bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hospital Volume of Thyroidectomies on Outcomes Following Substernal Thyroidectomy
Authors: Pieracci Fredric M. , Fahey Thomas J. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractBackgroundSubsternal thyroidectomy (ST), as compared to conventional, cervical thyroidectomy, is a technically demanding procedure that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We tested the hypothesis that outcomes following ST are improved at centers that perform a high volume of thyroidectomies.MethodsPatients who underwent ST from 1998 to 2004 were extracted from the New York State Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database. Hospital volume of thyroidectomies was divided into low (<33 per year), middle (33–99 per year), and high (≥100 per year) volumes. Outcome variables included hospital length of stay (LOS), recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, hypoparathyroidism, postoperative bleeding, respiratory failure, blood transfusion, and mortality.ResultsA total of 1153 STs were analyzed; 372 (32.2%) were performed at low‐volume centers, 388 (33.7%) at middle‐volume centers, and 393 (34.0%) at high‐volume centers. Linear associations were observed between increasing hospital volume of thyroidectomies and decreasing age (p = 0.003), increasing co‐morbidity (p < 0.0001), increased likelihood of total versus subtotal thyroidectomy (p < 0.0001), and increased likelihood of thyroid malignancy (p < 0.0001). Despite this, increasing hospital volume of thyroidectomies predicted a decreased likelihood of overall complications (p = 0.005), postoperative bleeding (p = 0.01), blood transfusion (p = 0.04), respiratory failure (p = 0.04) and mortality (p = 0.004), as well as a trend toward a decreased LOS (p = 0.06). The overall complication rate and the mortality rate remained significantly associated with volume group by multivariate analysis.ConclusionDespite more extensive surgery on patients with greater co‐morbidity, LOS, morbidity, and mortality were all decreased when ST occurred at hospitals that perform a high volume of thyroidectomies.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans lipopolysaccharide affects human gingival fibroblast cytoskeletal organization
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Venegas Gloria , Contreras‐Marmolejo Luis Arturo , Román‐Alvárez Patricia , Barajas‐Torres Carolina 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThe cytoskeleton is a dynamic structure that plays a key role in maintaining cell morphology and function. This study investigates the effect of bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a strong inflammatory agent, on the dynamics and organization of actin, tubulin, vimentin, and vinculin proteins in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). A time‐dependent study showed a noticeable change in actin architecture after 1.5 h of incubation with LPS (1 μg/ml) with the formation of orthogonal fibers and further accumulation of actin filament at the cell periphery by 24 h. When 0.01–10 μg/ml of LPS was added to human gingival fibroblast cultures, cells acquired a round, flat shape and gradually developed cytoplasmic ruffling. Lipopolysaccharides extracted from Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans periodontopathogenic bacteria promoted alterations in F‐actin stress fibres of human gingival cells. Normally, human gingival cells have F‐actin fibres that are organized in linear distribution throughout the cells, extending along the cell's length. LPS‐treated cells exhibited changes in cytoskeletal protein organization, and F‐actin was reorganized by the formation of bundles underneath and parallel to the cell membrane. We also found the reorganization of the vimentin network into vimentin bundling after 1.5 h of treatment. HGF cells exhibited diffuse and granular γ‐tubulin stain. There was no change in LPS‐treated HGF. However, vinculin plaques distributed in the cell body diminished after LPS treatment.We conclude that the dynamic and structured organization of cytoskeletal filaments and actin assembly in human gingival fibroblasts is altered by LPS treatment and is accompanied by a decrease in F‐actin pools.
β‐Amyloid peptides 1–40βA and 25–35βA suppress human amylin‐mediated death of RINm5F islet β‐cells with distinct actions on fibril formation
Authors: Bai Ji‐Zhong 
Published: January 2008

AbstractAmyloid deposition is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes related to β‐amyloid peptides (βA) and human amylin (hA), respectively. Both βA and hA form aggregates and fibrils and kill cultured cells. To investigate whether βA and hA display peptide‐specific toxicity on cultured islet β‐cells, we examined the effects of 1–40βA and 25–35βA peptides on hA‐mediated cell death and [125I‐Tyr37]hA precipitation. Synthetic hA aggregated in solution and evoked both conformation‐ and sequence‐dependent cell death. While neither 1–40βA nor 25–35βA was toxic to islet β‐cells, they suppressed hA‐evoked cell death in a concentration‐dependent and saturable manner. Only 1–40βA, but not 25–35βA, showed trophic effects on cultured islet β‐cells and inhibited the precipitation of [125I]hA caused by hA. These results suggest that 25–35βA does not interfere with hA‐mediated fibril formation. Suppression of hA‐evoked death of cultured pancreatic islet β‐cells by the βA peptides is likely to occur through a competing interaction at these cells.
