bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cellular retinyl esters and retinol among parenchymal and stellate cells in normal rat liver
Authors: Lakshman M. R. , Sundaresan P. R. , Chambers Laura L. , Shoff Pamela K. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract[11,12‐3H] Retinyl acetate (100 μg/20 μCi/rat) in corn oil was fed by stomach tube to normal male Wistar‐Furth rats (∼250 g body weight). After 15 days, the contents of retinyl esters and retinol (total retinol) and their3H‐radioactivity were measured in the whole liver, crude parenchymal cells and the purified parenchymal cells, employing differential centrifugation, centrifugal elutriation and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Of the total liver retinol (nmol/g liver), the crude parenchymal cells had nearly 90%, whereas the purified parenchymal cells had only 21% based on HPLC analysis. Furthermore, of the total liver retinol radioactivity (dpm/g liver) the crude parenchymal cell fraction had 85%, while the purified parenchymal cell fraction had only 16%. Based on the cell number, the crude parenchymal cell fraction was contaminated by retinoid‐rich stellate cells to the extent of 4%. It, therefore, was concluded that the parenchymal cells accounted for 16–21%, whereas the stellate cells contributed 79–84% of total retinol stored in the liver under normal steady‐state conditions. It also was calculated that on a per mg basis, stellate cells had 200 times more total retinol than parenchymal cells, whereas on a per cell basis each stellate cell had 74 times more total retinol than a parenchymal cell.
Carotenoids of human colostrum
Authors: Patton Stuart , Canfield Louise M. , Huston Gail E. , Ferris Ann M. , Jensen Robert G. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractColostrum, the initial postpartum secretion of the breast, ordinarily has a distinct yellow color due to carotenoids of its fat globules. This pigmentation progressively diminishes as milk production increases during the first week of lactation. Identity of these cartenoids was investigated by means of thin‐layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and spectral analysis. α‐ and β‐carotene, lycopene and β‐cryptoxanthin were revealed as major chromogens. A component corresponding to lutein and/or zeaxanthin was also detected by both chromatographic techniques. Extracts of 23 saponified colostrum samples from 10 donors revealed considerable variation in total carotenoid concentration (0.34–7.57 μg/ml of colostrum). Multiparous mothers had greater mean colostrum carotenoid concentrations than did the primiparae, 2.18±1.94 vs 1.14±1.32 μg/ml, respectively. Seven of the eight primiparous donors' samples had little or no yellow color. These findings imply a difference in carotenoid transport by breasts that have lactated as compared to those that have not. The interrelation of carotenoids, lactation and breast cancer is discussed.
Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by lovastatin tested on six human cell typesin vitro
Authors: Sviridov D. D. , Safonova I. G. , Pavlov M. Y. , Kosykh V. A. , Podrez E. A. , Antonov A. S. , Fuki I. V. , Repin V. S. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractLovastatin (mevinolin) caused a strong and dose‐dependent inhibition of cholesterol synthesis in six types of cultured human cells. Fifty percent inhibition of cholesterol synthesis in human enterocytes was observed at a lovastatin concentration of about 0.004 ng/ml and in other cells at a lovastatin concentration of about 0.03 ng/ml. At lovastatin concentrations between 1.0 and 100.0 ng/ml, a moderate tissue selectivity of lovastatin action was noted. At optimal concentrations, lovastatin inhibited cholesterol synthesis in hepatocytes by 98%, in normal and LDL‐receptor negative fibroblasts, arterial smooth muscle cells and hepatoma G‐2 cells by about 90%, and in enterocytes by 75%. In rat enterocytes lovastatin inhibited cholesterol synthesis by only 60%.
Chains to the West: Markov's Theory of Connected Events and Its Transmission to Western Europe
Authors: Link David 
Published: January 2007

ArgumentAt the beginning of the twentieth century, the Russian mathematician Andrey A. Markov extended the laws of the calculus of probability to trials that were dependent on each other, purely theoretically. In two articles from 1913, which are presented here in English translation, he applied his theory for the first time to empirical material, namely text. After a presentation of Markov's methods, results, and possible inspirations, the introduction investigates the dissemination of his ideas to Western Europe and North America in detail. The experimental application of his method to various types of text finally determines its scope.
