bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does nutritional intervention for patients with hip fractures reduce postoperative complications and improve rehabilitation?
Authors: Gunnarsson Anna‐Karin , Lönn Katarina , Gunningberg Lena 
Published: January 2009

Aims and objectives.  The aims were to investigate whether there were any differences between patients receiving nutritional intervention preoperatively and over five days postoperatively and patients who did not, in terms of postoperative complications, rehabilitation, length of stay and food and liquid intake.Background.  Patients with hip fractures are often malnourished at admission to hospital and they typically do not receive the energy and calories needed postoperatively.Design.  The design was a quasi‐experimental, pre‐ and post‐test comparison group design without random group assignment.Methods.  One hundred patients with hip fractures were consecutively included. The control group (n = 50) received regular nutritional support. The intervention group (n = 50) received nutrition according to nutritional guidelines. The outcome measures used were risk of pressure ulcer, pressure ulcers, weight, nosocomial infections, cognitive ability, walking assistance and functional ability, collected preoperatively and five days postoperatively. Each patient’s nutrient and liquid intake were assessed daily for five days postoperatively.Results.  Significantly fewer (p = 0·043) patients in the intervention group (18%) had pressure ulcers five days postoperatively compared with the control group (36%). Nutrient and liquid intake was significantly higher (p < 0·001) in the intervention group. Median length of stay decreased from nine to seven days (p = 0·137), as did nosocomial infections, from 18–8·7% (p = 0·137).Conclusion.  Patients with hip fractures receiving nutrition according to nutritional guidelines developed fewer pressure ulcers. This is invaluable to patients’ quality of life and a major economic saving for society.Relevance to clinical practice.  Great benefits can be gained for the patients through modest efforts by nurses and physicians such as nutritional intervention.
An experimental study on four kinds of Chinese herbal medicines containing alkaloids using fluorescence microscope and microspectrometer
Authors: LIANG Z. , CHEN H. , ZHAO Z. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryIn order to find a useful method for uniting the identification and quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine, the techniques of fluorescence microscopy and microspectrometer were firstly applied to authenticate four kinds of herbal medicines, Caulis Sinomenii, Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis and Rhizoma Menispermi, as well as to measure the distribution of alkaloids in their cross‐sections. The results showed that the fluorescence microscopic characteristics and the fluorescence emission spectra of the same tissues from the four kinds of Chinese herbal medicine were different, for example, the cortex of Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis emitted blue fluorescence instead of the yellow of Rhizoma Coptidis observed with emission filter of long‐pass 397 nm, which could be effective to identify them. Furthermore, alkaloids, as active components of the above herbal medicines, were distributed in each part of herbal tissue but their fluorescence intensities in different parts of tissue were different. The results indicated that fluorescence microscope combined with microspectrometer could be a helpful method for identification and quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine.
Ultramicrotomy in the ESEM, a versatile method for materials and life sciences
Authors: ZANKEL A. , KRAUS B. , POELT P. , SCHAFFER M. , INGOLIC E. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryWe here present the results of the first materials science analyses obtained with the prototype of a serial block‐face sectioning and imaging tool, 3View™ of Gatan, Inc (Pleasanton, CA, U.S.A.). It is a specially designed ultramicrotome operating in situ within an environmental scanning electron microscope originally developed for life science research. The microtome removes thin slices from the sample and the environmental scanning electron microscope images each new block surface of the specimen (serial block‐face scanning electron microscopy). The Schottky emitter (FEG) of the microscope delivers high spatial resolution and has the advantage of stable performance and high durability. The slice thickness can typically be selected between 50 and 100 nm. It is possible to cut hundreds of slices and simultaneously acquire images with Digital Micrograph™ Model 700 (Gatan, Inc.). This article outlines the set‐up and describes the automated process. The preparation of specimens for in situ ultramicrotomy is explained and the parameters for good image quality are discussed. In addition, special operative and analytic features of the controlling software are presented. Three different technical materials and one botanical specimen were analyzed delivering first results of this method for materials science and for botany.
