bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of cerebral near‐infrared spectroscopy monitoring in the pre‐hospital environment
Authors: WEATHERALL A. , SKOWNO J. , LANSDOWN A. , LUPTON T. , GARNER A. 
Published: January 2012

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and severe disability from trauma. Pre‐hospital care of patients with TBI may be aided by non‐invasive monitoring of cerebral tissue oxygenation. This pilot observational study was designed to assess if cerebral tissue oximetry using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is feasible in the pre‐hospital and transport environment.MethodsAfter ethics committee review, we undertook a feasibility trial in healthy volunteers, transported by road ambulance or helicopter, to assess if monitoring signals could be obtained in the outside environment and during patient transport.ResultsA total of 33 road ambulance transports and 32 helicopter transports were undertaken. For monitoring commenced outdoors, 33 of 66 probes applied (50%) provided adequate monitoring signal. For road transports, 33 out of 33 transports (100%) resulted in successful bilateral monitoring for more than 70% of the sampling period. For helicopter transports, four transports were cut short by battery failure during the mission and 24 of 28 transports (85.7%) resulted in successful bilateral monitoring for more than 70% of the sampling period. While patient and transport platform movement did not impact on monitoring signals, exposure to ambient light provided a challenge in obtaining monitoring signals that is nevertheless manageable with increased probe shielding.ConclusionsNIRS monitoring is feasible in the pre‐hospital environment, opening up the possibility for further research of the role of this modality in this setting.
The effects of age on maintenance of intense neuromuscular block with rocuronium
Authors: FURUYA T. , SUZUKI T. , KASHIWAI A. , KONISHI J. , AONO M. , HIROSE N. , KATO J. , OGAWA S. 
Published: January 2012

BackgroundIncreasing age is associated with a longer duration of action of neuromuscular block. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of ageing on the recovery of the post‐tetanic count (PTC) from rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block.MethodsTwenty‐two younger (20–60 years) and 22 older (> 70 years) patients were enrolled in this study. After induction of anaesthesia with fentanyl and propofol, all patients initially received 1 mg/kg rocuronium and neuromuscular block were evaluated by contractions of the adductor pollicis muscle to ulnar nerve train‐of‐four stimulation using an acceleromyograph. Subsequently, intense rocuronium‐induced block was determined every 6 min using the PTC during 1.0–1.5% sevoflurane and remifentanil anaesthesia. When the first response to the PTC stimulus was detected, 0.2 mg/kg rocuronium was additionally administered, and again, spontaneous recovery of neuromuscular function was monitored until the first response to the PTC reappeared.ResultsMedian values (range) of the times from the administration of 1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg rocuronium until recovery of the first detectable PTC were significantly longer in the older [51.0 (27–100) min, P < 0.0001 and 30.0 (12–66) min, P = 0.0036, respectively] than the younger patients [31.5 (21–45) min and 18.0 (12–36) min, respectively].ConclusionThe times from rocuronium injection to reappearance of the first response to PTC stimulation are approximately twofold longer and more variable in older than younger patients. Hence, the dosing interval of rocuronium should be adjusted using neuromuscular monitoring when maintaining intense neuromuscular block, especially in older patients.
