bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postoperative care in fast‐track rehabilitation for elective colonic surgery
Authors: JUNGER MARC , SCHOENBERG MICHAEL HERMANN 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYThe success of a ‘fast‐track’ rehabilitation program in colonic surgery depends on multiple factors. The major factor post surgery is the prevention of postoperative ileus (POI), resulting in a faster recovery and a shorter hospital stay. All fast‐track programs led to an accelerated intake of oral fluids and solid foods and normalization of intestinal function, thus reducing both the primary and overall hospital stay. Fortunately, the postoperative treatment was not accompanied by an increase in morbidity or mortality. Nevertheless, fast‐track surgery may mean a higher rate of hospital readmissions in the first 2 weeks after discharge. Besides the prevention of POI and postoperative nausea and vomiting through restricted intraoperative fluid management, early oral food intake, rigorous pain control and early mobilization, education – on the part of patient, nurses and other medical staff – is equally as important. Ensuring that the patient takes an active rather than a passive role in the recovery process empowers the patient and avoids needless suffering. The patient is thus surrounded by encouraging staff members who motivate him or her not as a patient but as a ‘partner’ in a precarious situation. Early oral food intake and early mobilization suggest to the patient (and, possibly, to the nursing staff) that the surgical procedure was less invasive than believed and that the postoperative phase need not be eventful or traumatic. In contrast to the conventional treatment with infusions, the typical postoperative diet consisting of tea and soup for days, the fast‐track protocol gives the patient the feeling that he or she is actually in good health and about to leave the hospital. All optimistic signals received during the postoperative phase undoubtedly have a very suggestive and positive influence psychologically on the patient. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the psychological effect of fast‐track rehabilitation, although not assessed in clinical trials, is very important and influences the recovery substantially. Good clinical practice should be based on an ongoing audit of the outcome. In order to ensure the success of a fast‐track rehabilitation program in surgery, it is essential to assess the outcome in terms of morbidity and mortality. Moreover, such an ambitious protocol has to take into account new clinical trial findings in order to introduce improvements to the postoperative phase. Besides an understanding of the pathophysiology and new therapeutic approaches to prevent POI and improve pain control, such measures include the development of an intradepartmental infrastructure and staff education initiatives.
Results of fast‐track rehabilitation in elective colonic surgery
Authors: JUNGHANS TIDO , JUNGHANS ELENA , SCHWENK WOLFGANG 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYSingle centers have reported that the implementation of multimodal ‘fast‐track’ rehabilitation concepts improves postoperative convalescence after elective colonic surgery. A systematic review of the literature, including a hand search, for the keywords fast‐track and colo was performed. Fifteen (15) of the 27 submitted manuscripts offered low levels of evidence. Only two manuscripts compared a fast‐track group with a randomized control group. There was no evidence that surgical complications or lethality was increased with fast‐track rehabilitation. Patients received early enteral feeding, were mobilized and discharged 2–5 days after surgery. The maximum readmission rate was 20%. The advantages of early discharge need to be confirmed in high‐volume centers and additional controlled studies performed.
‘Fast‐track’ protocols in colorectal surgery
Authors: SENAGORE ANTHONY J. 
Published: May 2007

