club drugs (26.3% versus 13.5%). There were no significant differences in consistent condom use between opiate users with sexual concurrency and those without. The same proportion (25.8%) of opiate users in the two groups reported having consistently used condoms when having sex with regular partners, and 46.3% of opiate users with sexual concurrency and 36.4% of those without such concurrency consistently used condoms with non‐regular partners.Conclusion  The expansion of the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic from high‐risk populations to the general population in China may be driven by concurrent sexual partnerships. Behavioral interventions targeting safer sex should be integrated into harm reduction programmes.
Comparison of analgesic efficacy of subcostal transversus abdominis plane blocks with epidural analgesia following upper abdominal surgery
Authors: Niraj G. , Kelkar A. , Jeyapalan I. , Graff‐Baker P. , Williams O. , Darbar A. , Maheshwaran A. , Powell R. 
Published: April 2011

SummarySubcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheters have been reported to be an effective method of providing analgesia after upper abdominal surgery. We compared their analgesic efficacy with that of epidural analgesia after major upper abdominal surgery in a randomised controlled trial. Adult patients undergoing elective open hepatobiliary or renal surgery were randomly allocated to receive subcostal TAP catheters (n = 29) or epidural analgesia (n = 33), in addition to a standard postoperative analgesic regimen comprising of regular paracetamol and tramadol as required. The TAP group patients received bilateral subcostal TAP catheters and 1 mg.kg−1 bupivacaine 0.375% bilaterally every 8 h. The epidural group patients received an infusion of bupivacaine 0.125% with fentanyl 2 μg.ml−1. The primary outcome measure was visual analogue pain scores during coughing at 8, 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery. We found no significant differences in median (IQR [range]) visual analogue scores during coughing at 8 h between the TAP group (4.0 (2.3–6.0 [0–7.5])) and epidural group (4.0 (2.5–5.3) [0–8.5])) and at 72 h (2.0 (0.8–4.0 [0–5]) and 2.5 (1.0–5.0 [0–6]), respectively). Tramadol consumption was significantly greater in the TAP group (p = 0.002). Subcostal TAP catheter boluses may be an effective alternative to epidural infusions for providing postoperative analgesia after upper abdominal surgery.
Anaesthesia for a patient with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis with ovarian teratoma: relationship to anti‐N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor antibodies
Authors: Kawano H. , Hamaguchi E. , Kawahito S. , Tsutsumi Y. M. , Tanaka K. , Kitahata H. , Oshita S. 
Published: April 2011

SummaryParaneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with ovarian teratoma has recently been related to the development of antibodies to specific heteromers of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor and exhibits various manifestations including psychiatric symptoms, hypoventilation, seizures and derangement of autonomic nervous system function. Although recovery can sometimes occur spontaneously, early tumour resection with immunotherapy facilitates earlier recovery. Herein, we describe anaesthetic management of a 20‐year‐old woman who developed general convulsions and decreased level of consciousness, whom we suspected of having paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis and was scheduled for left ovarian tumour resection. Anaesthetic management was successful with no complications but the case acts as focus of discussion for the potential interaction of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptors and anaesthetic sensitivity.
Late-onset Fabry disease associated with angiokeratoma of Fordyce and multiple cherry angiomas
Authors: Hogarth V. , Dhoat S. , Mehta A. B. , Orteu C. H. 
Published: April 2011

Summary
Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder. The prevalence and clinical spectrum is higher than previously thought. The average time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis is 10 years. Early identification of patients is essential to institute enzyme therapy and reduce morbidity. We report the case of a 76-year-old man, who presented with loss of consciousness following exertional chest pain. He was found to have tortuous corneal vessels, &gt; 100 cherry angiomas on his trunk, and angiokeratomas on his scrotum. The latter were indistinguishable from angiokeratoma of Fordyce, a diagnosis reported in 15% of men over the age of 50 years, and generally ignored by them. The patient’s α-galactosidase levels were low, and a mutation in exon 5 of the GLA gene was identified on DNA analysis, confirming the diagnosis of FD. This case highlights the importance of considering a diagnosis of FD in all male patients with angiokeratoma. It also raises the question of whether the presence of multiple cherry angiomas in patients with cardiac disease should raise the possible diagnosis of FD.
Joint elastic‐electrical effective medium models of reservoir sandstones
Authors: Han Tongcheng , Best Angus I. , MacGregor Lucy M. , Sothcott Jeremy , Minshull Tim A. 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTImprovements in the joint inversion of seismic and marine controlled source electromagnetic data sets will require better constrained models of the joint elastic‐electrical properties of reservoir rocks. Various effective medium models were compared to a novel laboratory data set of elastic velocity and electrical resistivity (obtained on 67 reservoir sandstone samples saturated with 35 g/l brine at a differential pressure of 8 MPa) with mixed results. Hence, we developed a new three‐phase effective medium model for sandstones with pore‐filling clay minerals based on the combined self‐consistent approximation and differential effective medium model. We found that using a critical porosity of 0.5 and an aspect ratio of 1 for all three components, the proposed model gave accurate model predictions of the observed magnitudes of P‐wave velocity and electrical resistivity and of the divergent trends of clean and clay‐rich sandstones at higher porosities. Using only a few well‐constrained input parameters, the new model offers a practical way to predict in situ porosity and clay content in brine saturated sandstones from co‐located P‐wave velocity and electrical resistivity data sets.
The association between blood pressure in adolescents and the consumption of fruits, vegetables and fruit juice – an exploratory study
Authors: Damasceno Marta MC , de Araújo Márcio FM , Freire de Freitas Roberto WJ , de Almeida Paulo C , Zanetti Maria L 
Published: April 2011

