bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Carvedilol on the Serum Lipid Profile
Authors: Sharp Randall P , Sirajuddin Riaz , Sharief Imran M 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE: To examine the evidence regarding the impact of carvedilol on the serum lipid profile. DATA SOURCES: Searches in MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1966–December 2007) were conducted. Search terms included carvedilol, cholesterol, lipids, hyperlipidemia, and β-blockers. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Published studies and case reports that evaluated the impact of carvedilol on the lipid profile were reviewed. One study was excluded because it evaluated carvedilol for an off-label use and was a small Phase 2 pilot study that evaluated the results of only 10 patients. DATA SYNTHESIS: Twelve studies were available for review; 6 of these compared carvedilol with β1-selective antagonists. Three studies compared carvedilol with other antihypertensive medications; 2 of those studies evaluated total cholesterol only. Carvedilol alone was evaluated for its effects on lipids in 3 small single-group studies. In 4 of the 12 studies, carvedilol independently improved the lipid profile significantly, while the drug had a nonsignificant, neutral effect on the lipid profile in 3 studies. Furthermore, in 4 of the 12 studies, carvedilol was compared with other antihypertensive medications. In 3 of these 4 studies, the other drugs worsened the lipid profile significantly compared with carvedilol, while carvedilol significantly improved the lipid profile in the other study. Finally, carvedilol had a potentially negative effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a single-group study, but p values were not reported. CONCLUSIONS: It is clear that β1-selective antagonists worsen the lipid profile compared with carvedilol. However, it is unclear whether carvedilol independently makes an improvement or has a neutral effect on the lipid profile. Carvedilol should be an important treatment consideration in patients with heart failure and/or hypertension with dyslipidemia. However, many questions remain regarding this issue.
Evaluation of Feeding Intolerance in Patients with Pentobarbital-Induced Coma
Authors: Stevens Alison M , Then Janine E , Frock Karen M , Crookes Bruce A , Commichau Christopher , Marden Brian T , Beynnon Bonnie J , Rebuck Jill A 
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: There is considerable debate regarding the appropriateness of feeding patients by the enteral route in conjunction with pentobarbital coma therapy. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of feeding intolerance (FI) in patients receiving pentobarbital in conjunction with enteral nutrition (EN). METHODS: A retrospective, observational evaluation of patients (>14 y of age) who received a therapeutic pentobarbital coma in combination with EN was conducted. Patients were divided into groups, based on the occurrence of FI defined as aspiration of gastric residuals greater than 75 mL for 2 consecutive measurements. RESULTS: Forty-eight percent (29 of 61) of patients experienced FI based on our definition. The median pentobarbital infusion rate did not differ significantly between patients who experienced FI versus those who did not (median [intraquartile range, IQR] 1.8 mg/kg/h [1.4, 2.1] vs 1.7 mg/kg/h [1.4, 2.5]; p = 0.680). The total pentobarbital bolus dose during the first 24 hours of therapy was lower in patients who experienced FI (700 mg [225, 980] vs 1000 mg [600, 1475]; p = 0.029). Median duration of pentobarbital therapy was comparable between groups (141.0 h [93.3, 217.3] vs 116.3 h [64.0, 174.8]; p = 0.115). Other factors with the potential to influence FI, such as catecholamines, neuromuscular blockade, and hyperglycemia, were similar between groups. The higher narcotic doses and greater percentage of patients receiving benzodiazepines in the FI group warrants further study. CONCLUSIONS: Pentobarbital therapy did not preclude use of EN in the entire study population. In addition, FI did not occur at a greater frequency in patients who received a higher dosage, a longer duration, or an earlier initiation of pentobarbital therapy.
