bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetics of Sugammadex for the Reversal of Rocuronium-induced Neuromuscular Blockade in Elderly Patients
Authors: McDonagh David L. , Benedict Patrick E. , Kovac Anthony L. , Drover David R. , Brister Neil W. , Morte Jovino B. , Monk Terri G. 
Published: January 2011

Background
The management of elderly patients can be challenging for anesthesiologists for many reasons, including altered pharmacokinetics and dynamics. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of sugammadex for moderate rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade reversal in adult (aged 18-64 yr) versus elderly adult (aged 65 yr or older) patients.

Methods
This phase 3a, multicenter, parallel-group, comparative, open-label study enrolled 162 patients aged 18 yr and older, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 1-3, scheduled for surgery with general anesthesia and requiring neuromuscular blockade. After anesthesia induction, patients received rocuronium, 0.6 mg/kg, before tracheal intubation, with maintenance doses of 0.15 mg/kg as required. At the end of surgery, patients received sugammadex, 2.0 mg/kg, at reappearance of the second twitch of the train-of-four (TOF) for reversal. The primary efficacy variable was time from sugammadex administration to recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 or greater. Pharmacokinetics and safety were also evaluated.

Results
Overall, 150 patients were treated and had at least one postbaseline efficacy assessment; 48 were aged 18-64 yr (adult), 62 were aged 65-74 yr (elderly), and 40 were aged 75 yr or older (old-elderly). The geometric mean time (95% confidence interval) from sugammadex administration to recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 increased with age, from 2.3 (2.0-2.6) min (adults) to 2.9 (2.7-3.2) min (elderly/old-elderly groups combined). Recovery of the TOF ratio to 0.9 was estimated to be 0.7 min faster in adults compared with patients aged 65 yr or older (P = 0.022). Sugammadex was well tolerated by all patients.

Conclusion
Sugammadex facilitates rapid reversal from moderate rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade in adults of all ages.
Constipation and Colonic Transit Times in Children With Morbid Obesity
Authors: vd Baan‐Slootweg Olga H , Liem Olivia , Bekkali Noor , van Aalderen Wim MC , Rijcken Tammo H Pels , Di Lorenzo Carlo , Benninga Marc A 
Published: January 2011

AbstractObjectives:The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria in children with morbid obesity and to evaluate by measuring colonic transit times (CTTs) whether decreased colonic motility is present in these children.Patients and Methods:Ninety‐one children with morbid obesity ages 8 to 18 years, entering a prospective, randomized controlled study evaluating the effect of an outpatient versus inpatient treatment program of obesity, participated. All of the children filled out a standardized questionnaire regarding their bowel habits, and CTTs were measured using radioopaque markers. Food diaries were also recorded to evaluate their diet.Results:A total of 19 children (21%) had functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria, whereas 1 child had functional nonretentive fecal incontinence. Total CTT exceeded 62 hours in only 10.5% of the children with constipation, and among them, 2 had a total CTT of >100 hours. In the nonconstipated group 8.3% had a delayed CTT. Furthermore, no difference was found between the diet of children with or without constipation, specifically not with respect to fiber and fat intake.Conclusions:Our study confirms a high frequency of functional constipation in children with obesity, using the Rome III criteria. However, abnormal colonic motility, as measured by CTT, was delayed in only a minority of patients. No relation was found between constipation in these children and fiber or fat intake.
Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Antibiotic Treatment Study of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Children With Chronic Abdominal Pain
Authors: Collins Brynie Slome , Lin Henry C 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and Objectives:Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in children may be a precursor to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults. The prevalence of abnormal lactulose breath tests (LBT) suggesting small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been reported as 91% in children with CAP and 35% in healthy controls. In addition, patients with IBS with SIBO who responded to nonabsorbable antibiotic treatment with normalization of LBT reported 75% global improvement in symptoms. The aim of the study was to test whether treatment with a nonabsorbable antibiotic may reduce symptoms in children with CAP.Methods:Seventy‐five children ages 8 to 18 years with CAP based on Rome II criteria were enrolled. Subjects underwent baseline LBT and completed symptom‐based questionnaires. They were then randomized in a 2:1, double‐blind fashion to receive a 10‐day course of 550 mg of rifaximin or placebo 3 times per day (t.i.d.). LBT and questionnaires were repeated 2 weeks after treatment.Results:Forty‐nine children received rifaximin and 26 received placebo. There were no differences in demographics between groups. Ninety‐four percent who received rifaximin and 92% who received placebo had abnormal baseline LBT, suggesting SIBO (not significant [NS]). There was no significant difference in symptom improvement between groups; however, only 20% of children treated with rifaximin achieved a normalized repeat LBT, demonstrating successful treatment of SIBO.Conclusions:Similar to adults with IBS, the prevalence of abnormal LBT suggesting SIBO in children with CAP is high; however, treatment with 10 days of rifaximin has low efficacy in normalizing LBT in this group. Additional studies are needed to determine whether a treatment approach with higher efficacy would lead to improvement in children with CAP.
Inlet Patch: Clinical Presentation and Outcome in Children
Authors: Georges Amandine , Coopman Stéphanie , Rebeuh Julie , Molitor Guy , Rebouissoux Laurent , Dabadie Alain , Kalach Nicolas , Lachaux Alain , Michaud Laurent 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTObjectives:An inlet patch (IP) is defined as heterotopic gastric mucosa located in the proximal esophagus. Little information is available in children. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess clinical significance, endoscopic and histological characteristics, and natural history of IP in children.Patients and Methods:This retrospective multicenter study included all of the cases of IP recorded in 7 tertiary French pediatric gastrointestinal centers. Information about demographics, clinical symptoms, endoscopic characteristics, histology, treatment, and evolution was collected.Results:Fifteen children were included (8 boys, 7 girls). The median age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (range 3.3–15 years). Five children had esophageal atresia and 9 had gastroesophageal reflux. Only 1 child was asymptomatic. Digestive symptoms (dysphagia, food impaction) were noted in 14 patients and respiratory or ear, nose, and throat symptoms in 6. At endoscopy, IP was characterized by a small, round salmon‐pink lesion of the proximal esophagus. Helicobacter pylori was found in 2 patients. Proton pump inhibitor treatment was initiated in 14 children for a mean duration of 4.7 months (range 1–12 months). Two patients were lost to follow‐up. Clinical symptoms disappeared in 5 patients and decreased in 3 others. One case of hematemesis was noted after a mean follow‐up of 9 months. Recurrent symptoms were noted in 2 patients after treatment discontinuation.Conclusions:IP is an uncommon but almost certainly underrecognized lesion in children, and may be the cause of digestive and respiratory symptoms in some children.
Infliximab‐induced Psoriasis in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Hiremath Girish , Duffy Lynn , Leibowitz Ian 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTInfliximab is frequently used to treat both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis. We reviewed the medical records of 73 children with IBD receiving infliximab therapy and identified 6 (8%) cases of infliximab‐induced psoriasis. Five (83%) had Crohn disease and 4 (67%) were girls. The psoriatic lesions appeared on the face (n = 5; 83%) and perineum (n = 1; 17%). A median of 13 doses were administered during a median duration of 21 months. All of the patients were continued on infliximab to maintain clinical remission of IBD. Educating children with IBD and their caregivers about this paradoxical phenomenon and periodic dermatology evaluation may promote patient care.
