bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does ketamine affect intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring in children undergoing selective posterior rhizotomy?
Authors: FRIGON CHANTAL , SEDEEK KHALED , POULIN CHANTAL , BROWN KAREN , FARMER JEAN‐PIERRE 
Published: July 2008

SummaryObjective:  Direct dorsal rootlet stimulation with intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring is an adjunct to clinical evaluation during selective posterior rhizotomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of ketamine on intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring during selective posterior rhizotomy. Specifically, we sought to determine if low dose ketamine given as part of the anesthesia was associated with changes in intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring in patients who underwent selective posterior rhizotomy.Methods:  A retrospective cohort study was conducted using anesthetic records and electrophysiological records of 32 children who had intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring during selective posterior rhizotomy under general anesthesia. Administration and dosage of ketamine preceding the stimulation of dorsal roots was determined from the anesthetic record. A pediatric neurologist, blinded to patient, and to ketamine exposure, evaluated different electrophysiological criteria.Results:  Eight children received ketamine and 24 did not receive it. The mean average dose of ketamine was 0.18 mg·kg−1 (sd: 0.04). We did not find any statistically significant difference in intraoperative electrophysiological response between the ketamine and the control groups. However, we noted some trends: Administration of ketamine preceding the stimulation of dorsal roots was associated with a lower maximal threshold (2.7 mA vs 3.5 mA, P = 0.663) and root thresholds compared with children who did not receive ketamine. In addition, the train response following delivery of the suprastimulation tended to last longer with the presence of ketamine.Conclusions:  Administration of low dose ketamine preceding the stimulation of dorsal roots during selective posterior rhizotomy might be associated with lower maximal thresholds and a more sustained train response following stimulation. Physicians should be aware of this finding in order to avoid misinterpreting intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring.
Electroencephalographic Narcotrend Index monitoring during procedural sedation and analgesia in children
Authors: WEBER FRANK , HOLLNBERGER HARALD , WEBER JUDITH 
Published: July 2008

