bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pathway‐specific plasticity in the human spinal cord
Authors: Leukel Christian , Taube Wolfgang , Beck Sandra , Schubert Martin 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to artificially induce plasticity in the human spinal cord and evaluate whether this plasticity is pathway specific. For this purpose, a technique called paired associative stimulation (PAS) was applied. Volleys evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the primary motor cortex and peripheral nerve stimulation of the nervus tibialis in the popliteal fossa were timed to coincide at the spinal level. The transmission of different corticospinal projections was assessed before and after PAS using conditioned H‐reflexes. Different groups of healthy volunteers (28 ± 5 years) were tested; intervention groups 1 (n = 9) and 2 (n = 8) received spinal PAS (360 paired stimuli) and the induced effects were evaluated using cortical (group 1) or cervicomedullary (group 2) conditioning of musculus soleus H‐reflexes. After spinal PAS, the conditioned H‐reflexes were significantly facilitated when tested with cortical and cervicomedullary stimulation. The effect of the latter technique is independent of changes in the excitability of cortical neurons. Therefore, the finding that conditioned H‐reflexes were increased after spinal PAS when tested with both cortical and cervicomedullary stimulation suggests that neural plasticity was induced within the spinal cord. The facilitation could only be observed for specific inter‐stimulus intervals between volleys induced by peripheral nerve stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation. As the specific inter‐stimulus intervals were assumed to relate to transmission within specific motor pathways, it is argued that changes in the corticospinal transmission were pathway‐specific. These findings may be helpful in inducing and assessing neural plasticity in pathological conditions like spinal cord injuries.
Opioid analgesics in experimental sepsis: effects on physiological, biochemical, and haemodynamic parameters
Authors: Nardi Geisson Marcos , Bet Angela Cristina , Sordi Regina , Fernandes Daniel , Assreuy Jamil 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCecal ligation and puncture (CLP) is the sepsis model that more closely resembles the human pathology, but it is likely to cause suffering to experimental animals. However, it is not clear whether the use of analgesia may affect some parameters evaluated in experimental sepsis research. Therefore, we investigated the effects of fentanyl and tramadol in experimental sepsis in the rat. The following parameters were evaluated: body temperature, body weight, water and food ingestion, mortality, analgesia, blood leukocytes, mean arterial blood pressure, vascular reactivity to phenylephrine, lung myeloperoxidase activity, and plasma levels of IL1‐β, glutamic‐oxaloacetic, glutamic‐pyruvic, lactate, creatinine and urea. While producing significant analgesia, the opioids modify minimally the parameters, with the exception of sepsis‐induced hypotension and mortality. Although fentanyl and tramadol can minimize pain and the general suffering of animals submitted to CLP surgery, their effects on cardiovascular parameters as well as in the mortality indicate that their use in experimental sepsis must be done with caution and with all the proper control groups.
Cardiovascular and perceptual responses to blood‐flow‐restricted resistance exercise with differing restrictive cuffs
Authors: Rossow Lindy M. , Fahs Christopher A. , Loenneke Jeremy P. , Thiebaud Robert S. , Sherk Vanessa D. , Abe Takashi , Bemben Michael G. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine (i) the cardiovascular responses to acute blood‐flow‐restricted (BFR) resistance exercise and (ii) the influence of applied BFR cuff type on the cardiovascular and perceptual responses.MethodsIn a randomized, crossover design, 27 participants wore either a 5·0 cm wide elastic cuff or a 13·5 cm wide non‐elastic cuff around the thigh while performing four sets of knee extension exercise using 20% of 1‐RM. Brachial and central blood pressure (BP) and aortic augmentation index (AIx) were measured before and after the restrictive cuffs were applied and inflated, after the 2nd and 4th set of resistance exercise, and 5 and 15 min following the 4th set of exercise. Ratings of perceived exertion and pain were obtained before exercise and after the 2nd and 4th set of exercise.ResultsBoth brachial and central BPs increased and AIx decreased during BFR exercise but returned to baseline levels within 15 min following exercise. The wide cuffs caused a greater elevation in heart rate, brachial and central BPs, perceived effort and pain and a greater decrease in AIx during the BFR exercise.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that low‐intensity BFR resistance exercise does not appear to acutely negatively affect the vasculature. Also, cuff type will greatly affect cardiovascular and perceptual responses to BFR resistance exercise and thus is an important consideration in study design.
The Impact of Interferon Beta and Natalizumab on Comorbid Migraine in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Villani Veronica , Prosperini Luca , De Giglio Laura , Pozzilli Carlo , Salvetti Marco , Sette Giuliano 
Published: April 2012

