bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Muscarinic stimulation of the mouse isolated whole bladder: physiological responses in young and ageing mice
Authors: Lagou M. , Gillespie J. , Kirkwood T. , Harvey I. , Drake M. J. 
Published: June 2006

Summary 1 Peripheral autonomous bladder activity is an incompletely understood property that may be important both in normal bladder function and in functional problems of the lower urinary tract. We describe how a muscarinic agonist, arecaidine, influences intravesical pressure and intramural bladder contractions in the isolated mouse and how response varies in ageing mice. 2 A group of 12 mice aged 3–4 months was compared with an ‘ageing’ group of 12 mice age 28–34 months. Bladders were microsurgically removed and mounted in whole organ tissue baths. The effects of the muscarinic agonist arecaidine on intravesical pressure and intramural contractions were performed at different bladder volumes. 3 In normal mice, arecaidine elicited tonic and phasic contractions, the latter showing a more substantial increase in amplitude with bladder distension. Localized ‘micromotion’ contractions were seen in the bladder wall, with regional differences arising after exposure to arecaidine. A background release of acetylcholine was inferred from the pressure increase induced by the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. 4 Both micromotion activity and the phasic component of the arecaidine response were substantially reduced in ageing mice; the tonic component was preserved in the same specimens. 5 We conclude that the enhanced pressure fluctuations seen at high bladder volumes may act as a peripheral determinant of bladder capacity, and that changes in such activity may contribute to altered functional capacity and lower urinary tract symptoms in ageing individuals.
Microdialysis for myocardial metabolic surveillance: developing a clinical technique
Authors: Mantovani Vittorio , Kennergren Charles , Goiny Michel , Ungerstedt Urban , Lönnroth Peter , Sala Andrea , Berglin Eva 
Published: June 2006

SummaryMetabolic surveillance of the myocardium is of great interest in cardiac surgery. Microdialysis allows sampling of chemical substances from the interstitial fluid for immediate analysis. The two objectives of this study were to develop a technique for simple and safe implantation of a commercially available microdialysis probe (CMA‐70) into the myocardium and to obtain reference data for further use and metabolic control. Eighteen pigs were used in an experimental ischaemic heart model where the left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 20 min. Microdialysis was performed proximally as well as distally to the arterial occlusion site corresponding to a control and an ischaemic area in the heart. Two techniques were tried for probe implantation, using either a pacemaker wire attached to the probe tip or a needle introducer. Metabolic substrates (glucose, lactate, glycerol and pyruvate) were collected before, during and after ischaemia, for up to 6 h. Both techniques were highly effective in registering metabolic changes due to ischaemia with sharp time resolution, but the needle introducer was superior regarding probe durability. It is concluded that the CMA‐70 microdialysis probe implanted with the needle introducer allows for an accurate monitoring of myocardial metabolism during a prolonged period of time. Future studies in the human heart are warranted to further validate the technique.
Reference values for respiratory system impedance by using impulse oscillometry in children aged 2–11 years
Authors: Dencker M. , Malmberg L. P. , Valind S. , Thorsson O. , Karlsson M. K. , Pelkonen A. , Pohjanpalo A. , Haahtela T. , Turpeinen M. , Wollmer P. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryThe forced oscillation technique makes it possible to evaluate the mechanical properties of the respiratory system with a minimum of cooperation. The method is therefore especially useful in children. Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a commercially available version of this technique. There is, as yet, limited information on reference values for IOS in children. The aim of this study was to extend the reference values for IOS variables and to study their correlation with height, weight and age in healthy children. A sample (n = 360) of children (age 2·1–11·1 years) was measured by using impulse oscillometry (IOS; Jaeger, Würzburg, Germany). The sample was based on children attending kindergarten in Finland and children attending primary school in Sweden. Measurements of respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) at 5, 10, 15 and 20 Hz, total respiratory impedance (Zrs) and the resonance frequency (Fr) were made. All variables were related to body height. Most of them were also weakly related to weight. Reference equations for children (height 90–160 cm) are presented.
Gelatine Lifting, a Novel Technique for the Examination of Indented Writing*
Authors: De Koeijer Jan A. , Berger Charles E.H. , Glas Wendy , Madhuizen Henk T. 
Published: June 2006

