bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification, imaging, functional assessment and management of congenital coronary arterial abnormalities in children
Authors: Friedman Alan H. , Fogel Mark A. , Stephens Paul , Hellinger Jeffrey C. , Nykanen David G. , Tweddell James , Feltes Timothy F. , Rome Jonathan J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe coronary arteries, the vessels through which both substrate and oxygen are provided to the cardiac muscle, normally arise from paired stems, right and left, each arising from a separate and distinct sinus of the aortic valve. The right coronary artery runs through the right atrioventricular groove, terminating in the majority of instances in the inferior interventricular groove. The main stem of the left coronary artery bifurcates into the anterior descending, or interventricular, and the circumflex branches. Origin of the anterior descending and circumflex arteries from separate orifices from the left sinus of Valsalva occurs in about 1% of the population, while it is also frequent to find the infundibular artery arising as a separate branch from the right sinus of Valsalva.Anomalies of the coronary arteries can result from rudimentary persistence of an embryologic coronary arterial structure, failure of normal development or normal atrophy as part of development, or misplacement of connection of a an otherwise normal coronary artery. Anomalies, therefore, can be summarized in terms of abnormal origin or course, abnormal number of coronary arteries, lack of patency of the orifice of coronary artery, or abnormal connections of the arteries.Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary trunk occurs with an incidence of approximately 1 in 300,000 children. The degree of left ventricular dysfunction produced likely relates to the development of collateral vessels that arise from the right coronary artery, and provide flow into the left system. Anomalous origin of either the right or the left coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva can be relatively innocuous, but if the anomalous artery takes an interarterial course between the pulmonary trunk and the aorta, this can underlie sudden death, almost invariably during or immediately following strenuous exercise or competitive sporting events. Distal anomalies of the coronary arteries most commonly involve abnormal connections, or fistulas, between the right or left coronary arterial systems and a chamber or vessel.We discuss the current techniques available for imaging these various lesions, along with their functional assessment, concluding with a summary of current strategies for management.
The influence of Plato, Aristotle, and the ancient Polis on a programme for congenital cardiac surgery: the Virtuous Partnership
Authors: Mavroudis Constantine , Backer Carl L. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe problems that exist in maintaining a partnership in paediatric cardiac surgery are considerable. They relate to fairness in allocation of time for leisure, the apportioning of cases between the partners, internal competition between them, financial considerations, and promotion of the ego. In this review, we discuss our own experiences in maintaining a partnership over a period of more than 18 years, relating such a “virtuous partnership” to the writings of Plato and Aristotle, and setting it against the tenets of the ancient Greek polis.The polis, or city state, came to prominence in ancient Greece during the golden age of Pericles, this period seeing the initial evolution of Western philosophy, as well as numerous other scientific, artistic and architectural advances. The concept of the polis was to create a natural association with its citizens that nurtured all that is best in people, at the same time defining their character. In this respect, according to Plato, the person and the polis are mirror images. Aristotle then expanded this notion to incorporate the various forms of friendship, which he pointed out last only as long as the interrelated pleasure survives.Using these principles as the point of departure, we argue that cardiac surgeons should respect moral virtue in each other. Extending this process means that we should also respect, and celebrate, our relationships with affiliated physicians, nurses, perfusionists, administrators, and all concerned in the care of children with congenitally malformed hearts. In this way, we create a virtuous partnership for congenital cardiac surgery that promotes all that was good, as engendered in the ancient Greek polis.As we extend these observations to the modern world, we discuss some of the features that have permitted us to work so well together. One of the most important is a summoning and unwritten tenet that greets us as we enter the operating room, namely “check your ego at the door”. The operative choice should always be dictated by discussion, citations of literature, considered opinions, and relevance to the particular patient. Continuity of care should lead inexorably to the paediatric intensive care unit, where collegial relationships should be maintained with all those working therein. We need to recognize that there are various “captains of the ship”, who must work in harmony so as to bring the best possible care to our patients. We always endeavour to empower others to act on our behalf, based on their experience and training.Whether we have achieved our desired moral excellence, and produced the completed or perfected friendship, is for others to judge. From our stance, we believe we have created a favourable environment by hard work, unselfish attitudes, and celebration of our mutual accomplishments. We were not the first to forge this kind of professional association, and happily we will not be the last.
