bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture is a feasible treatment for post-thoracotomy pain: results of a prospective pilot trial
Authors: Vickers Andrew J , Rusch Valerie W , Malhotra Vivek T , Downey Robert J , Cassileth Barrie R 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
Thoracotomy is associated with severe pain that may persist for years. Acupuncture is a complementary therapy with a proven role in pain control. A randomized trial showed that acupuncture was effective in controlling pain after abdominal surgery, but the efficacy of this technique for the treatment of thoracotomy pain has not been established. We developed a novel technique for convenient application of acupuncture to patients undergoing thoracotomy, and in a Phase II trial evaluated the safety of this intervention and the feasibility of doing a randomized trial.

Methods
Adult patients scheduled for unilateral thoracotomy with preoperative epidural catheter placement received acupuncture immediately prior to surgery. Eighteen semi-permanent intradermal needles were inserted on either side of the spine, and four were inserted in the legs and auricles. Needles were removed after four weeks. Using a numerical rating scale, pain was measured on the first five postoperative days. After discharge, pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory at 7, 30, 60 and 90 days.

Results
Thirty-six patients were treated with acupuncture. Of these, 25, 23, and 22 patients provided data at 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively. The intervention was well tolerated by patients with only one minor and transient adverse event of skin ulceration.

Conclusion
The rate of data completion met our predefined criterion for determining a randomized trial to be feasible (at least 75% of patients tolerated the intervention and provided evaluable data). This novel intervention is acceptable to patients undergoing thoracotomy and does not interfere with standard preoperative care. There was no evidence of important adverse events. We are now testing the hypothesis that acupuncture significantly adds to standard perioperative pain management in a randomized trial.
Time trend and age-period-cohort effect on kidney cancer mortality in Europe, 1981–2000
Authors: Pérez-Farinós Napoleón , López-Abente Gonzalo , Pastor-Barriuso Roberto 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
The incorporation of diagnostic and therapeutic improvements, as well as the different smoking patterns, may have had an influence on the observed variability in renal cancer mortality across Europe. This study examined time trends in kidney cancer mortality in fourteen European countries during the last two decades of the 20th century.

Methods
Kidney cancer deaths and population estimates for each country during the period 1981–2000 were drawn from the World Health Organization Mortality Database. Age- and period-adjusted mortality rates, as well as annual percentage changes in age-adjusted mortality rates, were calculated for each country and geographical region. Log-linear Poisson models were also fitted to study the effect of age, death period, and birth cohort on kidney cancer mortality rates within each country.

Results
For men, the overall standardized kidney cancer mortality rates in the eastern, western, and northern European countries were 20, 25, and 53% higher than those for the southern European countries, respectively. However, age-adjusted mortality rates showed a significant annual decrease of -0.7% in the north of Europe, a moderate rise of 0.7% in the west, and substantial increases of 1.4% in the south and 2.0% in the east. This trend was similar among women, but with lower mortality rates. Age-period-cohort models showed three different birth-cohort patterns for both men and women: a decrease in mortality trend for those generations born after 1920 in the Nordic countries, a similar but lagged decline for cohorts born after 1930 in western and southern European countries, and a continuous increase throughout all birth cohorts in eastern Europe. Similar but more heterogeneous regional patterns were observed for period effects.

Conclusion
Kidney cancer mortality trends in Europe showed a clear north-south pattern, with high rates on a downward trend in the north, intermediate rates on a more marked rising trend in the east than in the west, and low rates on an upward trend in the south. The downward pattern observed for cohorts born after 1920–1930 in northern, western, and southern regions suggests more favourable trends in coming years, in contrast to the eastern countries where birth-cohort pattern remains upward.
Assessing effects of a media campaign on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Nigeria: results from the VISION Project
Authors: Keating Joseph , Meekers Dominique , Adewuyi Alfred 
Published: May 2006

Abstract

Background
In response to the growing HIV epidemic in Nigeria, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated the VISION Project, which aimed to increase use of family planning, child survival, and HIV/AIDS services. The VISION Project used a mass-media campaign that focused on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention. This paper assesses to what extent program exposure translates into increased awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Methods
This analysis is based on data from the 2002 and 2004 Nigeria (Bauchi, Enugu, and Oyo) Family Planning and Reproductive Health Surveys, which were conducted among adults living in the VISION Project areas. To correct for endogeneity, two-stage logistic regression is used to investigate the effect of program exposure on 1) discussion of HIV/AIDS with a partner, 2) awareness that consistent condom use reduces HIV risk, and 3) condom use at last intercourse.

