bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Erythropoietin‐mediated tissue protection: reducing collateral damage from the primary injury response
Authors: Brines M. , Cerami A. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract.In its classic hormonal role, erythropoietin (EPO) is produced by the kidney and regulates the number of erythrocytes within the circulation to provide adequate tissue oxygenation. EPO also mediates other effects directed towards optimizing oxygen delivery to tissues, e.g. modulating regional blood flow and reducing blood loss by promoting thrombosis within damaged vessels. Over the past 15 years, many unexpected nonhaematopoietic functions of EPO have been identified. In these more recently appreciated nonhormonal roles, locally‐produced EPO signals through a different receptor isoform and is a major molecular component of the injury response, in which it counteracts the effects of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Acutely, EPO prevents programmed cell death and reduces the development of secondary, pro‐inflammatory cytokine‐induced injury. Within a longer time frame, EPO provides trophic support to enable regeneration and healing. As the region immediately surrounding damage is typically relatively deficient in endogenous EPO, administration of recombinant EPO can provide increased tissue protection. However, effective use of EPO as therapy for tissue injury requires higher doses than for haematopoiesis, potentially triggering serious adverse effects. The identification of a tissue‐protective receptor isoform has facilitated the engineering of nonhaematopoietic, tissue‐protective EPO derivatives, e.g. carbamyl EPO, that avoid these complications. Recently, regions within the EPO molecule mediating tissue protection have been identified and this has enabled the development of potent tissue‐protective peptides, including some mimicking EPO’s tertiary structure but unrelated in primary sequence.
Altered antibody responses in mannose‐binding lectin‐A deficient mice do not affect Trichuris muris or Schistosoma mansoni infections
Authors: LAWRENCE R. A. , CARTER T. , BELL L. V. , ELSE K. J. , SUMMERFIELD J. , BICKLE Q. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY Parasitic helminths possess surface glycoconjugates that are recognized by the serum collectin molecule, mannose‐binding lectin (MBL). Once bound, MBL triggers the lectin pathway of complement. Mice have two MBL, MBL‐A and MBL‐C. We previously showed that MBL‐A deficient (MBL‐A−/–) mice have enhanced survival of Brugia malayi microfilariae and abrogated microfilariae‐specific IgM responses. In this study we show that MBL‐A deficiency does not alter immunity to either Trichuris muris or Schistosoma mansoni. However, anti‐nematode IgM levels were significantly lower in T. muris infected MBL‐A−/– than wild‐type mice. Interestingly nematode‐specific IgG1 and IgG2a levels were higher in MBL‐A−/– mice. Although, larval schistosomes are surrounded by a complement‐sensitive membranous tegument, neither adult worm development, egg output, egg granuloma size nor cellular composition was affected in MBL‐A−/– mice. In contrast to anti‐nematode IgM responses, anti‐schistosome IgM (and also IgG1 and IgG2b) responses were unaltered from wild‐type mice. Anti‐schistosome IgG2a was elevated, while IgG3 was significantly lowered, in MBL‐A−/– mice. These results suggest that MBL‐A is not a necessary component for immunity to either T. muris or S. mansoni helminths, however, MBL‐A appears to be necessary for the development of specific IgM responses to nematode antigens.
Immunomodulatory effect of Hypoderma lineatum antigens: in vitro effect on bovine lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production
Authors: PANADERO R. , DACAL V. , LÓPEZ C. , VÁZQUEZ L. , CIENFUEGOS S. , DÍAZ P. , MORRONDO P. , DÍEZ‐BAÑOS P. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY This study examines the immunomodulatory effect of a crude larval extract (CLE), obtained from first stage larvae (L1) of H. lineatum, and the purified fractions hypodermin A (HyA), HyB and HyC. Proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from uninfested and previously infested cattle and the production of the cytokines IL‐10, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ, in response to concanavalin A (Con A), were determined. The stimulation index of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from uninfested cattle was significantly lower than that from infested animals with the different antigens assayed. The HyA was the antigen that most inhibited the proliferative response, followed by the HyB, the HyC and the CLE. This hypodermin provoked an increase of IFN‐γ and a suppression of IL‐10 production that would support a Th1‐like cytokine response. The HyB reduced the production of IL‐10 stimulated by the Con A in cultures from infested animals. The HyC did not modulate the production of cytokines. Finally, the CLE induced a marked suppression in the production of the different cytokines in cultures from naïve and previously sensitized animals. Our results indicate that Hypoderma larval secretions are comprised of different components (hypodermins) that individually induce distinct but partially overlapping modulatory responses.
CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS OF CENTRALLY ADMINISTERED ARACHIDONIC ACID IN HAEMORRHAGE‐INDUCED HYPOTENSIVE RATS: INVESTIGATION OF A PERIPHERAL MECHANISM
Authors: Yalcin Murat , Aydin Cenk 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY

The aims of the present study were to determine the cardiovascular effects of arachidonic acid (AA) and to investigate the peripheral mechanisms mediating these effects in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive rats.
