bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GOLDART—Gold Alloy Versus Platinum–Iridium Electrode for Ablation of AVNRT
Authors: STÜHLINGER MARKUS , STEINWENDER CLEMENS , SCHNÖLL FELIX , WINTER SIEGMUND , FREIHOFF FRITZ , WURTZ SABINE , HINTRINGER FLORIAN 
Published: February 2008

Introduction: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation targeting the slow pathway is currently the most effective treatment for patients with atrioventricular nodal reciprocating tachycardia (AVNRT). Gold exhibits a more than four times greater thermal conductivity than platinum, and the creation of deeper lesions was demonstrated in ex vivo animal experiments. The current clinical trial was initiated to compare gold catheters with standard platinum–iridium (Pt–Ir) material and to analyze differences in the increase of power or temperature as a function of time during RF ablation. Methods: A prospective, randomized multicenter study design was used to compare RF deliveries at the slow pathway with standard Pt–Ir tip catheters (128 patients), as well as gold alloy tip electrodes (124 patients) during AVNRT ablation. Results: Although there was a trend towards higher power delivery in the gold group (4.96 vs. 4.28 W/s), this trend was not statistically significant. Likewise, cumulative duration of all RF ablations, total procedure time, and power delivered at other time points were not significantly different between the groups. Also, the occurrence of AV‐block and sensations of pain were similar in both treatment groups. However, charring on the catheter tip after the intervention was observed eightfold more frequently in the Pt–Ir group. Conclusion: In conclusion, power delivery cannot be significantly increased by RF ablation of AVNRT with gold electrodes. But the electrode material seems to be safe and well‐tolerated and specifically did not increase the risk of AV‐block. The significant reduction of coagulum formation on gold tips suggests a possible advantage of this material beyond its better conduction properties.
Nurses' Perceptions of Research Utilization in a Corporate Health Care System
Authors: McCloskey Donna Jo 
Published: February 2008

Purpose

: To explore selected characteristics of nurses based upon educational level (masters, baccalaureate, associate degree/diploma), years of experience, and hospital position (management, advanced practice, staff nurse) that might affect perceived availability of research resources, attitude towards research, support, and research use in practice.
Design

: A descriptive nonexperimental mailed survey design was used for this study.
Methods

: Nurses in five hospitals within a corporate hospital system were surveyed using the Research Utilization Questionnaire (RUQ). The RUQ was used to measure nurses' perceptions of research utilization in the four dimensions of perceived use of research, attitude toward research, availability of research resources, and perceived support for research activities.
Findings

: ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Statistically significant differences (p<.001) were found in the perceived use of research, attitude toward research, availability of research resources, and perceived support for research activities based on educational level and organizational position. No significant differences were found in the perception of nurses based on years of experience.
Conclusions

: The results of this study have implications for staff nurses, administrators, advanced practice nurses, and educators working in hospital systems. The different perceptions based upon educational level and hospital position can be integrated and used at all levels of nursing practice to promote research utilization and evidence‐based practice initiatives within the organizational structure.
Clinical Implications

: The results of this study have nursing implications within administration and for nursing practice. The different perceptions that were found based upon educational level and hospital position can be positively integrated and used by administrators and by nurses all levels of nursing practice to promote research utilization and evidence based practice initiatives within the organizational structure.
Acetazolamide induces indomethacin and ischaemia‐sensitive pial arteriolar vasodilation in the piglet
Authors: Domoki Ferenc , Zimmermann Aliz , Tóth‐Szki Valéria , Busija David W. , Bari Ferenc 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim: Acetazolamide (AZD) produces cerebral vasodilation. The underlying mechanism is unclear, but it is assumed to be largely due to CO2 retention and acidosis. We tested if cerebrovascular effects of AZD were similar to hypercapnia in the newborn pig.Methods: We used the closed cranial window/intravital microscopy technique to determine pial arteriolar diameters simultaneously with laser‐Doppler flowmetry (LDF) to monitor cortical blood perfusion. Anaesthetized (Na‐thiopenthal +α‐chloralose), ventilated, 1‐day‐old instrumented piglets (n = 38) were divided into five experimental groups: time control (n = 11), indomethacin, ibuprofen, Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) treatments (1, 30, 15 mg/kg, i.v., n = 6, 6, 4, respectively), and global ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R, 10 min induced by elevated intracranial pressure, n = 11). Responses to 5–10% inhaled CO2 were recorded before and after the treatments, and then in a similar manner to AZD (10–20 mg/kg, i.v.).Results: Hypercapnia and AZD produced pial arteriolar vasodilation and increases in cortical perfusion. Consistent with previous data, hypercapnia‐induced changes were abolished by indomethacin, unaltered by ibuprofen and L‐NAME and were significantly attenuated after I/R. AZD‐induced vasodilation was also sensitive to indomethacin and I/R and was unaltered by ibuprofen or L‐NAME.Conclusion: The mechanism of AZD‐induced vasodilation appears to be similar/identical to hypercapnia, and pial arteriolar diameter changes reflect changes in cortical perfusion.
Estimations of body surface area in newborns
Authors: Ahn Youngmee , Garruto Ralph M 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim: To explore the suitability of existing formulas to estimate the body surface area (BSA) of newborns when direct measurement of surface estimation is not practical.Methods: In 589 term‐newborns of normal weight and height, the five estimations (in cm2) were performed using four known BSA formulas by Boyd, Meban, Mosteller and Dubois, and the fifth arithmetic mean of these four formulas (BSA‐Mean).Results: BSA‐Meban was most similar to the BSA‐Mean with a mathematically perfect correlation and the least dissimilarity using Euclidean distance (ED), followed by the Mosteller estimate. The estimations by both Boyd and Dubois showed about a 5% deviation above and below the BSA‐Mean, respectively, with a consistent dissimilarity using ED regardless of the same goodness of fit. The degree of deviation increased with the weight and decreased with height.Conclusions: The formula by Meban is possibly the best BSA estimate for newborns among the existing formulas today, followed by the Mosteller formula. Due to either overestimation or underestimation, two formulas (Boyd and Dubois) are not recommended for surface estimation of newborns. A nomogram for surface estimation is needed for paediatric use especially with increasing preterm birth in modern society.
Antenatal umbilical Doppler abnormalities: an independent risk factor for early onset neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants
Authors: Kamoji VM , Dorling JS , Manktelow B , Draper ES , Field DJ 
Published: February 2008