Results
Exposure to the VISION mass media campaign was high: 59%, 47%, and 24% were exposed to at least 1 VISION radio, printed advertisement, or TV program about reproductive health, respectively. The differences in outcome variables between 2002 baseline data and the 2004 follow-up data were small. However, those with high program exposure were almost one and a half (Odds Ratio [O.R.] = 1.47, 95% Confidence Interval [C.I.] 1.01–2.16) times more likely than those with no exposure to have discussed HIV/AIDS with a partner. Those with high program exposure were over twice (O.R. = 2.20, C.I. 1.49–3.25) as likely as those with low exposure to know that condom use can reduce risk of HIV infection. Program exposure had no effect on condom use at last sex.

Conclusion
The VISION Project reached a large portion of the population and exposure to mass media programs about reproductive health and HIV prevention topics can help increase HIV/AIDS awareness. Programs that target rural populations, females, and unmarried individuals, and disseminate information on where to obtain condoms, are needed to reduce barriers to condom use. Improvements in HIV/AIDS prevention behaviour are likely to require that these programmatic efforts be continued, scaled up, done in conjunction with other interventions, and targeted towards individuals with specific socio-demographic characteristics.
Activation of kinin B1 receptors induces chemotaxis of human neutrophils
Authors: Ehrenfeld P , Millan C , Matus C E , Figueroa J E , Burgos R A , Nualart F , Bhoola K D , Figueroa C D 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Kinins are biologically active peptides that are powerful mediators of cellular inflammation. They mimic the cardinal signs of inflammation by inducing vasodilatation and by increasing vascular permeability and pain. Neutrophils are chemoattracted to sites of inflammation by several stimuli. However, the evidence concerning the chemotactic effect of kinin peptides has been contradictory. We analyzed the chemotactic effect of kinin B1 receptor agonists on neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood of human healthy subjects. Chemotaxis was performed using the migration under agarose technique. To test the effect of B1 receptor agonists, each assay was carried out overnight at 37°C in 5% CO2-95% air on neutrophils primed with 1 ng/ml interleukin-1β. Simultaneous experiments were performed using unprimed cells or cells challenged with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). A clear chemotactic activity was observed when primed neutrophils were challenged with Lys-des[Arg9]-bradykinin (LDBK) or des[Arg9]-bradykinin at 10−10 M but not when unprimed cells were used. A reduction in the chemotactic response was observed after priming of cells in the presence of 0.5 mM cycloheximide and 10 μg/ml brefeldin A, suggesting that some protein biosynthesis is required. Techniques such as reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization confirmed the expression of the B1 receptor mRNA, and immunocytochemistry and autoradiography demonstrated the expression of the B1 receptor protein. In contrast to other chemoattractants such as fMLP, cytosolic intracellular calcium did not increase in response to the B1 receptor agonist LDBK. A generation of kinin B1 receptor agonists during the early phase of acute inflammation may favor the recruitment of neutrophils to the inflammatory site.
Comparison of the Dexamethasone-Suppressed Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Test and Low-Dose Dexamethasone Suppression Test in the Diagnosis of Cushing’s Syndrome
Authors: Martin N. M. , Dhillo W. S. , Banerjee A. , Abdulali A. , Jayasena C. N. , Donaldson M. , Todd J. F. , Meeran K. 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Context: The low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) is widely used in confirming a diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome. CRH administration at the end of an LDDST has been reported to improve the diagnostic accuracy of this test.
Objective: Our objective was to assess whether CRH administration after a standard LDDST (LDDST-CRH test) improves diagnostic accuracy in Cushing’s syndrome.
Design, Setting, and Participants: Thirty-six individuals with a clinical suspicion of Cushing’s syndrome each completed a standard LDDST and an LDDST-CRH test at Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust, London. The LDDST involved administration of 0.5 mg oral dexamethasone given 6-hourly for 48 h. Serum cortisol was measured 6 h after the last dose of dexamethasone, with a value of 50 nmol/liter or below excluding Cushing’s syndrome. Immediately after this, the LDDST-CRH test commenced with administration of a ninth dose of 0.5 mg dexamethasone. Exactly 2 h later, 100 μg human-sequence CRH was administered. Serum cortisol was measured 15 min after the CRH injection, with a value of less than 38 nmol/liter also excluding Cushing’s syndrome.
Main Outcome Measure: Diagnosis or exclusion of Cushing’s syndrome was the main outcome measure.
Results: Twelve subjects were diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome (eight Cushing’s disease and four primary adrenal). The sensitivity of the LDDST in diagnosing Cushing’s syndrome was 100%, with a specificity of 88%. In contrast, although the sensitivity of the LDDST-CRH test was also 100%, specificity was reduced at 67%. These results give a positive predictive value of 80% for the LDDST and 60% for the LDDST-CRH test.
Conclusion: This small study suggests that the addition of CRH to the LDDST does not improve the diagnostic accuracy of the standard LDDST in Cushing’s syndrome.
Color discrimination in the red range with only one long-wavelength sensitive opsin
Authors: Zaccardi Guillermo , Kelber Almut , Sison-Mangus Marilou P. , Briscoe Adriana D. 
Published: May 2006