Background.— Some multiple sclerosis (MS)‐specific therapies may exacerbate a comorbid migraine. Whereas data regarding the impact of interferon beta (IFNB) on this comorbidity have been reported, studies on the role of natalizumab (NTZ) are still lacking.Purpose.— Our aim was to compare the impact of IFNB and NTZ on the frequency and disability of comorbid migraine in MS patients.Methods.— We performed a longitudinal evaluation on MS patients with comorbid migraine previously assessed at our center and retested for the present study, by comparing data from 33 patients originally treated with IFNB and thereafter switched to NTZ vs 30 patients continued currently to receive IFNB.Results.— Longitudinal analysis showed a significant reduction of migraine frequency (from a mean value of 8.4 to 5.1 days per month; P = .034) and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) score (from a mean value of 14.2 to 10.5; P = .045) in the subgroup patients switched from IFNB to NTZ but not in those remaining in the IFNB recipient, irrespective of level of fatigue, trait anxiety, depression, alexithymia, or other clinical variables.Conclusions.— Our findings suggest that NTZ did not exacerbate comorbid migraine in MS patients and support the hypothesis that IFNB might represent an important trigger for migraine worsening.
Hazardous Drinking and Dimensions of Impulsivity, Behavioral Approach, and Inhibition in Adult Men and Women
Authors: Hamilton Kristen R. , Sinha Rajita , Potenza Marc N. 
Published: April 2012

IntroductionHazardous drinking is characterized by decisions to engage in excessive or risky patterns of alcohol consumption. Levels of impulsivity and behavioral approach and inhibition may differ in hazardous drinkers and nonhazardous drinkers. A comparison of the relative levels of dimensions of impulsivity and behavioral inhibition and approach in adult men and women hazardous and nonhazardous drinkers may inform treatment and prevention efforts.MethodsIn the present research, 466 men and women from a community sample were administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Approach System (BIS/BAS) scale, and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, version 11 (BIS‐11). Relations among the dimensions of these constructs were examined using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), with age and race as covariates.ResultsThere were main effects of hazardous drinking on all 3 dimensions of impulsivity, the behavioral inhibition system, and the behavioral activation system Reward Responsiveness, and Fun‐Seeking components, with hazardous drinkers scoring higher than nonhazardous drinkers.ConclusionsThis research provides a better understanding of the manner in which impulsivity and behavioral inhibition and approach tendencies relate to hazardous alcohol use in men and women. The present results have implications for alcohol‐related prevention and treatment strategies for adult men and women.
Environmental Assessment of Refuse‐Derived Fuel Co‐Combustion in a Coal‐Fired Power Plant
Authors: Rigamonti Lucia , Grosso Mario , Biganzoli Laura 
Published: April 2012

