bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of exercise in the prevention of obesity and hemodynamic abnormalities in adolescents
Authors: Baba Reizo , Koketsu Masaaki , Nagashima Masami , Inasaka Hiroshi 
Published: October 2008

AbstractBackground:  Poor physical activity plays a key role in the development of obesity. Little is known, however, about how much or the level of intensity of exercise that is needed to prevent obesity and hemodynamic abnormalities in adolescents.Methods and results:  Height, bodyweight, resting heart rate (HR), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured in 17 523 male and 16 906 female high school students. Self‐reported exercise intensity was related to percentage of overweight (POW), diastolic blood pressure, and resting HR in boys, and to bodyweight and resting HR in girls. Self‐reported exercise amount was associated with POW, diastolic blood pressure, and resting HR in both boys and girls. Also, high intensity or adequate amount of exercise was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity and resting tachycardia in both sexes, and slightly associated with the prevalence of systolic high blood pressure in boys.Conclusion:  Both intensity and amount of exercise are associated with the prevalence of obesity and hemodynamic abnormalities in adolescents.
Experimental adaptation of the Enk oxygen flow modulator for potential pediatric use
Authors: BAKER PAUL A. , BROWN ALLAN J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryAim: A bench study of the Enk oxygen flow modulator (Enk OFM) was conducted to test its performance and potential use in pediatric patients using the Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) guidelines (Advanced Paediatric Life Support, 2005: 224).Background: The Enk OFM is a preassembled emergency transtracheal ventilation device.Methods: The Enk OFM was connected to two sources of oxygen: first, to a Precision Medical®flowmeter and second, to an Aestiva®anesthetic machine axillary flowmeter. Testing was performed on standard cannulae of 20, 18, and 16 gauge caliber and also a 7.5 cm 15G Emergency Transtracheal Airway Catheter (Cook®Medical). Serial hole occlusion of the Enk OFM was applied and the resulting flow rates were measured by a RespiCal™ Timeter®.Results: Oxygen flow was best controlled by occluding all holes of the Enk OFM and incrementally increasing oxygen flow by the flowmeter with an initial setting of 1 l min−1year−1of age. Contrary to the original description of this device (Anesth Analg1998; 86: 203S), sequential occlusion of the five side holes does not lead to a significant exponential increase in gas flow. Incomplete occlusion of the Enk OFM provided insufficient and unpredictable flow.Conclusions: The Enk OFM should be fully occluded for inspiration with flow rates set at 1 l min−1year−1of age and adjusted to effect. These flow rates are consistent with the APLS recommendations. Flows above 15 l min−1are potentially dangerous and the Enk OFM fails to perform as an on–off device. Flowmeter settings of <1 l min−1risk no flow. Cannulae of at least 18G should be used for optimal flow.
Detection, frequency and prediction of problems in the use of the proseal laryngeal mask airway in children
Authors: SANDERS JOHN C. , OLOMU PATRICK N. , FURMAN JOSEPH R. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryObjectives:  Our objective was to assess the use of several tests of ProSeal LMA (PLMA) position and function that had been previously published but not studied in the pediatric population in a wide variety of clinical cases.Background:  The PLMA is widely used in pediatric anesthesia practice but complication rates have only been studied in small series while tests of function suggested for adults have not been studied at all.Methods:  We prospectively collected data, after placement of the PLMA by the digital method, on depth of insertion (DOI), ‘suprasternal notch’ test, ‘chest pressure test’, leak pressure, maximum minute ventilation (MMV), resting minute ventilation (RMV), success rate of insertion and success rate of passage of a gastric tube. Perioperative complication rates were recorded.Results:  A total of 222 cases were analyzed, 47 were laparoscopic or open abdomen, 15 nonsupine. Ages were 2 months to 20 years and weight 5.4–116 kg. Two hundred seven (91%) were placed successfully at first attempt and 100% at third attempt. One hundred fifty‐four of 156 (99%) gastric tubes were placed successfully. Four patients had signs of inadequate ventilation. All of these had MMV/RMV ratios <2. A total of nine had MMV/RMV ratio <2. Eight had DOI score ≤2.Conclusions:  The PLMA can be used in a large variety of cases with a high degree of success. Clinical tests described for adults, such as MMV/RMV ratio and DOI are also associated with complications in the pediatric population.
Effects of dexmedetomidine on propofol and remifentanil infusion rates during total intravenous anesthesia for spine surgery in adolescents