SummaryBackground:  The electroencephalographic Narcotrend Index (NI) may potentially help to titrate sedative medication during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in children.Methods:  With local ethics committee approval and informed parental consent, 31 patients, aged 8.9 ± 4.3 years, scheduled for elective upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were enrolled in this prospective, double‐blinded observational study. Initially, patients received a single dose of intravenous piritramide 0.1 mg·kg−1, followed by propofol 2 mg·kg−1 and, if necessary, additional propofol doses (0.5 mg·kg−1) to achieve and maintain a level of deep sedation throughout the procedure. Sedation was assessed by the University of Michigan Sedation Scale (UMSS). We investigated the relationship between depth of sedation, and the NI, and the classical EEG parameters (cEEG), total EEG power (Power), spectral edge (SEF) and median frequency, and relative power in the beta, alpha, theta and delta bands. The performance of the NI and cEEG parameters was evaluated by prediction probability (PK), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Spearman rank order correlation analysis.Results:  Mean PK values for NI (0.88) vs UMSS were higher than for the other cEEG parameters, except for Power (0.82) and SEF(0.81). Spearman correlation analysis revealed superiority of the NI over all cEEG parameters. The area under the curve for the NI was 0.93, which was superior to all other EEG parameters beside Power (0.86) and relative power in alpha (0.82).Conclusions:  The results of this study suggest that the NI may be an objective nondisruptive tool for assessment of hypnotic depth in children under propofol‐induced procedural sedation.
New potential treatments for protection of pancreatic B‐cell function in Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Cernea S. , Pozzilli P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractType 1 diabetes mellitus results from the progressive and specific autoimmune destruction of insulin‐secreting pancreatic B‐cells, which develops over a period of years and continues after the initial clinical presentation. The ultimate goal of therapeutic intervention is prevention or reversal of the disease by the arrest of autoimmunity and by preservation/restoration of B‐cell mass and function. Recent clinical trials of antigen‐specific or non‐specific immune therapies have proved that modulation of islet specific autoimmunity in humans and prevention of insulin secretion loss in the short term after the onset of disease is achievable. The identification of suitable candidates for therapy, appropriate dosage and timing, specificity of intervention and the side‐effect profile are crucial for the success of any approach. Considering the complexity of the disease, it is likely that a rationally designed approach of combined immune‐based therapies that target suppression of B‐cell specific autoreactivity and maintenance of immune tolerance, coupled with islet regeneration or replacement of the destroyed B‐cell mass, will prove to be most effective in causing remission/reversal of disease in a durable fashion.
Chronic complications and mortality in community‐based patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults: the Fremantle Diabetes Study
Authors: Myhill P. , Davis W. A. , Bruce D. G. , Mackay I. R. , Zimmet P. , Davis T. M. E. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAims   To compare (i) the prevalence and incidence of chronic complications and (ii) cardiac and all‐cause mortality in community‐based patients with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) with those in Type 2 diabetic patients without antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD).Methods   Of the 1294 patients with clinically‐defined Type 2 diabetes recruited to the longitudinal, observational Fremantle Diabetes Study between 1993 and 1996, 1255 (97%) had GAD antibodies measured at baseline. Complications were ascertained using standard criteria in patients returning for annual assessments until November 2001. Data on hospital admissions and mortality were available to the end of June 2006. Cox proportional hazards modelling was used to determine independent predictors of first occurrence of complications and cardiac and all‐cause mortality.Results   Forty‐five (3.6%) subjects had LADA. Compared with the GAD antibody‐negative patients, they had a similar prevalence and incidence of coronary heart (P = 0.48 and 0.80, respectively) and cerebrovascular (P = 0.64 and 0.29) disease and cardiac and all‐cause mortality (P = 0.62 and 0.81, respectively). There was also a similar prevalence and incidence of retinopathy (P = 0.22 and 0.64, respectively) and neuropathy (P = 0.25 and 0.95), but microalbuminuria was less frequent both at baseline and during follow‐up in the LADA subgroup in unadjusted models (P = 0.046) and after adjustment for other risk factors (P = 0.014 and 0.013).Conclusions   Except for a lower prevalence and incidence of nephropathy, LADA patients have a similar risk of complications and death to patients with clinically‐diagnosed Type 2 diabetes without GAD antibodies. Cardiovascular risk factor management in LADA should, therefore, be as intensive as that for GAD antibody‐negative patients.
OCCUPATIONAL AND INDUSTRY SPECIFICITY OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN THE BRITISH LABOUR MARKET
Authors: Zangelidis Alexandros 
Published: July 2008

ABSTRACTThis paper builds on the recent literature on the importance of occupational and industry experience on wages and extends Kambourov and Manovskii's (2002) study using British data. Occupational experience is estimated to make a significant contribution to wage growth, while the evidence on industry specificity is not very supportive. The second contribution of the paper is that it assesses whether there is heterogeneity in the estimated returns to work experience across one‐digit industries and occupations. The findings suggest that industry and occupational experience is important for individuals in professional and managerial jobs or jobs in the banking and finance sector.
Impersonal is Personal: Finnish perspectives
Authors: Helasvuo Marja‐Liisa , Vilkuna Maria 
Published: July 2008

