bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toll‐like receptor 4 D299G polymorphism and the incidence of infections in cirrhotic patients
Authors: GUARNER‐ARGENTE C. , SÁNCHEZ E. , VIDAL S. , ROMÁN E. , CONCEPCIÓN M. , POCA M. , SÁNCHEZ D. , JUÁREZ C. , SORIANO G. , GUARNER C. 
Published: March 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 1192–1199SummaryBackground  Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 4 genetic polymorphisms, mainly D299G, have been associated with increased predisposition to infection in several populations.Aim  To retrospectively analyse the relationship between the presence of the TLR4 D299G polymorphism and the incidence of bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients.Methods  We included 111 consecutive cirrhotic patients hospitalized with ascites and we determined the presence of the TLR4 D299G polymorphism by PCR–RFLP (polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism) and its relationship with the incidence of previous bacterial infections.Results  Ten out of 111 (9%) cirrhotic patients presented with the TLR4 D299G polymorphism. The mean follow‐up from first decompensation of cirrhosis until current admission was longer in D299G polymorphism patients than in wild‐type patients (53.8 ± 40.7 vs. 35.4 ± 48.3 months, P = 0.03). D299G polymorphism patients showed a trend towards a higher incidence of history of previous infections (80% vs. 56.4%, P = 0.19), as well as a higher number of infections (2.8 ± 2.3 vs. 1.0 ± 1.3, P = 0.01) and bacteriaemias (0.4 ± 1.0 vs. 0.04 ± 0.2, P = 0.02) per patient than wild‐type patients.Conclusions  Toll‐like receptor 4 D299G polymorphism could influence not only the predisposition to bacterial infections but also the evolution of the disease in cirrhotic patients. Further prospective studies in larger series of patients are warranted.
Trunk blocks for abdominal surgery
Authors: Finnerty O. , Carney J. , McDonnell J. G. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryIn this review, we discuss the central non‐neuraxial regional anaesthesia blocks of the abdomen, including intercostal and intrapleural blocks, rectus sheath and ilioinguinal‐iliohypogastric blocks, transversus abdominis plane blocks and paravertebral blocks.
Regional anaesthesia in day‐stay and short‐stay surgery
Authors: Kopp S. L. , Horlocker T. T. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe goals for ambulatory surgery are rapid recovery with minimal side effects, adequate postoperative pain control, rapid patient discharge and overall cost containment. The addition of regional anaesthetic techniques has been shown to decrease nausea, postoperative pain scores and the need for post‐anaesthesia care unit monitoring. The use of regional anaesthesia is increasing as studies confirm the goals for ambulatory anaesthesia can be met with a combination of regional anaesthesia and a multimodal pain management regimen.
Lower limb blocks
Authors: Murray J. M. , Derbyshire S. , Shields M. O. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe advances in regional techniques for blocks of the lower limb have been driven primarily by the need to produce effective analgesia in the postoperative period and beyond. These techniques are commonly performed before or after central neuraxial blockade when this technique is used to provide anaesthesia and analgesia for the surgical procedure. Increasingly, modern practice demands a shorter hospital stay, improved patient expectations and early mobilisation. This article describes the current methods and reasons for performing specific blocks to the lower limb and the management of these blocks particularly in the postoperative period.
Current trends in paediatric regional anaesthesia
Authors: Willschke H. , Marhofer P. , Machata A.‐M. , Lönnqvist P.‐A. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryRegional anaesthesia is a cornerstone in paediatric anaesthesia today. Many paediatric anaesthetists include regional anaesthetic techniques in their daily clinical practice to provide superior and long‐lasting analgesia without the risk of respiratory depression. The first part this article reviews new scientific findings in the field of paediatric regional anaesthesia. The second part focuses on safety aspects and on the impact of ultrasound on paediatric regional anaesthesia.
