bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction of post‐operative pain by an electrical pain stimulus
Authors: Nielsen P. R. , Nørgaard L. , Rasmussen L. S. , Kehlet H. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  Treatment of post‐operative pain is still a significant problem. Recently, interest has focused on pre‐operative identification of patients who may experience severe post‐operative pain in order to offer a more aggressive analgesic treatment. The nociceptive stimulation methods have included heat injury and pressure algometry. A simple method, Pain Matcher® (PM), using electrical stimulation, is validated for pain assessment, but has not been evaluated as a tool for prediction of post‐operative pain. Our aim was to assess the predictive value of pre‐caesarean section pain threshold on intensity of post‐caesarean section pain using the PM.Patients and methods:  Thirty‐nine healthy women scheduled for elective caesarean section were studied. The anaesthetic/analgesic procedures included spinal anaesthesia, paracetamol, diclofenac, controlled‐release (CR) oxycodone and morphine on request. Pre‐operatively, the sensory and pain thresholds were measured using the PM. Post‐operatively, a midwife, blinded for pre‐caesarean pain threshold assessments, assessed the pain at rest and during mobilization every 12 h for 2 days. Consumption of analgesics was also recorded.Results:  Pre‐operative pain threshold correlated significantly with post‐caesarean pain score (VAS) at rest and mobilization: [Spearman’s rho =–0.65 (–0.30 to –0.75), P < 0.01] and [Spearman’s rho =–0.52 (–0.23 to –0.72), P < 0.01], respectively. There was no significant correlation between pre‐operative PM assessment of sensory threshold and post‐operative pain.Conclusion:  Electrical pain threshold before caesarean section seems to predict the intensity of post‐operative pain. This method may be used as a screening tool to identify patients at high risk of post‐operative pain.
Compound A, formaldehyde and methanol concentrations during low‐flow sevoflurane anaesthesia: comparison of three carbon dioxide absorbers
Authors: Marini F. , Bellugi I. , Gambi D. , Pacenti M. , Dugheri S. , Focardi L. , Tulli G. 
Published: April 2007

Aim:  To determine compound A, formaldehyde and methanol concentrations in low‐flow anaesthesia using different carbon dioxide absorbers.Methods:  Fifteen patients scheduled for general or urological surgery were exposed to low‐flow (500 ml/min) anaesthesia with sevoflurane. The patients were randomly allocated to three groups: soda lime, DrägerSorb Free® or Amsorb Plus®. The concentrations of compound A, formaldehyde and methanol were sampled and analysed from the limbs of the anaesthesia circuit at T30 (30 min after the start of low‐flow sevoflurane anaesthesia), T90 (90 min) and T150 (150 min). The temperatures of the absorbers were measured at the same time.Results:  Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in the production of compound A from soda lime (with the highest values), DrägerSorb Free® and Amsorb Plus® at each measurement time. Only traces of methanol (ranging from < 0.131 to 3.799 mg/m3) were measured, higher with Amsorb Plus® (statistically significant differences were found only at T90). The formaldehyde values (ranging from < 0.1227 to 17.79 mcg/m3 p.p.b.) were higher with soda lime, and the difference was statistically significant at T150 and, in the inspiratory limb only, at T90. The temperatures of the absorbers were higher for soda lime and lower for Amsorb Plus®; the difference was statistically significant at T0 in the upper canister and at T30 in both canisters.Conclusion:  The concentrations of harmful products in the circuit were negligible and were lower using the new‐generation absorbers. Using Amsorb Plus®, the temperatures in the canisters were lower than with the other two absorbers.
