bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monte Carlo model of the temperature rise at a GaAs surface under an electron beam
Authors: Nouiri A. , Chaguetmi S. , Belabed N. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractScanning electron microscopy (SEM) has frequently been used to study semiconductor materials. It offers the possibility of obtaining reliable qualitative and quantitative information on relevant local material parameters. The temperature rise due to electron‐beam bombardment can influence some semiconductor parameters, which then will influence the SEM information. In this work we propose a model calculation based on the Monte Carlo (MC) method to calculate the temperature rise due to electron‐beam heating. The results show that the temperature rise increases with increasing numbers of electrons (electron‐beam current), and the inverse behavior is observed with respect to the electron energy (electron‐beam voltage). The decrease in temperature rise with depth is also obtained. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is Routine Preoperative Ultrasonographic Mapping for Arteriovenous Fistula Creation Necessary in Patients with Favorable Physical Examination Findings? Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Nursal Tarik Z. , Oguzkurt Levent , Tercan Fahri , Torer Nurkan , Noyan Turgut , Karakayali Hamdi , Haberal Mehmet 
Published: May 2006

AbstractIntroductionPreoperative ultrasonographic mapping (PUSM) is widely used for arteriovenous fistula creation in end‐stage renal disease patients, and some authors even advocate that it be used routinely. To date, however, there are no prospective randomized data to support this suggestion.MethodsThis prospective, randomized, controlled study compared PUSM and physical examination in relation to short‐term outcome after AVF creation. Data sets from 70 hemodialysis patients who were deemed eligible for AVF surgery—according to specific physical examination (PE) criteria for vessel anatomy—were analyzed. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the PE group, no other investigation was performed, and the patient underwent AVF creation. The other patients (M group) underwent PUSM, and the AVF was created according to the mapping results. Early AVF success was defined as clinical detection of thrill (immediately and on postoperative day 1). Ultrasonographic parameters were recorded on the first postoperative day and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. The need for intervention and intervention‐free AVF survival and cumulative AVF survival were also noted.ResultsThe PE and M groups showed similar rates of early AVF success: immediate thrill, PE 24/35 (68.6%) vs. M 26/33 (78.8%), P = 0.340; postoperative day 1, PE 20/34 (58.8%) vs. M 24/32 (75%), P = 0.164. The groups’ results for ultrasonographic parameters of AVF function were also similar on postoperative day 1 and at 1 month after surgery. The groups had similar intervention‐free AVF survival (P = 0.770) and cumulative AVF survival as well (P = 0.916). After an average follow‐up of 217.7 ± 239.7 days, the two groups also had similar proportions of patent AVFs: 23/35 (65.7%) vs. 23/35 (65.7%) for PE vs. M, respectively; P = 1.0).ConclusionsThe results indicate that PUSM offers no advantage over PE with regard to AVF function in patients with favorable forearm anatomy. The authors do not advocate routine use of PUSM in patients with favorable PE findings scheduled for forearm AVF creation.
Effect of Antibiotic Heterogeneity on the Development of Infections with Antibiotic‐resistant Gram‐negative Organisms in a Non‐intensive Care Unit Surgical Ward
Authors: Takesue Yoshio , Ohge Hiroki , Sakashita Mitsuru , Sudo Takeshi , Murakami Yoshiaki , Uemura Kenichiro , Sueda Taijiro 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackgroundHeterogeneous antibiotic use has been suggested to limit the emergence of resistance, but determining the optimal strategy is difficult.MethodsWe developed a new strategy, termed “periodic antibiotic monitoring and supervision” (PAMS) program in a non‐ICU surgical ward. The 2‐year prospective study was divided into a 1‐year observation period and a 1‐year PAMS period. The use of four major classes of antibiotics in empirical therapy for Gram‐negative rod (GNR) infections was supervised. During the PAMS program, recommended, restricted, and off‐supervised classes of antibiotics were changed every 3 months according to the usage pattern of the antibiotics in the preceding term.ResultsCefepime (45.5%) and imipenem/cilastatin (39.4%) were the most common antibiotics of choice during the observation period. The use of these antibiotics decreased significantly during the PAMS period, and that of fluoroquinolones and extended‐spectrum penicillin/beta‐lactamase inhibitor increased (4.8% vs. 21.4% and 2.4% vs. 21.4%, P < 0.01 respectively). Outcome analysis demonstrated a tendency toward reduction in the incidence of resistant GNR infections (P = 0.079) and that of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P = 0.053). The incidence of resistant Gram‐positive core infections did not decrease. Analysis of antibiotic susceptibility to GNR revealed no significant beneficial results for any antibiotics.ConclusionsAs significant changes were not observed, the PAMS program is not generally applicable and heterogeneous antibiotic use as a way of reducing infections with resistant GNR in non‐ICU surgical wards was not established.