SUMMARYA greater appreciation of newer concepts in healthcare process management, improved understanding of postoperative physiology, and economic pressures have combined to produce safe reductions of hospital stays after major gastrointestinal surgery. Preoperative and postoperative education is a key component of successful fast‐track care pathways. Effective treatment of pain, nausea and vomiting, ileus, and fatigue combined with minimization of mechanical factors all decrease stress‐induced organ dysfunction. An important factor leading to enhanced recovery is early ambulation, which maintains muscle strength, limits disruption of orthostatic reflexes, and plays a role in reducing ileus and pulmonary complications. A growing body of evidence supports the contention that laparoscopic colectomy may allow optimization of fast‐track care of the colectomy patients. Epidural anesthesia/analgesia appears to be an important component of the perioperative care plan in many fast‐track programs. Evaluation of an enhanced care plan called the ‘Controlled Rehabilitation and Early Ambulation and Diet’ showed that patients who were suitable for the program at the time of surgery stayed in hospital for 4.3 ± 1.6 days postoperatively. The presence of a defunctioning loop ileostomy, or a history of previous abdominal surgery did not affect time to discharge. Time to discharge from hospital was significantly delayed in patients who showed poor compliance with the protocol. The process of care was effective in patients undergoing colonic, rectal and reoperative surgery, not just the ‘optimal’ colectomy patient.
Application of Different Methods for the Diagnosis of Experimental Paratuberculosis in Goats
Authors: Munjal S. K. , Tripathi B. N. , Paliwal O. P. , Boehmer J. , Homuth M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe diagnosis of subclinical paratuberculosis is still considered a major problem worldwide. As part of investigating diagnostic strategies for the paratuberculosis infection, sequential results of various diagnostic methods in a progressive experimental infection in goats were evaluated. Twenty‐three goat kids were divided into three groups: the infected, contact and control, comprising 10, five and eight goats respectively. Animals of the infected group were orally inoculated on seven occasions with 5 ml of inoculum containing 2 × 109Mycobacterium aviumssp.paratuberculosisper ml. Lymphoycte proliferation test using johnin PPD detected paratuberculosis infection from 60 days post‐infection (DPI) onwards. The johnin PPD was found to be a better antigen for the proliferative assays as compared with the sonicated antigen. The faecal smear examination with acid‐fast staining detected more goats as positive than bacterial culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Lipoarabinomannan enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) started detecting infected goats from 150 DPI onwards followed by indirect ELISA and agar gel immunodiffusion from 180 DPI onwards. Histological examination was confirmatory and detected five infected goats as positive.
Antibacterial Activity of Bovine Lactoferrin Hydrolysate against Mastitis Pathogens and Its Effect on Superoxide Production of Bovine Neutrophils
Authors: Kawai K. , Shimazaki K. , Higuchi H. , Nagahata H. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryAntibacterial activity of bovine lactoferrin hydrolysates (LFH) on microorganisms isolated from bovine mastitis, and superoxide () production of bovine neutrophils were evaluated. Antibacterial effects of LFH were measuredin vitroagainstStaphylococcus aureus, coagulase‐negative staphylococci,Streptococci,Enterococci,Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae, yeast‐like fungi andPrototheca zopfiiisolated from clinical cases of bovine mastitis. To compare susceptibilities against LFH, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by a micro‐plate assay method. Most organisms were sensitive to LFH.Prototheca zopfiiwas highly sensitive to LFH; the growth of the microorganism was inhibited completely even at 1 μg/ml.Staphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coliwere resistant to LFH. The production ofby bovine neutrophils was used to evaluate the effect of LFH administration on functional activity. Increase inproduction by bovine neutrophils occurred upon addition of LFH to neutrophils. These results demonstrate that LFH possesses antibacterial activity against pathogens that cause mastitis and activates neutrophil superoxide production.
Comparison of a Commercial ELISA with the Modified Agglutination Test for the Detection ofToxoplasma gondiiInfection in Naturally Exposed Sheep
Authors: Klun I. , Djurković‐Djaković O. , Thulliez P. 
Published: May 2007

SummarySurprisingly few commercial ELISAs are available for the detection ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in animals, and none for use in sheep have been evaluated. We thus compared the Bommeli Diagnostics ELISA Toxotest for the detection ofT. gondiiantibodies in ruminants with the reference modified agglutination test (MAT) in a series of 180 sheep sera. ELISA results were analysed at two cut‐off levels (30%, comprising both weakly positive and positive results, and 100%, comprising only positive results), and compared with MAT at three cut‐off levels (titre of 1 : 25, 1 : 50 and 1 : 100). The results showed a moderate agreement of ELISA at both cut‐offs (κ = 0.46 and 0.51) with MAT at a cut‐off titre of 1 : 100. However, the specificity and positive predictive value were above 95% only at an ELISA cut‐off of 100%, indicating its potential as a diagnostic test, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of infection. On the other hand, lower sensitivity and negative predictive value limit its value as a screening test. Thus, the ELISA Toxotest may be used for quick diagnosis ofT. gondiiinfection in sheep in the field, i.e. for the differential diagnosis of ovine abortion storms.
Seroprevalence of Antibodies toNeospora caninumin Urban and Rural Dogs in north‐west Italy
Authors: Ferroglio E. , Pasino M. , Ronco F. , Benà A. , Trisciuoglio A. 
Published: May 2007

