bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphometrics and inertial properties in the body segments of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Schoonaert Kirsten , D’Août Kristiaan , Aerts Peter 
Published: May 2007

AbstractInertial characteristics and dimensions of the body and body segments form an integral part of a biomechanical analysis of motion. In primate studies, however, segment inertial parameters of non‐human hominoids are scarce and often obtained using varying techniques. Therefore, the principal aim of this study was to expand the existing chimpanzee inertial property data set using a non‐invasive measuring technique. We also considered age‐ and sex‐related differences within our sample. By means of a geometric model based on Crompton et al. (1996; Am J Phys Anthropol 99, 547–570) we generated inertial properties using external segment length and diameter measurements of 53 anaesthetized chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). We report absolute inertial parameters for immature and mature subjects and for males and females separately. Proportional data were computed to allow the comparison between age classes and sex classes. In addition, we calculated whole limb inertial properties and we discuss their potential biomechanical consequences. We found no significant differences between the age classes in the proportional data except for hand and foot measures where juveniles exhibit relatively longer and heavier distal segments than adults. Furthermore, most sex‐related differences can be directly attributed to the higher absolute segment masses in male chimpanzees resulting in higher moments of inertia. Additionally, males tend to have longer upper limbs than females. However, regarding proportional data we discuss the general inertial properties of the chimpanzee. The described segment inertial parameters of males and females, and of the two age classes, represent a valuable data set ready for use in a range of biomechanical locomotor models. These models offer great potential for improving our understanding of early hominin locomotor patterns.
Cue‐ versus response‐locked processes in backward inhibition: Evidence from ERPs
Authors: Sinai Marco , Goffaux Philippe , Phillips Natalie A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA task set may need to be inhibited to facilitate the switch to another task. This event‐related potential (ERP) study determined (1) whether backward inhibition (BI) is exerted preferentially in high interference environments, and (2) whether ERPs locked to critical time points reflect BI during cue preparation and/or response stages. High interference (HI) and low interference (LI) were created by manipulating task difficulty. A reaction time (RT) BI effect (i.e., BI>control trials) was shown only during HI tasks. Cue‐locked ERPs on LI tasks suggest increased attentional resources were allocated during the reactivation of a recently inhibited task. For HI tasks, BI versus control trial differences were reflected in a response‐locked ERP negativity only after response selection (indexed by the response‐locked lateralized readiness potential), indicating that BI is a lateral inhibition mechanism exerted during response preparation.
Polymorphic microsatellite and cryptic simple repeat sequence markers in pineapples (Ananas comosus var. comosus)
Authors: KINSUAT M. J. , KUMAR S. V. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA rapid method for isolating microsatellite loci in pineapples, based on the 5′‐anchored polymerase chain reaction technique, revealed 137 microsatellite loci (consisting of 62 dinucleotide, 24 trinucleotide, 49 tetranucleotide and 2 hexanucleotide repeats) and 16 cryptically simple repeat sequences. We report on the characterization of 19 polymorphic microsatellite loci and one cryptic simple repeat loci in pineapples. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to four while the observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.1705 to 1. These markers are useful as tools for detecting levels of genetic variation in pineapple varieties for germplasm management and crossbreeding purposes.
Isolation of polymorphic microsatellite markers in the sub‐Saharan tree, Acacia (Senegalia) mellifera (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae)
Authors: RUIZ‐GUAJARDO JUAN C. , OTERO‐ARNAIZ ADRIANA , TAYLOR TRAVIS , STONE GRAHAM , GLENN TRAVIS C. , SCHABLE NANCY A. , MILLER JOSEPH T. , PREUSS SONJA , SCHNABEL ANDREW 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe isolated 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers from Acacia mellifera, a savannah woodland tree in sub‐Saharan Africa and southern Arabia. The loci were screened for polymorphism using 48 Kenyan individuals. Allelic diversity ranged from three to 19 per locus and the polymorphic information content varied from 0.287 to 0.893. These loci will be useful in studies of genetic structure, gene flow and breeding systems.
Contractile properties of knee‐extensors in one single family with nemaline myopathy: central and peripheral aspects of muscle activation
Authors: Gerrits Karin , Pauw‐Gommans Inge , Van Engelen Baziel , De Haan Arnold 
Published: May 2007

