bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebral oxygenation decreases during exercise in humans with beta‐adrenergic blockade
Authors: Seifert T. , Rasmussen P. , Secher N. H. , Nielsen H. B. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim:  Beta‐blockers reduce exercise capacity by attenuated increase in cardiac output, but it remains unknown whether performance also relates to attenuated cerebral oxygenation.Methods:  Acting as their own controls, eight healthy subjects performed a continuous incremental cycle test to exhaustion with or without administration of the non‐selective beta‐blocker propranolol. Changes in cerebral blood flow velocity were measured with transcranial Doppler ultrasound and those in cerebral oxygenation were evaluated using near‐infrared spectroscopy and the calculated cerebral mitochondrial oxygen tension derived from arterial to internal jugular venous concentration differences.Results:  Arterial lactate and cardiac output increased to 15.3 ± 4.2 mm and 20.8 ± 1.5 L min−1 respectively (mean ± SD). Frontal lobe oxygenation remained unaffected but the calculated cerebral mitochondrial oxygen tension decreased by 29 ± 7 mmHg (P < 0.05). Propranolol reduced resting heart rate (58 ± 6 vs. 69 ± 8 beats min−1) and at exercise exhaustion, cardiac output (16.6 ± 3.6 L min−1) and arterial lactate (9.4 ± 3.7 mm) were attenuated with a reduction in exercise capacity from 239 ± 42 to 209 ± 31 W (all P < 0.05). Propranolol also attenuated the increase in cerebral blood flow velocity and frontal lobe oxygenation (P < 0.05) whereas the cerebral mitochondrial oxygen tension decreased to a similar degree as during control exercise (delta 28 ± 10 mmHg; P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Propranolol attenuated the increase in cardiac output of consequence for cerebral perfusion and oxygenation. We suggest that a decrease in cerebral oxygenation limits exercise capacity.
Strategic supporting role of a regional state‐level hospital during medical rescue after Wenchuan earthquake
Authors: Shi Ying Kang , Zheng Shang Wei 
Published: November 2008

AbstractShortly after the Wenchuan earthquake, the administrative leaders of West China Hospital accurately defined the role of the hospital during the medical rescue work as the treatment center for seriously wounded people, the support center for local hospitals and clinics in the disaster areas in Sichuan Province, and the logistics support center for medical teams from other provinces. Integrated leadership of management and efficient multidepartment co‐ordination and co‐operation were emphasized. The hospital was immediately transformed from regular mode into a double‐track emergency mode. Scientific allocation and dispatch of resources were ensured to meet the changing demand from all levels of rescue work. Three stages were defined based on the conditions of wounded people delivered to the hospital, with different main focuses for each stage. Because of the multidisciplinary co‐operation and concerted efforts of a large number of experts from other provinces and countries, an effective and efficient medical rescue service was offered to all wounded people. Until 2 June 2008, 2618 injured people from the disaster area have been treated, of whom 1751 were admitted to the inpatient department, 1135 were seriously wounded, 127 were admitted into the intensive care unit, 1239 underwent surgery, and 77 were treated with haemodialysis. There was an inpatient mortality less than 0.7%. Moreover, even during such a period, routine medical service was offered to patients other than people wounded in the disaster.
Emergency response and medical rescue in the worst hit Mianyang areas after the Wenchuan earthquake
Authors: Lei Bai Ling , Zhou Yun , Zhu Ying , Huang Xuan Yin , Han Si Run , Ma Qiang , He Jing , Li Yong Qing 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe 12 May 2008 earthquake caused damage to 88% of the health systems in the worst hit areas of Mianyang with 326 casualties and the direct economic loss of RMB 3124 billion. Within 30 minutes of the earthquake, the Mianyang headquarters for earthquake disaster relief and the Mianyang public health headquarters for medical rescue and treatment were organized. Five medical teams were sent to Beichuang County, the worst hit Mianyang area, four hours after the earthquake. A total of 22,947 wounded and sick people were delivered to local hospitals after simple triage and rapid treatment through three stations. By 30 June, the Mianyang medical organization had received 379,600 people and admitted 21,628 inpatients. These 2772 severely wounded (including 146 with limbs amputated and 846 who died in hospital). Since 17 May, 3381 wounded had been transferred to 14 provincial and city‐level hospitals across China. On 20 June, the Mianyang Rehabilitation Center for wounded and sick people was established and received 156 rehabilitation inpatients. Together with the medical team for psychological intervention, they provided psychological support for over 70,000 people. Within two hours of the earthquake, the Mianyang Organization for Health and Epidemic Control and Prevention launched the emergency response plan for major natural disasters. The organization sent emergency teams for disease prevention and control and completed disinfection and burial of corpses and disposal of carcasses, monitoring of water quality and epidemics, disinfection of environmental ruins, epidemic control in resettled areas, precautions against secondary disasters caused by the earthquake, and large‐scale health education. The emergency command system for medical rescue and disease control and prevention in the Mianyang areas integrated resources, carried out unified command, and responded rapidly. Furthermore, the headquarters of medical relief co‐ordinated and united the governmental and nongovernmental organizations, achieving good performance for both medical relief and epidemic control. This experience of earthquake medical relief will benefit post‐disaster reconstruction, as well as the establishment of national and regional emergency response systems.
Clinical features of antinuclear antibodies‐negative type 1 autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Miyake Yasuhiro , Iwasaki Yoshiaki , Kobashi Haruhiko , Yasunaka Tetsuya , Ikeda Fusao , Takaki Akinobu , Okamoto Ryoichi , Takaguchi Kouichi , Ikeda Hiroshi , Makino Yasuhiro , Ando Masaharu , Sakaguchi Kohsaku , Yamamoto Kazuhide 
Published: November 2008