Sexually dimorphic effects of neonatal immune system activation with lipopolysaccharide on the behavioural response to a homotypic adult immune challenge
Authors: Tenk Christine M. , Kavaliers Martin , Ossenkopp Klaus‐Peter 
Published: January 2008

AbstractResearch has shown that acute immune activation during the early postnatal period with the Gram‐negative endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), alters a variety of physiological and behavioural processes in the adult animal. For example, neonatal LPS exposure affects disease susceptibility later in life, though these effects appear to be modulated by time of exposure, sex, and immune stimulus. The current study examined sex differences in the effect of neonatal LPS treatment on the locomotor activity response to adult LPS administration. Male and female Long‐Evans rats were treated systemically with either LPS (50 μg/kg) or saline (0.9%) on postnatal days 3 and 5. Later in adulthood (postnatal day 92), all animals were subjected to an adult LPS challenge and were injected (i.p.) with 200 μg/kg LPS. Two hours after injection, animals were placed in a non‐novel open‐field and locomotor activity was assessed for 30 min. Body weights were determined both at the time of injection and 24 h later to examine LPS‐induced weight loss. Adult males treated neonatally with LPS exhibited significantly less horizontal and vertical activity in response to the LPS challenge relative to males treated neonatally with saline. This effect was not observed in females. Thus, the current study provides important evidence of sexual dimorphism in the long‐term effects of neonatal LPS exposure on the responses to an adult homotypic immune challenge in rats. These findings have potential clinical significance given that neonatal exposure to pathogens is a fairly common occurrence and Gram‐negative bacteria are a common cause of neonatal bacterial infections.
Prognosis of Alzheimer's disease today: A two‐year prospective study in 686 patients from the REAL‐FR Study
Authors: Cortes Frédéric , Nourhashémi Fati , Guérin Olivier , Cantet Christelle , Gillette-Guyonnet Sophie , Andrieu Sandrine , Ousset Pierre-Jean , Vellas Bruno ,   REAL-FR Group
Published: January 2008

BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to describe the long‐term evolution of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a prospective cohort of patients under treatment with a close follow‐up.MethodsSix hundred eighty‐six AD patients from the French Network on AD (REAL‐FR) were followed up and assessed every 6 months for 2 years. Cognitive, functional, behavioral, nutritional, and global status were evaluated by using Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE), cognitive subscale of AD Assessment Scale (ADAS‐cog), Activities of Daily Living scale (ADL), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Mini‐Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR).ResultsThere were 85.13% of patients who were specifically treated for AD during their participation in the study. We observed significant changes (P < .0001) on MMSE, –4.57 ± 0.23; ADAS‐cog, 7.11 ± 0.41; ADL, –1.32 ± 0.07; NPI, 2.94 ± 0.77; MNA, –0.81 ± 0.17; and sum of boxes of the CDR (CDR‐SB), 4.17 ± 0.17. After 2 years, 10.79% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.47 to 13.11) of the patients evolved twice as rapidly as the mean of the whole cohort on MMSE (loss, ≥9 points), 65.89% (95% CI, 62.34 to 69.44) reported a loss of 3 to 9 points, and 23.32% (95% CI, 20.16 to 26.46) were stable or improved (loss of –2 points maximum). Annual incidences for institutionalization, hospitalization, and death were 11.84% (95% CI, 9.76 to 13.92), 26.13% (95% CI, 22.52 to 29.74), and 5.95% (95% CI, 4.56 to 7.34), respectively.ConclusionsIn a recent large AD cohort mostly under treatment, AD evolution appeared to be variable, with high incidences for death or institutionalization and with 11.84% of the patients exhibiting a rapid cognitive decline, whereas one fourth of the cohort appeared in relatively stable condition, and two thirds had a moderate but significant evolution of the disease. More studies are needed to better understand these variations in patients’ evolution.
