bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Upregulated but insufficient generation of activated protein C is associated with development of multiorgan failure in severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Lindstrom Outi , Kylanpaa Leena , Mentula Panu , Puolakkainen Pauli , Kemppainen Esko , Haapiainen Reijo , Fernandez Jose A , Griffin John H , Repo Heikki , Petaja Jari 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Introduction
Disturbed protein C (PC) pathway homeostasis might contribute to the development of multiple organ failure (MOF) in acute pancreatitis (AP). We therefore evaluated circulating levels of PC and activated protein C (APC), evaluated monocyte deactivation in AP patients, and determined the relationship of these parameters to MOF.

Patients and methods
Thirty-one patients in the intensive care unit were categorized as cases (n = 13, severe AP with MOF) or controls (n = 18, severe AP without MOF). Blood samples were drawn every second day to determine the platelet count, the levels of APC, PC, and D-dimer, and the monocyte HLA-DR expression using flow cytometry. The APC/PC ratio was used to evaluate turnover of PC to APC.

Results
During the initial two weeks of hospitalization, low PC levels (<70% of the adult mean) occurred in 92% of cases and 44% of controls (P = 0.008). The minimum APC level was lower in cases than in controls (median 85% versus 97%, P = 0.009). Using 87% as the cut-off value, 8/13 (62%) cases and 3/18 (17%) controls showed reduced APC levels (P = 0.021). A total of 92% of cases and 50% of controls had APC/PC ratios exceeding the upper normal limit (P = 0.013). Plasma samples drawn before MOF showed low PC levels and high APC/PC ratios. HLA-DR-positive monocytes correlated with PC levels (r = 0.38, P < 0.001) and APC levels (r = 0.27, P < 0.001), indicating that the PC pathway was associated with systemic inflammation-triggered immune suppression.

Conclusion
PC deficiency and decreased APC generation in severe AP probably contributed to a compromised anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory defence. The PC pathway defects were associated with the development of MOF. The data support feasibility of testing the use of APC or PC to improve the clinical outcome in AP.
Hepatic platelet and leukocyte adherence during endotoxemia
Authors: Croner Roland S , Hoerer Elfie , Kulu Yakup , Hackert Tilo , Gebhard Martha-Maria , Herfarth Christian , Klar Ernst 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Introduction
Liver microcirculation disturbances are a cause of hepatic failure in sepsis. Increased leukocyte-endothelial interaction, platelet adherence and impaired microperfusion cause hepatocellular damage. The time course and reciprocal influences of ongoing microcirculatory events during endotoxemia have not been clarified.

Methods
Male Wistar rats (232 ± 17 g) underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Intravital microscopy (IVM) was performed 0, 1, 3, 5, 10 and 20 hours after CLP. Mean erythrocyte velocity, leukocyte and platelet rolling in postsinusoidal venules and sticking of leukocytes and platelets in postsinusoidal venules and hepatic sinusoids were determined. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and portal venous blood flow (PBF) were measured. Blood count and investigation of hepatic enzyme release was performed after each IVM time point.

Results
Hepatic platelet-endothelial adherence in liver sinusoids and postsinusoidal venules occurred one hour after the induction of endotoxemia. Leukocyte-endothelial interaction started three to five hours after CLP. A decrease of hepatic microperfusion could be observed at three hours in sinusoids and ten hours in postsinusoidal venules after CLP, although PBF was reduced one hour after CLP. HR remained stable and MAP decreased ten hours after CLP. Hepatic enzymes in blood were significantly elevated ten hours after CLP.