Aim:  Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) are the main serologic markers of type 1 autoimmune hepatitis (AIH); however 20–30% of patients are negative for ANA. We assessed the clinical features of ANA‐negative patients.Methods:  A retrospective analysis was performed of 176 patients with type 1 AIH (153 females, median age 55 years). A diagnosis of AIH was made based on the revised scoring system proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. ANA titers were measured using a standard indirect immunofluorescence technique.Results:  Thirty‐eight patients (22%) had low titers of ANA (1:40 or 1:80), and 114 (65%) had high titers (≥ 1:160). Of 24 ANA‐negative patients, 15 were positive for smooth muscle antibodies (SMA). Three of nine both ANA‐ and SMA‐negative patients developed ANA during follow‐up. The other six were diagnosed based on histological characteristics. Thirteen ANA‐negative patients relapsed after the normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. ANA‐negative patients more frequently showed acute presentation and, at presentation, had lower serum immunoglobulin G levels, higher serum levels of bilirubin and transaminase, and higher frequencies of histological acute hepatitis and zone 3 necrosis than those with high titers. However, the frequency of advanced stage of fibrosis was similar. The response to corticosteroids was not different among the three groups.Conclusions:  ANA‐negative type 1 AIH shows acute‐onset more frequently but may include not only acute autoimmune hepatitis, but also acute exacerbation of inactive chronic disease. Regarding the diagnosis of ANA‐negative AIH, the determination of ANA during follow‐up and the response to immunosuppressive treatment may be helpful.
A New Value of the von Kármán Constant: Implications and Implementation
Authors: Andreas Edgar L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe von Kármán constant k occurs throughout the mathematics that describe the atmospheric boundary layer. In particular, because k was originally included in the definition of the Obukhov length, its value has both explicit and implicit effects on the functions of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. Although credible experimental evidence has appeared sporadically that the von Kármán constant is different than the canonical value of 0.40, the mathematics of boundary layer meteorology still retain k = 0.40—probably because the task of revising all of this math to implement a new value of k is so daunting. This study therefore outlines how to make these revisions in the nondimensional flux–gradient relations; in variance, covariance, and dissipation functions; and in structure parameters of Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. It also demonstrates how measured values of the drag coefficient (CD), the transfer coefficients for sensible (CH) and latent (CE) heat, and the roughness lengths for wind speed (z0), temperature (zT), and humidity (zQ) must be modified for a new value of the von Kármán constant. For the range of credible experimental values for k, 0.35–0.436, revised values of CD, CH, CE, z0, zT, and zQ could be quite different from values obtained assuming k = 0.40, especially if the original measurements were made in stable stratification. However, for the value of k recommended here, 0.39, no revisions to the transfer coefficients and roughness lengths should be necessary. Henceforth, use the original measured values of transfer coefficients and roughness lengths but do use similarity functions modified to reflect k = 0.39.
A SEM-Fractographic Study of Dynamic Crack Propagation Effects in Particulate Epoxy Systems under Impact Loading Conditions
Authors: Kytopoulos V.N. , Badalouka B.G. , Bourkas G.D. , Sideridis E. 
Published: November 2008