SummaryPatients with nemaline myopathy, a muscle disorder primarily affecting the thin filaments, suffer from weakness which is poorly understood. As disturbed excitation‐contraction coupling has been suggested as a possible mechanism, the present study was designed to investigate whether the contractile properties of the knee‐extensor muscles in patients from a single family with nemaline myopathy were different from able‐bodied individuals. To assess central neural as well as more peripheral intrinsic aspects of muscle activation, isometric voluntary and electrically elicited quadriceps contractions were evoked at different knee angles. Interestingly, across the range of 30–70° of knee flexion, the capacity to achieve maximal voluntary activation of the muscles, assessed by a super‐imposed stimulation technique, was significantly higher in patients compared with controls. Furthermore, the torque–frequency relation differed between groups, with the muscles of patients producing higher torques at low (twitch and 10 Hz) stimulation frequencies relative to maximal (150 Hz) stimulation than controls at both 30° and 60° of knee flexion. These results suggest that no impairment was present at relatively low activation frequencies. It may, however, be indicative for a reduced cross‐bridge attachment as part of the excitation–contraction coupling specifically at high activation frequencies. In conclusion, the quadriceps weakness observed in this specific patient group cannot be explained by an impaired capacity to maximally activate these muscles. However, the data of relatively high torques produced at submaximal activation frequencies are compatible with the hypothesis that patients with nemaline myopathy may have an impaired acto‐myosin interaction specifically at high levels of activation.
Mortality and Physician Supply: Does Region Hold the Key to the Paradox?
Authors: Ricketts Thomas C. , Holmes George M. 
Published: May 2007

Objective. To determine if the supply of physicians has a consistent relationship with mortality across regions.Data Sources. County‐level data describing the supply of physicians, mortality, and socioeconomic conditions of the population as provided in the Area Resource File (BHPr, HRSA) and the Compressed Mortality File (NCHS, CDC).Study Design. Ordinary least squares and geographically weighted regression models with age‐adjusted all‐cause and disease‐specific mortality as the dependent variables were specified using pooled data from 1996 to 2000 to test for the relationship with primary care and specialist physician–population ratios. The residuals from the OLS models were mapped and examined for potential clustering. A series of geographically weighted regression models were run for all 3,070 counties and the z‐scores and significance of the models mapped.Principal Findings. The association between primary care physician supply and mortality was not observed in contrast to other studies; mapping the residuals of those models suggested regional clustering. When weighted geographically, the relationship between primary care and specialist physician supply and mortality presents a mixed pattern. The results show strong regional patterns that may explain the lack of a consistent national association. Primary care physicians are associated with decreased mortality on the east coast and upper midwest, but that correlation disappears or is reversed in the west (with the exception of Washington State) and south central states.Conclusions. We find evidence that there are regionally focused association between physician supply and mortality, holding constant population characteristics that reflect the influence of social and economic characteristics. However, these relationships are not consistent across the United States; there are regions where there are stronger and weaker associations between type of practitioner and mortality and other regions where no association is apparent. This suggests that the direction for further analysis lies in the understanding of the regional differences and whether there are policy alternatives to address these different patterns.
Hard and soft emotion during conflict: Investigating married couples and other relationships
Authors: SANFORD KEITH 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThree studies investigated the function of 2 types of negative emotion during interpersonal conflict. Hard emotion includes feeling angry or aggravated. Soft emotion includes feeling sad or hurt. In both Study 1 (including 236 married people) and Study 2 (including 140 college students), participants recalled 3 different previous conflict episodes. In the third study, 77 married couples were observed in 4 different conflict conversations, completed during 2 assessment sessions. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to investigate the extent to which change in emotion predicted corresponding change in behavior and appraisal. Hard emotion predicted increases in negative communication, whereas soft emotion predicted more benign forms of communication. Soft emotion also predicted increases in appraisals that interpersonal conflicts are important to resolve.
Using the relational turbulence model to understand negative emotion within courtship
Authors: KNOBLOCH LEANNE K. , MILLER LAURA E. , CARPENTER KATY E. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe employ the relational turbulence model to deduce hypotheses about how intimacy, relational uncertainty, and interference and facilitation from partners predict people’s experience of negative emotion. We test our hypotheses using data from a self‐report, cross‐sectional study of 525 individuals involved in dating relationships. Results indicated that intimacy shared very small convex curvilinear associations with anger, sadness, fear, and jealousy (H1). Relational uncertainty and interference from partners were positively correlated with negative emotion (H2, H3), and facilitation from partners was negatively correlated with negative emotion (H4). Also as expected, relational uncertainty and interference from partners mediated the association between intimacy and negative emotion (H5). We interpret how our findings shed light on people’s experience of negative emotion within courtship.
Nurses’ perceptions and experiences of initiating thrombolysis: a qualitative study
Authors: Smallwood Andrew , Humphreys Melanie 
Published: May 2007