SummaryMunicipal residual waste (RW) produced in the Venice area undergoes mechanical‐biological treatment (MBT) in the Fusina plant to produce refuse‐derived fuel (RDF) that is then co‐combusted in a nearby coal‐fired power station. Being the first significant project for RDF co‐firing in power plants in Italy, a number of different testing phases were performed starting in 2003, aimed at evaluating differences between so‐called blank operation (i.e., with only coal feeding) and RDF co‐firing at different feeding rates.The analysis of data gathered during the industrial experimentation shows a savings of 0.7 tonnes (t) of coal per each tonne of co‐fired RDF; stack concentrations of some pollutants (hydrochloric acid [HCl], ammonia [NH3], carbon monoxide [CO], chromium [Cr], and lead [Pb]) appear slightly higher during co‐combustion compared with blank operation, whereas concentrations of dust, sulfur oxides (SOx), and some metals (manganese [Mn], nickel [Ni], vanadium [V]) are lower.To assess the overall environmental performance of this practice, a life cycle assessment (LCA) study was then performed, where different strategies of energy recovery from RW were compared: production of RDF and its co‐combustion in the Fusina power plant, RW combustion without any pretreatment in a mass‐burn waste‐to‐energy (WTE) plant, and production of RDF and its combustion in a dedicated WTE plant.The LCA results show that co‐combustion of RDF performs better than the other strategies for all impact categories evaluated. The only exception is when the WTE plant operates in combined heat and power mode, with very high overall conversion efficiencies.
Pacemaker Optimization in Nonresponders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: Left Ventricular Pacing as an Available Option
Authors: GAGE RYAN M. , BURNS KEVIN V. , VATTEROTT DANIEL B. , KUBO SPENCER H. , BANK ALAN J. 
Published: April 2012

Background:

Echocardiographic (ECHO)‐guided pacemaker optimization (PMO) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) nonresponders acutely improves left ventricular (LV) function. However, the chronic results of LV pacing in this group are less understood.
Methods:

We retrospectively studied 28 CRT nonresponders optimized based on ECHO to LV pacing and compared them to 28 age‐ and gender‐matched patients optimized to biventricular (BiV) pacing. ECHOs with tissue Doppler imaging assessed LV hemodynamics before, immediately after, and 29 ± 16 months after PMO. Also, 56 age‐ and gender‐matched CRT responders were included for comparison of clinical outcomes.
Results:

PMO resulted in acute improvements in longitudinal LV systolic function and several measures of dyssynchrony, with greater improvements in the LV paced group. Chronic improvements in ejection fraction (EF) (3.2 ± 7.7%), and left ventricle end‐systolic volume (LVESV) (−11 ± 36 mL) and one dyssynchrony measure were seen in the combined group. Chronically, both LV and BiV paced patients improved some measures of systolic function and dyssynchrony although response varied between the groups. Survival at 3.5 years was similar (P = 0.973) between the PMO (58%) and nonoptimized groups (58%) but survival free of cardiovascular hospitalization was significantly (P = 0.037) better in the nonoptimized group.
Conclusions
: CRT nonresponders undergoing PMO to either LV or BiV pacing have acute improvements in longitudinal systolic function and some measures of dyssynchrony. Some benefits are sustained chronically, with improvements in EF, LVESV, and dyssynchrony. A strategy of ECHO‐guided PMO results in survival for CRT nonresponders similar to that of CRT patients not referred for PMO. (PACE 2012; 35:685–694))
Ablation of a Resistant Right Atrial Appendage Tachycardia Using a Magnetic Navigation System
Authors: KHAN MOHSIN K. , ELMOUCHI DARRYL 
Published: April 2012

