bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic and attitudinal factors to blood donation in the urban population of Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Duboz Priscilla , Macia Enguerran , Cunéo Bernard 
Published: June 2010

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this analysis were 1) to compare the sociodemographic characteristics of donors and nondonors, 2) to describe the channels through which Dakar's population is made aware of blood donation, and 3) to analyze the motivations and barriers to blood donation expressed by donors and nondonors.STUDY DESIGN AND METHOD: A survey of 600 individuals age 20 and older representative of Dakar's population was conducted in 2009 to analyze awareness of blood donation, donor characteristics, and barriers and motivations to blood donation.RESULTS: A total of 94.7% of the respondents had already heard of giving blood and 25.8% had already donated. Men and individuals age 40 and over are overrepresented among donors (chi‐square [1 ddl] = 19.54, p < 0.001; chi‐square [3 ddl] = 14.24, p < 0.01). Those with higher education were also more likely to be donors (chi‐square [4 ddl] = 38.91, p < 0.001). Main motivations to blood donation are altruism (43%) and awareness of a blood shortage (20.33%). Never having been contacted to give blood is the number one obstacle to blood donation (37.31%).CONCLUSIONS: In Dakar, the vast majority of people are familiar with the practice of giving blood. The sociodemographic characteristics of blood donors, and the main motivations and barriers to blood donation are the same in Dakar as in other countries, but this study also demonstrates the importance to inform Dakarites that blood donation does not amount to a blood test, that donating is not harmful for one's health, and that the blood donated is quickly regenerated.
Insidious Extension of Pituitary Prolactinoma: Two Can't‐Miss Findings Depicted on a 3.0‐T MR System
Authors: Yoneoka Yuichiro , Isogawa Mizuho , Terumitsu Makoto , Matsuzawa Hitoshi , Fujii Yukihiko 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND In this article, we present two can't‐miss findings on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a 3.0‐T MR system resulting in a better surgical option in prolactinoma treatment after emergent of dopamine agonists. METHODS We reviewed six cases of pituitary prolactinoma; each had vague or occult bulk of adenoma on 1.5‐T MR imaging, which were finally confirmed by surgery. Four cases were preoperatively examined with a 3.0‐T MR imaging system. With the 3.0‐T MR system, 3‐dimension‐anisotropy‐contrast (3DAC) MR imaging and 3‐dimension fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (3D‐FSPGR) imaging were used for depiction of the adenoma. RESULTS 3DAC imaging revealed cavernous sinus (CS) pathology in three cases, and multiplanar reconstruction of 3D‐FSPGR imaging revealed normal pituitary gland and invasive adenoma into the CS in three cases and creeping extension up to the contralateral side of the CS invasion in four cases. CONCLUSIONS Two can't‐miss findings: (1) intrasellar creeping extension up to the opposite side of the adenoma main body and (2) intracavernous‐localized adenoma with indistinct intrasellar mass should be carefully considered when neurosurgeons perform adenomectomy for patients with prolactinoma, even in cases of microprolactinoma.
Noninvasive Imaging of Carotid Giant Pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Martínez‐Sánchez Patricia , Fuentes Blanca , Mendieta Covadonga , Fernádez‐Prieto Andres , García‐Raya Pilar , Sanz‐Gallego Irene , Ruiz‐Ares Gerardo , Díez‐Tejedor Exuperio 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTPATIENT AND METHODS A 54‐year‐old man presented an acute stroke in the right middle cerebral artery territory. The carotid duplex ultrasound revealed an aneurismatic mass in the right proximal internal carotid artery (ICA) with a lumen and an organized thrombus inside. The multislice angio‐CT (MSACT) showed a giant saccular pseudoaneurysm involving the right ICA. Surgical resection of the aneurysm was performed, with proximal anastomosis between internal and external carotid artery. Pathological study revealed a pseudoaneurysm with a thrombosed wall. CONCLUSIONS Spontaneus ICA pseudoaneurysms are a rare cause of stroke that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses. Duplex ultrasound and carotid MSACT are noninvasive methods that may provide an accurate diagnosis.
Predicting the Outcome of Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia Using Magnetic Resonance Tomographic Angiography
Authors: Han‐bing, MD Shang , Wei‐guo, MD, PhD Zhao , Jun, MD Zhu , Ning, MD Li , Jian‐kang, MD Shen , Yu, MD Cai 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To investigate the role of preoperative magnetic resonance tomographic angiography (MRTA) in predicting the clinical outcomes of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients following microvascular decompression (MVD). METHODS Preoperative MRTA imaging was performed on 167 consecutive patients with TN. The characteristics of offending vessels were determined by MRTA prior to MVD. The relationship of neurovascular contact was classified into 3 types: positive, negative, and contralateral positive, which were compared with the surgical findings and clinical outcomes. RESULTS MRTA showed obvious neurovascular compression in accordance with surgical findings in 144 patients. Among the remaining 23 patients with negative finding on preoperative MRTA images, neurovascular compression (vein alone or in combination with artery) were found in 16, no definite vascular compression in 7. The sensitivity of MRTA on the symptomatic side was therefore 90%, the specificity was 100% in our series. A correlation was found between clinical outcomes and preoperative findings on MRTA. In 144 MRTA‐positive patients, 136 achieved “excellent” or “good” outcomes after MVD and were significantly better than the MRTA‐negative group (P < .01). The outcomes of patients with a single artery compression were significantly better than those with venous compression, vein in combination with artery compression, or without obvious neurovascular contact (P < .01). Seven of 23 MRTA‐negative patients obtained poor outcomes after operation, venous compression were identified intraoperatively in 4 of them, no definite offending vessel was found in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the curative rate of TN following MVD is higher in the MRTA‐positive group. Venous compression and no neurovascular contact that were negative on MRTA image are poor prognostic factors for surgical outcome of TN. Thus, preoperative MRTA serves as a useful tool in patient selection and outcome prediction.
A Dural Arteriovenous Fistula of the Anterior Cranial Fossa Angiographically Mimicking an Anterior Ethmoidal Artery Aneurysm
Authors: Chen Zhi , Tang Weihua , Liu Zhi , Li Fei , Feng Hua , Zhu Gang 
Published: June 2010