Objective.  The objective of this study was to correlate blood pressure levels with the consumption of fruit, vegetables and pulses and fruit juice among Brazilian adolescents.Background.  Scientific evidence has shown a relationship between the regular consumption of vegetables and the prevention of cardiovascular disturbances, such as arterial hypertension, cerebrovascular disease and dyslipidemia.Design.  A cross‐sectional and correlational study was designed involving a random sample of 794 adolescents from 12 private schools located in a metropolitan area in the north‐east of Brazil.Method.  The subjects responded to a questionnaire structured so as to investigate their regular consumption of fruits, vegetables, pulses and juice. Blood pressure was measured three times, with an interval of one minute between each measurement. The average of the last two measurements was used for the study. The chi‐square test, Kruskal–Wallis test and Spearman’s rank correlation were used to investigate the association between blood pressure and the consumption of fruit, vegetables, pulses and juice.Results.  Lower values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were identified in adolescents with a consumption of fruit ≥twice daily (p < 0·001). In the case of vegetables and pulses, systolic blood pressure was lower among adolescents who consumed more of this type of food (p = 0·021).Conclusions.  This study concluded that adolescents who consume more fruit have lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while those who regularly consume vegetables and pulses also had lower levels of systolic pressure.Relevance to clinical practice.  The results of this study suggest that nurses can develop health education activities in schools to encourage the consumption of fruits, vegetables, pulses and fruit juices, especially among those adolescents who are more likely to develop arterial hypertension.
Phylogeography of the Atlanto‐Mediterranean sea cucumber Holothuria (Holothuria) mammata: the combined effects of historical processes and current oceanographical pattern
Authors: BORRERO‐PÉREZ G. H. , GONZÁLEZ‐WANGÜEMERT M. , MARCOS C. , PÉREZ‐RUZAFA A. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe assessed the genetic structure of populations of the widely distributed sea cucumber Holothuria (Holothuria) mammata Grube, 1840, and investigated the effects of marine barriers to gene flow and historical processes. Several potential genetic breaks were considered, which would separate the Atlantic and Mediterranean basins, the isolated Macaronesian Islands from the other locations analysed, and the Western Mediterranean and Aegean Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). We analysed mitochondrial 16S and COI gene sequences from 177 individuals from four Atlantic locations and four Mediterranean locations. Haplotype diversity was high (H = 0.9307 for 16S and 0.9203 for COI), and the haplotypes were closely related (π = 0.0058 for 16S and 0.0071 for COI). The lowest genetic diversities were found in the Aegean Sea population. Our results showed that the COI gene was more variable and more useful for the detection of population structure than the 16S gene. The distribution of mtDNA haplotypes, the pairwise FST values and the results of exact tests and amova revealed: (i) a significant genetic break between the population in the Aegean Sea and those in the other locations, as supported by both mitochondrial genes, and (ii) weak differentiation of the Canary and Azores Islands from the other populations; however, the populations from the Macaronesian Islands, Algarve and West Mediterranean could be considered to be a panmictic metapopulation. Isolation by distance was not identified in H. (H.) mammata. Historical events behind the observed findings, together with the current oceanographic patterns, were proposed and discussed as the main factors that determine the population structure and genetic signature of H. (H.) mammata.
Patterns of alcohol consumption among pregnant African‐American women in Washington, DC, USA
Authors: Kiely Michele , Thornberry Jutta S. , Bhaskar Brinda , Rodan Margaret F. 
Published: April 2011