Authors: NGWENYAMA NKANYEZI E. , ANDERSON JOHN , HOERNSCHEMEYER DANIEL G. , TOBIAS JOSEPH D. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryIntroduction:  Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and a synthetic opioid is a frequently chosen anesthetic technique for posterior spinal fusion. Despite its utility, adverse effects may occur with high or prolonged propofol dosing regimens including delayed awakening. The current study investigated the propofol‐sparing effects of the concomitant administration of the α2‐adrenergic agonist, dexmedetomidine, during spinal fusion surgery in adolescents.Methods:  The surgical database of the department of orthopedic surgery was searched and patients (12–21 years of age) were identified who had undergone spinal fusion for either idiopathic or neuromuscular scoliosis during the past 24 months. Patients were assigned to two groups. Group 1 included patients anesthetized with propofol and remifentanil and group 2 included patients anesthetized with dexmedetomidine, propofol, and remifentanil. In the latter group, dexmedetomidine was administered as a continuous infusion of 0.5 μg·kg−1·h−1 started after the induction of anesthesia without a loading dose. Propofol was adjusted to maintain the bispectral index (BIS) number at 40–50 and remifentanil was adjusted to maintain the mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 50–65 mmHg. Labetolol or hydralazine was used if the MAP could not be maintained at 50–65 mmHg with remifentanil up to a maximum dose of 0.6 μg/kg/min. Statistical analysis included a nonpaired t‐test for parametric data (age, weight, remifentanil/propofol infusion requirements, and heart rate/blood pressure values). A nonparametric statistical analysis (Dunn) was used to compare BIS numbers. Parametric data are presented as the mean ± sd while nonparametric data are presented as the median and the 95th percentile confidence intervals.Results:  Twelve patients received propofol–remifentanil–dexmedetomidine and 24 received propofol–remifentanil. There were no differences in the demographic data, BIS numbers or hemodynamic parameters between the two groups. There was a reduction in the propofol infusion requirements in patients who also received dexmedetomidine (71 ± 11 μg·kg−1·min−1) compared with those receiving only propofol–remifentanil (101 ± 33 μg·kg−1·min−1, P = 0.0045). No difference was noted in the remifentanil infusion requirements or the use of supplemental agents (hydralazine and labetolol) to maintain controlled hypotension.Conclusion:  The concomitant use of dexmedetomidine in patients undergoing spinal fusion reduces propofol infusion requirements when compared with those patients receiving only propofol and remifentanil.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy mechanical cardiovascular support in children with congenital heart disease
Authors: SALVIN JOSHUA W. , LAUSSEN PETER C. , THIAGARAJAN RAVI R. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryExtracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used to support postcardiotomy cardiorespiratory failure in children with congenital heart disease. We report on survival outcomes and factors associated with survival for postcardiotomy ECMO patients.
Postoperative hyperglycemia is associated with mediastinitis following pediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: GHAFOORI A. FAWAD , TWITE MARK D. , FRIESEN ROBERT H. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryIntroduction:  Mediastinitis is an infrequent, but significant complication of median sternotomy. Perioperative hyperglycemia is associated with increased morbidity, including infection in pediatric and adult cardiac surgical patients. We hypothesized that perioperative blood glucose levels would be higher in patients who later developed mediastinitis.Methods:  We examined the medical records of all infants and children diagnosed with poststernotomy mediastinitis (n = 24) from July 2001 to December 2005. Data recorded included postoperative blood glucose levels, age, diagnosis, operation, surgical complexity score, duration of operation and cardiopulmonary bypass, delayed sternal closure, perioperative use of steroids and total parenteral nutrition, and duration of postoperative inotropic and ventilatory support. Records of patients without mediastinitis matched for age, complexity score, and month of operation (control group, n = 32) were also reviewed. Data were analyzed with t‐tests and chi‐square tests. Variables with P < 0.21 on univariate tests were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model.Results:  Initially, postoperative blood glucose levels were elevated, but similar in both mediastinitis and control groups. The number of subjects having peak blood glucose levels >7.2 mm (>130 mg·dl−1) during the first 24 h was greater in the mediastinitis group (P = 0.07). The significant multivariate predictor of mediastinitis was 24 h peak blood glucose >7.2 mm (>130 mg·dl−1) (P = 0.039).Conclusion:  Our data support the hypothesis that postoperative hyperglycemia is a risk factor for the development of mediastinitis in infants and children following cardiac surgery.
Speciation accelerated and stabilized by pleiotropic major histocompatibility complex immunogenes
Authors: Eizaguirre Christophe , Lenz Tobias L. , Traulsen Arne , Milinski Manfred 
Published: October 2008

