bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Halothane Inhibition of Recombinant Cardiac L-type Ca2+ Channels Expressed in HEK-293 Cells
Authors: Gingrich Kevin J. , Tran Son , Nikonorov Igor M. , Blanck Thomas J. 
Published: November 2005

Background
Volatile anesthetics depress cardiac contractility, which involves inhibition of cardiac L-type calcium channels. To explore the role of voltage-dependent inactivation, the authors analyzed halothane effects on recombinant cardiac L-type calcium channels (alpha1Cbeta2a and alpha1Cbeta2aalpha2/delta1), which differ by the alpha2/delta1 subunit and consequently voltage-dependent inactivation.

Methods
HEK-293 cells were transiently cotransfected with complementary DNAs encoding alpha1C tagged with green fluorescent protein and beta2a, with and without alpha2/delta1. Halothane effects on macroscopic barium currents were recorded using patch clamp methodology from cells expressing alpha1Cbeta2a and alpha1Cbeta2aalpha2/delta1 as identified by fluorescence microscopy.

Results
Halothane inhibited peak current (I(peak)) and enhanced apparent inactivation (reported by end pulse current amplitude of 300-ms depolarizations [I300]) in a concentration-dependent manner in both channel types. alpha2/delta1 coexpression shifted relations leftward as reported by the 50% inhibitory concentration of I(peak) and I300/I(peak)for alpha1Cbeta2a (1.8 and 14.5 mm, respectively) and alpha1Cbeta2aalpha2/delta1 (0.74 and 1.36 mm, respectively). Halothane reduced transmembrane charge transfer primarily through I(peak) depression and not by enhancement of macroscopic inactivation for both channels.

Conclusions
The results indicate that phenotypic features arising from alpha2/delta1 coexpression play a key role in halothane inhibition of cardiac L-type calcium channels. These features included marked effects on I(peak) inhibition, which is the principal determinant of charge transfer reductions. I(peak) depression arises primarily from transitions to nonactivatable states at resting membrane potentials. The findings point to the importance of halothane interactions with states present at resting membrane potential and discount the role of inactivation apparent in current time courses in determining transmembrane charge transfer.
Effect of Labor Epidural Analgesia with and without Fentanyl on Infant Breast-feeding
Authors: Beilin Yaakov , Bodian Carol A. , Weiser Jane , Hossain Sabera , Arnold Ittamar , Feierman Dennis E. , Martin Gregory , Holzman Ian 
Published: November 2005

Background
The influence of labor epidural fentanyl on the neonate is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether epidural fentanyl has an impact on breast-feeding.

Methods
Women who previously breast-fed a child and who requested labor epidural analgesia were randomly assigned in a double-blinded manner to one of three groups: (1) no fentanyl group, (2) intermediate-dose fentanyl group (intent to administer between 1 and 150 microg epidural fentanyl), or (3) high-dose epidural fentanyl group (intent to administer > 150 microg epidural fentanyl). On postpartum day 1, the mother and a lactation consultant separately assessed whether the infant was experiencing difficulty breast-feeding, and a pediatrician assessed infant neurobehavior. All women were contacted 6 weeks postpartum to determine whether they were still breast-feeding.

Results
Sixty women were randomly assigned to receive no fentanyl, 59 were randomly assigned to receive an intermediate dose, and 58 were randomly assigned to receive high-dose fentanyl. On postpartum day 1, women who were randomly assigned to receive high-dose fentanyl reported difficulty breast-feeding (n = 12, 21%) more often than women who were randomly assigned to receive an intermediate fentanyl dose (n = 6, 10%), or no fentanyl (n = 6, 10%), although this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.09). There was also no significant difference among groups in breast-feeding difficulty based on the lactation consultant's evaluation (40% difficulty in each group; P = 1.0). Neurobehavior scores were lowest in the infants of women who were randomly assigned to receive more than 150 microg fentanyl (P = 0.03). At 6 weeks postpartum, more women who were randomly assigned to high-dose epidural fentanyl were not breast-feeding (n = 10, 17%) than women who were randomly assigned to receive either an intermediate fentanyl dose (n = 3, 5%) or no fentanyl (n = 1, 2%) (P = 0.005).

