bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual fields in children with attention‐deficit / hyperactivity disorder before and after treatment with stimulants
Authors: Martin Lene , Aring Eva , Landgren Magnus , Hellström Ann , Andersson Grönlund Marita 
Published: April 2008

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to evaluate visual function in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to correlate these data with the morphology of the optic nerve, and to find out if and how psychostimulant medication affects visual functions.Methods:  The visual acuity (VA) and visual fields (VFs) of 18 children with ADHD (two girls and 16 boys), aged 6–17 years, were examined before and after treatment with psychostimulants. A control group, consisting of 24 children (nine girls and 15 boys), aged 7–18 years, were examined twice to evaluate the repeatability of the tests and the learning effect. Fundus photographs were analysed by digital planimetry.Results:  Visual acuity increased significantly (p = 0.0039) in the ADHD group after treatment. The difference between the two VF examinations was significantly larger in the ADHD group compared with the control group (p = 0.036). Significantly more ADHD subjects had subnormal VF results without stimulants, compared with controls (p = 0.0043), but with stimulants the difference was no longer significant.Conclusions:  Children with ADHD showed better VA and VF results with than without psychostimulant medication.
Patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence in Egypt from a population‐based cancer registry
Authors: Lehman Elizabeth M. , Soliman Amr S. , Ismail Kadry , Hablas Ahmed , Seifeldin Ibrahim A. , Ramadan Mohamed , El‐Hamzawy Hesham , Shoushtari Christiana S. , Wilson Mark L. 
Published: April 2008

Aim:  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing worldwide, and is frequently attributed to rising rates of hepatitis C virus infection and interactions between viral and environmental risk factors. Because of Egypt's unique risk factor profile, we analyzed data from the Gharbiah Population‐Based Cancer Registry for the period 1999–2003 to characterize demographic and geographic patterns of cases in this province.Methods:  We calculated age‐ and sex‐specific and age‐ and sex‐standardized HCC incidence rates for the eight districts in Gharbiah. We also compared rates from Gharbiah with the USA (US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results [SEER] database).Results:  The analysis revealed a higher incidence in males than in females, significant geographic variations among districts, and a higher incidence in Gharbiah than that reported by SEER.Conclusion:  The findings of this study document the heterogeneous distribution of HCC at regional and international levels. This population‐based registry offers the opportunity for careful representative studies of various etiologies, particularly infectious and/or environmental factors that may contribute to risk.
Ginger attenuates acetylcholine-induced contraction and Ca2+ signalling in murine airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Ghayur Muhammad N. , Gilani Anwar H. , Janssen Luke J. 
Published: April 2008

