bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy – safety in a small‐volume transplant center
Authors: Riley Julie , Troxel Scott , Wakefield Mark , Ross Gilbert , Weinstein Stephen 
Published: November 2009

Riley J, Troxel S, Wakefield M, Ross G, Weinstein S. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy – safety in a small‐volume transplant center. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 429–432. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Introduction:  Laparoscopy is a standard surgical option for live donor nephrectomy (LDN) at the majority of transplant centers. Equivalent graft survival with shorter convalescence has been reported by several large volume centers. With the arrival of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon in 2002, we began to offer laparoscopic LDN at our institution. We report our experience as a large volume laparoscopic surgery program but a low volume transplant center.Methods:  A retrospective review of the previous 34 LDN (17 open, 17 laparoscopic) performed at the University of Missouri were included. A single laparoscopic surgeon performed all laparoscopic procedures. Hand assisted laparoscopy was performed in 15 and standard laparoscopy with a pfannenstiel incision in two. Open procedures were performed through anterior subcostal or flank incision. A single surgeon performed all open procedures.Results:  There was no statistical difference in age, body mass index or American Society of Anesthesiologies Score between the two groups. Mean operative time, estimated blood loss and hospital stay were 229 minutes, 324 cc and 2.2 days respectively in the laparoscopic group compared to 202 minutes, 440 cc and five days for the open group. Average warm ischemia time was 179 seconds. Recipient creatinine for the two groups at one week, one month and one year was not statistically significantly different. Each group had one graft loss due to medication noncompliance.Conclusion:  For small transplant centers with an advanced laparoscopic program, laparoscopic LDN is a safe procedure with comparable outcomes to major transplant centers.
Relationships between auditory event‐related potentials and mood state, medication, and comorbid psychiatric illness in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Fridberg Daniel J , Hetrick William P , Brenner Colleen A , Shekhar Anantha , Steffen Ashley N , Malloy Frederick W , O’Donnell Brian F 
Published: November 2009

Background:  Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) exhibit aberrations in auditory event‐related potentials (ERPs), although the relationships between these measures and mood state at testing, comorbid psychiatric illness, presence of psychotic features, and medication usage are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between these factors and auditory ERP measures in BD patients.Methods:  An auditory ‘oddball’ discrimination task was used to elicit ERPs from 69 patients with type I BD and 52 healthy controls. Patients were placed into subgroups based upon their mood state at testing (euthymic or symptomatic), and ANOVA was used to compare amplitude and peak latency measures from the N100, P200, N200, and P300 ERP components across subgroups. Multiple regression was used to investigate relationships between ERP measures and comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, history of psychotic features, and medication status.Results:  Relative to healthy control participants, euthymic and symptomatic BD patients exhibited reduced P300 and P200 amplitude, but ERP measures did not differ among BD patients on the basis of mood status. A history of a comorbid anxiety disorder was associated with reduced N200 peak latency, but prolonged P300 peak latency among BD patients. No other relationships between clinical variables and ERP measures were significant.Conclusions:  The results suggest that disrupted auditory attention may be observed in BD patients regardless of their mood state at testing, medication status, or history of psychosis. These results extend previous findings, and provide further evidence for aberrations in the P300 ERP as an endophenotype for BD.
The role of dopamine in bipolar disorder
Authors: Cousins David A , Butts Kelly , Young Allan H 
Published: November 2009

Objective:  Despite effective pharmacological treatments for bipolar disorder, we still lack a comprehensive pathophysiological model of the illness. Recent neurobiological research has implicated a number of key brain regions and neuronal components in the behavioural and cognitive manifestations of bipolar disorder. Dopamine has previously been investigated in some depth in bipolar disorder, but of late has not been a primary focus of attention. This article examines the role of dopamine in bipolar disorder, incorporating recent advances into established models where possible.Methods:  A critical evaluation of the literature was undertaken, including a review of behavioural, neurochemical, receptor, and imaging studies, as well as genetic studies focusing on dopamine receptors and related metabolic pathways. In addition, pharmacologic manipulation of the central dopaminergic pathways and comparisons with other disease states such as schizophrenia were considered, principally as a means of exploring the hypothesised models.Results:  Multiple lines of evidence, including data from pharmacological interventions and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, suggest that the dopaminergic system may play a central role in bipolar disorder.Conclusion:  Future research into the pathophysiological mechanisms of bipolar disorder and the development of new treatments for bipolar disorder should focus on the dopaminergic system.
Functional imaging of emotional memory in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
Authors: Whalley Heather C , McKirdy James , Romaniuk Liana , Sussmann Jessika , Johnstone Eve C , Wan Hong I , McIntosh Andrew M , Lawrie Stephen M , Hall Jeremy 
Published: November 2009