ABSTRACT: The limitations of the examination of indented writing impressions using electrostatic detection are often paper related. Paper types such as glossy paper, paper of high basis weight, and lithography or gravure‐printed papers often give rise to problems resulting in a decrease in sensitivity or a lack of detection altogether. In this paper, a novel technique for the examination of indented writing is presented, which is in a sense complimentary to the technique of electrostatic detection as it is especially suitable for glossy‐coated and printed paper types and can in some instances also deal with paper types of higher basis weight. Indented writing grooves will normally contain more particles than the surrounding nonindented areas due to damage of the surface layer resulting in a build‐up of filler powder. The method presented uses black gelatine lifter slabs to lift the paper dust image off the surface of the paper. This image can quite easily be photographed using near‐to‐coaxial lighting.The gelatine lifting method outperforms oblique lighting for the detection of indented writing and is almost as sensitive as electrostatic detection if compared on the types of paper where both perform well. The main advantage of this new technique is, however, that it is especially suitable for those types of paper where electrostatic detection fails and is therefore a welcome addition to the range of methods available to a forensic document examiner for the examination of indented writing.
Prediction and monitoring the therapeutic response of chronic dermal wounds
Authors: Moore Keith , McCallion Roisin , Searle Richard J. , Stacey Michael C. , Harding Keith G. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA significant proportion of chronic wounds fail to heal in response to treatment of underlying pathologies combined with good wound care practice. Current prognostic tests to identify these wounds rely on the use of algorithms based on clinically measurable parameters such as wound dimensions and wound duration. Venous leg ulcers may be stratified into healing/non healing at 24 weeks of compression therapy and diabetic foot ulcer treatment outcome assessed using a 3‐parameter algorithm. Accurate and reproducible measurement of wound area is required for these algorithms to have clinical utility. Whilst a number of attempts have been made to develop computerised wound‐assessment techniques, wound tracing by clinicians combined with planimetry remains the standard methodology. Once treatment has been initiated, it is important to continuously monitor the wound to assess efficacy of treatment. This can be achieved by measuring wound area change over the first weeks of treatment to identify whether re‐assessment of treatment strategy is required. A number of algorithms for assessing rate of wound area change have been evaluated to determine a surrogate endpoint for healing. Retrospective analysis of large patient groups indicates that approximately 75% correct prediction of healing outcome can be achieved.
The use of gauze: will it ever change?
Authors: Jones Vanessa J 
Published: June 2006

AbstractAlthough the benefits of healing in a moist environment have been published worldwide, the use of woven gauze as a wound contact material still prevails in many countries. This article traces the history of gauze and problems associated with usage against the introduction of one of the first modern materials, the hydrocolloid. Why this revolution in dressing material did not herald an immediate change of practice away from gauze is examined. Since the 1970s, the range, availability and sophistication of these and other moisture‐retentive dressings have increased dramatically, and yet it seems that some practitioners remain unconvinced. The processes that underpin personal and organisational change that may contribute to this reluctance are also considered.
Effect of sink on carbohydrate metabolism in stems and roots of the phasey bean (Macroptilium Lathyroides (L.) Urb.) during regrowth
Authors: Asano Yoki , Tobisa Manabu , Shimojo Masataka , Masuda Yasuhisa 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to investigate the changes in the effect of sink on storage carbohydrate content and the relationship between amylase activity and storage carbohydrate content in stems and roots of the phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.) following defoliation. Plants were grown for 53 days after sowing in pots and then cut at a height of 10 cm. One lateral bud remaining by selective trimming at the cotyledonary node (N0), the second leaf node (N2), or the fourth leaf node (N4) was regrown under dark conditions at 22°C, and new shoot production, carbohydrate content and amylase activity in the stems and roots were measured 0, 1, 3, 6 and 10 days after defoliation. Plants having upper buds produced higher new shoots on day 10 post‐defoliation, indicating that the growth of buds correlated with sink demand and affected dry weight production. Fructose, glucose and sucrose contents decreased in the stems and roots after defoliation and correlated negatively with sink demand especially in the stems. Starch content decreased more than sugar contents in stems and roots, and more considerably in the plants having upper buds (higher sink tissues) especially in stems. Total amylase and α‐amylase activities changed slightly, and α‐glucosidase activity decreased in stems and roots after defoliation. The lack of increase in α‐amylase with the decrease in starch under sink demand indicates that starch content could fluctuate without changes in α‐amylase activity during phasey bean regrowth.
Dry matter production and in vitro digestibility in BC1 progeny of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) regenerated from suspension culture
Authors: Saleng Kamaruddin , Sawai Akira , Nagatani Takeshi , Tateyama Yoshio , Mochidome Nobuo , Niimi Mitsuhiro , Akashi Ryo , Kawamura Osamu 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn a previous experiment, regenerated plants of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) derived from a suspension culture were observed to be higher in digestible cell wall content than compared to the control cultivar (cv. Pensacola). This suggested that somaclonal variation, mediated from suspension culture, could be a tool to induce improved feeding value of bahiagrass. In this study, dry matter production and digestibility of backcross 1 (BC1) progeny derived from this earlier study were examined in field conditions. The field study indicated that more than half of the BC1 individuals were higher in dry matter yield than the regenerated plants (RP), while most of the BC1 individuals were lower in dry matter yield than the original Pensacola cultivar (PEN). However, some strains of the BC1 exhibited a dry matter production that was comparable with PEN. Overall, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was generally higher in RP than in PEN. Although there was not a distinct difference in IVDMD between the BC1 and PEN, some BC1 individuals exhibited a higher IVDMD than PEN throughout the experiment. From these results, it is suggested that strains with higher digestibility could selected from BC1 progenies of bahiagrass following suspension culture and that trait is expressed in field conditions.
Weak convergence of an iterative sequence for accretive operators in Banach spaces
Authors: Aoyama Koji , Iiduka Hideaki , Takahashi Wataru 
Published: June 2006

