bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sleep duration and mortality: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: GALLICCHIO LISA , KALESAN BINDU 
Published: May 2009

SummaryEpidemiologic studies have shown that sleep duration is associated with overall mortality. We conducted a systematic review of the associations between sleep duration and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality. PubMed was systematically searched up to January, 2008 to identify studies examining the association between sleep duration and mortality (both all‐cause and cause‐specific) among adults. Data were abstracted serially in a standardized manner by two reviewers and analyzed using random‐effects meta‐analysis. Twenty‐three studies assessing the associations between sleep duration and mortality were identified. All examined sleep duration measured using participant self‐report. Among the 16 studies which had similar reference categories and reported sufficient data on short sleep and mortality for meta‐analyses, the pooled relative risk (RR) for all‐cause mortality for short sleep duration was 1.10 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06, 1.15]. For cardiovascular‐related and cancer‐related mortality, the RRs associated with short sleep were 1.06 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.18) and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.13), respectively. Similarly, among the 17 studies reporting data on long sleep duration and mortality, the pooled RRs comparing the long sleepers with medium sleepers were 1.23 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.30) for all‐cause mortality, 1.38 (95% CI: 1.13, 1.69) for cardiovascular‐related mortality, and 1.21 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.32) for cancer‐related mortality. Our findings indicate that both short sleepers and long sleepers are at increased risk of all‐cause mortality. Further research using objective measures of sleep duration is needed to fully characterize these associations.
Support for a metapopulation structure among mammals
Authors: OLIVIER PIETER I. , VAN AARDE RUDI J. , FERREIRA SAM M. 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTThe metapopulation metaphor is increasingly used to explain the spatial dynamics of animal populations. However, metapopulation structure is difficult to identify in long‐lived species that are widely distributed in stochastic environments, where they can resist extinctions. The literature on mammals may not provide supporting evidence for classic metapopulation dynamics, which call for the availability of discrete habitat patches, asynchrony in local population dynamics, evidence for extinction and colonization processes, and dispersal between local populations.Empirical evidence for metapopulation structure among mammals may exist when applying more lenient criteria. To meet these criteria, mammals should live in landscapes as discrete local breeding populations, and their demography should be asynchronous.We examined the literature for empirical evidence in support of the classical criteria set byHanski (1999), and for the more lenient subset of criteria proposed byElmhagen & Angerbjörn (2001). We suggest circumstances where metapopulation theory could be important in understanding population processes in mammals of different body sizes.The patchy distribution of large (>100 kg) mammals and dispersal often motivate inferences in support of a metapopulation structure. Published studies seldom address the full suite of classical criteria. However, studies on small mammals are more likely to record classic metapopulation criteria than those on large mammals. The slow turnover rate that is typical for medium‐sized and large mammals apparently makes it difficult to identify a metapopulation structure during studies of short duration.To identify a metapopulation structure, studies should combine the criteria set byHanski (1999) andElmhagen & Angerbjörn (2001). Mammals frequently live in fragmented landscapes, and processes involved in the maintenance of a metapopulation structure should be considered in conservation planning and management.
Effect of orchiectomy on renal function in control and diabetic rats with chronic inhibition of nitric oxide
Authors: Anderson Sharon , Chapman Justin G , Oyama Terry T , Komers Radko 
Published: May 2009

