bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Caudal 0.2% ropivacaine is less effective during surgery than 0.2% levobupivacaine and 0.2% bupivacaine: a double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: INGELMO PABLO M. , LOCATELLI BRUNO G. , SONZOGNI VALTER , GATTONI CHIARA , CADISCO ALBERTO , LORINI MONIA , SORA GLORIA N. , FUMAGALLI ROBERTO 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground : We hypothesized that without the analgesic effects of volatile anesthetics, caudal 0.20% ropivacaine would be less effective during surgical stimulation than 0.20% bupivacaine or 0.20% levobupivacaine. This trial was designed to examine whether the combination of a caudal block with 0.20% ropivacaine and i.v. anesthesia resulted in reduced analgesic efficacy during surgery compared with caudal 0.20% levobupivacaine or 0.20% bupivacaine in children.Methods : Ninety ASA I–II children between 1 and 7 years old, scheduled for inguinal hernia repair or orchidopexy under propofol anesthesia were randomized to receive a caudal block with 1 ml·kg−1 of 0.2% bupivacaine, 0.2% ropivacaine or 0.2% levobupivacaine. The primary outcome measure of the study was the clinical efficacy of the caudal block during surgery. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative pain relief and residual motor blockade.Results : Four children were excluded and 86 were analyzed. The proportion of children with effective caudal block during surgery was significantly higher in children receiving levobupivacaine (26/28) or bupivacaine (27/29) compared with patients receiving ropivacaine (21/29) (P = 0.03). There were no significant differences among groups in the analgesic onset time (P = 0.1), incidence of residual motor blockade (P = 0.4), number of patients requiring analgesia after operation or in the time from caudal injection to the first administration of analgesic medication (P =  0.3).Conclusions : Combined with propofol anesthesia, 0.2% levobupivacaine and 0.2% bupivacaine are more effective than 0.2% ropivacaine for caudal use in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair or orchidopexy.
Severe withdrawal syndrome in three newborns subjected to continuous opioid infusion and seizure activity dependent on brain hypoxia – ischemia. A possible link
Authors: BACHIOCCO VALERIA , LORENZINI LAURA , BARONCINI SIMONETTA 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground : The aim of this investigation was to verify whether brain hypoxia represented a risk factor for the occurrence and severity of opioid abstinence syndrome.Methods : Three newborns who manifested seizure activity as a result of hypoxia, focal brain ischemia, and hypoxia and sepsis, respectively, were compared with 17 neonates who suffered from hypoxia without developing seizure activity.Results : The first three neonates suffered a severe withdrawal syndrome (a rating on the neonatal abstinence score >17), the others did not.Conclusions : It is hypothesized that brain hypoxia facilitated the occurrence and severity of the withdrawal syndrome because some key neurochemical processes (such as N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate activation, protein kinase C activation and nitric oxide production) are common to both phenomena.
Distance influences the foraging decisions of emperor and saddleback tamarins
Authors: Bicca‐Marques J. C. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractStudies on great apes, Old World monkeys, and New World monkeys suggest that anthropoid primates may retain a detailed spatial representation of the distribution of important food resources in their home range. This is evidenced by selecting the shortest travel routes between sets of feeding sites. In this research, I tested whether distance influences between‐patch foraging decisions of free‐ranging social groups of black‐chinned emperor tamarins Saguinus imperator imperator and Weddell's saddleback tamarins Saguinus fuscicollis weddelli living in a 100‐ha forest reserve (Zoobotanical Park of the Universidade Federal do Acre) located in Rio Branco, State of Acre, Brazil. Four artificial feeding sites (feeding stations) were established within the home ranges of one group of each species. They were distributed in a diamond configuration and located from 58 to 256 m from each other. Each feeding station was composed of eight feeding platforms (two of which baited with one banana). Data collection was conducted from 3 October to 28 November 1997 (54 days). To determine whether distance among feeding sites influences tamarin daily between‐patch foraging decisions, it was recorded whether a group visited the nearest, intermediate or farthest station after departing from a particular one. The emperor tamarin group visited the feeding stations 207 times (average=3.8 visits day−1) and the saddleback tamarin group visited the feeding stations 265 times (average=4.9 visits day−1). After arriving at a feeding station, both species tended to choose the nearest station to visit and to avoid the farthest one at a frequency greater than chance, supporting the contention that these tamarins know the distribution and spatial relationships of their main food resources.