Conclusion
Hepatic platelet-endothelial interaction is an early event during endotoxemia. Leukocyte adherence occurs later, which underlines the probable involvement of platelets in leukocyte recruitment. Although PBF is reduced immediately after CLP, the later onset of hepatic microperfusion decrease makes the existence of autoregulatory liver mechanisms likely.
Liposomal Sorting onto Substrate through Ion Recognition by Gemini Peptide Lipids
Authors: Otsuki Masashi , Sasaki Yoshihiro , Iwamoto Shintaro , Kikuchi Jun-ichi 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Selective liposomal assembling in aqueous solution was achieved by ion-recognizable gemini peptide lipids as an inducer. The methodology was extended to liposomal sorting on a substrate covered with a supported bilayer membrane, which was confirmed by means of fluorescence and atomic force microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and quarts crystal microbalance measurements.
Rotaxane Synthesized by End-capping via Hydroruthenation of Axle Terminal Acetylene and Its Derivation to η3-Allylruthenium Complex-containing Rotaxane
Authors: Sasabe Hisahiro , Kihara Nobuhiro , Mizuno Kazuhiko , Ogawa Akiya , Takata Toshikazu 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
The hydroruthenation of pseudorotaxane 1·DB24C8 having an alkyne moiety at the axle terminal with RuHCl(CO)(PPh3)3 gave [2]rotaxane 2 with an alkenylruthenium complex moiety in a good yield. The carbometalation of allenes with 2 resulted in the formation of the corresponding [2]rotaxanes 3 with η3-allylruthenium complex moieties in good yields.
Importance of 3′-Hydroxyl Group of the Nucleosides for the Reactivity of Thymidine Phosphorylase from Escherichia coli
Authors: Hatano Akihiko , Harano Aiko , Kirihara Masayuki 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
Thymidine phosphorylase in phosphate buffer catalyzed the conversion of thymidine to unnatural nucleosides. The 3′-OH, but not the 5′-OH of ribosyl moiety is necessary to be recognized as a substrate. Thus 3′-deoxythymidine could not convert to 5-fluorouracil-2′,3′-dideoxyribose. However, 5′-deoxythymidine was converted to 5-fluorouracil-2′,5′-dideoxyribose.
A Two-Stage Model of the Promotional Performance of Pure Online Firms
Authors: Wu Jianan , Cook Victor J. , Strong Edward C. 
Published: January 2006

Internet firms frequently employ a two-stage approach to promotional activities. In Stage 1, they attract customers to their websites through advertising. In Stage 2, firms generate sales transactions or sales leads through their website. Comprehensive assessment of the promotional performance of pure online firms requires the study of Stage 1 and of Stage 2 jointly. In this paper we develop a joint two-stage conceptual and econometric model for assessing website promotion on three important dimensions: (1) how advertising response can be measured by linking media schedules to website log files; (2) how advertising and website characteristics jointly affect the desired system outcome of the promotion; and (3) whether the joint investigation of advertising response and desired system outcomes is essential to assess the results of website promotion. Three general findings follow from application of our model to a pure online firm’s campaign to generate sales leads through print advertising. First, advertising and website characteristics affect sales leads in different ways. A characteristic may influence sales leads directly, or indirectly, or both. Second, assessing advertising effectiveness in an online environment may not require costly survey research data. Instead, secondary data available from website log files may be used for such assessment. Third, the interaction between the first and second stages of our two-stage model can lead to misspecifications that produce misleading inferences. This occurs because the unobserved characteristics in generating website visits and sales leads may be correlated.
Diagnoses and Antipsychotic Treatment Among Youths in a Public Mental Health System
Authors: Patel Nick C , Crismon M Lynn , Shafer Alan 
Published: January 2006

Background: The use of antipsychotics, namely newer atypical agents, has increased significantly in children and adolescents. It is important to examine diagnoses associated with antipsychotic treatment in youths. Objective: To evaluate trends in psychiatric diagnoses of children and adolescents in a public mental health system who were prescribed antipsychotics. Methods: Children and adolescents, up to the age of 19 years, who were prescribed an antipsychotic between January 1998 and December 2001 were identified using the Texas Medicaid Vendor Drug database. Patient identification numbers were then cross-linked to the Client Assignment and Registration database of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to extract diagnostic data. Results: Disruptive behavioral disorders accounted for the highest percentage (35%) of diagnoses associated with children and adolescents receiving antipsychotic treatment and mental healthcare services. Depressive disorders were the second most common diagnosis (18%), and bipolar disorders accounted for roughly 12% of all diagnoses. Approximately 3% of children and adolescents did not have a psychiatric diagnosis. The percentage of youths with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses decreased over time. Conclusions: Although disruptive behavioral disorders accounted for a large percentage of antipsychotic use in this population, these findings suggest that antipsychotics are being used to treat other psychiatric diagnoses, for which limited supporting data exist. Future research in children and adolescents should aim to provide needed efficacy and safety data of antipsychotics across the spectrum of neuropsychiatrie disorders.
Outcomes of Bupropion Therapy for Smoking Cessation During Routine Clinical Use
Authors: Paluck Elan C , McCormack James P , Ensom Mary HH , Levine Marc , Soon Judith A , Fielding David W 
Published: January 2006

