bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Slow‐responders to IV β2‐adrenergic agonist therapy: Defining a novel phenotype in pediatric asthma
Authors: Carroll Christopher L. , Schramm Craig M. , Zucker Aaron R. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjectivesWhile aerosolized administration of β2‐adrenergic receptor (β2‐AR) agonists is the mainstay of treatment for pediatric asthma exacerbations, the efficacy of intravenous (IV) delivery is controversial. Failure to demonstrate improved outcomes with IV β2‐AR agonists may be due to phenotypic differences within this patient population. Our hypothesis is that children who respond more slowly to IV β2‐AR agonist therapy comprise a distinct phenotype.MethodsRetrospective chart review of all children admitted to the ICU for status asthmaticus who were treated with IV terbutaline between December 2002 and September 2006.ResultsSeventy‐eight children were treated with IV terbutaline according to guidelines that adjusted the dose by clinical asthma score. After examining the histogram of duration of terbutaline infusions, a 48‐hr cutoff was chosen to define responsiveness. Thirty‐eight (49%) children were slow‐responders by this definition. There were no significant differences in baseline asthma severity or severity on admission between the slow‐responders and responders. Slow‐responders required significantly higher total doses of IV terbutaline, higher maximum administration rates, and had longer ICU and hospital length of stay.ConclusionThere were significant differences in outcomes between the responders and slow‐responders without differences in acute or chronic illness severity. Other factors may have lead to slower response to IV β2‐agonist therapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:627–633. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of nitric oxide synthases and endogenous NO metabolism in bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Davis Christiana W. , Gonzales Linda W. , Ballard Roberta A. , Ballard Philip L. , Guo Changjiang , Gow Andrew J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a multifactorial disease of preterm neonates of complex etiology, is a significant problem within very low birth weight infants. Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in both the pathogenesis and as a potential therapeutic of this disease. At this time, there is little direct evidence of the changes in NO production and metabolism that occur within BPD in humans. Animal models have implied that reduced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and NO production in the early stages of the disease may be critical factors. However, inflammation and hence iNOS expression, is also thought to play a role. In the present study we have utilized pathological samples to determine changes in the expression of NOS and NO metabolites within late stage BPD. It is our contention that within these samples iNOS expression is increased and associated with increased NO metabolite production. Mild immunostaining of all three nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes (neuronal, inducible and endothelial) is observed in control lung with tight localization to the endothelium and epithelial airway. This tight localization was lost in samples from subjects with BPD. There was also a marked increase in iNOS expression throughout the lung tissue with strong coexistence with an epithelial cell marker cytokeratin. NO reaction products are altered with BPD as evidenced by increased S‐nitrosothiol (SNO) and strong nitrotyrosine (NO2Y) imunoreactivity. This study demonstrates a strong correlation between products of NO reactivity and NOS localization in BPD. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:703–709. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) polymorphisms and prostate cancer in the CPS‐II Nutrition Cohort
