bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anthracene‐Cored Dendrimer for Solution‐Processible Blue Emitter: Syntheses, Characterizations, Photoluminescence, and Electroluminescence
Authors: Zhao Li , Li Chun , Zhang Yong , Zhu Xu‐Hui , Peng Junbiao , Cao Yong 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSummary: A second‐generation blue fluorescent anthracene‐cored dendrimer EH‐G2AN was readily synthesized via a convergent method. Its monodispersity was confirmed by 1H NMR and MALDI‐TOF mass measurement. The peak emission of EH‐G2AN in a dilute CH2Cl2 solution was observed at 416 nm with a shoulder at 434 nm and moved to 418 nm in the solid film with the shoulder at 433 nm. The nearly “perfect” overlap of solution and solid emission spectra revealed the absence of molecular aggregations in the solid film, which was apparently suppressed by the presence of rigid and bulky 1,3,5‐phenylene‐based dendrons and 2‐ethylhexyloxy solubilizing peripheral groups. EH‐G2AN appeared strikingly stable with the onset decomposition temperature above 350 °C and remained at the high temperature of 428 °C where 5% weight loss occurred. The electroluminescent device [ITO/PEDOT:PSS/EH‐G2AN/Ba/Al] showed a peak emission at 442 nm and maximal external device efficiency of 0.82%@170 cd · m−2. After inserting a PVK layer between the hole injection layer and emitting layer, a maximal external device efficiency of 1.05%@184 cd · m−2 was obtained with a narrow FWHI of merely ca. 42 nm in the device configuration [ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVK/EH‐G2AN/Ba/Al].
magnified image
Mechanical and electrophysiological effects of endothelin‐1 on guinea‐pig isolated lower oesophageal sphincter circular smooth muscle
Authors: Imaeda Kenro , Trout Stephen J , Cunnane Thomas C 
Published: June 2006

The effects of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) on guinea‐pig lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) circular smooth muscle were investigated by using intracellular microelectrodes and isometric tension recording techniques.ET‐1 produced biphasic mechanical responses; an initial transient relaxation followed by a sustained contraction. The initial relaxation was not inhibited by either tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 μM) orL‐NG‐nitroarginine (L‐NOARG, 100 μM). The sustained contraction was greatly attenuated by nifedipine (1 μM).ET‐1 (1 – 30 nM) induced a concentration‐dependent hyperpolarisation that was unaffected by TTX orL‐NOARG. The ETAreceptor antagonist, BQ123 (0.3 μM) abolished the ET‐1‐induced hyperpolarisation, whereas the ETBreceptor antagonist, BQ788 (0.3 μM) had no detectable effect. Sarafotoxin S6c (10 nM) did not change the membrane potential.The ET‐1‐induced hyperpolarisation was abolished by apamin (0.1 μM). Interestingly, apamin abolished the ET‐1‐induced transient relaxation but potentiated the sustained contraction.In Ca2+‐free Krebs solution, the ET‐1‐induced hyperpolarisation was greatly attenuated and returned to the control value when the tissue was reperfused with Krebs solution containing Ca2+. The ET‐1‐induced hyperpolarisation was insensitive to nifedipine but was attenuated by SK&F 96365 (1 ‐ {β‐[3‐(4 ‐ methoxy ‐ phenyl)propoxy] ‐ 4 ‐ methoxyphenethyl} ‐ 1H‐imidazole hydrochloride, 50 μM), an inhibitor of receptor‐mediated Ca2+entry. The residual component of the ET‐1‐induced hyperpolarisation was sensitive to thapsigargin (1 μM).These results demonstrate that, in guinea‐pig LOS circular smooth muscle, ET‐1 hyperpolarizes the membrane by activating apamin‐sensitive K+channels, mainly as a result of receptor‐mediated Ca2+entry and partly by Ca2+release from intracellular stores. The hyperpolarisation triggers the initial transient relaxation, which acts to oppose the sustained contraction.British Journal of Pharmacology(2002)135, 197–205; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704426
Bi‐directional transport of GABA in human embryonic kidney (HEK‐293) cells stably expressing the rat GABA transporter GAT‐1
Authors: Sitte Harald H , Singer Ernst A , Scholze Petra 
Published: June 2006

Bi‐directional GABA‐transport was studied by performing uptake and superfusion experiments in human embryonic kidney 293 cells stably expressing the rat GABA transporter rGAT‐1.KMandVmaxvalues for [3H]‐GABA uptake were 11.7±1.8 μMand 403±55 pmol min−110−6cells (n=9), respectively.Kinetic analysis of outward transport was performed by pre‐labelling the cells with increasing concentrations of [3H]‐GABA and triggering outward transport with 333 μMGABA. Approximate apparentKMandVmaxvalues were 12 mMand 50 pmol min−110−6cells, respectively.GABA re‐uptake inhibitors (RI; e.g. tiagabine), as well as, substrates of the rGAT‐1 (e.g. GABA, nipecotic acid) concentration dependently decreased [3H]‐GABA uptake and increased efflux of [3H]‐GABA from pre‐labelled cells. The IC50values for inhibiting uptake and the EC50values for increasing efflux were significantly