Objectives:  Although in current diagnostic criteria there exists a distinction between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, many patients manifest features of both disorders, and it is unclear which aspects, if any, confer diagnostic specificity. In the present study, we investigate whether there are differences in medial temporal lobe (MTL) activation in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We also investigate associations between activation levels and symptom severity across the disorders.Methods:  Functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were conducted on 14 healthy controls, 14 patients with bipolar disorder, and 15 patients with schizophrenia undergoing an emotional memory paradigm.Results:  All groups demonstrated the expected pattern of behavioural responses during encoding and retrieval, and there were no significant group differences in performance. Robust MTL activation was seen in all three groups during viewing of emotional scenes, which correlated significantly with recognition memory for emotional stimuli. The bipolar group demonstrated relatively greater increases in activation for emotional versus neutral scenes in the left hippocampus than both controls and patients with schizophrenia. There was a significant positive correlation between mania scores and activation in the anterior cingulate, and a significant negative correlation between depression scores and activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.Conclusion:  These results provide evidence that there are distinct patterns of activation in the MTL during an emotional memory task in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. They also demonstrate that different mood states are associated with different neurobiological responses to emotion across the patient groups.
Time course of rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block after pre‐treatment with magnesium sulphate: a randomised study
Authors: CZARNETZKI C. , LYSAKOWSKI C. , ELIA N. , TRAMÈR M. R. 
Published: November 2009

Background: A previously published study suggested that pre‐treatment with magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) had no impact on the speed of onset of rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block. We set out to verify this assumption.Methods: Eighty patients (18–60 years) were randomly allocated to MgSO4 60 mg/kg or placebo (saline). Study drugs were given intravenously for 15 min before induction of anaesthesia with propofol, sufentanil and rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg. Anaesthesia was maintained with a target‐controlled propofol infusion. Neuromuscular transmission was measured using train‐of‐four (TOF)‐Watch SX® acceleromyography.Results: Onset was analysed in 37 MgSO4 and 38 saline patients, and recovery in 35 MgSO4 and 37 saline patients. Onset time (to 95% depression of T1) was on average 77 [SD=18] s with MgSO4 and 120 [48] s with saline (P<0.001). The total recovery time (DurTOF0.9) was on average 73.2 [22] min with MgSO4 and 57.8 [14.2] min with saline (P<0.003). The clinical duration (Dur25%) was on average 44.7 [14] min with MgSO4 and 33.2 [8.1] min with saline (P<0.0002). The recovery index (Dur25–75%) was on average 14.0 [6] min with MgSO4 and 11.2 [5.2] min with saline (P<0.02). The recovery time (Dur25%TOF0.9) was on average 28.5 [11.7] min with MgSO4 and 24.7 [8.4] min with saline (P=0.28).Conclusion: Magnesium sulphate given 15 min before propofol anaesthesia reduces the onset time of rocuronium by about 35% and prolongs the total recovery time by about 25%.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00405977.
Nocturnal fish utilization of a subtropical mangrove‐seagrass ecotone
Authors: Hammerschlag Neil , Serafy Joseph E. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractWhereas diel fish migration between mangrove and seagrass habitats has been recognized for decades, quantitative studies have focused mainly on diurnal patterns of fish distribution and abundance. In general, previous studies have shown that fish abundances decline with increasing distance from mangroves; however, evidence for such a pattern at night, when many fishes are actively feeding, is scarce. The present study is the first to report nocturnal fish abundances along a continuous distance gradient from mangroves across adjacent seagrass habitat (0–120 m). Here, we used nocturnal seine sampling to test the null hypothesis (based on diurnal studies and limited nocturnal work) that fish abundance would decrease with increasing distance from shoreline. We focused on species and life‐stage‐specific abundance patterns of Lutjanus griseus, Sphyraena barracuda, Archosargus rhomboidalis, and Haemulon sciurus. Results indicated that assemblage composition and structure differed significantly by season, likely influenced by temperature. However, within each season, the fish habitat use pattern at both the assemblage and species‐specific level generally failed to support our working null hypothesis. Species‐specific analyses revealed that, for most species and life‐stages examined, nocturnal abundance either did not change with distance or increased with distance from the mangrove‐seagrass ecotone. Our results suggest that analyses where taxa are grouped to report overall patterns may have the potential to overlook significant species‐ and stage‐specific variation. For fishes known to make nocturnal migrations, we recommend nocturnal sampling to determine habitat utilization patterns, especially when inferring nursery value of multiple habitats or when estimating fish production.
Lipids' peroxidation markers in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia
Authors: Gustaw‐Rothenberg Katarzyna , Kowalczuk Krystyna , Stryjecka‐Zimmer Marta 
Published: November 2009