Summary

Male gender is associated with higher blood pressure (BP) and more rapid loss of renal function in a spectrum of clinical and experimental renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy. Consequently, modulation of testosterone levels could exert beneficial effects in the diabetic kidney.
The aim of the present study was to determine whether testosterone deficiency (orchiectomy) could influence BP and renal function in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats, with or without accelerated endothelial dysfunction achieved by chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis using NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME; 40–100 mg/L in the drinking water for 2 weeks), as well as in age‐matched non‐diabetic rats subjected to the same interventions.
Orchiectomy did not affect l‐NAME‐induced increases in BP in non‐diabetic or diabetic rats. In non‐diabetic rats, orchiectomy prevented l‐NAME‐induced increases in proteinuria. These effects on proteinuria were not observed in diabetic rats. In non‐diabetic rats, orchiectomy had no effect on renal haemodynamics in animals receiving vehicle and did not affect l‐NAME‐induced changes in renal haemodynamics, characterized by reductions in renal plasma flow (RPF) and higher filtration fractions (FF). In intact diabetic rats, l‐NAME treatment resulted in lower RPF. This difference was not observed in diabetic rats subjected to orchiectomy, although l‐NAME‐treated diabetic orchiectomized rats had lower RPF and higher FF compared with vehicle‐treated intact diabetic rats.
In conclusion, we report modest beneficial effects of orchiectomy on proteinuria in normal, but not in diabetic, rats with inhibition of NO production. This suggests that testosterone reduction does not attenuate the deleterious impact of the diabetic metabolic milieu in the kidney.
Placental oxidative stress in malnourished rats and changes in kidney proximal tubule sodium ATPases in offspring
Authors: Vieira‐Filho Leucio D , Lara Lucienne S , Silva Paulo A , Luzardo Ricardo , Einicker‐Lamas Marcelo , Cardoso Henriqueta D , Paixão Ana DO , Vieyra Adalberto 
Published: May 2009

Summary

Intrauterine malnutrition has been linked to the development of adult cardiovascular and renal diseases, which are related to altered Na+ balance. Here we investigated whether maternal malnutrition increases placental oxidative stress with subsequent impact on renal ATP‐dependent Na+ transporters in the offspring.
Maternal malnutrition was induced in rats during pregnancy by using a basic regional diet available in north‐eastern Brazil. Placental oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, which were 35–40% higher in malnourished dams (MalN). Na+ pumps were evaluated in control and prenatally malnourished rats (at 25 and 90 days of age).
Identical Na+/K+‐ATPase activity was found in both groups at 25 days (approximately 150 nmol Pi/mg per min). However, although Na+/K+‐ATPase increased by 40% with growth in control rats, it remained constant in pups from MalN.
In juvenile rats, the activity of the ouabain‐insensitive Na+‐ATPase was higher in MalN than in controls (70 vs 25 nmol Pi/mg per min). Nevertheless, activity did not increase with kidney and body growth: at 90 days, it was 50% lower in MalN than in controls. The maximal stimulation of the Na+‐ATPase by angiotensin (Ang) II was 35% lower in MalN than in control rats and was attained only with a much higher concentration of the peptide (10−10 mol/L) than in controls (10−14 mol/L).
Protein kinase C activity, which mediates the effects of AngII on Na+‐ATPase was only one‐third of normal values in the MalN group.
These results indicate that placental oxidative stress may contribute to fetal undernutrition, which leads to later disturbances in Na+ pumps from proximal tubule cells.
Curcumin‐loaded poly(ε‐caprolactone) nanofibres: Diabetic wound dressing with anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties
Authors: Merrell Jonathan G , McLaughlin Shaun W , Tie Lu , Laurencin Cato T , Chen Alex F , Nair Lakshmi S 
Published: May 2009