Effect of eculizumab on haemolysis‐associated nitric oxide depletion, dyspnoea, and measures of pulmonary hypertension in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria
Authors: Hill Anita , Rother Russell P. , Wang Xunde , Morris, Jr Sidney M. , Quinn‐Senger Kerry , Kelly Richard , Richards Stephen J. , Bessler Monica , Bell Leonard , Hillmen Peter , Gladwin Mark T. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of haemolytic anaemia. Intravascular haemolysis leads to nitric oxide (NO) depletion, endothelial and smooth muscle dysregulation, and vasculopathy, characterized by progressive hypertension. PH has been reported in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), a life‐threatening haemolytic disease. We explored the relationship between haemolysis, systemic NO, arginine catabolism and measures of PH in 73 PNH patients enrolled in the placebo‐controlled TRIUMPH (Transfusion Reduction Efficacy and Safety Clinical Investigation Using Eculizumab in Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria) study. At baseline, intravascular haemolysis was associated with elevated NO consumption (P < 0·0001) and arginase‐1 release (P < 0·0001). Almost half of the patients in the trial had elevated levels (≥160 pg/ml) of N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), a marker of pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular dysfunction previously shown to indicate PH. Eculizumab treatment significantly reduced haemolysis (P < 0·001), NO depletion (P < 0·001), vasomotor tone (P < 0·05), dyspnoea (P = 0·006) and resulted in a 50% reduction in the proportion of patients with elevated NT‐proBNP (P < 0·001) within 2 weeks of treatment. Importantly, the significant improvements in dyspnoea and NT‐proBNP levels occurred without significant changes in anaemia. These data demonstrated that intravascular haemolysis in PNH produces a state of NO catabolism leading to signs of PH, including elevated NT pro‐BNP and dyspnoea that are significantly improved by treatment with eculizumab.
Lipid levels in sickle‐cell disease associated with haemolytic severity, vascular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Zorca Suzana , Freeman Lita , Hildesheim Mariana , Allen Darlene , Remaley Alan T. , Taylor James G. , Kato Gregory J. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryPulmonary hypertension (PH) in sickle cell disease (SCD) is an emerging and important clinical problem. In a single‐institution adult cohort of 365 patients, we investigated lipid and lipoprotein levels and their relationship to markers of intravascular haemolysis, vascular dysfunction and PH. In agreement with prior studies, we confirm significantly decreased plasma levels of total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (HDL‐C) and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) in SCD versus ethnically‐matched healthy controls. Several cholesterol parameters correlated significantly with markers of anaemia, but not endothelial activation or PH. More importantly, serum triglyceride levels were significantly elevated in SCD compared to controls. Elevated triglyceride levels correlated significantly with markers of haemolysis (lactate dehydrogenase and arginase; both P < 0·0005), endothelial activation (soluble E‐selectin, P < 0·0001; soluble P‐selectin, P = 0·02; soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, P = 0·01), inflammation (leucocyte count, P = 0·0004; erythrocyte sedimentation rate, P = 0·02) and PH (amino‐terminal brain natriuretic peptide, P = 0·002; prevalence of elevated tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV), P < 0·001). In a multivariate analysis, triglyceride levels correlated independently with elevated TRV (P = 0·002). Finally, forearm blood flow studies in adult patients with SCD demonstrated a significant association between increased triglyceride/HDL‐C ratio and endothelial dysfunction (P < 0·05). These results characterize elevated plasma triglyceride levels as a potential risk factor for PH in SCD.
