bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opinions about donating blood among those who never gave and those who stopped: a focus group assessment
Authors: Mathew Sunitha M. , King Melissa R. , Glynn Simone A. , Dietz Stephen K. , Caswell Scott L. , Schreiber George B. 
Published: May 2007

BACKGROUND: Understanding what prevents people from ever donating blood, or having donated, what influenced them to stop, are both equally important in devising recruitment strategies. Enlisting new donors and encouraging previous donors to return are vital to increasing collections.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Six racially homogeneous focus groups of never donors and lapsed donors were conducted. Both sexes and a range of age groups were represented. The importance of blood donation as a volunteer activity, deterrents, motivations, awareness of need, and effective recruitment messages were topics discussed.RESULTS: Never donors do not see blood donation as an important volunteer activity on par with others like volunteering at hospitals, schools, and support groups. Fear and inconvenience were major barriers to donating. Better education campaigns to allay fears about donating and workplace drives were considered important motivators. Participants were unaware of the need for blood. Media messages that combine safety of the process along with who it benefits were considered most effective. Messages that target the specific needs of minority communities were considered good motivators for their recruitment.CONCLUSION: Blood collection agencies should increase awareness that blood donation is a worthwhile and important volunteer activity. Another strategy would be to capitalize on the existing perception that donating blood is like donating money or used clothing, by focusing on the concept of giving something tangible. Along with providing convenient opportunities to donate, blood centers need to effectively convey the need for blood and allay fears about the donation process to increase the current donor pool.
Bepridil Reverses Atrial Electrical Remodeling and L‐Type Calcium Channel Downregulation in a Canine Model of Persistent Atrial Tachycardia
Authors: NISHIDA KUNIHIRO , FUJIKI AKIRA , SAKAMOTO TAMOTSU , IWAMOTO JOTARO , MIZUMAKI KOICHI , HASHIMOTO NORIO , INOUE HIROSHI 
Published: May 2007

Introduction: This study tested whether bepridil, a multichannel blocker, would reverse electrical remodeling induced by persistent atrial tachycardia. Methods and Results: Fourteen dogs were subjected to rapid atrial pacing at 400 bpm for 6 weeks after atrioventricular block was created to control the ventricular rate. During the study period, seven dogs were given placebo for 6 weeks (Control group), and seven were given placebo for 3 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of bepridil (10 mg/kg/day, Bepridil group). The atrial effective refractory period (ERP) and the inducibility and duration of atrial fibrillation (AF) were determined on a weekly basis. After 6 weeks, expression of L‐type calcium channel α1C messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) was quantified by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. In the Control group, ERP was shortened and the inducibility and duration of AF increased through the 6‐week period. In the Bepridil group, the same changes occurred during the first 3 weeks, but were gradually reversed with bepridil. After 6 weeks, ERP was longer, AF inducibility was lower, and AF duration was shorter in Bepridil group than in the Control group. Expression of α1C mRNA was decreased by 64% in the Control group (P < 0.05 vs sham), but in the Bepridil group, it was not different compared with the sham dogs. As a whole group of dogs, ERP was positively correlated with α1C mRNA expression. Conclusion: Bepridil reverses the electrophysiological consequences of atrial remodeling to some extent and L‐type calcium channel downregulation in a canine model of atrial tachycardia.
Habitual Cocaine Use Is Associated with High Defibrillation Threshold During ICD Implantation
Authors: CHEN JAY , NASEEM R. HARIS , OBEL OWEN , JOGLAR JOSE A. 
Published: May 2007