correlated (r2=0.99).On superfusion, RI antagonized the efflux‐enhancing effect of the substrates. The effect of the latter was markedly augmented in the presence of ouabain (100 μM), whereas the effect of RI remained unchanged. The most likely explanation for the release enhancing effect of RI is interruption of ongoing re‐uptake.The structural GABA‐analogue 2,4‐diamino‐n‐butyric acid (DABA) exhibited a bell‐shaped concentration response curve on [3H]‐GABA efflux with the maximum at 1 mM, and displayed a deviation from the sigmoidal inhibition curve in uptake experiments in the same concentration range. At concentrations below 1 mM, DABA inhibited [3H]‐GABA uptake non‐competitively, while at 1 mMand above the inhibition of uptake followed a competitive manner.The results provide information of GABA inward and outward transport, and document a complex interaction of the rGAT‐1 with its substrate DABA.British Journal of Pharmacology(2002)135, 93–102; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704446
Vasoconstriction is determined by interstitial rather than circulating angiotensin II
Authors: Schuijt Martin P , De Vries René , Saxena Pramod R , Schalekamp Maarten A D H , Danser A H Jan 
Published: June 2006

We investigated why angiotensin (Ang) I and II induce vasoconstriction with similar potencies, although Ang I‐II conversion is limited.Construction of concentration‐response curves to Ang I and II in porcine femoral arteries, in the absence or presence of the AT1or AT2receptor antagonists irbesartan and PD123319, revealed that the ∼2 fold difference in potency between Ang I and II was not due to stimulation of different AT receptor populations by exogenous and locally generated Ang II.Measurement of Ang I and II and their metabolites at the time of vasoconstriction confirmed that, at equimolar application of Ang I and II, bath fluid Ang II during Ang I was ∼18 times lower than during Ang II and that Ang II was by far the most important metabolite of Ang I. Tissue Ang II was 2.9±1.5% and 12.2±2.4% of the corresponding Ang I and II bath fluid levels, and was not affected by irbesartan or PD123319, suggesting that it was located extracellularly.Since ∼15% of tissue weight consists of interstitial fluid, it can be calculated that interstitial Ang II levels during Ang II resemble bath fluid Ang II levels, whereas during Ang I they are 8.8 – 27 fold higher. Consequently at equimolar application of Ang I and II, the interstitial Ang II levels differ only 2 – 4 fold.Interstitial, rather than circulating Ang II determines vasoconstriction. Arterial Ang I, resulting in high interstitial Ang II levelsviaits local conversion by ACE, may be of greater physiological importance than arterial Ang II.British Journal of Pharmacology(2002)135275–283; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704452
Role of the histidine residue at position 105 in the human α5 containing GABAAreceptor on the affinity and efficacy of benzodiazepine site ligands
Authors: Kelly M D , Smith A , Banks G , Wingrove P , Whiting P W , Atack J , Seabrook G R , Maubach K A 
Published: June 2006

A histidine residue in the N‐terminal extracellular region of α1,2,3,5 subunits of the human GABAAreceptor, which is replaced by an arginine in α4 and α6 subunits, is a major determinant for high affinity binding of classical benzodiazepine (BZ)‐site ligands. The effect of mutating this histidine at position 105 in the α5 subunit to an arginine (α5H105R) on BZ‐site pharmacology has been investigated using radioligand binding on HEK293 and L(tk‐) cells and two electrode voltage clamp recording onXenopusoocytes in which GABAAreceptors of subtypes α5, α5H105R, α4 and α6 were co‐expressed with β3γ2s.The classical BZs, diazepam and flunitrazepam (full agonists on the α5 receptor) showed negligible affinity and therefore negligible efficacy on α5H105R receptors. The β‐carbolines DMCM and βCCE (inverse agonists on the α5 receptor) retained some affinity but did not exhibit inverse agonist efficacy at α5H105R receptors. Therefore, the α5H105R mutation confers an α4/α6‐like pharmacology to the classical BZs and β‐carbolines.Ro15‐4513, flumazenil, bretazenil and FG8094, which share a common imidazobenzodiazepine core structure, retained high affinity and were higher efficacy agonists on α5H105R receptors than would be predicted from an α4/α6 pharmacological profile. This effect was antagonized by DMCM, which competes for the BZ‐site and therefore is likely to be mediatedviathe BZ‐site.These data indicate that the conserved histidine residue in the α subunit is not only a key determinant in the affinity of BZ‐site ligands on α5 containing GABAAreceptors, but also influences ligand efficacy.British Journal of Pharmacology(2002)135, 248–256; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0704459
Exposure to Tuberculosis among Newborns in a Nursery: Decision Analysis for Initiation of Prophylaxis
Authors: Berkowitz Frank E. , Severens Johan L. , Blumberg Henry M. 
