bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of IL‐12 and TNF‐α in AIDP and AMAN
Authors: Deng H. , Yang X. , Jin T. , Wu J. , Hu L.‐S. , Chang M. , Sun X.‐J. , Adem A. , Winblad B. , Zhu J. 
Published: August 2008

Background:  Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) have been described as two major subtypes of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS); however, the possible difference of their immune‐inflammatory pathogenesis remains unclear.Methods:  In this study, by using FACS and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays analyses, the role of Th1 cytokines tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) and their receptors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in serum concentrations were investigated in AIDP and AMAN.Results:  The results showed enhanced IL‐12, IL‐12R1 in AIDP and TNF‐α in AMAN during the acute phase, as well as increased TNF‐α and TNFR1 during the plateau phase of AIDP. Intravenous high dose immunoglobulin decreased IL‐12R1 expression on cells in AIDP, but increased TNF‐α and TNFR2 in AMAN.Discussion:  Our data suggest that IL‐12 promotes disease development in AIDP and in contrast to previously inflammatory assumptions, TNF‐α may play double roles in GBS. The anti‐inflammatory role of TNF‐α realized through TNFR2 in AMAN is possibly a therapeutic mechanism in the IVIg treatment of AMAN.
Mechanism of tuberothalamic infarction
Authors: Kim J. , Choi H.‐Y. , Nam H. S. , Lee J. Y. , Heo J. H. 
Published: August 2008

