bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluorescent products from reaction of peroxidizing polyunsaturated fatty acids with phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phenylalanine
Authors: Dillard C. J. , Tappel A. L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractFluorescent chromophores produced by reaction of peroxidizing arachidonic acid or methyl docosahexaenoate with synthetic dipalmityl phosphatidyl ethanolamine were lipid soluble, and those from reaction with phenylalanine were water soluble. In all reaction systems that contained polyunsaturated fatty acid and only one amine compound, the development of fluorescence was linearly related to oxygen absorption for 12–24 hr (p<0.001) and to the amount of thiobarbituric acid reacting materials until the rate of oxygen absorption decreased. The fluorochromes typically had maximum excitation at 360 nm and maximum emission at 430–440 nm, indicating that they were conjugated Schiff bases with the general structure R−N=C−C=C−N−R, where R represents the amino acid phenylalanine or the phospholipid phosphatidyl ethanolamine. The fluorochromes were similar to those extracted from isolated age pigments and tissues of animals that are aged, vitamin E‐deficient, or stressed with highly unsaturated lipid diets.
Retroverted epiglottis presenting as a variant of globus pharyngeus
Authors: Agada F O , Coatesworth A P , Grace A R H 
Published: January 2007

We describe a series of four patients who presented with ‘high globus pharyngeus’, who all had an abnormally curled epiglottis tip touching and indenting the tongue base. The actual incidence of ‘curling epiglottis’, as well as the potential impact of this variation in persistent globus symptoms, is not known. We therefore describe for the first time a series of patients with this anatomical variant of the epiglottis, each of whom experienced unresolved globus symptoms despite receiving intensive medical treatment. In the literature, the success rate for improvement in symptoms following medical treatment ranges from 68 to 80 per cent.Following CO2 laser partial epiglottectomy, all four patients experienced complete relief of their symptoms.We advocate consideration of this treatment for high globus pharyngeus that fails to respond to conservative treatment, in cases with proven curled epiglottis on endoscopic examination.
An object-oriented calculus with term constraints
Authors: SURÁNYI GÁBOR M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractSafety has become a fundamental requirement in all aspects of computer systems. Object-oriented calculi, such as Castagna's λ&-calculus and its variants (Castagna, 1997) ensure type safety in environments based on the distinguished object-oriented paradigm. Although for safety reasons object invariance and operation specifications are getting widely employed in all stages of the engineering process, they are not supported by these calculi. In this paper, a new calculus is presented which supports term (value) constraints besides the key object-oriented mechanisms (class types, inheritance, overloading with multiple dispatch and late binding). We also show how a type with constraints may realise a role, another useful object-oriented modelling element. The soundness of the type system and the confluence of the notion of reduction of the calculus are considered. The contribution also discusses computability issues partially arising from the use of first-order logic to formalise the constraints.
Purification and membrane reconstitution of catalytically active Menkes copper-transporting P-type ATPase (MNK; ATP7A)
Authors: Hung Ya Hui , Layton Meredith J. , Voskoboinik Ilia , Mercer Julian F. B. , Camakaris James 
Published: January 2007

The MNK (Menkes disease protein; ATP7A) is a major copper- transporting P-type ATPase involved in the delivery of copper to cuproenzymes in the secretory pathway and the efflux of excess copper from extrahepatic tissues. Mutations in the MNK (ATP7A) gene result in Menkes disease, a fatal neurodegenerative copper deficiency disorder. Currently, detailed biochemical and biophysical analyses of MNK to better understand its mechanisms of copper transport are not possible due to the lack of purified MNK in an active form. To address this issue, we expressed human MNK with an N-terminal Glu-Glu tag in Sf9 [Spodoptera frugiperda (fall armyworm) 9] insect cells and purified it by antibody affinity chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography in the presence of the non-ionic detergent DDM (n-dodecyl β-D-maltopyranoside). Formation of the classical vanadate-sensitive phosphoenzyme by purified MNK was activated by Cu(I) [EC50=0.7 μM; h (Hill coefficient) was 4.6]. Furthermore, we report the first measurement of Cu(I)-dependent ATPase activity of MNK (K0.5=0.6 μM; h=5.0). The purified MNK demonstrated active ATP-dependent vectorial 64Cu transport when reconstituted into soya-bean asolectin liposomes. Together, these data demonstrated that Cu(I) interacts with MNK in a co-operative manner and with high affinity in the sub-micromolar range. The present study provides the first biochemical characterization of a purified full-length mammalian copper-transporting P-type ATPase associated with a human disease.
