bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of ketamine hydrochloride and diazepam on the intraocular pressure and pupil diameter of the dog’s eye
Authors: Kovalcuka Liga , Birgele Edite , Bandere Dace , Williams David L. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjective  To determine the effects of 10% ketamine hydrochloride and 0.5% diazepam on intraocular pressure (IOP) and horizontal pupil diameter (HPD) in the canine eye.Procedures  Ten healthy dogs for each treatment group were used in this study. In the first group, 20 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride was injected intravenously; in the second, 0.5 mg/kg diazepam was similarly injected; and in the third, a control group, 0.9% saline was used. In all groups, IOP and HPD were measured every 5 min for 35 min in the first group, and 60 min in the second and third group.Results  A maximum increase in IOP was obtained 5 min after ketamine injection, with IOP of 23.2 ± 5.8 mmHg (a 45.0% increase compared to baseline) in the right eye and 22.9 ± 5.9 mmHg (a 43.5% increase) in the left eye (both significant at P < 0.01). A significant IOP increase was observed throughout the research period of 35 min. Statistically significant increases in HPD (P < 0.05) were observed only at 5 and 25 min after ketamine injection. A significant increase in IOP was obtained 10 min after diazepam injection, showing a maximum IOP 20 ± 5.0 mmHg in the right eye (9.3% increase) and 19.9 ± 5.1 mmHg (8.7% increase) in the left eye (both significant at P < 0.05). HPD decreased during the study period, reaching the lowest level 30 min post‐treatment.Conclusions  This study showed a substantial increase in IOP after ketamine injection and a less substantial, but still significant increase after diazepam injection. These findings should be taken into consideration when using these drugs in dogs with fragile corneas, or in dogs predisposed or affected by glaucoma.
Histomorphological structure of the palate and histochemical profiles of the salivary palatine glands in the Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar, Gray 1830)
Authors: Sağsöz Hakan , Erdoğan Serkan , Akbalik Mehmet E. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMorphology of the palatine mucosa and its secretion was described in Chukar partridges, by gross morphology and histochemistry techniques. For this purpose, 10 healthy adults (five male and five female) were sacrificed. After sacrifice, the palatine tissues were extirpated and fixed in 10% formol‐alcohol for 18 h and were embedded longitudinally and transversally in paraffin. The 5‐μm sections were employed histological and histochemical staining techniques. The lateral rims of the caudal part of the choanal cleft were bordered by large conical papillae. In the periphery of the choanal and the infundibular cleft, small papillae were scattered across the palatine mucosa. The palate was lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which contained conical papillae of varying height. However, the folds of the keratinized stratified squamous epithelial layer covering the choanal and infundibular cleft were nonkeratinized. The rostral aspect of the choanal cleft contained simple branched tubulo‐alveolar glands of both mucous and sero‐mucous characteristic, whilst the caudal aspect included mucous simple branched tubular glands. Furthermore, it was ascertained that the secretion of the palatine glands contained glycoproteins, carboxylated proteoglycans, weakly and strongly sulphated mucins, sialic acid and hyaluronic acid, but lacked glycogen. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the histological structure of the mucosal epithelium and the supporting elements displayed similarity to those of other domestic avian species.
Irbesartan promotes erection recovery after nerve‐sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy: a retrospective long‐term analysis
Authors: Segal Robert L. , Bivalacqua Trinity J. , Burnett Arthur L. 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Therapy (retrospective cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy (RP) is among the most common and dreaded adverse effects of the surgery. Multiple studies confirm the potential benefit of various drug classes to accelerate the return of erectile function (EF) after RP. There is pre‐clinical evidence supporting the use of angiotensin‐receptor blockers (ARBs) for this purpose, although this has not been studied in humans.The present study shows that there may be a benefit in the recovery of EF post‐RRP in patients taking a daily dose of irbesartan, an ARB, following RRP. In addition, the use of irbesartan may curb the loss of stretched penile length which occurs postoperatively. Further study in the form of prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm these findings.OBJECTIVE
To evaluate retrospectively the potential benefit of administering irbesartan, an angiotensin‐receptor blocker, to improve erectile function (EF) recovery after nerve‐sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Before surgery potent patients who underwent nerve‐sparing RRP between April and December 2009 elected to start daily oral irbesartan 300 mg on postoperative day 1 (n= 17). A contemporaneously clinically matched cohort consisting of patients who declined irbesartan use served as the control group (n= 12).