Effectiveness and Safety of Dorzolamide – Timolol Alone or Combined with Latanoprost in Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension
Authors: Lesk Mark R , Koulis Theodoro , Sampalis Fotini , Sampalis John S , Bastien Natacha R 
Published: March 2008

BACKGROUND: Treatment of glaucoma is aimed at reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) to prevent further damage to the optic nerve. For patients who do not respond to monotherapy, combination treatment may be effective in achieving therapeutic reduction or target IOP. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of dorzolamide 2% with timolol 0.5% alone or combined with latanoprost in reducing IOP in a real-world setting. METHODS: A prospective, open-label, multicenter, nonrandomized interventional study was designed. Three hundred fifty patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and uncontrolled IOP after latanoprost monotherapy for 4 or more weeks were treated with combination dorzolamide–timolol twice daily added to their existing latanoprost therapy (D/T-Add-On; n = 280) or dorzolamide–timolol twice daily monotherapy (D/T-Switch; n = 70). The primary effectiveness outcome measure was the change in IOP after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Of the total population, 313 patients completed this trial (248 D/T-Add-On; 65 D/T-Switch). After 12 weeks, the mean ± SD IOP decrease was −6.3 ± 3.6 mm Hg (–28.1%) and −5.8 ± 4.9 mm Hg (–23.5%) in the D/T-Add-On and D/T-Switch groups, respectively (both p < 0.001). Therapeutic response rates (defined as IOP reduction >20%) after 12 weeks of treatment for the D/T-Add-On and the D/T-Switch groups were 66.4% (186/280) and 52.9% (37/70), respectively. There were 116 predominantly mild, nonserious adverse events attributed to the study drugs, reported by 86 (24.6%) patients. The most frequent adverse events were eye irritation (n = 42; 12.0%) and taste perversion (n = 15; 4.3%). No serious adverse events related to the study medications were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension and elevated IOP while on monotherapy with latanoprost, switching to dorzolamide–timolol or combining dorzolamide–timolol with latanoprost are effective and safe treatment options for reducing IOP and achieving therapeutic response.
Rapidly Developing Hyperglycemia During Treatment with Olanzapine
Authors: Kohen Izchak , Gampel Mordechai , Reddy Lakshmi , Manu Peter 
Published: March 2008

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of rapidly occurring hyperglycemia that occurred in a geriatric patient 3 days after treatment with olanzapine. CASE SUMMARY: An 89-year-old man was admitted for dementia with behavioral disturbance and psychosis and was started on olanzapine 2.5 mg twice daily. Due to paranoia and agitation, the dose was increased to 5 mg twice daily after 2 days. Subsequently, he developed hyperglycemia (fasting blood glucose 138 mg/dL) that resolved when olanzapine was stopped and recurred (fasting blood glucose 150 mg/dL) after 2 days of rechallenge with olanzapine 2.5 mg twice daily. In addition, his overall medical status worsened, as he developed concurrent acute renal failure and became more confused and lethargic. The hyperglycemia once again resolved with discontinuation of the drug. DISCUSSION: We postulate that the rapid onset of hyperglycemia and the resulting medical sequelae were due to olanzapine. An objective causality assessment revealed that the adverse drug event was probable. There have been numerous case reports of hyperglycemia with olanzapine in the literature, but none reported hyperglycemia within days of initiation of the medication. Although weight gain often coincides with hyperglycemia in patients taking atypical antipsychotics, it does not seem to be a necessary causal factor. Recent data in animal studies have indicated that olanzapine and clozapine rapidly impair whole-body insulin sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians treating elderly patients with olanzapine should be aware of the potential for rapidly developing hyperglycemia and monitor such patients accordingly.
Factors Affecting the Thermal Stability of Conventional Scale Inhibitors for Application in High Pressure/High Temperature Reservoirs
Authors: Dyer S. J. , Graham G. M. , Sorbie K. S. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Following an earlier paper (SPE 37274, 1997),1 we have continued to investigate the thermal stability of scale inhibitors for application in high pressure/high temperature (HP/HT) reservoirs. HP/HT reservoirs are currently under development in the North Sea and are characterised by high salinity brines (TDS &gt; 300,000 ppm) high temperatures (T &gt; 175°C) and high pressures (12,000–15,000 psi, ~ 800–1050 bar). At present produced brines are treated with scale inhibitors to prevent mineral scale deposition within tubulars and topside equipment. However, the conventional polymer and phosphonate scale inhibitors currently being used may not be appropriate for application in the harsh HP/HT reservoirs.