Effect of thoracic epidural analgesia on gastric blood flow after oesophagectomy
Authors: Michelet P. , Roch A. , D’Journo X.‐B. , Blayac D. , Barrau K. , Papazian L. , Thomas P. , Auffray J.‐P. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  The oesophagectomy procedure includes the formation of a gastric tube to re‐establish the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) on gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) remains unknown in clinical practice. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the microcirculatory changes induced by TEA in the early post‐operative course.Methods:  Eighteen consecutive patients who underwent radical oesophagectomy with en‐bloc resection and two‐field lymphadenectomy for oesophageal cancer, and benefited from TEA during the post‐operative course, were studied prospectively, and compared with nine patients who declined the use of TEA in the same period (control group). GMBF was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter in three consecutive time periods (before and after 1 and 18 h of TEA infusion). Post‐operative monitoring also included the measurement of arterial pressure, cardiac output, gas exchange and intrathoracic blood volume index.Results:  After the first and 18th hour of infusion, TEA induced an increase in GMBF compared with baseline and the control group. The mean arterial pressure and intrathoracic blood volume index decreased after the first hour of TEA infusion with no influence on the cardiac index.Conclusions:  This clinical study demonstrates that TEA improves the microcirculation of the gastric tube in the early post‐oesophagectomy period. The clinical relevance of TEA in this setting should be validated in larger studies focusing on the clinical outcome following oesophagectomy.
Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of deep‐sea mesozooplankton in the eastern Mediterranean – indications of a climatically induced shift?
Authors: Koppelmann Rolf , Weikert Horst 
Published: April 2007

AbstractZooplankton samples from the eastern Mediterranean were collected in April/May 1999 with a multiple opening and closing net (mesh size 333 μm) to examine the distribution and taxonomic composition of mesozooplankton, mainly Calanoida (Copepoda), some years after the onset of the Eastern Mediterranean Transient (EMT), a climatically induced shift in hydrography. The samples from seven stations on a transect from the Ionian Sea to the eastern part of the Levantine Basin were collected at closely spaced vertical intervals from the surface to water depths of 4250 m. Data from January 1987, June 1993, January 1998 and October 2001 from the main site of investigation, south of Crete, were used to describe the temporal evolution before (1987), during (1993) and after (1998–2001) the EMT. The eastern Mediterranean mesozooplankton fauna is dominated by three Calanoida species along the west–east transect, with varying abundances in different depth‐zones: Haloptilus longicornis in the epipelagic zone, Eucalanus monachus in the mesopelagic zone, and Lucicutia longiserrata in the bathypelagic zone. A drastic change in mesozooplankton composition and abundance occurred at the main site during the EMT, whereupon increased abundances of Candacia elongata and L. longiserrata were observed in the bathypelagic zone in the following years; L. longiserrata accounted for 43% of the total mesozooplankton in this zone. The hypothesis is posed that the Mediterranean deep‐sea ecosystem is able to respond quickly to changes in the environment and memorizes these changes over time. We claim that the biological effects of climatically induced changes can be easily monitored in the deep eastern Mediterranean Sea using calanoid copepod key species due to the hydrographically extreme, but ‘simply structured’ ecosystem.
Phenotypic variation in local populations and cultivars of meadow fescue – potential for improving cultivars by utilizing wild germplasm
Authors: Fjellheim S. , Blomlie Å. B. , Marum P. , Rognli O. A. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe utilization of gene bank accessions for breeding purposes is generally hampered by a lack of sufficient genetic and phenotypic characterization. Results are given here of a phenotypic analysis of 30 Norwegian local populations and 10 Nordic cultivars of meadow fescue, and a combined analysis of phenotypic data with previously published molecular data based on 95 amplified fragment length polymorphic markers. Seventeen phenological and morphological, and two derived characters, were assessed on 2264 individual plants. Previous molecular diversity analyses have shown that the Norwegian local populations can be divided into three groups based on a likely history of the introduction of the species into Norway. A similar pattern was evident from relationships between the mean phenotypic values of populations and cultivars. Such a combined phenotypic and genetic characterization of germplasm can facilitate the use of gene bank material in breeding, as breeders can use these data to select populations with extreme values of a field trait, along with markers which represent potential predictors of phenotypic value.