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and hypersensitivity of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) to different spasmogens. The past decade has seen increased use of herbal treatments for many chronic illnesses. Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) is a common food plant that has been used for centuries in treating respiratory illnesses. In this study, we report the effect of its 70% aqueous methanolic crude extract (Zo·Cr) on acetylcholine (ACh)-induced airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling in ASMCs using mouse lung slices. Airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling, recorded via confocal microscopy, were induced with ACh, either alone or after pretreatment of slices with Zo·Cr and (or) verapamil, a standard Ca2+ channel blocker. ACh (10 μmol/L) stimulated airway contraction, seen as decreased airway diameter, and also stimulated Ca2+ transients (sharp rise in [Ca2+]i) and oscillations in ASMCs, seen as increased fluo-4-induced fluorescence intensity. When Zo·Cr (0.3–1.0 mg/mL) was given 30 min before ACh administration, the ACh-induced airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling were significantly reduced. Similarly, verapamil (1 μmol/L) also inhibited agonist-induced airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling, indicating a similarity in the modes of action. When Zo·Cr (0.3 mg/mL) and verapamil (1 μmol/L) were given together before ACh, the degree of inhibition was the same as that observed when each of these blockers was given alone, indicating absence of any additional inhibitory mechanism in the extract. In Ca2+-free solution, both Zo·Cr and verapamil, when given separately, inhibited Ca2+ (10 mmol/L)-induced increase in fluorescence and airway contraction. This shows that ginger inhibits airway contraction and associated Ca2+ signalling, possibly via blockade of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels, thus reiterating the effectiveness of this age-old herb in treating respiratory illnesses.
Regional Weather Patterns during Anomalous Air–Sea Fluxes at the Kuroshio Extension Observatory (KEO)*
Authors: Bond Nicholas A. , Cronin Meghan F. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The weather patterns during periods of anomalous surface fluxes in the Kuroshio recirculation gyre of the western North Pacific are documented. Separate analyses are carried out for the cold season (October– March) when the net surface heat flux is controlled by the combination of the turbulent sensible and latent heat fluxes (Qturb), and for the warm season (May–August) when the net heating is dominated by the net radiative fluxes (Qrad). For analysis of high-frequency (daily to weekly) variations in the fluxes, direct measurements from the Kuroshio Extension Observatory (KEO) for the period June 2004–November 2005 are used to specify flux events. For analysis of interannual variations, these events are selected using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis estimates for Qturb in the cold season, and International Comprehensive Ocean–Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) data for cloud fraction, as a proxy for Qrad, in the warm season.
During the cold season, episodic high-frequency flux events are associated with significant anomalies in the east–west sea level pressure gradients, and hence meridional winds and lower-tropospheric air temperature, reflecting the dominance of the atmospheric forcing of the flux variability. On the other hand, interannual variations in Qturb are associated with relatively weak atmospheric circulation anomalies, implying a relatively important role for the ocean. During the warm season, high-frequency fluctuations in the net surface fluxes occur due to a mix of anomalies in Qturb and Qrad. Enhanced cloudiness in the vicinity of KEO, and hence reduced Qrad, tends to occur in association with weak cyclonic disturbances of extratropical origin. A regional atmospheric circulation favoring these types of events also was found for warm seasons that were cloudier on the whole. Results suggest that the ocean’s influence on air–sea fluxes at KEO is manifested mostly on interannual time scales during the cold season.
Impact of Dynamics and Atmospheric State on Cloud Vertical Overlap
Authors: Naud Catherine M. , Del Genio Anthony , Mace Gerald G. , Benson Sally , Clothiaux Eugene E. , Kollias Pavlos 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
The observation and representation in general circulation models (GCMs) of cloud vertical overlap are the objects of active research due to their impacts on the earth’s radiative budget. Previous studies have found that vertically contiguous cloudy layers show a maximum overlap between layers up to several kilometers apart but tend toward a random overlap as separations increase. The decorrelation length scale that characterizes the progressive transition from maximum to random overlap changes from one location and season to another and thus may be influenced by large-scale vertical motion, wind shear, or convection. Observations from the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program ground-based radars and lidars in midlatitude and tropical locations in combination with reanalysis meteorological fields are used to evaluate how dynamics and atmospheric state influence cloud overlap. For midlatitude winter months, strong synoptic-scale upward motion maintains conditions closer to maximum overlap at large separations. In the tropics, overlap becomes closer to maximum as convective stability decreases. In midlatitude subsidence and tropical convectively stable situations, where a smooth transition from maximum to random overlap is found on average, large wind shears sometimes favor minimum overlap. Precipitation periods are discarded from the analysis but, when included, maximum overlap occurs more often at large separations. The results suggest that a straightforward modification of the existing GCM mixed maximum–random overlap parameterization approach that accounts for environmental conditions can capture much of the important variability and is more realistic than approaches that are only based on an exponential decay transition from maximum to random overlap.