Ant versus bird exclusion effects on the arthropod assemblage of an organic citrus grove
Authors: PIÑOL JOSEP , ESPADALER XAVIER , CAÑELLAS NÚRIA , MARTÍNEZ‐VILALTA JORDI , BARRIENTOS JOSÉ A. , SOL DANIEL 
Published: March 2010

1. Predation‐exclusion experiments have highlighted that top‐down control is pervasive in terrestrial communities, but most of these experiments are simplistic in that they only excluded a single group of predators and the effect of removal was evaluated on a few species from the community. The main goal of our study was to experimentally establish the relative effects of ants and birds on the same arthropod assemblage of canopy trees.2. We conducted 1‐year long manipulative experiments in an organic citrus grove intended to quantify the independent effects of bird and ant predators on the abundance of arthropods. Birds were excluded with plastic nets whereas ants were excluded with sticky barriers on the trunks. The sticky barrier also excluded other ground dwelling insects, like the European earwig Forficula auricularia L.3. Both the exclusion of ants and birds affected the arthropod community of the citrus canopies, but the exclusion of ants was far more important than the exclusion of birds. Indeed, almost all groups of arthropods had higher abundance in ant‐excluded than in control trees, whereas only dermapterans were more abundant in bird‐excluded than in control trees. A more detailed analysis conducted on spiders also showed that the effect of ant exclusion was limited to a few families rather than being widespread over the entire diverse spectrum of spiders.4. Our results suggest that the relative importance of vertebrate and invertebrate predators in regulating arthropod populations largely depends on the nature of the predator–prey system.
Open source in Swedish companies: where are we?
Authors: Lundell Björn , Lings Brian , Lindqvist Edvin 
Published: March 2010

AbstractOpen Source (OS) is a phenomenon of increasing significance for organizations, offering the prospect of effective alternative business solutions and new business opportunities. A number of surveys have been conducted in various countries with the purpose of understanding the state of practice with respect to OS in companies. In this paper we report on a study of the perceptions of OS and the uptake of OS products and development models in Swedish companies. The study used purposeful sampling of companies that have an expressed interest in OS, and the survey was conducted using a set of pre‐prepared questions. Its goal was to investigate the extent to which OS has influenced business thinking, as seen from the standpoint of stakeholders. We found that uptake is much higher than reported in earlier studies, but as with previous studies, activity is still concentrated in small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). There is increased evidence of interest beyond the simple use of OS components at the infrastructure level. Further, a significant proportion of the companies studied are supporting the OS community as well as benefiting from it. Support includes participation in existing projects and the release of new software under OS licenses.
The contraceptive effect of a novel filtering‐type nano‐copper complex/polymer composites intra‐vas device on male animals
Authors: Chen Z.‐L. , Huang X.‐B. , Suo J.‐P. , Li J. , Sun L. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryContraceptive techniques which target vas deferens have been paid great attention for their good efficacy, safety and reversibility. We have made a filtering‐type intra‐vas device (IVD) using nano‐copper complex/polymer composites. Twenty male adult Beagle dogs and 40 male rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups (sham‐operation, IVD, reversal and vasectomy groups). Dogs’ semen parameters, concentration of α‐glucosidase, copper and zinc ions were tested pre‐operation and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post‐operation. The pregnancy rates of the rabbits were evaluated by mating trials after the IVDs were implanted. The histology of testis, epididymides and vas deferens of the animals was examined using an electron microscope. Apoptosis of the cells in the testes, epididymides and vas deferens was detected by TUNEL method. There was no sperm in the semen of dogs, which had been inserted IVD and vasectomized at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post‐operation. The concentration of α‐glucosidase in the IVD group, reversal group and sham‐operation group was not significantly different between pre‐ and post‐operation. The pregnancy rates of the female rabbits in the vasectomy, IVD and reversal groups were all zero, but the pregnancy rate in the reversal group, after taking out IVD, and that of the sham‐operation group was 60% and 80%, respectively. The ultrastructures of the testes, epididymides and vas deferens of the male animals in the IVD group and sham‐operation group were in normal ranges compared with the vasectomy group. The apoptosis of the cells in the testes, epididymides and vas deferens in the vasectomy group of both dogs and rabbits was obvious compared with the other groups. No significant changes in the quantities of copper and zinc ions were found in semen of the male dogs both pre‐ and post‐operation. Our studies demonstrated that the filtering‐type nano‐copper complex/polymer composites intra‐vas device may be an efficacious, safe and reversible male contraceptive device.