Species and susceptibility distribution of 1062 clinical yeast isolates to azoles, echinocandins, flucytosine and amphotericin B from a multi‐centre study
Authors: Schmalreck A. F. , Willinger B. , Haase G. , Blum G. , Lass‐Flörl C. , Fegeler W. , Becker K. ,   for the Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (AFST) Study Group
Published: January 2012

SummaryDescriptive values were determined for eight antifungal agents within the course of a multi‐centre study encompassing 1062 German and Austrian clinical yeast isolates. Candida albicans (54%) was the predominant species isolated followed by Candida glabrata (22%), Candida parapsilosis (6%), Candida tropicalis (5.7%), Candida krusei (4.3%), as well as eleven further candidal and four non‐Candida yeast species. While 519 (48.9%) isolates were tested susceptible to all antifungals tested, no isolate was found to exhibit complete cross resistance. For C. albicans, the proportions of susceptible isolates were 93.2% (amphotericin B), 95.6% (flucytosine), 84.3% (fluconazole), 83.8% (posaconazole), 91.8% (voriconazole), 96.5% (anidulafungin), 96.2% (caspofungin) and 97.6% (micafungin). Patterns of complete parallel resistances were observed within azoles (8.8%) and echinocandins (1.7%). While a decreased susceptibility was found infrequently for echinocandins and flucytosine, it was more common for azoles with highest proportions for isolates of C. glabrata (fluconazole, 40.6%; posaconazole, 37.2%), Candida guilliermondii (fluconazole and posaconazole, each 25.0%), C. krusei (posaconazole, 28.3%; voriconazole, 60%), C. parapsilosis (fluconazole, 70.3%) and C. tropicalis (fluconazole, 62.3%). The descriptive values obtained in this study represent a valid basis for the comparison of recent and future epidemiological surveys to analyse the susceptibility of yeast isolates towards major antifungal substances.
NEANDERTAL SOCIAL STRUCTURE?
Authors: HAYDEN BRIAN 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe cognitive and social capacities of Neandertals have been questioned by a number of authors, while others suggest that such capacities did not differ markedly from those of anatomically modern humans in the last 30,000 years. What does the material evidence indicate? The information that can be gleaned from Middle Palaeolithic sites indicates that there were Neandertal bands of about 12–24 people that formed alliances with 10–20 other bands and had enemy relationships as well. Rituals probably helped hold alliances together. These conclusions indicate that there were language or dialect groups that were probably ethnically self‐conscious. Some of the postulated band ranges and population densities in the literature appear unrealistic. Sexual division of labour was probably pronounced and Neandertals appear to have used rudimentary status markers, including predator pelts, bird wings or claws, colorants, and a range of speciality items.
Adoption is Not Abortion‐Lite
Authors: PORTER LINDSEY 
Published: January 2012

abstractIt is standardly taken for granted in the literature on the morality of abortion that adoption is almost always an available and morally preferable alternative to abortion — one that does the same thing so far as parenthood is concerned. This assumption pushes proponents of a woman's right to choose into giving arguments that are based almost exclusively around the physicality of pregnancy and childbirth. On the other side of the debate, the assumption that adoption is a real alternative seems to strengthen the contention that a woman who wishes to abort is morally deficient, whatever the status of the foetus: that she is selfish or short‐sighted in her refusal to bear the temporary physical burden of pregnancy.In this article, I will argue that adoption is not a genuine alternative to abortion. It does not ‘do the same thing’, even setting aside the physicality of pregnancy. I will show that on the most successful model of parental obligation — a causal account that formalises the distinction between parent: progenitor, and parent: carer — birth mothers and fathers remain obliged, life‐long, to their birth children even when the child is adopted out.
Enzymatic transamination of d‐kynurenine generates kynurenic acid in rat and human brain
Authors: Pérez‐de la Cruz Veronica , Amori Laura , Sathyasaikumar Korrapati V. , Wang Xiao‐Dan , Notarangelo Francesca M. , Wu Hui‐Qiu , Schwarcz Robert 
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 1026–1035.AbstractIn the mammalian brain, the α7 nicotinic and NMDA receptor antagonist kynurenic acid is synthesized by irreversible enzymatic transamination of the tryptophan metabolite l‐kynurenine. d‐kynurenine, too, serves as a bioprecursor of kynurenic acid in several organs including the brain, but the conversion is reportedly catalyzed through oxidative deamination by d‐aminoacid oxidase. Using brain and liver tissue homogenates from rats and humans, and conventional incubation conditions for kynurenine aminotransferases, we show here that kynurenic acid production from d‐kynurenine, like the more efficient kynurenic acid synthesis from l‐kynurenine, is blocked by the aminotransferase inhibitor amino‐oxyacetic acid. In vivo, focal application of 100 μM d‐kynurenine by reverse microdialysis led to a steady rise in extracellular kynurenic acid in the rat striatum, causing a 4‐fold elevation after 2 h. Attesting to functional significance, this increase was accompanied by a 36% reduction in extracellular dopamine. Both of these effects were duplicated by perfusion of 2 μM l‐kynurenine. Co‐infusion of amino‐oxyacetic acid (2 mM) significantly attenuated the in vivo effects of d‐kynurenine and essentially eliminated the effects of l‐kynurenine. Thus, enzymatic transamination accounts in part for kynurenic acid synthesis from d‐kynurenine in the brain. These results are discussed with regard to implications for brain physiology and pathology.