Fatigue Increases the Risk of Injury From Sharp Devices in Medical Trainees Results From a Case-Crossover Study
Authors: Fisman David N. , Harris Anthony D. , Rubin Michael , Sorock Gary S. , Mittleman Murray A. 
Published: January 2007

Background.Extreme fatigue in medical trainees likely compromises patient safety, but regulations that limit trainee work hours have been controversial. It is not known whether extreme fatigue compromises trainee safety in the healthcare workplace, but evidence of such a relationship would inform the current debate on trainee work practices. Our objective was to evaluate the relationship between fatigue and workplace injury risk among medical trainees and nontrainee healthcare workers.Design.Case-crossover study.Setting.Five academic medical centers in the United States and Canada.Participants.Healthcare workers reporting to employee healthcare clinics for evaluation of needlestick injuries and other injuries related to sharp instruments and devices (sharps injuries). Consenting workers completed a structured interview about work patterns, time at risk of injury, and frequency of fatigue.Results.Of 350 interviewed subjects, 109 (31%) were medical trainees. Trainees worked more hours per week (P< .001) and slept less the night before an injury (P< .001) than did other healthcare workers. Fatigue increased injury risk in the study population as a whole (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.40 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.03-1.90]), but this effect was limited to medical trainees (IRR, 2.94 [95% CI, 1.71-5.07]) and was absent for other healthcare workers (IRR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.66-1.42]) (P= .001).Conclusions.Long work hours and sleep deprivation among medical trainees result in fatigue, which is associated with a 3-fold increase in the risk of sharps injury. Efforts to reduce trainee work hours may result in reduced risk of sharps-related injuries among this group.
Interdicting Vessels to Enforce the Common Interest: Maritime Countermeasures and the use of Force
Authors: Guilfoyle Douglas 
Published: January 2007

AbstractCan the law of countermeasures be used to police the high seas? The freedom of the high seas is guaranteed by the immunity of a State's flag vessels from interference by the public vessels of other States, subject to limited exceptions. However, this rule of non-interference may shield those engaged in unregulated or illegal fishing or transporting weapons of mass destruction and their precursors. This article argues that while such conduct may breach obligations protecting the common interest, unilaterally boarding and arresting a vessel involved would constitute an illegal use of force and cannot be justified as a countermeasure.
The Surgical Learning Curve in Aural Atresia Surgery
Authors: Patel Nirmal , Shelton Clough 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjective: The objective of this retrospective case review is to examine the effect of surgical learning on hearing outcomes and complications in congenital aural atresia surgery.Patients: Sixty‐four consecutive ears (in 60 patients) operated on during the period of 1994 to 2004 at a tertiary referral center were studied.Intervention)s): Intervention consisted of aural atresiaplasty through an anterior approach by the same surgeon (C.S.).Main Outcome Measure)s): Hearing outcomes and complication rates were compared between four temporally sequential groups of 16 ears. Acceptable hearing and complication rate outcomes were defined as results comparable to larger series in the literature.Results: Hearing results, in the short term, comparable to larger series were achieved during the first group of ears (nos. 1–16). A plateau in the learning curve for short‐term hearing outcomes was achieved after the first two groups, that is, after 32 ears. Hearing outcomes, in the long term (>1 year) comparable to larger series, were achieved in the second group of ears (nos. 16–32). The learning curve for long‐term hearing demonstrated a significant improvement in outcomes in the final group of 16 ears compared with the first 48 ears. Long‐term hearing results for the final group show closure of the postoperative air‐bone gap to less than 30 dB in 94% of cases. Postoperative complication rates were equivalent to larger series in the first group of 16 ears and showed no statistically significant difference between the four groups. There was one patient with sensorineural hearing loss after surgery; there were no anacoustic ears and no facial palsies in the study group.Conclusions: A learning curve of at least 32 ears was required to achieve stable short‐term hearing results. To achieve stable long‐term hearing results required a learning curve of at least 48 patients in our series. Complication rates remained stable throughout the study period.
