bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Relationships between Climatic and Hydrological Changes in the Upper Mississippi River Basin: A SWAT and Multi-GCM Study
Authors: Lu Er , Takle Eugene S. , Manoj Jha 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Changes in major climatic and hydrological quantities in the upper Mississippi River basin and their interrelationships are studied with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool being driven by the contemporary climate and future scenario simulations of 10 global models in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Data Archive. Although the seasonal cycles of climate and hydrological quantities simulated by the 10 models have differences, the ensemble is very close to the observation. Ensemble predictions show that with warming in all months, precipitation decreases in summer but increases in all other seasons. Correspondingly, streamflow decreases in all seasons except winter, evapotranspiration decreases in July–September and increases in all other months, and snowmelt increases in winter but decreases in spring and fall. To understand the linkages between the cross-century changes of climate and hydrological quantities and the relative importance of the changes of temperature and precipitation to the changes of hydrological quantities, relationships between interannual variations of these quantities are investigated. It is shown that the change rates of the hydrological quantities with respect to temperature and precipitation obtained from regressions of interannual variations can vary greatly from month to month; however, on a monthly basis, they do not change much from the current to the future periods. Evaluations with these change rates indicate that for interannual variations of hydrological quantities, both variations of temperature and precipitation are important, and their relative importance depends on the month of the year. However, the changes of hydrological quantities from the means of the current years to the means of the future are dominated by warming in all months, and the influence from change of precipitation is much smaller. The changes of the hydrological quantities can be well predicted with the change rates from the warming alone.
Independent Drilling Outperforms Conventional Transtibial Drilling in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Steiner Mark E. , Battaglia Todd C. , Heming James F. , Rand Jason D. , Festa Anthony , Baria Michael 
Published: September 2009

Background Optimal tunnel placement is critical in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery, yet the method used to drill the tunnels may compromise their placement. Hypothesis An independent drilling method versus a conventional transtibial drilling method will place tunnels in different locations and produce reconstructions with different kinematics. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Ten pairs of knees had anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions produced by either a conventional transtibial drilling method or an independent drilling method. The location of the tunnels was recorded, and the knees were tested for laxity in the normal state, with the anterior cruciate ligament removed, and with the anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed. A surgical navigation system guided the placement of the independently drilled tunnels and measured joint laxity in response to various combinations of anterior force and rotational torques. Results The conventional transtibial drilling method used in this study placed tibial tunnels posterior and femoral tunnels superior relative to their footprints and resulted in more vertical grafts. In contrast, the independently drilled tibial and femoral tunnels were more anterior and central in their respective footprints, resulting in more horizontal grafts. The horizontal grafts of the independent drilling method were superior to the vertical grafts of this study’s transtibial drilling method in restoring normal anterior and rotational knee laxity. Conclusion An independent drilling method can produce tunnels with superior function compared with tunnels produced by a conventional transtibial drilling method. Clinical Relevance Single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions will be improved if grafts are centered in their anatomical insertions by an independent drilling method versus grafts placed by a conventional transtibial drilling method.
Gene expression profiling in rat liver treated with compounds inducing elevation of bilirubin
Authors: Hirode M , Horinouchi A , Uehara T , Ono A , Miyagishima T , Yamada H , Nagao T , Ohno Y , Urushidani T 
Published: September 2009

