bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of low altitude at the Dead Sea on exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary response to exercise in cystic fibrosis patients with moderate to severe lung disease
Authors: Falk Bareket , Nini Asaph , Zigel Levana , Yahav Yaacov , Aviram Micha , Rivlin Joseph , Bentur Lea , Avital Avraham , Dotan Raffy , Blau Hannah 
Published: January 2006

AbstractOxygen supplementation may improve exercise tolerance and the physiological response to exercise in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Elevated barometric pressure at low altitude is a simple means of increasing the quantity of inspired oxygen. Our objectives were to examine the effect of natural oxygen enrichment (at the Dead Sea, 396 m below sea level) on exercise capacity, and the physiological responses to maximal and submaximal exercise in CF patients. Patients were tested twice: at sea level (barometric pressure, 754 ± 6 mmHg, mean ± SD), and at the Dead Sea (barometric pressure, 791 ± 3 mmHg), in a randomized crossover design. We studied 14 CF patients (6 females, 8 males), aged 15–45 years, with moderate to severe lung disease (mean forced expired volume in 1 sec = 50.0 ± 11.2% predicted). Tests at each site included resting spirometry, anthropometry, a graded submaximal exercise test, a maximal exercise test on a treadmill, and a 6‐min walk test. Tests were performed in identical order at both sites. Tests at the Dead Sea were performed 72 hr after arrival. No differences between sites were observed in lung function at rest. Peak oxygen consumption was significantly improved at the Dead Sea compared with sea level (1.68 ± 0.73 vs. 1.57 ± 0.74 l/min, respectively, P = 0.05), along with an improvement in the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen (41.2 ± 6.3 vs. 46.1 ± 7.1, respectively, P < 0.05). During submaximal exercise, blood oxygen saturation improved at the Dead Sea compared with sea level at all exercise intensities (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that even a brief stay at the Dead Sea area may have physiological benefits for CF patients with moderate to severe lung disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulmonary sarcoidosis in a 14‐year‐old boy diagnosed by low‐dose CT‐guided transthoracic lung biopsy
Authors: Heyer C.M. , Mueller K.M. , Seiffert P. , Nicolas V. , Rieger C.H.L. , Nuesslein T.G. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractPulmonary sarcoidosis is a rare disease in the pediatric age group, characterized by the presence of epitheloid‐cell granulomas. In stage 3 sarcoidosis, pulmonary infiltrates without hilar lymphadenopathy occur. Definitive diagnosis requires a histopathological specimen, which might be difficult to obtain by transbronchial biopsy. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)‐guided transthoracic lung biopsy (TLB) is a well‐established procedure in adults, but has only rarely been applied in children.A 14‐year‐old boy was admitted to hospital for evaluation of a chronic systemic disease with severe pulmonary manifestation. All investigations, including bronchosopy and bronchoalveolar lavage with microbiological and virological testing, had been negative. MDCT‐guided TLB was performed on a 16‐section scanner with a low‐dose protocol (single slices, 120 kV, 20 mAs), using a 16‐gauge biopsy device. The total effective dose was 0.4 mSv for the biopsy procedure. Histopathological examination revealed multiple epitheloid‐cell granulomas with giant cells in the absence of microbiological or virological abnormalities. A diagnosis of stage 3 pulmonary sarcoidosis was made and systemic anti‐inflammatory therapy was administered, which led to complete remission within weeks. MDCT‐guided TLB can be a valuable instrument in assessing pulmonary manifestations of pediatric sarcoidosis, enabling precise histopathological diagnosis and adequate therapy. The use of low‐dose protocols can substantially reduce radiation exposure without relevant loss of image information. MDCT‐guided lung biopsy should be considered prior to open‐lung surgery in selected patients with unclear pulmonary disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alcohol use in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome
Authors: Chen Maida Lynn , Turkel Susan Beckwitt , Jacobson Julienne R. , Keens Thomas G. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractCongenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a rare disorder where there is failure of automatic control of breathing. With improved recognition of CCHS, more children are appropriately diagnosed and treated in infancy, allowing survival into adult years. Because most of these children are able to participate in regular school, they are exposed to common adolescent behaviors, such as abusing alcohol and drugs. Alcohol and many illicit substances are known respiratory depressants. We report on 3 cases of adolescents/young adults with CCHS who had severe adverse events related to alcohol, including coma and death. This series illustrates the dangers of alcohol abuse in CCHS. We speculate that adolescents with CCHS may be less able to perceive the risks of substance abuse and impulsive behavior, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Patients with CCHS appear to lack anxiety and the awareness that their inability to perceive physiologically dangerous levels of hypercarbia and hypoxia deprives them of important protective mechanisms. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein kinase resource: An integrated environment for phosphorylation research