Malate Plays a Crucial Role in Starch Metabolism, Ripening, and Soluble Solid Content of Tomato Fruit and Affects Postharvest Softening
Authors: Centeno Danilo C. , Osorio Sonia , Nunes-Nesi Adriano , Bertolo Ana L.F. , Carneiro Raphael T. , Araújo Wagner L. , Steinhauser Marie-Caroline , Michalska Justyna , Rohrmann Johannes , Geigenberger Peter , Oliver Sandra N. , Stitt Mark , Carrari Fernando , Rose Jocelyn K.C. , Fernie Alisdair R. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractDespite the fact that the organic acid content of a fruit is regarded as one of its most commercially important quality traits when assessed by the consumer, relatively little is known concerning the physiological importance of organic acid metabolism for the fruit itself. Here, we evaluate the effect of modifying malate metabolism in a fruit-specific manner, by reduction of the activities of either mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase or fumarase, via targeted antisense approaches in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). While these genetic perturbations had relatively little effect on the total fruit yield, they had dramatic consequences for fruit metabolism, as well as unanticipated changes in postharvest shelf life and susceptibility to bacterial infection. Detailed characterization suggested that the rate of ripening was essentially unaltered but that lines containing higher malate were characterized by lower levels of transitory starch and a lower soluble sugars content at harvest, whereas those with lower malate contained higher levels of these carbohydrates. Analysis of the activation state of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase revealed that it correlated with the accumulation of transitory starch. Taken together with the altered activation state of the plastidial malate dehydrogenase and the modified pigment biosynthesis of the transgenic lines, these results suggest that the phenotypes are due to an altered cellular redox status. The combined data reveal the importance of malate metabolism in tomato fruit metabolism and development and confirm the importance of transitory starch in the determination of agronomic yield in this species.
Pollen Tubes Lacking a Pair of K+ Transporters Fail to Target Ovules inArabidopsis
Authors: Lu Yongxian , Chanroj Salil , Zulkifli Lalu , Johnson Mark A. , Uozumi Nobuyuki , Cheung Alice , Sze Heven 
Published: January 2011

AbstractFlowering plant reproduction requires precise delivery of the sperm cells to the ovule by a pollen tube. Guidance signals from female cells are being identified; however, how pollen responds to those cues is largely unknown. Here, we show that two predicted cation/proton exchangers (CHX) in Arabidopsis thaliana, CHX21 and CHX23, are essential for pollen tube guidance. Male fertility was unchanged in single chx21 or chx23 mutants. However, fertility was impaired in chx21 chx23 double mutant pollen. Wild-type pistils pollinated with a limited number of single and double mutant pollen producing 62% fewer seeds than those pollinated with chx23 single mutant pollen, indicating that chx21 chx23 pollen is severely compromised. Double mutant pollen grains germinated and grew tubes down the transmitting tract, but the tubes failed to turn toward ovules. Furthermore, chx21 chx23 pollen tubes failed to enter the micropyle of excised ovules. Green fluorescent protein–tagged CHX23 driven by its native promoter was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum of pollen tubes. CHX23 mediated K+ transport, as CHX23 expression in Escherichia coli increased K+ uptake and growth in a pH-dependent manner. We propose that by modifying localized cation balance and pH, these transporters could affect steps in signal reception and/or transduction that are critical to shifting the axis of polarity and directing pollen growth toward the ovule.
Web as a customer communication channel in the confectionery industry in South Eastern European countries
Authors: Knezevic Blazenka , Renko Sanda , Pejic Bach Mirjana 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe main purpose of the paper is to investigate and to document the current level of web usage within the confectionery industry in the South Eastern European (SEE) region. Also, the paper aims to examine the web content structure of confectioners in the given region and to explain the impact of the location and the size of the company on the quality of contents published on web sites.Design/methodology/approachThe experimental research was conducted on the sample of 333 companies in the confectionery industry from 5 SEE countries. The research questionnaire included 56 web sites' characteristics divided into five categories.FindingsThe confectionery industry uses web sites as “presentation space” only, and the “show‐case” is the main purpose. The implementation of the web in the confectionery industry in SEE countries is correlated with a company's characteristics. Companies within EU member countries more often implement the web as a customer communication channel. However, confectioners in non‐EU countries have more information published on their web sites and their web sites are more interactive.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a better understanding of web usage within the confectionery industry because it classifies information published on web sites into several categories and describes common web contents in the confectionery industry. Moreover, it discusses the correlation between a company's characteristics (size and location) and web implementation. Finally, it gives an overview of relevant findings of web usage as a customer communication channel within transitional economies.