Hydrological Cycles Change in the Yellow River Basin during the Last Half of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Tang Qiuhong , Oki Taikan , Kanae Shinjiro , Hu Heping 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA distributed biosphere hydrological (DBH) model system was used to explore the internal relations among the climate system, human society, and the hydrological system in the Yellow River basin, and to interpret possible mechanisms for observed changes in Yellow River streamflow from 1960 to 2000. Several scenarios were evaluated to elucidate the hydrological response to climate system, land cover, and irrigation. The results show that climate change is the dominant cause of annual streamflow changes in the upper and middle reaches, but human activities dominate annual streamflow changes in the lower reaches of the Yellow River basin. The annual river discharge at the mouth is affected by climate change and by human activities in nearly equal proportion. The linear component of climate change contributes to the observed annual streamflow decrease, but changes in the climate temporal pattern have a larger impact on annual river discharge than does the linear component of climate change. Low flow is more significantly affected by irrigation withdrawals than by climate change. Reservoirs induce more diversions for irrigation, while at the same time the results demonstrate that the reservoirs may help to maintain environmental flows and counter what otherwise would be more serious reductions in low flows.
Large-Scale Atlantic Salinity Changes over the Last Half-Century: A Model–Observation Comparison
Authors: Pardaens Anne , Vellinga Michael , Wu Peili , Ingleby Bruce 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Large-scale freshening of the northern Atlantic, and concurrent salinity increases in the low-latitude Atlantic upper layers, have been widely reported for the second half of the twentieth century. The role of anthropogenic and/or unforced variability processes in these changes, and the potential for the high-latitude freshening to slow the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (MOC), have been the subject of debate. These issues are investigated by comparing observed and simulated changes, using the Third Hadley Centre Coupled Model (HadCM3). This analysis suggests that a substantial part of the observed trends could be related to multidecadal variability of the MOC. Using an SST-derived proxy for historical MOC changes, in conjunction with model internal variability relationships, suggests that much of the observed evolution of northern Atlantic freshwater content can be explained as being driven by unforced MOC variability.
HadCM3 simulations with “external” historical time-varying forcings show anthropogenically forced increases in the main hydrological cycle over the Atlantic: an increase in net precipitation at high latitudes and in net evaporation in the subtropics. In the northern Atlantic the freshening from additional surface freshwater is counteracted by changes in ocean freshwater transport. A similar ocean compensation is absent at lower latitudes, where there is decreasing freshwater content. It is suggested that in the recent historical period this externally forced trend is likely to have led to anomalies exceeding the unforced variability range.
Changing Northern Hemisphere Storm Tracks in an Ensemble of IPCC Climate Change Simulations
Authors: Ulbrich U. , Pinto J. G. , Kupfer H. , Leckebusch G. C. , Spangehl T. , Reyers M. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Winter storm-track activity over the Northern Hemisphere and its changes in a greenhouse gas scenario (the Special Report on Emission Scenarios A1B forcing) are computed from an ensemble of 23 single runs from 16 coupled global climate models (CGCMs). All models reproduce the general structures of the observed climatological storm-track pattern under present-day forcing conditions. Ensemble mean changes resulting from anthropogenic forcing include an increase of baroclinic wave activity over the eastern North Atlantic, amounting to 5%–8% by the end of the twenty-first century. Enhanced activity is also found over the Asian continent and over the North Pacific near the Aleutian Islands. At high latitudes and over parts of the subtropics, activity is reduced. Variations of the individual models around the ensemble average signal are not small, with a median of the pattern correlation near r = 0.5. There is, however, no evidence for a link between deviations in present-day climatology and deviations with respect to climate change.
Integrated Water Vapor Field and Multiscale Variations over China from GPS Measurements
Authors: Jin Shuanggen , Li Z. , Cho J. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Water vapor plays a key role in the global hydrologic cycle and in climatic change. However, the distribution and variability of water vapor in the troposphere are not understood well—in particular, in China with the complex Tibetan Plateau and the influence of the Asian and Pacific monsoons. In this paper, continuous global positioning system (GPS) observations for 2004–07 in China are used to produce precipitable water vapor (PWV) measurements; these measurements constitute the first investigation of PWV distribution and variability over China. It has been found that the stronger water vapor values are in southeastern China and the lower water vapor values are in northwestern China. These distributions are mainly affected by the latitude, topographical features, the season, and the monsoon. Water vapor variations over China are mainly dominated by seasonal variations. The strong seasonal cycles are in summer with maximum water vapor and in winter with minimum water vapor. The PWV in southeastern China has an annual amplitude of about 15 mm, much larger than in northwestern China at about 4 mm, and meanwhile the time of peak water vapor content is one month earlier than in other regions, probably because of the known rainy season (mei-yu). In addition, significant diurnal variations of water vapor are found over all GPS stations, with a mean amplitude of about 0.7 mm, and the peak value occurs around noon or midnight, depending on geographic location and topographical features. The semidiurnal cycle is weaker, with a mean amplitude of about 0.3 mm, and the first peak PWV value appears around noon.
Supercritical Dyeing of Textiles — From the Laboratory Apparatus to the Pilot Plant
Authors: Banchero M. , Sicardi S. , Ferri A. , Manna L. 
Published: April 2008