Authors: Niedner Roland H. , Buzko Oleksandr V. , Haste Nina M. , Taylor Ashton , Gribskov Michael , Taylor Susan S. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe protein kinase superfamily is an important group of enzymes controlling cellular signaling cascades. The increasing amount of available experimental data provides a foundation for deeper understanding of details of signaling systems and the underlying cellular processes. Here, we describe the Protein Kinase Resource, an integrated online service that provides access to information relevant to cell signaling and enables kinase researchers to visualize and analyze the data directly in an online environment. The data set is synchronized with Uniprot and Protein Data Bank (PDB) databases and is regularly updated and verified. Additional annotation includes interactive display of domain composition, cross‐references between orthologs and functional mapping to OMIM records. The Protein Kinase Resource provides an integrated view of the protein kinase superfamily by linking data with their visual representation. Thus, human kinases can be mapped onto the human kinome tree via an interactive display. Sequence and structure data can be easily displayed using applications developed for the PKR and integrated with the website and the underlying database. Advanced search mechanisms, such as multiparameter lookup, sequence pattern, and blast search, enable fast access to the desired information, while statistics tools provide the ability to analyze the relationships among the kinases under study. The integration of data presentation and visualization implemented in the Protein Kinase Resource can be adapted by other online providers of scientific data and should become an effective way to access available experimental information. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Time‐variant Reliability of Nonlinear Structures: Application to a Representative Part of a Plate Floor
Authors: Cazuguel M. , Renaud C. , Cognard J. Y. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThis paper is concerned with the feasibility study of time‐variant reliability analysis in the case of nonlinear structure behaviour. It is a very important point for designers in order to take into account the real behaviour of structures, which is often nonlinear, especially for naval structures (corrosion, welded joints, fatigue cracks, etc.). As an application, the time‐variant reliability of a part of a plate floor represented by a perforated plate with a visco‐plastic behaviour under a stochastic load is studied. The second point is to analyse the numerical cost of such a complex computation in order to obtain accurate numerical results. The mechanical model is defined using the finite‐element software CAST3M®. The stochastic load applied to the perforated plate is represented by the so‐called series Expansion Optimal Linear Estimation method developed by Li and Der Kiureghian. The time‐variant reliability analysis is computed by the PHI2 method, presented by Andrieu‐Renaudet al. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐order symplectic integration in quasi‐classical trajectory simulation: Case study for O(1D) + H2
Authors: Zhang Xin , Han Ke‐Li 
Published: January 2006

AbstractClassical trajectory calculations for the O(1D) + H2 reaction system are employed to assess the effectiveness of the symplectic integrators. The sixth‐order symplectic integrator has been found to be the most suitable method for the quasi‐classical trajectory calculation of a long‐lived complex‐forming reaction system. In comparison with the traditional fourth‐order Runge–Kutta initialized fourth‐order Admas–Moulton–Hamming predictor‐corrector integrator (RK4‐AMH4), the sixth‐order symplectic integrator is six times less computationally expensive and exhibits better energy conservation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Fish environmental guilds as a tool for assessment of ecological condition of rivers
Authors: Welcomme R. L. , Winemiller K. O. , Cowx I. G. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe form, hydrology and functioning of rivers worldwide have been increasingly modified by a range of human activities. The impacts of these changes on the fish faunas of rivers need to be assessed for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management. Reliable and cost effective indicators of fish assemblage responses to hydrological, morphological and functional changes in a river are required. Given the large number of fish species present in many rivers, reliance on a single indicator species is problematic. The present paper proposes the use of environmental guilds for this purpose. Building on prior studies, we propose a series of environmental guilds based on common patterns of response by fish species to changes in river flow and geomorphology. A general framework consisting of two upland stream guilds, three lowland lentic guilds, four lowland lotic guilds, two generalist guilds and five estuarine guilds is proposed. Considering the large numbers of species present in many river and estuarine systems and the flexibility of their behaviour, many species will be difficult to classify. Further development of the proposed guild classification at the level of individual basins is anticipated, particularly in river systems with highly variable hydrology and many opportunistic species. Nevertheless, this general scheme would be easily and rapidly applied to a wide variety of local circumstance, as well as to the description of the general trends in fish population and assemblage structure occurring during river development. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age‐related impact of neuropathic pain on animal behaviour
Authors: Pickering Gisèle , Jourdan Didier , Millecamps Magali , Chapuy Eric , Alliot Josette , Eschalier Alain 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe number of old and very old persons is increasing and there is evidence that aging coincides with chronic painful conditions. Pain induces behavioural disorders that have been so far poorly identified in old and even less in very old animals. The aim of this study was to: (1) compare the evolution of pain in senescent animals (37‐39 months) to old (20–22 months) and young (4–6 months) Lou/cjall rats after a chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve; (2) evaluate pain during four weeks after surgery with an experimental and an observational approach to determine how the response to noxious stimuli correlates with recorded spontaneous behaviour. Results showed that senescent animals are less sensitive to neuropathic pain than old or young rats while senescent/old rats are more sensitive to acute pain. The correlation between observational and experimental pain scores stresses the reliability of non‐invasive measures for pain evaluation in senescent populations. The dichotomy between neuropathic and acute pain perceptions with age needs to be further investigated and would help to better understand the reasons of this uneven pain perception and expression with age.