What are the concerns of Croatian traditional food consumers regarding GM food?
Authors: Cerjak Marija , Kovačić Damir , Grgić Ivo 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the knowledge of Croatian traditional food consumers, their attitudes as well as their concerns regarding GM food.Design/methodology/approachA face‐to‐face survey was conducted with 360 consumers in order to collect data on importance of food production technology, respondents' knowledge about GM food, consumers' beliefs about GM food, fear of genetic modifications, willingness to consume and pay for GM food and respondents' demographics. Data were analysed with univariate and multivariate analyses.FindingsThe knowledge of Croatian traditional food consumers about GM food is relatively low, which affects their negative attitudes about consumption of GM food. Rejection of GM food is mostly associated with fear of possible negative impact of such food on human health and the environment. A high percentage of respondents (70 per cent) consider GM foods harmful to human health, resulting in a low acceptability of GM food even if it would be cheaper than food without GMOs. Respondents believe that GM components improve freshness and shelf life of food, but significantly reduce its taste and nutritional value.Research limitations/implicationsOne limitation of this study is the choice of the sample. Further research would be needed in order to explore attitudes and buying intentions of a representative sample of the entire Croatian population.Practical implicationsResearch results show that the introduction of GM food in the market would find potential consumers if it would provide some health benefits.Originality/valueThis paper gives the first insight into Croatian traditional food consumers' knowledge and concerns regarding GM food.
Theoretical and experimental investigations about flank breakage in bevel gears
Authors: Klein Markus , Höhn Bernd‐Robert , Michaelis Klaus , Annast Rainer 
Published: January 2011

PurposeA failure mode called “flank breakage” is increasingly observed in cylindrical and bevel gears. Up to now, there was no calculation method available to determine the load‐carrying capacity related to flank breakage in bevel gears. Therefore, a research project was initiated to investigate the described failure mode in bevel gears and to develop a calculation method to predict the risk of flank breakage of such gears. The purpose of this paper is to describe this project.Design/methodology/approachThe presented research project contained: determination of the decisive influence parameters in experimental investigations with bevel gears; development of a model to explain flank breakage in bevel gears; and development of a calculation method and design rules to avoid flank breakage.FindingsIn systematic tests, the influenced parameters of flank breakage were investigated. Besides the load torque, especially the case depth and the core hardness turned out as decisive parameters. A higher sulfur concentration in the material does not seem to be critical. The analysis of damage patterns of test and practical gears showed that the initiating crack always started below the surface in the region of the transition from case to core. For unidirectional loading, the crack propagates to the active flank on the one side and to the tooth root on the other side. On the basis of these findings, a local and a simplified calculation method were developed to estimate the risk of flank breakage.Originality/valueWith the described calculation method, it is now possible to evaluate running gears according to their risk of flank breakage and design new gears with a sufficient safety factor to avoid this failure.