SummarySera were collected from 490 dogs from north‐west Italy. One hundred and eighty‐eight dogs were urban, while 302 dogs were rural. Among the latter, 190 were shepherd dogs and 112 were cattle farm dogs. Sera were tested for the presence of antibodies againstNeospora caninumusing theNeosporaagglutination test. Seroprevalence at 1/40, 1/80, 1/160 dilution titres was significantly higher in rural (36.4%, 19.5%, 9.9% respectively) than in urban dogs (20.2%, 10.6%, 4.8% respectively). Seroprevalence did not differ significantly in males and females. In shepherd dogs, prevalence increased according to dogs’ age, thus suggesting a post‐natal exposure by horizontal transmission. The observed higher seroprevalence in rural dogs suggests the importance of lifestyle and alimentary habits (i.e. aborted foetuses, placentas and small mammals) in the acquisition ofN. caninuminfection. Our results confirm that dogs are exposed toN. caninumand play an important role in the epidemiology ofN. caninum.
First Diagnosis of Encephalitozoon intestinalis and E. Hellem in a European Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) with Kidney Lesions
Authors: De Bosschere H. , Wang Z. , Orlandi P. A. 
Published: May 2007

Summary Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Encephalitozoon hellem were diagnosed in the kidneys of a free – ranging European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) with multifocal wedge‐shaped chronic interstitial nephritis using real‐time PCR and microarray. This is the first description of these microsporidia species in a European brown hare, which are both potential zoonotic agents.
Comparison of Duplex PCR and Microscopic Techniques for the Identification of Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis in Engorged Female Ticks of Boophilus microplus
Authors: Quintão‐Silva M. G. , Melo M. N. , Ribeiro M. F. B. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryA single‐step duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and traditional microscopic examination of haemolymph smears were used to detect Babesia bigemina and/or Babesia bovis infection in engorged female ticks of Boophilus microplus recovered from calves raised in an endemic area of the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In the PCR amplification of tick‐derived DNA, pairs of oligonucleotide primers specific for a 278‐bp sequence from B. bigemina and for a 350‐bp sequence from B. bovis were used conjointly. The microscopic examination of haemolymph revealed that 16.7% of the engorged ticks were infected with Babesia spp., although no significant differences (ρ > 0.05) were found in the infection rate of ticks collected from calves of different age groups. PCR analysis showed that 77.8% of the engorged ticks whose haemolymph contained sporokinetes were infected with B. bigemina, 7.8% with B. bovis and 14.4% with both protozoan species. However, the PCR assay further revealed that, amongst the engorged female ticks whose haemolymph was apparently negative for the presence of sporokinetes, 15.6% were infected with B. bigemina, 2.2% with B. bovis and 10.0% with both species. The duplex PCR method is thus more efficient and sensitive than the microscopic assay and also permits facile identification of the protozoa species present in engorged female ticks.
Immune Response to and Faecal Shedding of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in Young Dairy Calves, and the Association Between Test Results in the Calves and the Infection Status of their Dams
Authors: Antognoli M. C. , Hirst H. L. , Garry F. B. , Salman M. D. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThe objectives of this study were to: (i) evaluate the results of an intradermal skin test, a modified IFN‐γ test, and a commercial ELISA in commercially raised dairy calves at 2, 4, 6 and 8 months of age relative to faecal shedding of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP); (ii) determine the proportion of 8‐month‐old calves shedding MAP in faeces as detected by culture and One Tube Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (OTSN‐PCR) and (iii) explore the association between results of tests described above in the calves and the Paratuberculosis (PTB) status of their dams as determined by faecal culture and/or serology. The study calves belonged to two dairy herds with different risk of exposure to MAP (high and low) and were enrolled based on their dam’s ELISA results prior to calving. Approximately 3% of the calves were shedding MAP in faeces at 8 months of age. No agreement was observed among the evaluated immunity‐based tests or between the immunity‐based tests and the detection of MAP in faeces. Although no association was observed between the infection status of the dam and the results from the IFN‐γ and skin tests on the calves, there is an indication that calves born from dams that were faecal shedders might be at a higher risk of testing positive to the IFN‐γ test at 8 months of age. The disagreement among all tests evaluated in this calf cohort suggests that the detection of MAP infection in young stock requires the use of combined multiple tests. The early detection of PTB in calves is a challenge that requires further exploration of new methods to confirm infection status. These new testing methods should be both affordable and compatible with regular husbandry practices.
Nutrient signalling in the regulation of human muscle protein synthesis
Authors: Fujita Satoshi , Dreyer Hans C. , Drummond Micah J. , Glynn Erin L. , Cadenas Jerson G. , Yoshizawa Fumiaki , Volpi Elena , Rasmussen Blake B. 
Published: May 2007