SUMMARYThe basic precondition for color vision is the presence of at least two receptor types with different spectral sensitivities. The sensitivity of a receptor is mostly defined by the opsin-based visual pigment expressed in it. We show here, through behavioral experiments, that the nymphalid butterfly Heliconius erato, although it expresses short and medium wavelength opsins and only one long wavelength opsin, discriminates colors in the long-wavelength range (590 nm, 620 nm and 640 nm), whereas another nymphalid, Vanessa atalanta, despite having color vision, is unable to do so. In the eyes of H. erato we identified filtering pigments very close to the rhabdom which differ between ommatidia and produce the yellow and red ommatidial reflection seen under orthodromic illumination. The eyes of V. atalanta lack the filtering pigments, and reflect a homogeneous orange. We hypothesize that the filtering pigments found in the eyes of H. erato may shift the spectral sensitivity peak of the long wavelength receptors in some ommatidia towards longer wavelengths. The comparison of the signals between the two new receptor types makes color discrimination in the red range possible. To our knowledge, this is the first behavioral proof of color vision based on receptors expressing the same opsin.
Enzymatic Peptide Synthesis by the Coupling of (Z)-α-Dehydroglutamate with L-α-Amino Acids Using Papain
Authors: Shin Chung-gi , Takahashi Nobuyuki 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Enzymatic coupling of N-protected α,γ-dimethyl α-dehydroglutamate with L-α-leucine amide using papain at pH 8.0 was first achieved to give α-dehydroglutamylleucine derivatives.
Oxidative Cleavage of Olefins into Carboxylic Acids with Hydrogen Peroxide by Tungstic Acid
Authors: Oguchi Takahito , Ura Toshikazu , Ishii Yasutaka , Ogawa Masaya 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
A facile conversion of olefins into carboxylic acids could be achieved by using aqueous hydrogen peroxide (35%-H2O2) in the presence of catalytic amounts of tungstic acid (5 wt%). The oxidation was markedly influenced by the acidity of the reaction medium, and it was found to proceed favorably under a weak acidic condition (pH 4–5).
Photo-induced Intramolecular Electron Transfer of Viologen with Hexacyanoferrate(II) Ion
Authors: Nanasawa Masato , Kaneko Makoto , Kamogawa Hiroyoshi 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The charge-transfer band of 1,1′-diamyl-4,4′-bipyridinium hexacyanoferrate(II) varied by the kind of solvent and its absorption was enhanced by photo-induced intramolecular electron transfer via radical-ion complex.
Preparation and Electrochemical Response of Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-Coordinated Oxo-acetato Triruthenium Cluster Film
Authors: Akashi Daisuke , Kido Hiroaki , Sasaki Yoichi , Ito Tasuku 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
The trinuclear ruthenium cluster [RuIII3(μ3-O)(μ-CH3COO)6(pyridine)2(CH3OH)]+ was incorporated into poly(4-vinylpyridine) through substitution of the pyridyl residue for CH3OH to form a new macromolecular complex, which showed distinctive reversible cyclic voltammographic waves at −0.05 and +0.95 V vs. SCE in aqueous CF3COO− medium at pH 3, when coated on a glassy carbon electrode as a transparent film.
(μ-Alkoxo)diiron(II,II) Complexes of N,N,N′,N′-Tetrakis(2-(6-methylpyridyl)methyl)-1,3-diaminopropane-2-olate and the Reversible Formation of the O2-Adducts
Authors: Hayashi Yoshihito , Suzuki Masatatsu , Uehara Akira , Mizutani Yasuhisa , Kitagawa Teizo 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
(μ-Alkoxo)(μ-carboxylato)diiron(II,II) complexes with hindered dinucleating ligand were synthesized and the structure of μ-benzoato derivative was determined by X-ray analysis. The complexes showed reversible oxygenation in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. Resonance Raman spectra of these species demonstrated a possibility of unsymmetrical μ-η1-η1′ binding of the oxygen toward the diiron centers.
Development and Photovoltaic Performance of Oligothiophene-sensitized TiO2 Solar Cells
Authors: Tanaka Koki , Takimiya Kazuo , Otsubo Tetsuo , Kawabuchi Koji , Kajihara Shotaro , Harima Yutaka 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Novel dye-sensitized TiO2 solar cells have been developed using a variety of oligothiophenecarboxylic acids. These cells showed relatively high photovoltaic performances (η = 0.41–1.29%), which are largely dependent on the chain lengths of the oligothiophenes and the number of the carboxylic groups.
Montelukast Treatment of Urticaria
Authors: McBayne Tyrone O , Siddall O'Rita M 
Published: May 2006