Background: Knowledge pertaining to the effectiveness of smoking cessation treatments and patient characteristics that may affect success may enable smokers and clinicians to select individualized treatment for each patient and ultimately increase the success rate of smoking cessation in general. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of bupropion as a smoking cessation agent when used in routine clinical practice. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study with a one year follow-up period. Adult smokers presenting to community pharmacies in British Columbia, Canada, with an index prescription for bupropion for smoking cessation (N = 205) were eligible. The primary outcome was the biochemically validated 12 month point abstinence (PA) rate from smoking. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of adverse events, patterns of bupropion use in routine clinical practice, and possible predictors of bupropion effectiveness. Results: The validated 12 month PA rate was 21.0%. Of subjects who reported taking at least one dose of bupropion, 70.4% (126/179) experienced at least one adverse event and 29.6% (53/179) reported stopping the drug due to adverse effects. Greater length of time on bupropion (OR 0.98) and a lower cigarette pack-year history (OR 1.05) were associated with an increase in the odds of smoking cessation. Conclusions: Subjects receiving bupropion in a real-life setting exhibited a similar abstinence rate at 12 months as has been observed in the active drug groups of placebo-controlled clinical trials. However, the patterns of use and discontinuation rate due to adverse events differed substantially from those observed in early efficacy studies.
Mechanical Properties of ASR-Affected Concrete Containing Fine or Coarse Reactive Aggregates
Authors: Smaoui N , Bissonnette B , Bérubé M-A , Fournier B , Durand B 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
This experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of the alkali-silica reactivity (ASR) on the mechanical properties of concrete, and in particular the strength and the modulus of elasticity under direct tension. Two highly reactive aggregates, a coarse (Québec City limestone) and a fine (Texas sand) were used. The results suggest that the effects of ASR on the mechanical properties of concrete may vary with the reactive aggregate involved. At least, they depend on the particle size and/or the degree of reactivity of this aggregate. The direct tensile strength was the mechanical property of concrete, the most affected and the most-rapidly affected by ASR. At 0.1 % expansion, for instance, concrete cylinders cast with the Québec City limestone showed moderate losses of 16 % in compressive strength and in splitting strength (Brazilian test), but as high as 48 % in direct tensile strength. The modulus of elasticity presented similar values in compression and in direct tension, and its reduction also gives a very good idea of the progress of the damage due to ASR. At 0.1 % expansion, for instance, concrete cylinders containing the Québec City limestone showed a loss in modulus of 19 % in direct tension and 23 % in compression.
Almost Heaven Leadership, Decline and the Transformation of New Vrindaban
Authors: Rochford E. Burke , Bailey Kendra 
Published: January 2006

An important if underdeveloped focus of scholars interested in the fate of new religions is in the factors that influence their success, decline, and failure. Among the factors most critical to the development of new religions is legitimate authority. We describe how a crisis of leadership authority at New Vrindaban, a renegade Hare Krishna community in West Virginia, brought about an exodus of community residents, financial decline, conflict, and the ultimate transformation of the community's mission. Findings from a 2003 survey are presented to assess how the community's membership has responded to New Vrindaban's transformed purpose as an institution of pilgrimage.
I can remember when I was struck with the concept of Srila Prabhupada wanting a new Vrndavana when I came in 1973. I sold myself out to that dream. The dream turned into a horrific nightmare for so many, through no fault of their own. I pray to give myself like that again. But instead I am hiding in a little closet even while I remain here [at New Vrindaban].
The Marginal Cost of Funds from Public Sector Borrowing
Authors: Dahlby Bev 
Published: January 2006