Determining optimum planting dates for pearl millet for two contrasting environments using a modelling approach
Authors: SOLER C. M. T. , MAMAN N. , ZHANG X. , MASON S. C. , HOOGENBOOM G. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYPearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.] is an important cereal crop in Niger, West Africa and a potential crop for the United States of America (USA). Only a few studies have been conducted in either country to identify the optimum planting dates for high and stable yields, in part because planting date experiments are resource-intensive. Crop simulation models can be an alternative research tool for determining optimum planting dates and other management practices. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the performance of the Cropping System Simulation Model (CSM)–CERES-Millet model for two contrasting environments, including Mead, Nebraska, USA and Kollo, Niger, West Africa and to use the model for determining the optimum planting dates for these two environments. Field experiments were conducted in both environments to study the impact of nitrogen fertilizer on grain yield of three varieties in Kollo and three hybrids in Mead and their associated growth and development characteristics. The CSM–CERES-Millet model was able to accurately simulate growth, development and yield for millet grown in these two contrasting environments and under different management practices that included several genotypes and different nitrogen fertilizer application rates. For Kollo, the optimum planting date to obtain the maximum yield was between 13 and 23 May for variety Heini Kirei, while for the other varieties the planting dates were between 23 May and 2 June. For Mead, the planting date analysis showed that the highest simulated yield was obtained, on average, between 19 and 29 June for hybrid 59022A×89-083 and 1361M×6Rm. Further studies should focus on evaluation and application of the millet model for other agroclimatic regions where pearl millet is an important crop.
Modelling bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Authors: THORNLEY J. H. M. , FRANCE J. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYA deterministic model for the spread of an important animal disease, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), is described. It is a sparse three-pool model, the pools corresponding to susceptible, infected and sick animals. Simulations illustrate the biological meaning of the parameters, and pinpoint how parameters affect epidemic characteristics: infectivity impacts on the leading edge of the epidemic and its intensity. The times when infection is introduced and when control is exercised determine the length and possibly the intensity of the epidemic. Finally, the (single) incubation rate influences the trailing edge of the epidemic. It is applied to data describing the recent UK BSE outbreak, with reasonable success. Apart from a scaling factor, only these four quantities were adjusted to achieve this. The contributions from greater modelling complexity are discussed. It is concluded that the simple model is well suited for grasping the essentials, whereas further detail is needed for a more mechanistic representation, in particular concerning incubation delays in developing infectiousness and clinical sickness.
Population pharmacokinetic modelling of the enterohepatic recirculation of diclofenac and rofecoxib in rats
Authors: Huntjens D R H , Strougo A , Chain A , Metcalf A , Summerfield S , Spalding D J M , Danhof M , Della Pasqua O 
Published: January 2008

Background and purpose:Enterohepatic recirculation (EHC) is a common pharmacokinetic phenomenon that has been poorly modelled in animals. The presence of EHC leads to the appearance of multiple peaks in the concentration‐time profile and increased exposure, which may have implications for drug effect and extrapolation across species. The aim of this investigation was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for diclofenac and rofecoxib that describes EHC and to assess its consequence for the pharmacodynamics of both drugs.Experimental approach:The pharmacokinetics of diclofenac and rofecoxib was characterized in male rats following intravenous, intraperitoneal and oral administration. Blood samples were collected at pre‐defined time points after dosing to determine plasma concentrations over time. A parametric approach using nonlinear mixed effects modelling was applied to describe EHC, whilst simulations were used to evaluate its impact on PGE2inhibition.Key results:For diclofenac, EHC was described by a compartmental model with periodic transfer rate and metabolite formation rate. For rofecoxib, EHC modelling required a conversion compartment with first‐order recycling rate and lag time. Based on model predictions, EHC causes an increase of 95% in the systemic exposure to diclofenac and of 15% in the exposure to rofecoxib. In addition, EHC prolongs the inhibition of PGE2and increases the duration of the anti‐inflammatory effect (24 h for rofecoxib 10 mg kg−1) without affecting maximum inhibition.Conclusions and implications:Our findings show the relevance of exploring EHC in a quantitative manner to accurately interpret pharmacodynamic findingsin vivo, in particular when scaling across species.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 1072–1084; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707643; published online 14 January 2008