Authors: Stevens Victoria L. , Rodriguez Carmen , Talbot Jeffrey T. , Pavluck Alexandre L. , Thun Michael J. , Calle Eugenia E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe HDL‐associated enzyme paraoxonase 1 acts to decrease oxidative stress, which is thought to contribute to cancer development. PON1, which encodes paraoxonase 1, has two common, nonsynonymous SNPs that alter the activity of this enzyme and may influence cancer risk.METHODSWe investigated the association the nonsynonymous SNPs, Q192R and L55M, with prostate cancer risk in a nested case–control analysis of 1,268 cases and 1,268 matched controls from the American Cancer Society CPS‐II Nutrition Cohort.RESULTSFor both the Q192R and L55MSNPs, the presence of the variant allele was associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer that approached statistical significance. The genotype combination that included one variant allele from both SNPs (QR/LM) was associated with an increased risk of more than twofold (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.31, 3.64).CONCLUSIONSThese findings suggest that the Q129R and the L55M SNP may be associated with increased risk of aggressive prostate, perhaps through attenuation of paraoxonase l activity. Prostate 68:1336–1340, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of acute grade III acromioclavicular dislocation: a lack of evidence
Authors: Ceccarelli E. , Bondì R. , Alviti F. , Garofalo R. , Miulli F. , Padua R. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackgroundAlthough nonoperative treatment is considered the standard of care for the treatment of grade I and II acromioclavicular joint injuries, the treatment of grade III injuries is controversial. There are as many methods of nonoperative treatment as there are for operative stabilization. That is why we conducted a literature research to find out the best evidence regarding the treatment of acute grade III acromioclavicular dislocation.MethodThe research was limited to RCTs, systematic review and meta-analysis in the most representative databases. Even if research identifies more than 600 articles, only five were included in the study because there were RCTs, and systematic reviews, but no meta-analysis articles were found. Moreover, no meta-analysis was performed because of differences of data published in the three RCTs (different type of surgical treatments and different outcome measures).ResultsFrom the literature evaluation, clinical results seem to be comparable between the operative and the conservative treatments, but complications are more evident in the surgery group. Since there is not a preponderance of positive papers showing the benefits of a surgical technique over conservative therapy, the nonoperative treatment is still considered a valid procedure in the grade III acromioclavicular separation.ConclusionMore prospective randomized studies using validated outcome measures are needed to identify the suitable operation techniques for the acute injuries.
Normal biochemical analysis of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system in a child with POLG mutations: A cautionary note
Authors: de Vries M. C. , Rodenburg R. J. , Morava E. , Lammens M. , den van Heuvel L. P. W. , Korenke G. Christoph , Smeitink J. A. M. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryWe report a 5‐year‐old child carrying polymerase gamma (POLG1) mutations, but strikingly normal oxidative phosphorylation analysis in muscle, fibroblasts and liver. Mutations in POLG1 have so far been described in children with severe combined oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) deficiencies and with the classical Alpers–Huttenlocher syndrome. The patient presented with a delayed psychomotor development and ataxia during the first two years of life. From the third year of life he developed epilepsy and regression in development, together with symptoms of visual impairment and sensorineuronal deafness. Cerebrospinal fluid showed elevated lactic acid and protein concentrations. An elder brother had died due to combined OXPHOS deficiencies. Despite the clinical similarity with the elder brother, except for liver involvement, the OXPHOS system analysis in a frozen muscle biopsy was normal. For this reason a fresh muscle biopsy was performed, which has the advantage of the possibility of measuring the substrate oxidation rates and ATP production, part of the mitochondrial energy‐generating system (MEGS). During the same session, biopsies of liver and fibroblasts were taken. These three tissues showed normal measurements of the MEGS capacity. Based on the phenotype of Alpers–Huttenlocher syndrome in the elder brother, we decided to screen the POLG1 gene. Mutation analysis showed compound heterozygosity with two known mutations, A467T and G848S. The normal MEGS capacity in this patient expands the already existing complexity and heterogeneity of the childhood POLG1 patients and, on the basis of the high frequency of POLG1 mutations in childhood, warrants a liberal strategy with respect to mutation analysis.