Background and purpose:  The tuberothalamic artery (TTA), one of the arteries supplying the paramedian thalamic area, is peculiar because it originates from the posterior communicating artery (p‐comA), which connects the vertebrobasilar and carotid systems.Methods:  From Stroke Registry, 23 consecutive patients with an acute infarction involving the TTA were selected. We investigated the mechanism of TTA infarction.Results:  Fourteen of 23 patients (61%) had coexisting infarctions outside the TTA territory (carotid in three, vertebrobasilar in seven, and both carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries in four patients). Coexisting lesions were most common in the posterior thalamoperforating arterial territory (seven patients). Eleven out of 14 patients (79%) with coexisting lesions had embolic sources from the heart or proximal atherosclerotic arteries, and cardioembolism was the most common mechanism. However, eight of the nine patients with isolated tuberothalamic lesions were classified as small vessel occlusions. More patients with embolic sources had visible p‐comA or fetal‐type posterior cerebral arteries. The vertebrobasilar arterial system played a more dominant role in developing tuberothalamic infarction than the carotid arterial system.Conclusions:  Isolated TTA infarctions are rare and mostly because of small vessel occlusion. Patients with coexisting infarctions outside TTA territory usually have an embolic source, predominantly vertebral artery atherosclerosis.
Lack of anti‐inflammatory effect of botulinum toxin type A in experimental models of inflammation
Authors: Bach‐Rojecky Lidija , Dominis Mara , Lacković Zdravko 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBotulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) has a long‐lasting antinociceptive activity and less clear effect on inflammation. It was proposed that these two effects share the same mechanism – the inhibition of neurotransmitter exocytosis from peripheral nerve endings. However, till now possible anti‐inflammatory action of BTX‐A did not evoke much attention. In the present paper, we investigate possible anti‐inflammatory action of the toxin in carrageenan and capsaicin models of inflammation in rats. BTX‐A (5 and 10 U/kg) was injected into the plantar surface of the rat right hind‐paw pad 5 days before the injection of the carrageenan (1%) or capsaicin (0.1%) at the same site. Carrageenan‐induced paw oedema and capsaicin‐induced protein extravasation were measured. Control, inflamed and BTX‐A pretreated inflamed paws were photographed and histopathological analysis (haematoxylin & eosin) was performed. Pretreatment with BTX‐A had no effect on the size of carrageenan‐induced paw oedema, measured as paw volume and weight or capsaicin‐induced plasma extravasations, measured by Evans blue as a marker of protein leakage. Neither macroscopic nor microscopic analysis showed a significant difference between BTX‐A pretreated and control inflamed tissue. Results show dissociation between the effect of BTX‐A on pain and inflammation thus questioning the validity of the suggested assumption about the common peripheral mechanism of action.
Shortest paths on dynamic graphs
Authors: Nannicini Giacomo , Liberti Leo 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAmong the variants of the well‐known shortest path problem, those that refer to dynamically changing graphs are theoretically interesting, as well as computationally challenging. Application‐wise, there is an industrial need for computing point‐to‐point shortest paths on large‐scale road networks whose arcs are weighted with a travelling time that depends on traffic conditions. We survey recent techniques for dynamic graph weights as well as dynamic graph topology.
The efficacy and safety of external biphasic defibrillation in toy breed dogs
Authors: Lee Seung‐Gon , Moon Hyeong‐Sun , Hyun Changbaig 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of biphasic (BP) defibrillation in toy breed dogs (<5 kg of body weight).Design: Prospective, clinical experimental study.Setting: Veterinary teaching hospital.Animals: Five dogs (pilot study) and 10 dogs (comparison study of biphasic versus monophasic defibrillation).Measurements and main results: The efficacy of defibrillation was compared by estimating E80 (80% probability of successful defibrillation) after biphasic (BP) and monophasic (MP) defibrillations. The E80 for BP defibrillation was 7.24±1.33 J (2.24±0.41 J/kg) and 10.24±1.34 J (3.18±0.12 J/kg) for MP defibrillation. BP waveform required 30% less shock energy for a successful defibrillation. In order to compare the safety of defibrillation, we evaluated changes in cardiac biomarkers, electrocardiogram, echocardiographical left ventricular index, and aortic pressure during and after BP and MP defibrillation. All dogs treated by either BP or MP defibrillation survived. Pulseless electrical activity occurred in 2 of 5 dogs during MP defibrillation. The levels of cardiac biomarkers were elevated and sustained for longer periods in the MP defibrillation group. Electrocardiographic changes (e.g., QT prolongation, the time to return to an isoelectric ST segment after shocks) were more severe and longer in the MP defibrillation group. In addition, overall left ventricular cardiac performance was severely depressed in the MP group compared with the BP group.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that BP defibrillation is more effective and safer than MP defibrillation. We determined the acceptable shock energy to be 2–4 J/kg for toy breed dogs.
The influence of crystalloid type on acid–base and electrolyte status of cats with urethral obstruction
Authors: Drobatz Kenneth J. , Cole Steven G. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractObjective:To compare the effect of a balanced isotonic crystalloid solution with that of 0.9% sodium chloride on the acid–base and electrolyte status of cats with urethral obstruction.Design:Randomized prospective clinical trial.Setting:Academic veterinary emergency room.Animals:Sixty‐eight cats with naturally occurring urethral obstruction.Interventions:Cats were randomized to receive either a balanced isotonic crystalloid solution (Normosol‐R,n=39) or 0.9% sodium chloride (n=29) for fluid therapy. Baseline venous blood gas and blood electrolyte values were obtained at the time of admission and at intervals during the course of therapy.Measurements and main results:Baseline values were similar between groups. Cats receiving Normosol‐R had a significantly higher blood pH at 12 hours, a significantly greater increase in blood pH from baseline at 6 and 12 hours, as well as a significantly higher blood bicarbonate concentration at 12 hours and a significantly greater increase in blood bicarbonate from baseline at 6 and 12 hours. Conversely, the increase in blood chloride from baseline was significantly higher at 2, 6, and 12 hours in cats receiving 0.9% sodium chloride. There were no significant differences in the rate of decline of blood potassium from baseline between groups. Subgroup analysis of hyperkalemic cats (K+>6.0 mmol/L) and acidemic cats (pH<7.3) yielded similar findings.Conclusions:While both crystalloid solutions appear safe and effective for fluid therapy in cats with urethral obstruction, the use of a balanced electrolyte solution may allow more rapid correction of blood acid–base status within the first 12 hours of fluid therapy. The use of a potassium‐containing balanced electrolyte solution does not appear to affect the rate of normalization of blood potassium in treated cats with urethral obstruction.
Periictal diffusion abnormalities of the thalamus in partial status epilepticus
Authors: Katramados Angelos M. , Burdette David , Patel Suresh C. , Schultz Lonni R. , Gaddam Shailaja , Mitsias Panayiotis D. 
Published: August 2008