The right atrial appendage is an uncommon site of origin for ectopic atrial tachycardia. Right atrial appendage tachycardia (RAAT) has been noted to be prevalent in young males and responds well to radiofrequency ablation. We report a case of RAAT resistant to multiple attempts of ablation that responded to ablation using Stereotaxis Niobe™ Magnetic Navigation System (RMN, Stereotaxis, St. Louis, MO, USA).(PACE 2013; 36:e15–e18)
An Experimental Comparison of Two Different Clinically Used Implant Designs and Surfaces
Authors: Gottlow Jan , Barkarmo Sargon , Sennerby Lars 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTBackground:Various designs of dental implants representing different geometries and surface technologies are commercially available and clinically used in patients. However, data with regard to bone tissue responses and stability for comparison of their biologic performances are rare.Purpose:The aim of the present experimental investigation was to compare the bone tissue responses and implant stability between two commonly used dental implants representing different geometries and surface characteristics.Materials and Methods:A total of 90 dental implants (4.3 mm in diameter, 10 mm long) with an oxidized surface (Replace Select Tapered, TiUnite, Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) (OX) and 90 implants (4.1 mm in diameter, 10 mm total length) with a hydrophilic sand‐blasted and acid etched surface (Standard Plus, SLActive, Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) (HSBA) were placed in the distal femur (n = 1) and tibia (n = 2) of 30 rabbits. The implants were analyzed with implant stability quotient (ISQ) measurements, removal torque (RTQ) and histomorphometry (bone–implant contact, BIC) after 10 days, 3, and 6 weeks. Moreover, RTQ values were corrected for differences in surface area by calculating the shear strength for each implant.Results:RTQ and ISQ measurements showed an increase with time for both implant types. A significantly higher RTQ value was observed for the HSBA implant at 3 weeks (p = .05). A lower ISQ value was seen for HSBA than for OX implants at placement in the tibia (p < 0.001). HSBA implants showed higher shear strength values than OX implants after 3 weeks (p < .001), and 6 weeks (p < .01). The morphometric measurements showed significantly higher BIC for HSBA implants after 10 days (p < .01), similar values after 3 weeks and significantly higher BIC for OX implants after 6 weeks (p < .001).Conclusions:Both HSBA and OX implants were well integrated in bone and showed firm and increased stability from placement to after 6 weeks of healing. The HSBA implant showed more BIC after 10 days and the OX implant more BIC after 6 weeks of healing. The HSBA implant showed significantly higher shear strength after 3 and 6 weeks and higher RTQ values after 3 weeks than the OX implant. The results may be due to differences in surface roughness and hydrophilic properties.
Development and Application of a Database of Food Ingredient Fraud and Economically Motivated Adulteration from 1980 to 2010
Authors: Moore Jeffrey C. , Spink John , Lipp Markus 
Published: April 2012

Abstract: Food ingredient fraud and economically motivated adulteration are emerging risks, but a comprehensive compilation of information about known problematic ingredients and detection methods does not currently exist. The objectives of this research were to collect such information from publicly available articles in scholarly journals and general media, organize into a database, and review and analyze the data to identify trends. The results summarized are a database that will be published in the US Pharmacopeial Convention's Food Chemicals Codex, 8th edition, and includes 1305 records, including 1000 records with analytical methods collected from 677 references. Olive oil, milk, honey, and saffron were the most common targets for adulteration reported in scholarly journals, and potentially harmful issues identified include spices diluted with lead chromate and lead tetraoxide, substitution of Chinese star anise with toxic Japanese star anise, and melamine adulteration of high protein content foods. High‐performance liquid chromatography and infrared spectroscopy were the most common analytical detection procedures, and chemometrics data analysis was used in a large number of reports. Future expansion of this database will include additional publically available articles published before 1980 and in other languages, as well as data outside the public domain. The authors recommend in‐depth analyses of individual incidents.Practical Application:  This report describes the development and application of a database of food ingredient fraud issues from publicly available references. The database provides baseline information and data useful to governments, agencies, and individual companies assessing the risks of specific products produced in specific regions as well as products distributed and sold in other regions. In addition, the report describes current analytical technologies for detecting food fraud and identifies trends and developments.
Effect of the parvovirus H‐1 non‐structural protein NS1 on the tumorigenicity of human gastric cancer cells
Authors: WANG Yuan Yuan , LIU Jiong , ZHENG Qing , RAN Zhi Hua , SALOMÉ Nathalie , VOGEL Michèle , ROMMELAERE Jean , XIAO Shu Dong , WANG Zheng 
Published: April 2012