ZP120 causes relaxation by pre‐junctional inhibition of noradrenergic neurotransmission in rat mesenteric resistance arteries
Authors: Simonsen U , Laursen B E , Petersen J S 
Published: January 2008

Background and purpose:ZP120 (Ac‐RYYRWKKKKKKK‐NH2), is a new partial nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor agonist with sodium‐potassium sparing aquaretic effects. The mechanisms of vasodilatation of ZP120 were examined in rat mesenteric resistance arteries.Experimental approach:Arterial segments (internal diameters 206±4 μm,n=224) were mounted in microvascular myographs for isometric tension recordings and electrical field stimulation (EFS).Key results:ZP120 and the endogenous NOP receptor ligand, N/OFQ, did not relax arteries contracted with noradrenaline or adenosine‐triphosphate. EFS‐evoked contractions were inhibited by a purinoceptor antagonist, suramin, and the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. N/OFQ inhibited, concentration‐dependently, EFS‐evoked contractions with a maximal effect of 52±3% (n=8) at 1 μM. The maximal effect of 1 μMZP120 was lower (27±5%,P<0.05,n=9) than for N/OFQ. Endothelial removal or pretreatment with capsaicin did not influence the vasodilator effects of ZP120 and N/OFQ. ZP120 and N/OFQ responses were preserved in the presence of suramin. The α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, rauwolscine, antagonized the effect of clonidine and brimonidine, but ZP120 and N/OFQ inhibition of EFS‐evoked contraction was unaltered. The competitive NOP receptor antagonist, UFP‐101 (10 μM), prevented the inhibitory effect of N/OFQ, but not ZP120 suggesting that N/OFQ and ZP120 have distinct modes of interaction with the NOP receptor.Conclusions and implications:Our findings suggest that the vasodilator effect of ZP120 and N/OFQ in rat mesenteric resistance arteries is mediated by prejunctional inhibition of adrenergic neurotransmission. These properties, that promote diuresis and attenuate the cardiovascular consequences of increased sympathetic nerve activity, make ZP120 a promising drug candidate.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 1185–1194; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707688; published online 14 January 2008
Effect of Xiphinema diversicaudatum on the growth of four seedling grasses
Authors: ROBERTS HELEN , COTTON J. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYIn pot experiments in a glasshouse, nematode numbers equivalent to 1000 Xiphinema diversicaudatum (Micol.) Thome per litre of soil produced extensive galling on roots of seedling perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. Roots of cocksfoot and timothy had significantly fewer galls. At 1000 X. diversicaudatum per litre of, soil, the maximum root length in ryegrass, tall fescue and cocksfoot was significantly less, by 28, 25 and 22 per cent respectively, than in the uninoculated plants, and ryegrass and tall fescue had significantly fewer crown roots than the controls. The effects on shoot growth were small.
The influence of sowing depth on the removal of grain from winter wheat by starlings
Authors: BOYCE D. V. M. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYThe effect of sowing depth on the probability of grain removal from winter wheat by starlings (Sturnus vulgaris L.) was tested at four sites in Humberside during 1977. At each site there was an inverse relationship between sowing depth and the probability of grain removal ranging from 91 per cent probability at depths of 21–30 mm to 21 per cent Probability at depths of 41–45 mm.
Insensitivity of Botrytis cinerea to iprodione, procymidone and vinclozolin and their uptake by the fungus
Authors: PAPPAS A. C. , COOKE B. K. , JORDAN V. W. L. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYAn isolate of Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr. insensitive to vinclozolin, procymidone and iprodione was obtained from strawberries which had been inoculated with a benomyl‐insensitive isolate of the pathogen and sprayed with iprodione. This isolate maintained its insensitivity to benomyl and also showed resistance to quintozene and dicloran. Tests on detached strawberry fruits showed that the iprodione‐insensitive isolate was as virulent as a sensitive isolate. No difference was found in the amounts of the fungicides taken up by the insensitive and sensitive isolates of the fungus.