Acute haemorrhage was induced by withdrawing a total volume of 2.2 mL blood/100 g bodyweight over a period of 10 min. Rats were then injected with 75–300 µg, i.c.v., AA and cardiovascular changes were monitored over the next 60 min. Plasma catecholamine and vasopressin levels, as well as plasma renin activity (PRA), were measured 10 min after injection of 150 µg AA in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive awake rats. In addition, rats were pretreated with saline (1 mL/kg, i.v.), the vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist [β‐mercapto‐β,β‐cyclopentamethylenepropionyl1,O‐Me‐Tyr2,Arg8]‐vasopressin (10 µg/kg, i.v.), the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (500 µg/kg, i.v.), the non‐specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist saralasin (250 µg/kg, i.v.) or a combination of these three antagonists 5 min before injection of AA (150 µg, i.c.v.). The effects of these antagonists on responses to AA were determined.
Arachidonic acid caused dose‐ and time‐dependent increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate and reversed hypotension in haemorrhaged rats. Haemorrhage itself produced an increase in plasma catecholamine and vasopressin levels, as well as PRA; injection of AA produced further increases in these parameters, ranging from 39–123%, under hypotensive conditions. Under hypotensive conditions, pretreatment of rats with all three receptor antagonists produced similar partial blockade of the pressor response to AA, but not the increase in heart rate. Moreover, combined administration of all three receptor antagonists prior to the i.c.v. injection of 150 µg AA completely abolished the pressor response to AA in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive rats.
These results indicate that centrally administered AA reverses hypotension by increasing blood pressure and heart rate in the hypotensive setting. The observed increases in plasma catecholamine and vasopressin levels, as well as PRA, mediate the pressor response to AA in haemorrhage‐induced hypotensive rats.
NERVE GRAFTING AT THE TIME OF RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: SHOULD WE BE DOING IT?
Authors: Mancuso Pascal , Rashid Prem 
Published: October 2008

Background:  With increasing numbers of younger men being diagnosed with prostate cancer and subsequently undergoing radical prostatectomy, there is an increasing focus on quality of life postoperatively, especially potency. In patients with locally advanced disease, it has been suggested that use of nerve grafts at the time of radical prostatectomy may improve potency. The technique was first described in 1999 and several papers have been published about its utility. However, there is still controversy over its use because of the lack of any large, blinded trials, the anatomy of the cavernous nerves and the necessity of excising the neurovascular bundles (especially bilaterally). In addition, the results achieved with nerve grafting, a procedure not without significant morbidity and mortality, do not exceed those produced by surgeons carrying out nerve‐sparing procedures.Results:  In the published work reviewed, erections sufficient to produce vaginal penetration following unilateral nerve grafting (with contralateral nerve sparing) were evident in 41.7–63.6% of patients. This is similar to the rates of 23–64% with unilateral nerve sparing alone. The rates of erectile function sufficient to produce vaginal penetration following bilateral nerve grafting were 34–72%, whereas it is widely accepted that very few men without nerve grafting would have any degree of potency.Conclusions:  Currently, there does not appear to be a widespread role for nerve grafting at the time of radical prostatectomy.
IN‐HOSPITAL OUTCOMES AND HOSPITAL RESOURCE UTILIZATION OF HIP REPLACEMENT PROCEDURES
Authors: Urquhart Donna M. , Hanna Fahad , Graves Stephen , Wang Yuanyuan , Cameron Peter , Hannaford Andrew , Cicuttini Flavia M. 
Published: October 2008

Background:  Although the incidence of hip replacement surgery is rapidly increasing, there are few data describing the hospital resource utilization associated with these procedures. We aimed to examine the in‐hospital outcomes and resource utilization of primary and revision hip replacement.Methods:  We analysed data from the 2005/2006 Victorian Admitted Episodes Database that included one or more of the International Classification of Diseases procedure codes for hip replacement. Demographic parameters and in‐hospital outcomes, including length of stay, duration of intensive/coronary care and discharge destination, were examined.Results:  A total of, 7724 separations had a hip replacement. Primary procedures accounted for 86.8% of all separations. Of these, 79.3% were total hip replacements and the remainder were partial hip replacements. Most partial hips were managed (81.6%) and funded (60.0%) within the public system, whereas revisions were largely managed privately (59.0%). Revisions had less satisfactory outcomes than primary total hips, with 22.9% more revisions remaining in hospital for more than a week (P < 0.0001), 14.6% more requiring intensive care (P < 0.0001) and 10.9% less being discharged to a private residence (P < 0.001) (adjusting for confounders). Although primary partial and revision replacements accounted for only 16.8 and 13.2% of all hip replacements, they utilised up to 27.5 and 34.6% of hospital resources, respectively.Conclusion:  Partial and revision hip replacements are resource intensive for the public and private health‐care systems, respectively. It is imperative that strategies to reduce the incidence of these procedures are implemented, as failure to do so will have important implications for the allocation of health‐care funding.