Mineral nutrient economy in competing species of Sphagnum mosses
Authors: Hájek Tomáš , Adamec Lubomír 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBog vegetation, which is dominated by Sphagnum mosses, depends exclusively on aerial deposition of mineral nutrients. We studied how the main mineral nutrients are distributed between intracellular and extracellular exchangeable fractions and along the vertical physiological gradient of shoot age in seven Sphagnum species occupying contrasting bog microhabitats. While the Sphagnum exchangeable cation content decreased generally in the order Ca2+ ≥ K+, Na+, Mg2+ > Al3+ > NH4+, intracellular element content decreased in the order N > K > Na, Mg, P, Ca, Al. Calcium occurred mainly in the exchangeable form while Mg, Na and particularly K, Al and N occurred inside cells. Hummock species with a higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) accumulated more exchangeable Ca2+, while the hollow species with a lower CEC accumulated more exchangeable Na+, particularly in dead shoot segments. Intracellular N and P, but not metallic elements, were consistently lower in dead shoot segments, indicating the possibility of N and P reutilization from senescing segments. The greatest variation in tissue nutrient content and distribution was between species from contrasting microhabitats. The greatest variation within microhabitats was between the dissimilar species S. angustifolium and S. magellanicum. The latter species had the intracellular N content about 40% lower than other species, including even this species when grown alone. This indicates unequal competition for N, which can lead to outcompeting of S. magellanicum from mixed patches. We assume that efficient cation exchange enables Sphagnum vegetation to retain immediately the cationic nutrients from rainwater. This may represent an important mechanism of temporal extension of mineral nutrient availability to subsequent slow intracellular nutrient uptake.
Quantitative inheritance of leaf morphological traits in upland cotton
Authors: HAO J. J. , YU S. X. , DONG Z. D. , FAN S. L. , MA Q. X. , SONG M. Z. , YU J. W. 
Published: May 2008

SUMMARYGenetic manipulation of leaf architecture may be a useful breeding objective in cotton (Gossypiumspp.). The present study reports quantitative genetic analysis of leaf traits from two intraspecific crosses of inbred lines in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) viz. Kang3×Chaoji463 and Han109×Ji98. Six leaf morphological traits (leaf area (LA), leaf perimeter (LP), main lobe length (LL) and width (LW), petiole length (PL), and main LL/LW ratio) were recorded from multiple generations (P1, F1, P2, BC1, BC2, and F2) in the two crosses. Generation mean analyses were conducted to explain the inheritance of each leaf morphological trait. The six-parameter model showed a better fit to an additive-dominance model for LA, main LW, PL, and main LL/LW ratio in the two crosses, suggesting the relative importance of epistatic effects controlling leaf morphology. A simple additive-dominance model accounted for the genetic variation of the main LL in the Kang3×Chaoji463 cross. Different models were selected as appropriate to explain LP in the two crosses. The differences between broad- and narrow-sense heritability values for the same trait were not constant in the two crosses. The estimated minimum number of genes controlling each leaf morphological trait ranged from 0 to 2 for both the crosses. Moreover, the sums of the minimum number of genes controlling leaf morphology were 6 and 2 in the Kang3×Chaoji463 and Han109×Ji98 populations, respectively. Most data suggested that there existed a substantial opportunity to breed cottons that transgress the present range of leaf phenotypes found.
Mathematical modelling of non-axisymmetric capillary tube drawing
Authors: GRIFFITHS I. M. , HOWELL P. D. 
Published: May 2008

This paper concerns the manufacture of non-axisymmetric capillary tubing via the Vello process, in which molten glass is fed through a die and drawn off vertically. The shape of the cross-section evolves under surface tension as it flows downstream. The aim is to achieve a given desired final shape, typically square or rectangular, and our goal is to determine the required die shape.We use the result that, provided the tube is slowly varying in the axial direction, each cross-section evolves like a two-dimensional Stokes flow when expressed in suitably scaled Lagrangian coordinates. This allows us to use a previously derived model for the surface-tension-driven evolution of a thin two-dimensional viscous tube. We thus obtain, and solve analytically, equations governing the axial velocity, thickness and circumference of the tube, as well as its shape. The model is extended to include non-isothermal effects.