Strong relationships between vegetation and two perpendicular climate gradients high on a tropical mountain in Hawai‘i
Authors: Crausbay Shelley D. , Hotchkiss Sara C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim  We compared vegetation patterns at high elevation on a tropical mountain with edaphic properties and position along climate gradients to examine this landscape’s potential sensitivity to climate change.Location  Our study covers the cloud forest, the ecotone at the cloud forest’s upper limit, and the alpine grassland, on the north‐east corner of windward Haleakalā, Hawai‘i. The study area brackets the mean trade wind inversion (TWI), encompasses a perpendicular, east–west precipitation gradient and includes multiple edaphic contexts.Methods  We collected vegetation structure and composition data in 134 plots from 1900 to 2400 m elevation, stratified east to west. We used classification trees to compare species assemblage groups with spatial (elevation, easting, aspect) and edaphic (substrate age, texture, degree slope) variables derived from a 10‐m digital elevation model and a digital geological map.Results  The forest line was physiognomically sharp, and a Shipley–Keddy test showed that species distributional limits were aggregated there. Forest line elevation was not consistent, but dropped nearly 200 m from east to west. Indicator taxa for positions above or below the forest line varied from east to west. Hierarchical clustering identified species assemblage groups with significantly different composition that were distributed across the TWI and/or along east–west climate gradients. Classification trees showed that edaphic properties were not well associated with species assemblage groups, but position along two perpendicular climate gradients was. Compositional turnover was detected along both elevational and east–west gradients. Turnover of the cloud forest’s epiphytic community was particularly pronounced across east–west gradients. Lichen abundance was significantly higher at the drier end of the east–west moisture gradient, and bryophyte abundance was higher at the wetter end.Main conclusions  Modern spatial patterns suggest that this landscape will respond to changes in moisture balance through changes in species assemblage and structure, especially at the ecotone. Furthermore, ecotone response to climate change may vary from east to west because of differences in species‐specific constraints or climatic context.
Historical male‐mediated introgression in horseshoe bats revealed by multilocus DNA sequence data
Authors: MAO XIUGUANG , ZHANG JUNPENG , ZHANG SHUYI , ROSSITER STEPHEN J. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractInstances of hybridization between mammalian taxa in the wild are rarely documented. To test for introgression between sibling species of horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus yunanensisandR. pearsoni) and two subspecies of the latter (R. p. pearsoniandR. p. chinensis), we sequenced two mtDNA and two ncDNA markers in individuals sampled from multiple localities within their overlapping ranges. The interspecific mtDNA gene tree corresponded to the expected taxonomic divisions, and coalescent‐based analyses suggested divergence occurred around 4 MYA. However, these relationships strongly conflicted with those recovered from two independent nuclear gene trees, in whichR. yunanensisclustered withR. p. pearsonito the exclusion ofR. p. chinensis. This geographically widespread discordance is best explained by large‐scale historical introgression of ncDNA fromR. yunanensistoR. pearsoniby male‐mediated exchange in mixed species colonies during Pleistocene glacial periods, when ranges may have contracted and overlapped more than at present. Further species tree–gene tree conflicts were detected betweenR. p. pearsoniandR. p. chinensis, also indicating past and/or current introgression in their overlapping regions. However, here the patterns point to asymmetric mtDNA introgression without ncDNA introgression. Analyses of coalescence times indicate this exchange has occurred subsequent to the divergence of these subspecies from their common ancestor. Our work highlights the importance of using multiple data sets for reconstructing phylogeographic histories and resolving taxonomic relationships.
