bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tariquidar, a Selective P-glycoprotein Inhibitor, Does Not Potentiate Loperamide’s Opioid Brain Effects in Humans despite Full Inhibition of Lymphocyte P-glycoprotein
Authors: Kurnik Daniel , Sofowora Gbenga G. , Donahue John P. , Nair Usha B. , Wilkinson Grant R. , Wood Alastair J. J. , Muszkat Mordechai 
Published: November 2008

Background
Loperamide, a potent opioid, has been used as an in vivo probe to assess P-glycoprotein activity at the blood-brain barrier, because P-glycoprotein inhibition allows loperamide to cross the blood-brain barrier and exert its central opioid effects. In humans, studies with nonselective and moderately potent inhibitors resulted in mild opioid effects but were confounded by the concurrent inhibition of loperamide's metabolism. The authors studied the effect of the highly selective, potent P-glycoprotein inhibitor tariquidar on loperamide's central opioid effects.

Methods
In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, nine healthy subjects received on 2 study days oral loperamide (32 mg) followed by an intravenous infusion of either tariquidar (150 mg) or placebo. Central opioid effects (pupil diameter, sedation) were measured for 12 h, and blood samples were drawn up to 48 h after drug administration to determine plasma loperamide concentrations and ex vivo P-glycoprotein activity in T lymphocytes. Values for pupil diameter and loperamide concentrations were plotted over time, and the areas under the curves on the tariquidar and placebo study day were compared within each subject.

Results
Tariquidar did not significantly affect loperamide's central effects (median reduction in pupil diameter area under the curve, 6.9% [interquartile range, -1.4 to 12.1%]; P = 0.11) or plasma loperamide concentrations (P = 0.12) but profoundly inhibited P-glycoprotein in lymphocytes by 93.7% (95% confidence interval, 92.0-95.3%).

Conclusion
These results suggest that despite full inhibition of lymphocyte P-glycoprotein, the selective P-glycoprotein inhibitor tariquidar does not potentiate loperamide's opioid brain effects in humans.
Thoracic Epidural Analgesia with Low Concentration of Bupivacaine Induces Thoracic and Lumbar Sympathetic Block
Authors: Freise Hendrik , Meissner Andreas , Lauer Stefan , Ellger Björn , Radke Robert , Bruewer Mathias , Brodner Gerd , Van Aken Hugo K. , Sielenkämper Andreas W. , Fischer Lars G. 
Published: November 2008

Background
Clinical benefits of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) are partly ascribed to thoracic sympathetic block. However, data regarding sympathetic activity during TEA are scarce and contradictory. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study evaluated the segmental propagation of sympathetic block after low-concentration, high-volume TEA using digital thermography.

Methods
Twenty-four patients were included in the study. Thoracic epidural catheters were placed at a median insertion level of T8-T9. Patients were accommodated for 20 min to the room temperature of 23 degrees +/- 0.3 degrees C. Skin temperature was recorded by digital thermography. After baseline measurement of heart rate, arterial pressure, and core body and skin temperature, 10 ml saline (control group) or 10 ml bupivacaine, 0.25% (TEA group), respectively, was administered epidurally. Five minutes (t5) and 20 min (t20) after baseline measurements, hemodynamic parameters and core body temperature were again measured, and sensory block was identified by loss of cold-warm discrimination. In the thumb, the toe, and each thoracic dermatome, difference from baseline temperature was calculated at t5 and t20. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.

Results
Baseline characteristics did not differ among groups. Median spread of sensory block at t20 was T5-L5. At both t5 and t20, skin temperature decreased more in the control group than in the TEA group in all thoracic dermatomes (P < 0.05). Toe temperature increased in the TEA group compared with the control group (P < 0.05), whereas thumb temperature remained unchanged.