Aim:  Although a large body of evidence supports a role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of dementia, there is still a substantial lack of data regarding the biomarkers of oxidative stress characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as opposed to different types of dementia. In this study, the level of various oxidative stress parameters were measured in AD, vascular dementia (VaD), and age‐ and sex‐matched control patients. The AD and VaD patients all had similar levels of cognitive impairment as measured by the Mini‐Mental State Examination.Methods:  Thirty AD, 19 VaD and 29 controls patients were recruited to the study. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total sulfhydryl (T‐SH), calcium (Ca++) and magnesium (Mg++) were measured.Results:  In both AD and VaD groups, the levels of oxidative stress parameters were higher compared with controls. Further, the VaD patients expressed significantly higher levels of plasma parameters of oxidative stress than AD. The difference was noted in MDA, the marker of lipid peroxidation, whereas in VaD the level of MDA was more than 2.8‐fold higher than that registered in AD patients.Conclusion:  Vascular dementia in patients is characteristic of increased levels of oxidative stress, especially lipid peroxidation markers. This finding is relevant to determining the pathophysiology of dementia, particularly in the light of the recently suggested importance of the vascular component in dementia development, in addition to aiding in the diagnosis of VaD following clinical presentation. The study will be continued to compare the character and level of decline in both groups.
On the estimation of fatigue life in notches differentiating the phases of crack initiation and propagation
Authors: VÁZQUEZ J. , NAVARRO C. , DOMÍNGUEZ J. 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTOver the last three decades, a variety of models have been developed in order to predict the life of components under fatigue. Some of the models are based on the definition of the fatigue process as a combination of the phases of crack initiation and crack propagation, considering component life as the sum of the duration of each phase. Other models consider only one of the phases; some consider only initiation while others only propagation, though in this case, from cracks with lengths in the order of the microstructural dimensions. This article will carry out a comparative analysis of the methods that consider life as the sum of the duration of both phases. In this same line, it proposes yet another method, which simulates crack growth according to damage theories. In analysing the behaviour of each model, this paper will describe various elements: the prediction that each of them produces regarding notched specimens submitted to testing, the advantages and inconveniences of each, and lastly, the possibilities of applying each of the models to more realistic geometries.
Land‐use intensification reduces functional redundancy and response diversity in plant communities
Authors: Laliberté Etienne , Wells Jessie A. , DeClerck Fabrice , Metcalfe Daniel J. , Catterall Carla P. , Queiroz Cibele , Aubin Isabelle , Bonser Stephen P. , Ding Yi , Fraterrigo Jennifer M. , McNamara Sean , Morgan John W. , Merlos Dalia Sánchez , Vesk Peter A. , Mayfield Margaret M. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractEcosystem resilience depends on functional redundancy (the number of species contributing similarly to an ecosystem function) and response diversity (how functionally similar species respond differently to disturbance). Here, we explore how land‐use change impacts these attributes in plant communities, using data from 18 land‐use intensity gradients that represent five biomes and > 2800 species. We identify functional groups using multivariate analysis of plant traits which influence ecosystem processes. Functional redundancy is calculated as the species richness within each group, and response diversity as the multivariate within‐group dispersion in response trait space, using traits that influence responses to disturbances. Meta‐analysis across all datasets showed that land‐use intensification significantly reduced both functional redundancy and response diversity, although specific relationships varied considerably among the different land‐use gradients. These results indicate that intensified management of ecosystems for resource extraction can increase their vulnerability to future disturbances.Ecology Letters(2010) 13: 76–86
Improving glycaemic control in children and adolescents: which aspects of therapy really matter?
Authors: Skinner T. C. , Cameron F. J. 
Published: November 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 369–375 (2010)AbstractIn paediatric diabetes, the concept of intensive therapy in the post‐Diabetes Control and Complications Trial period has become subverted by a pharmaco‐technological paradigm at the expense of other aspects of care such as goal‐setting and psychosocial support. This review examines which patients benefit most from intensive therapy in terms of glycaemic control (HbA1c). It also reviews published controlled trial and observational data relating to the impact of various insulin types and delivery systems on glycaemic control and canvasses the literature dealing with the impact of patient support, philosophy of care, goal setting and treating team dynamic on HbA1c. Taking into account the characteristics of those patients who benefit most from intensive therapy, the quantum of HbA1c change and the persistence of changes that have been reported in selected and non‐selected patient groups, it appears that there is a clear hierarchy in aspects of therapy that improve glycaemic control for children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. Prime issues appear to be patient support, team cohesion and goal setting. The reported glycaemic benefits achieved by an isolated emphasis upon a pharmaco‐technological paradigm are limited in children and adolescents. It appears that only after the prime issues have been first considered will the potential benefits of the insulin types and regimens then be realized.
Measurements of medication adherence in diabetic patients with poorly controlled HbA1c
Authors: Cohen H. W. , Shmukler C. , Ullman R. , Rivera C. M. , Walker E. A. 
Published: November 2009