Background:Habitual cocaine use can lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and sudden cardiac death. Based on prior clinical observations, we hypothesized that prior habitual cocaine use is a strong predictor of high defibrillation threshold (DFT) during implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implant.Methods:We reviewed the medical records of 130 consecutive patients undergoing initial ICD implantation or revision at Parkland Hospital and the Dallas VA Hospital, Dallas, TX, from January 2002 to November 2005. Patient characteristics and DFT data were collected retrospectively.Results:The study group includes 11 patients (8.46%) who were identified as having a history of prior habitual cocaine use as demonstrated by history and urine toxicology; the rest (119 patients) form the control group. Cocaine‐using patients tended to be younger (48.2 ± 10 vs 60.1 ± 12.3 years; P = 0.0026), were less likely to have coronary disease (36.3% vs 72.2%; P = 0.032), and had less comorbidity. The average DFT was 27.9 ± 7.8 J for all cocaine‐using patients and 14.5 ± 4.1 J for noncocaine‐using patients (P = 0.00018). In the cocaine‐using group, three out of 11 patients required a subcutaneous array compared to none in the control group.Conclusions:Our results suggest that patients with a history of habitual cocaine use may be at increased risk to have a high DFT during ICD implantation. This is the first study to demonstrate such association. ICD implantation in patients with this history should be planned with these findings in mind, as larger output generators or subcutaneous arrays might be required.
Gender Differences in Chronotropic and Hemodynamic Responses during Dobutamine‐Atropine Stress Echocardiography
Authors: Tsutsui Jeane Mike , Falcão Sandra Nívea Reis Saraiva , Dourado Paulo Magno Martins , Lima Marta Fernandes , Alves Angele Azevedo , Guerra Vitor Coimbra , Ramires José Antônio Franchini , Mathias Wilson 
Published: May 2007

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of gender on chronotropic and hemodynamic response during dobutamine stress echocardiography with early injection of atropine (EA‐DSE). Methods: From January 2000 to June 2003, we retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent EA‐DSE for known or suspected coronary artery disease. We studied 494 patients, 243 men and 251 women, who were not under beta‐blocker or calcium channel‐blocker therapy (Group A) and 326 patients, 157 men and 169 women, using these medications (Group B). Differences on chronotropic and hemodynamic responses during EA‐DSE were assessed by gender in the two groups. Predictors of need for higher doses of dobutamine were determined by multivariate analysis.
Results: In Group A, higher proportion of women achieved test end points at the stage of 20 mcg/kg per minute. Dobutamine and atropine doses were lower in women than in men (29 ± 5 versus 31 ± 6 mcg/kg per minute; P = 0.001 and 0.61 ± 0.32 versus 0.78 ± 0.43 mg; P = 0.006). Cardiac chronotropism and systolic blood pressure response patterns differed by gender. In Group B, there was no difference in the proportion of patients who achieved test end points at each stage of dobutamine. The independent predictors of the need for higher doses of dobutamine in Group A were gender [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.99, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.19–3.32; P = 0.008], age (OR = 0.91,CI = 0.89–0.93; P < 0.001), and baseline heart rate (OR = 0.95,CI = 0.93–0.98; P < 0.001). Independent predictors in the total population were age (OR = 0.92,CI = 0.90–0.94; P < 0.001), baseline heart rate (OR = 0.95,CI = 0.93–0.97; P < 0.001), and beta‐blocker therapy (OR = 0.42,CI = 0.18–1.51; P = 0.04).
Conclusion: Gender has influence on heart rate and blood pressure response to the EA‐DSE in patients without use of drugs with negative chronotropic effects.
Adsorption of human plasma proteins to modified titanium surfaces
Authors: Sela Michael N. , Badihi Liad , Rosen Graciela , Steinberg Doron , Kohavi David 
Published: May 2007

AbstractObjectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of modified titanium (Ti) surfaces on the initial events of plasma proteins adsorption.Materials and methods: ‘Ti disks’ with three types of surface modifications were compared: machined, acid‐etched and acid‐etched and blasted. Physical and chemical characterizations of the surfaces were performed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) used for analysis of surface topography, characterization of the titanium oxide (TiO2) layer was carried out by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and characterization of surface energy by the determination of contact angles. Evaluation of plasma proteins' adsorption to the treated Ti surfaces was performed by mass spectrometry, confocal laser scanning microscopy and XPS. Quantitative proteins' assessment was carried out by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results: SEM images revealed major differences in the topography of the examined surfaces. Acid‐etched and blasted Ti surfaces were found to have higher roughness values and a thicker TiO2 layer as compared with acid‐etched and machined surfaces. Moreover, acid‐etched and blasted surfaces showed high surface area differentiation, pointing to a high increase in the three‐dimensional (3D) surface area over the 2D surface area compared with the other surfaces. Adsorption of plasma proteins to the acid‐etched and blasted Ti surfaces was both qualitatively and quantitatively more intense compared with the machined and acid‐etched surfaces. This was shown for each examined protein, total proteins and by the removal degree of the protein coat.Conclusions: The preferential adsorption of plasma proteins to the acid‐etched and blasted Ti surfaces may be explained by its topographical characteristics and by the increase of the 3D surface area of this modified surface.
Innate immune responses of gingival epithelial cells to nonperiodontopathic and periodontopathic bacteria
Authors: Ji S. , Kim Y. , Min B.‐M. , Han S. H. , Choi Y. 
Published: May 2007