Cloning and pharmacological characterization of the guinea pig P2X7receptor orthologue
Authors: Fonfria E , Clay W C , Levy D S , Goodwin J A , Roman S , Smith G D , Condreay J P , Michel A D 
Published: November 2007

Background and purpose:The human, rat, and mouse P2X7receptors have been previously characterized, and in this study we report the cloning and pharmacological properties of the guinea pig orthologue.Experimental approach:A cDNA encoding for the guinea pig P2X7receptor was isolated from a guinea pig brain library. The receptor was expressed in U‐2 OS cells using the BacMam viral expression system. A monoclonal antibody was used to confirm high levels of cell surface expression and the functional properties were determined in ethidium bromide accumulation studies.Key results:The predicted guinea pig protein is one amino acid shorter than the human and rat orthologues and over 70% identical to the rat and human receptors. In contrast to human and rat P2X7receptors, 2′‐&3′‐O‐(4benzoylbenzoyl)ATP (BzATP) was a partial agonist of the guinea pig P2X7receptor when compared to ATP and acted as an antagonist in some assays. However, as at other species orthologues, BzATP was more potent than ATP. The guinea pig P2X7receptor possessed higher affinity for 1‐[N,O‐bis(5‐isoquinoline sulphonyl)‐N‐methyl‐L‐tyrosyl]‐4‐phenylpiperazine (KN62), suramin and Coomassie Brilliant Blue than human or rat P2X7receptors suggesting that it is pharmacologically different to other rodent or human P2X7receptors.Conclusions and implications:The guinea pig recombinant P2X7receptor displays a number of unique properties that differentiate it from the human, rat and mouse orthologues and this structural and functional information should aid in our understanding of the interaction of agonists and antagonist with the P2X7receptor.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 544–556; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707596; published online 26 November 2007
An integrated mid‐range theory of postpartum family development: a guide for research and practice
Authors: Christie Janice , Poulton Brenda C. , Bunting Brendan P. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTitle. An integrated mid‐range theory of postpartum family development: a guide for research and practiceAim. This paper is a report of a study to identify parents’ perceptions of postpartum family experiences.Background. There is a growing worldwide emphasis on family support. Government policy in the United Kingdom advocates a family‐centred approach in which a core universal postbirth service is offered to all families with additional support for parents of children with complex needs. Health visitors provide family postpartum care without an agreed theory directing or standardizing practice. There is a need to identify parental experiences to define family‐centred care.Method. A qualitative, exploratory approach was undertaken using a purposive sample of 17 postpartum families. Data were collected in one region of Northern Ireland in 2001–2002. Participants’ experiences and views were accessed during two focus groups with a total of seven participants, and six in‐depth interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted.Findings. One core theme, ‘thriving and surviving’, and three main themes, ‘baby nurture’, ‘life changes’, ‘coping and adapting resources’, were identified to describe how parents developed during the first 8‐week postpartum. These were influenced by the physical, the psychosocial and the environmental factors. The identified themes were mapped together to form an Integrated Mid‐Range Theory of Postpartum Parent Development.Conclusion. As parents need to negotiate successfully both present coping and future development during the postpartum period, there is a need for professionals to offer services that are orientated to holistic short‐ and long‐term well‐being. The findings, further to additional research, may be used by health visitors and other professionals to direct universal postpartum care.
Registered Nurses’ perceptions of their work and professional development
Authors: Hallin Karin , Danielson Ella 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTitle.  Registered Nurses’ perceptions of their work and professional development Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to elucidate Registered Nurses’ perceptions of their work and professional development 6 years after graduation.Background.  Nursing education and health care has rapidly changed in the last two decades. Education and experience are important components in Registered Nurses’ ability to promote a high quality of care, but a great deal depends on their work circumstances. This study emphasizes Registered Nurses’ view of their work in health care, at a time in their career when they have several years of experience.Method.  Data were collected in 2003 from in‐depth interviews with 15 Registered Nurses 6 years after their graduation. The interviews were semi‐structured and analysed with interpretive content analysis.Findings.  The findings revealed two themes and five sub‐themes. The first theme, An appropriate but demanding profession, consisted of two sub‐themes: ‘having found one’s niche’ and ‘growing old in nursing may be difficult’. The second theme, A profession with opportunities and obstacles, consisted of three sub‐themes: ‘being aware of Registered Nurses’ potential’, ‘having knowledge that is seldom made use of’ and ‘attaining professional growth is no matter of course’.Conclusion.  Keeping Registered Nurses’ satisfied and avoiding their dissatisfaction is crucial for both educators and employers. It is essential that employers give priority to Registered Nurses’ time with patients and to motivate and support them in professional development. Further intervention studies regarding a change of the balance between obstacles and opportunities are needed.