Duration of Time on Shift Before Accidental Blood or Body Fluid Exposure for Housestaff, Nurses, and Technicians
Authors: Green-McKenzie Judith , Shofer Frances S. 
Published: January 2007

Background.Shift work has been found to be associated with an increased rate of errors and accidents among healthcare workers (HCWs), but the effect of shift work on accidental blood and body fluid exposure sustained by HCWs has not been well characterized.Objectives.To determine the duration of time on shift before accidental blood and body fluid exposure in housestaff, nurses, and technicians and the proportion of housestaff who sustain a blood and body fluid exposure after 12 hours on duty.Methods.This retrospective, descriptive study was conducted during a 24-month period at a large urban teaching hospital. Participants were HCWs who sustained an accidental blood and body fluid exposure.Results.Housestaff were on duty significantly longer than both nursing staff (P = .02) and technicians (P < .0001) before accidental blood and body fluid exposure. Half of the blood and body fluid exposures sustained by housestaff occurred after being on duty 8 hours or more, and 24% were sustained after being on duty 12 hours or more. Of all HCWs, 3% reported an accidental blood and body fluid exposure, with specific rates of 7.9% among nurses, 9.4% among housestaff, and 3% among phlebotomists.Conclusions.Housestaff were significantly more likely to have longer duration of time on shift before blood and body fluid exposure than were the other groups. Almost one-quarter of accidental blood and body fluid exposures to housestaff were incurred after they had been on duty for 12 hours or more. Housestaff sustained a higher rate of accidental blood and body fluid exposures than did nursing staff and technicians.
Inclusive fitness and reproductive strategies in dwarf mongooses
Authors: Creel Scott R. , Waser Peter M. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract
Dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula) are small, communally breeding carnivores found in woodland and tree-savanna throughout Africa. Within a pack, socially subordinate mongooses do not normally breed, yet they invariably participate in all aspects of parental care. The primary alternative to tolerating reproductive suppression is dispersal, which shortens the wait for dominance and breeding. Here, we calculate the annual inclusive fitness payoffs to the dispersing and nondispersing strategies for males and females of ages one to seven, using data from a 14-year study in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Factors with effects on inclusive fitness included relatedness to pack mates before and after dispersal, the effect of help on recipients' reproductive success, the probability of dispersing successfully, the probability of attaining dominance, and reproductive success after attaining dominance. All of these factors differed between male and female dwarf mongooses. We compared the contributions of direct and indirect fitness to the total fitness of mongooses pursuing each of the strategies, across a range of ages. In our population, dispersal and nondispersal both yielded direct and indirect payoffs at most ages. For dispersers of both sexes, direct fitness was the primary component of total fitness but indirect fitness was substantial for young (&lt; 2 years old) dispersers. For nondispersers of both sexes, indirect fitness was the major component of total fitness among young mongooses (up to 2 or 3 years), but direct fitness was the major component among older mongooses. By comparing the inclusive fitness payoffs for the two strategies, we determined the range of ages at which dispersal should be favored for each sex. These comparisons correctly predicted that males should be more dispersive than females at all ages, and that males should disperse over a broader range of ages.
Visual Screening of Oral Cavity Cancer: The Role of Otolaryngologists
Authors: Yang Kung‐Yaun , Jiang Rong‐San , Shiao Jiun‐Yih , Wang Chen‐Chi , Wang Ching‐Ping , Liang Kai‐Li , Twu Chih‐Wen , Liu Shih‐An 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjectives: Because most screening was done by dentists, the purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral visual screening by otolaryngologists. In addition, we wanted to determine which group of enrolled patients was at potential risk of contracting oral cancer.Methods: All male patients age ≥18 years who visited our clinic received oral mucosal screening. Basic data, including personal habits, were also obtained. A multivariate logistic regression model was devised to determine relevant risk factors for developing oral cancer.Results: A total of 5,825 patients were enrolled in this study. Positive findings were found in 226 patients (3.9%). One hundred seventy‐two patients received biopsy and 131 patients were proven to have oral cancer (sensitivity rate: 76.2%). The results showed that those who smoked, consumed alcohol, and chewed betel quid on a regular basis were most likely to contract oral cancer (odds ratio = 49.81, 95% confidence interval = 29.38–84.42).Conclusions: The otolaryngologists involved in this study successfully performed the oral screening. The sensitivity and specificity rates were both satisfactory. We suggest that those who are habitual cigarette smokers, alcohol consumers, and betel quid chewers should receive oral mucosal screening regularly so that potential oral cancer can be detected as early as possible.
