bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of future remnant liver regeneration after portal vein embolization using three‐dimensional CT and MR volumetric analyses
Authors: Zacharia TT 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe purpose of this study is to portray right portal vein embolization (PVE) as a valuable technique that helps in expanding the volume of the left liver lobe and discuss the relevant published work. We describe our experience with four patients who underwent PVE and analyse the value of CT and MRI in the preoperative evaluation of these patients. Four patients with hepatic malignancy (hepatocellular carcinoma) (n = 2) and metastatic liver disease (n = 2) underwent portal vein occlusion. PVE was carried out in three patients using polyvinyl alcohol and stainless steel coils. Portal vein ligation was carried out in the fourth patient. In patients who were candidates for right hepatectomy, CT volumetric analysis was carried out before the surgery to assess the total liver volume and the future remnant liver, which is the residual left hepatic volume (in cases of right hepatectomy) or left lateral segment volume (in cases of right tri‐segmentectomy). Because the left lobe volumes were insufficient, patients were selected to undergo right PVE. Computed tomography volumetry was carried out 2–4 weeks after embolization to assess left hepatic lobe regeneration. Magnetic resonance volumetric analysis was carried out in two patients before and after embolization. All four patients had significant regeneration of the left lobe and tolerated the surgery with uneventful postoperative recovery.
Intra‐articular fibrous band of the ankle: An uncommon cause of post‐traumatic ankle pain
Authors: Slavotinek JP , Zadow S , Martin DK 
Published: November 2006

SummaryA case of an intra‐articular fibrous band of the ankle is presented with emphasis on the MR imaging appearances. This entity is an important but uncommon cause of post‐traumatic ankle pain and is well recognized within the arthroscopy literature, but there is little if any documentation of this condition in the imaging literature.
Can an evidence‐based guideline reduce unnecessary imaging of road trauma patients with cervical spine injury in the emergency department?
Authors: Goergen SK , Fong C. , Dalziel K , Fennessy G 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to determine if an unvalidated imaging guideline can reduce the use of imaging in patients with cervical spine trauma. A non‐randomized clinical trial using historical controls was conducted in the emergency department from October 2001 to September 2002. Following an education programme, which introduced the imaging guideline to clinicians, the use of guideline and imaging were measured. The guideline was also converted to decision‐support software for use in the emergency department. Three hundred and fifty‐three patients satisfied inclusion criteria during the study period and these were compared with 403 historical control subjects. No significant difference was found between the two groups for age, sex or fracture prevalence. A significant increase was observed during the study period in the proportion of patients who were managed without the use of any cervical spine imaging (21.25 vs 31.2%; P = 0.03; 95% confidence interval, 3–13). There were no delayed diagnoses of cervical spine injury among those not imaged. It is feasible to disseminate and implement an evidence‐based imaging guideline for patients with cervical spine trauma. The use of a computerized decision‐support system can facilitate this and is associated with a safe reduction in the proportion of patients imaged.
Evaluation of fibre bridging stress of short fatigue cracks in SCS‐6/Ti‐15‐3 composite
Authors: AKINIWA Y. , FUJII T. , KIMURA H. , TANAKA K. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTSingle‐edge notched specimens of a unidirectional SiC long fibre reinforced titanium alloy, were fatigued under four point bending. The propagation behaviour of short fatigue cracks from a notch was observed on the basis of the effects of fibre bridging. The branched fatigue cracks were initiated from the notch root. The fatigue cracks propagated only in the matrix and without fibre breakage. The crack propagation rate decreased with crack extension due to the crack bridging by reinforced fibres.After fatigue testing the loading and residual stresses in the reinforced fibres were measured for the arrested cracks by the X‐ray diffraction method. The longitudinal stresses in the reinforced fibres were measured using high spatial resolution synchrotron radiation. A stress map around the fatigue cracks was then successfully constructed. The longitudinal stress decreased linearly with increasing distance from a location adjacent to the wake of the matrix crack. This region of decreasing stress corresponded to the debonding area between the fibre and the matrix. The interfacial frictional stress between the matrix and the fibre could be determined from the fibre stresses. The bridging stress on the crack wake was also measured as a function of a distance from a notch root. The threshold stress intensity factor range, corrected on the basis of the shielding stress, was similar to the propagation behaviour of the monolithic matrix. Hence the main factor influencing the shielding effect in composites is fibre bridging.