Background and Objective:  We have previously reported different susceptibilities of periodontopathic and nonperiodontopathic bacteria to antimicrobial peptides and phagocytosis by neutrophils. Differences between the two groups of bacteria may exist also in their ability to induce immune responses from the host. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of various oral bacteria on innate immune responses by gingival epithelial cells.Material and Methods:  HOK‐16B cells were cocultured with live or lysed nonperiodontopathic (n = 3) and periodontopathic (n = 5) bacterial species. The levels of human beta defensin‐1, ‐2 and ‐3, and of the cathelicidin, LL‐37, were examined by real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction, and the accumulated interleukin‐8 and interleukin‐1α were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Results:  Nonperiodontopathic bacteria up‐regulated some antimicrobial peptides without affecting the levels of cytokines. In the periodontopathic group, the orange‐complex bacteria induced antimicrobial peptides and interleukin‐8 efficiently, but the red‐complex bacteria often demonstrated suppressive effects. In contrast to live bacteria, bacterial lysates had no suppressive effects. In addition, some bacterial lysates demonstrated a reduced ability to induce antimicrobial peptides compared with live bacteria.Conclusion:  The nonperiodontopathic, the orange‐complex, and the red‐complex bacteria had different effects on the innate immune responses from gingival epithelial cells, which may affect the outcome of their host–microbial interaction in gingival sulcus.
Gingival inflammation, increased periodontal pocket depth and elevated interleukin‐6 in gingival crevicular fluid of depressed women on long‐term sick leave
Authors: Johannsen A. , Rydmark I. , Söder B. , Åsberg M. 
Published: May 2007

Background and Objective:  The aim of this work was to investigate periodontal status, in relation to inflammatory markers and cortisol, in the gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of a homogenous group of women on long‐term sick leave for job‐stress related depression in comparison to nondepressed women.Material and Methods:  The participants comprised 20 women with depression (DSM‐IV) (mean age 48.5 ± 6.9 years) and 29 healthy controls (mean age 54.5 ± 2.9 years). Clinical examination was performed. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected by an intracrevicular washing technique. Interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐8 and MMP‐9 were determined with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and cortisol was determined by using a radioimmunoassay. One‐way analysis of covariance was used as the statistical method.Results:  The depressed patients had significantly higher gingival inflammation (p < 0.001), and deeper pockets (p < 0.003), than the healthy controls, after adjusting for age and smoking. The levels of interleukin‐6 in the gingival crevicular fluid were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls: 3.84 ± 1.58 pg per site and 0.79 ± 1.83 pg per site, respectively, p < 0.003. There were no significant differences in the levels of interleukin‐1β, MMP‐8 and MMP‐9. The patients had lower cortisol values in gingival crevicular fluid than the controls, whereas the levels of cortisol in saliva were similar in both groups.Conclusion:  Women on long‐term sick‐leave for depression had more severe periodontitis and higher concentrations of interleukin‐6 in gingival crevicular fluid than healthy controls. An alteration of the immune system in these patients might be interpreted as reflecting the consequences of long‐term stress exposure and might contribute to worse periodontal conditions in these particular patients.
Strain in the nail at fingertip compression
Authors: Sakai Naotaka , Shimawaki Satoshi 
Published: May 2007