Recurrent nuclear DNA introgression accompanies chloroplast DNA exchange between two eucalypt species
Authors: MCKINNON G. E. , SMITH J. J. , POTTS B. M. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractNumerous studies within plant genera have found geographically structured sharing of chloroplast (cp) DNA among sympatric species, consistent with introgressive hybridization. Current research is aimed at understanding the extent, direction and significance of nuclear (nr) DNA exchange that accompanies putative cpDNA exchange. Eucalyptus is a complex tree genus for which cpDNA sharing has been established between multiple species. Prior phylogeographic analysis has indicated cpDNA introgression into the widespread forest species Eucalyptus globulus from its rare congener E. cordata. In this study, we use AFLP markers to characterize corresponding nrDNA introgression, on both a broad and fine spatial scale. Using 388 samples we examine (i) the fine‐scale spatial structure of cp and nrDNA introgression from E. cordata into E. globulus at a site in natural forest and (ii) broad‐scale patterns of AFLP marker introgression at six additional mixed populations. We show that while E. globulus and E. cordata retain strongly differentiated nuclear gene pools overall, leakage of nrDNA occurs at mixed populations, with some AFLP markers being transferred to E. globulus recurrently at different sites. On the fine scale, different AFLP fragments show varying distances of introgression into E. globulus, while introgression of cpDNA is extensive. The frequency of E. cordata markers in E. globulus is correlated with spatial proximity to E. cordata, but departs from expectations based on AFLP marker frequency in E. cordata, indicating that selection may be governing the persistence of introgressed fragments in E. globulus.
Development and characterization of EST‐derived SSRs from a ‘totipotent’ cDNA library of durum wheat
Authors: Gadaleta A. , Mastrangelo A. M. , Russo M. A. , Giove S. L. , D’onofrio O. , Mango T. , Cellini F. , Blanco A. , Cattivelli L. , Cifarelli R. A. 
Published: March 2010

With 1 figure and 1 table AbstractA collection of about 8000 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) deriving from a ‘totipotent’ cDNA library constructed in the durum wheat cv. ‘Ofanto’ (Patent n. WO2005003344) were screened to search for simple sequence repeat (SSR) motifs. Five hundred twenty‐three SSRs were identified in 460 EST sequences with an average frequency of one SSR per 6.96 kb. Out of 523 microsatellites, 364 were successfully used to design specific primer pairs, while for the remaining ones the available sequence information did not allow the identification of suitable primers. Among the EST‐derived SSRs, the trinucleotides were the most frequent (49.1%), followed by dinucleotides (26%) and mononucleotides (21.4%), while motif size of five or six nucleotides were rare, 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively. A total of 125 EST‐derived SSRs chosen among di‐ and tri‐nucleotides were further characterized in a panel of 12 tetraploid wheat accessions. The average polymorphism level of the selected SSR was equal to 49.6%. Table S1 contains all the information on primer sequences, chromosome positions and putative function.
Maternal mortality and cesarean delivery: An analytical observational study
Authors: Kamilya Gourisankar , Seal Subrata Lall , Mukherji Joydev , Bhattacharyya Subir Kumar , Hazra Avijit 
Published: March 2010

AbstractAim:  Pregnant women and their doctors need to know the maternal risks associated with different methods of delivery. There are few publications with ideal study design and adequate power to establish the relationship between maternal mortality and mode of delivery. The present retrospective cohort study was undertaken to evaluate the intrinsic risk of maternal death, directly attributed to cesarean delivery (CD) compared to vaginal delivery (VD), and to evaluate further the differential risk associated with antepartum and intrapartum CD.Methods:  After exclusion of medical or obstetric comorbidities, all deliveries, either vaginal or cesarean, were critically analyzed. The surviving mothers who had either method of delivery represented the two comparative groups. In the same period, relevant clinical information of every maternal death was noted.Results:  Twenty seven mothers died among the 13 627 CD mothers and 19 died among 30 215 VD mothers. CD was associated with a 3.01‐fold increase in the risk of maternal mortality, compared with VD. The risk of antepartum CD differed from intrapartum CD (OR 1.73 vs OR 4.86). There was a significantly increased risk of maternal death from complications of anesthesia, puerperal infection and venous thromboembolism. The risk of death from postpartum hemorrhage did not differ significantly (95% CI 0.7–3.95).Conclusion:  CD is increasingly perceived as a low‐risk procedure. However, the present study clearly demonstrates that the risk of maternal death due to CD is significantly high, particularly when performed in labor. Therefore, CD should only be practiced when conditions clearly demand it.