AbstractBackground: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal (GI) emergency seen in neonatal units. Many factors have been considered as potentially important aetiologically, including gut ischaemia, sepsis and feeding. However, evidence remains equivocal.Objective: This study investigated whether preterm babies born to mothers with abnormal antenatal umbilical Dopplers (absent or reversed end diastolic flow – AREDF), that is exposed to antenatal gut ischaemia, are at an identical risk of developing NEC early in life, compared to babies born to mothers with normal Dopplers.Methods: All preterm (≤32 + 6 week gestation) babies with no congenital anomaly, born to mothers resident in the county of Leicestershire in United Kingdom in 2001 and 2002 were identified using the Trent Neonatal Survey (TNS). Clinical data including the presence and severity of any NEC were extracted from the notes.Results: Two hundred forty‐three preterm babies who met the criteria were identified during the period. Babies in whom umbilical Dopplers were not available and babies that died in the first 48 h were excluded. Complete data was thus available for 206 of these babies.A strong relation between AREDF and subsequent development of NEC was noted in these babies (OR: 5.88, 95% CI: 2.41 to 14.34, p < 0.0001). This association still held after adjustment for gestational age at birth (OR: 7.64, 95% CI: 2.96 to 19.70, p < 0.0001) and after adjustment for birthweight for gestational age z−score (OR: 6.72, 95% CI: 2.23 to 20.25, p = 0.0007).Conclusions: This study, based on a neonatal cohort, indicates that AREDF is an important independent risk factor for the production of NEC.
Contemporary British‐Jewish Writing: From Apology to Attitude
Authors: Gilbert Ruth 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis article surveys contemporary British‐Jewish writing. It looks at a variety of texts to argue that British‐Jewish writing is gaining a new visibility, momentum and confidence. In fiction, memoirs, criticism and journalism, writers are addressing increasingly challenging questions about what it means to be both British and Jewish in the twenty‐first century, and exploring the profound ambiguity about Jews that can be traced back throughout the history of Anglo‐Jewry.
Recent Scholarship on Walter Pater: ‘Antithetical Scholar of Understanding's End’
Authors: Hext Kate 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThis essay traces the principal currents in Walter Pater scholarship from the early 1990s to its present and future directions. It is organized into a discussion of three broad critical trends which, in this period, have redefined the field: queer studies, interdisciplinary studies and comparative literary relations. Through the discussion of these interlinking approaches I will argue that recent critical modes offer a rich new language with which to understand Pater, the ‘high priest of English aestheticism’. Each grappling in various ways with the problem of how to grasp, locate and define this ‘antithetical scholar of understandings end’, they address Pater's repressed homosexuality, his indefinable genre and critical location, amongst his other indeterminacies. This essay considers the contributions and balances of these perspectives, as it asks whether they really do come close to explicating this most inexplicable of writers.
Subacute Intoxication of a Deltamethrin‐Based Preparation (Butox® 5% EC) in Monosex Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L.
Authors: El‐Sayed Yasser Said , Saad Talaat Talaat 
Published: February 2008