AbstractSpeciation and the maintenance of recently diverged species has been subject of intense research in evolutionary biology for decades. Although the concept of ecological speciation has been accepted, its mechanisms and genetic bases are still under investigation. Here, we present a mechanism for speciation that is orchestrated and strengthened by parasite communities acting on polymorphic genes of the immune system. In vertebrates, these genes have a pleiotropic role with regard to parasite resistance and mate choice. In contrasting niches, parasite communities differ and thus the pools of alleles of the adapted major histocompatibility complex (MHC) also differ between niches. Mate choice for the best‐adapted MHC genotype will favour local adaptations and will accelerate separation of both populations: thus immune genes act as pleiotropic speciation genes –‘magic traits’. This mechanism should operate not only in sympatric populations but also under allopatry or parapatry. Each individual has a small subset of the many MHC alleles present in the population. If all individuals could have all MHC alleles from the pool, MHC‐based adaptation is neither necessary nor possible. However, the typically small optimal individual number of MHC loci thus enables MHC‐based speciation. Furthermore, we propose a new mechanism selecting against species hybrids. Hybrids are expected to have super‐optimal individual MHC diversity and should therefore suffer more from parasites in all habitats.
Recognition between symbiotic Vibrio fischeri and the haemocytes of Euprymna scolopes
Authors: Nyholm Spencer V. , Stewart Jennifer J. , Ruby Edward G. , McFall‐Ngai Margaret J. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe light organ crypts of the squid Euprymna scolopes permit colonization exclusively by the luminous bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Because the crypt interior remains in contact with seawater, the squid must not only foster the specific symbiosis, but also continue to exclude other bacteria. Investigation of the role of the innate immune system in these processes revealed that macrophage‐like haemocytes isolated from E. scolopes recognized and phagocytosed V. fischeri less than other closely related bacterial species common to the host's environment. Interestingly, phagocytes isolated from hosts that had been cured of their symbionts bound five times more V. fischeri cells than those from uncured hosts. No such change in the ability to bind other species of bacteria was observed, suggesting that the host adapts specifically to V. fischeri. Deletion of the gene encoding OmpU, the major outer membrane protein of V. fischeri, increased binding by haemocytes from uncured animals to the level observed for haemocytes from cured animals. Co‐incubation with wild‐type V. fischeri reduced this binding, suggesting that they produce a factor that complements the mutant's defect. Analyses of the phagocytosis of bound cells by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting indicated that once binding to haemocytes had occurred, V. fischeri cells are phagocytosed as effectively as other bacteria. Thus, discrimination by this component of the squid immune system occurs at the level of haemocyte binding, and this response: (i) is modified by previous exposure to the symbiont and (ii) relies on outer membrane and/or secreted components of the symbionts. These data suggest that regulation of host haemocyte binding by the symbiont may be one of many factors that contribute to specificity in this association.
Metabolic diversification of cells during the development of yeast colonies
Authors: Váchová Libuše , Kučerová Helena , Devaux Frederic , Úlehlová Miroslava , Palková Zdena 
Published: October 2008

SummaryMicroorganisms in nature form organized multicellular structures (colonies, biofilms) possessing properties absent in individual cells. These are often related to the better ability of communities to survive long‐lasting starvation and stress and include mechanisms of adaptation and cell specialization. Thus, yeast colonies pass through distinct developmental phases characterized by changes in pH and the production of ammonia‐signalling molecules. Here, we show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae colony transition between major developmental phases (first acidic, alkali, second acidic) is accompanied by striking transcription changes, while the development within each particular phase is guided mostly at the post‐transcriptional level. First‐ and second‐acidic‐phase colonies markedly differ. Second‐acidic‐phase colonies maintain the adaptive metabolism activated in the ammonia‐producing period, supplemented by additional changes, which begin after colonies enter the second acidic phase. Cells with particular properties are not homogenously dispersed throughout the colony population, but localize to specific colony regions. Thus, cells located at the colony margin are able to export higher amounts of ammonium than central cells and to activate an adaptive metabolism. In contrast, central chronologically aged cells are unable to undergo these changes but they maintain higher levels of various stress‐defence enzymes. These divergent properties of both cell types determine their consequent dissimilar fate.
Haematoma of the sigmoid colon secondary to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome presenting as a colonic tumour
Authors: Dunn J. J. , Fallaize R. , Pullyblank A. M. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractEhlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a collective term for a number of connective tissue disorders. Vascular rupture and dissection are well‐documented sequelae as is gastrointestinal perforation. We present a rare presentation where dissection of the bowel wall presented as a suspected sigmoid colon tumour.
Volume‐induced responses in the isolated bladder: evidence for excitatory and inhibitory elements
Authors: Finney Steven M. , Stewart Laurence H. , Gillespie James I. 
Published: October 2008