Safe and simple method for secondary tracheoesophageal puncture using curved forceps
Authors: Trivedi N P , Kekatpure V , Kuriakose M A , Iyer S 
Published: May 2008

AbstractIntroduction:Secondary tracheoesophageal puncture is sometimes difficult and has a higher complication rate. In the irradiated neck, where neck extension is difficult, the traditional tracheoesophageal puncture method of insertion with a rigid endoscope is not possible. We describe a simple, safe and effective alternative method of tracheoesophageal puncture using curved forceps (Kocher's curved intestinal clamp forceps or Mixter forceps).Surgical technique:The procedure is performed under local or general anaesthesia with equal ease. Maximum neck extension is achieved. The curved intestinal forceps are passed through the mouth into the oesophageal lumen. The instrument tip can easily be seen or felt at the posterior wall of the tracheostoma. A small incision is made in the mucosa to allow the forceps tip to emerge, and a guide wire is passed through this incision out of the mouth. The prosthesis can be guided over the guide wire, in retrograde fashion, to fit the puncture hole.Results:Secondary tracheoesophageal puncture was performed in five cases with severe neck fibrosis. In all cases, valve insertion was easily achieved after secondary tracheoesophageal puncture, without any peri-operative complications.Conclusion:This is a safe, simple and effective method for secondary tracheoesophageal puncture. It can be performed easily in any setting and is not associated with any complications.
Paranasal sinus barotrauma in sports self-contained underwater breathing apparatus divers
Authors: Uzun C 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective:To evaluate potential pre-dive parameters in relation to paranasal sinus barotrauma in sports self-contained underwater breathing apparatus divers.Study design:The pre-dive and follow-up records of 46 healthy sports self-contained underwater breathing apparatus divers were analysed.Methods:In the routine pre-dive examination of diving candidates with no symptoms of rhino-sinus disease, rhinoscopy, sinus radiography and nasal endoscopy indicated no signs of rhinitis and/or sinusitis. Any signs of paranasal sinus barotrauma were noted, and several parameters were evaluated in relation to occurrence of barotrauma.Results:Of the studied parameters, a history of sinusitis and of middle-ear barotrauma was significantly more frequent in divers in the barotrauma group (p < 0.05).Conclusions:In divers undergoing a routine pre-dive examination, paranasal sinus barotrauma was not related to sex, alcohol consumption, smoking, decongestant use, mild nasal septal deviation, or inability to perform the Valsalva or Toynbee manoeuvres. However, divers with a history of sinusitis or middle-ear barotrauma may be more prone to paranasal sinus barotrauma. A more detailed pre-dive examination may be useful for such individuals.
Profuse epistaxis following sphenoid surgery: a ruptured carotid artery pseudoaneurysm and its management
Authors: Biswas D , Daudia A , Jones N S , McConachie N S 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective:We report a rare case of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery secondary to endoscopic sphenoid surgery.Method:The management of this unusual complication and a review of the literature are presented.Results:A 65-year-old woman presented with intractable epistaxis four days following endoscopic sphenoid sinus surgery. Initial, conservative measures were unsuccessful in controlling bleeding. The clinical picture of delayed, severe epistaxis after a sphenoid sinus exploration raised the possibility of injury to the internal carotid artery and subsequent formation of a false aneurysm. The patient's pseudoaneurysm was managed, without visualising it, by packing the sphenoid sinus (achieved by palpating 1 cm above the shoulder of the posterior choana) in order to gain control of the haemorrhage, followed by endovascular occlusion.Conclusion:An awareness of this rare complication is essential in order to manage this life-threatening condition efficiently.
Imaging case study: enlarged superior vestibular nerve canal with sensorineural hearing loss
Authors: Redleaf M I , Pinto J M , Klemens J J 
Published: May 2008

AbstractObjective:We report a new temporal bone anomaly – an enlarged superior vestibular nerve canal – associated with sensorineural hearing loss.Case report:A 10-month-old male infant presented with sensorineural hearing loss together with bilaterally enlarged superior vestibular nerve canals. Compared with published temporal bone computed tomography measurements, our patient's canals were normal in length but approximately double the normal width. In addition, careful review of the imaging did not clearly identify a bony wedge between the superior and inferior vestibular nerve canals.Conclusion:Enlarged superior vestibular nerve canal malformation may be a marker for sensorineural hearing loss. Increased vigilance amongst otologists may establish the prevalence of this anomaly and its possible effects on hearing.
