bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
R2: Identification of renal potential progenitor/stem cells that participate in the renal regeneration processes of kidney allograft fibrosis
Authors: BAO JI , TU ZHIDAN , SUN HUAIQIANG , LUO GUANGHENG , YANG LI , SONG JUN , QIN MINGXIA , SHI YUJUN , BU HONG , LI YOUPING 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY:Aim:  Many strategies are explored to ameliorate kidney allograft tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis (TA/IF), but little progress has been achieved. The latest evidence suggested that CD133+ cell in kidney represent a potential multipotent adult resident stem cell population that may contribute to the renal injury repair. Here we investigate whether the CD133+ cells exist in transplanted renal and exert a growth and self‐repair procedure in TA/IF.Methods:  Allografts from rat kidney transplant models were harvested at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks post transplantation. We performed immunohistochemistry to detect the CD133+ cells and immunofluorescence to detect the co‐expression of CD133 or Pax‐2 with Ki‐67. We furthermore analysed the E‐cadherin using serial sections.Results:  CD133+ cells were seldom seen in control kidney, but distributed sporadically in the cortex parenchyma along with the deterioration of TA/IF. The number of CD133+ cell increased after 4 weeks and reached the peak at 8 weeks, then decreased at 12 weeks. From 8 weeks, some new tubules expressing E‐cadherin were constructed with CD133+ cells. Almost all the CD133+ cells were Ki‐67‐positive, but not all the Ki‐67+ cells expressed CD133. The rest Ki‐67+ cells almost expressed Pax‐2.Conclusion:  Our study reveals that when majority of the tubules are damaged, a self‐repair mechanism is evoked by potential adult stem cells to compensate the renal function. Thus, potential adult resident stem cells offer a new avenue for autologous cell therapies in TA/IF.
Monitoring an invasive perennial at the landscape scale with remote sensing
Authors: Lawes Roger A. , Wallace Jeremy F. 
Published: March 2008

Summary  Worldwide, invasive weeds threaten agricultural, natural and urban ecosystems. In Australia's agricultural and grazing regions, invasive species often establish across extensive areas where weed management is hampered by an inability to detect the location and timing of an outbreak. In these vast landscapes, an effective detection and monitoring system is required to delineate the extent of the invasion and identify spatial and temporal factors associated with weed establishment and thickening. In this study, we utilize a time series of remote sensing imagery to detect the spatial and temporal patterns of Prickly Acacia (Acacia nilotica) invasion in the Mitchell grass plains of North Queensland. We develop a spectral index from Landsat images which is applied to images from 1989 to 2004, in combination with a classification mask, to identify locations and monitor changes in Prickly Acacia density across 29 000 km2 of Mitchell grass plains. The approach identified spectral and temporal signatures consistent with Prickly Acacia infestation on 1.9% of this landscape. Field checking of results confirmed presence of the weed in previously unrecorded locations. The approach may be used to evaluate future spread, or outcomes of management strategies for Prickly Acacia in this landscape and could be employed to detect and monitor invasions in other extensive landscapes.
Retinopathy of prematurity: postmenstrual age at threshold in a transitional economy is similar to that in developed countries
Authors: Carden Susan Mary , Luu Lan Ngoc , Nguyen Tinh Xuan , Huynh Tess , Good William Vance 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground:  To analyse the timing of threshold disease in infants requiring treatment for retinopathy of prematurity in a transitional economy.Methods:  Design: Retrospective, observational, cohort study. Setting: National Hospital of Paediatrics, Hanoi, Vietnam. Study population: Premature infants in the Neonatal ward requiring laser treatment for threshold retinopathy of prematurity. Main outcome measures: Chronological age and postmenstrual age at treatment.Results:  From January 2002 to November 2004, 42 infants from the National Hospital of Paediatrics required laser surgery for threshold retinopathy of prematurity. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of birth weight was 1369 ± 184 g (range 1000–1700); the mean ± SD of gestation at birth was 30 ± 1.8 weeks (range 27–34); and the mean ± SD of postmenstrual age at which treatment occurred in these infants was 36.2 ± 2.5 weeks (range 31.4–42). A further 58 infants were transferred from other hospitals for laser surgery between January 2004 and October 2004. The mean ± SD of birth weight was 1325.5 ± 237.2 g (range 800–1900); the mean ± SD of gestation at birth was 30 ± 1.7 weeks (range 28–35); and the mean ± SD of postmenstrual age at which treatment was given in these infants was 36.3 ± 2.3 weeks (range 32.71–44.3).Discussions:  Despite the relative maturity of the gestation of these infants compared with infants in developed countries who develop severe retinopathy of prematurity, the timing of treatment for threshold disease appears to be related to postmenstrual age.