Conclusions
Among women who breast-fed previously, those who were randomly assigned to receive high-dose labor epidural fentanyl were more likely to have stopped breast-feeding 6 weeks postpartum than woman who were randomly assigned to receive less fentanyl or no fentanyl.
Frontal Slab Composite Magnetic Resonance Neurography of the Brachial Plexus
Authors: Raphael David T. , McIntee Diane , Tsuruda Jay S. , Colletti Patrick , Tatevossian Ray 
Published: November 2005

Background
Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is an imaging method by which nerves can be selectively highlighted. Using commercial software, the authors explored a variety of approaches to develop a three-dimensional volume-rendered MRN image of the entire brachial plexus and used it to evaluate the accuracy of infraclavicular block approaches.

Methods
With institutional review board approval, MRN of the brachial plexus was performed in 10 volunteer subjects. MRN imaging was performed on a GE 1.5-tesla magnetic resonance scanner (General Electric Healthcare Technologies, Waukesha, WI) using a phased array torso coil. Coronal STIR and T1 oblique sagittal sequences of the brachial plexus were obtained. Multiple software programs were explored for enhanced display and manipulation of the composite magnetic resonance images. The authors developed a frontal slab composite approach that allows single-frame reconstruction of a three-dimensional volume-rendered image of the entire brachial plexus. Automatic segmentation was supplemented by manual segmentation in nearly all cases. For each of three infraclavicular approaches (posteriorly directed needle below midclavicle, infracoracoid, or caudomedial to coracoid), the targeting error was measured as the distance from the MRN plexus midpoint to the approach-targeted site.

Results
Composite frontal slabs (coronal views), which are single-frame three-dimensional volume renderings from image-enhanced two-dimensional frontal view projections of the underlying coronal slices, were created. The targeting errors (mean +/- SD) for the approaches-midclavicle, infracoracoid, caudomedial to coracoid-were 0.43 +/- 0.67, 0.99 +/- 1.22, and 0.65 +/- 1.14 cm, respectively.

Conclusion
Image-processed three-dimensional volume-rendered MNR scans, which allow visualization of the entire brachial plexus within a single composite image, have educational value in illustrating the complexity and individual variation of the plexus. Suggestions for improved guidance during infraclavicular block procedures are presented.
A New Inguinal Approach for the Obturator Nerve Block
Authors: Choquet Olivier , Capdevila Xavier , Bennourine Khaled , Feugeas Jean-Louis , Bringuier-Branchereau Sophie , Manelli Jean-Claude 
Published: November 2005

Background
Obturator nerve block is highly recommended for knee surgery in addition to a femoral nerve block. The main disadvantage of the classic approach at the pubic tubercle is low patient acceptance due to pain and discomfort. The authors hypothesized that the use of a new inguinal obturator nerve block technique would reduce pain and discomfort in patients.

Methods
The inguinal approach was simulated in five fresh cadavers. Injection of latex was performed in two cadavers. The location of the needle and the extent of latex solution were analyzed. Fifty patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery were randomly assigned to receive obturator nerve block using either the inguinal (n = 25) or the pubic tubercle approach (n = 25).

Results
In all cadavers, the needle was close to the obturator nerve branches, which were surrounded by the latex solution. In the clinical study, visual analog scale pain scores and discomfort of block placement were significantly lower in the inguinal group compared with the pubic tubercle group (P < 0.01). In the inguinal group, there was a significant decrease in block performance time (P < 0.05) and in bolus of propofol and fentanyl used for the procedure (P < 0.01). Twenty minutes after application of the block, adductor strength decrease, occurrence, and location of cutaneous distribution of the obturator nerve were not significantly different between the groups. The incidence of minor complications was significantly increased in the pubic tubercle group (P < 0.05). No major complications were observed.

Conclusions
The new inguinal approach decreases patient discomfort and pain of block placement as well as the time and sedation and analgesics required for a similar quality of sensory and motor block compared with the pubic tubercle approach.
Bayesian Prediction Bounds and Comparisons of Operating Room Times Even for Procedures with Few or No Historic Data
Authors: Dexter Franklin , Ledolter Johannes 
Published: November 2005

Background
Lower prediction bounds (e.g., for fasting), upper prediction bounds (e.g., to schedule delays between sequential surgeons), comparisons of operating room (OR) times (e.g., when sequencing cases among ORs), and quantification of case uncertainty (e.g., for sequencing a surgeon's list of cases) can be done accurately for combinations of surgeon and scheduled procedure(s) by using historic OR times. The authors propose that when there are few or no historic data, the predictive distribution of the OR time of a future case be centered at the scheduled OR time, and its proportional uncertainty be based on that of other surgeons and procedures. When there are a moderate or large number of historic data, the historic data alone are used in the prediction. When there are a small number of historic data, a weighted combination is used.