Goal‐directed fluid therapy: stroke volume optimisation and cardiac dimensions in supine healthy humans
Authors: JANS Ø. , TOLLUND C. , BUNDGAARD‐NIELSEN M. , SELMER C. , WARBERG J. , SECHER N. H. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Based on maximisation of cardiac stroke volume (SV), peri‐operative individualised goal‐directed fluid therapy improves patient outcome. It remains, however, unknown how fluid therapy by this strategy relates to filling of the heart during supine rest as reference for the anaesthetised patient and whether the heart becomes distended. To answer these questions, this study related SV to the diastolic filling of the heart while varying central blood volume (CBV) between hypo‐ and hyper‐volaemia, simulating bleeding, and fluid loading, respectively, when exposing healthy human subjects to head‐up (HUT) and head‐down tilt (HDT).Methods: Twelve healthy volunteers underwent graded tilt from 20° HDT to 30° HUT. The end‐diastolic dimensions of the heart were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography with independent evaluation of SV by Modelflow. The CBV was monitored by thoracic electrical admittance, central venous oxygenation and pressure, and arterial plasma atrial natriuretic peptide. Also, muscle and brain oxygenation were assessed by near infrared spectroscopy (n=7).Results: The HUT reduced the mentioned indices of CBV, the end‐diastolic dimensions of the heart, and SV. Conversely, HDT‐enhanced tissue oxygenation and the diastolic filling of the heart, but not SV.Conclusions: In healthy supine humans, the heart is provided with a volume that is sufficient to secure a maximal SV without distending the heart. The implication for individualised goal‐directed fluid therapy is that when a maximal SV is established for patients, cardiac pre‐load is comparable to that of supine healthy subjects.
Blood volume is normal after pre‐operative overnight fasting
Authors: JACOB M. , CHAPPELL D. , CONZEN P. , FINSTERER U. , REHM M. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Pre‐operative fasting is assumed to cause a deficit in intravascular blood volume (BV), as a result of ongoing urine production and insensible perspiration. Standard regimes consist of volume loading prior or simultaneous to any anaesthetic procedure to minimise the risk of hypotension. However, fluid overload in the context of major abdominal surgery has been shown to deteriorate patient outcome. Our study aimed to quantify total intravascular BV after fasting by direct measurements and to compare it with calculated normal values in comparable non‐fasted patients.Methods: After 10 h of fasting, total plasma volume (PV) and red cell volume (RCV) were measured via the double‐label technique (indocyanine green dilution and erythrocytes labelled with fluorescein, respectively) following induction of general anaesthesia in 53 gynaecological patients suffering from malignoma of the cervix. The corresponding normal values were calculated individually from age, body height and body weight.Results: Measured BV, RCV and PV after fasting were 4123±589, 1244±196 and 2879±496 ml, respectively. The differences to the corresponding calculated normal values were not significant (3882±366, 1474±134 and 2413±232 ml, respectively). The measured haematocrit reflected a slight anaemic state (0.35±0.03).Conclusion: Our data suggest that even after prolonged pre‐operative fasting, cardio‐pulmonary healthy patients remain intravascularly normovolaemic. Therefore, hypotension associated with induction of general or neuraxial anaesthesia should perhaps be treated with moderate doses of vasopressors rather than with undifferentiated volume loading.