In this complex study an attempt was made on the one hand to analyze and understand in a systematic way the exact nature of the formation of certain characteristic energy dissipation-induced fractographic features and patterns/markings revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in particulate epoxy systems under impact (dynamic) loading conditions, and on the other hand to correlate these patterns and features with relevant crack propagation effects. For this scope a combined approach consisting of a qualitative as well as a semiquantitative analysis was employed. In the qualitative analytical approach it was shown that depending on the actual velocity and direction of crack propagation the above observed fractographic entities can be correlated to certain highly localized energy dissipative processes at front-failures as well as to local inertial molecular mass effects. Depending on the changes in the velocity and direction of propagation, the associated effects may be controlled by two basic processes: the single crack front and the multiple crack front splitting. The first process seemed to be governed by a shear toughness-biased system, whereas the second one used a critical strain energy release rate subcracking mechanism. Under certain conditions both processes may be influenced by inertial molecular effects in promoting the formation of relative-smooth fracture surfaces. The increased presence of particles tends to restrict an increase in the surface roughness due to energy dissipation-induced crack retardation effects. The presence of the notch tends to lower the fracture surface roughness compared to notch-free specimens and also to suppress the occurrence of certain elastic as well as viscoelastic-plastic crack delay effects observed in notch-free specimens in function of particle volume fraction. Based on relevant kinematics-aided modeling and impact energy measurements it seems possible to explain, by a gross semi-quantitative approach, the above particles and notch effects. In this context it seems plausible that the existence of a defect-induced fracturing time spectrum of the propagating crack front, in combination with the `notch-induced shift' behavior of this spectrum, can be valuable for some approximating explanations of the above notch effects and in general the `kinematics' of the surface roughness formation.
Probiotic Prophylaxis in Predicted Severe Acute Pancreatitis: A Randomised, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Venkatesan Thangam 
Published: November 2008

Background: Infectious complications and associated mortality are a major concern in acute pancreatitis. Enteral administration of probiotics could prevent infectious complications, but convincing evidence is scarce. Our aim was to assess the effects of probiotic prophylaxis in patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Methods: In this multicenter randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, 298 patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE II] score ≥8, Imrie score ≥3, or C‐reactive protein> 150 mg/L) were randomly assigned within 72 h of onset of symptoms to receive a multispecies probiotic preparation (n = 153) or placebo (n = 145), administered enterally twice daily for 28 days. The primary endpoint was the composite of infectious complications—i.e., infected pancreatic necrosis, bacteremia, pneumonia, urosepsis, or infected ascites—during admission and 90‐day follow‐up. Analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered, number ISRCTN38327949. Findings: One person in each group was excluded from analyses because of incorrect diagnoses of pancreatitis; thus, 152 individuals in the probiotics group and 144 in the placebo group were analysed. Groups were much the same at baseline in terms of patients' characteristics and disease severity. Infectious complications occurred in 46 (30%) patients in the probiotics group and 41 (28%) of those in the placebo group (relative risk 1.06, 95% CI 0.75–1.51). 24 (16%) patients in the probiotics group died, compared with nine (6%) in the placebo group (relative risk 2.53, 95% CI 1.22–5.25). Nine patients in the probiotics group developed bowel ischaemia (eight with fatal outcome), compared with none in the placebo group (p = 0.004). Interpretation: In patients with predicted severe acute pancreatitis, probiotic prophylaxis with this combination of probiotic strains did not reduce the risk of infectious complications and was associated with an increased risk of mortality. Probiotic prophylaxis should therefore not be administered in this category of patients. (Lancet. 2008;371(9613):651‐659)MGH Besselink, HC van Santvoort, E Buskens, et al, for the Dutch Acute Pancreatitis Study Group
Safety evaluation of Elixir paregorico® in healthy volunteers: a phase I study
Authors: de Moraes MEA , Bezerra MM , Bezerra FAF , de Moraes RA , Cavalcanti PP , Uchoa CRA , Lima FAV , Odorico de Moraes M 
Published: November 2008