Summary

Curcumin is a naturally occurring poly‐phenolic compound with a broad range of favourable biological functions, including anti‐cancer, anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. The low bioavailability and in vivo stability of curcumin require the development of suitable carrier vehicles to deliver the molecule in a sustained manner at therapeutic levels.
In the present study, we investigated the feasibility and potential of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibres as a delivery vehicle for curcumin for wound healing applications. By optimizing the electrospinning parameters, bead‐free curcumin‐loaded PCL nanofibres were developed.
The fibres showed sustained release of curcumin for 72 h and could be made to deliver a dose much lower than the reported cytotoxic concentration while remaining bioactive. Human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFF‐1) showed more than 70% viability on curcumin‐loaded nanofibres.
The anti‐oxidant activity of curcumin‐loaded nanofibres was demonstrated using an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and by the ability of the fibres to maintain the viability of HFF‐1 cells under conditions of oxidative stress.
The curcumin‐loaded nanofibres also reduced inflammatory induction, as evidenced by low levels of interleukin‐6 release from mouse monocyte–macrophages seeded onto the fibres following stimulation by Escherichia coli‐derived lipopolysaccharide.
The in vivo wound healing capability of the curcumin loaded PCL nanofibres was demonstrated by an increased rate of wound closure in a streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice model.
These results demonstrate that the curcumin‐loaded PCL nanofibre matrix is bioactive and has potential as a wound dressing with anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.
Preoperative use of inhaled tiotropium in lung cancer patients with untreated COPD
Authors: KOBAYASHI Seiichi , SUZUKI Satoshi , NIIKAWA Hiromichi , SUGAWARA Takafumi , YANAI Masaru 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Lung cancer patients with COPD are at high risk during surgery. Tiotropium, a long‐acting bronchodilator, is a preferred maintenance therapy for COPD, but its efficacy in the perioperative period has not been clarified.Methods:  A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of 102 patients with primary lung cancer and COPD, who underwent scheduled surgery. Twenty‐one lung cancer patients with untreated mild‐to‐severe COPD received tiotropium preoperatively. Spirometry was performed prior to and after 2 weeks of treatment with tiotropium, and at 3 months after surgery.Results:  Two‐week preoperative treatment with tiotropium significantly improved respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function as reflected by FVC (median 3.43 L pretreatment vs 3.52 L post‐treatment), FEV1 (median 2.06 L vs 2.32 L) and FEV1% (73.2% vs 81.0%) (all P < 0.001). Postoperative FEV1% was significantly increased from a median of 56.0% (interquartile range 51.6–60.3) to 63.4% (60.8–66.0) (P < 0.001). The increase in FEV1 was inversely associated with severity of COPD (r = −0.59, P < 0.005). Lung resections were successfully accomplished without complications. The postoperative FEV1 predicted prior to tiotropium treatment was underestimated (median predicted postoperative FEV1 1.65 L vs median measured postoperative FEV1 1.96 L, P < 0.001).Conclusions:  Preoperative treatment with tiotropium may facilitate surgical treatment for lung cancer patients with COPD. This is encouraging for COPD patients who may require curative lung resections.
PR18 CANDIDA AND THERMAL INJURY: 10 years EXPERIENCE FROM A SPECIALIST BURNS UNIT
Authors: Moore E. C. , Padiglione A. , Wasiak J. , Paul E. , Cleland H. 
Published: May 2009

Sepsis due to Candida is a rare but significant cause of death in burns patients. Indications for prophylaxis against invasive Candida infection are unclear in patients with thermal injury. Consensus statements do not specifically include this cohort.We conducted a ten year review of burns patients to the Victorian Adult Burns Service, to identify the extent and clinical significance of Candida infection in a specialist burns unit. Our aim was to define predictive factors for Candidaemia, in order to guide protocols for prevention and early treatment.Between July 1, 1998 and December 31, 2007, 1933 patients were newly admitted with acute burns; of these 143 patients had Candida or Yeast isolated at any site. The most common species was C.albicans. Twelve patients developed 13 episodes of Candidaemia.Prior colonisation was an important risk factor for Candidaemia, and the risk increased substantially with increased number of colonised sites. Other risk factors for Candidaemia were: higher percent TBSA (total burn surface area); increased number of visits to the operating theatre; colonisation of particular sites and prior treatment with TPN and certain antibiotics.The attributable mortality of Candidaemia was 15% (n = 2). Initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy was often delayed.Our results justify early empirical anti‐fungal therapy in septic burns patients who are colonized, before the results of cultures become known. The role of prophylactic antifungals is less clear, but should be strongly considered for high risk patients colonized at multiple sites.
PR36P MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA IN WAIKATO HOSPITAL, NEW ZEALAND
Authors: Mistry Y. N. , Mafi D. , Pandita A. , Alkadhi A. 
Published: May 2009