Methods
This Bayesian method was tested with all 65,661 cases from a hospital.

Results
Bayesian prediction bounds were accurate to within 2% (e.g., the 5% lower bounds exceeded 4.9% of the actual OR times). The predicted probability of one case taking longer than another was estimated to within 0.7%. When sequencing a surgeon's list of cases to reduce patient waiting past scheduled start times, both the scheduled OR time and the variability in historic OR times should be used together when assessing which cases should be done first.

Conclusions
The authors validated a practical way to calculate prediction bounds and compare the OR times of all cases, even those with few or no historic data for the surgeon and the scheduled procedure(s).
Social control and coercion in addiction treatment: towards evidence‐based policy and practice
Authors: Wild T. Cameron 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTBackground  Social pressures are often an integral part of the process of seeking addiction treatment. However, scientists have not developed conclusive evidence on the processes, benefits and limitations of using legal, formal and informal social control tactics to inform policy makers, service providers and the public. This paper characterizes barriers to a robust interdisciplinary analysis of social control and coercion in addiction treatment and provides directions for future research.Approach  Conceptual analysis and review of key studies and trends in the area are used to describe eight implicit assumptions underlying policy, practice and scholarship on this topic.Findings  Many policies, programmes and researchers are guided by a simplistic behaviourist and health‐service perspective on social controls that (a) overemphasizes the use of criminal justice systems to compel individuals into treatment and (b) fails to take into account provider, patient and public views.Conclusions  Policies and programmes that expand addiction treatment options deserve support. However, drawing a firm distinction between social controls (objective use of social pressure) and coercion (client perceptions and decision‐making processes) supports a parallel position that rejects treatment policies, programmes, and associated practices that create client perceptions of coercion.
Family structure and substance use problems in adolescence and early adulthood: examining explanations for the relationship
Authors: Barrett Anne E. , Turner R. Jay 
Published: November 2005

ABSTRACTAims Our study has two goals: to evaluate variation in symptoms of substance abuse/dependence by family structure and to examine several potential explanations for this association, including differences in socio‐economic status, social support, social stress and perceived approval and use of substances by family and friends.Design Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression is used to examine the association between family type and problematic substance use and to assess the hypothesized mediators.Setting Data were collected between 1998 and 2000 as part of a study of the prevalence and social distributions of psychiatric and substance use disorders. The study involved face‐to‐face interviews with a representative sample of young adults in a South Florida community.Participants Respondents (n = 1760) were between 18 and 23 years of age. Approximately 25% were of Cuban origin, 25% other Caribbean basin Hispanic, 25% African American and 25% non‐Hispanic white.Measurements Four family types are examined: mother–father families, single‐parent families, single‐parent families that include other adult relative(s) and stepfamilies. Problematic substance use is measured by a set of 22 substance abuse/dependence symptoms.Findings Controlling for race–ethnicity and gender, respondents from single‐parent families report a significantly higher level of problematic substance use than those from mother–father families. Although nearly all explanations receive support, we find the strongest evidence for differential association with deviant peers and exposure to stress.Conclusions Our findings suggest that—rather than representing a unique and independent predictor of substance use problems—family structure can be viewed as a marker of the unequal distribution of factors influencing the risk of problematic substance use.
Prognostic value of inhibitory anti‐ADAMTS13 antibodies in adult‐acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: Coppo P. , Wolf M. , Veyradier A. , Bussel A. , Malot S. , Millot G. A. , Daubin C. , Bordessoule D. , Pène F. , Mira J. P. , Heshmati F. , Maury E. , Guidet B. , Boulanger E. , Galicier L. , Parquet N. , Vernant J. P. , Rondeau E. , Azoulay E. , Schlemmer B. ,   the Réseau d'Etude des Microangiopathies Thrombotiques de l'Adulte
Published: November 2005