No morphine sparing effect of ketamine added to morphine for patient‐controlled intravenous analgesia after uterine artery embolization
Authors: JENSEN L. L. , HANDBERG G. , HELBO‐HANSEN H. S. , SKAARUP I. , LOHSE T. , MUNK T. , LUND N. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Pain following embolization of the uterine arteries (UAEs) is variable and may be very severe requiring large doses of parenteral opioids for relief. The present study tested the hypothesis that the addition of ketamine to IV patient‐controlled morphine reduces the amount of morphine required for pain‐control during the first 24 h after UAE embolization.Methods: Fifty‐six patients undergoing UAE embolization for treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomata were randomized to receive either 2 mg/ml of morphine (Control group, n=30) or 2 mg/ml of both morphine and ketamine (Ketamine group, n=26) by IV patient‐controlled analgesia (IV‐PCA). Pump settings were bolus dose 1 ml, lockout 10 min, no background infusion. In addition, all patients received diclofenac and acetaminophen for pain relief. Pain scores, morphine consumption and adverse events like nausea, vomiting, itching, visual disturbances, anxiety, dreaming and hallucinations, if any, were recorded for 24 h after embolization.Results: The mean ± SD 24‐h consumption of patient‐controlled morphine was 38.3 ± 21.0 mg in the Ketamine group vs. 33.3 ± 18.3 mg in the Control group (NS). The difference between the means was 5.0 mg (95% confidence interval: −5.7; 15.6). One patient in the Ketamine group vs. none in the Control group experienced auditory hallucinations.Conclusion: Studying an unselected group of patients undergoing embolization of the UAEs for treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomata under conditions of basal analgesia with acetaminophen and diclofenac, we failed to demonstrate any morphine‐sparing effect of IV‐PCA ketamine and morphine compared with IV‐PCA morphine alone.
Anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α therapy is associated with less frequent mood and anxiety disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Uguz Faruk , Akman Cemal , Kucuksarac Seher , Tufekci Osman 
Published: January 2009

Aims:  The purpose of the present study was to examine the current prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders, and factors related to mood and anxiety disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Method:  The study sample included 83 consecutive patients with RA who were admitted to a rheumatology outpatient clinic. Diagnoses of psychiatric disorders were determined using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (SCID‐I). To assess physical disability and disease activity, the Health Assessment Questionnaire and the Disease Activity Score, respectively, were used.Results:  The prevalence of any mood or any anxiety disorder was 43.4%. The two most common psychiatric diagnoses were major depression (21.7%) and generalized anxiety disorder (16.9%). Mood and anxiety disorders were unrelated to sociodemographic features, disease‐related factors, and medications for RA except anti‐tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). These disorders, however, were identified less frequently in patients with RA receiving anti‐TNF‐α drugs compared to patients who did not receive such medications.Conclusion:  Patients with RA frequently have mood and anxiety disorders, and anti‐TNF‐α drugs may be useful for the mental status of these patients.
Nicotine withdrawal‐induced deficits in trace fear conditioning in C57BL / 6 mice – a role for high‐affinity β2 subunit‐containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Raybuck J. D. , Gould T. J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractNicotine alters cognitive processes that include working memory and long‐term memory. Trace fear conditioning may involve working memory during acquisition while also allowing the assessment of long‐term memory. The present study used trace fear conditioning in C57BL/6 mice to investigate the effects of acute nicotine, chronic nicotine and withdrawal of chronic nicotine on processes active during acquisition and recall 24 h later and to examine the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes (nAChRs) involved in withdrawal deficits in trace fear conditioning. During training, acute nicotine (0.09 mg/kg) enhanced, but chronic nicotine (6.3 mg/kg/day, 13 days) and withdrawal of chronic nicotine (6.3 mg/kg/day, 12 days) had no significant effect on, acquisition of trace conditioning. At recall, acute treatment enhanced conditioning while chronic nicotine had no effect and withdrawal of chronic nicotine resulted in deficits. Antagonist‐precipitated withdrawal was used to characterize the nAChRs involved in the withdrawal deficits. The low‐affinity nAChR antagonist MLA (1.5, 3 or 9 mg/kg) had no effect on trace fear conditioning, but the high‐affinity nAChR antagonist DHβE (3 mg/kg) precipitated deficits in trace fear conditioning if administered at training or training and testing, but not if administered at testing alone. The β2 nAChR subunit is involved in the withdrawal effects as withdrawal of chronic nicotine produced deficits in trace fear conditioning in wildtype but not in β2‐knockout mice. Thus, nicotine alters processes involved in both acquisition and long‐term memory of trace fear conditioning, and high‐affinity β2 subunit‐containing nAChRs are critically involved in the effects of nicotine withdrawal on trace fear conditioning.