Bidirectional regulation of dopamine D2 and neurotensin NTS1 receptors in dopamine neurons
Authors: Jomphe C. , Lemelin P.‐L. , Okano H. , Kobayashi K. , Trudeau L.‐E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSeveral lines of evidence suggest a close association between dopamine (DA) and neurotensin (NT) systems in the CNS. Indeed, in the rodent brain, abundant NT‐containing fibres are found in DA‐rich areas such as the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. Moreover, it has been shownin vivothat NT, acting through its high‐affinity receptor (NTS1), reduces the physiological and behavioural effects of DA D2 receptor (D2R) activation, a critical autoreceptor feedback system regulating DA neurotransmission. However, the mechanism of this interaction is still elusive. The aim of our study was thus to reproducein vitrothe interaction between D2R and NTS1, and then to characterize the mechanisms implicated. We used a primary culture model of DA neurons prepared from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter. In these cultures, DA neurons endogenously express both D2R and NTS1. Using electrophysiological recordings, we show that activation of D2R directly inhibits the firing rate of DA neurons. In addition, we find that NT, acting through a NTS1‐like receptor, is able to reduce D2R autoreceptor function independently of its ability to enhance DA neuron firing, and that this interaction occurs through a protein kinase C‐ and Ca2+‐dependent mechanism. Furthermore, prior activation of D2R reduces the ability of NTS1 to induce intracellular Ca2+mobilization. Our findings provide evidence for bidirectional interaction between D2R and NTS1 in DA neurons, a regulatory mechanism that could play a key role in the control of the activity of these neurons.
Isolation rearing induces recognition memory deficits accompanied by cytoskeletal alterations in rat hippocampus
Authors: Bianchi M. , Fone K. F. C. , Azmi N. , Heidbreder C. A. , Hagan J. J. , Marsden C. A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSocial isolation from weaning affects hippocampal structure and function in the rat. The intrinsic dynamic instability of the cytoskeletal microtubular system is essential for neuronal development and organization. Accordingly, the present paper investigated the effects of social isolation on hippocampal levels of α‐tubulin isoforms associated with microtubule dynamics, the dendritic marker MAP‐2 and alterations in locomotor activity and recognition memory. Male Lister Hooded rats (postnatal day 25–28) were housed either in groups or singly (isolated animals) for 30 days. Locomotor activity in a novel arena and novel object recognition were monitored in activity boxes. The hippocampus was dissected out 18 h after the novel object recognition task. Levels of α‐tubulin isoforms and MAP‐2 were analysed using Western blots. The experiments were conducted in duplicate, using two batches of rats obtained from different suppliers. Isolated animals were hyperactive and showed recognition memory deficits in the novel object recognition task. These behavioural alterations were accompanied by specific alterations in hippocampal α‐tubulin isoforms and decreased MAP‐2 expression. The results confirm that rearing rats in isolation produces hyperactivity and cognitive deficits. The behavioural alterations were accompanied by hippocampal cytoskeletal changes consistent with microtubule stabilization, and by decreased MAP‐2 expression. These findings are indicative of an abnormal development of synaptic connections and/or reductions in neuronal cell number. The developmental structural abnormalities in the hippocampus may contribute to the cognitive impairments which result from isolation rearing in rats.
The effectiveness of ARNDT endobronchial blockers in paediatric scoliosis surgery
Authors: Bird G.T. , Nel L. , Hall M. , Davies E. , Ross O. 