Diabet. Med. 27, 210–216 (2010)AbstractAims  To assess pharmacy claims and self‐report data as measures of medication adherence and to describe baseline characteristics of subjects in the Improving Diabetes Outcomes Study.Methods  Multi‐ethnic, lower‐income, insured adults (n = 526) in New York City with Type 2 diabetes were enrolled in a randomized, controlled, behavioural intervention study delivered by telephone. Baseline data were examined, including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), objective measures of diabetes medication adherence [claims data medication possession ratio (MPR)], and two self‐report measures [Morisky Medication‐taking Scale and the medication‐taking item of the Summary of Diabetes Self‐Care Activities (SDSCA)]. Associations of highest tertile HbA1c (≥ 9.3%) with lowest tertile MPR (< 42%) were assessed with logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders. Subset analyses were performed based on assessment of potential interaction.Results  Participants (mean ± sd age 56 ± 7 years) had median (interquartile range) HbA1c 8.6% (8.0–10.0). Correlations of baseline MPR with Morisky score and SDSCA medication‐taking item were strongly significant (both ρ = 0.21, P < 0.001). Lowest MPR was significantly (P = 0.008) associated with highest HbA1c in the group as a whole and among the subset taking two or more oral glucose‐lowering agents (OGLA) (P = 0.002), but not among the subset taking only one (P = 0.83). Self‐report adherence measures were not significantly associated with HbA1c in either the whole group or either subset.Conclusions  These results support the validity of MPR as an adherence measure for OGLA among insured diabetes patients with poorly controlled HbA1c, especially those taking two or more OGLA.
Self‐Selection and the Forecasting Abilities of Female Equity Analysts
Authors: KUMAR ALOK 
Published: November 2009

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates whether there are systematic differences between the forecasting style and abilities of female and male analysts, and whether market participants recognize these differences. My key conjecture is that only female analysts with superior forecasting abilities enter the profession due to a perception of discrimination in the analyst labor market. Consistent with this conjecture, I find that female analysts issue bolder and more accurate forecasts and their accuracy is higher in market segments in which their concentration is lower. Further, the stock market participants are aware of the male–female skill differences. They respond more strongly to the forecast revisions by female analysts even though those analysts get less media coverage. The short‐term market reaction is incomplete, however, because it is followed by a strong post‐revision drift. The perception of abilities is similar in the analyst labor market, where female analysts are more likely to move up to high‐status brokerage firms, while their downward career mobility is lower. Collectively, these results indicate that female analysts have better‐than‐average skill due to self‐selection and market participants are at least partially able to recognize their superior abilities.
Dalcetrapib: no off‐target toxicity on blood pressure or on genes related to the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system in rats
Authors: Stroes ESG , Kastelein JJP , Bénardeau A , Kuhlmann O , Blum D , Campos LA , Clerc RG , Niesor EJ 
Published: November 2009

Background and purpose:  The association between torcetrapib and its off‐target effects on blood pressure suggested a possible class‐specific effect. The effects of dalcetrapib (RO4607381/JTT‐705) and torcetrapib on haemodynamics and the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) were therefore assessed in a rat model.Experimental approach:  Arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate were measured by telemetry in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) receiving torcetrapib 10, 40 or 80 mg·kg−1·day−1; dalcetrapib 100, 300 or 500 mg−1·kg·day−1; or vehicle (placebo) for 5 days. Expression of RAAS genes in adrenal gland, kidney, aorta and lung from normotensive rats following 5 days' treatment with torcetrapib 40 mg·kg−1·day−1, dalcetrapib 500 mg·kg−1·day−1 or vehicle was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Key results:  Torcetrapib transiently increased mean AP in normotensive rats (+3.7 ± 0.1 mmHg), whereas treatment in SHR resulted in a dose‐dependent and sustained increase [+6.5 ± 0.6 mmHg with 40 mg·kg−1·day−1 at day 1 (P < 0.05 versus placebo)], which lasted over the treatment period. No changes in AP or heart rate were observed with dalcetrapib. Torcetrapib, but not dalcetrapib, increased RAAS‐related mRNAs in adrenal glands and aortas.Conclusions and implications:  In contrast to torcetrapib, dalcetrapib did not increase blood pressure or RAAS‐related gene expression in rats, suggesting that the off‐target effects of torcetrapib are not a common feature of all compounds acting on cholesteryl ester transfer protein.