A liquid alcoholic extract of Papaver somniferum named Elixir Paregorico® is extensively used for diarrheal diseases in Brazil. Its increased popularity has brought concerns and fears over the safety of this herbal product. Given the lack of investigative clinical studies, in this regard, this study investigated whether Elixir Paregorico® administration causes any noticeable toxic effects in healthy volunteers. In all, 28 middle-aged healthy male ( n = 14) and female ( n = 14) were enrolled. After screening and a washout period, eligible subjects received four oral doses per day of Elixir Paregorico® (3 mL diluted in 30 mL of water) over a 10-day period. Altogether, all 28 participants completed the study. The results of hematological and biochemical tests performed pre and post-treatment were within the normal range. In both male and female volunteers, there were no statistical differences ( P > 0.05) in the results of clinical and laboratory tests performed at screening, on 5th and 10th day visits, and at final assessment. Although mild adverse events were related, which subsided spontaneously, no serious untoward reactions were reported following Elixir Paregorico® administration. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that Elixir Paregorico® administered four times a day for 10 days is safe and does not cause any noticeable toxic effect in healthy volunteers.
Results of a phase IIa clinical trial of an anti-inflammatory molecule, chaperonin 10, in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Broadley SA , Vanags D , Williams B , Johnson B , Feeney D , Griffiths L , Shakib S , Brown G , Coulthard A , Mullins P , Kneebone C 
Published: November 2008

Background Chaperonin 10 (Cpn10) is a mitochondrial molecule involved in protein folding. The aim of this study was to determine the safety profile of Cpn10 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods A total of 50 patients with relapse-remitting or secondary progressive MS were intravenously administered 5 mg or 10 mg of Cpn10 weekly for 12 weeks in a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, phase II trial. Clinical reviews, including Expanded Disability Status Scale and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with Gadolinium, were undertaken every 4 weeks. Stimulation of patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells with lipopolysaccharide ex vivo was used to measure the in vivo activity of Cpn10. Results No significant differences in the frequency of adverse events were seen between treatment and placebo arms. Leukocytes from both groups of Cpn10-treated patients produced significantly lower levels of critical proinflammatory cytokines. A trend toward improvement in new Gadolinium-enhancing lesions on MRI was observed, but this difference was not statistically significant. No differences in clinical outcome measures were seen. Conclusions Cpn10 is safe and well tolerated when administered to patients with MS for 3 months, however, a further extended phase II study primarily focused on efficacy is warranted.
The Brussels Declaration: the need for change in asthma management
Authors: Holgate S. , Bisgaard H. , Bjermer L. , Haahtela T. , Haughney J. , Horne R. , McIvor A. , Palkonen S. , Price D. B. , Thomas M. , Valovirta E. , Wahn U. 
Published: November 2008