Sex, outcome expectancy, and cardiovascular response to a masculine challenge
Authors: Wright Rex A. , Lockard Stephanie 
Published: April 2006

AbstractMale and female participants were led to believe they could secure a low or high chance of winning a prize by meeting a modest standard on a purportedly masculine task, that is, a task on which men ostensibly had higher ability. As expected, systolic blood pressure responses measured during performance were greater for women than men when the chance of winning was high, but low for both groups when the chance of winning was low. Similar effects were observed for diastolic and mean arterial pressure responses, although analysis of the mean arterial pressure data produced only a main effect for the chance factor. These results conceptually replicate cardiovascular findings obtained in a previous sex difference study. They also confirm the implication of previous ability perception studies that effort‐related cardiovascular responses should be low for both sexes when the importance of meeting a gender‐relevant challenge is low.
Modulation of gentamicin‐induced renal dysfunction and injury by the phenolic extract of soybean (Glycine max)
Authors: Ekor Martins , Farombi Ebenezer Olatunde , Emerole Godwin O. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractGentamicin (GM) is one of the most important of the aminoglycoside antibiotics used widely for the treatment of serious and life‐threatening infections and whose clinical use is limited by its nephrotoxicity. As the pathogenesis of GM‐induced renal dysfunction and injury involves reactive oxygen species, the polyphenolic constituents of soybean with antioxidant property may protect against GM‐induced renal toxicity. We therefore tested this hypothesis using phenolic extract of soybean (PESB) on GM‐induced nephrotoxicity rat model. Administration of GM (80 mg/kg, s.c.) for 12 days to rats induced marked renal failure, characterized by a significantly increased plasma creatinine, urea and Na+ ions levels, with K+ depletion. This was also associated with decreases in the activity of the renal antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST)] measured and depletion of both blood and renal reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. The activities of membrane‐bound glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G6Pase) and 51‐nucleotidase (51‐NTD) enzymes as well as γ‐glutamyltransferase (γ‐GT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (enzymes that are located in the proximal tubule) were decreased. Renal histology examination further confirmed the damage to the kidney as it reveals severe necrosis of the proximal renal tubules with deposition of colloid casts. These alterations were ameliorated in rats pretreated with PESB. The decrease in the activities of SOD, CAT, GST as well as GSH depletion observed in GM‐treated rats was prevented in the rats pretreated with PESB. The activities of γ‐GT, AST and G6Pase were also increased in the kidney. These protective effects were dose dependent except for G6Pase activity and GSH levels that were preserved only at 500 mg/kg dose of PESB, and 5′‐NTD activity that was dose dependently decreased. Furthermore, the extent of tubular damage induced by GM was reduced in rats that also received PESB. The lower dose (500 mg/kg) of the extract, however, appeared to provide better histological protection. These results suggest that the PESB has protective effects on GM‐mediated nephropathy and this may be related to the action of the antioxidant polyphenolic content of the soybean.
Characterization ofβ‐adrenoceptor antagonists as substrates and inhibitors of the drug transporter P‐glycoprotein1
Authors: Bachmakov Iouri , Werner Ulrike , Endress Beate , Auge Daniel , Fromm Martin F. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractTransporter proteins such as P‐glycoprotein are major determinants of intracellular drug concentrations. Moreover, inhibition or induction of transporters is an important mechanism underlying drug interactions in humans. However, very little is known whetherβ‐adrenoceptor antagonists are substrates and/or inhibitors of P‐glycoprotein. Therefore, we investigated the P‐glycoprotein‐mediated transport of propranolol, metoprolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol and sotalol in P‐glycoprotein‐expressing Caco‐2 monolayers and inhibition of P‐glycoprotein‐mediated digoxin transport by theβ‐adrenoceptor antagonists. A significant inhibition of polarized, basal to apical drug transport by the P‐glycoprotein inhibitor PSC‐833 was observed for bisoprolol (0.5 and 5 μm) and carvedilol (0.5 μm). Moreover, propranolol and carvedilol inhibited P‐glycoprotein‐mediated digoxin transport with IC50values of 24.8 and 0.16 μm, respectively, whereas metoprolol and sotalol had no effect. Bisoprolol significantly inhibited directional digoxin transport at 50 and 250 μmby 31% and 44%, respectively. Taken together, P‐glycoprotein is likely to be one determinant of bisoprolol and carvedilol disposition in humans. In addition, theβ‐adrenoceptor antagonists propranolol and carvedilol significantly inhibit P‐glycoprotein function thereby possibly contributing to drug interactions in humans (e.g. digoxin–carvedilol and cyclosporine–carvedilol).