OBJECTIVETo quantify changes in autonomous activity in response to alterations in intravesical volume, to explore the possible underlying regulatory mechanisms.MATERIALS AND METHODSExperiments were conducted using whole isolated bladders from six female guinea pigs (280–400 g). A cannula was inserted into the urethra to monitor intravesical pressure and the bladder was suspended in a heated chamber containing carboxygenated physiological solution at 33–36 °C. All drugs were added to the solution on the ablumenal bladder surface.RESULTSAn increase in intravesical volume followed by a rapid reduction lead to a complex series of activity comprising of several distinct phases. After a volume increase there was an initial ‘burst’ of frequency which gradually declined to a ‘steady state’. After a volume reduction there was a period of quiescence with spontaneous activity gradually returning to levels seen before the increase, termed the ‘inhibitory phase’. The frequency of transient contractions, both immediately after a volume increase and at steady state, increased both with increasing intravesical volume and dose of arecaidine. The length of the inhibitory phase increased both with the duration and magnitude of volume increase. However, the inhibitory phase was not entirely dependent n the magnitude of volume change, as the inhibitory phase was shorter when the volume was not returned to baseline levels. Increasing doses of arecaidine shortened the inhibitory phase.CONCLUSIONSThese observations suggest that the regulation of volume‐induced spontaneous activity relies on complex excitatory and inhibitory inputs. The rapid burst of activity resulting from a rise in volume suggests the presence of a rapidly adapting mechanism. Rapid reduction in intravesical volume leads to a quiescent period, i.e. the inhibitory phase. This is related to both the duration of intravesical volume increase and its magnitude. However, similar volume changes are more effective when the volume is reduced back to baseline, as opposed to the bladder being incompletely emptied. Furthermore, the frequency of transient contractions remained constant once a steady state was reached, with no evidence of inhibition before volume reduction. This suggests that mechanisms involved in the generation of the inhibitory phase initiated during bladder filling require >30 s to have a significant effect, but depend on a reduction in volume to be triggered, with the response dependent on the volume reduced. The mechanisms involved in generating and modulating the inhibitory phase seem to be regulated by a strong cholinergic input but the exact nature of these mechanisms is unknown. The potential importance of these results in terms of the general physiology and pharmacology of the bladder is discussed.
Targeting Urban Congestion: Equity and Second‐Best Issues
Authors: Clarke Harry 
Published: October 2008

Abstract Distributional and second‐best problems of implementing efficiency based demand management of road use in Australian cities are addressed. Both road use pricing and parking policies are considered. Failure to price roads and parking spots efficiently contributes to excessive travel and to excessive urban expansion. A key policy concern is to promote demand management acceptability by offering transportation alternatives and by making explicit the sources of efficiency gain from revenue neutral road charging policies with double‐dividend advantages. Second‐best policies of restricting land releases on city boundaries to encourage more compact city development may be inferior to policies of pricing major roads, cordon pricing and demand based parking policies.
EGG FREEZING: A BREAKTHROUGH FOR REPRODUCTIVE AUTONOMY?
Authors: HARWOOD KAREY 
Published: October 2008

ABSTRACTThis article describes the relatively new technology of freezing human eggs and examines whether egg freezing, specifically when it is used by healthy women as ‘insurance’ against age‐related infertility, is a legitimate exercise of reproductive autonomy. Although egg freezing has the potential to expand women's reproductive options and thus may represent a breakthrough for reproductive autonomy, I argue that without adequate information about likely outcomes and risks, women may be choosing to freeze their eggs in a commercially exploitative context, thus undermining rather than expanding reproductive autonomy.
Geometry Textures and Applications†
Authors: De Toledo Rodrigo , Wang Bin , Lévy Bruno 
Published: October 2008

AbstractGeometry textures are a novel geometric representation for surfaces based on height maps. The visualization is done through a graphics processing unit (GPU) ray casting algorithm applied to the whole object. At rendering time, the fine‐scale details (mesostructures) are reconstructed preserving original quality. Visualizing surfaces with geometry textures allows a natural level‐of‐detail (LOD) behaviour. There are numerous applications that can benefit from the use of geometry textures. In this paper, besides a mesostructure visualization survey, we present geometry textures with three possible applications: rendering of solid models, geological surfaces visualization and surface smoothing.