AbstractLet "Equation missing" be a nonempty closed convex subset of a smooth Banach space "Equation missing" and let "Equation missing" be an accretive operator of "Equation missing" into "Equation missing". We first introduce the problem of finding a point "Equation missing" such that "Equation missing""Equation missing" where "Equation missing" is the duality mapping of "Equation missing". Next we study a weak convergence theorem for accretive operators in Banach spaces. This theorem extends the result by Gol'shteĭn and Tret'yakov in the Euclidean space to a Banach space. And using our theorem, we consider the problem of finding a fixed point of a strictly pseudocontractive mapping in a Banach space and so on.
An Equivalent Medium Method for the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding Process Simulation
Authors: (Jonathan) Dong Chensong 
Published: June 2006

Computer simulation has been an efficient and cost-effective tool for liquid composite molding, including resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), and resin infusion, compared to trial and error. The control volume finite element method (CVFEM) has been the predominant method for simulation. When the CVFEM simulation is used for the VARTM process, because of the existence of two distinct flow media: fiber preform and high permeable media (HPM), 3-D models are required. Since the HPM is usually much thinner than the fiber preform, a large number of nodes and elements need to be used in simulation, which significantly increases the computation load and time. In addition, the time-consuming preprocessing process makes simulation not feasible for industry applications. This article presents an equivalent medium method (EMM) for fast and accurate VARTM process simulation. This method increases the thickness of the HPM or both the HPM and the fiber preform and applies the equivalent material properties. This is an improved method over previously presented equivalent permeability method (EPM) by correcting its two shortcomings: (1) The EPM does not account for the influence of the porosity of HPM, thus the resin flow through HPM is changed and (2) The EPM does not consider the change of through-thickness permeability after the equivalence. A new mesh generation algorithm is also discussed, which provides a faster and more convenient way for preprocessing. The approach presented in this article provides the fundamental for developing a universal computer simulation tool for both the RTM and VARTM processes. The effectiveness of this approach has been validated by comparing to the conventional CVFEM simulation and experiments.
Protective effects of ethanolic extract of Delphinium denudatum in a rat model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ahmad Muzamil , Yousuf Seema , Khan M Badruzzaman , Ahmad Abdullah Shafique , Saleem Sofiyan , Hoda Md Nasrul , Islam Fakhrul 
Published: June 2006

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the major neurodegenerative disorders, and oxidative stress has been implicated in playing an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. In the present study, we investigated if Delphinium denudatum extract can slow down the neuronal injury in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of Parkinsonism. Rats were treated with 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) of D. denudatum extract for 3 weeks. On day 22, 2 mL of 6-OHDA (10 mgin 0.1% ascorbic acid-saline) or vehicle was infused into the right striatum of the animals. Three weeks after the 6-OHDA injections, the rats were killed for estimation of lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, catecholamines, dopaminergic D2receptor binding and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression. Increased LPO and significant depletion of reduced GSH content in the substantia nigra resulting from the lesion were appreciably prevented with Delphinium treatment. Delphinium extract also dose-dependently attenuated the activities of SOD and CAT in striatum, which had been reduced significantly by lesioning. A significant decrease in the level of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites and an increase in the number of dopaminergic D2receptors in striatum were observed after 6-OHDA injection, both parameters were significantly recovered with treatment of the extract. Finally, all these results were confirmed by an increase in expression of TH in the ipsilateral striatum of the lesioned groups following treatment with Delphinium extract.Thus, the study indicates that D. denudatum extract may be helpful in checking neuronal injury in Parkinsonism.
Evaluating linguistic equivalence of patient-reported outcomes in a cancer clinical trial
Authors: Hahn Elizabeth A , Bode Rita K , Du Hongyan , Cella David 
Published: June 2006