Segmental lung lobe torsion in a 7‐week‐old Pug
Authors: Hansen Naomi L. , Hall Scott A. , Lavelle Roger , Christie Bruce A. , Charles Jennifer A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractCase summary:A 7‐week‐old, intact female Pug was referred with an acute history of expiratory dyspnea, tachypnea, and pyrexia. Radiologic evaluation revealed bilateral pleural effusion and a poorly demarcated area of soft tissue opacity cranial to the heart. The presence of air bronchograms in the cranial lung lobes suggested alveolar parenchymal pathology consistent with pulmonary edema, congestion, or cellular infiltration. Exploratory thoracotomy revealed a segmental torsion of the left cranial lung lobe. The affected lobe was removed and the puppy recovered uneventfully.Unique information:Lung lobe torsion tends to occur more frequently in mature large breed dogs at a mean age of 3 years. The age, breed, and segmental nature of the torsion in the reported case are contrary to most of the previously documented cases of lung lobe torsion. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of lung lobe torsion in a 7‐week‐old dog.
A descriptive analysis of international transfusion practice and bleeding outcomes in patients with acute leukemia
Authors: Heddle Nancy M. , Cook Richard J. , Sigouin Chris , Slichter Sherrill J. , Murphy Mike , Rebulla Paolo ,   BEST Collaborative (Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion)
Published: April 2006

BACKGROUND:  Recently, bleeding has been used in platelet (PLT) trials rather than surrogate outcomes. The purpose of this study was to provide a descriptive summary of data from PLT studies conducted in four countries and exploratory analyses to determine the relationship between bleeding and PLT count.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  A descriptive analysis was performed on original data from the Italian trigger study, the US TRAP study, the Canadian febrile reaction study, and a clinical chart review from one hospital site in the United Kingdom. The relationship between bleeding and PLT count was explored with the Italian data.RESULTS:  A total of 897 patients with acute leukemia received 10,506 PLT transfusions. Grade 3 or Grade 4 WHO bleeding frequency was 28.1 percent (252/897) but varied by country: Italy, 10.8 percent (27/250); United States, 36.4 percent (217/598); Canada, 18.9 percent (7/37); and the United Kingdom, 8.3 percent (1/12). Grade 1 or Grade 2 bleeding was reported only in the Italian study (46.4%[116/250] and 11.6%[29/250], respectively). The relative rates of WHO Grade 2, 3, or 4 bleeding for PLT counts in the ranges of 0 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, and 15 to 19 (×109/L) were 8.8, 1.9, 1.8, and 1.2, respectively, compared to those counts within the range of 20 to 29 (×109/L).CONCLUSION:  The study provides descriptive data on PLT use and frequency of bleeding. When PLT counts were 0 × 109 to 4 × 109 per L there was an eightfold increase in bleeding and a twofold risk increase when counts were 5 × 109 to 14 × 109 per L compared to the 20 × 109 to 29 × 109 per L reference range. The increased rate of bleeding at low counts occurred despite PLT therapy.
Elimination and multiplication of bacteria during preparation and storage of buffy coat–derived platelet concentrates
Authors: Mohr Harald , Bayer Anette , Gravemann Ute , Müller Thomas H. 