In this work, results are presented from static thermal stability tests conducted on conventional polymer and phosphonate scale inhibitors including phosphino-polycarboxylate (PPCA), polyvinyl sulphonate (PVS), penta-phosphonate (DETPMP) and hexa-phosphonate (TETHMP). The stability of the scale inhibitors has been considered at temperatures ranging from 120°C to 200°C and other factors which may affect thermal stability have also been investigated, including solution pH and the presence of oxygen radicals, iron and common cations (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) in the inhibitor solution. The results from this work demonstrate how factors such as pH and brine composition control thermal stability. Furthermore, the controlling influence of certain factors, such as solution pH, affect different species differently. This work assists in the selection of scale inhibitors for use in HP/HT applications.
Development of non-aqueous single stage derivatisation method for the determination of putrescine and cadaverine using GC-MS
Authors: Awan M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
A single step derivatisation for the determination of putrescine and cadaverine by gas chromatography using trifluoroacetylacetone (TFAA) in methanol or ethanol was studied and optimised. The derivatives were analysed by an iontrap gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) operating with electron impact ionisation with selective ion storage (EI-SIS) mode. The optimised mole ratios for TFAA/putrescine and TFAA/cadaverine reactions were 5/1 and 5.8/1 respectively with a reaction time of 15 minutes at 95oC. The retention times for the derivatised putrescine and cadaverine were 11.3 and 12.2 minutes respectively using the capillary column, CP-Sil 8CB; 30 m length x 0.25 mm i.d. x 0.25 mm film. The correlation coefficients (R2) of calibration curves for putrescine and cadaverine were 0.991 and 0.990 respectively over a concentration range of 100 ng cm−3 to 1500 ng cm−3. The method developed was found to be simple (single-stage derivatisation), rapid (15 minutes derivatisation &amp; 14 minutes GC/MS run) and accurate (putrescine and cadaverine recoveries 94.8%–97.7%).
Massive scalar field quasinormal modes of a Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by quintessence
Authors: Ma Chunrui , Gui Yuanxing , Wang Wei , Wang Fujun 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
We present the quasinormal frequencies of the massive scalar field in the background of a Schwarzchild black hole surrounded by quintessence with the third-order WKB method. The mass of the scalar field u plays an important role in studying the quasinormal frequencies, the real part of the frequencies increases linearly as mass of the field u increases, while the imaginary part in absolute value decreases linearly which leads to damping more slowly than the massless scalar field. The frequencies have a limited value, so it is easier to detect the quasinormal modes. Moreover, owing to the presence of the quintessence, the massive scalar field damps more slowly.
Discretely tunable and multiwavelength erbium doped fibre lasers with Fabry-Perot etalon
Authors: Stryjak M. , Budnicki A. , Lewicki R. , Kaczmarek P. , Abramski K. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractModern WDM telecommunication systems require stable and calibrated laser sources. In this paper, we present examples of such lasers based on erbium doped fibres, i.e., discretely tunable and multiwavelength ring lasers. For the first case, tuning is possible due to a tunable Bragg grating overlapping spectrally the third telecommunication window (1550 nm). When a Fabry-Perot etalon is inserted into the cavity, discrete tunable operation with appropriate spacing between operating wavelengths is possible. Different free spectral ranges (FSR) of applied etalons ensured operation at a wavelength spacing 0.4 nm, 0.8 nm or 1.6 nm, respectively. When an acoustooptical Bragg frequency shifter was inserted together with the Fabry-Perot etalon, the stable simultaneous multiwavelength operation covering the erbium doped gain range was achieved.
Oscillation criteria for third-order nonlinear differential equations
Authors: Baculíková B. , Elabbasy E. , Saker S. , Džurina J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
In this paper, we are concerned with the oscillation properties of the third order differential equation $$
\left( {b(t) \left( {[a(t)x'(t)'} \right)^\gamma } \right)^\prime + q(t)x^\gamma (t) = 0, \gamma > 0
$$. Some new sufficient conditions which insure that every solution oscillates or converges to zero are established. The obtained results extend the results known in the literature for γ = 1. Some examples are considered to illustrate our main results.