Changes in corneal endothelial cell density and morphology after Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation during the first year of follow up
Authors: Kim Chang Sik , Yim Jin Ho , Lee Eun Kyoung , Lee Nam Ho 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To determine the effect of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation on corneal endothelial cells.Methods:  Ahmed glaucoma valves were implanted in 30 eyes of 30 patients with refractory glaucoma. Corneal endothelial cell density and shape was prospectively evaluated in both the subject and fellow eyes of each patient. Corneal specular microscopy was performed on the superior, superotemporal, superonasal and central corneal areas before and at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery.Results:  A statistically significant decrease in average corneal endothelial cell density was observed 12 months postoperatively in the subject eyes compared with the baseline value (P = 0.001). No such changes were observed in the fellow eyes during follow‐up period. The mean percentage decrease in corneal endothelial cell density in subject eyes was 3.5% at 1 month, 7.6% at 6 months and 10.5% at 12 months after surgery. The superotemporal area, which was closest to the tube, showed the greatest decrease in endothelial cell density at 1 year after surgery, while the central cornea showed the least decrease. In terms of endothelial cell morphology, polymegathism and pleomorphism increased in the early postoperative periods, and then gradually approached the preoperative status by 6 months after surgery.Conclusion:  Corneal endothelial cell density progressively decreased after AGV implantation. These findings indicate that particular care should be taken during intraoperative and postoperative management of AGV implantation patients in order to minimize damage to the endothelium.
Toxicology of the retina: advances in understanding the defence mechanisms and pathogenesis of drug‐ and light‐induced retinopathy
Authors: Siu Timothy L , Morley John W , Coroneo Minas T 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe neurosensory retina is a highly specialized sense organ that is subjected to constant exposure of systemic toxins, oxidative stress and focused light rays. Important advances have been made in recent decades in unravelling a myriad of defence mechanisms against such insults and consequently in improving the understanding of the principles underlying various drug‐ and light‐induced disease processes. To defend against circulating toxins, the retina possesses a specialized blood–retinal barrier (BRB) that tightly regulates the transport of substances across the functional boundaries of the retina at the retinal capillaries and the retinal pigmented epithelium. An endogenous cytochrome p450 system is strategically located within the retina to neutralize agents that can diffuse through the BRB. The biooxidation effect of light is prevented by a wide array of unique antioxidant mechanisms in the retina. Nonetheless, pathological processes may evolve when these different lines of defence are overwhelmed by various xenobiotics, environmental agents such as cigarette smoke and excessive light exposure, particularly of short wavelength high frequency blue light and ultraviolet light. Latest research using transgenic models has revealed novel apoptotic pathways implicated in acute phototoxicity, in particular blue light damage, and provides important clues for further understanding the risks of high‐frequency light exposure to human retinopathy. This review article summarizes the basic scientific principles of these different defence mechanisms and discuss the implications in pathophysiology and treatment.