Conclusion
TEA with 10 ml bupivacaine, 0.25%, induced thoracic and lumbar sympathetic block that precedes and exceeds sensory block. Caudal limit of sympathetic block could not be demonstrated in this study.
Desmopressin Reduces Transfusion Needs after Surgery
Authors: Crescenzi Giuseppe , Landoni Giovanni , Biondi-Zoccai Giuseppe , Pappalardo Federico , Nuzzi Massimiliano , Bignami Elena , Fochi Oliviero , Maj Giulia , Calabrò Maria Grazia , Ranucci Marco , Zangrillo Alberto 
Published: November 2008

Background
Perioperative pathologic microvascular bleeding is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and could be reduced by hemostatic drugs. At the same time, safety concerns regarding existing hemostatic agents include excess mortality. Numerous trials investigating desmopressin have lacked power to detect a beneficial effect on transfusion of blood products. The authors performed a meta-analysis of 38 randomized, placebo-controlled trials (2,488 patients) investigating desmopressin in surgery and indicating at least perioperative blood loss or transfusion of blood products.

Methods
Pertinent studies were searched in BioMed Central, CENTRAL, and PubMed (updated May 1, 2008). Further hand or computerized searches involved recent (2003-2008) conference proceedings.

Results
In most of the included studies, 0.3 microg/kg desmopressin was used prophylactically over a 15- to 30-min period. In comparison with placebo, desmopressin was associated with reduced requirements of blood product transfusion (standardized mean difference = -0.29 [-0.52 to -0.06] units per patient; P = 0.01), which were more pronounced in the subgroup of noncardiac surgery and were without a statistically significant increase in thromboembolic adverse events (57/1,002 = 5.7% in the desmopressin group vs. 45/979 = 4.6% in the placebo group; P = 0.3).

Conclusions
Desmopressin slightly reduced blood loss (almost 80 ml per patient) and transfusion requirements (almost 0.3 units per patient) in surgical patients, without reduction in the proportion of patients who received transfusions. This meta-analysis suggests the importance of further large, randomized controlled studies using desmopressin in patients with or at risk of perioperative pathologic microvascular bleeding.
Phase 2, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Dose-Response Trial of Intravenous Adenosine for Perioperative Analgesia
Authors: Habib Ashraf S. , Minkowitz Harold , Osborn Timothy , Ogunnaike Babatunde , Candiotti Keith , Viscusi Eugene , Gu Jiezhun , Creed Mary R. , Gan Tong J. 
Published: November 2008

Background
Adenosine regulates pain transmission by actions at spinal, supraspinal, and peripheral sites. A few studies have suggested that administration of adenosine might be associated with anesthetic- and analgesic-sparing effects. The primary aim of this multicenter study was to determine the dose-response profile of adenosine with respect to perioperative analgesia.

Methods
Women undergoing major gynecologic surgery were enrolled. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive one of four doses of adenosine (25, 50, 100, or 200 microg x kg x min) or matching placebo. A dose-escalation cohort approach was followed. Study drug administration was started in the operating room at the time of skin incision and discontinued at the end of surgery. The anesthetic technique was standardized. Postoperative analgesia was provided with a standardized morphine patient-controlled analgesia system. Data were collected in the hospital and after discharge daily through postoperative day 7.

Results
A total of 166 subjects received treatment with study drug: 125 received adenosine and 41 received placebo. Except for height, there were no differences between treatment groups with respect to demographic or baseline characteristics. Cumulative opioid use during the initial 24-h period after extubation was not significantly different between treatment groups. There were also no differences between treatment groups with respect to cumulative anesthetic use, intraoperative opioid requirements, pain scores, sedation, time to readiness for discharge from the postanesthesia care unit, time to readiness for discharge from the hospital, opioid-related symptom distress scores, patient satisfaction with pain control, and occurrence of adverse events.