RESULTS OF AN AGGRESSIVE SURGICAL APPROACH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POSTOPERATIVE PERITONITIS
Authors: Khamphommala Litavan , Parc Yann , Bennis Malika , Ollivier Jean‐Marie , Dehni Nidal , Tiret Emmanuel , Parc Rolland 
Published: October 2008

Background:  Treatment of postoperative peritonitis (POP) necessitates adequate control of the source of peritoneal contamination. For most patients, a surgical approach to this requires reoperation to restore intestinal continuity. The aim of this study was to audit our results for the surgical treatment of POP.Methods:  Medical records of patients treated for POP using a standardized surgical protocol in a dedicated intensive care unit at the Saint‐Antoine Hospital between 1995 and 2003 were reviewed. The aim of the study was to consider the effectiveness of our surgical protocol in the eradication of all sources of peritoneal contamination in patients presenting with POP.Results:  There were 87 patients (34 women, mean age of 58.4 ± 14.7) with a mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 17.2 ± 4.7 (median 16.5, range 9–28). Eight patients died and there were complications in 60 patients. Nine patients of the 79 survivors either did not require or could not have an operation to restore intestinal continuity. Intestinal continuity was re‐established through a parastomal incision for 26 patients, whereas 44 patients required a further laparotomy. Two patients of the latter group died and 11 patients had a complication. It was not possible to restore intestinal continuity at laparotomy for one patient.Conclusion:  An aggressive surgical approach, as reported in this series, including stoma formation whenever possible, diversion or intubation, provides effective control of the source of peritoneal contamination. Restoration of intestinal continuity is possible in most patients. The overall mortality rate for this treatment is 11.5%.
Multifunctional fibre optic sensors monitoring strain and ultrasound
Authors: THURSBY G. , CULSHAW B. , BETZ D. C. 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTKnowledge of the size and location of a defect together with the load history of the appropriate part of a structure can provide valuable data from which the lifetime of that structure can be predicted. In this paper, a sensor that can be configured to fulfil both of these functions is described. The use of fibre Bragg gratings (FBG) to measure static strain and the very small, high‐frequency in‐plane strains that are associated with the propagation of an ultrasound wave are described. Investigation of their directional characteristics is also carried out and it is demonstrated that by configuring three or more of these sensors into a rosette, static strain mapping and the calculation of the direction of an incident acoustic wave can be achieved. Extending this technique by using two or more rosettes allows the source of an acoustic wave to be determined and thereby the location of a hole, which can be considered to be a passive source.
Understanding movement data and movement processes: current and emerging directions
Authors: Schick Robert S. , Loarie Scott R. , Colchero Fernando , Best Benjamin D. , Boustany Andre , Conde Dalia A. , Halpin Patrick N. , Joppa Lucas N. , McClellan Catherine M. , Clark James S. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAnimal movement has been the focus on much theoretical and empirical work in ecology over the last 25 years. By studying the causes and consequences of individual movement, ecologists have gained greater insight into the behavior of individuals and the spatial dynamics of populations at increasingly higher levels of organization. In particular, ecologists have focused on the interaction between individuals and their environment in an effort to understand future impacts from habitat loss and climate change. Tools to examine this interaction have included: fractal analysis, first passage time, Lévy flights, multi‐behavioral analysis, hidden markov models, and state‐space models. Concurrent with the development of movement models has been an increase in the sophistication and availability of hierarchical bayesian models. In this review we bring these two threads together by using hierarchical structures as a framework for reviewing individual models. We synthesize emerging themes in movement ecology, and propose a new hierarchical model for animal movement that builds on these emerging themes. This model moves away from traditional random walks, and instead focuses inference on how moving animals with complex behavior interact with their landscape and make choices about its suitability.
Organic versus conventional management in an apple orchard: effects of fertilization and tree‐row management on ground‐dwelling predaceous arthropods
Authors: Miñarro M. , Espadaler X. , Melero V. X. , Suárez‐Álvarez V. 