AbstractNurse‐initiated thrombolysis has become established in some trusts for patients presenting to the accident and emergency department or coronary care unit with an acute myocardial infarction. A limited approach to the exploration of this multidimensional expansion in nursing practice is noted in the literature. The aims of this study were to explore the experiential dimensions of nurses who have initiated thrombolysis, if nurses perceive themselves prepared for the role, and whether they consider role expansion a positive or negative experience. A qualitative approach was used. The sample included 12 nurses organizationally sanctioned to autonomously administer a thrombolytic agent, who completed a self‐administered, predominantly open‐ended questionnaire. Data were analysed using the method described by Giorgi (1997). Two major themes emerged: ‘perceived pressure to deliver best practice’ and ‘developing patient care within a holistic framework’, these themes are discussed and underpinned with supporting narratives. Nurses initiating thrombolysis have a desire to engage with delivery of a treatment proven to have a positive impact on individual patient outcomes; they express an overwhelming desire ‘to do good’ for their patient. Despite struggling with the possibility of adverse patient outcomes, all the nurses felt that their experiences overall were positive and all supported this with examples of practice.
Commentary: Saline versus Albumin Fluid Evaluation (SAFE) Investigators (2006). Effect of baseline serum albumin concentration on outcome of resuscitation with albumin or saline in patients in intensive care units: analysis of data from the saline versus albumin fluid evaluation (SAFE) study
Authors: Younker Jackie 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to determine whether outcomes of resuscitation with albumin or saline in the intensive care unit (ICU) depend on patients’ baseline serum albumin concentration. In this study we analyse data from a double‐blind, randomized controlled trial. ICUs of 16 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand were included. There was a total of 6045 participants in the saline versus albumin fluid evaluation study. Fluid resuscitation with 4% albumin or saline was observed in patients with a baseline serum albumin concentration of 25 g/L or less or more than 25 g/L. Primary outcome was all‐cause mortality at 28 days. Secondary outcomes were length of stay in the ICU, length of stay in hospital, duration of renal replacement therapy and duration of mechanical ventilation. The odds ratios for death for albumin compared with saline for patients with a baseline serum albumin concentration of 25 g/L or less and more than 25 g/L were 0.87 and 1.09, respectively (ratio of odds ratios 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.63 to 1.02); P= 0.08 for heterogeneity. No significant interaction was found between baseline serum albumin concentration as a continuous variable and the effect of albumin and saline on mortality. No consistent interaction was found between baseline serum albumin concentration and treatment effects on length of stay in the ICU, length of hospital stay, duration of renal replacement therapy or duration of mechanical ventilation. The outcomes of resuscitation with albumin and saline are similar irrespective of patients’ baseline serum albumin concentration. Abstract reprinted from the British Medical Journal volume 333, Saline versus Albumin Fluid Evaluation (SAFE) Investigators, ‘Effect of baseline serum albumin concentration on outcome of resuscitation …’, pages 1044–6. © 2006, reproduced with permission from the BMJ Publishing Group.
Review of ICU nutrition support practices: implementing the nurse‐led enteral feeding algorithm
Authors: Dobson Kirsty , Scott Alexa 
Published: May 2007

AbstractMany intensive care units (ICUs) have standard feeding protocols which promote safe early initiation of enteral feeding. The use of these protocols has been shown to increase the incidence of enteral feeding and achieve greater adequacy of nutrition support. A multidisciplinary working party developed and implemented a nurse‐led enteral feeding algorithm which enabled senior nursing staff to set safe and nutritionally adequate target feed volumes based upon patient body weight. The algorithm incorporated best practice‐based referral criteria so that patients at nutritional risk were referred for tailored dietetic assessment. The aims were to determine compliance with the ICU nurse‐led enteral feeding algorithm and to ascertain its safety and efficacy. A 3‐month prospective audit was conducted by specialist ICU dietitians. Data were obtained from electronic patient records and through observing feeding practices. Data collected included prescribed feed type and infusion rate versus volume received, frequency of gastric aspiration and prokinetic usage. In all, 90% (n = 43) of referrals received by the dietitian met the referral criteria. Absolute compliance with patients receiving correct type and volumes of feed, with a correct feed prescription and an accurate documented weight was just 2% (n = 1). Despite this finding, 60% of patients were actually receiving the correct feed regimen. If the nurse‐led enteral feeding algorithm is wholly adhered to, the ICU dietitian need not formally assess every ICU patient. Nursing staff require further support in assessing patient body weight alongside an ongoing intensive educational programme for the multidisciplinary team and regular reaudit.
Effect of Reading Additional Safety Information on Planned Use of Over‐the‐Counter Analgesics
Authors: McDonald Deborah Dillon , Amendola Mary Grace , Interlandi Elsa , Wall Karen , Lewchik Brent , Polouse Lissy , Pace Noreen , Inthavong Susada , Li Ling 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study was used to test the effect on planned safe use of over‐the‐counter (OTC) analgesics of adding information about the potential for nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) interaction with antihypertensive medications, the potential for interaction of alcohol and acetaminophen, and NSAID ceiling effects to the Federal Drug Administration's (FDA's) OTC analgesics pamphlet.Design: A randomized posttest‐only double‐blind experimental design was used to test an intervention with a comparison group reading the FDA pamphlet, and treatment group reading the pamphlet with added information.Sample: Participants included 137 adults.Intervention: Participants read the treatment or the comparison pamphlet.Results: Both groups responded with similar planned use of OTC analgesics. The majority were likely to read the label before taking an OTC analgesic, but were unlikely to give acetaminophen to a family member using antihypertensive medication.Conclusions: Reading additional information about OTC analgesics resulted in no greater intention to safely use analgesics. Responses indicated reluctance to use OTC analgesics, and the potential need for increased health teaching regarding use of OTC analgesics with antihypertensive medication. Public health teaching should include the importance of treating pain and selecting the safest OTC analgesics for the clinical situation.
Identification of Candidate Genes for Alcohol Preference by Expression Profiling of Congenic Rat Strains
Authors: Carr Lucinda G. , Kimpel Mark W. , Liang Tiebing , McClintick Jeanette N. , McCall Kevin , Morse Melissa , Edenberg Howard J. 
Published: May 2007