Excitatory P2‐receptors at sympathetic axon terminals: role in temperature control of cutaneous blood flow
Authors: von Kügelgen Ivar 
Published: May 2006

The mechanisms underlying the reduction in cutaneous blood flow in response to cooling are only partially understood. A study published in this issue of theBritish Journal of Pharmacologynow provides evidence for the involvement of excitatory P2‐receptors located at sympathetic axon terminals in the cooling‐induced vasoconstriction in the skin. Cooling appears to cause the release of adenine nucleotides followed by the activation of excitatory presynaptic P2‐receptors at noradrenergic axon terminals. Activation of these excitatory P2‐receptors induces the release of noradrenaline, which subsequently causes constriction of blood vessels in the skin by action on smooth muscleα1‐ andα2‐adrenoceptors. The commentary discusses the implication of the results and remaining questions.British Journal of Pharmacology(2006)148, 561–562. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706767
Pharmacological regulation of insulin secretion in MIN6 cells through the fatty acid receptor GPR40: identification of agonist and antagonist small molecules
Authors: Briscoe Celia P , Peat Andrew J , McKeown Stephen C , Corbett David F , Goetz Aaron S , Littleton Thomas R , McCoy David C , Kenakin Terry P , Andrews John L , Ammala Carina , Fornwald James A , Ignar Diane M , Jenkinson Stephen 
Published: May 2006

Long chain fatty acids have recently been identified as agonists for the G protein‐coupled receptors GPR40 and GPR120. Here, we present the first description of GW9508, a small‐molecule agonist of the fatty acid receptors GPR40 and GPR120. In addition, we also describe the pharmacology of GW1100, a selective GPR40 antagonist. These molecules were used to further investigate the role of GPR40 in glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in the MIN6 mouse pancreatic β‐cell line.
GW9508 and linoleic acid both stimulated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells expressing GPR40 (pEC50 values of 7.32±0.03 and 5.65±0.06, respectively) or GPR120 (pEC50 values of 5.46±0.09 and 5.89±0.04, respectively), but not in the parent HEK‐293 cell line.
GW1100 dose dependently inhibited GPR40‐mediated Ca2+ elevations stimulated by GW9508 and linoleic acid (pIC50 values of 5.99±0.03 and 5.99±0.06, respectively). GW1100 had no effect on the GPR120‐mediated stimulation of intracellular Ca2+ release produced by either GW9508 or linoleic acid.
GW9508 dose dependently potentiated glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in MIN6 cells, but not in primary rat or mouse islets. Furthermore, GW9508 was able to potentiate the KCl‐mediated increase in insulin secretion in MIN6 cells. The effects of GW9508 on insulin secretion were reversed by GW1100, while linoleic acid‐stimulated insulin secretion was partially attenuated by GW1100.
These results add further evidence to a link between GPR40 and the ability of fatty acids to acutely potentiate insulin secretion and demonstrate that small‐molecule GPR40 agonists are glucose‐sensitive insulin secretagogues.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 619–628. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706770
Relevance of tumour necrosis factor‐α for the inflammatory and nociceptive responses evoked by carrageenan in the mouse paw
Authors: Rocha Ana C C , Fernandes Elizabeth S , Quintão Nara L M , Campos Maria M , Calixto João B 
Published: May 2006

The present study evaluated the participation of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in the inflammatory and nociceptive responses evoked by carrageenan in the mouse paw.
The intraplantar injection of carrageenan (300 μg paw−1) induced a marked and biphasic paw oedema formation (peaks at 6 and 72 h), which was accompanied by a long‐lasting mechanical allodynia (that remained elevated for up to 72 h) and a significant increase of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (peak at 6 h) in both Swiss and C57/BL6 mice.