Tumoral Calcinosis of the Scalp: An Unusual Site for a Rare Tumor
Authors: Jacob Jubbin Jagan , Thomas Nihal , Seshadri M S. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractTumoral calcinosis is a rare calcifying disorder that is associated with deposition of calcium crystals in the periarticular tissues. The mass is most often around the hips, elbows, shoulders, and feet but may be occasionally found elsewhere. We report a case of multiple sporadic tumoral calcinoses in an adult male over the scalp. The scalp as a site of tumoral calcinosis has not been previously reported in adults. Previous surgical excisions done on two occasions had resulted in recurrence of the tumors. This report highlights the need to include tumoral calcinosis in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the scalp.
Perioperative Management of Intracranial Aneurysms and Otologic Disease
Authors: Cosetti Maura , Amrhein Timothy , Linstrom Christopher 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjective: Diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic, unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) are areas of longstanding controversy in the neurologic and neurosurgical literature. Treatment decisions require careful consideration of both the potential for aneurysm rupture as well as the risks associated with repair. Studies examining the natural history of UIA, the morbidity and mortality associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and the various treatment options have led to general guidelines for UIA management. In the literature, the simultaneous presence of otologic disease and UIA has not been introduced or addressed. It is unknown whether surgical treatment of middle ear disease has an effect on the natural history of UIA.Study Design: Two illustrative patients with UIA discovered incidentally on radiographic evaluation of middle ear disease are presented.Methods: Patients were managed according to diagnostic and treatment strategies developed and validated in the neurosurgical literature.Results: Both patients underwent uneventful endovascular embolization of their intracranial aneurysms before middle ear surgery. The intra‐ and postoperative courses were uncomplicated without symptoms related to either their history of intracranial aneurysms or the prior embolization.Conclusions: Application of neurosurgical diagnostic and treatment algorithms to otology patients in the perioperative setting is appropriate. Established risk factors such as the size and location of the intracranial aneurysm, prior SAH, and patient age should guide treatment planning in all cases of UIA. Additional research is needed to evaluate the influence of otologic procedures on the natural history of UIA. In addition, studies are needed to evaluate the role of preoperative screening for UIA in otologic surgery candidates.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Lansoprazole in Children 13 to 24 Months Old With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Heyman Melvin B , Zhang Weijiang , Huang Bidan , Chiu Yi‐Lin , Amer Fouad , Winter Harland S 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTObjectives:To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lansoprazole in children between 13 and 24 months of age with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Methods:From the population of 66 children with symptomatic GERD, erosive esophagitis (≥grade 2) or esophageal pH <4 for >4.2% of the 24‐h period who participated in a phase I/II, open‐label, multicenter (11 sites) US study, a subanalysis of 8 toddlers between 13 and 24 months of age was performed. All children were treated, based on body weight, with lansoprazole 15 mg once daily for 8 to 12 weeks. If a child were still symptomatic after 2 weeks of treatment, then the dose of lansoprazole could be increased to twice daily at the discretion of the investigator. Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed at day 5. Twenty‐four‐hour median intragastric pH and the percentage of time intragastric pH >3 or >4 were assessed at baseline and at day 5 of treatment. Symptom response was assessed by investigator interview and daily diary. Safety was monitored by physical examinations including vital signs, adverse event assessments and laboratory evaluations.Results:Pharmacokinetic analysis of 5 children found a mean time to reach maximum concentration of 1.4 h, maximal plasma concentrations of 894 ng/mL, area under the concentration time curve of 1906 ng * h/mL and a half‐life of 0.66 h. Significant (P ≤ 0.027) increases from baseline to day 5 were observed in mean 24‐h intragastric pH (2.76–3.52) and the percentages of time pH were >3 (29.46%–55.36%) and pH was >4 (16.96%–40.77%). Six of the 8 children had improvement in their overall GERD symptom severity on the basis of investigator assessment, and a reduction was seen in the percentage of days with moderate, severe or very severe GERD symptoms compared with baseline. The dosage of lansoprazole was increased in 3 of the 8 children. Median fasting serum gastrin level increased from 65.0 pg/mL at baseline to 136.5 pg/mL at the final visit. Treatment‐related events were mild constipation (1 subject) and mild diarrhea (1 subject).Conclusions:Although larger studies are needed to confirm these results, lansoprazole displays pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters in children between 13 and 24 months of age that are similar to those results observed in older children as well as adults.