Conclusions
There were no differences between placebo and adenosine with respect to efficacy and safety for perioperative analgesia.
Blood Transfusion Promotes Cancer Progression: A Critical Role for Aged Erythrocytes
Authors: Atzil Shir , Arad Michal , Glasner Ariella , Abiri Noa , Avraham Roi , Greenfeld Keren , Rosenne Ella , Beilin Benzion , Ben-Eliyahu Shamgar 
Published: November 2008

Background
In cancer patients, allogeneic blood transfusion is associated with poorer prognosis, but the independent effect of the transfusion is controversial. Moreover, mediating mechanisms underlying the alleged cancer-promoting effects of blood transfusion are unknown, including the involvement of donors' leukocytes, erythrocytes, and soluble factors.

Method
Two syngeneic tumor models were used in Fischer 344 rats, the MADB106 mammary adenocarcinoma and the CRNK-16 leukemia. Outcomes included host ability to clear circulating cancer cells, and host survival rates. The independent impact of blood transfusion was assessed, and potential deleterious characteristics of the transfusion were studied, including blood storage duration; the role of erythrocytes, leukocyte, and soluble factors; and the kinetics of the effects.

Results
Blood transfusion was found to be an independent and significant risk factor for cancer progression in both models, causing up to a fourfold increase in lung tumor retention and doubling mortality rates. Blood storage time was the critical determinant of these deleterious effects, regardless of whether the transfused blood was allogeneic or autogenic. Surprisingly, aged erythrocytes (9 days and older), rather than leukocytes or soluble factors, mediated the effects, which occurred in both operated and nonoperated animals. The effects of erythrocytes transfusion in the MADB106 model emerged immediately and dissipated within 24 h.

Conclusions
In rats, transfusion of fresh blood is less harmful than transfusion of stored blood in the context of progressing malignancies. Further studies should address mediating mechanisms through which erythrocytes' storage duration can impact the rate of complications while treating malignant diseases and potentially other pathologies.
Effects of Supervision by Attending Anesthesiologists on Complications of Emergency Tracheal Intubation
Authors: Schmidt Ulrich H. , Kumwilaisak Kanya , Bittner Edward , George Edward , Hess Dean 
Published: November 2008

Background
Emergent intubation is associated with a high complication rate. These intubations are often performed by resident physicians in teaching hospitals. The authors evaluated whether supervision by an anesthesia-trained intensivist decreases complications of emergent intubations.

Methods
The authors performed a prospective cohort study in an Academic Tertiary Care Hospital. They enrolled 322 consecutive patients who required emergent intubation between November 1, 2006, and April 15, 2008. Emergency intubations are performed by anesthesia residents during their surgical intensive care unit rotation. An attending anesthesiologist was assigned to supervise these intubations at predetermined periods. A respiratory therapist assisted with airway management and ventilation. Information related to the intubation, detailing patient demographics, indication for intubation, attending anesthesiologist presence, medications used, and immediate complications, was recorded. Disposition and duration of mechanical ventilation were also recorded.

Results
There were no differences in demographics, clinical characteristics, or illness severity among patients intubated with and without attending supervision. Attending physician supervision was associated with a significant decrease in complications (6.1% vs. 21.7%; P = 0.0001). There was no difference in ventilator-free days or 30-day mortality.