SummaryPurpose:  To identify and describe thalamic dysfunction in patients with temporal as well as extratemporal status epilepticus (SE) and to also analyze the specific clinical, radiological, and electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics of patients with acute thalamic involvement.Methods:  We retrospectively identified patients who presented with clinical and electrographic evidence of partial SE and had thalamic abnormalities on diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) within 5 days of documentation of lateralized epileptiform discharges (group 1). The spatial and temporal characteristics of the periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) and the recorded electrographic seizures were analyzed and correlated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐DWI hyperintense lesions. The findings of group 1 patients were compared with those of patients with partial SE without thalamic abnormalities on DWI (group 2).Results:  The two groups were similar with regard to clinical presentation and morphology of epileptiform discharges. Group 1 patients had thalamic hyperintense lesions on DWI that appeared in the region of the pulvinar nucleus, ipsilateral to the epileptiform activity. Statistically significant relationship was noted between the presence of thalamic lesions and ipsilateral cortical laminar involvement (p = 0.039) as well as seizure origin in the posterior quadrants (p = 0.038). A trend towards PLEDs originating in the posterior quadrants was also noted (p = 0.077).Discussion:  Thalamic DWI hyperintense lesions may be observed after prolonged partial SE and are likely the result of excessive activity in thalamic nuclei having reciprocal connections with the involved cortex. The thalamus likely participates in the evolution and propagation of partial seizures in SE.
Outcome after corticoamygdalohippocampectomy in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis without preoperative ictal recording
Authors: Cukiert Arthur , Cukiert Cristine Mella , Argentoni Meire , Baise‐Zung Carla , Forster Cássio Roberto , Mello Valeria Antakli , Burattini José Augusto , Mariani Pedro Paulo 
Published: August 2008

SummaryPurpose: We report on the surgical outcome obtained in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) who were evaluated preoperatively without ictal recording and were submitted to corticoamygdalohippocampectomy.Methods: Two hundred twelve patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy were evaluated by means of clinical history, neurological examination, interictal electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and neuropsychological testing. MRI disclosed unilateral MTS in all patients. All patients were submitted to corticoamygdalohippocampectomy at the side determined by MRI.Results: Interictal EEG showed unilateral temporal lobe spiking in 176 patients; in 36 patients, bilateral discharges were found. Mean follow‐up time was 2.7 years. One hundred ninety‐four patients (92%) were classified as Engel's class I. Eighteen patients (8%) were rated as Engel's class II. Thirty‐two out of 36 patients, in whom bilateral discharges were found, were in Engel's class I. Sixty percent of the patients had an improvement in memory function related to the nonoperated temporal lobe. Fifty‐nine percent of the patients had a 10‐point increase in general IQ postoperatively. Verbal memory decline was noted in three patients. Pathological examination showed MTS in all patients.Conclusions: It is possible to adequately select good surgical candidates for temporal lobe resection using MRI and interictal EEG alone. In patients with MRI‐defined MTS, we should expect a 90% postoperative remission rate. Cognitive decline was very rarely seen in this patient population. The finding of MTS on MRI is the single most important prognostic factor for good outcome after temporal lobe surgery.
Revisiting the role of the insula in refractory partial epilepsy
Authors: Nguyen Dang Khoa , Nguyen Dong Bach , Malak Ramez , Leroux Jean‐Maxime , Carmant Lionel , Saint‐Hilaire Jean‐Marc , Giard Normand , Cossette Patrick , Bouthillier Alain 
Published: August 2008