Nutritional Deficiencies in Learning and Cognition
Authors: Yehuda S , Rabinovitz S , Mostofsky DI 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTThe postinfancy period is crucial for normal brain development, providing subsequent optimal conditions for learning and cognition. Both iron deficiency and essential fatty acids deficiency may impair normal neurological development. This review examines the limited number of studies that have been performed in preschool children and offers a broader view of the relationships among nutrition, nutrients and cognition.
Clinical significance of RET/PTC and p53 protein expression in sporadic papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Zafon C , Obiols G , Castellví J , Tallada N , Baena J A , Simó R , Mesa J 
Published: January 2007

Aims:  Rearranged during Transfection (RET)/papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and p53 are two genes involved in the pathogenesis of PTC. It has been suggested that RET/PTC expression is associated with higher rates of local extension and lymph node involvement, whereas p53 mutations are more frequent in poorly differentiated and anaplastic carcinomas. In addition, experimental studies have shown that p53 activity can modify the behaviour of PTC carrying RET/PTC. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of both RET/PTC and p53 in order to evaluate their usefulness as prognostic factors.Methods and results:  Resected specimens of 61 cases of PTC were studied immunohistochemically using a polyclonal antibody to RET and a monoclonal antibody to p53 protein. RET/PTC expression was associated with extrathyroid extension of PTC, at diagnosis (P < 0.05). In contrast, no relationship between p53 immunoreactivity and clinical status was found. In addition, p53 expression was more prevalent among RET/PTC+ patients, and significantly influenced the relationship observed between RET/PTC and extrathyroid extension of the disease.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that immunohistochemistry for both PTC/RET and p53 could be useful in the clinical evaluation of patients with PTC.
The erosive potential of flavoured sparkling water drinks
Authors: BROWN CATRIONA J. , SMITH GAY , SHAW LINDA , PARRY JASON , SMITH ANTHONY J. 
Published: January 2007

Objective.  The potential role of acidic drinks in the aetiology of dental erosion is well recognized. Whilst the wide‐scale consumption of bottled waters is unlikely to contribute significantly to erosion, the role of flavoured sparkling water drinks is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the pH, titratable acidity and in vitro erosive potential of a selection of these drinks drawn from the UK market to identify what dietary advice would be appropriate in relation to their consumption.Methods.  pH was measured using a pH electrode and titratable acidity recorded by titration with 0.1‐m NaOH. Erosive potential was assessed using an in vitro dissolution assay with hydroxyapatite powder and electron microscopic examination of surface enamel of extracted human teeth, following exposure to the flavoured sparkling waters for 30 min.Results.  All of the flavoured waters tested showed appreciable titratable acidity (0.344–0.663 mmol) and low pH (2.74–3.34). In the hydroxyapatite dissolution assay, all of the waters demonstrated erosive potential (89–143%) similar to or greater than that of pure orange juice, an established erosive drink. Exposure of the extracted teeth to the flavoured waters resulted in surface changes consistent with erosive dissolution.Conclusions.  Flavoured sparkling waters should be considered as potentially erosive, and preventive advice on their consumption should recognize them as potentially acidic drinks rather than water with flavouring.