Warrior nurse: duality and complementarity of role in the operational environment
Authors: Griffiths Lauren , Jasper Melanie 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTitle.  Warrior nurse: duality and complementarity of role in the operational environment Aim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore the nature of military nursing in an environment of war, in particular the union of personal, professional and organizational tenets and to identify the actual or potential effect this had on the nursing role in this unique environment.Background.  The history of nursing is intrinsically linked with war. There is an irony to this relationship. Active involvement with military activities has provided a vehicle in which nursing has developed, albeit through fostering war, which itself destroys health and contravenes the ethos of nursing. Military nurses, one would assume, are able to reconcile the dichotomy existing between their caring role and being a member of an organization associated with conflict.Methods.  A grounded theory design was adopted and the data were collected from 1999 to 2002 using a series of in‐depth interviews and focus group with of 24 military nurses.Findings.  Three categories were identified: ‘It’s Just Different Levels’, ‘That Double Hat’ and ‘It’s Who We Are!’ The first illustrates the reality of conflict. ‘That Double Hat’ outlines the military nurses dual role: those of caring and the military. ‘It’s Who We Are!’ demonstrates the transition from nurse‐to‐warrior. These integrate to create the core category: ‘Caring for War: Transition to Warrior’.Conclusion.  The symbiotic relationship of carer and warrior arises as a consequence of strategies used by military nurses to embrace their dual role. Further research is needed to explore the essence of the caring role within a conflict zone from military and civilian perspectives.
Speciation reversal and biodiversity dynamics with hybridization in changing environments
Authors: SEEHAUSEN OLE , TAKIMOTO GAKU , ROY DENIS , JOKELA JUKKA 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA considerable fraction of the world's biodiversity is of recent evolutionary origin and has evolved as a by‐product of, and is maintained by, divergent adaptation in heterogeneous environments. Conservationists have paid attention to genetic homogenization caused by human‐induced translocations (e.g. biological invasions and stocking), and to the importance of environmental heterogeneity for the ecological coexistence of species. However, far less attention has been paid to the consequences of loss of environmental heterogeneity to the genetic coexistence of sympatric species. Our review of empirical observations and our theoretical considerations on the causes and consequences of interspecific hybridization suggest that a loss of environmental heterogeneity causes a loss of biodiversity through increased genetic admixture, effectively reversing speciation. Loss of heterogeneity relaxes divergent selection and removes ecological barriers to gene flow between divergently adapted species, promoting interspecific introgressive hybridization. Since heterogeneity of natural environments is rapidly deteriorating in most biomes, the evolutionary ecology of speciation reversal ought to be fully integrated into conservation biology.
Founding events in species invasions: genetic variation, adaptive evolution, and the role of multiple introductions
Authors: DLUGOSCH K. M. , PARKER I. M 
Published: November 2007

AbstractInvasive species are predicted to suffer from reductions in genetic diversity during founding events, reducing adaptive potential. Integrating evidence from two literature reviews and two case studies, we address the following questions: How much genetic diversity is lost in invasions? Do multiple introductions ameliorate this loss? Is there evidence for loss of diversity in quantitative traits? Do invaders that have experienced strong bottlenecks show adaptive evolution? How do multiple introductions influence adaptation on a landscape scale? We reviewed studies of 80 species of animals, plants, and fungi that quantified nuclear molecular diversity within introduced and source populations. Overall, there were significant losses of both allelic richness and heterozygosity in introduced populations, and large gains in diversity were rare. Evidence for multiple introductions was associated with increased diversity, and allelic variation appeared to increase over long timescales (~100 years), suggesting a role for gene flow in augmenting diversity over the long‐term. We then reviewed the literature on quantitative trait diversity and found that broad‐sense variation rarely declines in introductions, but direct comparisons of additive variance were lacking. Our studies of Hypericum canariense invasions illustrate how populations with diminished diversity may still evolve rapidly. Given the prevalence of genetic bottlenecks in successful invading populations and the potential for adaptive evolution in quantitative traits, we suggest that the disadvantages associated with founding events may have been overstated. However, our work on the successful invader Verbascum thapsus illustrates how multiple introductions may take time to commingle, instead persisting as a ‘mosaic of maladaptation’ where traits are not distributed in a pattern consistent with adaptation. We conclude that management limiting gene flow among introduced populations may reduce adaptive potential but is unlikely to prevent expansion or the evolution of novel invasive behaviour.