Activation of suprachiasmatic nuclei and primary visual cortex depends upon time of day
Authors: Vimal Ram L. P. , Pandey‐Vimal Manju‐Uma C. , Vimal Love‐Shyam P. , Frederick Blaise B. , Stopa Edward G. , Renshaw Perry F. , Vimal Shalini P. , Harper David G. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe human suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master biological clock, is a small (∼2 mm3) and deep structure located in the anterior hypothalamus. Previous methods do not allow in vivo study of the human SCN in a non‐invasive manner. Therefore, we explored blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD)‐functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with OFF–ON–OFF block‐designed visual stimuli to record the activities in the ‘SCN and peri SCN in the anterior hypothalamus’ (SCN+) and the primary visual area V1 using a 3T Siemens scanner and six normal subjects. We found that: (i) the BOLD‐fMRI response to light and the mean of percentage activation in the SCN+ at midday was significantly less than that at night; and (ii) the number of activated voxels in most of the visual area V1 at midday was significantly higher than that at night. We conclude that BOLD‐fMRI responses to light in the SCN+ and the V1 areas vary with time of day. This conclusion is consistent with: (i) the previously measured phase–response curve to light [J. Physiol., 549.3 (2003) 945] for the SCN activity at critical intensity threshold; and (ii) the interaction of the melanopsin‐based signals with the rod‐cone signals at the ‘giant’ retinal ganglion cells [Nature, 433 (2005) 749] for the V1 activity.
Relational and non‐relational memory – electrophysiological correlates of novelty detection, repetition detection and subsequent memory
Authors: Soei Eleonore , Bellebaum Christian , Daum Irene 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe dissociability of novelty detection in relational (RM) and non‐relational memory (NRM) is currently under debate. To further address the time courses and underlying brain correlates of novelty detection, event‐related potentials (ERPs) were analysed for encoding and retrieval on three memory tasks in healthy subjects. Spatial and non‐spatial RM as well as NRM were assessed separately. The ERPs related to RM and NRM were dissociable for hits and correct rejections in an early and late time window. An early old/new effect was observed for NRM. A late old/new effect replicated the frequently reported recollection‐associated old/new effect in terms of direction and amplitudes. Four different novelty types (spatial relational, non‐spatial relational, horizontal non‐relational and inverted non‐relational) were examined. The P3a related to novelty detection differed in horizontal vs. inverted distractors in NRM, but not in spatial vs. non‐spatial RM. ERPs for repetition detection (hits during retrieval) and also for subsequent hits (encoding phase) differed between RM and NRM. These findings are discussed in relation to potential brain correlates in RM and NRM during encoding and retrieval.
Involvement of Ngn2, Tbr and NeuroD proteins during postnatal olfactory bulb neurogenesis
Authors: Roybon Laurent , Deierborg Tomas , Brundin Patrik , Li Jia‐Yi 
Published: January 2009

AbstractPostnatal neurogenesis takes place in two brain regions, the hippocampus and the subventricular zone (SVZ). The transcriptional cascade controlling hippocampal neurogenesis has been described in detail; however, the transcriptional control of olfactory bulb neurogenesis is still not well mapped. In this study, we provide insights into the molecular events controlling postnatal olfactory bulb neurogenesis. We first show the existence of diverse neural stem cell/progenitor populations along the SVZ–rostral migratory stream (RMS) axis, focusing on those expressing the basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factor Mash1. We provide evidence that Mash1‐derived progenies generate oligodendrocytic and neuronal precursors through the transient expression of the bHLH transcription factors Olig2 and neurogenin2 (Ngn2), respectively. Furthermore, we reveal that Ngn2‐positive progenies express the T‐box transcription factors Tbr2 and Tbr1, which are usually present during cortical and hippocampal glutamatergic neuronal differentiation. We also highlight a cell population expressing another bHLH transcription factor, neuroD1 (ND1). The ND1‐positive cells are located in the SVZ–RMS axis and also co‐express Tbr2, Tbr1 and neuroD2. The observations that these cells incorporate bromodeoxyuridine and express both doublecortin and polysialylated form of neural cell adhesion molecule suggest that they are newborn neurons. Finally, using an in vitro assay, we demonstrate that Ngn2 and ND1 equally and exclusively direct differentiation of Mash1‐expressing precursors into calbindin‐expressing and calretinin‐expressing neurons, which are both neuronal subtypes normally found in the olfactory bulb. Taken together, our data illustrate that Ngn2, neuroD and Tbr transcription factors are involved in postnatal neurogenesis in the olfactory bulb.