ABSTRACT Venous aneurysm or varix at the venous side of the fistula commonly exist in dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) of the anterior cranial fossa, which may be initially mistaken with aneurysm on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, but always identified by angiography. We report a very unusual case of anterior cranial fossa DAVF angiographically mimicking an anterior ethmoidal artery aneurysm, which was ultimately corrected by surgery. A 41‐year‐old male presented with right frontal intraparenchymal hematoma with intraventricular extension. Angiography revealed a vascular lesion adjacent to the anterior fossa mimicking an anterior ethmoidal artery aneurysm, which was surgically proven to be a partially thrombosed venous varix of drainaging vein originated from the cribriform plate. A diagnosis of anterior cranial fossa DAVF was made, and venous varix was excised. Follow‐up angiography after the operation revealed complete disappearance of the lesion. Our case illustrates a unique occasion that a proximal venous varix without obvious outflow angiographically in DAVF might be mistaken with an aneurysm.
Bone marrow‐derived cells in palatal wound healing
Authors: Verstappen J , Katsaros C , Torensma R , Von den Hoff JW 
Published: June 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 788–794Objective:  Myofibroblasts are responsible for contraction and scarring after cleft palate repair. This leads to growth disturbances in the upper jaw. We hypothesized that cells from the bone marrow are recruited to palatal wounds and differentiate into myofibroblasts.Methods:  We transplanted bone marrow from green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐transgenic rats into lethally irradiated wild‐type rats. After recovery, experimental wounds were made in the palatal mucoperiosteum, and harvested 2 weeks later. GFP‐expressing cells were identified using immunostaining. Myofibroblasts, activated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and myeloid cells were quantified with specific markers.Results:  After transplantation, 89 ± 8.9% of mononuclear cells in the blood expressed the GFP and about 50% of adherent cells in the bone marrow. Tissue obtained during initial wounding contained only minor numbers of GFP‐positive cells, like adjacent control tissue. Following wound healing, 8.1 ± 5.1% of all cells in the wound area were positive, and 5.0 ± 4.0% of the myofibroblasts, which was significantly higher than in adjacent tissue. Similar percentages were found for activated fibroblasts and endothelial cells, but for myeloid cells it was considerably higher (22 ± 9%).Conclusions:  Bone marrow‐derived cells contribute to palatal wound healing, but are not the main source of myofibroblasts. In small wounds, the local precursor cells are probably sufficient to replenish the defect.
Increase nitric oxide synthase activity in parotid glands from rats with experimental periodontitis
Authors: Miozza V , Borda E , S‐Borda L , Busch L 
Published: June 2010