AbstractOur paper discusses the notion ‘impersonal’ in the light of Finnish and current functionally oriented research on Finnish grammar. The constructions discussed exhibit one or several of the properties associated with impersonals. Many of them involve a human participant. Investigation of actual language use shows that the human participant is often interpreted as a speech act participant. Thus, paradoxically, impersonal constructions are closely intertwined with the expression of person in Finnish. At least the following properties seem to be involved in various treatments of impersonal constructions: (i) lack of grammatical person opposition; (ii) lack of an Agent or other primary argument in the argument structure; (iii) non‐subject‐like (oblique) coding of primary argument; and (iv) identity of primary argument is left open. There seems to be no one single property that impersonal constructions share. This underlines the fact that the notion of ‘impersonal’ is not a coherent concept but rather a set of features. Thus, impersonality may be a useful conceptual tool for cross‐linguistic comparison because it directs the analysts’ attention to phenomena that may share some properties, but it does not seem to be a necessary notion in the description of individual languages.
The timing of first cleavage of different cloned and IVF embryos with oocytes recovered by ovum pickup
Authors: Yang X.‐Y. , Chen P. , Huang Y.‐F. , Liu X. , Zheng M. , Zhang G. , Xu R.‐Q. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe goal of the study reported here was to determine the developmental potential of cloned embryos using two donor cells [fetal‐derived fibroblast cells (FFCs) and adult‐derived fibroblast cells (AFCs)] and in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos with oocytes obtained by ovum pickup (OPU) and the relationship between timing of first cleavage and pregnancy or calving rate. Heifers were subjected to OPU once weekly. In total, 1558 oocytes were recovered from 2033 follicles, a mean of 7.8±0.4 oocytes per session per animal. Mean oocyte production was similar not in quantity but in quality (proportion of each oocyte grade) among groups [FFC‐nuclear transfer (NT), AFC‐NT and IVF groups]. These oocytes were then subjected to somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and IVF. Although reconstructed embryos initiated cleavage sooner when the donor cells were from FFCs versus AFCs, cleavage of embryos in the IVF group occurred 1 and 2 h earlier than that in the FFC‐NT group and the AFC‐NT group. However, in vitro development to blastocyst and the pregnancy rates at Day 90 of gestation were different between donor cell types; four cloned calves were obtained and survived for more 6 months. Although in terms of cleavage rates and blastocyst rates, there were no significant differences between IVF and FFC‐NT groups, for in vivo development, the efficiency of IVF was higher than that of SCNT. In conclusion, the timing of first cleavage, pregnancy and calving rate differs by the source of donor fibroblast cells, and shorter timing of first cleavage may imply a higher pregnancy or calving rate. The oocytes obtained by OPU can be used as recipients for SCNT.
14‐3‐3ɛ antagonizes FoxO to control growth, apoptosis and longevity in Drosophila
Authors: Nielsen Mette Damgaard , Luo Xi , Biteau Benoît , Syverson Keith , Jasper Heinrich 
Published: July 2008

SummaryAntagonism between growth‐promoting and stress‐responsive signaling influences tissue homeostasis and longevity in metazoans. The transcription factor FoxO is central to this regulation, affecting cell proliferation, stress responses, apoptosis, and longevity. Insulin/IGF signaling promotes FoxO phosphorylation, causing its interaction with 14‐3‐3 molecules. The consequences of this interaction for FoxO‐induced biological processes and for the regulation of lifespan in higher organisms remain unclear. Significant complexities in the effects of 14‐3‐3 proteins on lifespan have been uncovered in Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting both positive and negative roles for 14‐3‐3 proteins in the control of aging. Using genetic and biochemical studies, we show here that 14‐3‐3ɛ antagonizes FoxO function in Drosophila. We find that dFoxO and 14‐3‐3ɛ proteins interact in vivo and that this interaction is lost in response to oxidative stress. Loss of 14‐3‐3ɛ results in increased stress‐induced apoptosis, growth repression and extended lifespan of flies, phenotypes associated with elevated FoxO function. Our results further show that increased expression of 14‐3‐3ɛ reverts FoxO‐induced growth defects. 14‐3‐3ɛ thus serves as a central modulator of FoxO activity in the regulation of growth, cell death and longevity in vivo.
Rewetting of Cutaway Peatlands: Are We Re‐Creating Hot Spots of Methane Emissions?
Authors: Wilson David , Alm Jukka , Laine Jukka , Byrne Kenneth A. , Farrell Edward P. , Tuittila Eeva‐Stiina 
Published: July 2008