SummaryPurpose:  Recent evidence suggesting that some epilepsy surgery failures could be related to unrecognized insular epilepsy have led us to lower our threshold to sample the insula with intracerebral electrodes. In this study, we report our experience resulting from this change in strategy.Methods:  During the period extending from October 2004 to June 2007, 18 patients had an intracranial study including 10 with insular coverage. The decision to sample the insula with intracerebral electrodes was made in the context of (1) nonlesional parietal lobe‐like epilepsy; (2) nonlesional frontal lobe‐like epilepsy; (3) nonlesional temporal lobe‐like epilepsy; and (4) atypical temporal lobe‐like epilepsy.Results:  Intracerebral recordings confirmed the presence of insular lobe seizures in four patients. Cortical stimulation performed in 9 of 10 patients with insular electrodes elicited, in decreasing order of frequency, somatosensory, viscerosensory, motor, auditory, vestibular, and speech symptoms.Discussion:  Our results suggest that insular cortex epilepsy may mimic temporal, frontal, and parietal lobe epilepsies and that a nonnegligeable proportion of surgical candidates with drug‐resistant epilepsy have an epileptogenic zone that involves the insula.
The Cost of Alcohol in California
Authors: Rosen Simon M. , Miller Ted R. , Simon Michele 
Published: August 2008

Background: California is the largest alcohol market in the United States. In 2005 alone, Californians consumed almost 14 billion alcoholic drinks, which contributed to many severe and potentially fatal alcohol‐related illnesses and conditions. Alcohol use also causes violent and nonviolent crimes, as well as injuries and traffic collisions. While several studies have estimated the magnitude and cost of these problems nationally and others have analyzed underage drinking costs, no overall cost estimate at the state level currently exists for California. We present the first comprehensive estimate of the cost of alcohol consumption in California.Methods: For each category of alcohol‐related problems, we estimated fatal and nonfatal cases attributable to alcohol use. We multiplied alcohol‐attributable cases by estimated costs per case to obtain total costs for each problem. Our estimates are presented in 2 sections, the economic costs, estimated using a human capital approach, and quality‐of‐life costs estimated using a quality adjusted life year framework.Results: Alcohol consumption in California led to an estimated 9,439 deaths and 921,929 alcohol‐related problems, such as crime and injury in 2005. The economic cost of these problems is estimated at between $35.4 billion and $42.2 billion. Our main estimate is $38.5 billion, of which $5.4 billion was for medical and mental health spending, $25.3 billion in work losses, and $7.8 billion in criminal justice spending, property damage and public program costs. In addition, alcohol is responsible for severe reductions in individuals’ quality of life in California. We estimate that the disability caused by injury, the personal anguish of violent crime victims, and the life years lost to fatality are the largest costs imposed by alcohol. The total value for this reduced quality of life in California is between $30.3 billion and $60.0 billion. Our main estimate for quality‐of‐life costs is $48.8 billion.Conclusions: In light of the associated substantial illness, injuries, death, and high cost to society, alcohol consumption in California needs serious attention. In addition, the methods developed in this paper can be expanded to estimate the cost of alcohol in other states.
Acute Monoplegia After Lysis of Epidural Adhesions: A Case Report
Authors: Ho Kok‐Yuen , Manghnani Preeti 
Published: August 2008