We have constructed a large-scale transcriptome database of rat liver treated with various drugs. In an effort to identify a biomarker for the diagnosis of elevated total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL), we extracted 59 probe sets of rat hepatic genes from the data for seven typical drugs, gemfibrozil, phalloidin, colchicine, bendazac, rifampicin, cyclosporine A, and chlorpromazine, which induced this phenotype from 3 to 28 days of repeated administration in the present study. Principal component analysis (PCA) using these probes clearly separated dose- and time-dependent clusters in the treated groups from their controls. Eighteen more drugs in the database, reported to elevate TBIL and DBIL, were estimated by PCA using these probe sets. Of these, 12 drugs, that is methapyrilene, thioacetamide, ticlopidine, ethinyl estradiol, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate, indomethacin, methyltestosterone, penicillamine, allyl alcohol, aspirin, iproniazid, and isoniazid were also separated from the control clusters, as were the seven typical drugs causing elevation of TBIL and DBIL. The principal component 1 (PC1) value showed high correlation with TBIL and DBIL. In the cases of colchicine, bendazac, chlorpromazine, gemfibrozil, and phalloidin, the possible elevation of TBIL and DBIL could be predicted by expression of these genes 24 h after single administration. We conclude that these identified 59 probe sets could be useful to diagnose the cause of elevation of TBIL and DBIL, and that toxicogenomics would be a promising approach for prediction of this type of toxicity.
Oxalate-mediated oxidant–antioxidant imbalance in erythrocytes: role of N-acetylcysteine
Authors: Bijarnia RK , Kaur T , Singla SK , Tandon C 
Published: September 2009

The present in-vivo study was to observe the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on oxalate-induced oxidative stress on rat erythrocytes. A total of 15 Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The control group received normal saline by single intraperitoneal injection. Hyperoxaluria was induced by single intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of sodium oxalate (70 mg/kg body weight in 0.5 mL saline) to a second group. The third group was administered single i.p. dose of NAC according to 200 mg/kg body weight dissolved in 0.5 mL saline, half an hour after oxalate dose. NAC administration normalized antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and reduced malondialdehyde content (indicator of lipid peroxidation) in hyperoxaluric rat’s red blood cell (RBC) lysate. NAC administration also resulted in a significant improvement of thiol content in RBC lysate via increasing reduced glutathione content and maintaining its redox status. Oxalate-caused alteration of cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (determining membrane fluidity) was also rebalanced by NAC administration. Further, after NAC administration, electron microscopy showed improved cell morphology presenting its prophylactic properties. Above results indicate that NAC treatment is associated with an increase in plasma antioxidant capacity and a reduction in the susceptibility of erythrocyte membranes to oxidation. Thus, the study presents positive pharmacological implications of NAC against oxalate-mediated impairment of erythrocytes.
The Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor on Hemodynamic Instability in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Results of a Dose-Comparison Study
Authors: Shahzamani Mehran , Yousefi Zohreh , Frootaghe Azam Noori , Jafarimehr Elnaz , Froughi Mahnoosh , Tofighi Farhood , Azadani Ali N. , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin , Azadani Peyman Nejatbakhsh 
Published: August 2009

Background: Recently, hemodynamic instability including hypotension and its effect on the clinical outcome in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has been described. However, no analysis has examined the dose of ACEIs and its risk of hypotension. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a higher dose of ACEIs could lead to increased episodes of hypotension. Methods: A total of 300 patients scheduled for CABG were studied prospectively. They were divided into 3 groups according to their preoperative use of different doses of ACEIs. The demographic and medical characteristics were compared between these 3 groups. During CABG and throughout the intensive care unit (ICU), vasoconstrictors were infused in patients undergoing hypotension (mean arterial pressure [MAP] < 65 mm Hg or >30% below baseline). The predictive factors responsible for hypotension were investigated separately using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The 3 groups were similar with regard to the patients’ demographic and medical characteristics. The patients treated with ACEIs were more likely to develop hypotension (73% of high dose and 47% of low dose) in the operating room than those without ACEIs (30%). However, in the ICU, there was no significant association between hemodynamic changes and ACEIstreated patients. Other independent risk factors identified for hypotension were ejection fraction, history of myocardial infarction, coronary grafting count, and pump time during surgery and/or ICU admission. Conclusions: Hemodynamic changes during CABG were observed to be directly proportional to the dosage of ACEIs prescribed preoperatively.
The use of nilotinib or dasatinib after failure to 2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors: long-term follow-up
Authors: Garg Ravin J. , Kantarjian Hagop , O'Brien Susan , Quintás-Cardama Alfonso , Faderl Stefan , Estrov Zeev , Cortes Jorge 
Published: September 2009