Purpose: Distribution of nail strain due to compressive force in the finger pulp was investigated.Methods: Nail strain of the right index finger of 10 healthy men was measured using three strain gauges with two axes. Each nail strain was measured along the longitudinal and the transverse axis using sensor interface. Three CCD cameras recorded the compressive force and the fingertip deformation. Each subject pressed the right index finger with 30°, 45° and 60° in the contact angle, with the compressive force increased from 0 to 14 N.Results: When the contact angle was 30°, the strain along the transverse axis increased according to the compressive force increased. The proximal‐radial‐transverse strain at compressive force of 13 N was significantly (P<0.01) larger than the proximal‐ulnar‐transverse strain. At the same compressive force, the distal‐central‐transverse strain was significantly (P<0.05) larger than the proximal‐ulnar‐transverse strain. The proximal‐radial‐transverse strain was significantly (P<0.01) larger than the proximal‐radial‐longitudinal strain. In the contact angle of 45° and 60°, same results were gained.Conclusion: Nail strain due to compressive force in the finger pulp was different between the rectangular axes, between the distal and the proximal parts of the nail, and between the radial and the ulnar sides.
Does Species Range and Rarity Affect Population Genetics? A Case Study of FourGraptophyllumSpecies from Queensland, Australia
Authors: Shapcott Alison 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThere are four species ofGraptophyllum(Acanthaceae) in Australia which span a gradient in rarity and conservation status from the most endangered,Graptophyllum reticulatum(endangered), toG. ilicifolium(vulnerable), toG. excelsum(rare), to the least endangeredG. spinigerum(widespread).Graptophyllum reticulatumandG. ilicifoliumare each only known from three locations. All species were found to have quite high levels of genetic diversity (He, A, Ap, P) and there was no significant difference among species in genetic diversity (P> 0.05), thus, genetic diversity was unrelated to conservation status or species geographic range. All species had high allelic fixation values (F ), indicating that populations were effectively inbred regardless of conservation status and geographic range. The genetic diversity among populations (FST) was not related to rarity and contrasted among the most restricted species, where diversity among populations was twice as high amongG. reticulatumpopulations (FST, 0.22) compared with amongG. ilicifoliumpopulations (FST, 0.11).
Yeasts Isolated from Neotropical Wood‐Boring Beetles in SE Peru
Authors: Berkov Amy , Feinstein Julie , Small Jacinta , Nkamany Mary , Centeno Pedro 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTSome temperate wood‐boring cerambycid beetles harbor intracellular gut yeasts believed to augment host nutrition, but species belonging to the subfamily Lamiinae are thought to lack endosymbionts. Almost 49 percent of Neotropical cerambycid species are lamiines, therefore, comparatively few rain forest species would be expected to host symbiotic gut yeasts. This study reports the isolation of gut yeasts from closely related Neotropical lamiines. We investigated species that feed on trees in the Brazil nut family (Lecythidaceae), because host plant associations are relatively well known. Our objectives were to determine if gut yeasts were present and, if possible, infer their mode of transmission. We collected and dissected 18 beetle specimens from three tree species, including 17 cerambycids and one curculionid. Every insect specimen yielded a gut yeast. DNA sequence libraries were used for a rapid identification of the yeasts and their larval hosts. The cerambycids included five lamiine species and one cerambycine. Six ascomycete yeasts were isolated from their guts; we found no evidence of strict vertical transmission. Larval gut yeasts were genetically similar to yeasts previously isolated from insects associated with wood or fungi, implying potential habitat specificity. The yeasts have not yet been localized, and potential function is not known, but they may contribute to rapid nutrient cycling or serve as the first line of defense against plant toxins.
Interspecific Variation in the Reproductive Response of Acacia Species to Protection from Large Mammalian Herbivores
Authors: Young Truman P. , Augustine David J. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTWe quantified the fruit set of four Acacia spp. inside and outside of long‐term experimental exclosures in order to examine the fitness consequences of herbivory by large mammals. We found a considerable interspecific variation in the reproductive fitness costs of herbivory in four African Acacia spp. Acacia nilotica and A. brevispica respond to protection from large mammalian herbivores by greatly increasing their seed set. In contrast, there was little or no increase in seed set in A. mellifera and A. etbaica. The reasons for these differences are not known, but may be related to armament morphologies.
Seed Dispersal of Morus macroura (Moraceae) by Two Frugivorous Bats in Xishuangbanna, SW China
Authors: Tang Zhan‐Hui , Cao Min , Sheng Lian‐Xi , Ma Xun‐Feng , Walsh Allyson , Zhang Shu‐Yi 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTThe dispersal of Morus macroura seeds by two species of frugivorous bats (Rousettus leschenaulti and Cynopterus sphinx) was studied in a forest at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden in Southwest China from March to May 2005. Feeding roosts were identified within 500 m around parent trees and the types and number of seed loads under each roost were recorded. We found feeding roost density decreased with increasing distance from the parent, but found no correlation between distance and seed deposition. The effect of bat digestion on seed germination was investigated, and we found that germination percentage of all treatments involving ingestion by bats was significantly lower than control seeds and some germination parameters of seeds from different treatments changed.
Controls Over Leaf Litter and Soil Nitrogen Fixation in Two Lowland Tropical Rain Forests
Authors: Reed Sasha C. , Cleveland Cory C. , Townsend Alan R. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTGlobal comparisons suggest that rates of N fixation in tropical rain forests may be among the highest on earth. However, data supporting this contention are rare, and the factors that regulate N fixation within the biome remain largely unknown. We conducted a full‐factorial (N × P) fertilization experiment in two lowland tropical rain forests in Costa Rica to explore the effects of nutrient availability on rates of free‐living N fixation in leaf litter and soil. P fertilization significantly increased N fixation rates in both leaf litter and soil, and the effect was dependent on sampling date. Fertilization with N did not affect rates of N fixation at any time. In addition, variation in N fixation rates measured in unfertilized plots at four sampling time points suggested seasonal variability in N fixation: leaf litter N fixation ranged from 0.36 kg/ha/yr in the dry season to 5.48 kg/ha/yr in the wet season. Soil N fixation showed similar patterns ranging from a dry season low of 0.26 kg/ha/yr to a wet season high of 2.71 kg/ha/yr. While the observed temporal variability suggests potential climatic control over free‐living N fixation in these forests, data suggest that neither soil nor leaf litter moisture alone regulate N fixation rates. Instead, we hypothesize that a combination of ample C availability, low leaf litter N:P ratios, and high rainfall coincide during the latter portions of the rainy season and drive the highest free‐living N fixation rates of the year.
Rain Forest Structure at Forest‐Pasture Edges in Northeastern Costa Rica
Authors: Schedlbauer Jessica L. , Finegan Bryan , Kavanagh Kathleen L. 
Published: May 2007