SummaryKiely M, Thornberry JS, Bhaskar B, Rodan MF. Patterns of alcohol consumption among pregnant African‐American women in Washington, DC, USA. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2011; 25: 328–339.The objective of this paper is to describe the patterns and associated behaviours related to alcohol consumption among a selected sample of pregnant women seeking prenatal care in inner city Washington DC. Women receiving prenatal care at one of nine sites completed an anonymous alcohol‐screening questionnaire. Questions concerned the amount, type and pattern of alcohol consumption. Women were categorised as at no, low, moderate or high risk for alcohol consumption during pregnancy. For comparisons of risk levels of drinking, bivariate associations were examined using Fisher's exact test. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were also computed. Although 31% of current/recent drinkers stated that they continued to drink during pregnancy, responses to quantity/frequency questions revealed that 42% continued to do so. Women who were at high compared with moderate risk acknowledged that others were worried about their consumption [OR = 4.0, 95% CI 1.5, 10.6], that they drank upon rising [OR = 6.7, 95% CI 1.8, 26.9], had a need to reduce drinking [OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.3, 8.1] and in the past 5 years had had fractures [OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.0, 17.8] or a road traffic injury [OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.0, 12.2]. Women in the high/moderate compared with low‐risk group were more likely to have been injured in a fight or assault [OR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.3, 5.6]. This study validated the usefulness of our questionnaire in identifying women who were at risk for alcohol consumption during pregnancy across a range of consumption levels. Using our screening tool, women were willing to disclose their drinking habits. This low‐cost method identifies women appropriate for targeting of interventions.
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy: current knowledge and future direction
Authors: Colvin‐Adams Monica , Agnihotri Adheesh 
Published: April 2011

Colvin‐Adams M, Agnihotri A. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy: current knowledge and future direction. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 175–184. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a unique form of coronary artery disease affecting heart transplant recipients. Although prognosis of heart transplant recipients has improved over time, CAV remains a significant cause of mortality beyond the first year of cardiac transplantation. Many traditional and non‐traditional risk factors for the development of CAV have been described. Traditional risk factors include dyslipidemia, diabetes and hypertension. Non‐traditional risk factors include cytomegalovirus infection, HLA mismatch, antibody‐mediated rejection, and mode of donor brain death. There is a complex interplay between immunological and non‐immunological factors ultimately leading to endothelial injury and exaggerated repair response. Pathologically, CAV manifests as fibroelastic proliferation of intima and luminal stenosis. Early diagnosis is paramount as heart transplant recipients are frequently asymptomatic owing to cardiac denervation related to the transplant surgery. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) offers many advantages over conventional angiography and is an excellent predictor of prognosis in heart transplant recipients. Many non‐invasive diagnostic tests including dobutamine stress echocardiography, CT angiography, and MRI are available; though, none has replaced angiography. This review discusses the risk factors, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of CAV and highlights some current concepts and recent developments in this field.
Serum albumin, subjective global assessment, body mass index and the bioimpedance analysis in the assessment of malnutrition in patients up to 15 years after liver transplantation
Authors: Wagner D. , Adunka C. , Kniepeiss D. , Jakoby E. , Schaffellner S. , Kandlbauer M. , Fahrleitner‐Pammer A. , Roller R.E. , Kornprat P. , Müller H. , Iberer F. , Tscheliessnigg K.H. 
Published: April 2011

Wagner D, Adunka C, Kniepeiss D, Jakoby E, Schaffellner S, Kandlbauer M, Fahrleitner‐Pammer A, Roller RE, Kornprat P, Müller H, Iberer F, Tscheliessnigg KH. Serum albumin, subjective global assessment, body mass index and the bioimpedance analysis in the assessment of malnutrition in patients up to 15 years after liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E396–E3400. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  The subjective global assessment (SGA) or the body mass index (BMI) is used to determine the nutritional state after LTX. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is used as tool to determine body composition by nutritional care professionals.Methods:  BIA, SGA, BMI, and serum albumin (SA) levels were performed to assess malnutrition following liver transplantation. BIA measurement was used as reference standard to determine existing malnutrition. A phase angle (PA) <5 was used to define potentially existing chronic disease‐related malnutrition as a standard. All other measured parameters were compared with respect to their prognostic accuracy regarding the prediction of malnutrition as compared to the mentioned standard.Results:  Seventy‐one recipients (51 men, 20 women) were included. Median age was 58, weight 77 kg, BMI 26 kg/m2, PA 4.1°, and SA 4.3 g/dL. According to the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, 9.4% (6/71), to BMI 15.4% (11/71), to SA 30.9% (22/71), and to BIA 36.5% (28/71) of the patients were malnourished. PA did not correlate with BMI or NA, there was a significant correlation with SA (p = 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed SA as independent predictor for malnutrition. ROC analysis for all parameters revealed a significantly (p < 0.05) better area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for SA (0.812) than for BMI (0.603) for the prediction of malnutrition.Conclusion:  SGA or BMI calculation alone does not suffice to evaluate the nutritional status. SA seems to play a crucial role in the prediction of severe disease‐related malnutrition in this special patient cohort.