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) are important nutrient‐ and energy‐sensing and signalling proteins in skeletal muscle. AMPK activation decreases muscle protein synthesis by inhibiting mTOR signalling to regulatory proteins associated with translation initiation and elongation. On the other hand, essential amino acids (leucine in particular) and insulin stimulate mTOR signalling and protein synthesis. We hypothesized that anabolic nutrients would be sensed by both AMPK and mTOR, resulting in an acute and potent stimulation of human skeletal muscle protein synthesis via enhanced translation initiation and elongation.We measured muscle protein synthesis and mTOR‐associated upstream and downstream signalling proteins in young male subjects (n= 14) using stable isotopic and immunoblotting techniques. Following a first muscle biopsy, subjects in the ‘Nutrition’ group ingested a leucine‐enriched essential amino acid–carbohydrate mixture (EAC). Subjects in the Control group did not consume nutrients. A second biopsy was obtained 1 h later. Ingestion of EAC significantly increased muscle protein synthesis, modestly reduced AMPK phosphorylation, and increased Akt/PKB (protein kinase B) and mTOR phosphorylation (P < 0.05). mTOR signalling to its downstream effectors (S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and 4E‐binding protein 1 (4E‐BP1) phosphorylation status) was also increased (P < 0.05). In addition, eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) phosphorylation was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Protein synthesis and cell signalling (phosphorylation status) was unchanged in the control group (P > 0.05).We conclude that anabolic nutrients alter the phosphorylation status of both AMPK‐ and mTOR‐associated signalling proteins in human muscle, in association with an increase in protein synthesis not only via enhanced translation initiation but also through signalling promoting translation elongation.
Shift work, confounding and death from ischaemic heart disease
Authors: Yadegarfar G , McNamee R 
Published: May 2007

Objective:To investigate the relation between shift work and death from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and evidence for confounding by social class and healthy shift worker effects.Methods:A case-referent study nested within an industrial cohort was used. Cases (n = 635) were cohort members who died of ischaemic heart disease (ICD 410–414) during 1950–98 aged 75 or under. Referents were matched on age and year of starting work at the site and were alive at time of case’s death. Shift work status was determined from historical personnel records and pre-employment weight, height, blood pressure and smoking from medical records. Social class at first employment was inferred from job titles. To overcome potential bias due to a healthy shift worker hire effect, odds ratios were calculated from survivors 10 years after hire. To control for any healthy shift worker survivor effect, they were adjusted for duration of employment and time since termination of employment. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate ORs.Results:55% of subjects had worked as shift workers. Shift workers were more likely than day workers to belong to social class IV or V. The OR for shift workers compared with day workers, after adjustment for pre-employment risk factors, duration of employment and restricted to those who survived 10 years after hire was 1.11 (90% CI 0.90 to 1.37). This reduced to 1.04 (90% CI 0.83 to 1.30) after inclusion of social class. No dose-response relation was found.Conclusion:No excess risk of death from IHD for shift workers was found. The potential for confounding by social class in this relatively homogeneous cohort underlines the need to consider such confounding in more heterogeneous populations.
The U.S. DOE Fuel Cell Sub-Program
Authors: Epping Kathi , Kopasz John P. , Benjamin Thomas , Podolski Walter 
Published: May 2007