Conclusion
Supervision by an attending anesthesiologist was associated with a decreased incidence of complications during emergent intubations.
Oral budesonide for maintenance of remission of Crohn’s disease: a pooled safety analysis
Authors: LICHTENSTEIN G. R. , BENGTSSON B. , HAPTEN‐WHITE L. , RUTGEERTS P. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryBackground Budesonide exhibits similar efficacy to systemic glucocorticosteroids (GCSs) in Crohn’s disease (CD), but with fewer adverse events (AEs).Aim To evaluate budesonide’s safety profile in CD patients, in particular, incidences of clinically important AEs known to be associated with systemic GCSs.Methods Five 1‐year, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials evaluating budesonide for mild‐to‐moderate CD were pooled for analysis.Results The highest incidence rates of AEs were gastrointestinal‐ and endocrine systems‐related in both groups (budesonide 6 mg/day,n = 208; placebo,n = 209). Incidence rates were similar, except for higher incidence of endocrine disorders in budesonide versus placebo patients (P = 0.0042) caused by a higher overall occurrence of cutaneous GCS symptoms (P = 0.0036) in the budesonide group; differences in individual symptoms were nonsignificant. Percentage of patients with normal adrenal function was significantly lower at 13 weeks (three of five studies), but not at 52 weeks (two studies) in the budesonide versus placebo groups. Occurrence of clinically important or serious AEs associated with systemic GCSs, including sepsis, cataracts, adrenal insufficiency was rare and similar between groups.Conclusions Budesonide treatment for up to 1 year is well‐tolerated in CD patients, with an AE profile similar to placebo and only rare occurrences of clinically important AEs associated with systemic GCSs.
Annual patterns of phytoplankton density and primary production in a large, shallow lake: the central role of light
Authors: TORREMORELL A. , LLAMES M. E. , PÉREZ G. L. , ESCARAY R. , BUSTINGORRY J. , ZAGARESE H. 
Published: November 2008

Summary1. We studied the seasonal dynamics of suspended particulate matter in a turbid, large shallow lake during an annual period (2005–06). We relate the patterns of seston concentration (total suspended solids), phytoplankton biomass and water transparency to the seasonal pattern of incident solar radiation (I0). We also report the seasonal trends of phytoplankton primary production (PP) and photosynthesis photoinhibition due to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) (Iβ and UV50).2. We first collected empirical evidence that indicated the conditions of light limitation persisted during the study period. We found that the depth‐averaged irradiance estimated for the time of the day of maximum irradiance (Imean–noon) was always lower than the measured onset of light saturation of photosynthesis (Ik).3. We then contrasted the observations with theoretical expectations based on a light limitation scenario. The observed temporal patterns of seston concentration, both on a volume and area basis, were significantly explained by I0 (R2 = 0.39 and R2 = 0.37 respectively). The vertical diffuse attenuation coefficient (kdPAR) (R2 = 0.55) and the depth‐averaged irradiance (Imean) (R2 = 0.66), significantly increased with the I0; while the irradiance reaching the lake bottom (Iout) significantly decreased with the incident irradiance (R2 = 0.49). However, phytoplankton biovolume maxima were not coincident with the time of the year of maximum irradiance.4. A significant positive relationship was observed between PP estimated on an area basis and I0 (R2 = 0.51, P < 0.001). In addition, the parameters describing the photosynthetic responses to high irradiances displayed marked seasonal trends. The photosynthesis photoinhibition due to PAR as well as to UV were significantly related to incident solar radiation (PAR: R2 = 0.73; UV: R2 = 0.74). These results suggest adaptation of the phytoplankton community in response to changes in incident solar radiation.
Uric acid deposits in symbiotic marine algae
Authors: CLODE PETA L. , SAUNDERS MARTIN , MAKER GARTH , LUDWIG MARTHA , ATKINS CRAIG A. 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTThe symbiosis between cnidarians and dinoflagellate algae is not understood at the cell or molecular level, yet this relationship is responsible for the formation of thousands of square kilometres of coral reefs. We have investigated the nature of crystalline material prominent within marine algal symbionts ofAiptasiasp. anemones. This material, which has historically been considered to be calcium oxalate, is shown to be uric acid. We demonstrate that these abundant uric acid stores can be mobilized rapidly, thereby allowing the algal symbionts to flourish in an otherwise N‐poor environment. This is the first report of uric acid accumulation by symbiotic marine algae. These data provide new insight and considerations for understanding the physiological basis of algal symbioses, and represent a new and previously unconsidered aspect of N metabolism in cnidarian, and a variety of other, marine symbioses.
Bacterial rhamnolipids are novel MAMPs conferring resistance to Botrytis cinerea in grapevine
Authors: VARNIER ANNE‐LISE , SANCHEZ LISA , VATSA PARUL , BOUDESOCQUE LESLIE , GARCIA‐BRUGGER ANGELA , RABENOELINA FANJA , SOROKIN ALEXANDER , RENAULT JEAN‐HUGUES , KAUFFMANN SERGE , PUGIN ALAIN , CLEMENT CHRISTOPHE , BAILLIEUL FABIENNE , DOREY STEPHAN 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTRhamnolipids produced by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa are known as very efficient biosurfactant molecules. They are used for a wide range of industrial applications, especially in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical formulations as well as in bioremediation of pollutants. In this paper, the role of rhamnolipids as novel molecules triggering defence responses and protection against the fungus Botrytis cinerea in grapevine is presented. The effect of rhamnolipids was assessed in grapevine using cell suspension cultures and vitro‐plantlets. Ca2+ influx, mitogen‐activated protein kinase activation and reactive oxygen species production form part of early signalling events leading from perception of rhamnolipids to the induction of plant defences that include expression of a wide range of defence genes and a hypersensitive response (HR)‐like response. In addition, rhamnolipids potentiated defence responses induced by the chitosan elicitor and by the culture filtrate of B. cinerea. We also demonstrated that rhamnolipids have direct antifungal properties by inhibiting spore germination and mycelium growth of B. cinerea. Ultimately, rhamnolipids efficiently protected grapevine against the fungus. We propose that rhamnolipids are acting as microbe‐associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) in grapevine and that the combination of rhamnolipid effects could participate in grapevine protection against grey mould disease.
Focus on ecological weed management: what is hindering adoption?
Authors: BASTIAANS L , PAOLINI R , BAUMANN D T 
Published: November 2008