Profiling of experience‐regulated proteins in the songbird auditory forebrain using quantitative proteomics
Authors: Pinaud Raphael , Osorio Cristina , Alzate Oscar , Jarvis Erich D. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAuditory and perceptual processing of songs are required for a number of behaviors in songbirds such as vocal learning, territorial defense, mate selection and individual recognition. These neural processes are accompanied by increased expression of a few transcription factors, particularly in the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), an auditory forebrain area believed to play a key role in auditory learning and song discrimination. However, these molecular changes are presumably part of a larger, yet uncharacterized, protein regulatory network. In order to gain further insight into this network, we performed two‐dimensional differential in‐gel expression (2D‐DIGE) experiments, extensive protein quantification analyses, and tandem mass spectrometry in the NCM of adult songbirds hearing novel songs. A subset of proteins was selected for immunocytochemistry in NCM sections to confirm the 2D‐DIGE findings and to provide additional quantitative and anatomical information. Using these methodologies, we found that stimulation of freely behaving birds with conspecific songs did not significantly impact the NCM proteome 5 min after stimulus onset. However, following 1 and 3 h of stimulation, a significant number of proteins were consistently regulated in NCM. These proteins spanned a range of functional categories that included metabolic enzymes, cytoskeletal molecules, and proteins involved in neurotransmitter secretion and calcium binding. Our findings suggest that auditory processing of vocal communication signals in freely behaving songbirds triggers a cascade of protein regulatory events that are dynamically regulated through activity‐dependent changes in calcium levels.
Distribution and synthesis of extracellular matrix proteoglycans, hyaluronan, link proteins and tenascin‐R in the rat spinal cord
Authors: Galtrey Clare M. , Kwok Jessica C. F. , Carulli Daniela , Rhodes Kate E. , Fawcett James W. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractPerineuronal nets (PNNs) are dense extracellular matrix (ECM) structures that form around many neuronal cell bodies and dendrites late in development. They contain several chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs), hyaluronan, link proteins and tenascin‐R. Their time of appearance correlates with the ending of the critical period for plasticity, and they have been implicated in this process. The distribution of PNNs in the spinal cord was examined using Wisteria floribunda agglutinin lectin and staining for chondroitin sulphate stubs after chondroitinase digestion. Double labelling with the neuronal marker, NeuN, showed that PNNs were present surrounding ∼ 30% of motoneurons in the ventral horn, 50% of large interneurons in the intermediate grey and 20% of neurons in the dorsal horn. These PNNs formed in the second week of postnatal development. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the PNNs contain a mixture of CSPGs, hyaluronan, link proteins and tenascin‐R. Of the CSPGs, aggrecan was present in all PNNs while neurocan, versican and phosphacan/RPTPβ were present in some but not all PNNs. In situ hybridization showed that aggrecan and cartilage link protein (CRTL 1) and brain link protein‐2 (BRAL 2) are produced by neurons. PNN‐bearing neurons express hyaluronan synthase, and this enzyme and phosphacan/RPTPβ may attach PNNs to the cell surface. During postnatal development the expression of link protein and aggrecan mRNA is up‐regulated at the time of PNN formation, and these molecules may therefore trigger their formation.
Load‐related modulation of cutaneous reflexes in the tibialis anterior muscle during passive walking in humans
Authors: Nakajima Tsuyoshi , Kamibayashi Kiyotaka , Takahashi Makoto , Komiyama Tomoyoshi , Akai Masami , Nakazawa Kimitaka 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAlthough cutaneous reflexes are known to be strongly modulated in a phase‐dependent manner during walking in both human and cat, it is not clear whether the movement‐related or the load‐sensitive afferent feedback plays a more important role in regulating this modulation. To address this issue in humans, we investigated modulation of the cutaneous reflex in the tibialis anterior muscles (TA) of 17 subjects during passive walking with a load (0%, 33%, 66% unloading of body weight) and without a load (100% unloading). These walking tasks were performed passively with a robotic gait trainer system. Cutaneous reflexes in TA, elicited by electrical stimulation to the distal tibial (Tib) and superficial peroneal (SP) nerves, were recorded during 10 different phases of the walking cycle, and the middle latency responses (MLR, 70–120 ms) were analysed. During loaded walking, the magnitudes of the MLR induced by Tib nerve stimulation were strongly increased during the late stance‐to‐early swing phase irrespective of the amount of load (phase modulation), a phenomenon that also occurred without background electromyogram in the TA. Predominant suppression of the MLR following SP nerve stimulation at the early stance phase changed to facilitation at the late stance. By contrast, the MLR following either Tib or SP nerve stimulation was not at all modulated by the stepping phase during both unloaded walking (100% unloading) and standing. These results suggest that phasic changes in the load‐related afferent information in concert with rhythmic lower limb movement play a key role in modulating cutaneous reflexes during walking.