Mitochondrial DNA Polymorphism and Determination of Effects on Reproductive Trait in Pigs
Authors: Yen N‐T , Lin C‐S , Ju C‐C , Wang S‐C , Huang M‐C 
Published: April 2007

ContentsThe purposes of this study were to investigate single strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) in the D‐loop region of pig mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and to determinate their association with the reproductive traits of meishan pigs. A total of four types of band patterns, designed SSCP band pattern A, B, C and D, were identified. A type of SSCP band pattern was present in all European–American breeds, but not in East Asian breeds. This result showed the diversified sequence in the D‐loop region between European–American and East Asian populations. Two types of band patterns, B and C, were found in Meishan pigs. The average body weight at day 21 of piglets from B type dams was significantly heavier than the body weight of C type (p < 0.05). We also tested whether the SSCP patterns would be suitable for paternity testing in a family group and found that bands of all the offspring were derived from their maternal parent. Therefore, we conclude that SSCP may be a marker for identification of maternal ancestors.
How accurate is the Light index for estimating pneumothorax size?
Authors: Hoi K , Turchin B , Kelly A‐M 
Published: April 2007

SummaryIn Europe, the Light index is used for estimating the size of pneumothorax. It is based on the proportional relationship between the collapsed lung and the hemithorax. Other methods rely on absolute measurements on radiographs. The aim of this study was to compare the estimated size of pneumothoraces using Light index with that estimated using the CT volumetrics‐derived Collins method. This was a secondary analysis of radiographs from a database of pneumothoraces treated conservatively. Radiographs were measured independently by two researchers according to the methods described by Light and Collins. Estimates of size derived by the two methods were compared using bias plot analysis techniques. The primary outcome of interest was agreement between pneumothorax size (as per cent) between the two methods. Sixty‐one radiographs (27 patients) were analysed. The median age was 21 years and 76% were men. There was poor agreement between the methods. The average difference was 7.3% with the Light index underestimating the size compared with the Collins method. The 95% limits of agreement were wide (24% underestimation to 17% overestimation of size). The Light index as described does not accurately estimate the size of pneumothorax. New methods if accurate quantification of pneumothoraces is required clinically.
Radiation‐induced apoptosis in retinal progenitor cells is p53‐dependent with caspase‐independent DNA fragmentation
Authors: Herzog Karl‐Heinz , Schulz Adriana , Buerkle Corina , Gromoll Christian , Braun Johann S. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractCaspases are important executioners of the endogenous cell death program. However, their function is not restricted to the induction of cell death. Caspases may process cytokines and contribute to cell differentiation or lymphocyte proliferation. In addition to their pleiotropic functions we show evidence that, under certain conditions, caspases are activated during apoptosis without executing the cell death program. Following whole body irradiation, p53 and caspases were activated in both the cerebellum and eye of postnatal day 5 mice. Although p53 activation and cell death kinetics were similar in both the cerebellum and eye, the processing of caspases was protracted and reduced in the eye. In particular, retinal caspase activation appeared not to be the executioner of cell death; incubation of retinal and cerebellar explants in the presence of the pan‐caspase inhibitor N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp fluoromethylketone prevented DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, only in cerebellar granule cells. In contrast, in retinal cells no impairment of DNA fragmentation was observed in the presence of N‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp fluoromethylketone, indicating p53‐dependent but caspase‐independent cell death pathways despite caspase activation.