Asthma is a highly prevalent condition across Europe and numerous guidelines have been developed to optimise management. However, asthma can be neither cured nor prevented, treatment choices are limited and many patients have poorly controlled or uncontrolled asthma.The Brussels Declaration on Asthma, sponsored by The Asthma, Allergy and Inflammation Research Charity, was developed to call attention to the shortfalls in asthma management and to urge European policy makers to recognise that asthma is a public health problem that should be a political priority.The Declaration urges recognition and action on the following points: the systemic inflammatory component of asthma should be better understood and considered in assessments of treatment efficacy; current research must be communicated and responded to quickly; the European Medicines Agency guidance note on asthma should be updated; “real world” studies should be funded and results used to inform guidelines; variations in care across Europe should be addressed; people with asthma should participate in their own care; the impact of environmental factors should be understood; and targets should be set for improvement.The present paper reviews the evidence supporting the need for change in asthma management and summarises the ten key points contained in the Brussels Declaration.
Structural descriptor database: a new tool for sequence-based functional site prediction
Authors: Bernardes Juliana S , Fernandez Jorge H , Vasconcelos Ana Tereza R 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
The Structural Descriptor Database (SDDB) is a web-based tool that predicts the function of proteins and functional site positions based on the structural properties of related protein families. Structural alignments and functional residues of a known protein set (defined as the training set) are used to build special Hidden Markov Models (HMM) called HMM descriptors. SDDB uses previously calculated and stored HMM descriptors for predicting active sites, binding residues, and protein function. The database integrates biologically relevant data filtered from several databases such as PDB, PDBSUM, CSA and SCOP. It accepts queries in fasta format and predicts functional residue positions, protein-ligand interactions, and protein function, based on the SCOP database.

Results
To assess the SDDB performance, we used different data sets. The Trypsion-like Serine protease data set assessed how well SDDB predicts functional sites when curated data is available. The SCOP family data set was used to analyze SDDB performance by using training data extracted from PDBSUM (binding sites) and from CSA (active sites). The ATP-binding experiment was used to compare our approach with the most current method. For all evaluations, significant improvements were obtained with SDDB.

Conclusion
SDDB performed better when trusty training data was available. SDDB worked better in predicting active sites rather than binding sites because the former are more conserved than the latter. Nevertheless, by using our prediction method we obtained results with precision above 70%.
The IGS-ETS in Bacillus(Insecta Phasmida): molecular characterization and the relevance of sex in ribosomal DNA evolution
Authors: Ricci Andrea , Scali Valerio , Passamonti Marco 
Published: November 2008

Abstract

Background
DNA encoding for ribosomal RNA (rDNA) is arranged in tandemly-repeated subunits, each containing ribosomal genes and non-coding spacers. Because tandemly-repeated, rDNA evolves under a balanced influence of selection and "concerted evolution", which homogenizes rDNA variants over the genome (through genomic turnover mechanisms) and the population (through sexuality).

Results
In this paper we analyzed the IGS-ETS of the automictic parthenogen Bacillus atticus and the bisexual B. grandii, two closely related stick-insect species. Both species share the same IGS-ETS structure and sequence, including a peculiar head-to-tail array of putative transcription enhancers, here named Bag530. Sequence variability of both IGS-ETS and Bag530 evidenced a neat geographic and subspecific clustering in B. grandii, while B. atticus shows a little but evident geographic structure. This was an unexpected result, since the parthenogen B. atticus should lack sequence fixation through sexuality. In B. atticus a new variant might spread in a given geographic area through colonization by an all-female clone, but we cannot discard the hypothesis that B. atticus was actually a bisexual taxon in that area at the time the new variant appeared. Moreover, a gene conversion event between two Bag530 variants of B. grandii benazzii and B. grandii maretimi suggested that rRNA might evolve according to the so-called "library hypothesis" model, through differential amplification of rDNA variants in different taxa.

Conclusion
On the whole, Bacillus rDNA evolution appears to be under a complex array of interacting mechanisms: homogenization may be achieved through genomic turnover that stabilizes DNA-binding protein interactions but, simultaneously, new sequence variants can be adopted, either by direct appearance of newly mutated repeats, or by competition among repeats, so that both DNA-binding proteins and repeat variants drive each other's evolution. All this, coupled with chromosome reshuffling due to sexuality (when present), might drive a quick fixation of new rDNA variants in the populations.