Early Swallowing Problems in a Cohort of Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Symptomatology and Videofluoroscopic Findings
Authors: Ku Peter K. , Yuen Edmund H. , Cheung Dilys M. , Chan Becky Y. , Ahuja Anil , Leung S. F. , Tong Michael C. , van Hasselt Andrew 
Published: January 2007

AbstractObjective: To study the incidence and the degree of swallowing dysfunction in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who underwent radiation therapy treatment.Institution: The study was conducted in the Prince of Wales Hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.Materials and Methods: From October 1999 to July 2001, a cohort of 20 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed NPC was prospectively studied. Questions about symptoms, including swallowing functions, were asked, and head and neck examination including oromotor examination was performed in the subjects before radiation therapy. All patients were subjected to videofluoroscopy (VFSS) to assess their swallowing function. Abnormalities were scored if they were present on two of three swallow attempts. The patients were reassessed at 6 months and 12 months after radiotherapy by symptom assessment and VFSS.Results: There were 14 male and 6 female patients. The mean age was 43.9 years. Nine patients had early (stage I and II) disease, whereas 11 patients had advanced (stage III and IV) disease. Nine patients were treated by radiation therapy only and 11 patients by concurrent chemoirradiation. Ninety‐five percent of the subjects had subjective dysphagia at 6 and 12 months after radiation therapy. Ninety percent had xerostomia, and 80% had to avoid certain foods at 12 months postradiation therapy. All subjects had to alternate solid food with fluid intake to facilitate swallowing. An average reduction of jaw movement by 1 cm was noted. A large proportion of patients had stasis of food in the pharynx (100% in valleculae and 60% in pyriform fossae) and impaired pharyngeal peristalsis (60%). One quarter of patients had laryngeal penetration.Conclusions: Subjective swallowing difficulties were common in patients in the early follow‐up period after radiation therapy for NPC according to questionnaire assessment. An objective swallowing study revealed that swallowing dysfunction was persistent 12 months after radiation therapy.
Multiple Somatic Symptoms Linked to Positive Screen for Depression in Pediatric Patients With Chronic Abdominal Pain
Authors: Little Cheryl A , Williams Sara E , Puzanovova Martina , Rudzinski Erin R , Walker Lynn S 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTObjectives:Abdominal pain is a frequent childhood complaint, comprising 2% to 4% of all reasons for pediatric office visits. Patients referred for evaluation of chronic abdominal pain (CAP) frequently present with comorbid nonspecific somatic symptoms that may complicate the medical evaluation and lead to unnecessary diagnostic tests and procedures. We tested the hypothesis that multiple nongastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in children presenting with CAP is a marker for clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms.Methods:Participants were 400 consecutive new patients (ages 8–17 years; 63% female) referred to the pediatric gastroenterology clinic for evaluation of abdominal pain of >3 months' duration. Patients reported how frequently they experienced 7 non‐GI symptoms. Patients were screened for depression with the Children's Depression Inventory.Results:On the basis of their Children's Depression Inventory scores, 58 (15%) patients had a positive screen for clinically significant depressive symptoms. Patients with a positive versus negative depression screen did not differ by sex, pain duration or laboratory evidence of organic disease. Patient report of ≥3 non‐GI symptoms maximized sensitivity (71%) and specificity (75%) in prediction of depression screening results. With each addition of a non‐GI symptom, the odds of a positive screen for depression doubled.Conclusions:For patients with and without organic disease findings associated with CAP, the presence of ≥3 non‐GI symptoms should signal the practitioner to evaluate for depression and may be used as an indicator of the likelihood of depression in the absence of specific inquiry into emotional symptoms.