Oral Diseases(2010)16, 801–806Objective: In this study we investigated the activity of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in parotid glands from rats with experimental periodontitis and controls.Methods: Periodontitis was produced by a ligature placed around the cervix of the two lower first molar. Experiments were carried out 22 days after the ligature.Results: Ligation caused an increase in parotid NOS activity. The selective blocker of the inducible isoform of the enzyme partially inhibited its activity in parotid glands from rat with ligature. In controls, the activity was partially inhibited by the antagonists of the selective neural and endothelial isoforms. NOS activity in rats with ligature was cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)‐dependent while in controls it was calcium‐dependent. Prostaglandin E2concentration was increased in parotid gland from rats with ligature. The inhibitor of prostaglandin production, FR 122047, diminished both, prostaglandin production and NOS activity. In rats with ligature unstimulated amylase released is increased. Both, prostaglandin and NOS were involved in the increment of amylase release.Conclusion: It can be concluded that in parotid glands from ligated rats, prostaglandin E2production is increased and, through cAMP accumulation, activates the inducible NOS isoform. The increment of nitric oxide production participates in the increase in basal amylase release.
Management of person with dementia with aggressive and violent behaviour: a systematic literature review
Authors: Enmarker Ingela , Olsen Rose , Hellzen Ove 
Published: June 2010

enmarker i., olsen r. & hellzen o. (2010) Management of person with dementia with aggressive and violent behaviour: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Older People Nursing 6, 153–162 10.1111/j.1748‐3743.2010.00235.xAim.  Studies indicate that physical and pharmacological restraints are still often in the frontline of aggression management in a large number of nursing homes. In the present literature review the aim was to describe, from a nursing perspective, aggressive and violent behaviour in people with dementia living in nursing home units and to find alternative approaches to the management of dementia related aggression as a substitute to physical and chemical restraints.Methods.  A systematic literature review in three phases, including a content analysis of 21 articles published between 1999 and August 2009 has been conducted.Results.  The results could be summarised in two themes: ‘origins that may trigger violence’ and ‘activities that decrease the amount of violent behaviour’. Together, the themes showed that violence was a phenomenon that could be described as being connected to a premorbid personality and often related to the residents’ personal care. It was found that if the origin of violent actions was the residents’ pain, it was possible to minimise it through nursing activities. This review also indicated that an organisation in special care units for residents who exhibit aggressive and violent behaviour led to the lesser use of mechanical restraints, but also an increased use of non‐mechanical techniques.Conclusion.  The optimal management of aggressive and violent actions from residents with dementia living in nursing homes was a person‐centred approach to the resident. Qualitative studies focusing on violence were sparsely found, and this underlines the importance of further research in this area to elucidate how violence and aggressiveness is experienced and understood by both staff and patients.Relevance to clinical practice.  To communicate with people with dementia provides a challenge for nurses and other health caregivers. To satisfy the needs of good nursing care, an important aspect is therefore to get knowledge and understanding about aggressive and violent behaviour and its management.
Reduction in the Motoneuron Inhibitory/Excitatory Synaptic Ratio in an Early‐Symptomatic Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Sunico Carmen R. , Domínguez Germán , García‐Verdugo José Manuel , Osta Rosario , Montero Fernando , Moreno‐López Bernardo 
Published: June 2010