Objective: To review clinical trial data to determine the benefits of using montelukast alone or as combination therapy in the treatment of urticaria. Data Sources: MEDLINE (1966–March 2006) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970–October 2005) were searched to find clinical trial publications that addressed the use of montelukast in urticaria. Data Synthesis: Six clinical trials were identified. Montelukast was compared alone and as combination therapy with nonsedating histamine1-receptor antagonists to determine efficacy and safety. Patients had chronic or physical urticaria. The results were mixed. Some studies demonstrated that montelukast can decrease urticarial symptoms with minimal adverse effects, while others found no differences. Conclusion: Large-scale, controlled trials are needed to determine which patients would likely benefit from treatment with montelukast.
Estimation of Creatinine Clearance in End-Stage Liver Disease
Authors: Nix David E , Erstad Brian L , Nakazato Paul Z , Barletta Jeffrey F , Matthias Kathryn R , Krueger Todd S 
Published: May 2006

Background: Estimation of renal function in patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) is complicated by several factors. Objective: To develop a practical and relatively inexpensive method for estimating creatinine production and clearance in patients with ESLD. Methods: Serum creatinine concentrations and urinary excretion of creatinine were measured in 27 patients with moderate-to-severe liver disease with the goal of developing equations to predict creatinine clearance from serum creatinine. Subjects were studied during an initial evaluation for a liver transplant program. Two 24 hour urine specimens were collected along with 3 serum samples over a 2 day evaluation period. Serum and urine creatinine concentrations were determined using both a modified Jaffé (autoanalyzer) method and an HPLC method. The data were analyzed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Results: Considering both statistical criteria and physiological conventions through allometric scaling theory, creatinine clearance (mL/min) in males can be estimated as (80/serum creatinine) × (actual body weight/70)0.75. For females, the same equation is valid, but the result is multiplied by 0.661. A simplified equation without the exponent is presented, along with equations that are appropriate when an HPLC assay is used for greater specificity. Conclusions: These equations offer potential for improved estimation of creatinine clearance in patients with liver impairment; however, they need further validation using an independent group of subjects.
LP-orientations of cubes and crosspolytopes
Authors: Develin Mike 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
In a paper presented at a 1996 conference, Holt and Klee introduced a set of necessary conditions for an orientation of the graph of a d-polytope to be induced by a realization into ℝ
n
and a linear function on that space. In general, it is an open question to decide whether for a polytope P every orientation of its graph satisfying these conditions can in fact be realized in this fashion; two natural families of polytopes to consider are cubes and crosspolytopes. For cubes, we show that, as n grows, the percentage of n-cube Holt–Klee orientations which can be realized goes asymptotically to 0. For crosspolytopes, we give a stronger set of conditions which are both necessary and sufficient for an orientation to be in this class; as a corollary, we prove that all shellings of cubes are line shellings.