The paw oedema, the elevation of MPO activity and to a lesser extent the mechanical allodynia elicited by carrageenan were found to be significantly reduced in TNF‐α p55 receptor knockout mice.
Of interest, the systemic administration of an anti‐TNF‐α antibody produced a significant inhibition of paw oedema, mechanical allodynia and MPO activity. A noteworthy decrease in inflammatory and nociceptive responses caused by carrageenan was also observed when mice were previously treated with the preferential inhibitor of TNF‐α synthesis, thalidomide.
The present results clearly indicate that the proinflammatory cytokine TNF‐α plays a critical role in the oedema formation, as well as in the mechanical allodynia and the neutrophil migration, following carrageenan administration into the mouse paw. Intraplantar injection of carrageenan in mice could constitute a useful model for assessment of the in vivo effects of potential inhibitors of TNF‐α‐related pathways.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 688–695. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706775
Polymorphisms of the porcine dopamineβ‐hydroxylase gene and their relation to reproduction and piglet survivability in an Iberian × Meishan F2 intercross
Authors: Tomás A. , Casellas J. , Ramírez O. , Pérez‐Enciso M. , Rodríguez C. , Noguera J. L. , Sánchez A. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe goals of this study were to sequence and physically map the porcine dopamineβ‐hydroxylase (DBH) gene, as well as to perform an association study between polymorphisms of this gene and the reproductive performance and piglet survivability of F2 pigs from an Iberian × Meishan cross. The porcine DBH gene was positioned by RH mapping near the telomere of chromosome 1q2.13, close to markers SSC10D08 and SW1301. Sequencing of DBH cDNAs from 10 pigs revealed the existence of six nucleotide polymorphisms, two of which led to non‐synonymous amino acid substitutions within exon 3 at positions 463A>G and 616A>G that corresponded to Thr155Ala and Lys206Glu respectively. Three haplotypes segregated in an Iberian × Meishan population: DBHX (A436–A616), DBHY (A436–G616) and DBHZ (G436–G616). The DBH haplotypes significantly affected rectal temperatures 1 h after birth (P = 0.002) and have a suggestive effect on the time to first colostrum intake (P = 0.019) and on birth weight (P = 0.019).
The turnover of carbon pools contributing to soil CO2 and soil respiration in a temperate forest exposed to elevated CO2 concentration
Authors: TANEVA LINA , PIPPEN JEFFREY S. , SCHLESINGER WILLIAM H. , GONZALEZ‐MELER MIQUEL A. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractSoil carbon is returned to the atmosphere through the process of soil respiration, which represents one of the largest fluxes in the terrestrial C cycle. The effects of climate change on the components of soil respiration can affect the sink or source capacity of ecosystems for atmospheric carbon, but no current techniques can unambiguously separate soil respiration into its components. Long‐term free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments provide a unique opportunity to study soil C dynamics because the CO2 used for fumigation has a distinct isotopic signature and serves as a continuous label at the ecosystem level. We used the 13C tracer at the Duke Forest FACE site to follow the disappearance of C fixed before fumigation began in 1996 (pretreatment C) from soil CO2 and soil‐respired CO2, as an index of belowground C dynamics during the first 8 years of the experiment. The decay of pretreatment C as detected in the isotopic composition of soil‐respired CO2 and soil CO2 at 15, 30, 70, and 200 cm soil depth was best described by a model having one to three exponential pools within the soil system. The majority of soil‐respired CO2 (71%) originated in soil C pools with a turnover time of about 35 days. About 55%, 50%, and 68% of soil CO2 at 15, 30, and 70 cm, respectively, originated in soil pools with turnover times of less than 1 year. The rest of soil CO2 and soil‐respired CO2 originated in soil pools that turn over at decadal time scales. Our results suggest that a large fraction of the C returned to the atmosphere through soil respiration results from dynamic soil C pools that cannot be easily detected in traditionally defined soil organic matter standing stocks. Fast oxidation of labile C substrates may prevent increases in soil C accumulation in forests exposed to elevated [CO2] and may consequently result in shorter ecosystem C residence times.