Abstract
Responses can be achieved with dasatinib or nilotinib after failure of 2 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We report on 48 chronic myeloid leukemia patients sequentially treated with 3 TKIs: 34 with dasatinib after imatinib/nilotinib failure and 14 with nilotinib after imatinib/dasatinib failure. Before the third TKI, 25 patients were in chronic phase (CP), 10 in accelerated phase (AP), and 13 in blast phase (BP). Best response to third TKI in CP was 5 major molecular responses (MMR), 3 complete cytogenetic (CCyR), 2 partial cytogenetic (PCyR), 3 minor cytogenetic (mCyR), 6 complete hematologic responses (CHR), and 6 with no response (NR). In AP, 1 patient achieved MMR, 1 CCyR, 2 PCyR, 1 mCyR, 4 CHR, and 1 NR. In BP, 1 achieved MMR, 2 CCyR, 1 PCyR, 1 mCyR, 2 returned to CP, and 6 NR. Median CCyR duration was 16.3 months; 3 CP patients achieving CCyR had a response more than 12 months. Median failure-free survival was 20 months for patients in CP, 5 months in AP, and 3 months in BP. Use of second-generation TKI after failure to 2 TKIs may induce responses, but these are usually not durable except in some CP patients. New treatment options are needed.
Emerging inhaled bronchodilators: an update
Authors: Cazzola M. , Matera M. G. 
Published: August 2009

Bronchodilators remain central to the symptomatic management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, and, for this reason and also because the patent protection of many bronchodilators has expired, several companies have reinitiated research into the field.The only limits set for the development of a long-lasting bronchodilator with a new product profile are medical needs and marketing opportunities. The incorporation of once-daily dose administration is an important strategy for improving adherence and is a regimen preferred by most patients.A variety of β2-agonists and antimuscarinic agents with longer half-lives and inhalers containing a combination of several classes of long-acting bronchodilator are currently under development.The present article reviews all of the most important compounds under development, describing what has been done and discussing their genuine advantage.
Effects of exercise training in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: de Man F. S. , Handoko M. L. , Groepenhoff H. , van 't Hul A. J. , Abbink J. , Koppers R. J. H. , Grotjohan H. P. , Twisk J. W. R. , Bogaard H-J. , Boonstra A. , Postmus P. E. , Westerhof N. , van der Laarse W. J. , Vonk-Noordegraaf A. 
Published: August 2009

We determined the physiological effects of exercise training on exercise capacity and quadriceps muscle function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (iPAH).In total, 19 clinically stable iPAH patients (New York Heart Association II-III) underwent a supervised exercise training programme for the duration of 12 weeks. Maximal capacity, endurance capacity and quadriceps function were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. In 12 patients, serial quadriceps muscle biopsies were obtained.6-min walk distance and peak exercise capacity did not change after training. However, endurance capacity improved significantly after training, demonstrated by a shift of the anaerobic threshold to a higher workload (from 32±5 to 46±6 W; p = 0.003) together with an increase in exercise endurance time (p<0.001). Moreover, exercise training increased quadriceps strength by 13% (p = 0.005) and quadriceps endurance by 34% (p = 0.001).Training enhanced aerobic capacity of the quadriceps, by increasing capillarisation (1.36±0.10 to 1.78±0.13 capillaries per muscle fibre; p<0.001) and oxidative enzyme activity, especially of the type-I (slow) muscle fibres. No changes were found in cross-sectional area and fibre type distribution.Exercise training in iPAH improves exercise endurance and quadriceps muscle function, which is also reflected by structural changes of the quadriceps.
How to increase the value of randomised trials in COPD research
Authors: Puhan M. A. , Schünemann H. J. 
Published: August 2009