“One of the last vestiges of gender bias”: The characterization of women through the telling of dirty jokes in Ally McBeal
Authors: Bubel Claudia M , Spitz Alice 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBased on an audience-centered model of television discourse, we show that verbal interaction is one of the principal means of characterization in film. One of the linguistic phenomena screenwriters exploit and manipulate to develop their characters is verbal humor. For instance, the ways in which interactants on screen produce and respond to jokes is critical in their characterization. We look at an episode of the US American sitcom Ally McBeal, in which two women tell dirty jokes. We show that although the structure of both jokes as well as their respective performance equally meet the demands of good (tellings of) jokes, the screenplay is constructed in such a way that one of them fails to elicit laughter. This is achieved through creating expectations in the viewer prior to the telling of the jokes and through having the women frame their jokes dierently. This research has implications for the study of both gender and humor in conversation, for even though we look at constructed dialogue, it yields insight into underlying knowledge about real conversation.
Involvement of Protein Synthesis and Degradation in Long-Term Potentiation of Schaffer Collateral CA1 Synapses
Authors: Karpova Anna , Mikhaylova Marina , Thomas Ulrich , Knöpfel Thomas , Behnisch Thomas 
Published: May 2006

Expression of synaptic plasticity involves the translation of mRNA into protein and, probably, active protein degradation via the proteasome pathway. Here, we report on the rapid activation of synthesis and degradation of a probe protein with the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal Schaffer collateral CA1 pathway. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 significantly reduced the field EPSP slope potentiation and LTP maintenance without acutely affecting basal synaptic transmission. To visualize protein dynamics, CA1 pyramidal cells of hippocampal slices were transfected with Semliki Forest virus particles expressing a recombinant RNA. This RNA contained the coding sequence for a degradable green fluorescence protein with a nuclear localization signal (NLS-d1EGFP) followed by a 3′- untranslated region dendritic targeting sequence. NLS-d1EGFP fluorescence remained stable in the low-frequency test stimulation but increased with LTP induction in the cell body and in most dendritic compartments of CA1 neurons. Applying anisomycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor, caused NLS-d1EGFP levels to decline; a proteasome inhibitor MG132 reversed this effect. In the presence of anisomycin, LTP induction accelerated the degradation of NLS-d1EGFP. When both inhibitors were present, NLS-d1EGFP levels remained unaffected by LTP induction. Moreover, LTP-induced acceleration of NLS-d1EGFP synthesis was blocked by rapamycin, which is consistent with the involvement of dendritic mammalian target of rapamycin in LTP-triggered translational activity.Our results clearly demonstrate that LTP induction not only leads to a rapid increase in the rate of protein synthesis but also accelerates protein degradation via the proteasome system.