Published: April 2006

BACKGROUND:  The prevalence of bacterial contamination of random‐donor platelet concentrates (PCs) is considerably lower than that of blood donations. Which key steps of the preparation procedure contribute to the elimination of bacteria was investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Ten bacteria species were used. Blood donations were spiked with bacteria and stored at 22°C for 8 hours. The buffy coats were kept for 6 hours. PCs were prepared from pools of 4 buffy coats. At each preparation step and during PC storage, bacteria contents were measured. In additional experiments, the titers of spiked blood and buffy coats were determined after storage at 20, 22, or 24°C for 8 and up to 24 hours, respectively.RESULTS:  Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Yersinia enterocolitica were completely inactivated during storage in blood or buffy coats. Titer reduction was between 3.32 and 4.62 log. Bacillus cereus, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis did not multiply. Compared with their values in spiked blood the titers in the PCs were reduced by 1.7 to 2.8 log. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the only species that grew in blood. With the exception of P. acnes, those species that were not removed by the preparation process multiplied in the PCs. Remarkable donor‐to‐donor variations of the bactericidal activities of buffy coats were detected when the storage time was prolonged to 24 hours.CONCLUSIONS:  Bacteria are significantly eliminated by the preparation procedure for random donor PCs. Also, blood and buffy coats are bactericidal for most species. When buffy‐coat storage is prolonged, it cannot, however, be predicted whether specific strains vanish or multiply.
Effect of topical steroids on corneal epithelial healing after vitreoretinal surgery
Authors: Yülek Fatma , Özdek Sengül , Gürelik Gökhan , Hasanreisoğlu Berati 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  Topical steroid use is usually avoided in cases of corneal epithelial defect. We evaluated the effect of topical steroid treatment on corneal epithelial healing after epithelial debridement in vitreoretinal surgery. Methods:  Our study population included 85 eyes undergoing vitreoretinal surgeries in our clinic. We prospectively compared the duration of corneal epithelial wound healing in 43 eyes in which topical dexamethasone was used with that in 42 eyes in which topical dexamethasone was not used in the early postoperative period after epithelial debridement. Factors that may retard corneal epithelial healing, including pre‐ and intraoperative topical solutions, median operative time, the presence of diabetes mellitus, prior ocular surgeries, pseudophakia, aphakia and the presence of intraocular gas or silicone oil in aphakic patients, were not significantly different between the two groups. Results:  The mean corneal epithelial defect closure time was 59.7 ± 2.6 hours (mean ± SEM) in the group receiving topical steroid treatment, and 61.9 ± 2.6 hours in the group that did not receive steroids. Conclusion:  Topical dexamethasone administered five times/day did not significantly retard corneal epithelial healing in subjects undergoing vitreoretinal surgery with postoperative topical steroid treatment, compared with subjects who did not receive steroid treatment.
Fibrin glue for preventing immediate postoperative hypotony following glaucoma drainage implant surgery
Authors: Välimäki Juha 
Published: April 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To prevent a leak of aqueous around the tube in the immediate postoperative period after glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery. Methods:  A total of 42 eyes of 34 consecutive patients with refractory glaucoma requiring single‐plate Molteno implantation were retrospectively reviewed. Peritubular filtration was checked intraoperatively in all filtered eyes. Fibrin glue was used over the scleral flap intraoperatively in every eye with peritubular leakage. All Molteno tubes were completely closed with an absorbable ligature. Results:  Peritubular filtration was detected in 11 eyes of 11 patients. All 11 eyes maintained intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥ 16 mmHg in the immediate postoperative phase. The mean IOP on the first postoperative day was 30.5 ± 10 mmHg. After an average follow‐up of 6 months, the mean IOP in these 11 eyes was 19.1 ± 6 mmHg. No complications or Seidel‐positive aqueous leak were observed during the follow‐up period. Conclusions:  Results suggest that intraoperative use of fibrin glue is a viable option for reducing peritubular filtration and preventing immediate postoperative hypotony after GDI surgery.
Mary Shelley Studies: From “Author ofFrankenstein” to “the Great Work of Life”
Authors: Vargo Lisa 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis essay traces developments in Mary Shelley studies, which arose in the late 1960s after a period of critical neglect. It looks backward to Victorian conceptions as they were promoted by her heirs to account for a view of Shelley as intellectually timid, a tendency to approach her writings through biographical perspectives, a conviction that her writings diminish in quality afterFrankenstein. If interest inFrankensteindating from the late 1960s served as a catalyst for study of her literary output, a proliferation of work on Shelley has been influenced by the much more recent appearance of scholarly and paperback editions of her writings. Critical trends in criticism of her fictions, biographical writings, travel literature, and editing are briefly surveyed, and the essay concludes with some tentative suggestions about possible directions. Above all, there is a need to continue to look beyondFrankensteinand to view Shelley’s self‐described “great work of life” from a more comprehensive perspective in which she is writing not merely as the wife of Percy Shelley or as the daughter of Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin, but in her own right.