The impact of apheresis platelet manipulation on corrected count increment
Authors: Karafin Matthew , Fuller Alice K. , Savage William J. , King Karen E. , Ness Paul M. , Tobian Aaron A.R. 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND: Concentrating and washing apheresis platelets (APs) substantially reduce the number of allergic transfusion reactions likely due to removal of plasma. However, these processes may damage platelets (PLTs). This study evaluated whether concentrating or washing APs decrease the corrected count increment (CCI).STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated individuals who initially received unmanipulated APs and subsequently received concentrated and/or washed APs at a large university hospital between 1998 and 2009. Concentrated units were prepared by reducing the plasma volume of APs by a goal of more than 67%. Washed units were prepared by washing the APs with 1 L of normal saline. The CCI (PLTs [×106]× m2/L) for all transfusions was calculated. Hypothesis testing was performed with t tests for continuous variables and chi‐square tests for dichotomous variables.RESULTS: We evaluated 121 individuals: 46 patients who received unmanipulated, concentrated, and then washed APs; 59 patients who received unmanipulated and then concentrated APs; and 16 patients who received unmanipulated and then washed APs. Patient demographics were similar among the three groups. The mean CCI for unmanipulated AP transfusions at 0 to 2 hours posttransfusion was significantly higher than concentrated and washed PLT transfusions (p < 0.001). When accounting for PLT loss due to manipulation, concentrating APs did not impact the CCI. However, the CCI remained significantly lower for washed products at all time points after transfusion (40.7% mean reduction at 20‐24 hr, p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Washing APs significantly reduces PLT count recovery and survival, as demonstrated by a significantly reduced CCI.
Acellular dermal matrix graft with or without enamel matrix derivative for root coverage in smokers: a randomized clinical study
Authors: B. Alves Luciana , P. Costa Priscila , de Souza Sérgio Luís Scombatti , F. de Moraes Grisi Márcio , B. Palioto Daniela , Taba Jr Mario , B. Novaes Jr Arthur 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimThe aim of this randomized controlled clinical study was to compare the use of an acellular dermal matrix graft (ADMG) with or without the enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in smokers to evaluate which procedure would provide better root coverage.Material and MethodsNineteen smokers with bilateral Miller Class I or II gingival recessions ≥3 mm were selected. The test group was treated with an association of ADMG and EMD, and the control group with ADMG alone. Probing depth, relative clinical attachment level, gingival recession height, gingival recession width, keratinized tissue width and keratinized tissue thickness were evaluated before the surgeries and after 6 months. Wilcoxon test was used for the statistical analysis at significance level of 5%.ResultsNo significant differences were found between groups in all parameters at baseline. The mean gain recession height between baseline and 6 months and the complete root coverage favored the test group (p = 0.042, p = 0.019 respectively).ConclusionSmoking may negatively affect the results achieved through periodontal plastic procedures; however, the association of ADMG and EMD is beneficial in the root coverage of gingival recessions in smokers, 6 months after the surgery.
Association between oral bisphosphonate use and dental implant failure among middle‐aged women
Authors: Yip Julie K. , Borrell Luisa N. , Cho Sang‐Choon , Francisco Helena , Tarnow Dennis P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAimTo investigate the association between the use of oral bisphosphonate therapy and dental implant failure.Materials and MethodsThe case–control study involved 337 female patients, aged 40 years and older, who had 1181 implants placed at the Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry between January 1997 and December 2004. Cases, defined as women with one or more implant failures, were identified from the departmental database. Controls were then randomly selected for each case. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated using logistic regression models fitted through generalized estimating equations.ResultsAfter adjusting for selected covariates, the odds of oral bisphosphonate use was 2.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49–4.86) times higher in women for whom implants failed compared with those for whom implants did not fail. Although no significant interaction was observed (p = 0.41), the stratified analyses suggest that the association between oral bisphosphonate use and dental implant failure was stronger in the maxilla (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.60; 95% CI, 1.36–4.96) than in the mandible (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 0.51–3.73).ConclusionFindings from this study suggest that dental practitioners should be aware of the increased risk of implant failure associated with oral bisphosphonate use in the population.