Published: June 2006

Objective.Newborns in a hospital nursery were exposed to a mother whose sputum was direct-smear negative for acid-fast bacilli but culture positive forMycobacterium tuberculosis. Given the low risk for exposure, the high susceptibility of infants toM. tuberculosisinfection, and the possibility of hepatotoxicity due to isoniazid therapy, a decision analysis model was used to determine whether administration of isoniazid prophylaxis against tuberculosis is preferable to no administration of prophylaxis.Design.A decision analysis tree was constructed with software, using probabilities from the literature and costs from local health facilities. The expected values for each strategy were obtained, and sensitivity analyses were performed.Results.For the strategy in which prophylaxis was administered under direct observation (DO), the probability for survival was 0.999980. For the strategy in which no prophylaxis was administered, the probability of survival was 0.999950, which corresponds to 3 more deaths per 100,000 patients than with the DO prophylaxis strategy. The incremental cost-effectiveness of the DO prophylaxis strategy was $21,710,000 per death prevented. Sensitivity analysis for survival showed that the DO prophylaxis strategy was preferable to the strategy in which no prophylaxis is given if the probability of infection was >0.0002, the probability of tuberculous disease in an infected infant who did not receive prophylaxis was greater than 0.12, the probability of dying from tuberculosis was greater than 0.025, the probability of hepatotoxicity was less than 0.004, and the probability of dying from hepatotoxicity was less than 0.04. For the strategy in which prophylaxis was administered under non-DO conditions (ie, by parents), the incremental cost-effectiveness was $929,500 per death prevented, which is approximately 5% of the incremental cost-effectiveness of the DO prophylaxis strategy.Conclusion.This model provides a structure for determining the preferable prophylaxis strategies for different risks of exposure to tuberculosis in a nursery. Administration of prophylaxis is preferable to no administration of prophylaxis, unless the probability of infection is extremely low.
Measures to Control an Outbreak of Pertussis in a Neonatal Intermediate Care Nursery After Exposure to a Healthcare Worker
Authors: Bryant Kristina A. , Humbaugh Kraig , Brothers Kyle , Wright Judy , Pascual F. Brian , Moran John , Murphy Trudy V. 
Published: June 2006

Background.Hospitalized premature infants are particularly vulnerable to morbidity and mortality from pertussis. Effective prevention and investigative and control measures are not well described.Objective.To identify the source of nosocomial pertussis in a 2-month-old premature infant in a neonatal intermediate care nursery (ICN) and to critically review the investigation and outbreak control measures.Setting.An ICN and a neonatal intensive care unit.Methods.We queried healthcare workers (HCWs) and family members about cough illness and contacted potentially exposed patients to determine whether they had symptoms of pertussis. Culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing forBordetella pertussiswere performed by the hospital laboratory with specimens collected from symptomatic patients and HCWs. Levels of pertussis toxin immunoglobulin G antibodies were measured in HCWs with cough of at least 14 days' duration at a public health laboratory. Extensive control measures were instituted.Results.Four ICN HCWs met the clinical case definition for presence of pertussis. Serologic test results were positive for 3 of the HCWs. The primary case patient was a 36-year-old HCW with a cough illness of 3-weeks' duration that was accompanied by paroxysms, whoop, posttussive emesis, and pneumothorax. Among the 4 affected HCWs, the duration of cough illness prior to identification of the infant index patient ranged from 11 to 25 days. Outbreak control measures included isolation of the infant case patient, furlough and treatment of symptomatic HCWs, administration of chemoprophylaxis to contacts, and surveillance for additional cases. Seventy-two infant patients and 72 HCWs were exposed and were given antibiotic prophylaxis. One additional case of pertussis, confirmed by PCR and culture, occurred in a resident physician who declined prophylaxis; she had cared for the index patient but had no contact with symptomatic HCWs.Conclusion.HCWs or patients may serve as the source of pertussis in nosocomial outbreaks, which can result in substantial morbidity and outlay of resources for control measures. Our review suggested that a diagnosis of pertussis should be an early consideration for HCWs with cough illness. Targeted pertussis immunization of HCWs, employee health policies that provide for testing and furlough of HCWs with prolonged cough, and monitoring of HCWs for compliance with infection control measures could reduce the morbidity and costs associated with pertussis outbreaks. These measures will require evaluation of their effectiveness.