Postoperative ‘on demand’ use of erectile aids (phosphodiesterase type 5 [PDE5] inhibitors and intracavernous injections) was adopted.
Potency was monitored by the administration of International Index of Erectile Function‐5 (IIEF‐5) questionnaires before surgery and at early (3 months) and long‐term (12 and 24 months) postoperative intervals.
Stretched penile length (SPL) was measured both immediately and 3 months after surgery.
RESULTS
EF status was no different between groups at baseline (P > 0.05).
While the IIEF‐5 scores at 24 months after surgery were statistically similar between the two groups (control = 15.2 ± 2.0, irbesartan = 14.1 ± 3.1, P= 0.77), at 12 months the IIEF‐5 scores of the irbesartan group were significantly higher than those of the control group (14 ± 2.6 vs. 7.2 ± 1.6, P < 0.05).
The proportional loss of SPL after RRP was less in the irbesartan than in the control group at 3 months (–0.9 ± 1.5% vs –5.6 ± 1.5, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Regular irbesartan use after nerve‐sparing RRP in patients with normal preoperative erectile function could improve EF recovery after surgery and mitigate early loss of SPL.
Perivesical fat invasion in bladder cancer: implications for prognosis comparing pT2b, pT3a and pT3b stages and consequences for adjuvant chemotherapy indications
Authors: Neuzillet Yann , Lebret Thierry , Molinie Vincent , Yonneau Laurent , Herve Jean‐Marie , Theodore Christine , Botto Henry 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Therapy (retrospective cohort)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?The more that bladder cancer progresses from the urothelium to the outside of the bladder the worse the prognosis. To date, the use of adjuvant chemotherapy has not been completely defined.The present study clarifies the prognosis and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy for different stages of bladder cancer that invade perivesical fat.OBJECTIVE
To assess the prognosis of pT2b, pT3a and pT3b bladder cancers after radical cystectomy (RC) in order to define potential situations where chemotherapy may be of benefit.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Between 1985 and 2009, 903 patients underwent a RC and pelvic bilateral lymphadenectomy in an Institutional Referral Centre.
In all, 87 patients (9.6%) had a pT2b tumour, 111 patients (12.3%) a pT3a tumour, and 129 patients (14.3%) a pT3b tumour.
The median (range) overall follow‐up was 23 (1–350) months.
Overall (OS), disease‐specific (DSS), metastases‐free (MFS) and local recurrence‐free survival (LRFS) was estimated and compared using Kaplan–Meier plots and log‐rank test.
RESULTS
The 5‐year survivals pT2b and pT3a were similar for LRFS (86% vs 84%), MFS (69% vs 63%), DSS (72% vs 70%) and OS (66% vs 61%), and the prognosis was better than for pT3b stage tumours (69%, 44%, 40%, and 31% respectively).
In pN0 disease, MFS differences between pT2b–pT3a and pT3b tumours were not significant in patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapy (MSF of 87%, 69% and 56%, respectively) while they were significant in patients without adjuvant chemotherapy (MFS of 70%, 68% and 42%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Bladder cancers invading perivesical tissue macroscopically have a greater propensity to produce lymph node metastases, local recurrence, and have lower MFS, DSS, and OS. In pN0 disease, pT3b tumours may receive more benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
Our results could be a useful for selecting patients for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Characterisation of connective tissue from the hypertrophic skeletal muscle of myostatin null mice
Authors: Elashry Mohamed I. , Collins‐Hooper Henry , Vaiyapuri Sakthivel , Patel Ketan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMyostatin is a potent inhibitor of muscle development. Genetic deletion of myostatin in mice results in muscle mass increase, with muscles often weighing three times their normal values. Contracting muscle transfers tension to skeletal elements through an elaborate connective tissue network. Therefore, the connective tissue of skeletal muscle is an integral component of the contractile apparatus. Here we examine the connective tissue architecture in myostatin null muscle. We show that the hypertrophic muscle has decreased connective tissue content compared with wild‐type muscle. Secondly, we show that the hypertrophic muscle fails to show the normal increase in muscle connective tissue content during ageing. Therefore, genetic deletion of myostatin results in an increase in contractile elements but a decrease in connective tissue content. We propose a model based on the contractile profile of muscle fibres that reconciles this apparent incompatible tissue composition phenotype.