OBJECTIVE:  To investigate the in vivo oncosuppressive effect of the non‐structural protein NS1 of parvovirus H‐1 on human gastric cancer cell lines.METHODS:  Recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.1‐NS1 containing the complete NS1 gene of parvovirus H‐1 was constructed and characterized by restriction enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. The human gastric cancer cell lines MKN28, SGC7901 and MKN45 were stably transfected with empty or recombinant plasmids. NS1 gene transcription and protein expression in the latter transfectants were verified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The oncosuppressive effect of the parvoviral protein NS1 on the gastric cancer cell lines was tested by comparing the tumorigenicity of empty and recombinant vector‐transfected cells in nude mice.RESULTS:  Well differentiated gastric cancer cells (MKN28) transfected with either empty plasmid or pcDNA3.1‐NS1 were tumorigenic in nude mice. Moderately (SGC7901) and poorly (MKN45) differentiated gastric cancer cells transfected with empty plasmid were also tumorigenic, but no tumor resulted from the injection when they were transfected with pcDNA3.1‐NS1. This NS1‐associated suppression of SGC7901 and MKN45 tumors correlated with the decreased percentage of CD44 positive cells.CONCLUSIONS:  NS1 expression in poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells prevents them from forming tumors, perhaps by impairing the stem‐like phenotype. The parvoviral NS1 protein warrants further investigation for its therapeutic potential against cancer.
Discrimination of hybrid classes using cross‐species amplification of microsatellite loci: methodological challenges and solutions inDaphnia
Authors: THIELSCH A. , VÖLKER E. , KRAUS R. H. S. , SCHWENK K. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractMicrosatellite markers are important tools in population, conservation and forensic studies and are frequently used for species delineation, the detection of hybridization and introgression. Therefore, marker sets that amplify variable DNA regions in two species are required; however, cross‐species amplification is often difficult, as genotyping errors such as null alleles may occur. To estimate the level of potential misidentifications based on genotyping errors, we compared the occurrence of parental alleles in laboratory and naturalDaphniahybrids (Daphnia longispinagroup). We tested a set of 12 microsatellite loci with regard to their suitability for unambiguous species and hybrid class identification using F1hybrids bred in the laboratory. Further, a large set of 44 natural populations ofD. cucullata,D. galeataandD. longispina(1715 individuals) as well as their interspecific hybrids were genotyped to validate the discriminatory power of different marker combinations. Species delineation using microsatellite multilocus genotypes produced reliable results for all three studied species using assignment tests.Daphnia galeata × cucullatahybrid detection was limited due to three loci exhibitingD. cucullata‐specific null alleles, which most likely are caused by differences in primer‐binding sites of parental species. Overall, discriminatory power in hybrid detection was improved when a subset of markers was identified that amplifies equally well in both species.
Board Governance in Canadian Universities
Authors: Lilian Chan Y. , William Richardson A. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractIn response to increasing fiscal pressure, Canadian universities have turned towards managerialism, that is, applying managerial tools of business with the objectives of improving operating efficiency, raising the institution's marketability, and generating commercial revenue. In addition to employing the services of professional administrators to enhance the institution's economic performance, universities appear to be switching from a collegial model of shared governance to a corporate model of governance. An objective of this exploratory study is to examine the current state of board governance in Canadian universities. Results of a survey from 133 board members of 28 universities indicate, by and large, that board members seem to have a good understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The boards are involved in setting strategic directions, goals, and objectives, and are making operating and capital resource allocation decisions. They are also monitoring the performance of the university and the president, and are involved in recruiting, succession planning, and determining the president's compensation package. The respondents report that the board committee structure and the support provided to board members allow them to discharge their responsibilities as board members properly. There is, however, room for improvement, especially in the board's participation in defining and reviewing the institution's strategic directions, plans, goals, and objectives, as well as monitoring the performance of the university and senior administrators. Other areas for possible improvement include continuing education on matters within the board's purview as well as providing better information for decision making to board members.
Evaluating Constructive Lease Capitalization and Off‐Balance‐Sheet Financing: An Instructional Case with FedEx and UPS
Authors: Duke Joanne C. , Franz David , Hsieh Su‐Jane 
Published: April 2012

AbstractThis case illustrates the effects of the proposed new lease standard by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the International Accounting Standards Board on existing outstanding operating leases. Specifically, the case examines the effects of the proposal that all firms report existing operating leases as capital leases upon the initial adoption of the proposed standard. By applying a constructive capitalization model to two firms who rely on operating leases for financing, FedEx and UPS, we found that both companies would have to record billions of dollars of liabilities that had only appeared in the footnotes of their financial statements under the current lease standards. In addition, the firms would experience a decline in retained earnings and key financial ratios, such as the debt‐to‐equity, return‐on‐assets, and interest coverage ratios, by reporting operating leases as capital leases under the new proposed standard. Furthermore, the magnitude of the lease capitalization impact is much smaller for UPS than for FedEx.