Influence of hypodermic needle dimensions on subcutaneous injection delivery – a pig study of injection deposition evaluated by CT scanning, histology, and backflow
Authors: Ann Præstmark Juul Kezia , Bengtsson Henrik , Eyving Bente , Kildegaard Jonas , Lav Steffen , Poulsen Mette , Serup Jørgen , Stallknecht Bente 
Published: January 2012

BackgroundThinner and shorter needles for subcutaneous administration are continuously developed. Previous studies have shown that a thinner needle causes fewer occurrences of painful needle insertions and that a shorter needle decreases the occurrence of painful intramuscular injections. However, little is known about local drug delivery in relation to needle length and thickness. This study aimed to compare deposition depth and backflow from three hypodermic needles of 3 mm 34G (0.19 mm), 5 mm 32G (0.23 mm), and 8 mm 30G (0.30 mm) in length and thickness.MethodsEx vivo experiments were carried out on pigs, in neck tissue comparable to human skin at typical injection sites. Six pigs were included and a total of 72 randomized injections were given, i.e. 24 subcutaneous injections given with each needle type. Accordingly, 400 μL was injected including 70% NovoRapid® (Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvμrd, Denmark) and 30% Xenetix® (Guerbet, Villepinte, France) contrast including 1 mg/mL Alcian blue. Surgical biopsies of injection sites were sampled and computer topographic (CT)‐scanned in 3D to assess deposition and local distribution. Biopsies were prepared and stained to evaluate deposition in comparison to the CT‐scanning findings. The backflow of each injection was collected with filter paper. The blue stains of filter paper were digitized and volume estimated by software calculation vs. control staining.ResultsCT‐scanning (n = 57) and histology (n = 10) showed that, regardless of injection depth, the bulk of the injection was in the subcutaneous tissue and did not propagate from subcutis into dermis. With the 8 mm 30G needle all injections apart from one intramuscular injection were located in the subcutaneous layer. The volume depositions peaked in 4–5 mm depth for the 3 mm 34G needle, in 5–6 mm depth for the 5 mm 32G needle, and in 9–10 mm depth for the 8 mm 30G needle. In general, injection depositions evaluated by histology and CT‐scans compared well for the individual biopsies. The amount of backflow (n = 69) from the 3 mm 34G needle was smaller (P < 0.05) as compared to the 5 mm 32G and the 8 mm 30G needles. Analysis showed a correlation between backflow and the needle's outer dimension with the needle diameter being the pivotal parameter. Furthermore, CT‐scanning and histology confirmed that local propagation of the injection and final distribution followed a route of less mechanical resistance as determined by connective tissue barriers preset in the site of injection.ConclusionNeedles as short as 3 mm efficiently delivered injections into the subcutaneous target. The amount of backflow was smaller with thinner needles. Local distribution was variable and determined by mechanical barriers preset in the tissue. CT‐scans and histology were concordant.