Abstract
An expression for the welfare cost of a marginal increase in the public debt is derived using a simple AK endogenous growth model. This measure of the marginal cost of public funds (MCF) can be interpreted as the marginal benefit-cost ratio that a debt-financed public project needs in order to generate a net social gain. The model predicts an increase in the public debt ratio will have little effect on the optimal public expenditure ratio and that most of the adjustment will occur on the tax side of the budget.
Effect of withholding feed on concentration and composition of plasma very low density lipoprotein and serum nonesterified fatty acids in horses
Authors: Frank Nicholas , Sojka Janice E. , Latour Mickey A. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective—To measure and compare the concentration and composition of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in plasma and selected lipids in serum of horses fed mixed grass hay ad libitum or denied feed for 36 hours.Animals—4 healthy adult mares.Procedure—Mares were either fed mixed grass hay ad libitum or denied feed for 36 hours beginning at 8:00 AM. Blood samples were collected every 2 hours during the study period and analyzed for nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), triglyceride (TG), VLDL, and glucose concentrations and composition of VLDL.Results—Withholding feed significantly increased mean serum concentrations of NEFA. By 36 hours, a 16-fold increase in mean serum NEFA concentration and 2-fold increase in mean plasma VLDL concentration, compared with baseline values, were detected. Mean plasma TG concentrations significantly increased with time in feed-deprived horses. Significantly lower overall mean plasma glucose concentrations were detected in feed-deprived horses. Mean percentage of protein in VLDL was significantly lower in feed-deprived horses. Plasma VLDL concentrations varied widely among horses in response to withholding feed. Plasma TG and VLDL concentrations remained unaltered in 2 horses.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Withholding feed significantly increases blood lipid concentrations in horses, but individual horses respond differently. Serum NEFA concentrations were increased in all 4 horses denied feed, indicating mobilization of tissue triglyceride stores. Variation in plasma VLDL concentration in response to withholding feed suggests that its metabolism is strongly influenced by other, as yet undetermined, factors in horses. Differences in the plasma VLDL concentrations among horses in response to withholding feed may be used as an indication of susceptibility to the hyperlipemic syndrome of Equidae. (Am J Vet Res2002;63:1018–1021)
Laparoscopic-assisted cystopexy in dogs
Authors: Rawlings Clarence A. , Howerth Elizabeth W. , Mahaffey Mary B. , Foutz Tim L. , Bement Shannon , Canalis Chanda 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective—To develop a laparoscopic-assisted technique for cystopexy in dogs.Animals—8 healthy male dogs, 7 healthy female dogs, and 3 client-owned dogs with retroflexion of the urinary bladder secondary to perineal herniation.Procedure—Dogs were anesthetized, and positive pressure ventilation was provided. In the healthy male dogs, the serosal surface of the bladder was sutured to the abdominal wall. In the healthy female dogs, the serosa and muscular layer of the bladder were incised and sutured to the aponeurosis of the external and internal abdominal oblique muscles. Dogs were monitored daily for 30 days after surgery.Results—All dogs recovered rapidly after surgery and voided normally. In the female dogs, results of urodynamic (leak point pressure and urethral pressure profilometry) and contrast radiographic studies performed 30 days after surgery were similar to results obtained before surgery. Cystopexy was successful in all 3 client-owned dogs, but 1 of these dogs was subsequently euthanatized because of leakage from a colopexy performed at the same time as the cystopexy.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—The laparoscopic-assisted cystopexy technique was quick, easy to perform, and not associated with urinary tract infection or abnormalities of urination. (Am J Vet Res2002;63:1226–1231).
Short-term effect of therapeutic shoeing on severity of lameness in horses with chronic laminitis
Authors: Taylor Danny , Hood David M. , Wagner Ilka P. 
Published: January 2006

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the short-term effects of 4
therapeutic shoeing systems on lameness and voluntary
limb-load distribution in horses with chronic
laminitis.

Animals—10 horses with chronic laminitis.

Procedures—A clinical trial was conducted that used
a concurrent control, crossover design to evaluate
the relative effectiveness of a standard flat shoe,
fullered egg-bar shoe, heart-bar shoe, and modified
equine digital support system to alleviate chronic
lameness in horses. Therapeutic success was
assessed during a 7-day period by use of subjective
(Obel grade and clinical score) and objective (forceplate
data) evaluations.