The relative importance of disturbance and environmental stress at local and regional scales in French coastal sand dunes
Authors: Forey Estelle , Chapelet Benjamin , Vitasse Yann , Tilquin Mathieu , Touzard Blaise , Michalet Richard 
Published: March 2008

AbstractQuestions:1. Is there a primary role of disturbance at local scale and of environmental stress at regional scale? 2. Does disturbance increase or decrease environmental stress at local scale?Location:The Atlantic coastal dune system of the Aquitaine Region (France).Methods:Species biomass and 16 environmental variables were sampled in 128 quadrats along a local beach‐inland gradient and a regional North‐South gradient. Environmental data were analysed with ANOVAs and vegetation‐environment relationships with Canonical Correspondence Analysis.Results:At the local scale community composition was primarily driven by disturbance due to sand burial, whereas water and nutrient stress better explained regional differences. However, random biogeographical events are very likely to also affect community composition at the largest scale. The main interaction between environmental stress and disturbance was the mitigation of nutrient stress induced by disturbance at a local scale. This was due to a positive direct effect of sand burial and a positive indirect effect of wind (decrease in VPD by ocean spray). Although wind had also a significant effect on soil conductivity and pH, there was no evidence that these factors had any role in community composition.Conclusions:Our results support the hypothesis that disturbance had a primary role at local scale and environmental stress at regional scale but further research is needed to separate the effect of stress from that of dispersal at regional scale. We also demonstrated that environmental stress in primary succession may not always decline with decreasing disturbance.
Chromophoric 5′‐O‐Silyl Protection of N‐Protected 2′‐ACE Ribonucleosides for Solid‐Phase RNA Synthesis
Authors: Delaney Michael O. , Thomas Angela , Ricketts Chris , Kitchen David E. , Kaiser Robert J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRecent advances in the understanding of the pivotal roles played by endogenous small RNAs in gene regulation have resulted in a substantial and rapidly growing market for synthetic RNA. 5′‐Silyl‐2′‐ACE chemistry has proven to be a robust and reliable technology for the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides. This unit describes an important improvement to this chemistry, by adding a cycle‐to‐cycle traceability analogous to that inherent in 5′‐dimethoxytrityl–based approaches. This is achieved by first regioselectively introducing a 5′‐alkynylsilyl protecting group onto the 2′‐ACE‐protected nucleosides. The 5′‐alkynylsilyl group is then reacted with an azide derivative of the chromophore Disperse Red 1, which enables spectrophotometric interrogation of each coupling step following 5′‐deprotection. Finally, the protected nucleosides are elaborated into their 3′‐phosphoramidite derivatives for use in solid‐phase RNA synthesis. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 32:2.14.1‐2.14.26. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Detection of Aberrant 2′‐5′ Linkages in RNA by Anion Exchange
Authors: Thayer J.R. , Rao Srinivasa , Puri Nitin 
Published: March 2008

AbstractFormation of aberrant 2′‐5′ linkages can unintentionally occur in chemical synthesis of RNA. These linkages may arise by phosphoryl migration during deprotection, release, or subsequent steps during manufacture of therapeutic RNA. Their presence has been linked to a number of biochemical activities, so their potential for contribution to “off‐target” effects is significant. Assaying for their presence, to ensure safe and effective therapeutic activity, is not straightforward. Since these linkages do not alter the RNA mass or the ionic or hydrophobic character of the product, confirmation of their presence or absence is not readily addressable by conventional chromatographic, electrophoretic, or mass spectrometric techniques. Since 2′‐5′ linkages are known to alter RNA solution conformation, they may also alter stationary phase interactions. A method for identifying the presence of these aberrant linkages by pellicular anion‐exchange HPLC is presented in this unit. Curr. Protoc. Nucleic Acid Chem. 32:10.13.1‐10.13.11. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Two‐Dimensional Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Schamel Wolfgang W.A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractMultiprotein complexes play crucial roles in nearly all cell biological processes. Blue Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (BN‐PAGE) is a powerful method to study these complexes. It is a native protein separation method that relies on the dye Coomassie blue to confer negative charge for separation. It has a higher resolution than gel filtration or sucrose density ultracentrifugation and can be used for protein complexes from 10 kDa to 10 MDa. If a second‐dimension SDS‐PAGE is applied (two‐dimensional BN/SDS‐PAGE), the size, subunit composition, and relative abundance of the different multiprotein complexes can be studied. In recent years, there has been a large increase in the number of publications where BN‐PAGE was used to study protein‐protein interactions. Here, we give detailed protocols for the separation of multiprotein complexes by two‐dimensional BN/SDS‐PAGE and for a related technique to determine the stoichiometry of these complexes. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 38:6.10.1‐6.10.21. © 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dental wear and oral pathology: Possible evidence and consequences of habitual use of teeth in a Swedish Neolithic sample