AbstractExcitotoxicity is a widely studied mechanism underlying motoneuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Synaptic alterations that produce an imbalance in the ratio of inhibitory/excitatory synapses are expected to promote or protect against motoneuron excitotoxicity. In ALS patients, motoneurons suffer a reduction in their synaptic coverage, as in the transition from the presymptomatic (2‐month‐old) to early‐symptomatic (3‐month‐old) stage of the hSOD1G93A mouse model of familial ALS. Net synapse loss resulted from inhibitory bouton loss and excitatory synapse gain. Furthermore, in 3‐month‐old transgenic mice, remaining inhibitory but not excitatory boutons attached to motoneurons showed reduction in the active zone length and in the spatial density of synaptic vesicles in the releasable pool near the active zone. Bouton degeneration/loss seems to be mediated by bouton vacuolization and by mechanical displacement due to swelling vacuolated dendrites. In addition, chronic treatment with a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor avoided inhibitory loss but not excitatory gain. These results indicate that NO mediates inhibitory loss occurring from the pre‐ to early‐symptomatic stage of hSOD1G93A mice. This work contributes new insights on ALS pathogenesis, recognizing synaptic re‐arrangement onto motoneurons as a mechanism favoring disease progression rather than as a protective homeostatic response against excitotoxic events.
Protective effects of triamcinolone acetonide upon the upregulation and phosphorylation of GAP 43 in an animal model of retinopathy of prematurity
Authors: Chung In Y. , Kim Young H. , Park Jong M. , Seo Seong W. , Choi Wan S. , Cho Gyeong J. , Yoo Ji M. 
Published: June 2010

Acta Ophthalmol. 2010: 88: e217–e221Abstract.Purpose:  The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) upon the expression and phosphorylation of growth‐associated protein 43 (GAP 43) in the retinas of oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR) rats.Methods:  Oxygen‐induced retinopathy was induced by exposing Sprague‐Dawley rats to hyperoxia (80% oxygen) from postnatal (P) days 2–14 and then returning the rats to normoxic conditions. Triamcinolone acetonide or a conditioned saline (control) was injected intravitreally into the right or left eye, respectively, of OIR rats at P15. We then assessed the molecular and histological changes in the expression of GAP 43 and phospho‐GAP 43 in OIR and control rat retinas, and also after treatment with TA by RT‐PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results:  Growth‐associated protein 43 mRNA levels were found to be increased by 1.6‐fold (p = 0.001, n = 5) in the retinas of P18 OIR rats compared with the control rats. The protein levels of GAP 43 and phospho‐GAP43 were found to be elevated in the retina of P18 OIR rats (2.40‐ and 2.39‐fold greater than each control, p<0.001, n = 5, respectively). Immunoreactivities of GAP 43 and phospho‐GAP 43 were stronger in the inner plexiform layer in OIR rat retinas compared with the control. However, treatment with TA attenuated GAP 43 and phospho‐GAP 43 upregulation in the OIR retinas.Conclusion:  Our results indicate that GAP 43 and phospho‐GAP 43 participate in retinal (potentially pathologic) changes following oxygen‐induced damage. Triamcinolone acetonide protects the retinal damage in relatively hypoxic retinas of OIR rats. Therefore, TA treatment does not induce the expression and phosphorylation of GAP 43 in OIR rat retinas.
Beyond the Cholinergic Hypothesis: Do Current Drugs Work in Alzheimer's Disease?
Authors: Martorana Alessandro , Esposito Zaira , Koch Giacomo 
Published: June 2010

SUMMARYAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory and cognitive loss, and represents the leading cause of dementia in elderly people. Besides the complex biochemical processes involved in the neuronal degeneration (formation of senile plaques containing Aβ peptides, and development of neurofibrillary tangles), other molecular and neurochemical alterations, like cholinergic deficit due to basal forebrain degeneration, also occur. Because acetylcholine has been demonstrated to be involved in cognitive processes, the idea to increase acetylcholine levels to restore cognitive deficits has gained interest (the so‐called cholinergic hypothesis). This has led to the development of drugs able to prevent acetylcholine hydrolysis (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors). However, the analysis of clinical efficacy of these drugs in alleviating symptoms of dementia showed unsatisfactory results. Despite such critical opinions on the efficacy of these drugs, it should be said that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and for some aspects memantine also, improve memory and other cognitive functions throughout most of the duration of the disease. The pharmacological activity of these drugs suggests an effect beyond the mere increase of acetylcholine levels. These considerations are in agreement with the idea that cognitive decline is the result of a complex and not fully elucidated interplay among different neurotransmitters. The role of each of the neurotransmitters implicated has to be related to a cognitive process and as a consequence to its decline. The current review aims to highlight the positive role of cholinergic drugs in alleviating cognitive deficits during wake as well as sleep. Moreover, we suggest that future therapeutic approaches have to be developed to restore the complex interplay between acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters systems, such as dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, or glutamate, that are likely involved in the progressive deterioration of several cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and learning.
Changes in the timed finger-to-nose task performance following exercise of different intensities
Authors: Sullivan S John , Schneiders Anthony G , Handcock Phil , Gray Andrew , McCrory Paul R 
Published: June 2010