Supercritical dyeing can be an interesting alternative to traditional dyeing due to the unquestionable advantage of the use of a clean solvent that can be easily recovered and separated from the excess dye at the end of the process. The experience achieved by our research group during a research project supported by the Italian government is reported in this work. The aim of the project was to set up a pilot plant where supercritical dyeing could be performed with yarn bobbins. In particular, this work shows the results obtained for polyester textiles. In the first part of the project, laboratory scale experiments were performed to determine the equilibrium partition of each dye between the two phases. In the second part, the pilot plant was set up. The dyeing results were successful: good reproducibility, together with a good dye uniformity and fastness (comparable with that of the traditional process) were obtained. The maximum productivity of the pilot plant is about 5 kg/h and the total duration of the dyeing process (approximately 1.5 h) is much shorter than that of the tradional method (3—4 h).
Prediction and analysis of nucleosome exclusion regions in the human genome
Authors: Radwan Ahmed , Younis Akmal , Luykx Peter , Khuri Sawsan 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Background
Nucleosomes are the basic structural units of eukaryotic chromatin, and they play a significant role in regulating gene expression. Specific DNA sequence patterns are known, from empirical and theoretical studies, to influence DNA bending and flexibility, and have been shown to exclude nucleosomes. A whole genome localization of these patterns, and their analysis, can add important insights on the gene regulation mechanisms that depend upon the structure of chromatin in and around a gene.