ABSTRACTLand‐use change in the Sarapiquí region of Costa Rica has resulted in a fragmented forest landscape with abrupt edges between forest and pasture. Forest responses to edge effects vary widely and can significantly affect ecosystem integrity. Our objective was to examine forest structure at 20+ yr old forest‐pasture edges in Sarapiquí. Three transects with 0.095‐ha plots at seven distances from forest edges were established in each of six forest patches. Stem density, basal area, and aboveground biomass in trees and palms ≥ 10‐cm diameter at breast height were measured in all plots. In addition, hemispherical photographs were taken to determine leaf area index, understory light availability, and percent canopy openness. Linear mixed‐effects models showed significantly higher tree stem density at forest edges, relative to interiors, a pattern reflected by increased stem density, basal area, and aboveground biomass in small diameter trees (≤ 20 cm) growing near edges. No differences in total tree basal area, aboveground biomass, or hemispherical photograph‐derived parameters were detected across the forest edge to interior gradient. The recruitment of small diameter trees following edge creation has contributed to the development of dense vegetation at the forest edge and has aided in the maintenance of similar tree basal area and aboveground biomass between edge and interior environments. These data reflect on the robustness of forest edges in Sarapiquí, a characteristic that will likely minimize future detrimental edge effects and promote a number of high‐value environmental services in these forests.