Causes of Nutrition‐related Public Health Problems of Preschool Children: Available Diet
Authors: Allen Lindsay H 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTThe primary goal of this review is to examine the timing and nature of dietary inadequacy during the first 5 years of life. An important issue is that many children in developing countries are already nutritionally depleted by the end of the first year of life, because maternal undernutrition can cause low fetal accumulation of nutrient stores and secretion of inadequate amounts of some micronutrients in breast milk. Improvement of maternal diet and micronutrient status is required to remedy this situation. During the period of complementary feeding, most households may be able to provide their young children with sufficient energy and protein from home‐produced complementary foods, but many do not feed foods with an adequate energy density or a sufficient number of meals per day. Inadequate micronutrient intakes and resulting deficiencies are common in preschoolers because of a lack of sufficient animal source foods, and have been associated with delayed child development. Dietary diversity is an especially important determinant of micronutrient intakes when animal source food intake is low. Interventions with animal source foods have produced improvements in growth, micronutrient status, cognitive performance and activity of children. Although much is now known about the role of inadequate diets in preschooler malnutrition, on a global scale the ability of households to apply this knowledge to improve the diets of their children is still limited.
Solutions to Nutrition‐related Health Problems of Preschool Children: Education and Nutritional Policies for Children
Authors: Darnton‐Hill Ian , Kennedy Eileen , Cogill Bruce , Hossain SM Moazzem 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTObjective:By reviewing the literature, lessons learned and experience regarding the nutrition‐related health problems of preschool children, draw conclusions and make recommendations on education and nutrition policies for young children.Results:The most common causes of under‐5 mortality in low‐income countries have been identified as neonatal disorders, diarrhoea, respiratory infections, malaria, measles, and in some developing countries, AIDS. More than half (56%) of all child deaths have underlying malnutrition and undernutrition as a contributing factor. Children must have optimal growth and physical and intellectual development to learn and achieve their potential in society. Solutions include both preventive and curative interventions at all levels and include both improved health and education systems. Recent focus has been on health systems interventions that address averting deaths by cause for the 42 countries that account for 90% of worldwide under‐5 deaths (the majority in sub‐Saharan Africa). However, parallel or multisectoral interventions must be addressed to all children at risk for death, poor health and compromised growth and development. Adequate health care and nutrition is a human right, legally established in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.Conclusions:Improved health and nutrition will lead to enhanced economic development, but having a poverty focus appears to be essential, if poor people are not to be marginalized further. The HIV/AIDS pandemic illustrates this challenge clearly. The role of education, especially girls' education, in improved health and nutrition status of children and birth‐spacing is now clear, as is improving women's status. Increases in female status and education have been estimated to account for half of the reduction in child malnutrition rates during the past 25 years.
Excitability of the motor cortex during ovulatory and anovulatory cycles: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: Hattemer Katja , Knake Susanne , Reis Janine , Rochon Justine , Oertel Wolfgang H. , Rosenow Felix , Hamer Hajo M. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryObjective  The pathophysiology of catamenial diseases such as epilepsy is unclear. Therefore, we investigated changes in cortical excitability during anovulatory and ovulatory cycles.Patients and methods  Using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), eight healthy women were investigated during anovulatory and 12 during ovulatory cycles. On days 8, −14, −7 and 2 of the cycle, resting motor threshold (RMT), cortical silent period (CSP), intracortical inhibition (ICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) were investigated. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance (anova) and nonparametric methods were used for statistical analysis.Results  A trend was seen for group by phase interaction regarding ICI (F = 2·5, P = 0·10). ICI varied during anovulatory cycles (median: 51·0% on day 8; 45·3% on day −14, 51·0% on day −7, and 28·6% on day 2; P = 0·040), mainly because of an increased inhibition on day 2. ICI was more pronounced in anovulatory cycles on day −14 (P = 0·021), −7 (P = 0·048) and 2 (P = 0·018) compared to ovulatory women who did not show intraindividual changes (P = 0·56). RMT, CSP and ICF showed no significant changes during anovulatory or ovulatory cycles.Conclusions  The results suggest fluctuations in cortical excitability during anovulatory cycles, possibly due to the withdrawal of ‘excitatory’ oestrogens that initiate menses in anovulatory cycles.