Odor vapor pressure and quality modulate local field potential oscillatory patterns in the olfactory bulb of the anesthetized rat
Authors: Cenier Tristan , Amat Corine , Litaudon Philippe , Garcia Samuel , Lafaye de Micheaux Pierre , Liquet Benoît , Roux Stéphane , Buonviso Nathalie 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA central question in chemical senses is the way that odorant molecules are represented in the brain. To date, many studies, when taken together, suggest that structural features of the molecules are represented through a spatio‐temporal pattern of activation in the olfactory bulb (OB), in both glomerular and mitral cell layers. Mitral/tufted cells interact with a large population of inhibitory interneurons resulting in a temporal patterning of bulbar local field potential (LFP) activity. We investigated the possibility that molecular features could determine the temporal pattern of LFP oscillatory activity in the OB. For this purpose, we recorded the LFPs in the OB of urethane‐anesthetized, freely breathing rats in response to series of aliphatic odorants varying subtly in carbon‐chain length or functional group. In concordance with our previous reports, we found that odors evoked oscillatory activity in the LFP signal in both the beta and gamma frequency bands. Analysis of LFP oscillations revealed that, although molecular features have almost no influence on the intrinsic characteristics of LFP oscillations, they influence the temporal patterning of bulbar oscillations. Alcohol family odors rarely evoke gamma oscillations, whereas ester family odors rather induce oscillatory patterns showing beta/gamma alternation. Moreover, for molecules with the same functional group, the probability of gamma occurrence is correlated to the vapor pressure of the odor. The significance of the relation between odorant features and oscillatory regimes along with their functional relevance are discussed.
Postoperative pain assessment in preverbal children and children with cognitive impairment
Authors: GHAI BABITA , MAKKAR JEETINDER KAUR , WIG JYOTSNA 
Published: March 2008

SummaryPostoperative pain assessment and management in preverbal children and children with cognitive impairment poses major challenges to pediatric anesthesiologists. An accurate diagnosis of extent of pain is the keystone for the successful management of pain. This article reviews the neurobiology of pain at birth, long‐term consequences of early pain and different pediatric pain assessment tools used for postoperative assessment in infants, young children, and children with cognitive disabilities.
Ventilatory strategies for the extremely premature infant
Authors: GREENOUGH ANNE , PREMKUMAR MURALIDHAR , PATEL DEENA 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which has long‐term adverse outcomes, is common following extremely premature birth. BPD has a multifactorial etiology, including a high level or prolonged use of mechanical ventilation. Numerous research studies, therefore, have attempted to identify ventilatory techniques which reduce the likelihood of baro/volutrauma and hence BPD; these have been critically examined in this review, particularly with regard to their relevance to the extremely prematurely born infant. This has highlighted that few randomized studies of ventilatory strategies have concentrated exclusively on those high‐risk infants. Overall, in prematurely born infants, advantages have been suggested by the results of studies examining pressure support, proportional assist and volume‐targeted ventilation. In addition, High‐Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) may reduce the deterioration seen in lung function of prematurely born infants over the first year after birth. In conclusion, more randomized studies are required which concentrate exclusively on the extremely prematurely born population who are at highest risk of BPD. It is essential in such studies that long‐term follow‐up assessment is inbuilt so that the benefits/adverse effects can be appropriately identified.
Hemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine sedation for CT imaging studies
Authors: MASON KEIRA P. , ZGLESZEWSKI STEVEN E. , PRESCILLA RANDY , FONTAINE PAULETTE J. , ZURAKOWSKI DAVID 
Published: March 2008

SummaryBackground:  Dexmedetomidine sedation for radiological imaging studies is a relatively recent application for this drug. Previous studies have demonstrated some haemodynamic effects of dexmedetomidine, however, the effects remain poorly described in children. The aim of this study was to better define the effect of age on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure changes in children sedated for CT imaging with dexmedetomidine.Methods/materials:  At our institution dexmedetomidine is given for sedation for CT imaging as a bolus of 2 mcg·kg−1 over 10 min followed by an infusion of 1 mcg·kg−1·h−1 with a second bolus if required. Detailed quality assurance data sheets document patient demographics, sedation outcomes, adverse events, and hemodynamic data are recorded for each patient.Results:  A total of 250 patients (range 0.1–10.6 years) received dexmedetomidine. anova revealed strong evidence for changes in HR and mean arterial blood pressure during bolus and infusion relative to presedation values (P < 0.001). These changes were apparent in each age group and similar between groups. During the first bolus and during infusion, 82% and 93% of patients respectively were within the age‐based normal range for HR. For mean arterial blood pressure, 70% of patients were within the normal range during first bolus and 78% during infusion.Conclusion:  In the pediatric population studied, intravenous dexmedetomidine sedation was associated with modest fluctuations in HR and blood pressure. Hemodynamic changes were independent of age, required no pharmacologic interventions and did not result in any adverse events. By anticipating these possible hemodynamic effects and avoiding dexmedetomidine in those patients who may not tolerate such fluctuations in HR and blood pressure, dexmedetomidine is an appropriate sedative for children undergoing CT imaging.
Procedural pain and distress in young children as perceived by medical and nursing staff
Authors: BABL FRANZ E. , MANDRAWA CHRISTINE , O’SULLIVAN RONAN , CRELLIN DIANNE 
Published: March 2008

SummaryIntroduction:  Currently there is no comparison of pain and distress experienced by young children undergoing a range of procedures. This would be important when considering choices between alternative management approaches and to facilitate development of measures to reduce procedural pain and distress. We set out to determine staff perceptions of pain and distress across a range of common emergency procedures.Methods:  Standardised survey of medical and nursing staff in the emergency department (ED) of a large urban tertiary children’s hospital. Staff perceptions of pain and distress of common ED procedures were measured using a 10 cm visual analogue scale. It included 15 common ED procedures, ranging from suprapubic aspiration (SPA) to measurement of oxygen saturation when performed in a child aged 12–18 months. It included four trauma related procedures. Respondents were stratified by their experience level with the procedures (50 procedures or less = less experienced, greater than 50 procedures = more experienced).Results:  Ninety‐two of 150 medical and nursing staff in the ED (61%) responded including almost all full time staff. Twenty‐one percent of respondents were senior nurses, 17% senior physicians. The procedure considered the most painful was SPA [5.7 (4.0–7.2)cm]; as well as intramuscular injection (IMI) and lumbar puncture (LP). The procedures considered the most distressing were nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion [7.8(6.6–8.7)cm] as well as i.v. insertion and LP. All procedures were rated overall as more distressing than painful. Pain and distress were overall rated similarly regardless of staff experience level.Conclusions:  SPA, IMI and LP are perceived by emergency staff as most painful and NGT insertion, i.v. insertion and LP are perceived as most distressing. These findings are important for clinicians when choosing alternative treatment strategies and for researchers in planning future investigations to reduce procedural pain and distress.