Frederick Schwatka and the search for the Franklin expedition records, 1878–1880
Authors: Savitt Ronald 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTFrederick Gustavus Schwatka was one of America's most important Arctic explorers. While honoured in his time, he is only a footnote in the search for Sir John Franklin. He commanded, in 1878–1880, an expedition of the American Geographical Society of New York which had the aim of retrieving records from King William Island. Although none were found, he did discover a number of expedition relics and remains. His extensive sledge journey during this expedition was one of the longest recorded by a European-North American expedition, over 5232 km (3,251 statute miles). Moreover it was conducted under some of the coldest conditions ever endured in polar exploration. Schwatka's party included three Europeans, William H. Gilder, a journalist fromThe New York Herald, Henry Klutschak, a naturalist, and Frank E. Melms, an experienced seaman, and ‘Eskimo Joe’ Ebierbing, an Inuit who had served on previous expeditions in search of Franklin. ‘Schwatka's search’, as it was known, concluded efforts to discover the fate of the Franklin expedition in the nineteenth century. It laid the groundwork for the important expeditions in the twentieth century that revealed new information concerning the fate of Franklin's men. Schwatka's expedition was without death or deprivation. Much of his success was based on a clearly defined plan and on adopting Inuit practices including living off the land, lessons he learned from his experiences with American Indians as part of his military assignments. Born in Illinois, he was educated at West Point, the United States Military Academy, acquitted himself well in the Indian Wars and then went on to qualify for the bar and secured a medical degree during his military service. He died an early and unfortunate death at the age of 43. The research reported in this article provides an understanding of the factors that shaped Schwatka and the skills that he used in this expedition.
Radar imaging of winter seismic survey activity in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska
Authors: Jones Benjamin M. , Rykhus Russell , Lu Zhong , Arp Christopher D. , Selkowitz David J. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTDuring the spring of 2006, Radarsat-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery was acquired on a continual basis for the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area (TLSA), in the northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska (NPR-A) in order to monitor lake ice melting processes. During data processing, it was discovered that the Radarsat-1 imagery detected features associated with winter seismic survey activity. Focused analysis of the image time series revealed various aspects of the exploration process such as the grid profile associated with the seismic line surveys as well as trails and campsites associated with the mobile survey crews. Due to the high temporal resolution of the dataset it was possible to track the progress of activities over a one month period. Spaceborne SAR imagery can provide information on the location of winter seismic activity and could be used as a monitoring tool for land and resource managers as increased petroleum-based activity occurs in the TLSA and NPR-A.
Where have all the barque rigged sealers gone?
Authors: Kjær Kjell-G. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTBy 1890, sealing from southern Norwegian ports had been in decline for some years. The owners of the fleet of strongly built barque rigged ice-sheeted sealers were facing a serious problem. This was simply that their ships did not make money. This paper describes the options that the owners had at a time when the fleets of the world were about to change from sail to steam. There were alternative possibilities for employment of such strongly built ice going wooden ships. These included involvement in Arctic transport, American whaling, and Newfoundland sealing, and on Arctic tourist and polar expeditions. The paper analyses these possibilities and compares the development of the Norwegian fleet with the situation in the Scottish sealing fleet that had faced the same problem some 30 years earlier.
Antarctic tourists: ambassadors or consumers?
Authors: Powell Robert B. , Kellert Stephen R. , Ham Sam H. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTTwo complementary studies were conducted to investigate both the immediate and longer-term influence of Antarctic cruise tourism experiences on participants’ knowledge of Antarctica, attitudes toward management issues facing the Antarctic region, and environmental behaviours and future intentions. In addition, the study investigated tourists’ attitudes toward visitor guidelines. The results suggest that Antarctica nature-based tourism operators have the potential to provide experiences that educate the public to the importance of Antarctica.