‘Medieval Literature’ or ‘Early Europe’? How to Win Grants and Change the Course of Scholarship
Authors: Trigg Stephanie 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThis paper explores the unexpected success of the Network for Early European Research, based at the University of Western Australia, which was recently awarded A$1.6 million over a five‐year period to support research and postgraduate training in medieval and early modern studies in Australia. What lessons can be drawn from the success of this grant application for other projects in medieval studies that must compete for funding in national contests across all the disciplines? One of the distinctive strengths of the Network is its willingness to think in unusually broad terms about the influential reach of medieval and early modern social and cultural forms into settler colonies like eighteenth‐century Australia and beyond. But to what extent might government priorities be driving the nature of research? How can medieval studies best respond to these external pressures?
Calcium ions and integration in neural circuits
Authors: Verkhratsky A. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractIntegration in the nervous system is achieved by signal processing within dynamic functional ensembles formed by highly complex neuronal‐glial cellular circuits. The interactions between electrically excitable neuronal networks and electrically non‐excitable glial syncytium occur through either chemical transmission, which involves the release of transmitters from presynaptic terminals or from astroglial cells, or via direct intercellular contacts, gap junctions. Calcium ions act as a universal intracellular signalling system, which controls many aspects of neuronal‐glial communications. In neurones, calcium signalling events regulate the exocytosis of neurotransmitters and establish the link between excitation of postsynaptic cells and integrative intracellular events, which control synaptic strength, expression of genes and memory function. In glial cells metabotropic receptor mediated release of calcium ions from the intracellular endoplasmic reticulum calcium store provide specific form of glial excitability. Glial calcium signals ultimately result in vesicular secretion of ‘glio’ transmitters, which affect neuronal networks thus closing the glial‐neuronal circuits. Cellular signalling through calcium ions therefore can be regarded as a molecular mechanism of integration in the nervous system.
Stavudine-loaded mannosylated liposomes: in-vitro anti-HIV-I activity, tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics
Authors: Garg Minakshi , Asthana Abhay , Agashe Hrushikesh B , Agrawal Govind Prasad , Jain Narendra Kumar 
Published: April 2006

Abstract
Cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) are important hosts for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Lectin receptors, which act as molecular targets for sugar molecules, are found on the surface of these cells of the MPS. Stavudine-loaded mannosylated liposomal formulations were developed for targeting to HIV-infected cells. The mannose-binding protein concanavalin A was employed as model system for the determination of in-vitro ligand-binding capacity. Antiretroviral activity was determined using MT-2 cell line. Haematological changes, tissue distribution and pharmacokinetic studies of free, liposomal and mannosylated liposomal drug were performed following a bolus intravenous injection in Sprague-Dawley rats. The entrapment efficiency of mannosylated liposomes was found to be 47.H ± 1.57%. Protein-carbohydrate interaction has been utilized for the effective delivery of mannosylated formulations. Cellular drug uptake was maximal when mannosylated liposomes were used. MT2 cells treated continuously with uncoated liposomal formulation had p24 levels 8–12 times lower than the level of free drug solution. Further, the mannosylated liposomes have shown p24 levels that were 14–20 and 1.42.3 times lower than the level of free drug and uncoated liposomal formulation treatment, respectively. Similar results were observed when infected MT2 cells were treated overnight. Stavudine, either given plain or incorporated in liposomes, led to development of anaemia and leucocytopenia while mannosylated liposomes overcame these drawbacks. These systems maintained a significant level of stavudine in the liver, spleen and lungs up to 12 h and had greater systemic clearance as compared with free drug or the uncoated liposomal formulation. Mannosylated liposomes have shown potential for the site-specific and ligand-directed delivery systems with desired therapeutics and better pharmacological activity.