Spectrum of central nervous system abnormalities in neurocutaneous melanocytosis
Authors: RAMASWAMY VIJAY , DELANEY HOLLY , HAQUE SOFIA , MARGHOOB ASHFAQ , KHAKOO YASMIN 
Published: April 2012

Aim  Neurocutaneous melanocytosis is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome defined by the presence of large and/or multiple congenital cutaneous nevi and melanocytic deposits in the central nervous system. We sought to define the spectrum of central nervous system abnormalities in children with neurocutaneous melanocytosis.Method  We retrospectively reviewed cases of neurocutaneous melanocytosis referred to the pediatric neuro‐oncology service at our center from 2003 to 2010.Results  Of 14 patients (11 males, 3 females) identified, eight were living. Median age of survivors was 31 months (range 12mo–6y 10mo) while median age of death was 81 months (19mo–28y). Of the six patients who died, all had diffuse leptomeningeal melanocytic deposits and four had leptomeningeal melanoma. All patients had neuroimaging: six had findings suggestive of diffuse leptomeningeal melanocytosis; seven had multifocal melanocytic deposits; and one patient had normal neuroimaging but focal seizures. Spinal abnormalities were common: three patients had extensive dorsal spinal arachnoid cysts and one had a benign cervical spindle cell tumor. Seven patients had epilepsy. Three patients had profound developmental delay; the other 11 patients had no or mild delay.Interpretation  Children with neurocutaneous melanocytosis exhibit a wide range of intracranial and intraspinal abnormalities and variable clinical outcomes.
Age‐related changes in the impact of contextual strength on multiple aspects of sentence comprehension
Authors: Wlotko Edward W. , Federmeier Kara D. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractContextual information influences multiple aspects of language comprehension extended over time. To determine how age‐related changes impact normal comprehension, effects of contextual strength were examined with event‐related potentials. Increased contextual constraint facilitated semantic processing (reduced N400s). Effects were smaller and delayed for older adults, and sensitivity to contextual information was diminished for weak contexts. Both groups elicited a later left‐lateralized frontal negativity associated with reinterpretation of context when multiple interpretations of a sentence were likely. Older adults evidenced the frontal negativity over a wider range of constraint. The change in the use of contextual information across age is attributed to decreased reliance on predictive processing for older adults. Thus, age‐related changes in comprehension lead to differential engagement of processing resources over time for older adults.
Fashion consumer groups and online shopping at private sale sites
Authors: Kim Soyoung , Martinez Briana 
Published: April 2012

AbstractWith the increasing popularity of private sale sites, it has become more important to understand those shoppers regularly visiting these sites. To date, no published studies have reported on shoppers of private sale sites. The current study was designed to divide shoppers of private sale sites into distinct fashion consumer groups based on their levels of fashion leadership, and to examine their differences in shopping behaviours. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 164 women aged 18 and older who were members of at least one private sale site. The respondents were recruited mainly using a snowball sampling technique, which relied on chain referrals to identify eligible participants. Factor analysis results suggested that fashion leadership consisted of two dimensions: fashion opinion leadership and fashion innovativeness. The respondents were divided into four groups, named fashion followers, fashion opinion leaders, fashion innovators and innovative communicators, based on their scores on the two dimensions of fashion leadership. In order to compare characteristics of the four groups, a series of anova were conducted and significant group differences were found in hedonic shopping, site visit frequency, and purchase intention. The significantly higher levels of visit frequency and purchase intention for innovative communicators indicate that this group represents a valuable market segment for online private sale companies to target. Implications for future research and limitations were also discussed.