Methodological criteria that increase the validity of randomised trials are often not considered in respiratory research, even in large chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) trials. We describe four important aspects in the design, analysis and reporting of randomised trials, selected based on their relevance to current COPD research and based on our judgments of importance for researchers and users of the literature.First, to optimally control for confounding, where confounding refers to a factor that is associated with an exposure or intervention and influences the outcome, a clear definition of the main relationship between treatment and the primary outcome as well as identification of measurable confounders is required. In addition to randomisationper seas the key method to protect against confounding, restriction (excluding patients with specific characteristics that may introduce confounding), stratification (separate randomisation of patients with specific characteristics) and statistical adjustment are means to be considered to optimally control for confounding that simple randomisation may not achieve.Secondly, the selection of the primary outcome should be guided by the importance to patients. Secondary outcomes provide hypotheses about the effects observed for the primary outcome and can provide important data for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, but should be interpreted with caution in single trials.Thirdly, in study power calculations, not only the actual sample size, but the number of events, has a large influence on the power of the study and, often, unrealistic assumptions about event rates are made to increase the feasibility of trials.Finally, essential steps to transfer results from research to practice include complete reporting of trials and developing tools, such as decision aids, to support patients and physicians in their shared decision making.
Comparison of spirometry criteria for the diagnosis of COPD: results from the BOLD study
Authors: Vollmer W. M. , Gíslason Þ. , Burney P. , Enright P. L. , Gulsvik A. , Kocabas A. , Buist A. S. 
Published: August 2009

Published guidelines recommend spirometry to accurately diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, even spirometry-based COPD prevalence estimates can vary widely. We compared properties of several spirometry-based COPD definitions using data from the international Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD)study.14 sites recruited population-based samples of adults aged ≥40 yrs. Procedures included standardised questionnaires and post-bronchodilator spirometry. 10,001 individuals provided usable data.Use of the lower limit of normal (LLN) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio reduced the age-related increases in COPD prevalence that are seen among healthy never-smokers when using the fixed ratio criterion (FEV1/FVC <0.7) recommended by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. The added requirement of an FEV1either <80% predicted or below the LLN further reduced age-related increases and also led to the least site-to-site variability in prevalence estimates after adjusting for potential confounders. Use of the FEV1/FEV6ratio in place of the FEV1/FVC yielded similar prevalence estimates.Use of the FEV1/FVC<LLN criterion instead of the FEV1/FVC <0.7 should minimise known age biases and better reflect clinically significant irreversible airflow limitation. Our study also supports the use of the FEV1/FEV6as a practical substitute for the FEV1/FVC.
Pulmonary veno-occlusive disease misdiagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Palazzini M. , Manes A. 
Published: August 2009

A 27-yr-old female with a 6-month diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) confirmed elsewhere was referred to our centre with worsening dyspnoea.On examination, the patient had low systemic oxygen saturation despite high oxygen flow and reduced exercise capacity. Haemodynamics were indicative of severe pre-capillary PAH. High-resolution computed tomography revealed diffuse ground-glass opacity with thickening interlobular septa, and haemosiderin-laden macrophages were identified by bronchoalveolar lavage. Based on clinical and diagnostic findings, the patient was re-diagnosed with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (PVOD).Treatment with high-dose diuretics and the endothelin-receptor antagonist bosentan improved the patient's exercise capacity, haemodynamics and quality of life. However, 1 yr later there was a progressive, slow deterioration in the patient's functional capacity and oxygen saturation, and inhaled prostanoid and oxygen therapy were initiated. Despite some subjective improvements, the patient's haemodynamics and oxygen saturation continued to decline and she underwent lung transplantation.This case emphasises that PVOD is an under-recognised and often misdiagnosed form of pulmonary hypertension. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of PVOD requires comprehensive clinical and diagnostic work-up. While lung transplantation remains the treatment of choice for patients with PVOD, targeted therapies for PAH in addition to high doses of diuretics merit evaluation.
Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity in the Nociceptive Thalamic-Anterior Cingulate Pathway
Authors: Shyu Bai-Chuang , Vogt Brent A 
Published: September 2009