Neural pathways associated with loss of consciousness caused by intracerebral microinjection of GABAA‐active anesthetics
Authors: Sukhotinsky I. , Zalkind V. , Lu J. , Hopkins D. A. , Saper C. B. , Devor M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractAnesthesia, slow‐wave sleep, syncope, concussion and reversible coma are behavioral states characterized by loss of consciousness, slow‐wave cortical electroencephalogram, and motor and sensory suppression. We identified a focal area in the rat brainstem, the mesopontine tegmental anesthesia area (MPTA), at which microinjection of pentobarbital and other GABAA receptor (GABAA‐R) agonists reversibly induced an anesthesia‐like state. This effect was attenuated by local pre‐treatment with the GABAA‐R antagonist bicuculline. Using neuroanatomical tracing we identified four pathways ascending from the MPTA that are positioned to mediate electroencephalographic synchronization and loss of consciousness: (i) projections to the intralaminar thalamic nuclei that, in turn, project to the cortex; (ii) projections to several pontomesencephalic, diencephalic and basal forebrain nuclei that project cortically and are considered parts of an ascending ‘arousal system’; (iii) a projection to other parts of the subcortical forebrain, including the septal area, hypothalamus, zona incerta and striato‐pallidal system, that may indirectly affect cortical arousal and hippocampal theta rhythm; and (iv) modest projections directly to the frontal cortex. Several of these areas have prominent reciprocal projections back to the MPTA, notably the zona incerta, lateral hypothalamus and frontal cortex. We hypothesize that barbiturate anesthetics and related agents microinjected into the MPTA enhance the inhibitory response of local GABAA‐R‐bearing neurons to endogenous GABA released at baseline during wakefulness. This modulates activity in one or more of the identified ascending neural pathways, ultimately leading to loss of consciousness.
Physiological effects of auditory nerve myelinopathy in chinchillas
Authors: El‐Badry Mohamed M. , Ding Da‐lian , McFadden Sandra L. , Eddins Ann C. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe goals were to study the physiological effects of auditory nerve myelinopathy in chinchillas and to test the hypothesis that myelin abnormalities could account for auditory neuropathy, a hearing disorder characterized by absent auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) with preserved outer hair cell function. Doxorubicin, a cytotoxic drug used as an experimental demyelinating agent, was injected into the auditory nerve bundle of 18 chinchillas; six other chinchillas were injected with vehicle alone. Cochlear microphonics, compound action potentials (CAPs), inferior colliculus evoked potentials (IC‐EVPs), cubic distortion product otoacoustic emissions and ABRs were recorded before and up to 2 months after injection. Cochleograms showed no hair cell loss in any of the animals and measures of outer hair cell function were normal (cubic distortion product otoacoustic emissions) or enhanced (cochlear microphonics) after injection. ABR was present in animals with mild myelin damage (n = 10) and absent in animals with severe myelin damage that included the myelin surrounding spiral ganglion cell bodies and fibers in Rosenthal's canal (n = 8). Animals with mild damage had reduced response amplitudes at 1 day, followed by recovery of CAP and enhancement of the IC‐EVP. In animals with severe damage, CAP and IC‐EVP thresholds were elevated, amplitudes were reduced, and latencies were prolonged at 1 day and thereafter. CAPs deteriorated over time, whereas IC‐EVPs partially recovered; latencies remained consistently prolonged despite changes in amplitudes. The results support auditory nerve myelinopathy as a possible pathomechanism of auditory neuropathy but indicate that myelinopathy must be severe before physiological measures are affected.
Sleep‐disordered breathing is related to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes in middle‐aged men, but not in women – the FIN‐D2D survey
Authors: Tuomilehto H. , Peltonen M. , Partinen M. , Seppä J. , Saaristo T. , Korpi‐Hyövälti E. , Oksa H. , Saltevo J. , Puolijoki H. , Vanhala M. , Tuomilehto J. 