Background In order to make meaningful cross-cultural or cross-linguistic comparisons of health-related quality of life (HRQL) or to pool international research data, it is essential to create unbiased measures that can detect clinically important differences. When HRQL scores differ between cultural/linguistic groups, it is important to determine whether this reflects real group differences, or is the result of systematic measurement variability. Purpose To investigate the linguistic measurement equivalence of a cancer-specific HRQL questionnaire, and to conduct a sensitivity analysis of treatment differences in HRQL in a clinical trial. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed chronic myelogenous leukemia ( n = 1049) completed serial HRQL assessments in an international Phase III trial. Two types of differential item functioning (uniform and non-uniform) were evaluated using item response theory and classical test theory approaches. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to compare HRQL between treatment arms using items without evidence of differential functioning. Results Among 27 items, nine (33%) did not exhibit any evidence of differential functioning in both linguistic comparisons (English versus French, English versus German). Although 18 items functioned differently, there was no evidence of systematic bias. In a sensitivity analysis, adjustment for differential functioning affected the magnitude, but not the direction or interpretation of clinical trial treatment arm differences. Limitations Sufficient sample sizes were available for only three of the eight language groups. Identification of differential functioning in two-thirds of the items suggests that current psychometric methods may be too sensitive. Conclusions Enhanced methodologies are needed to differentiate trivial from substantive differential item functioning. Systematic variability in HRQL across different groups can be evaluated for its effect upon clinical trial results; a practice recommended when data are pooled across cultural or linguistic groups to make conclusions about treatment effects.
Problems in comprehension of informed consent in rural and peri-urban Mali, West Africa
Authors: Krosin Michael T , Klitzman Robert , Levin Bruce , Cheng Jianfeng , Ranney Megan L 
Published: June 2006

Background Clinical trials undertaken by industrialized nations in undeveloped nations pose several critical ethical dilemmas. One key potential problem concerns misunderstandings of the consent process by participants. Though other reports have begun to explore this area, needs remain to identify specific areas of misunderstanding. Purpose To identify deficits in comprehension during consent processes in Mali, West Africa. Methods After obtaining informed consent for participation for a malaria vaccine trial being conducted in two West African villages, we administered to participants a nine-item questionnaire testing their understanding of information relevant for their consent. After testing their ability to understand a multiple choice format, 78 of 100 subjects were administered the questionnaire in one village and 85 of 100 in the other. Results Participants had difficulty comprehending several concepts relevant to informed consent: 90% of respondents did not understand withdrawal criterion, 93% did not understand the existence of study side effects, and 74% did not understand that they were enrolled in an investigation as opposed to receiving therapy. The response rate and percentage of correct answers was generally much higher in the village nearer an urban center than the more rural village. The percent of correct answers exceeded 50% for five questions in the urban village and for only two question in the more rural setting. Limitations Potential limitations of this study are relating to translation, cultural differences in the notion of informed consent, staff differences between each village, the proportion who could not understand the survey instrument and the fact that the study explored participants' understanding of the consent process but did not observe the process itself. Conclusions This study illustrates potential areas of miscomprehension in the consent process in a developing country. The degree of miscomprehension found in this study appeared to be more than that found in similar studies conducted in industrialized nations. Despite efforts to obtain truly informed consent, several factors make it more challenging in the developing world. This research highlights the need for more comprehensive studies of consent in developing countries. Such studies may eventually aid investigators in identifying, targeting and addressing specific areas of miscomprehension and thereby improve the informed consent process in the developing world.
Facile Synthesis of Highly-dispersed Yttria-doped Zirconia Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Shaoyan , Li Xiaoan , Zhai Yuchun , Li Yang , Wang Kaiming 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
By dissolving starting materials ZrOCl2·8H2O and Y(NO3)3·6H2O in ethanol and adding concd NH3·H2O diluted with ethanol, the coprecipitation is easily brought about to generate hydroxide precursor. The precursor is filtrated, washed with ethanol, dried, and calcined to form highly dispersed uniform yttria-doped zirconia nanoparticles ready for good YSZ powder compacts.
Air Oxidation of Carbon Spheres. I. Master Curves of Pore Parameters
Authors: Nishikawa Tetsuo , Inagaki Michio 
Published: June 2006

Carbon spheres prepared from a resol-type phenol–formaldehyde resin at 1000°C were activated in a flow of dry air in order to understand the process of pore development through the use of master curves for each pore parameter. Pore development in the carbon spheres by such oxidation was characterized through analyses of nitrogen adsorption isotherms by different methods. The adsorptivity of the activated carbon spheres towards phenol was measured as a function of oxidation temperature and time, its dependence on the micropore volume being discussed. The development of pores by air oxidation was interpreted in terms of master curves measured at the reference temperature (400°C) for each pore parameter, viz. surface areas and pore volumes due to different pores. The pore parameters were determined via the BET, αS-plot, BJH and DFT methods. The results presented suggest that the effect of oxidation temperature and time on pore development could be converted with each other as well as oxidation yield. The temperature dependence of the different parameters corresponded to an apparent activation energy of ca. 150 kJ/mol. Pore development was assumed to proceed principally via the enlargement and collapse of micropores through mesopores to macropores.