Rolling‐sliding, scuffing and tribocorrosion behaviour of PVD multilayer coatings for gears application
Authors: Bayón Raquel , Zubizarreta Cristina , Nevshupa Roman , Carlos Rodriguez Juan , Fernández Xana , Ruiz de Gopegui Unai , Igartua Amaya 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe aim of this work is the study the tribological behaviour and tribocorrosion resistance of newly developed multilayer PVD coatings Cr/CrN and CrN/ZrCN applied on nitrided F1272 steel for gear applications.Design/methodology/approachTribological characterization has been completed by several tribological tests performed under ball‐on‐disc configuration, extreme pressure tests to determine the maximum load before the films failure and rolling‐sliding tests under line‐contact conditions (35‐40 per cent of sliding). The response of the different coatings to sodium chloride aggressive environment has been simulated by accelerated tribocorrosion tests, combining simultaneously chemical and mechanical factors. The synergistic effect of wear on corrosion behaviour and vice versa, has been studied in order to compare the protective properties of the different PVD coatings developed.FindingsCr/CrN PVD coating improves wear in almost a 90 per cent compared to the nitrided substrate, presenting a similar behaviour to this one under extreme pressure conditions. CrN/ZrCN coating also improved substrate wear and especially good behaviour for this coating was observed under extreme pressure conditions. Cr/CrN coating strongly decreases micropitting and scuffing effect when it is tested under rolling‐sliding configuration. Under micro‐pitting conditions, coating protects the substrate and reduces the fatigue of uncoated discs. When adhesive wear (scuffing) is studied also Cr/CrN improves notable the nitrided steel performance. Under simultaneously corrosion‐wear conditions, Cr/CrN coating registered the lowest material loss because in this case only corrosion effect contributed to the coated surface degradation being the mechanical contribution inappreciable.Originality/valueNew multilayer coatings with improved wear performance and tribocorrosion resistance have been developed and comprehensively characterized. These coatings can be used in advanced gears for corrosive environmental conditions as well as with biodegradable lubricants.
Recovering of micro credit in Nigeria
Authors: Nkamnebe Anayo D. , Idemobi Ellis I. 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the factors that are responsible for the poor credit recovery among micro‐finance institutions (MFIs) that disbursed a United Nations Development Programme's micro credit in Anambra State, Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachA total of 97 MFIs were surveyed out of a total of 129 MFIs in Anambra State in 2007. A ten‐item researcher developed questionnaire on a four‐point Likert scale was used to measure MFIs' staff assessment of factors that were responsible for poor credit recovery. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data, and conclusions and implications of the findings are presented.FindingsFrom the findings of this study, it is evident that multidimensional factors contribute to low credit recovering by the MFIs. These factors can be summarised under borrowers' wrong attitude to credit repayment, MFIs' staff weak skill and corrupt tendency, and poor infrastructural provision by the government. Arguably, these factors have direct effect in encumbering genuine effort at alleviating poverty in Nigeria through the instrumentality of micro credit. This calls for a change in strategy especially on the part of the MFIs in reducing the incidence of low credit recovery.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper offers fresh insight that would offer better understanding of the informal sector of the financial system in Nigeria that has hitherto received limited research attention.Practical implicationsThis paper is informative in terms of the imperativeness for public policy adjustment and firm‐level competencies required for better operation of the MFIs in Nigeria. This would translate into creating viable micro‐credit sector to support current plans to eradicate poverty and foster the development of the “bottom‐of‐the‐pyramid”.Originality/valueAddresses issues related to micro credit in a highly challenged and isolated context.
Do drivers matter for the benefits of ISO 14001?
Authors: Heras‐Saizarbitoria Iñaki , Arana Landín German , Molina‐Azorín José Francisco 
Published: January 2011

PurposeThe ISO 14001 is already a global meta‐standard for implementing Environmental Management Systems. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the influence of the sources of motivation that lead companies to adopt this global standard for its perceived benefits.Design/methodology/approachAn extensive review of the academic literature published on ISO 14001, motivations, and benefits has been carried out in order to establish the working hypotheses that are analyzed based on the information obtained from 214 Spanish companies that participated in a survey.FindingsThe internal drivers to implement and certify the ISO 14001 standard have a degree of influence on the benefits that is significantly higher than external ones, irrespective of the size of the company and the sector of activity.Practical implicationsThe findings help to characterize ISO 14001 certified firms and anticipate benefits of the implementation and certification of the standard.Originality/valueThe article sheds light on the relationship among the motivational factors and the benefits of the process of implementing and certifying ISO 14001 in the country in the world that has experienced the greatest intensity of certification. A typology of integration level from Boiral and Boiral and Roy is empirically analyzed for ISO 14001 for the first time in the literature.