Results
A whole genome annotation for nucleosome exclusion regions (NXRegions) was carried out on the human genome. Nucleosome exclusion scores (NXScores) were calculated individually for each nucleotide, giving a measure of how likely a specific nucleotide and its immediate neighborhood would impair DNA bending and, consequently, exclude nucleosomes. The resulting annotations were correlated with 19055 gene expression profiles. We developed a new method based on Grubbs' outliers test for ranking genes based on their tissue specificity, and correlated this ranking with NXScores. The results show a strong correlation between tissue specificity of a gene and the propensity of its promoter to exclude nucleosomes (the promoter region was taken as -1500 to +500 bp from the RefSeq-annotated transcription start site). In addition, NXScores correlated well with gene density, gene expression levels, and DNaseI hypersensitive sites.

Conclusion
We present, for the first time, a whole genome prediction of nucleosome exclusion regions for the human genome (the data are available for download from Additional Materials). Nucleosome exclusion patterns are correlated with various factors that regulate gene expression, which emphasizes the need to include chromatin structural parameters in experimental analysis of gene expression.
Effects of Short-Term High-Fat, High-Energy Diet on Hepatic and Myocardial Triglyceride Content in Healthy Men
Authors: van der Meer Rutger W. , Hammer Sebastiaan , Lamb Hildo J. , Frölich Marijke , Diamant Michaela , Rijzewijk Luuk J. , de Roos Albert , Romijn Johannes A. , Smit Johannes W. A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractContext: An association has been suggested between elevated plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels, myocardial triglyceride (TG) accumulation, and myocardial function.Objective: Our objective was to investigate the effects of an elevation of plasma NEFA by a high-fat, high-energy (HFHE) diet on hepatic and myocardial TG accumulation, and on myocardial function.Design: There were 15 healthy males (mean ± sd age: 25.0 ± 6.6 yr) subjected to a 3-d HFHE diet consisting of their regular diet, supplemented with 800 ml cream (280 g fat) every day.Methods: 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed for assessing hepatic and myocardial TGs. Furthermore, left ventricular function was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging.Results: The HFHE diet increased hepatic TGs compared with baseline (from 2.01 ± 1.79 to 4.26 ± 2.78%; P = 0.001) in parallel to plasma TGs and NEFA. Myocardial TGs did not change (0.38 ± 0.18 vs. 0.40 ± 0.12%; P = 0.7). The HFHE diet did not change myocardial systolic function. Diastolic function, assessed by dividing the maximum flow across the mitral valve of the early diastolic filling phase by the maximum flow of the atrial contraction (E/A ratio), decreased compared with baseline (from 2.11 ± 0.39 to 1.89 ± 0.33; P = 0.031). This difference was no longer significant after adjustment for heart rate (P = 0.12).Conclusions: Short-term HFHE diet in healthy males results in major increases in plasma TG and NEFA concentrations and hepatic TGs, whereas it does not influence myocardial TGs or myocardial function. These observations indicate differential, tissue-specific partitioning of TGs and/or fatty acids among nonadipose organs during HFHE diet.
Rifamycin Antibiotics for Treatment of Clostridium difficile–Associated Diarrhea
Authors: Garey Kevin W , Salazar Miguel , Shah Dhara , Rodrigue Richard , DuPont Herbert L 
Published: April 2008

Objective: To review the existing data on use of the rifamycin class of antibiotics as therapy for Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). Data Sources: A literature search was performed using PubMed (1996–January 2008), abstracts from the International Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (September 2007), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (October 2007), Salix Pharmaceuticals Web site (January 2008), ActivBiotics Web site (January 2008). Google Scholar, and searches of selected bibliographies using the terms rifamycin, ansamycins, rifampin, rifabutin, rifampicin, rifaximin, rifalazil, Clostridium difficile, C. difficile, and CDAD. Study Selection and Data Extraction: In vivo and in vitro studies investigating the use of rifamycins for CDAD were selected, along with all clinical trials using rifamycins in patients with CDAD. Data Synthesis: Nine studies totaling 890 isolates were identified that investigated the in vitro susceptibility of rifampin (6 studies), rifaximin (3 studies), and rifalazil (2 studies). Rifamycins consistently displayed potent activity against tested strains, although strains with decreased susceptibility have been identified. Six published clinical studies involving 81 patients have investigated the use of rifamycins for the treatment of CDAD. These have generally been small studies, although initial positive clinical results have been reported on the use of rifamycins for recurrent CDAD. Conclusions: Preliminary data support the use of rifamycins for treatment of CDAD. With the increased incidence and severity of CDAD, further investigation into this drug class as a treatment regimen for CDAD is warranted.
Nonurological uses of botulinum toxin in gynaecology
Authors: Anbazhagan Akila , Roberts Ralph 
Published: April 2008

Botulinum toxin is a powerful neurotoxin which causes temporary flaccid muscle paralysis.
A number of potential gynaecological applications have been described in addition to the well‐established uses in urogynaecology.

Learning objectives:

To understand how botulinum toxin works.
To learn about the preparations available and their contraindications and side‐effects.
To be aware of the potential uses of botulinum toxin in the treatment of vaginismus and other gynaecological pain syndromes.

Ethical issues:

Many of the uses described are still essentially experimental, although largely accepted into mainstream practice: does this need to be acknowledged when counselling women?

Please cite this article as: Anbazhagan A, Roberts R. Nonurological uses of botulinum toxin in gynaecology. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:75–79.