Published: November 2006

Introduction:  Although described for paediatric thoracic surgery (1), there is little data on the use of the Arndt endobronchial blocker in paediatric spinal deformity surgery. We present its successful application in these patients.Methods:  Thirteen patients undergoing surgical correction of scoliosis involving a lateral thoracotomy anterior approach were suitable for lung isolation using an Arndt endobronchial blocker. Placement was via an armoured tracheal tube; the endobronchial blockers were 5 or 9 FG with low‐volume low‐pressure cuffs (spherical or elliptical balloons). Placement was by a paediatric anaesthetist trained in paediatric bronchoscopy and required a 2.2 or a 2.8 mm paediatric fibreoptic bronchoscope.Results:  Patient ages ranged from 18 months to 18 years and weights from 9 kg to 71 kg. All had idiopathic or congenital scoliosis; one patient underwent a VEPTR procedure. In all 13 patients, placement was easily and promptly achieved with no incorrect placements, displacements (including after patient repositioning), or failures to isolate one lung. Median time of insertion was 5 min (with checks), speed of insertion increasing as experience improved. Inflation times for the blocker balloon ranged from 1.5 h to 5 h. There was no airway trauma; direct bronchial inspection revealed local erythema only. Saturations were supported with 5 cm CPAP to the isolated lung and one‐lung ventilation was well tolerated in all but one patient with acceptable airway pressures (<35 cm water); this one patient required partial lung inflation (blocker in place, balloon not inflated) to maintain adequate saturations and airway pressures. The surgical field was excellent in all cases.Discussion:  Complex paediatric spinal surgery may require lung collapse to improve spinal access, and is traditionally achieved using a double‐lumen tracheal tube. Difficulties can arise as the children are often small for age with potentially distorted airway anatomy and there are a limited number of double lumen tube sizes. This can lead to inadequate isolation, a poor surgical field, endobronchial cuff herniation or obstruction of left upper lobe (tube too small or too long). The careful use of the Arndt endobronchial blocker avoids all these problems and enables easy reliable and safe isolation. Potential complications include malposition, migration, and direct airway trauma, allied to the usual complications of one lung anaesthesia. In our series, there were no complications relating to its use and insertion was quick and straightforward.Conclusions:  Lung isolation with the Arndt endobronchial blocker is both safe and very effective in paediatric spinal deformity surgery.Reference  1 Wald SH, Mahajan A, Kaplan MB et al. Experience with the Arndt paediatric bronchial blocker. Br J Anaesth 2005; 94: 92–94.
A JEWISH CONCEPTION OF HUMAN DIGNITY
Authors: Shultziner Doron 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper depicts the meanings of human dignity as they unfold and evolve in the Bible and the Halakhah. I posit that three distinct features of a Jewish conception of human dignity can be identified in contrast to core characteristics of a liberal conception of human dignity. First, the original source of human dignity is not intrinsic to the human being but extrinsic, namely in God. Second, it is argued that the “dignity of the people” has precedence over personal autonomy and liberty, which are core liberal pillars. The third characteristic pertains to the potential conflict between personal autonomy and liberty, and God's commandments. The theoretical analysis of human dignity is then examined in light of several Supreme Court decisions in Israel during the 1990s. I illustrate that Jewish religious and secular‐liberal conceptions pull in different directions in the rulings of liberal and religious Justices in Israel.
THE ETHICS OF LAND RESTITUTION
Authors: Vorster Jakobus M. 
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTMany indigenous communities were dispossessed of their land during the period of colonial rule. This long process resulted in forced demographic removals and perennial poverty. Nowadays these communities, especially Third World groups, seek redress of this situation through legal processes of land restitution. This process is met by resistance from landowners in these countries, the colonial powers of old, as well as from big corporations that benefited from the dispossession. The investigation undertaken in this article addresses the ethics of land reform from a Christian ethical perspective. The policy of land restitution in South Africa is used as a case study, but the results of this research are also applicable to other parts of the world where land restitution is considered. The article first evaluates the biblical teachings of land and land reform and their implications for modern ethics. In the light of these issues, the article addresses the question of whether land ownership can be considered as a fundamental human right. The article also focuses on the legality of expropriation and dispossession of land for the purposes of restitution. Moreover, guidelines for fair and legal restitution within the context of Christian ethics and legal philosophical principles are proposed.