Oppression: The Fundamental Injustice of Social Institutions
Authors: Cudd Ann E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis chapter examines the use of the concept of oppression in political and philosophical discussions, and theories that attempt to explain it. From the genealogy of the concept, a general description of the harm of oppression and a set of paradigm cases are formulated. From a survey of theories that attempt to explain oppression, a set of questions that should be answered by a theory of oppression, and a survey of possible methodologies to employ in answering those questions are developed. An overview of the subsequent chapters is presented.
Violence as a Force of Oppression
Authors: Cudd Ann E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThis chapter argues that violence is and has always been a crucial component in the origin and maintenance of oppression. It explores how violence and the threat of violence constrain the actions of groups, harming the victims and benefiting the correlative privileged social groups. It argues that women as a group are oppressed materially through violence, and that there is a credible, psychologically effective threat of greater harm that is transmitted by the obvious material harm that they do suffer.
Systemic disease among cases of fatal opioid toxicity
Authors: Darke Shane , Kaye Sharlene , Duflou Johan 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACTAims To determine levels of systemic disease among cases of death due to opioid toxicity.Design Analysis of coronial cases.Setting Sydney, Australia.Cases A total of 841 cases of death due to opioid toxicity (1 January 1998–31 December 2002).Findings Ventricular hypertrophy was present in 5.9% of cases and severe coronary artery atherosclerosis in 5.7%. Severe coronary pathology was more pronounced among older cases. Pre‐existing bronchopneumonia was present in 13.2% of cases. Hepatic pathology was the most common type of pathology, and was far more marked among older cases. Cirrhosis was present in 25.3% of those aged > 44 years. Levels of renal pathology were comparatively low, but were related significantly to increasing age. Systemic disease in more than one organ system was present in 24.4% of cases, and was related to increasing age (44% of those aged > 44 years). The only pathology for which gender was an independent predictor among opioid cases was ventricular hypertrophy, more common in males.Conclusions Systemic disease, most prominently liver disease, is common among fatal opioid toxicity cases, and may be a factor in understanding the dynamics and age demographics of opioid‐related death.
Plica neuropathica in a 2‐year‐old boy
Authors: Kanwar Amrinder J. , De Dipankar 
Published: June 2006

Plica neuropathica is a rare acquired condition of sudden onset characterized by irreversible tangling of hair. It is sparsely reported in the literature, though it does not seem to be uncommon, at least in Hindu‐religious persons of India. However, it has not been previously reported in patients as young as 2 years of age, and consequently this fact warranted reporting.