Published: April 2007

Aim:  To determine the association between sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) and obesity, diabetes and glucose intolerance among middle‐aged men and women in Finland.Methods:  A multicentre, population‐based, cross‐sectional survey in Finland. A total of 1396 men and 1500 women aged 45–74 years participated in the survey between 2004 and 2005. The study subjects underwent a health examination including an oral glucose tolerance test and filled a questionnaire describing their sleep habits.Results:  Middle‐aged men with SDB had an increased prevalence of diabetes and abnormal glucose tolerance. These associations were not found among middle‐aged women. After adjustments for age, body mass index, smoking and central nervous system–affecting medication, SDB was independently associated with diabetes and glucose intolerance in men, but not in women.Conclusion:  Middle‐aged men with SDB have an independent risk of type 2 diabetes. However, both diabetes and SDB exhibit a strong association with obesity and especially with central obesity, reflecting increased visceral fat. In clinical practice especially male patients with diabetes should always be asked about habitual snoring and about possible sleep apnoea.
Brain distribution of myosin Va in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Rancura Kátia Gisele Oliveira , Montaño Michelli Rivero , Carvalho Robson Francisco , Martins Cesar , Wasko Adriane Pinto , Casaletti Luciana , Azevedo Alexandre 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis study presents data on myosin Va localization in the central nervous system of rainbow trout. We demonstrate, via immunoblots and immunocytochemistry, the expression of myosin Va in several neuronal populations of forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain and spinal cord. The neuronal populations that express myosin Va in trout constitute a very diverse group that do not seem to have many specific similarities such as neurotransmitters used, cellular size or length of their processes. The intensity of the immunoreactivity and the number of immunoreactive cells differ from region to region. Although there is a broad distribution of myosin Va, it is not present in all neuronal populations. This result is in agreement with a previous report, which indicated that myosin Va is approximately as abundant as conventional myosin II and kinesin, and it is broadly involved in neuronal motility events such as axoplasmatic transport. Furthermore, this distribution pattern is in accordance with what was shown in rats and mice; it indicates phylogenetic maintenance of the myosin Va main functions.
Interstitial laser coagulation in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction from benign prostatic hyperplasia: long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Dæhlin Lars , Frugård Jannicke 
Published: April 2007

The first two papers in this section are on the topic of laser therapy for BPH. This is obviously a much‐visited topic, but these papers help to throw further light on the subject. Is the laser the best way of treating this condition? We need more evidence to answer this question, and hopefully we will be able to give our patients the correct response when they ask us, based on papers such as these.OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long‐term effects, including durability, of interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 49 men (median age 68 years, range 52–80) were treated with ILC; 22 men were assessed for a median (range) of 54 (46–61) months. Information on the timing and type of re‐treatment were collected for the remaining patients.RESULTSThe median (quartiles) International Prostate Symptom Score decreased from 22 (19–28) at baseline to 13 (5–21), a decrease of 41%. The peak urinary flow increased by 20% to 10.2 (8.7–12.9) mL/s. Twenty‐two patients were re‐treated (by any type) after ILC, giving a re‐treatment rate of 50%.CONCLUSIONThere were moderate effects on voiding variables and a high re‐treatment rate during the long‐term follow‐up after ILC. It seems reasonable that the use of ILC is restricted to selected, high‐risk patients.
Parental Emotion Socialization in Adolescence: Differences in Sex, Age and Problem Status
Authors: Klimes‐Dougan Bonnie , Brand Ann E. , Zahn‐Waxler Carolyn , Usher Barbara , Hastings Paul D. , Kendziora Kimberly , Garside Rula B. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThere is a paucity of research on how mothers and fathers socialize emotion in their adolescent sons and daughters. This study was based on 220 adolescents (range 11‐ to 16‐years‐old) who exhibit a range of emotional and behavioral problems and their parents. Parental responses to their children's displays of sadness, anger and fear were assessed. Mothers were found to be more engaged in their children's emotional lives than were fathers. With a few important exceptions (e.g., boys were punished for expressions of anger more than girls), adolescent girls and boys were socialized in much the same way. Parents of older adolescents were generally less supportive and more punitive toward emotional displays. Systematic links between adolescent problem status and parent approaches to emotion socialization were found. These findings on how parents socialize emotions in their adolescents have important implications for theory as well as practice.