Published: October 2008

Abstract1 Organic and conventional management of apple orchards may have a different effect on arthropod communities.2 We conducted a 3‐year study to assess the effect of two strategies of fertilizer treatment (organic versus chemical) and three tree‐row management systems (straw mulching, tillage and herbicide) on activity‐density and biodiversity of epigeic predators. Ground beetles (Carabidae), rove beetles (Staphylinidae), ants (Formicidae) and spiders (Araneae) were sampled monthly with pitfall traps in the same apple orchard during 2003, 2004 and 2005.3 A total of 4978 individuals were collected. Carabids (56.8% of the total catches) were the most abundant taxonomic group, followed by spiders (20.7%), ants (14.8%) and rove beetles (7.7%). Tree‐row management had a greater influence on predator catches than fertilizer treatment. Total predator catches were lower under the mulch. Mulching also reduced carabid abundance, but increased staphylinid catches.4 Tree row management also had a significant effect on biodiversity parameters. Species richness did not significantly differ among treatments for ants, spiders or the total catches, but was higher on herbicide‐treated plots for carabids and on mulched plots for staphylinids. Shannon–Wiener’s diversity index was significantly greater in the mulched and herbicide treated plots for total predators and carabids. For staphylinids, this index was significantly greater on the mulched plots. Fertilizer application strategy only influenced the species richness of rove beetles, which was greater in the chemically‐treated plots.5 The results showed that a change from conventional to organic fertilizer treatment of apple trees may be performed without differential effects on predator activity‐density or biodiversity. However, a change from herbicide treatment to mulching or mechanical weed control may be significant, depending on the taxonomic group.
Investor Sentiment and Corporate Disclosure
Authors: BERGMAN NITTAI K. , ROYCHOWDHURY SUGATA 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates how firms react strategically to investor sentiment via their disclosure policies in an attempt to influence the sentiment‐induced biases in expectations. Proxying for sentiment using the Michigan Consumer Confidence Index, we show that during low‐sentiment periods, managers increase forecasts to “walk up” current estimates of future earnings over long horizons. In contrast, during periods of high sentiment, managers reduce their long‐horizon forecasting activity. Further, while there is an association between sentiment and the biases in analysts' estimates of future earnings, management disclosures vary with sentiment even after controlling for analyst pessimism, indicating that managers attempt to communicate with investors at large, and not just analysts. Our study provides evidence that firms' long‐horizon disclosure choices reflect managers' desire to maintain optimistic earnings valuations.
CRYPTIC DIVERSITY AND PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THEMASTOCARPUS PAPILLATUSSPECIES COMPLEX (RHODOPHYTA, PHYLLOPHORACEAE)1
Authors: Lindstrom Sandra C. 
Published: October 2008

Mastocarpus papillatus(C. Agardh) Kütz. is a common intertidal red alga occurring along the west coast of North America from Baja California to Alaska. Sequencing of both the chloroplast‐encodedrbcL gene and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ∼200 specimens from California to Alaska revealed thatM. papillatusis actually a complex of at least five species. All five species have high bootstrap support in phylogenetic analyses of both genetic regions, and in the case of the ITS marker, the species also have distinctive patterns of indels. Three of the species are localized in the mid‐ to upper intertidal, whereas two of the species occur in the low intertidal. The species also have different geographic ranges that overlap in the Vancouver Island area of British Columbia. No distinctive, reliable morphological differences were observed among the species. Although a variety of names are available for species in the complex, it is not yet clear which name goes with which species. As part of the survey, I also sequenced other species ofMastocarpusin the northeast Pacific region, and I provide new distribution records forM. jardinii( J. Agardh) J. A. West and for a nonpapillate and probably undescribed species ofMastocarpus.
Factors Associated with Antimicrobial Use in Nursing Homes: A Multilevel Model
Authors: Benoit Stephen R. , Nsa Wato , Richards Chesley L. , Bratzler Dale W. , Shefer Abigail M. , Steele Lynn M. , Jernigan John A. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVES: To describe antimicrobial prescribing patterns in nursing homes.DESIGN: Retrospective, observational study.SETTING: Total of 73 nursing homes in four U.S. states; study period was from September 1, 2001, through February 28, 2002.PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand seven hundred eighty nursing home residents.MEASUREMENTS: Number and type of antimicrobials, indication for their use, and resident and facility factors associated with antimicrobial use in nursing homes.RESULTS: Of 4,780 residents, 2,017 (42%) received one or more antibiotic courses. Overall, residents received a mean of 4.8 courses/1,000 resident‐days (mean facility range 0.4–23.5). In multivariable analysis, higher probability of nursing home discharge and of being categorized in the rehabilitation, extensive services, special care, or clinically complex Resource Utilization Groups were associated with higher rates of antimicrobial usage. Three drug classes accounted for nearly 60% of antimicrobial courses—fluoroquinolones (38%), first‐generation cephalosporins (11%), and macrolides (10%). The most common conditions for which antimicrobials were prescribed were respiratory tract (33%) and urinary tract (32%) infections.CONCLUSION: Antibiotic use is variable in nursing homes. Targeting educational and other antimicrobial use interventions to the treatment of certain clinical diagnoses and conditions may be an appropriate strategy for optimizing antimicrobial use in this setting.