Leukoaraiosis Predicts Hidden Global Functioning Impairment in Nondisabled Older People: The LADIS (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly) Study
Authors: Pantoni Leonardo , Poggesi Anna , Basile Anna Maria , Pracucci Giovanni , Barkhof Frederik , Chabriat Hugues , Erkinjuntti Timo , Ferro José M. , Hennerici Michael , O'Brien John , Schmidt Reinhold , Visser Marieke C. , Wahlund Lars‐Olof , Waldemar Gunhild , Wallin Anders , Inzitari Domenico ,   on behalf of the LADIS Study Group
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether leukoaraiosis severity is independently associated with differences in global functioning in nondisabled elderly patients.DESIGN: Cross‐sectional data analysis from an ongoing longitudinal multicenter and multinational study.SETTING: The Leukoaraiosis and Disability Study, a collaboration aimed at assessing leukoaraiosis as an independent predictor of the transition to disability in older people.PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty‐nine nondisabled subjects (288 men, 351 women, mean age±standard deviation 74.1±5.0) with magnetic resonance imaging–detected leukoaraiosis of different severity and presenting with one of the following: mild cognitive or motor disturbances, minor cerebrovascular events, or mood alterations or in whom leukoaraiosis was incidentally identified.MEASUREMENTS: Centralized assessment of leukoaraiosis severity according to the three severity degrees of the Fazekas scale; Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) Scale for measurement of global functioning.RESULTS: At baseline, 44% of participants had a mild, 31% a moderate, and 25% a severe degree of leukoaraiosis. A significant trend toward declining performance on the DAD Scale was apparent with increasing leukoaraiosis score severity (total score=98.8, 98.6, 97.5, respectively, in the three leukoaraiosis categories, analysis of variance P=.002). Similar trends were obtained for basic (P=.01) and instrumental (P<.001) function items. The statistical significance of these differences was confirmed in a multiple linear regression analysis correcting for numerous factors known to influence disability in older people. Executive function test performance declined along with increasing leukoaraiosis severity and was significantly related to DAD total score.CONCLUSION: Even in nondisabled elderly patients, levels of functional ability are related to white matter lesion severity. Executive dysfunction may mediate this relationship.
A 10‐year review of the occurrence and treatment of central giant cell granulomas, in a District General Hospital
Authors: Farrier S. L. , Farrier J. N. , Smart M. K. , Nash E. S. 
Published: June 2006

Background:  There is considerable variation in the clinical presentation, behaviour and radiological appearance of central giant cell granulomas (CGCGs), for which multiple treatment modalities have been suggested.Method:  A 10‐year retrospective review of the clinical presentation, radiological features and treatment received was undertaken.Results:  The cohort of patients included six males and three females, with an age range of 7–61 years. Six lesions were in the mandible and three in the maxilla. Eight lesions presented with swelling, three in relation to teeth. One case was an incidental finding. Six cases were confined within the cortical plates, one involved soft tissue. Radiological presentation was diverse, but within the existing confines of CGCGs. With one exception, primary treatment was surgical resection with excisional curettage of the remaining bone; to date, none have recurred.Conclusion:  Diagnosis relies on correct interpretation of clinical, radiographical and histopathological data. Alternative treatments are worthy of consideration, although surgical excision remains the treatment of choice.
Dependence of Soil Respiration on Soil Temperature and Soil Moisture in Successional Forests in Southern China
Authors: Tang Xu‐Li , Zhou Guo‐Yi , Liu Shu‐Guang , Zhang De‐Qiang , Liu Shi‐Zhong , Li Jiong , Zhou Cun‐Yu 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe spatial and temporal variations in soil respiration and its relationship with biophysical factors in forests near the Tropic of Cancer remain highly uncertain. To contribute towards an improvement of actual estimates, soil respiration rates, soil temperature, and soil moisture were measured in three successional subtropical forests at the Dinghushan Nature Reserve (DNR) in southern China from March 2003 to February 2005. The overall objective of the present study was to analyze the temporal variations of soil respiration and its biophysical dependence in these forests. The relationships between biophysical factors and soil respiration rates were compared in successional forests to test the hypothesis that these forests responded similarly to biophysical factors. The seasonality of soil respiration coincided with the seasonal climate pattern, with high respiration rates in the hot humid season (April‐September) and with low rates in the cool dry season (October‐March). Soil respiration measured at these forests showed a clear increasing trend with the progressive succession. Annual mean (±SD) soil respiration rate in the DNR forests was (9.0 ± 4.6) Mg CO2‐C/hm2per year, ranging from (6.1 ± 3.2) Mg CO2‐C/hm2per year in early successional forests to (10.7 ± 4.9) Mg CO2‐C/hm2 per year in advanced successional forests. Soil respiration was correlated with both soil temperature and moisture. The T/M model, where the two biophysical variables are driving factors, accounted for 74%‐82% of soil respiration variation in DNR forests. Temperature sensitivity decreased along progressive succession stages, suggesting that advanced‐successional forests have a good ability to adjust to temperature. In contrast, moisture increased with progressive succession processes. This increase is caused, in part, by abundant respirators in advanced‐successional forest, where more soil moisture is needed to maintain their activities.(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin Han)