Abstract Hot spots of CH4 emissions are a typical feature of pristine peatlands at the microsite and landscape scale. To determine whether rewetting and lake construction in a cutaway peatland would result in the re‐creation of hot spots, we first measured CH4 fluxes over a 2‐year period with static chambers and estimated annual emissions. Second, to assess whether rewetting and lake creation would produce hot spots at the landscape level, we hypothesized a number of alternative land use scenarios for the peatland following the cessation of peat extraction. Using the results from this study and other studies from literature, we calculated the global warming potential (GWP) of each scenario and the respective contribution of CH4. The results showed that hot spots of CH4 fluxes were observed as a consequence of microsite‐specific differences in water table (WT) position and plant productivity. CH4 fluxes were closely related to peat temperature at 10 cm depth and WT position. Annual emissions ranged from 4.3 to 38.8 g CH4 m−2 yr−1 in 2002 and 3.2 to 28.8 g CH4 m−2 yr−1 in 2003. The scenario results suggest that lake creation is likely to result in the re‐creation of a hot spot at the landscape level. However, the transition from cutaway to wetland ecosystem may lead to a reduction in the GWP of the peatland.
Reintroduction of Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis L.) Depends on Variation in Canopy, Vegetation, and Litter Cover
Authors: Pavlovic Noel B. , Grundel Ralph 
Published: July 2008

Abstract We experimentally examined the effects of canopy, vegetation, and leaf litter cover on the demography of Wild lupines (Lupinus perennis) in a central North American oak savanna spanning 9 years. We also compared the distribution of Wild lupine across the landscape to results predicted by the demographic experiments. With less canopy cover, soil temperatures were warmer and seedlings emerged earlier. Seedling survival increased 14% with each additional leaf grown. Seedling survival was four times greater in openings and partial shade than in dense shade. Seedling survival was also influenced by interactions between canopy cover and vegetation cover, between canopy cover and leaf litter, and among canopy cover, vegetation cover, and litter cover. In openings, seedlings had higher survival when vegetative cover was present, suggesting a positive shading effect on survival, but with greater canopy cover vegetative cover reduced survival. Seedling survival was greater for plants that experienced herbivory, a result that was probably related to plant size and quality rather than having been eaten. Survival of lupines to 9 years after seed planting was greatest in the partial shade, moderate in openings, and least in dense shade. Wild lupine cover across the landscape was greatest when litter cover was low and canopy cover and ground layer cover were moderate. Reduction of canopy cover by burning or cutting, and reduction of leaf litter by prescribed burning will benefit the reintroduction of Wild lupine by increasing light, reducing litter cover, and creating disturbances; however, the reduction of vegetation cover in openings may hinder lupine reintroduction.
Effects of Nutrient Manipulations and Grass Removal on Cover, Species Composition, and Invasibility of a Novel Grassland in Colorado
Authors: Cherwin Karie L. , Seastedt Timothy R. , Suding Katharine N. 
Published: July 2008

Abstract Cover and richness of a 5‐year revegetation effort were studied with ,respect to small‐scale disturbance and nutrient manipulations. The site, originally a relict tallgrass prairie mined for gravel, was replanted to native grasses using a seed mixture of tall‐, mixed‐, and short‐grass species. Following one wet and three relatively dry years, a community emerged, dominated by species common in saline soils not found along the Colorado Front Range. A single species, Alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides), composed nearly 50% of relative vegetation cover in control plots exhibiting a negative relationship between cover and richness. Seeded species composed approximately 92% of vegetation cover. The remaining 8% was composed of weeds from nearby areas, seed bank survivors, or mix contaminants. Three years of soil nutrient amendments, which lowered plant‐available nitrogen and phosphorus, significantly increased relative cover of seeded species to 97.5%. Fertilizer additions of phosphate enhanced abundance of introduced annual grasses (Bromus spp.) but did not significantly alter cover in control plots. Unmanipulated 4‐m2 plots contained an average of 4.7 planted species and 3.9 nonplanted species during the 5‐year period, whereas plots that received grass herbicide averaged 5.4 nonplanted species. Species richness ranged from an average 6.9 species in low‐nutrient, undisturbed plots to 10.9 species in the relatively high‐nutrient, disturbed plots. The use of stockpiled soils, applied sparingly, in conjunction with a native seed mix containing species uncommon to the preexisting community generated a species‐depauperate, novel plant community that appears resistant to invasion by ruderal species.
Inducibility of Atrial Fibrillation with a Synchronized External Low Energy Shock Post‐Pulmonary Vein Isolation Predicts Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: WYLIE Jr JOHN V. , ESSEBAG VIDAL , REYNOLDS MATTHEW R. , JOSEPHSON MARK E. 
Published: July 2008