Delays in Seeking Conventional Medical Care and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Utilization
Authors: Ayers Stephanie L. , Kronenfeld Jennie J. 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveTo test the association between delays in utilization of conventional medical care and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization.Data SourceThe 2007 National Health Interview Survey, a cross‐sectional nationally representative study of adults aged 18 years and older.Study DesignUsing zero‐inflated regression models, delays in utilizing conventional care due to organizational inaccessibility are examined to determine whether delays are associated with both the decision to try CAM and the number of CAM types used.Principal FindingsIndividuals have significantly higher odds using provider‐based CAM types if they delayed seeking conventional care due to organizational inaccessibility (OR = 1.63). Individuals use significantly more types of both provider‐based (IRR = 1.35) and non‐provider‐based (IRR = 1.49) CAM if they delayed seeking conventional care due to organizational inaccessibility.ConclusionIndividuals who delay seeking conventional medical care are more likely to use CAM and use more types of CAM. The current structure of the conventional health care system may have created barriers that can make conventional health care inaccessible. Individuals who face these barriers appear to be pushed not only into trying CAM but using a greater number of CAM types, a finding not in previous research.
Nonbismuth Quadruple (Concomitant) Therapy: Empirical and Tailored Efficacy versus Standard Triple Therapy for Clarithromycin‐Susceptible Helicobacter pylori and versus Sequential Therapy for Clarithromycin‐Resistant Strains
Authors: Molina‐Infante Javier , Pazos‐Pacheco Carmen , Vinagre‐Rodriguez Gema , Perez‐Gallardo Belen , Dueñas‐Sadornil Carmen , Hernandez‐Alonso Moisés , Gonzalez‐Garcia Guadalupe , Mateos‐Rodriguez Jose M. , Fernandez‐Bermejo Miguel , Gisbert Javier P. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground: Using quadruple clarithromycin‐containing regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication is controversial with high rates of macrolide resistance.Aim: To evaluate antibiotic resistance rates and the efficacy of empirical and tailored nonbismuth quadruple (concomitant) therapy in a setting with cure rates <80% for triple and sequential therapies.Methods: 209 consecutive naive H. pylori‐positive patients without susceptibility testing were empirically treated with 10‐day concomitant therapy (proton pump inhibitors (PPI), amoxicillin 1 g, clarithromycin 500 mg, and metronidazole 500 mg; all drugs b.i.d.). Simultaneously, 89 patients with positive H. pylori culture were randomized to receive triple versus concomitant therapy for clarithromycin‐susceptible H. pylori, and sequential versus concomitant therapy for clarithromycin‐resistant strains. Eradication was confirmed with 13C‐urea breath test or histology 8 weeks after completion of treatment.Results: Per‐protocol (PP) and intention‐to‐treat eradication rates after empirical concomitant therapy without susceptibility testing were 89% (95%CI:84–93%) and 87% (83–92%). Antibiotic resistance rates were: clarithromycin, 20%; metronidazole, 34%; and both clarithromycin and metronidazole, 10%. Regarding clarithromycin‐susceptible H. pylori, concomitant therapy was significantly better than triple therapy by per protocol [92% (82–100%) vs 74% (58–91%), p = 0.05] and by intention to treat [92% (82–100%) vs 70% (57–90%), p = 0.02]. As for antibiotic‐resistant strains, eradication rates for concomitant and sequential therapies were 100% (5/5) vs 75% (3/4), for clarithromycin‐resistant/metronidazole‐susceptible strains and 75% (3/4) vs 60% (3/5) for dual‐resistant strains.Conclusions: Empirical 10‐day concomitant therapy achieves good eradication rates, close to 90%, in settings with multiresistant H. pylori strains. Tailored concomitant therapy is significantly superior to triple therapy for clarithromycin‐susceptible H. pylori and at least as effective as sequential therapy for resistant strains.