Early callosal absence disrupts the establishment of normal neocortical structure in Swiss mice
Authors: Ribeiro‐Carvalho Anderson , Manhães Alex C. , Abreu‐Villaça Yael , Filgueiras Cláudio C. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractIn the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the ontogenetic development of the corpus callosum is relevant for the establishment of a normal neocortical structure. To that effect, neocortical morphology (thickness and neuronal density) was analyzed in adult Swiss mice rendered acallosal by midline transection at the first postnatal day (Acallosal group) and in non‐manipulated mice. The neocortical thicknesses and neuronal densities of layers II + III through VI were measured in area 6 and at the 17/18a border, both of which present abundant callosal inputs, and in the relatively acallosal area 17. For the thickness measure, significant differences between Non‐manipulated and Acallosal groups were only found in the areas that receive massive callosal connections. In area 6, Acallosal mice presented a reduced thickness of layer V, while at the 17/18a border, these mice presented a reduced thickness of layers II + III when compared to non‐manipulated ones. No statistical difference between acallosal and non‐manipulated mice was found regarding the neuronal density measure. The reduced cortical thickness associated with a comparatively normal neuronal density in neocortical regions which normally have abundant callosal connections suggest a reduction in the number of cortical neurons in acallosal mice. Altogether, the present data indicate that the input provided by callosal axons is necessary for the normal development of the neocortex.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) attenuates cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoidal haemorrhage by increasing brain nitric oxide levels
Authors: Aladag M. Arif , Turkoz Yusuf , Ozcan Cemal , Sahna Engin , Parlakpınar Hakan , Akpolat Nusret , Cigremis Yilmaz 
Published: January 2006

AbstractBackgroundCerebral vasospasm, a medical complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, even after the aneurysm has been secured surgically or endovascularly. Evidence accumulated during the last decade suggest that scavenging a vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO), by superoxide anions (O2−), and activating a strong vasoconstructor, protein kinase C (PKC), are the two most important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of vasospasm. Our aim in this study was to determine whether caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a non‐toxic oxygen free radical scavenger, prevents vasospasm in an experimental rat model of SAH.MethodsTwenty eight rats (225–250 g) were divided into four groups equally: group 1, control group; group 2, SAH group; group 3, SAH plus placebo group; and group 4, SAH plus CAPE group. We used double haemorrhage method for SAH groups. Starting 6 h after SAH, 10 μmol/kg CAPE or an equal volume of 0.9% saline were administered by intraperitoneal injection twice daily for 5 days to SAH plus CAPE and SAH plus placebo groups, respectively. CAPE or 0.9% saline injections were continued up to 5th day after SAH. Rats were sacrificed on the 5th day. Brain sections at the level of the pons were examined by light microscopy. Measurements were made for the cross‐sectional areas of the lumen and the vessel wall (intimae plus media) of basilar artery by a micrometer. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in rat brain tissue.ResultsAdministration of CAPE significantly attenuated the vasoconstriction of the basilar artery. There were marked narrowing in the lumens of and thickening in the walls of basilar arteries in the SAH, and the SAH plus placebo compared with CAPE group (p < 0.001). We also observed that CAPE administration significantly decreased the tissue level of MDA, while significantly increased the tissue levels of GSH, NO in the SAH plus CAPE group compared to only SAH group, p < 0.05.ConclusionsOur results indicate that CAPE is effective in attenuating delayed cerebral vasoconstriction following experimental SAH. Our findings also suggest that the elevation of lipid peroxidation and reduction of NO bioavailability, resulting from the generation and the interaction of free radicals, have a significant role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm after SAH.