AbstractLysis of epidural adhesions is an interventional procedure performed to treat refractory low back pain or radicular pain due to epidural scarring. A 39‐year‐old female with a diagnosis of failed back surgery syndrome underwent lysis of epidural adhesions using a Racz catheter. She developed acute monoplegia of her right lower extremity immediately after the procedure. Radiographic imaging did not reveal an epidural hematoma. Motor and sensory function in the right lower limb returned after 5 days. Large volumes of fluid injected during neuroplasty could have caused transient nerve injury from compression within loculated epidural compartments.
Donor deferral and resulting donor loss at the American Red Cross Blood Services, 2001 through 2006
Authors: Zou Shimian , Musavi Fatemeh , Notari Edward P. , Rios Jorge A. , Trouern‐Trend Jonathan , Fang Chyang T. 
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: A large number of blood donors are deferred each year and many of the temporarily deferred donors do not return to donate blood. This study analyzed actual deferral and return donation data from the American Red Cross to further assess the impact of donor deferral on donor availability.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Voluntary blood donors who presented between 2001 and 2006 were included in this study. Deferred donors were classified into three groups according to their history of presentation during the prior 2 years: Group 1 with no prior donation or deferral, Group 2 with prior donation but no deferral, and Group 3 with prior deferral. Temporarily deferred donors in Groups 1 and 2 who did not return during the next 3 years were considered lost donors. All indefinitely deferred donors were lost donors.RESULTS: A mean of 12.8 percent of a total of 47,814,370 donor presentations between 2001 and 2006 resulted in a deferral. While majority of the deferrals were related to donor safety reasons, deferrals for recipient safety reasons accounted for 22.6 percent of deferrals or 2.9 percent of total presentations. Temporary and indefinite deferrals for recipient safety‐related reasons collectively caused an estimated loss of 647,828 donors during the 6 years. An additional 1,042,743 donors were lost due to deferrals for donor safety‐related reasons during the same period.CONCLUSIONS: The results on donor loss after deferral call attention to the impact of donor deferrals on donor availability and the need to monitor and assess the necessity and effectiveness of such deferrals.
Predicting intentions to donate blood among nondonors in Australia: an extended theory of planned behavior
Authors: Robinson Natalie G. , Masser Barbara M. , White Katherine M. , Hyde Melissa K. , Terry Deborah J. 
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: With an increasing demand for blood and blood products in Australia, there is a continual need to recruit blood donors. As such, it is important to investigate the factors that impact on nondonors' decision‐making processes with regard to donating blood for the first time. Previous research has established the efficacy of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in predicting blood donor intentions. The current research aimed to test a TPB model augmented with constructs implicated in previous blood donor research; specifically descriptive norm, moral norm, anticipated regret, and donation anxiety.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants completed measures assessing the standard TPB variables of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control (PBC) as well as descriptive norm, moral norm, donation anxiety, and anticipated regret. Path analysis examined the utility of the augmented TPB model to predict 195 non–blood donors' intentions to donate blood.RESULTS: A final revised model provided a very good fit to the data and included attitude, PBC, moral norm, descriptive norm, anticipated regret, and donation anxiety as direct predictors of intention, with these factors accounting for 70 percent of the variance in intentions to donate blood.CONCLUSION: A revised TPB model provided a more efficacious predictor of nondonors' intentions to donate than the standard TPB model and highlights the role that norm‐based factors and affective‐laden constructs play in predicting non–blood donors' intentions to donate.
Unchanged heart rate–respiratory frequency ratio in preterm infants during spontaneous arousals
Authors: Zotter Heinz , Kerbl Reinhold , Reiterer Friedrich , Pichler Gerhard , Hanzer Marie , Mueller Wilhelm 
Published: August 2008

AbstractAim: To find out whether a correlation of heart rate (HR) and respiratory frequency (RF) defined as HR‐RF‐ratio (HRR) may be helpful to identify arousals in term and preterm infants.Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed in 25 term infants (gestational age 40.1 ± 1.1 weeks) and 25 preterm infants (gestational age 31.1 ± 1.3 weeks) during undisturbed daytime sleep. Arousals were scored as suggested by the ‘International Paediatric Work Group on Arousals’ and divided into cortical arousals and subcortical arousals. HRR was defined as HR over RF. Arousals were compared to a 30‐sec period preceding an arousals.Results: Two hundred arousals were scored (100 cortical arousals and 100 subcortical arousals). HRR increased during arousals in term infants (p < 0.001). This was true for cortical arousals (p < 0.001) and subcortical arousals (p < 0.05) of term infants. In contrast, in preterm infants HRR remained unchanged during cortical arousals and subcortical arousals.Conclusion: An increase of HRR during arousals is a simple parameter to identify arousals in term infants, but not in preterm infants suggesting that an unchanged HRR might be an indicator of an immature arousal response.
Arab Television in Academic Scholarship
Authors: Tawil‐Souri Helga 
Published: August 2008

AbstractOver the past 10 years, there has been an exponential increase in satellite television in the Arab world, with programming ranging from music videos to news, from reality TV programs to Islamic talk shows. Concurrent with this development has been the growth of academic scholarship on understanding the relationship between Arab television and social and political transformations in the Middle East. This article provides an overview of Arab television growth, especially that of pan‐Arab satellite channels such as Al‐Jazeera, and of scholarship about it. Academic work that focuses on theories of media globalization and the public sphere, and that is in conversation with Western journalism and global media studies, is highlighted.