Chemical control of blackberry mite, Acalitus essigi (Hassan)
Authors: ALFORD D. V. 
Published: January 2008

SUMMARYExperiments in eastern England in 1975, 1977 and 1978 confirmed that endosulfan was an effective alternative to endrin for control of blackberry mite, Acalitus essigi (Hassan) (Acari: Eriophyidae), a cause of uneven ripening (‘redberry’) of blackberries. Three pre‐flowering sprays of 0 05 or 0–1 per cent endosulfan, applied at about 14‐day intervals, reduced the incidence of ‘redberry’ to an acceptable level; two sprays about four weeks apart were generally less effective. Endosulfan residues in fruits at harvest were below detectable levels. Carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, dicofol, vamidothion and ZR‐856 were not effective when tested in a preliminary trial in 1975.
Nurses' perceptions of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Impacts on practice
Authors: Lugg G.R. , Ahmed H.A. 
Published: January 2008

Aim and objectives: The main aim of this study is to explore the perceptions and understanding of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections among adults' and children's nurses. Specifically the objectives are: ■ to assess and compare adults' and children's nurses' self-reported practices ■ to examine the correlation between knowledge and self-reported practices among nursing staff members ■ to investigate the factors that influence nurses' compliance with good infection control practice. Background: MRSA is notorious for having serious physical and economical implications for patients, healthcare managers and practitioners. Therefore, it is important that healthcare professionals and managers are given adequate information to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the condition in order to minimise and control it. There are few studies from the United Kingdom that address nurses' knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices, and hence a gap in human knowledge is identified, which provides a good rationale for this study. Design: A combined quantitative and qualitative research design, which comes from a positivist paradigm perspective, was used in this study. Methods: A cross-sectional survey with a purposive sample was used. Adults' and children's nurses' (n = 144) knowledge and self-reported practices were studied using a self-reporting questionnaire devised for the study using information from the literature. Results: The overall level of knowledge of infection control was relatively inadequate. However, adults' nurses scored significantly higher on knowledge (p = 0.001) and self-reported practice (p = 0.001) than did children's nurses. In addition, there was no significant difference in self-reported practices between nurses who had received infection control training and those who did not receive training (p = 0.16), in both specialties. Conclusion: Adults' nurses in this sample have higher levels of knowledge and self-reported practice than children's nurses with regard to MRSA. Moreover, there is a correlation between subjects' knowledge and self-reported practices. Relevance to clinical practice: Educational interventions and training should be implemented with nurses of different disciplines in order to improve their knowledge scores and practice proficiency. Repeating the study in other settings and in a larger sample size would be worthwhile to see if these conclusions can be generalised.
Growth, Survival, and Body Composition of Yellow Perch Juveniles Fed Commercial and Experimental Diets
Authors: Rinchard Jacques , Becheret Renaud , Dabrowski Konrad 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of commercial and experimental diets on the survival, growth, and body composition of juvenile yellow perch Perca flavescens. In both experiments, fish were fed by hand four to five times a day at a restricted ration of up to 90% satiation for 51 d. In experiment 1, fish (initial weight, 87 ± 24 mg) were fed three experimental diets (F1, F2, and a casein-gelatin-based diet) and one commercial diet (Kyowa 400B). In experiment 2, fish (initial weight, 174 ± 56 mg) were fed four experimental diets (Kyowa 400B, INVE-NRD, a starter diet from BioOregon, and a starter diet from Purina). In both experiments, the growth performance of yellow perch juveniles was significantly affected by dietary treatments. In experiment 1, fish fed Kyowa 400B and the casein-gelatin-based diet grew significantly faster than those fed the F1 and F2 diets. However, survival was significantly lower in fish fed the casein-gelatin-based diet than in those fed the other dietary treatments. In experiment 2, fish fed the INVE-NRD diet exhibited the best growth performance. Survival was not affected by dietary treatments. In both experiments, the proximate composition of fish among dietary treatments reflected the proximate composition of the diet. Our results indicate that satisfactory growth of yellow perch juveniles can be achieved using commercial and experimental diets.