Skin wrinkling morphology changes suddenly in the early 30s
Authors: Kuwazuru Osamu , Miyamoto Kukizo , Yoshikawa Nobuhiro , Imayama Shuhei 
Published: January 2012

Background/purposeDoes the morphology of wrinkles alter gradually with aging or suddenly at a certain age? On the basis of the theoretic wrinkle simulation of ideal skin, we have suggested that the wrinkle morphology suddenly changes from stratum corneum wrinkling to epidermis wrinkling; the former induces shallow fine furrows, and the latter induces deep prominent wrinkles. To examine the existence of drastic change in wrinkling morphology, we developed a new measurement system for facial skin wrinkling test.MethodsThe mechanical compression test of facial skin was carried out for 102 Japanese women aged 25–56 years. The test was performed on the right temple area skin, and the area of wrinkles induced by the compression was measured using a digital video camera. The rate of increase in wrinkle area during compression was defined as the skin wrinkling rate, and it was calculated for all subjects automatically by image processing.ResultsThe test results showed that the skin wrinkling rate underwent a step increase at the age 33, which means that the wrinkling morphologies of young and old skins are completely different, and so it changes suddenly in the early 30s.ConclusionA new skin measurement system was developed to validate our theory of wrinkle formation mechanism with aging. The results demonstrated the wrinkling morphology changes suddenly at early 30s.
Protective effect of dl-3n-butylphthalide preconditioning on focal cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Zhang Pei-Lei , Lu Hai-Tao , Zhao Jun-Gong , Li Ming-Hua 
Published: January 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of dl-3n-butylphthalide (NBP) on the protection of cerebral tissue and possible mechanism on ischaemia-reperfusion injury, and to find out whether NBP therapy can extend the reperfusion window in an experimental stroke model in rats.MethodsSeventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation, ischaemia-reperfusion and ischaemia-reperfusion with NBP groups. Focal cerebral ischaemia was induced using the modified intraluminal thread method and maintained for 2, 3 or 4 h. The ischaemia-reperfusion group received reperfusion immediately after ischaemia-reperfusion. The NBP group received intraperitoneal injection of NBP immediately after ischaemia, followed by reperfusion. The sham operation group received only injection of physiological saline. The cerebral infarction volume and neurological deficit were analysed, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in brain tissues was visualised by immunohistochemistry.ResultsNBP treatment caused a significant decrease in both infarction volume and neurological deficit compared with the ischaemia-reperfusion group at corresponding time points in each (p < 0.05). In the NBP group, the infarction volume and neurological deficit did not change with different ischaemia times. The expression of VEGF was significantly decreased in the ischaemia-reperfusion group compared with the sham group (p < 0.01), while this change was partly prevented in the NBP group (p < 0.01). The expression of VEGF in brain tissue in both the NBP and ischaemia-reperfusion groups gradually decreased when the ischaemic period was prolonged.ConclusionNBP treatment has a protective effect against cerebral ischaemia; this possible mechanism maybe related to the VEGF expression and may extend the reperfusion window for subsequent salvage of cerebral ischaemia by reperfusion.
Abutment Rotational Freedom Evaluation of External Hexagon Single‐Implant Restorations after Mechanical Cycling
Authors: Junqueira Marcela C. , Silva Thales Eduardo P. , Ribeiro Ricardo F. , Faria Adriana Cláudia L. , Macedo Ana Paula , de Almeida Rossana P. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rotational freedom between implant and abutment counterpart of two abutments types over external hexagon implants submitted to mechanical cycling.Materials and Methods: Ten implants with external hexagon (3.75 mm × 13 mm), five cast abutments, and five premachined abutments both with 4.1 mm plataform size were used in this study. Ten metallic crowns were fabricated using the two types of abutments and were fixed to each implant using titanium screws (Ti6Al4V). Rotational freedom measurements were made before and after the cast procedure and after the mechanical cycling. Groups were classified according to the rotational misfit register using University of California, Los Angeles abutment and implants as new (group 1 = G1); using crowns and implants after crown casting (group 2 = G2); and using crowns and implants after mechanical cycling (group 3 = G3). Oblique loading of 120N at 1.8 Hz and 5 × 105 cycles was applied on specimen.Results: Statistical analysis (p < .05) showed that no significant difference was observed when cast abutment was compared with premachined abutment after casting (p = .390) and mechanical cycling (p = .439); however, significant difference was noted before the casting (p = .005) with higher values for the cast abutments.Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it could be concluded that the abutment type used do not influenced the rotational freedom after casting and the amount of applied cycles (500,000 cycles) was not sufficient to significantly alter the values of rotational freedom at the implant/abutment joint.