Results—Comparison of pretreatment and intertreatment
control data indicated that disease status of the
horses did not change during the course of the study.
None of the therapeutic shoeing treatments used
resulted in a significant change in severity of lameness.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results were
interpreted to imply that substantial clinical improvement
should not be expected during the first 7 days
after therapeutic shoeing for the specific shoes tested
in this study. On the basis of our results, we
hypothesize that when used as the lone indicator of
therapeutic success, severity of lameness may not be
a valid indicator. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:1629–1633)
Spontaneous in vitro contractile activity of specimens from the abomasal wall of healthy cows and comparison among dairy breeds
Authors: Zulauf Marc , Spring Cécile , Eicher Richard , Meylan Mireille , Hirsbrunner Gaby , Scholtysik Günter , Steiner Adrian 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective—To characterize and compare in vitro contractility patterns of sections of abomasal wall harvested from cattle of 3 dairy breeds.Sample Population—Longitudinal and circular smooth muscle preparations harvested from the antrum and body of the abomasum of 30 recently slaughtered Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental X Red Holstein cows.Procedure—Spontaneous isometric contractions of specimens in tissue baths of modified Krebs solution were recorded during a 4-hour period. Maximal amplitude, frequency of contractions, and change of basal tension were used to characterize contractility. Statistical analyses were used to test for differences among time periods, among breeds, between specimen locations, and between fiber orientations.Results—Myoactivity patterns of abomasal smooth muscle preparations are highly variable and differ on the basis of location and fiber orientation. Frequency of contractions differed significantly among time periods for longitudinally oriented specimens with decreasing frequencies of contractions over time. Maximal amplitude of the longitudinally oriented specimens from the antrum increased significantly, whereas maximal amplitude of the circularly oriented specimens from the antrum decreased significantly. Values did not differ significantly among breeds.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Patterns of spontaneous contractility of abomasal wall specimens are not homogeneous. During a 4-hour recording period, maximal amplitude and frequency of contractions of specimens varied significantly with respect to orientation and location; however, spontaneous contractile myoactivity did not differ significantly among breeds. Therefore, breed predisposition for displaced abomasum is not correlated with spontaneous activity of smooth muscle specimens. (Am J Vet Res2002;63:1687–1694)
Effect of desmopressin acetate administration on primary hemostasis in Doberman Pinschers with type-1 von Willebrand disease as assessed by a point-of-care instrument
Authors: Callan Mary Beth , Giger Urs 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjective—To evaluate primary hemostasis following administration of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) to Doberman Pinschers with type-1 von Willebrand disease (vWD).Animals—16 nonanemic Doberman Pinschers with type-1 vWD.Procedure—Closure time (CT), defined as time required for occlusion of an aperture by a platelet plug assessed within the point-of-care instrument, plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) concentration, and buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) were determined before and 1 hour after administration of DDAVP (1 µg/kg, SC).Results—Baseline closure times measured with adenosine diphosphate ([ADP-CT], 108 to > 300 seconds; reference range, 52 to 86 seconds) and epinephrine ([EPI-CT], 285 to > 300 seconds; 97 to 225 seconds) as platelet agonists were prolonged in all dogs. Following DDAVP administration, ADP-CT (59 to 186 seconds) was significantly shortened from baseline, but there was no decrease in EPI-CT. Although mean plasma vWF concentration increased significantly after DDAVP administration, only 1 dog had an increase of > 35 U/dL. There was no correlation between increase in plasma vWF concentration and shortening of the ADP-CT. Baseline BMBT was prolonged in 12 of 14 dogs, with significant shortening of BMBT after DDAVP administration in 6 of 7 dogs. In vitro replacement of vWF-deficient plasma with plasma from an unaffected dog shortened the ADP-CT, whereas in vitro addition of DDAVP had no effect.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Administration of DDAVP to Doberman Pinschers with type-1 vWD resulted in improved hemostatic function, as assessed by the point-of-care instrument and shortening of BMBT, despite minimal increase in plasma vWF concentration. (Am J Vet Res2002;63:1700–1706)