Fatigue crack initiation and growth in solder alloys
Authors: KANCHANOMAI C. , MUTOH Y. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTIn modern electronic packaging, especially surface mount technology (SMT), thermal strain is usually induced between components during processing, and in service, by a mismatch in the thermal expansion coefficients. Since solder has a low melting temperature and is softer than other components in electronic packaging, most of the cyclic stresses and strains take place in the solder. Fatigue crack initiation and fatigue crack propagation are likely to occur in the solder even when the cyclic stress is below the yield stress. It is an objective of this research to study the behaviour of fatigue crack initiation and propagation in both lead‐containing solder (63Sn‐37Pb), and lead‐free solders (Sn‐3.5Ag). The effect of alloying (Cu and Bi addition), frequency, tensile hold time and temperature on low cycle fatigue (LCF) behaviour of the solders is discussed. Mechanisms of LCF crack initiation and propagation are proposed and LCF life prediction, based on the various models, is carried out.
Prevalence of obesity in 4–18‐year‐old population in the Basque Country, Spain
Authors: Larrañaga N. , Amiano P. , Arrizabalaga J. J. , Bidaurrazaga J. , Gorostiza E. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryThe objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents in the Basque Country, Spain. It consisted of an analysis of baseline data of the Nutrition Survey, a cross‐sectional study, carried out in 2004–2005. The study population comprised child and adolescent living in the Basque Country. The analysis was carried out in a representative random sample of 1178 people aged 4–18 years. Anthropometric examinations were undertaken by trained observers using standardized methods and included measurements of weight and height. Subjects were classified into different body mass index categories, according to the International Obesity Task Force guidelines. A 5.4% of the population studied was obese; 6% of males and 4.7% of females, the highest in the 11–14 age group in boys (7.2%) and in the 4–6 age group in girls (12.5%). Overweight (22.9%) was slightly higher in girls. The highest prevalence of excess weight (overweight+obesity) was observed in girls aged 4–6 years (38.4%), decreasing with age. Subjects in the 15–18 age group rated 16.6%. Boys evidenced a higher excess weight rate in the 11–14 (32.9%) and 7–10 (32%) age groups; the lowest rate was found in the 4–6 age group. Prevalence of obesity was higher in the less privileged socio‐economic strata (6.9% vs. 5.2%), for both boys and girls. However, this trend was observed only in girls for overweight (25.9% vs. 21.8%). This study shows a high prevalence of obesity and overweight in the studied population and similar to other European countries and regions.
Policy Positions, Information Acquisition and Turnout
Authors: Degan Arianna 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis paper explores the relationship between policy positions, information acquisition and turnout. In particular, information acquisition and turnout choices are characterized as a function of citizens' policy positions. It is found that middle‐of‐the‐road citizens are the most likely to both acquire political information and abstain. Comparative‐statics analysis of the information technology indicates that an increase in the effectiveness of information has a higher (positive) impact on information and turnout than a comparable decrease in the cost of information. Furthermore, following a polarization, information and abstention are found to increase.
Elizabeth Singer Rowe und ihre Bedeutung für die deutsche Frauenliteratur des 18. Jahrhunderts
Authors: Damrau Peter 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTEs soll im nachfolgenden Aufsatz gezeigt werden, wie die in England und Deutschland äußerst populäre und als ‘Genie’ gefeierte Elizabeth Singer Rowe Anfang des 18. Jahrhunderts eine Vorbildfunktion in der Entwicklung des Briefromans einnimmt, dann aber aufgrund ihres Geschlechts und ihrer religiösen Intentionen von der Literaturforschung weitgehend ignoriert wird. Besonders Rowes Freundschaft im Tode, das von dem einflussreichen Johann Mattheson übersetzt und von Meta Klopstock und Wieland imitiert wurde, zeigt bereits die Kombination von romantischer Liebe und moralischer Belehrung, die zur Literarisierung des Briefes in Deutschland beiträgt und damit die Romane Richardsons und La Roches vorbereitet. Die fiktive und subjektive Darstellung der Tugendhaftigkeit, der Verführungsproblematik und des Freundschaftskultes etablieren dabei entscheidende Tendenzen, die für die frühe Literaturtradition von Frauen von entscheidender Bedeutung sind.