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different levels of exercise intensity on the timed finger-to-nose (FTN) task, a measure of upper limb coordination included in the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT2).MethodsA three-group crossover randomised design was used to investigate changes in FTN times at three levels of exercise intensity; no exercise/rest (NE), moderate intensity exercise (ME) and high-intensity exercise (HE). Heart rates and a rating of perceived exertion (Borg Scale) were recorded to verify the level of exercise intensity. Participants performed three trials of the timed FTN task: pre-exercise, post-exercise and 15 min after the cessation of exercise. Linear mixed models were used to compare FTN change scores associated with exercise.ResultsNinety asymptomatic participants (45♂:45♀) aged 18–32 years completed the study. Changes in FTN scores from pre-exercise showed that the HE condition was facilitated relative to NE at post-exercise (8% faster, 95% CI 5% to 10%, p<0.001) and at post-15 (3% faster, 95% CI 1% to 6%, p=0.005). ME did not show such a facilitation following exercise (2% faster, 95% CI 0% to 4%, p=0.081 and 1% faster, 95% CI 1% to 4%, p=0.225 respectively).ConclusionsPerformance on the FTN task is enhanced by a short period of HE, and this effect persists for at least 15 min. There was no evidence of such an effect with ME.
Nitro-Oleic Acid Inhibits Angiotensin II–Induced Hypertension
Authors: Zhang Jifeng , Villacorta Luis , Chang Lin , Fan Zhenzhen , Hamblin Milton , Zhu Tianqing , Chen Chen S. , Cole Marsha P. , Schopfer Francisco J. , Deng Cheri X. , Garcia-Barrio Minerva T. , Feng Ying-Hong , Freeman Bruce A. , Chen Y. Eugene 
Published: June 2010

Rationale:Nitro-oleic acid (OA-NO2) is a bioactive, nitric-oxide derived fatty acid with physiologically relevant vasculoprotective properties in vivo. OA-NO2exerts cell signaling actions as a result of its strong electrophilic nature and mediates pleiotropic cell responses in the vasculature.Objective:The present study sought to investigate the protective role of OA-NO2in angiotensin (Ang) II–induced hypertension.Methods and Results:We show that systemic administration of OA-NO2results in a sustained reduction of Ang II–induced hypertension in mice and exerts a significant blood pressure lowering effect on preexisting hypertension established by Ang II infusion. OA-NO2significantly inhibits Ang II contractile response as compared to oleic acid (OA) in mesenteric vessels. The improved vasoconstriction is specific for the Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R)-mediated signaling because vascular contraction by other G-protein–coupled receptors is not altered in response to OA-NO2treatment. From the mechanistic viewpoint, OA-NO2lowers Ang II–induced hypertension independently of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor (PPAR)γ activation. Rather, OA-NO2, but not OA, specifically binds to the AT1R, reduces heterotrimeric G-protein coupling, and inhibits IP3(inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate) and calcium mobilization, without inhibiting Ang II binding to the receptor.Conclusions:These results demonstrate that OA-NO2diminishes the pressor response to Ang II and inhibits AT1R-dependent vasoconstriction, revealing OA-NO2as a novel antagonist of Ang II–induced hypertension.
The Religion of the Qur’ānic Pagans: God and the Lesser Deities
Authors: Crone Patricia 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis article (in two parts) is devoted to the first step of an attempted reconstruction of the religion of the Qur’ānic mušrikūn on the basis of the Qur’ān and indisputably earlier evidence alone. The first part concludes that the mušrikūn believed in the same Biblical God as the messenger and that their lesser beings, indiscriminately called gods and angels, functioned much like (dead) saints in later Islam and Christianity. This is not exactly new since it is more or less what Ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhāb concluded three hundred years ago. The second part examines the high God hypothesis and tries to relate the beliefs of the mušrikūn to those of other monotheists in late antiquity, with indeterminate results: in terms of their views on God and the lesser beings, the mušrikūn could equally well be pagan monotheists and Jews (or Judaisers).