Background: A highly significant quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 4 that influenced alcohol preference was identified by analyzing crosses between the iP and iNP rats. Congenic strains in which the iP chromosome 4 QTL interval was transferred to the iNP (NP.P) exhibited the expected increase in alcohol consumption compared with the iNP background strain. This study was undertaken to identify genes in the chromosome 4 QTL interval that might contribute to the differences in alcohol consumption between the alcohol‐naïve congenic and background strains.Methods: RNA from 5 brain regions from each of 6 NP.P and 6 iNP rats was labeled and analyzed separately on an Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 microarray to look for both cis‐regulated and trans‐regulated genes. Expression levels were normalized using robust multi‐chip average (RMA). Differential gene expression was validated using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Five individual brain regions (nucleus accumbens, frontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and striatum) were analyzed to detect differential expression of genes within the introgressed QTL interval, as well as genes outside that region. To increase the power to detect differentially expressed genes, combined analyses (averaging data from the 5 discrete brain regions of each animal) were also carried out.Results: Analyses within individual brain regions that focused on genes within the QTL interval detected differential expression in all 5 brain regions; a total of 35 genes were detected in at least 1 region, ranging from 6 genes in the nucleus accumbens to 22 in the frontal cortex. Analysis of the whole genome detected very few differentially expressed genes outside the QTL. Combined analysis across brain regions was more powerful. Analysis focused on the genes within the QTL interval confirmed 19 of the genes detected in individual regions and detected 15 additional genes. Whole genome analysis detected 1 differentially expressed gene outside the interval.Conclusions: Cis‐regulated candidate genes for alcohol consumption were identified using microarray profiling of gene expression differences in congenic animals carrying a QTL for alcohol preference.
Chronic Smoking Is Associated With Differential Neurocognitive Recovery in Abstinent Alcoholic Patients: A Preliminary Investigation
Authors: Durazzo Timothy C. , Rothlind Johannes C. , Gazdzinski Stefan , Banys Peter , Meyerhoff Dieter J. 
Published: May 2007

Background:Approximately 50 to 90% of individuals in North America seeking treatment for alcoholism are chronic smokers. A growing body of evidence suggests that chronic cigarette smokers show a pattern of neurocognitive dysfunction similar to that observed in alcoholic patients. However, previous studies investigating neurocognitive recovery in abstinent alcoholic patients did not specifically consider the potential effects of chronic cigarette smoking.Methods:This study comprehensively compared longitudinal neurocognitive changes over 6 to 9 months of abstinence among 13 nonsmoking recovering alcoholic patients (ALC) and 12 actively smoking ALC. The neurocognitive performance of the alcoholic groups was compared with nonsmoking light‐drinking controls (nonsmoking LD).Results:Nonsmoking ALC exhibited a significantly greater magnitude of longitudinal improvement than smoking ALC on measures of cognitive efficiency, executive skills, visuospatial skills, and working memory. Both nonsmoking ALC and smoking ALC demonstrated equivalent improvement on auditory‐verbal learning, auditory‐verbal memory, and processing speed. Nonsmoking LD showed no significant changes in neurocognition over time. In cross‐sectional comparisons at 6 to 9 months of abstinence, nonsmoking ALC were superior to smoking ALC on measures of auditory‐verbal learning, auditory‐verbal memory, cognitive efficiency, executive skills, processing speed, and working memory. The longitudinal and cross‐sectional neurocognitive differences observed between nonsmoking and smoking ALC remained significant after covarying for group differences in education, estimated premorbid intelligence alcohol consumption, and other potentially confounding variables. In smoking ALC, greater smoking severity was inversely related to longitudinal improvement on multiple neurocognitive measures.Conclusions:These preliminary results suggest that chronic smoking may modulate neurocognitive recovery in abstinent alcoholic patients. More generally, chronic smoking may impact neurocognition in other conditions where is it a prevalent behavior.