This paper provides an overview and shows the most recent results of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell research and development effort. The goal of this sub-program is to develop and demonstrate fuel cell power systems technologies for transportation, stationary, and portable applications. The program emphasizes fuel replacement for light duty vehicles, to reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum.	PEM fuel cells are the focus for light duty vehicles because they have fast-start capability, high efficiency and operate at low temperatures. The fuel cell sub- program supports the overarching goal of the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative, to enable industry commercialization decisions by 2015. This paper summarizes progress and trends seen in fiscal year 2006. The paper also details how the current cost, performance, and durability of fuel cell systems, stacks, and components compare with DOE targets for the year 2015.
Bilirubin Oxidase Biocathodes for Ethanol Biofuel Cells
Authors: Duma Rodica , Minteer Shelley D. 
Published: May 2007

A biological fuel cell is a device that converts biochemical energy into electrical energy using a biocatalyst. The basic principle is that the process of fuel (substrate) oxidation by microorganisms or enzymes in the fuel cells offers electrons and protons for electricity production. This paper details the development of bilirubin oxidase biocathodes for ethanol/oxygen biofuel cells.	In the described configuration, both the anode and the cathode electrodes in the biofuel cell employ biological catalysts (enzymes) instead of traditional metallic fuel cell catalysts. This enzymatic biofuel cell employs alcohol dehydrogenase to oxidize ethanol at the anode and bilirubin oxidase to reduce oxygen at the cathode. This ethanol/oxygen biofuel cell has an active lifetime of about 20 days and shows power densities of up to 1.67mW/cm2. The biocathode described in this paper is unique in that bilirubin oxidase is immobilized within a modified Nafion DE520 polymer that acts both to entrap and stabilize the enzyme. The biocathode is fuel tolerant at low fuel concentrations (1mM), which leads to a fuel cell that employs both renewable catalysts and fuel, but does not require a separator membrane to separate anolyte from catholyte.
Investigation of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes as a Novel Catalytic Electrodes for PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Liu Di-Jia , Yang Junbing , Gosztola David J. 
Published: May 2007

Recent progress in synthesizing and characterizing aligned carbon nanotubes (ACNT) as the electrode catalyst material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is reported. Catalytically functionalized ACNT active towards the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen were prepared by a chemical vapor deposition method. The electrocatalytic activities and the nanostructures of the ACNT layers were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. To understand the nature of the transition metal as the catalytically active site in the ACNT, we also conducted an in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopic investigation at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.	The oxidation state and coordination structure of the transition metals embedded inside the nanotubes were monitored by examining the EXAFS spectra collected under different polarization potentials. We clearly observed the change in the electronic and coordinational structures during the oxygen reduction reaction.
Numerical Simulation of Coolant Electrolysis in Composite Plate Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks
Authors: Peterson Amy M. , Im Kyoung-Su , Lai Ming-Chia 
Published: May 2007

Two- and three- dimensional numerical models of a PEM fuel cell have been developed to investigate the effects of shunt current within the coolant channel. The model accounts for the electrostatic equation solved for a ten cell fuel stack for idealized and realistic coolant channels including varying conductivities of the solution. The electrostatic equation was solved in the coolant channel for the fully insulated, non- insulated, and incremental lengths of insulation on the channels. The model results found that the length of the insulation on the coolant channel plays an important role in shunt current reduction and fuel cell performance. The case of insulating the coolant channels was found to show that current density propagated further into the channels as increased lengths of insulation were used. However, the strength of the current density from the ending point of the insulation was found to decrease with increasing insulation lengths. Furthermore, a simple experiment was conducted idealizing the fuel cell as batteries connected in series and then submerged in a low conductivity solution. A camera was used to capture the current potential in the different	stacks	and to validate the numerical model.