SummaryDespite increased concerns regarding the heavy reliance of many cropping systems on chemical weed control, adoption of ecological weed management practices is only steadily progressing. For this reason, this paper reflects on both the possibilities and limitations of cultural weed control practices. Cultural weed control utilises a number of principles, predominantly: (i) a reduced recruitment of weed seedlings from the soil seedbank, (ii) an alteration of crop–weed competitive relations to the benefit of the crop and (iii) a gradual reduction of the size of the weed seedbank. Compared with chemical control, the general applicability, reliability and efficacy of most measures is only moderate, and consequently, cultural control strategies need to consist of a combination of measures, resulting in increased systems complexity. Combined with the trade‐offs connected to some of the measures, this hampers large‐scale implementation. It is argued that tailoring cultural weed management strategies to the needs and skills of individual farmers would be an important step forward. Research can aid in improving the utilisation of cultural weed control strategies by focussing on a broadening of the range of available measures and by providing clear quantitative insight in efficacy, variability in outcome and trade‐offs of these measures.
Ecological weed management by cover cropping: effects on weed growth in autumn and weed establishment in spring
Authors: KRUIDHOF H M , BASTIAANS L , KROPFF M J 
Published: November 2008

SummaryCover crops grown in the period between two main crops have potential as an important component of a system‐oriented ecological weed management strategy. In late summer and autumn, the cover crop can suppress growth and seed production of weeds, whereas the incorporation of cover crop residues in spring may reduce or retard weed emergence. Based on these two criteria, six cover crop species were evaluated for their weed suppressive potential in 2 years of experimentation in the Netherlands. Fodder radish, winter oilseed rape and winter rye had the strongest competitive ability in autumn; the competitive strength of Italian ryegrass was intermediate and white lupin and lucerne were poor competitors. Competitiveness was strongly correlated to early light interception. Surprisingly, doubling the recommended sowing density did not increase weed suppressive ability. Although a poor competitor in the fall, after incorporation in spring, lucerne had the strongest inhibitory effect on seedling establishment, followed by winter oilseed rape and white lupin. Winter rye and fodder radish did not affect seedling establishment, whereas Italian ryegrass was not evaluated because of re‐growth after incorporation. Competition in autumn and subsequent residue‐mediated suppression of weed establishment in spring varied among the cover crop species, with winter oilseed rape offering relatively strong effects during both periods.