Antioxidant activities of different Teucrium montanum L. Extracts
Authors: Čanadanović‐Brunet Jasna M. , Djilas Sonja M. , Ćetković Gordana S. , Tumbas Vesna T. , Mandić Anamarija I. , Čanadanović Vladimir M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe sequential extraction of Teucrium montanum L. was realised with five solvents of different polarities (70% methanol, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n‐butanol) and HPLC method was used for identification of phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of the extracts was determined spectrophotometrically according to the Folin–Ciocalteau procedure and range from 0 to 296 mg g−1. The antioxidant activity of extracts was tested by measuring their ability to scavenge reactive hydroxyl radical during the Fenton reaction, using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Moreover, the influence of these extracts on lipid peroxyl radicals obtained during lipid peroxidation of: (1) sunflower oil (37 °C, 3 h) induced by 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanovaleric acid) (ACVA) and (2) liposomes induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidino‐propane)dihydrochloride (AAPH) was studied. n‐Butanol extract, because of the highest content of total phenolic compounds (296 mg g−1) had the best antioxidant activity (100% at 0.16 mg mL−1 in Fenton reaction system; 90.57% at 5 mg mL−1 in system I; 100% at 5 mg mL−1 in system II).
Phylogeography of the lacertid lizard, Psammodromus algirus, in Iberia and across the Strait of Gibraltar
Authors: Carranza S. , Harris D. J. , Arnold E. N. , Batista V. , Gonzalez de la Vega J. P. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAim  To determine genetic substructuring within the lacertid lizard Psammodromus algirus. To compare levels of variation across a geological barrier, the Strait of Gibraltar, and to compare this against the known age of the barrier using a molecular clock hypothesis. To compare the effect of the barrier within this species with previously published data from other organisms.Location  The Iberian Peninsula and North Africa.Methods  Partial sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes were obtained from 101 specimens belonging to the subfamily Gallotiinae and used in this study. The data set was aligned using ClustalX and phylogenetic trees produced using both maximum‐parsimony and maximum‐likelihood methods. Maximum likelihood estimates of divergence times for the combined data set (12S + 16S + cytochrome b) were obtained after discovery of lineage rate constancy across the tree using a likelihood ratio test.Results  Psammodromus algirus contains divergent eastern and western mtDNA clades within the Iberian Peninsula. The western clade has northern and southern lineages in Iberia and one in North Africa. This phylogeographical pattern indicates that the lizard invaded North Africa after the opening of the Strait, presumably by natural rafting.Main conclusions  As in several other species, current patterns of genetic diversity within P. algirus are not directly related to the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar. Widespread sampling on both sides of the barrier is necessary to determine its effect on species in this area accurately.
Diurnal Variation in the Responsiveness of the Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis of the Male Rat to Noise Stress
Authors: Atkinson H. C. , Wood S. A. , Kershaw Y. M. , Bate E. , Lightman S. L. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBasal activity of the rat hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis is highly dynamic and displays both circadian and ultradian rhythmicity in corticosterone secretion. This study investigated the relationship between basal corticosterone pulsatility and the corticosterone response to noise during the early light phase when there are no endogenous corticosterone pulses and during the early dark phase when there are hourly pulses of corticosterone. An automated blood sampling system was used to collect blood in conscious male rats at 5‐min intervals before, during and after exposure to 10‐min periods of white noise (104 dB). Behavioural responses to noise were also monitored during these periods. During the early light phase (morning), there was a consistent corticosteroid response to noise with corticosterone concentrations rising rapidly and reaching peak values 10–15 min after the noise had ceased, following which circulating concentrations declined at a rate comparable to the hormones half‐life. A second noise stress, 80 min later, resulted in adaptation of the corticosterone response. During the early dark phase (evening), the corticosterone response to the noise was similar to that seen in the morning, although there was no adaptation to a second stimulus. During the evening, the inhibition of endogenous HPA activity after the sound was limited to 40 min following stress.