SummaryIn order to assess the prognostic value of inhibitory anti‐ADAMTS13 antibodies in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), we performed a multicentre prospective study of 33 adult patients with idiopathic acquired TTP. Patients were treated with high‐dose plasma infusion and therapeutic plasma exchange. Patients without (group 1, n = 12) and with (group 2, n = 21) detectable inhibitory anti‐ADAMTS13 antibodies were compared for clinical presentation, treatment and outcome. Both groups were comparable for clinical presentation. All patients in group 1 achieved a sustained complete remission within a median of 7 d [95% confidence interval (CI), 4–18], which required a median plasma volume of 235 ml/kg (range, 131–1251). In group 2, 17 patients achieved a durable complete remission within a median of 23 d (95% CI, 11–32) (P = 0·001). Median plasma volume was 718 ml/kg (range, 219–3107) (P = 0·02). In group 2, there was a trend for more episodes of flare‐up than in group 1 (13 vs. 3, respectively, P = 0·07). Four patients, all from group 2, died (P = not significant). The relapse rate was comparable between both groups. We suggest that TTP with detectable inhibitory anti‐ADAMTS13 antibodies displays a worse prognosis, relative to a delayed platelet count recovery, a higher plasma volume requirement to achieve complete remission, and a trend for more frequent episodes of flare‐up.
Novel roles of osteopontin and CXC chemokine ligand 7 in the defence against mycobacterial infection
Authors: Khajoee V , Saito M , Takada H , Nomura A , Kusuhara K , Yoshida S-I , Yoshikai Y , Hara T 
Published: November 2005

SummaryGranulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-induced human monocyte-derived macrophage (GM-Mφ) or macrophage CSF (M-CSF)-induced human monocyte-derived Mφ (M-Mφ) are distinct in terms of the resistance to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. To elucidate the role of molecules involved in the functional differences between these Mφs, we investigated the gene expression profiles using microarray. After culture of CD14+ monocytes with CSFs, Mφs were cultured with or without bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) (GM-Mφ-BCG and M-Mφ-BCG). The gene expression profiles from these cells were compared. Chemokines highly expressed in M-Mφs were selected and evaluated for anti-mycobacterial activity and superoxide production.  FN1 and  FCGR2B were the most up-regulated genes in GM-Mφ and M-Mφ, respectively. After stimulation with BCG, three chemokine genes (Osteopontin (SPP1), CXC chemokine ligand 7 (CXCL7) and CC chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11)) were highly expressed in M-Mφ-BCG when compared to those in GM-Mφ-BCG. A significantly increased resistance to M. tuberculosis H37Ra was observed after the stimulation of GM-Mφ with SPP1 or CXCL7. Superoxide production levels of SPP1- or CXCL7-stimulated GM-Mφs were higher than those of GM-Mφs without stimulation. These results indicate that both SPP1 and CXCL7 might have a role in the resistance against mycobacteria, at least in part, through augmenting reactive oxygen intermediate production in Mφs.
Experience of prophylactic thyroidectomy in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A kindreds with RET codon 804 mutations
Authors: Learoyd Diana L. , Gosnell Jessica , Elston Marianne S. , Saurine Tricia J. , Richardson Anne‐Louise , Delbridge Leigh W. , Con Aglen John V. , Robinson Bruce G. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryObjective and design  Genetic screening in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) has led to specific management guidelines based on genotype–phenotype analysis. However, there is controversy regarding the appropriate age for prophylactic thyroidectomy in families with mutations in codon 804 in exon 14 of the RET proto‐oncogene, where medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) may not develop until adulthood. We prospectively studied two MEN 2A families, one with the V804L and the other with the V804M RET mutation, to report our experience of genetic and biochemical screening and prophylactic thyroidectomy. Family 1 is one of the largest MEN 2A families in the literature, where 22 prophylactic thyroidectomies have been performed.Patients and results  C‐cell hyperplasia (CCH) was found in 23 out of 25 thyroidectomy specimens from family members of ages 5 years and upwards. MTC was found in 10 out of 18 adults of age 25 years upwards, including the family 2 proband, who was found to have MTC with lymph node metastases at age 28. Phaeochromocytoma was only observed in one patient, but six cases of histologically confirmed hyperparathyroidism were seen in family 1.Conclusion  We suggest that prophylactic thyroidectomy should not be delayed until adulthood in MEN 2A families carrying codon 804 RET mutations, but should be performed when there is CCH, before the development of MTC, as close as possible to age 6 years, which is the age of the youngest reported case of MTC in ‘804’ families.
Does pravastatin increase chylomicron remnant catabolism in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Authors: Ng T. W. K. , Watts G. F. , Stuckey B. G. A. , Ching H. L. , Chan D. C. F. , Uchida Y. , Sakai N. , Yamashita S. , Martins I. J. , Redgrave T. G. , Barrett P. H. R. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryObjective  We investigated the effects of pravastatin on chylomicron remnant catabolism measured with a 13C stable isotope breath test and plasma apolipoprotein (apo) B‐48 and remnant‐like particle (RLP)‐cholesterol in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Patients and measurements  Nineteen postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes were randomized to receive 40 mg/day pravastatin or no treatment for 6 weeks followed by a 2‐week washout period, and crossed over for a further 6 weeks. Fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of a chylomicron remnant‐like emulsion was determined from 13CO2 enrichment in the breath and plasma using isotope‐ratio mass spectrometry and multicompartmental modelling. Plasma apo B‐48 and RLP‐cholesterol concentrations were also measured as static markers of chylomicron remnant metabolism.Results  Pravastatin significantly reduced plasma concentrations of cholesterol (5·9 ± 0·3 vs. 4·8 ± 0·2 mmol/l; P < 0·001), low density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol (3·5 ± 0·2 vs. 2·6 ± 0·2 mmol/l; P < 0·001), triglyceride (2·1 ± 0·3 vs. 1·7 ± 0·2 mmol/l; P = 0·017), non‐high density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol (4·4 ± 0·3 vs. 3·3 ± 0·2 mmol/l; P < 0·001), lathosterol/total cholesterol ratio (2·6 ± 0·2 vs. 2·0 ± 0·3, P = 0·035), apo B‐100 (1·1 ± 0·1 vs. 0·8 ± 0·1 g/l; P = 0·001), apo B‐48 (4·8 ± 0·9 vs. 3·3 ± 0·6 mg/l; P = 0·016), and RLP‐cholesterol (31·4 ± 8·2 vs. 18·6 ± 4·6 mg/dl; P = 0·024). Pravastatin was also associated with an increase in sitosterol/total cholesterol ratio (2·8 ± 0·3 vs. 3·1 ± 0·3, P = 0·029). Chylomicron remnant‐like emulsion catabolism was not, however, significantly altered by pravastatin estimated by either breath or plasma clearance measurements.Conclusions  In postmenopausal women, pravastatin decreases plasma concentrations of remnant lipoproteins by a mechanism that may relate chiefly to inhibition of remnant production, but this requires further evaluation.
The significance of thyroid blood flow at the inferior thyroid artery as a predictor for early Graves’ disease relapse
Authors: Ueda Misako , Inaba Masaaki , Kumeda Yasuro , Nagasaki Toshiki , Hiura Yoshikazu , Tahara Hideki , Onoda Naoyoshi , Ishikawa Tetsuro , Nishizawa Yoshiki 
Published: November 2005

SummaryObjective  We investigated the clinical usefulness of thyroid blood‐flow measurement in predicting relapse of Graves’ disease (GD) in comparison with known risk factors for GD relapse.Measurement  Thyroid blood flow was measured in pulsed Doppler mode at the inferior thyroid artery (ITA), and the peak systolic velocity (PSV) calculated.Patients  ITA‐PSV was measured in euthyroid GD patients (n = 79) immediately before withdrawal of anti‐thyroid drug (ATD) and in healthy subjects (n = 17).Results  In the 79 euthyroid GD patients, the values of free triiodothyronine (FT3), TSH receptor autoantibody (TRAb), ITA‐PSV and thyroid volume were significantly higher in the relapse group (n = 40) than in the nonrelapse group (n = 39) and the Youden index of ITA‐PSV was significantly higher than that of FT3, TSH, TRAb and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).Conclusion  ITA‐PSV may assist in the prediction of early GD relapse after ATD withdrawal.