Authors: Molnar Petra 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAtypical wear and oral lesions were studied in the dental remains from the Middle Neolithic Pitted Ware Culture site Ajvide on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. Teeth (n = 764) from 17 males and 11 females were examined microscopically to document unusual wear, assess wear patterns and oral lesions as evidence of habitual behavior, and determine their effect on the oral health of this population. Five atypical wear types were observed: occlusal facets, occlusal excessive load, labial vertical striae, labial horizontal striae, and interproximal striae. Three oral lesions were recorded: chipping, periapical lesions, and dental tilting. Results indicate that teeth were used in a habitual manner at Ajvide, based on the morphology and regularity of the patterns of atypical wear. Differences were observed between the sexes, indicating gender‐related differences in the habitual use of teeth. Some wear categories showed a significant correlation with age, signifying increased or accumulated wear with age. Statistically significant positive correlations were found in the molars between occlusal excessive load wear and periapical lesions as well as tilting. Other apparent links were also observed between chipping and vertical striae as well as excessive load, although these were not significant. This suggests a relationship between dental wear and dental pathologies at this site, suggesting that habitual use of teeth indirectly affected the general oral health at the site. Wear patterns, furthermore, seem to mirror both frequent activities as well as single events. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Growth‐related changes in prehistoric Jomon and modern Japanese mandibles with emphasis on cortical bone distribution
Authors: Fukase Hitoshi , Suwa Gen 
Published: March 2008

AbstractCortical bone distribution of the anthropoid mandibular symphysis has been addressed in relation to mechanical stress generated by mastication. To examine whether or not bone mass and distribution patterns of the human mandibular symphysis could be interpreted as an example of functional adaptation, we compared the skeletal growth series of two populations, prehistoric Jomon, considered to represent a “robust” mandibular morphology associated with a presumed heavier masticatory load, and modern Japanese. Results showed that the adult Jomon symphysis possessed significantly greater bone mass and thicker cortical bone compared to the modern Japanese condition. However, the second moments of area did not differ significantly between the two, indicating comparable rigidity against bending. Furthermore, the Jomon mandibles of the infant to juvenile stages exhibited most of the adult characteristics, in both bone mass/distribution of the symphysis and in mandibular corpus/ramus morphologies. The present study also demonstrated the presence of a growth pattern of symphyseal cortical thickness, common to both the Jomon and the modern Japanese series. In both populations, subsequent to deciduous molar occlusion, cortical bone tends to be thickest at the inferolingual symphysis, at the location where the highest tensile stresses presumably occur during mastication. These findings suggest that the “robust” characteristics of the Jomon mandible are initially manifested early in development, and that the effect of mechanical stimulus to bone mass formation in the human symphysis is largely confined to a regulatory role during growth modeling. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting progression in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: A 10‐year multicenter study
Authors: Khaleeli Zhaleh , Ciccarelli Olga , Manfredonia Francesco , Barkhof Frederik , Brochet Bruno , Cercignani Mara , Dousset Vincent , Filippi Massimo , Montalban Xavier , Polman Chris , Rovaris Marco , Rovira Alex , Sastre‐Garriga Jaume , Vellinga Machteld , Miller David , Thompson Alan 
Published: March 2008

AbstractRates of progression vary widely in primary progressive multiple sclerosis. This multicenter study aimed to identify predictors of progression over 10 years. A total of 101 patients who had been imaged at baseline and 2 years were scored on the expanded disability status scale after 10 years. Ordinal logistic regression identified the following independent variables that predicted progression: male sex, shorter disease duration, and slower timed walk test at baseline (best overall predictor), and deterioration in expanded disability status scale score and reduction in brain volume over 2 years. These predictors of long‐term disability provide some insight into disease progression. Ann Neurol 2008