Background: Inducibility of atrial fibrillation (AF) with burst pacing after pulmonary vein (PV) isolation is associated with recurrent AF. Objective: This study evaluated whether an external 30 Joule (J) shock synchronized to the R wave, during the vulnerable period of atrial repolarization, is able to risk‐stratify patients further for AF recurrence after PV isolation. Methods: One hundred and sixteen consecutive patients underwent PV isolation for AF. Atrial burst pacing was performed after PV isolation. In patients without AF induced by burst pacing, a biphasic external 30 J shock synchronized to the R wave was delivered as a further test for inducible AF. Patients were followed for a mean of 16 months, and recurrent AF was defined as more than 10 sec of AF on ambulatory monitoring. Results: AF was induced in 19 (16%) of patients with burst pacing. Eighty‐one patients who were noninducible with burst pacing had a 30 J shock administered, which induced AF in 16 (20%). In follow‐up, 21% of patients who were noninducible with burst pacing or low‐energy shock vs 54% who were inducible with either test developed recurrent AF at one year (HR 3.18, P = 0.0004 on multivariate analysis). Among patients who were noninducible with burst pacing, 18% who were noninducible with a low‐energy shock vs 60% who were inducible with shock developed recurrent AF at one year (HR = 4.63, P = 0.0006 on multivariate analysis). Conclusion: Inducibility of AF by a 30 J shock delivered during atrial repolarization after PV isolation may predict AF recurrence. Evaluation of inducibility of AF with burst pacing and a biphasic external synchronized shock after PV isolation may help guide postprocedure management.
Effects of mode of oral iron administration on serum ferritin and haemoglobin in infants
Authors: Domellöf Magnus , Lind Torbjörn , Lönnerdal Bo , Persson Lars Åke , Dewey Kathryn G , Hernell Olle 
Published: July 2008

AbstractAim: To investigate effects of iron‐fortified foods (FFs) and medicinal iron drops (MD) on iron status in infants.Methods: Data from one MD and one FF study were compared. Infants were divided into groups depending on the predominant source and amount of dietary iron during 6–9 months of age: MD: Medicinal iron drops (1 mg/kg/day). FF: iron intake >1.3 mg/kg/day, predominantly from FF and no iron supplements. Low iron (LI) group: iron intake <1.3 mg/kg/day and no iron supplements.Results: Mean iron intake did not differ between MD (n = 30) and FF (n = 35) groups but was lower in the LI (n = 232) group. The FF group had significantly higher mean Hb at 9 months compared to the MD and LI groups (120 vs. 115 g/L and 120 vs. 116 g/L, respectively, p ≤ 0.005). The MD group had significantly higher mean SF at 9 months compared to the FF and the LI groups (46 vs. 23 μg/L and 46 vs. 26 μg/L, respectively, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Our results suggest that, in healthy, term, nonanaemic 6–9‐month‐old infants, iron given as medicinal iron drops is primarily deposited into iron stores while iron given as iron‐fortified foods is primarily utilized for Hb synthesis.
Does nasal CPAP reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)?
Authors: Patel DS , Greenough A 
Published: July 2008

AbstractEarly nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or early surfactant therapy with early extubation onto nCPAP rather than continued mechanical ventilation has been adopted by many centres, particularly in Scandinavia, as part of the treatment of newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. It has been suggested that bronchopulmonary dysplasia is less of a problem in centres adopting such a policy. Results from randomized trials suggest prophylactic or early nCPAP may reduce bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), but further studies are required to determine the relative contributions of an early lung recruitment policy, early surfactant administration and nCPAP in reducing BPD. In addition, the optimum method of generating and delivering CPAP needs to be determined.Conclusion: The efficacy of nCPAP in improving long‐term respiratory outcomes needs to be compared with the newer ventilator techniques with the optimum and timing of delivery of surfactant administration.