Purpose:   To compare our Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) patients and their respective management with current national and international standards.Methodology:   Retrospective descriptive audit at Waikato Hospital between the years 2000 and 2008. Patients identified by Hospital's Pathlab database. Data included demographics, speciality involvement, tumour biology, tumour stage, treatment modalities and MDM involvement. All patients placed into the updated Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre (MSKCC) staging system for MCC to aid in analysis of management.Results:   22 patients identified (∼10% of all reported cases in NZ over this period). Majority were head and neck cases (55%) in elderly European patients. Plastic Surgery was the Primary speciality for 58% of cases. MSKCC stages were 27.3% stage 1; 18.2% stage 2; 45.5% stage 3; 9.1% stage 4. Stage I & 2 patients had variable WLE margins (4 mm–50 mm) and only 50% referred for radiotherapy. Stage 3 patients mainly treated with lymph node dissection (70%), radiotherapy (100%), and occasionally chemotherapy (30%). MDM involvement accounted for 54% of Head and Neck MCC cases and 0% for other anatomical locations of MCC.Conclusion:   Waikato Hospital lacks consistency in management of patients at all stages for MCC. It is crucial to have clear excision margins, advise minimal margins of 11 mm. All stage 2 and 3 patients should be referred for radiotherapy. Multimodality treatment is required in the vast majority of these cases. Hence a multidisciplinary TEAM approach to management is recommended.
SH14 SURGERY DURING WORLD WAR II IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA – THE WAR ON BOUGAINVILLE
Authors: Watters D. A. 
Published: May 2009

Rabaul fell to the Japanese in January 1942. This resulted in a communications failure and a controversial, self‐ evacuation of 15 Bougainville residents aboard the MV Bilua. The evacuees included the medical officer AV Price. The only other doctor, the German‐born, Dr Bruno Kroening, remained on the island, though he had not practiced since WWI.The Japanese did not occupy Bougainville (unopposed) until July 1942 whereupon they established a significant military base at Kieta housing the 17th Division of the 8th Army Corps under Lt Gen Haruyoshi Hyakutake. The 8th Fleet HQ set up at Buin in 1943. Admiral Yamamoto and his Chief of Staff, Admiral Ugaki, were shot down in April 1943 during a visit to boost the morale of the troops. Ugaki was rescued, his severed artery tied, and he lived on to become the last kamikaze pilot of WWII.On November 1st 1943 the US Marines landed at Cape Torokina and established a beachhead. They held on despite a number of Japanese counter attacks. The 21st Evacuation Hospital (Okalahoma University) managed US casualties. A prospective study of wounds was conducted during February to April 1944 and its major findings will be summarised.From November 1944 Australian Divisions relieved the Americans and continued the recapture of the island. During this campaign Brigadier Alec Dawkins (FRACS 1935) was DDMS in Bougainville. At the Australian General Hospital, the surgical division was commanded by Lt‐Col J O Smith.
The braincase of the chondrichthyanDoliodusfrom the Lower Devonian Campbellton Formation of New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Maisey John , Miller Randall , Turner Susan 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe braincase of the late Lower Devonian (Emsian) chondrichthyanDoliodusis described for the first time. Its postorbital process is extended ventrally and probably enclosed part of the infraorbital sensory canal, as in some placoderms.Doliodushas a shark‐like dentition, but its upper anterior tooth files were supported by the internasal cartilage of the braincase, not by the palatoquadrates. Modern selachian jaws and dentitions are not representative of primitive crown‐group gnathostomes because they display a mixture of conserved and derived character states. Separation of the palatoquadrates by the internasal cartilage is probably a primitive condition for crown‐group gnathostomes. Continuity of the upper dental arcade across the ethmoid region may represent a synapomorphy of chondrichthyans and some acanthodians (the condition is not found in placoderms or osteichthyans). Exclusion of the arcade from the ethmoid region is probably apomorphic within elasmobranchs.Doliodushas curious bar‐like, paired subcranial ridges ending posteriorly at the hyomandibular articulation. These superficially resemble visceral arch infrapharyngohyals fused to the floor of the braincase, adding circumstantial palaeontological support to the old proposal that parts of visceral arches may be incorporated into the gnathostome braincase, although it seems more plausible that they formed in the lateral margins of the embryonic parachordal or hypotic lamina.
On the tail ofErrivaspisand the condition of the caudal fin in heterostracans
Authors: Mark‐Kurik Elga , Botella Hector 
Published: May 2009