The effect of addressing demand for as well as supply of emergency obstetric care in Dinajpur, Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain J. , Ross S.R. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractPurpose: The Dinajpur SafeMother Initiative (DSI) was designed to test the impact of several interventions on use of obstetric services in government health facilities in Northwestern Bangladesh during 1998–2001. Intervention: Facility‐based interventions included upgrading health facilities. The sub‐district hospitals or Upazila Health Centers (UHCs) had earlier been upgraded to provide basic emergency obstetric care (BEmOC). This project undertook activities designed to improved the quality of care in the facilities which included team‐building among providers, case reviews and a stakeholders' committee. CARE introduced a community mobilization intervention, which included birth planning, community support systems for funding, transportation, blood donation etc. for care of women with complications. Methods: The intervention area received all interventions. The only intervention in the comparison area was the upgrading of the health facilities to provide basic EmOC. There were no interventions in the control area. Results: Met need increased by 13% in comparison area but nearly 24% in intervention area. There was no substantial change in the control area. At the end of the project, knowledge of obstetric danger signs was much greater in intervention area than in the other 2 areas. Conclusion: We conclude, therefore, that the best results are achieved through a combination of facility improvement, quality of care activities and targeted community mobilization activities.
The use of graft materials in vaginal pelvic floor surgery
Authors: Huebner M. , Hsu Y. , Fenner D.E. 
Published: January 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo review recent literature on graft materials used in vaginal pelvic floor surgery.MethodsA Pubmed‐search (“anterior vaginal wall” or “cystocele”), (“posterior vaginal wall” or “rectocele”) and (“vaginal vault” or “pelvic prolapse”) and (“mesh” or “erosion” or “graft” or “synthetic”) from 1995 to 2005 was performed; recent reviews [Birch C. The use of prosthetics in pelvic reconstructive surgery. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2005;19:979–91 [1]; Maher C, Baessler K. Surgical management of anterior vaginal wall prolapse: an evidence‐based literature review. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2005 (May 25) [Electronic Publication] [2]; Maher C, Baessler K. Surgical management of posterior vaginal wall prolapse: an evidence‐based literature review. Int Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 2006;17:84–8 [3]; Altman D, Mellgren A, Zetterstrom J. Rectocele repair using biomaterial augmentation: current documentation and clinical experience. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2005;60:753–60 [4]] were added.ResultThere are few prospective randomized trials that prove the benefit of implanting grafts in vaginal pelvic floor surgery. Many articles are retrospective case series with small sample sizes or incomplete outcome variables. Serious complications such as erosions are often not mentioned. Inconsistent or unclear criteria for anatomic cure make it difficult to compare outcomes. Quality of life issues such as dyspareunia, urinary or bowel symptoms are often ignored.ConclusionDue to a lack of well‐designed prospective randomized trials, recommendations for using graft materials in vaginal reconstructive surgery cannot be made. At this time, grafts should have limited use in a carefully selected patient population.
Lesbian Carers: Personal Issues and Policy Responses
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Price Elizabeth 
Published: January 2006

Public and political attitudes towards lesbians have been slow to change in the UK. A number of recent legislative reforms, however, will alter the personal and political landscape for women who do not identify as heterosexual. This article explores the reported experiences of lesbians in the UK, concentrating on those who provide care for others, be this in a personal and/or professional context, and reviews the way in which legal and social changes look set to impact on them. Three distinct areas are examined by drawing on recent research: lesbian parents, lesbian carers and lesbians working in the care sector. Common themes and differences are identified and discussed.The article concludes that the UK government is becoming more proactive in its response to lesbian lifestyles, particularly in respect of those who have, or intend to have children. The overall approach, though based upon sound principles of civil rights, is piecemeal. In all three of the areas covered, lesbians face continued discrimination and inequality. The discussion draws attention to the need to consider such issues across the life-course and for policy makers to recognise that lesbians may have multiple social roles as parents, carers and care workers.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) responding to host plant resistance
Authors: Yang Zhifan , Zhang Futie , Zhu Lili , He Guangcun 
Published: January 2006

AbstractThe brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens Stål is one of the major insect pests of rice Oryza sativa L. The host resistance exhibits profound effects on growth, development and propagation of N. lugens. To investigate the molecular response of N. lugens to host resistance, a cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) technique was employed to identify the differentially expressed genes in the nymphs feeding on three rice varieties. Of the 2800 cDNA bands analysed, 54 were up-regulated and seven down-regulated qualitatively in N. lugens when the ingestion sources were changed from susceptible rice plants to resistant ones. Sequence analysis of the differential transcript-derived fragments showed that the genes involved in signalling, stress response, gene expression regulation, detoxification and metabolism were regulated by host resistance. Four of the transcript-derived fragments corresponding to genes encoding for a putative B subunit of phosphatase PP2A, a nemo kinase, a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and a prolyl endopeptidase were further characterized in detail. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the expression of the four genes was enhanced in N. lugens feeding on resistant rice plants. The roles of these genes in the defensive response of N. lugens to host plant resistance were discussed.