Background Although the mechanisms of short- and long-term potentiation of nociceptive-evoked responses are well known in the spinal cord, including central sensitization, there has been a growing body of information on such events in the cerebral cortex. In view of the importance of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in chronic pain conditions, this review considers neuronal plasticities in the thalamocingulate pathway that may be the earliest changes associated with such syndromes. Results A single nociceptive electrical stimulus to the sciatic nerve induced a prominent sink current in the layer II/III of the ACC in vivo, while high frequency stimulation potentiated the response of this current. Paired-pulse facilitation by electrical stimulation of midline, mediodorsal and intralaminar thalamic nuclei (MITN) suggesting that the MITN projection to ACC mediates the nociceptive short-term plasticity. The short-term synaptic plasticities were evaluated for different inputs in vitro where the medial thalamic and contralateral corpus callosum afferents were compared. Stimulation of the mediodorsal afferent evoked a stronger short-term synaptic plasticity and effectively transferred the bursting thalamic activity to cingulate cortex that was not true for contralateral stimulation. This short-term enhancement of synaptic transmission was mediated by polysynaptic pathways and NMDA receptors. Layer II/III neurons of the ACC express a short-term plasticity that involves glutamate and presynaptic calcium influx and is an important mechanism of the short-term plasticity. Conclusion The potentiation of ACC neuronal activity induced by thalamic bursting suggest that short-term synaptic plasticities enable the processing of nociceptive information from the medial thalamus and this temporal response variability is particularly important in pain because temporal maintenance of the response supports cortical integration and memory formation related to noxious events. Moreover, these modifications of cingulate synapses appear to regulate afferent signals that may be important to the transition from acute to chronic pain conditions associated with persistent peripheral noxious stimulation. Enhanced and maintained nociceptive activities in cingulate cortex, therefore, can become adverse and it will be important to learn how to regulate such changes in thalamic firing patterns that transmit nociceptive information to ACC in early stages of chronic pain.
Ixodes ricinus ticks are reservoir hosts for Rickettsia helvetica and potentially carry flea-borne Rickettsia species
Authors: Sprong Hein , Wielinga Peter R , Fonville Manoj , Reusken Chantal , Brandenburg Afke H , Borgsteede Fred , Gaasenbeek Cor , van der Giessen Joke WB 
Published: September 2009

Abstract

Background
Hard ticks have been identified as important vectors of rickettsiae causing the spotted fever syndrome. Tick-borne rickettsiae are considered to be emerging, but only limited data are available about their presence in Western Europe, their natural life cycle and their reservoir hosts. Ixodes ricinus, the most prevalent tick species, were collected and tested from different vegetation types and from potential reservoir hosts. In one biotope area, the annual and seasonal variability of rickettsiae infections of the different tick stages were determined for 9 years.

Results
The DNA of the human pathogen R. conorii as well as R. helvetica, R. sp. IRS and R. bellii-like were found. Unexpectedly, the DNA of the highly pathogenic R. typhi and R. prowazekii and 4 other uncharacterized Rickettsia spp. related to the typhus group were also detected in I. ricinus. The presence of R. helvetica in fleas isolated from small rodents supported our hypothesis that cross-infection can occur under natural conditions, since R. typhi/prowazekii and R. helvetica as well as their vectors share rodents as reservoir hosts. In one biotope, the infection rate with R. helvetica was ~66% for 9 years, and was comparable between larvae, nymphs, and adults. Larvae caught by flagging generally have not yet taken a blood meal from a vertebrate host. The simplest explanation for the comparable prevalence of R. helvetica between the defined tick stages is, that R. helvetica is vertically transmitted through the next generation with high efficiency. The DNA of R. helvetica was also present in whole blood from mice, deer and wild boar.

Conclusion
Besides R. helvetica, unexpected rickettsiae are found in I. ricinus ticks. We propose that I. ricinus is a major reservoir host for R. helvetica, and that vertebrate hosts play important roles in the further geographical dispersion of rickettsiae.