Exogenous oestradiol and progesterone administration does not cause oedema in healthy young women
Authors: Stachenfeld Nina S. , Taylor Hugh S. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryObjective  Oedema is an increase in the extravascular component of extracellular fluid volume (ECFV). Fluid movement across the ECF is controlled by hydrostatic and oncotic pressures, which are influenced by oestradiol and progesterone. Thus we hypothesized that oestradiol decreases, while combined oestradiol + progesterone increases, protein and fluid movement out of the vasculature.Subjects  Subjects were eight healthy women (22 ± 2 years).Design  Oestrogens and progesterone were suppressed with a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antagonist for 16 days; oestradiol (2 × 0·1 mg/day patches) was added for days 5–16 (E2) and progesterone (200 mg/day) was added for days 13–16 (E2‐P4).Measurements  We estimated intravascular (plasma) volume (PV), transcapillary albumin escape rate (TERalb), and Starling forces (hydrostatic pressures of plasma and interstitium, plasma colloid pressure, capillary filtration coefficient) in the forearm on days 2 (GnRH antagonist), 9 (E2) and 16 (E2‐P4).Results  In E2, P[E2] increased from 85 ± 26 to 984 ± 136 pmol/ml (P < 0·05), with no change in P[P4]. In E2‐P4, P[E2] increased to 775 ± 195 pmol/ml and P[P4] increased from 6·4 ± 3·2 to 43·8 ± 16·2 nmol/l, P < 0·05). TERalb was lower during E2 (5·1 ± 0·9) and E2‐P4 (5·0 ± 1·1) compared to GnRH antagonist (5·8 ± 0·9%/h, P < 0·05). Plasma volume was unchanged by E2, and showed a trend (P = 0·07) for an increase during E2‐P4 (48·2 ± 2·9, 49·0 ± 3·0 and 53·9 ± 3·5 ml/kg for GnRH antagonist, E2, E2‐P4, respectively). Starling forces were unaffected by hormone treatments. Plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone concentration increased during E2‐P4.Conclusions  Neither E2 nor E2‐P4 altered TERalb sufficiently to impact Starling forces indicating neither E2 nor P4 administration at these levels would likely cause oedema.
Vitrification of Boer Goat Morulae and Early Blastocysts by Straw and Open‐Pulled Straw Method
Authors: Hong Q‐H , Tian S‐J , Zhu S‐E , Feng J‐Z , Yan C‐L , Zhao X‐M , Liu G‐S , Zheng S‐M 
Published: January 2007

ContentsThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different vitrification solutions [EFS30 or EFS40 contains 30% (v/v) ethylene glycol (EG), 40% (v/v) EG; EDFS30 or EDFS40 contains 15% (v/v) EG and 15% (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 20% (v/v) EG and 20% (v/v) DMSO], equilibrium time during vitrification (0.5–2.5 min) and vitrification protocols [one‐step straw, two‐step straw and open‐pulled straw (OPS)] on in vivo development of vitrified Boer goat morulae and blastocysts after embryo transfer. In the one‐step straw method, the lambing rates of vitrified embryos in EFS30 (37.5%), EFS40 (40.5%) or EDFS30 (38.2%) group were similar to that of fresh embryos (57.5%) and conventional freezing method (46.7%) when the equilibrium time was 2 min. In the two‐step straw method, the highest lambing rate was obtained when embryos were pretreated with 10% EG for 5 min and then exposed to EFS40 for 2 min (51.4%), showing similar lambing rates compared with fresh embryos (56.1%) or the embryos cryopreserved by conventional freezing method (45.2%). In the OPS method, the lambing rate in EFS40, EDFS30 or EDFS40 groups were similar to that (57.1%) of fresh embryos, or to that (46.0%) of embryos cryopreserved by conventional freezing method. The highest lambing rate (51.4%) of the group of OPS was obtained when the embryos were vitrified with EDFS30. In conclusion, either the two‐step straw method in which embryos were pretreated in 10% EG for 5 min and then exposed to EFS40 for 2 min, or the OPS method in which embryos were pretreated in 10% EG + 10% DMSO for 30 s and then exposed to EDFS30 for 25 s was a simple and efficient method for the vitrification of Boer goat morulae and blastocysts.