An update on Behçet's disease
Authors: Kalayciyan A , Zouboulis CC 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBehçet's disease (Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease, ABD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disease, the pathogenesis of which is still a mystery. Many questions are still to be answered and the available diverse data need to be brought together to be compared and analysed. There is at least consensus on the effect of possible, but currently unknown, environmental triggering factor(s) against a background of genetic susceptibility. The possible aetiological factors form a broad spectrum, with infectious agents being the most probable ones. Whatever the stimulus is, the target tissue seems to be the small blood vessels, with various consequences of either vasculitis and/or thrombosis in many organ systems. The endothelium seems to be the primary target in this disease; however, it may just be the subject of the bizarre behaviour of the immune system. The diverse existing data could be interpreted in favour of either explanation. A similar confusion exists about the thrombotic tendency in Adamantiades‐Behçet's disease, in terms of whether a primary hypercoagulability is present or whether it is secondary to inflammation. Recent interesting immunological data promise a way out of the existing dilemma. These findings will be outlined within the context of possible hypotheses and attention will be paid to further investigations that are needed.
Lack of association between leptin G2548A gene polymorphism and Behçet's disease
Authors: Aydin F , Kara N , Senturk N , Gunes S , Canturk MT , Bagci H , Bek Y , Turanli AY 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground  Behçet's disease is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory disease characterized by the predominance of T‐helper 1 cytokines. The disease is also characterized by infiltration of lymphocytes and neutrophils into the affected tissues. Because cytokines are involved in the regulation of lymphocyte and phagocyte functions, they may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. Leptin, a member of the gp 130 family of cytokines, induces a strong T‐helper 1 response and is regarded as a proinflammatory inducer. Recent studies have shown that serum leptin concentration was increased in patients with Behçet's disease and correlated with disease activity.Objectives  We aimed to investigate the role of G2548A polymorphism of leptin gene in patients with Behçet's disease and compare the results with healthy controls.Patients and methods  A total of 93 subjects with Behçet's disease and 125 healthy controls were included in this study. Analyses of G‐2548A polymorphism of the LEP gene were performed using the PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. The genotypes (GG, GA, and AA of leptin G2548A) and alleles (G and A of leptin 2548) were scored and the frequency was estimated. The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes in patients and controls were compared. We analysed the correlation between leptin gene polymorphism and the clinical features of BD.Results  Both genotype and allele frequencies were not significantly different between controls and Behçet's disease patients [OR = 0.67, 95% CI (0.35–1.29), P = 0.197 and OR = 0.77, 95% CI (0.52–1.15), P = 0.184]. We did not find any significant relationship between leptin gene polymorphism and the clinical features of BD (P > 0.05).Conclusion  In the present case‐control study, we found no evidence of an association between the G‐2548A variant of the leptin gene and BD among Turks. Further studies are needed to investigate serum leptin level to explain the mechanisms behind the lack of association between leptin G2548A gene polymorphism and BD.
Efficacy and safety of long‐term treatment with cyclosporin A for atopic dermatitis
Authors: Hijnen DJ , Ten Berge O , Timmer‐de Mik L , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen CAFM , De Bruin‐Weller MS 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackground  Cyclosporin A (CsA) is being increasingly used in the treatment of severe refractory atopic dermatitis. Clinical efficacy and safety of short‐term cyclosporin A treatment in atopic dermatitis patients has been proven, however, data on long‐term treatment are limited.Objective  The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy, safety and the effect of discontinuation of cyclosporin A treatment in atopic dermatitis patients, with a particular focus on patients treated with cyclosporin A for more than 6 months.Methods  We performed a retrospective study of clinical and adverse effects of cyclosporin A treatment in 73 atopic dermatitis patients, with an average duration of cyclosporin A treatment of 1.3 years.Results  We included 73 patients (31 women and 42 men, with a mean age of 33.8 years) with severe atopic dermatitis refractory to conventional therapy that was treated with cyclosporin A. Treatment was successful in 56/73 patients. Increases in serum creatinine levels > 30% compared to baseline were reported in 7/73 patients. Arterial hypertension appeared in 11/73 patients during treatment. After discontinuation of treatment, 40/73 patients experienced a relapse and 33/73 patients experienced clinical remission for at least 3 months. No correlation between treatment duration and nephrotoxicity or hypertension was found. Strikingly, 6/73 patients experienced a rebound phenomenon.Conclusions  We conclude that CsA is an effective and safe treatment for patients with severe AD refractory to conventional treatment, provided that the recommended guidelines for its administration are strictly observed. However, in contrast to previous reports, we found that 8% (6/73) of patients experienced a rebound phenomenon after discontinuation of treatment.