A Potential Association between Helicobacter pylori CagA EPIYA and Multimerization Motifs with Cytokeratin 18 Cleavage Rate during Early Apoptosis
Authors: Saberi Samaneh , Douraghi Masoumeh , Azadmanesh Kayhan , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali , Zeraati Hojjat , Hosseini Mahmoud Eshagh , Mohagheghi Mohammad Ali , Parsaeian Mahbubeh , Mohammadi Marjan 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Helicobacter pylori is a highly diverse pathogen, which encounters epithelial cells as the initial defense barrier during its lifelong infection. The structure of epithelial cells can be disrupted through cleavage of microfilaments. Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) is an intermediate filament, the cleavage of which is considered an early event during apoptosis following activation of effector caspases.Methods:  Helicobacter pylori strains were isolated from 76 dyspeptic patients. cagA 3’ variable region and CagA protein status were analyzed by PCR and western blotting, respectively. Eight hours post‐co‐culture of AGS cells with different H. pylori strains, flow cytometric analysis was performed using M30 monoclonal antibody specific to CK18 cleavage‐induced neo‐epitope.Results:  Higher rates of CK18 cleavage were detected during co‐culture of AGS cells with H. pylori strains bearing greater numbers of cagA EPIYA‐C and multimerization (CM) motifs. On the other hand, H. pylori strains with greater numbers of EPIYA‐B relative to EPIYA‐C demonstrated a decrease in CK18 cleavage rate. Thus, H. pylori‐mediated cleavage of CK18 appeared proportional to the number of CagA EPIYA‐C and CM motifs, which seemed to be downplayed in the presence of EPIYA‐B motifs.Conclusions:  Our observation associating the heterogeneity of cagA variants with the potential of H. pylori strains in the induction of CK18 cleavage as an early indication of apoptosis in gastric epithelial cells supports the fact that apoptosis may be a type‐specific trait. However, additional cagA‐targeted experiments are required to clearly identify the role of EPIYA and CM motifs in apoptosis and/or the responsible effector molecules.
Brain structure and aging in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Dabbs Kevin , Becker Tara , Jones Jana , Rutecki Paul , Seidenberg Michael , Hermann Bruce 
Published: April 2012

SummaryPurpose:  To characterize differences in brain structure and their patterns of age‐related change in individuals with chronic childhood/adolescent onset temporal lobe epilepsy compared with healthy controls.Methods:  Subjects included participants with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (n = 55) of mean childhood/adolescent onset and healthy controls (n = 53), age 14–60 years. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies (1.5 T) were processed using FreeSurfer to obtain measures of lobar thickness, area, and volume as well as volumes of diverse subcortical structures and cerebellum. Group differences were explored followed by cross‐sectional lifespan modeling as a function of age.Key Findings:  Anatomic abnormalities were extensive in participants with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy including distributed subcortical structures (hippocampus, thalamus, caudate, and pallidum), cerebellar gray and white matter, total cerebral gray and white matter; and measures of cortical gray matter thickness, area, or volume in temporal (medial, lateral) and extratemporal lobes (frontal, parietal). Increasing chronologic age was associated with progressive changes in diverse cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar regions for both participants with epilepsy and controls. Age‐accelerated changes in epilepsy participants were seen in selected areas (third and lateral ventricles), with largely comparable patterns of age‐related change across other regions of interest.Significance:  Extensive cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar abnormalities are present in participants with mean chronic childhood/adolescent onset temporal lobe epilepsy implicating a significant neurodevelopmental impact on brain structure. With increasing chronologic age, the brain changes occurring in epilepsy appear to proceed in a largely age‐appropriate fashion compared to healthy controls, the primary exception being age‐accelerated ventricular expansion (lateral and third ventricles). These cumulative structural abnormalities appear to represent a significant anatomic burden for persons with epilepsy, the consequences of which remain to be determined as they progress into elder years.
Proving the Usefulness of Demonstrations: Using M&M's to Develop Attribute Control Charts
Authors: Fish Lynn A. , Braunscheidel Michael J. 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTExperiential‐based mini‐demonstrations are useful to facilitate student learning on a wide variety of topics. The purpose of this teaching brief is two‐fold: (1) it outlines a useful mini‐demonstration to teach attribute control charting when the sample size is unknown, and (2) adds additional proof that experiential methods positively impact upon student learning. The goal of this mini‐demonstration is to assist undergraduate and graduate students to develop their hands‐on statistical quality control charting and quality management concepts. By using this mini‐demonstration in one operations management class and not another, students that participated in this mini‐demonstration performed significantly better (p= .05) than their counterparts in testing. The mini‐demonstration may be extended to include computer integration, used in small or large class sizes, and provides an efficient, effective use of classroom time to develop concepts.