Do different measures tap the same genetic influences? A multi‐method study of activity level in young twins
Authors: Saudino Kimberly J. 
Published: January 2009

Abstract Activity level (AL) is a highly salient feature of child behaviour that has been linked to developmental outcome. Twin studies of parent‐rated, observer‐rated and mechanically assessed AL in childhood find that AL is genetically influenced. Few studies, however, consider whether different methods of assessing AL have a shared genetic etiology. Those that do, confound methods and situations. The present study examined whether actigraph and rater‐based (parent, observer) measures of AL tap the same genetic influences in a sample of 312 2‐year‐old twin pairs. Methods were studied within the same situation, thereby controlling for situational influences on AL. The genetic correlation between actigraph and parent‐rated AL in the home was .38, indicating modest genetic overlap between the two methods. In contrast, the correlation of genetic effects on actigraph and observer‐rated AL in the laboratory was .95, indicating that both laboratory‐based measures of AL are influenced by the same genetic effects.
Control in Pyramidal Structures
Authors: Levy Marc 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: Conceptual.Research Question/Issue: Shareholding structures are sometimes so complex that it can be difficult to know who are the actual owners and controllers of a firm. In particular, in continental Europe and Asia, control tunnelling appears frequently through pyramidal structures. Different methods exist to isolate control from ownership. This paper attempts to better understand these different models and their implications.Research Findings/Results: After describing ownership structure through a graph association, this paper analyzes the voting game at stake in the race for control. It compares existing methods and algorithms to identify the owners and controllers of a firm in a pyramidal structure without cross‐ownership. These different methods are then applied to the case of a Belgian retailer, Colruyt. The results are compared and the influence of a control threshold is analyzed. Furthermore, it shows how the ownership structure allows the Colruyt family to maintain control of the firm even if there is dissension within the family.Theoretical Implications: This study clarifies definitions of ownership structures and provides a better understanding of models that analyze ownership structure and their implications.Practical Implications: In practice, these models can help shareholders achieve a majority of voting rights in the general assembly by identifying who are the influential partners. Furthermore, the models provide a means for external parties to determine whether control of a firm is attainable, and if so, how. Established shareholders may also use these models to ascertain the optimal ownership structure that will preserve their control with a minimum level of investment.
Corporate Networks as Informal Governance Mechanisms: A Small Worlds Approach to Sweden
Authors: Stafsudd Anna 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTManuscript Type: EmpiricalResearch Question/Issue: It is proposed that informal governance mechanisms such as social control, in the form of norms and corporate networks, may complement formal governance mechanisms, such as laws, in providing investor protection.Research Findings/Results: A comparison of stock markets and investor protection for Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the UK, and US shows that the Swedish stock market is larger and more vital than would be expected from an evaluation of its formal investor protections. Subsequent analyses show that Scandinavian business standards are of the highest level, with the UK, the US, and Germany close behind, and Italy last. Comparison of owner networks using small world methodology show that whereas Germany has the most connected network, Sweden has a far tighter one than Denmark, Italy, the UK, and the US, being the least connected network of all.Theoretical Implications: The findings suggest that social norms upheld in a close network may complement formal investor protection, but perhaps not substitute for it. Thus, more research on the importance of informal governance mechanisms is called for in addition to the study of formal ones.Practical Implications: The results of this study strengthens the idea that there may not necessarily be one ideal corporate governance system, but that such systems develop historically according to path‐dependent antecedents, with time finding their own balance. As such, the recent diffusion of Anglo‐American corporate governance norms may prove upsetting to these systems, as their values may clash with already existing ones.