AbstractArticulated caudal fins of heterostracans are preserved in very rare cases. Their morphology and internal structure are completely unknown for the majority of species. One of the few preserved caudal fins belongs to the Early Devonian pteraspididErrivaspis waynensisfrom the Welsh Borderland, UK. There are two different reconstructions of the tail: (1) strongly asymmetric, with a considerably longer ventral lobe, and a rather concave posterior margin (e.g. White 1935); and (2) almost symmetrical with an only slightly longer ventral lobe and a small notch in the posterior margin (e.g.Blieck 1984). A new reconstruction of theErrivaspiscaudal fin, based on a detailed study of White's specimens is presented here. The ventral lobe is longer than the dorsal one but not so much as in White's reconstruction, and the notch in the posterior margin of the fin is less deep. The comparatively massive ventral lobe and ‘en echelon’ arrangement of three digitations, supporting the fin web and branching off from this lobe, indicate the hypocercal condition of the asymmetrical tail. The same internal structure is present in other heterostracans with nearly symmetrical caudal fins (e.g.Doryaspis,Nahanniaspis,DinaspidellaandAthenaegis) where all, or most, of the intermediate digitations branch off from the ventral lobe.
The earliest evidence of host–parasite interactions in vertebrates
Authors: Lukševics Ervīns , Lebedev Oleg , Mark‐Kurik Elga , Karatajūtė‐Talimaa Valentina 
Published: May 2009

AbstractTraces of parasite action have been discovered in the Middle–Upper Devonian fish from Estonia, Latvia and European Russia. Such traces are known in heterostracan Psammolepis venyukovi, antiarchs Asterolepis radiata and Bothriolepis ciecere, sarcopterygians Holoptychius sp., Ventalepis ketleriensis and Eusthenodon sp. nov. The traces include evidence of parasitic fixation and penetration as well as dwelling traces. Pathologies are developed as (1) round fossulae on the external surface of bones and scales; (2) oval fossulae with a slight elevation in the centre of the pit; (3) hollow swellings (possible galls); (4) openings (perforations) that have been repaired to various degrees; (5) variously shaped buttresses on the visceral surface of sarcopterygian scales; and (6) porous spongy formations on the non‐overlapped surface of sarcopterygian scales. The round fossulae in sarcopterygian, placoderm and psammosteid skeletal elements could be produced by parasites that are similar to copepod crustaceans. Gall formation in Asterolepis is most likely to be caused by a larva, possibly of a trematode. The perforations of scales (and dermal bones) might arise from the attacks of ectoparasites (copepods?) or different worms. The spongy formations on the Holoptychius scales could be the result of invasion of a unicellular parasite.
A new genus and species of basal actinopterygian fish from the Upper Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia
Authors: Choo Brian , Long John A. , Trinajstic Katherine 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA new basal actinopterygian, Gogosardina coatesi gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Upper Devonian Gogo Formation of the Canning Basin, Western Australia. The new taxon is known from four prepared specimens that display the typical exceptional preservation of fossil vertebrates from the region. Gogosardina gen. nov. possesses a series of four small postrostrals, no surangular and a highly gracile body covered with over 140 vertical rows of very small scales, all ornamented with separate horizontal ganoine ridges. One specimen contains conodont elements lodged among the branchial arches, indicating dietary habits and a possible cause of death.
A new articulated hybodontoid from Late Permian of northwestern China
Authors: Wang N.‐Z. , Zhang X. , Zhu M. , Zhao W.‐J. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA new genus and species of hybodontoid elasmobranchs,Gansuselache tungshengi, is described on the basis of an articulated skeleton from the Fangshankou Formation (Late Permian) of the Mazongshan Mountain of Gansu Province, northwestern China. All dermal skeletons including dorsal fin‐spines, cephalic spines, dermal denticles and one tooth are well preserved in their natural position. It is a shark of about 490 mm total length with a fusiform body. The braincase has large, downturned postorbital processes and otic capsules, no postorbital articulation, long palatoquadrate and large triangular Meckel's cartilage. It bears two dorsal fins and two pairs of heteromorphic cephalic spines. The tooth is of low‐crowned, multicuspid type; the elongate tooth crown has stout crown shoulder and well‐developed, rounded labial peg; the cusp and cusplets are moderately tumid, and have a few strong and curved folds; the tooth root is higher on the labial face than the lingual face. The dermal denticle is placoid scale‐like, with its crown surface ornamented with some parallel ridges.Gansuselache, the first articulated hybodontiform from Asia, also represents the first complete hybodontiform from the Permian.