Use of the oculocardiac reflex to assess vagal reactivity during quiet sleep in neonates
Authors: DUCROCQ JACQUES , CARDOT VIRGINIE , TOURNEUX PIERRE , CHARDON KAREN , TELLIEZ FRÉDÉRIC , LIBERT JEAN‐PIERRE , DE BROCA ALAIN , BACH VÉRONIQUE 
Published: May 2006

SummaryArousal from sleep can be a protective response to life‐threatening stimuli. Hence, faults within state‐switching processes may lead to fatal events. To investigate the role of the nervous system during cardiac failure triggered by phasic, vagally mediated stimulation, we analysed autonomic and behavioural reactions in 50 premature neonates during quiet sleep (QS) – a sleep state characterized by a preponderance of tonic, parasympathetic activity. Bradycardia was induced with a standardized ocular compression test. Neither awakening nor behavioural escape reactions were observed during or after an episode of bradycardia. Eighty‐six per cent of the provoked bradycardic episodes induced central apnoea. During QS, the neonates’ respiratory response and arousability were found to be time‐dependent: when the test was performed early in the QS episode, apnoea was more frequent (94%), and no sleep state change occurred. When ocular compression was performed in the later part of the QS episode, a transition towards active sleep was observed, together with significantly fewer episodes of apnoea (64%). These results indicate that a progressive decrease in the respiratory system's responsiveness to phasic, parasympathetic stimulation occurs during QS, whereas arousability increases. Our study suggests that newborns could be more vulnerable to potentially fatal events during the initial portion of a QS episode.
The cardiorespiratory activation response at an arousal from sleep is independent of the level of CO2
Authors: TRINDER JOHN , IVENS CLARE , KLEIMAN JAN , KLEVERLAAN DARCI , WHITE DAVID P. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryArousal from sleep is associated with transient cardiorespiratory activation. Traditionally, this response has been understood to be a consequence of state‐dependent changes in the homeostatic control of ventilation. The hypothesis predicts that the magnitude of ventilatory and cardiac responses at an arousal will be a function of the intensity of concurrent respiratory stimuli (primarily PCO2). Alternatively, it has been proposed that increased cardiorespiratory activity is due to reflex activation. This hypothesis predicts that the magnitude of the cardiorespiratory response will be independent of respiratory stimuli. To compare these hypotheses we measured minute ventilation (Vi), heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) during wakefulness and stage 2 sleep, while manipulating PetCO2. Further, we assessed the magnitude of the response of these variables to an arousal from sleep at the various levels of PetCO2. The subjects were male aged 18–25 years. PetCO2 was manipulated by clamping it at four levels during wakefulness [wake eucapnic, sleep eucapnic (Low), and sleep eucapnic +3 mmHg (Medium) and +6 mmHg (High)] and three levels during sleep (Low, Medium and High). The average number of determinations for each subject at each level was 14 during wakefulness and 25 during sleep. Arousals were required to meet American Sleep Disorders Association criteria and were without body movement. The results indicated that average increases in Vi, HR and BP at arousal from sleep did not significantly differ as a function of the level of PetCO2 present at the time of the arousal (all P > 0.05). Further, the magnitude of the ventilatory response to an arousal was significantly less than the values predicted by the homeostatic hypothesis (P < 0.05). We conclude that, in normal subjects, the cardiorespiratory response to an arousal from sleep is not because of a homeostatic response, but of a reflex activation.
Circadian and homeostatic sleep regulation in morningness–eveningness
Authors: MONGRAIN V. , CARRIER J. , DUMONT M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryMorningness–eveningness has been associated with the entrained circadian phase. However, we recently identified morning and evening types having similar circadian phases. In this paper, we compared parameters of slow‐wave activity (SWA) decay in non‐rapid‐eye‐movement (NREM) sleep between these two subgroups to test the hypothesis that differences in the dynamics of nocturnal homeostatic sleep pressure could explain differences in sleep timing preference. Twelve morning‐type subjects and 12 evening‐type subjects with evening types (aged 19–34 years) selected using the Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire were further classified according to the phase of their dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). The six morning types with the earliest DLMO were compared to the six evening types with the latest DLMO (‘extreme’ phases), and the six morning types with the latest DLMO were compared to the six evening types with the earliest DLMO (‘intermediate’ phases). Subjects slept according to their preferred sleep schedule. Spectral activity in four midline derivations (Fz, Cz, Pz, Oz) was calculated in NREM sleep and an exponential decay function was applied on SWA data averaged per sleep cycle. In the subjects with intermediate circadian phases, both initial level and decay rate of SWA in Fz were significantly higher in morning than in evening types. No difference appeared between chronotypes of extreme circadian phases. There was no correlation between individual estimates of SWA decay and DLMO. These results support the hypothesis that chronotype can originate from differences in the dissipation of sleep pressure and that homeostatic and circadian processes influence the sleep schedule preference independently.