Differential modulation of myosin heavy chain phenotype in an inactive extensor and flexor muscle of adult rats
Authors: Zhong H. , Roy R. R. , Woo J. , Kim J. A. , Edgerton V. R. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe effects of chronic neuromuscular inactivity on the phenotype and size of muscle fibres in a fast ankle extensor (medial gastrocnemius, MG) and a fast ankle flexor (tibialis anterior, TA) muscle of the rat hindlimb were determined. Inactivity was produced by spinal cord isolation (SI), i.e. complete spinal cord transections at a mid‐thoracic and high sacral level and bilateral deafferentation between the transection sites. After 90 days of SI, the MG and TA muscle weights were 53 and 45% lower than in age‐matched controls. Overall mean fibre sizes in the deep (close to the bone) and superficial (away from the bone) regions were ∼60 and 65% smaller in the MG and ∼40 and 50% smaller in the TA of SI than control rats, respectively. The myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition shifted towards the faster isoforms after SI: the MG showed an increase in both types IIx (20%) and IIb (23%), whereas the TA showed a marked increase in type IIx (94%) and a decrease in type IIb (18%) MHC. Both muscles in SI rats showed no type IIa and only one MG muscle had ∼5% type I MHC. These results show that prolonged inactivity has a stronger effect on a fast extensor compared with a fast flexor in the rat hindlimb. The larger decrease in mass and fibre size in the MG than the TA most probably reflects the larger impact of chronic inactivity on the normally more highly recruited extensor than flexor muscle. The primary shift to type IIb MHC in the MG and type IIx MHC in the TA indicate a different default mode for an inactive extensor vs. flexor muscle, and may reflect differing activity‐independent neural influences, i.e. neurotrophic factors, on muscle fibre phenotype in extensors vs. flexors.
Monoclonal antibodies that target pathological assemblies of Aβ
Authors: Lambert Mary P. , Velasco Pauline T. , Chang Lei , Viola Kirsten L. , Fernandez Sara , Lacor Pascale N. , Khuon Daliya , Gong Yuesong , Bigio Eileen H. , Shaw Pamela , De Felice Fernanda G. , Krafft Grant A. , Klein William L. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractAmyloid beta (Aβ) immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease has shown initial success in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and in human patients. However, because of meningoencephalitis in clinical trials of active vaccination, approaches using therapeutic antibodies may be preferred. As a novel antigen to generate monoclonal antibodies, the current study has used Aβ oligomers (amyloid β‐derived diffusible ligands, ADDLs), pathological assemblies known to accumulate in Alzheimer's disease brain. Clones were selected for the ability to discriminate Alzheimer's disease from control brains in extracts and tissue sections. These antibodies recognized Aβ oligomers and fibrils but not the physiologically prevalent Aβ monomer. Discrimination derived from an epitope found in assemblies of Aβ1–28 and ADDLs but not in other sequences, including Aβ1–40. Immunoneutralization experiments showed that toxicity and attachment of ADDLs to synapses in culture could be prevented. ADDL‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was also inhibited, establishing this response to be oligomer‐dependent. Inhibition occurred whether ADDLs were prepared in vitro or obtained from Alzheimer's disease brain. As conformationally sensitive monoclonal antibodies that selectively immunoneutralize binding and function of pathological Aβ assemblies, these antibodies provide tools by which pathological Aβ assemblies from Alzheimer's disease brain might be isolated and evaluated, as well as offering a valuable prototype for new antibodies useful for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.