Functional biotic homogenization of bird communities in disturbed landscapes
Authors: Devictor Vincent , Julliard Romain , Clavel Joanne , Jiguet Frédéric , Lee Alexandre , Couvet Denis 
Published: November 2007

ABSTRACTAim  Worldwide, functional homogenization is now considered to be one of the most prominent forms of biotic impoverishment induced by current global changes. Yet this process has hardly been quantified on a large scale through simple indices, and the connection between landscape disturbance and functional homogenization has hardly been established. Here we test whether changes in land use and landscape fragmentation are associated with functional homogenization of bird communities at a national scale.Location  France.Methods  We estimated functional homogenization of a community as the average specialization of the species present in that community. We studied the spatial variation of this community specialization index (CSI) using 1028 replicates from the French Breeding Bird Survey along spatial gradients of landscape fragmentation and recent landscape disturbance, measured independently, and accounting for spatial autocorrelation.Results  The CSI was very sensitive to both measures of environmental degradation: on average, 23% of the difference in the CSI values between two sample sites was attributed to the difference in fragmentation and the disturbance between sites. This negative correlation between CSI and sources of landscape degradation was consistent over various habitats and biogeographical zones.Main conclusions  We demonstrate that the functional homogenization of bird communities is strongly positively correlated to landscape disturbance and fragmentation. We suggest that the CSI is particularly effective for measuring functional homogenization on both local and global scales for any sort of organism and with abundance or presence–absence data.
Clonal variation in shoot respiration and tree growth of Eucalyptus hybrids
Authors: Callister Andrew N. , Ades Peter K. , Arndt Stefan K. , Adams Mark A. 
Published: November 2007

Respiration rate and efficiency in growing tissues are major determinants of plant growth. We measured apical shoot respiration and tree growth in 3-year-old clones of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnhardt × Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maid. and Eucalyptus camaldulensis × Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Respiration was measured by isothermal calorimetry and the oxidation state of newly formed biomass was determined by elemental analysis. We found that the enthalpy change due to conversion of carbon substrate to biomass was too small for determining specific growth rate by an enthalpy balance model of respiration and growth. Negative phenotypic correlations were significant between respiration rate and basal area, height, volume, and volume growth. Genetic correlations between respiration rate and tree size or growth were mostly significant and estimates ranged from –0.55 to –1.02. Repeatability of the clone means was around 0.80 for respiration rate, 0.71–0.91 for summer growth, and in excess of 0.80 for tree size traits. The intraclass correlation for clones (within families) was 0.33 for rate of CO2 evolution and 0.45 for rate of metabolic heat evolution. Our results suggest considerable potential for altering respiration rate in breeding populations by selection, although the mechanisms linking respiration with growth require further investigation.
How do forest harvesting methods compare with wildfire? A case study of soil chemistry and tree nutrition in the boreal forest
Authors: Thiffault Evelyne , Bélanger Nicolas , Paré David , Munson Alison D. 
Published: November 2007

An important tenet of the natural disturbance paradigm as a basis for sustainable forest management is that impacts of interventions fall within the range of natural variation observed for the disturbance in question. We evaluated differences in soil nutrients, soil acid–base status, and tree nutrition between two harvesting methods (whole-tree (WTH) and stem-only (SOH)) and wildfire, 15–20 years after disturbance, to assess whether these harvesting methods have biogeochemical impacts that are within the natural range of variation caused by wildfires in boreal coniferous stands of Haute-Mauricie (Quebec). Both SOH and WTH created conditions of forest floor effective cation-exchange capacity, exchangeable Ca and K concentrations, base saturation, Ca:Al molar ratio, and organic C concentrations that were lower than the range of values for wildfires. We hypothesize that the immediate deposition of soluble base cations and the incorporation of recalcitrant organic matter that characterize wildfires generate biogeochemical conditions that are not emulated by either harvesting method. The improved soil nutritional environment after wildfire compared with SOH and WTH was reflected in jack pine ( Pinus banksiana Lamb.) foliar nutrient composition but not in black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) foliage. The results raise uncertainties about the long-term base nutrient availability of the harvested sites on Boreal Shield soils.
Validation and refinement of allometric equations for roots of northern hardwoods
Authors: Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Hamburg Steven P. , Yanai Ruth D. 
Published: November 2007

The allometric equations developed by Whittaker et al. (1974. Ecol. Monogr. 44: 233–252) at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest have been used to estimate biomass and productivity in northern hardwood forest systems for over three decades. Few other species-specific allometric estimates of belowground biomass are available because of the difficulty in collecting the data, and such equations are rarely validated. Using previously unpublished data from Whittaker’s sampling effort, we extended the equations to predict the root crown and lateral root components for the three dominant species of the northern hardwood forest: American beech ( Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), yellow birch ( Betula alleghaniensis Britt), and sugar maple ( Acer saccharum Marsh.). We also refined the allometric models by eliminating the use of very small trees for which the original data were unreliable. We validated these new models of the relationship of tree diameter to the mass of root crowns and lateral roots using root mass data collected from 12 northern hardwood stands of varying age in central New Hampshire. These models provide accurate estimates of lateral roots (<10 cm diameter) in northern hardwood stands >20 years old (mean error 24%–32%). For the younger stands that we studied, allometric equations substantially underestimated observed root biomass (mean error >60%), presumably due to remnant mature root systems from harvested trees supporting young root-sprouted trees.