Abstract:   The monosex Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., was exposed to subacute concentration (1.46 µg/l) of a pyrethroid insecticide, deltamethrin for 28 consecutive days. Behavioural, clinical, haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological consequences were assayed at a regular interval of 7 days. The abnormal behavioural responses and toxic symptoms were described. Exposure to deltamethrin not only significantly decreased lymphocyte and basophile percentages, total leucocytic and total erythrocytic counts, haemoglobin percentage and packed cell volume value, but also caused serious effects in the form of hypoproteinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, hyperglycaemia and significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Moreover, the histopathological results indicated that the haemobiotic organs were affected by deltamethrin, primarily liver and gills. Our data suggest that subacute exposure to deltamethrin exerts a serious metabolic distress on the fish corresponding to the exposure period. In addition, the assayed parameters and histopathological findings can be as good biomarkers of pyrethroid ecosystem pollution.
Effect of Dopamine Receptor 1 on Apoptosis of Cultured Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocytes in Simulated Ischaemia/Reperfusion
Authors: Li Hong‐zhu , Han Li‐ping , Jiang Chun‐ming , Li Hong , Zhao Ya‐jun , Gao Jun , Lin Yan , Ma Shu‐xia , Tian Ye , Yang Bao‐feng , Xu Chang‐qing 
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  Dopamine receptors exist in many tissues, including rat cardiac tissue. However, the physiological importance of dopamine receptors in the homeostatic regulation of cardiac function is unclear. In this study, a model of ischaemia/reperfusion was established by culturing primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in ischaemia‐mimetic solution for 2 hr, followed by incubation in normal culture medium for 24 hr. Lactate dehydrogenase activity, superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde content were determined colorimetrically with a spectrophotometer. Apoptotic cell death was assayed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labelling staining and flow cytometry, and morphological alterations were observed with transmission electron microscopy. The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Finally, the expression of dopamine receptor 1 (DR1), caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9, Fas, Fas ligand and Bcl‐2 and the release of cytochrome c were analysed by Western blot. The results showed that DR1 expression was increased markedly during ischaemia/reperfusion. Treatment with 10 µM SKF‐38393 (DR1 agonist) significantly increased lactate dehydrogenase activity, decreased superoxide dismutase activity and increased malondialdehyde content in the culture medium. The DR1 agonist promoted the release of cytochrome c, accumulation of [Ca2+]i, and apoptosis induced by ischaemia/reperfusion. Furthermore, SKF‐38393 up‐regulated the expression of caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9, Fas and Fas ligand, and down‐regulated Bcl‐2 expression. In contrast, 10 µM SCH‐23390 (DR1 antagonist) had no significant effects on the above indicators. In conclusion, DR1 activation is involved in the apoptosis of cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in simulated ischaemia/reperfusion through the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways.
THE MIRACLE OF THE CELLS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF INTERVENTIONS TO INCREASE PAYMENT OF COURT‐ORDERED FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS*
Authors: WEISBURD DAVID , EINAT TOMER , KOWALSKI MATT 
Published: February 2008

Research Summary:In this article, we present findings from an experimental study of an innovative program in fine enforcement developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) of New Jersey, termed Project MUSTER (MUST Earn Restitution). The project was initiated by the New Jersey AOC as a response to concerns among probation personnel that probationers sentenced to monetary penalties often failed to meet their financial obligations. The program sought to increase payment of court‐ordered financial obligations among probationers who are seriously delinquent in paying fines, penalties, and restitution, and was designed to “strengthen the effectiveness of restitution and fine sanctions by forcing those offenders who have the ability to make regular payments to do so.” Project MUSTER relied on a combination of intensive probation, threats of violation to court and incarceration, and community service. We find that probationers sentenced to Project MUSTER were significantly more likely to pay court‐ordered financial obligations than were those who experienced regular probation supervision. However, probationers sentenced to a second treatment group, in which the only intervention was violation of probation (one part of the MUSTER program), had similar outcomes to the MUSTER condition. These findings suggest that the main cause of fine payment was a deterrent threat of possible incarceration, which is often termed the “miracle of the cells.”Policy Implications:Our study shows that it is possible to gain greater compliance with court‐ordered financial obligations and that such compliance may be gained with a relatively simple and straightforward criminal justice intervention. Threats of violation of probation are an effective tool for gaining compliance with financial obligations. Given the growing interest in monetary penalties as an alternative to incarceration, these findings have particular policy importance.
ARE DEPORTABLE ALIENS A UNIQUE THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY? COMPARING THE RECIDIVISM OF DEPORTABLE AND NONDEPORTABLE ALIENS*
Authors: HICKMAN LAURA J. , SUTTORP MARIKA J. 
Published: February 2008

Research Summary:The study compared the recidivism of 517 deportable and 780 nondeportable aliens released from the Los Angeles County Jail over a 30‐day period in 2002. The results of our analyses revealed no difference in the rearrest rate of deportable and nondeportable aliens in terms of its occurrence, frequency, or timing.Policy Implications:The results lend no support to the ubiquitous assertion that deportable aliens are a unique threat to public safety. These findings undermine one common justification offered for the current crackdown on deport‐able aliens within the country. More research is needed to determine whether these results can be replicated generally and with subtypes of deportable aliens.
Antithrombin plasma levels decrease is associated with preeclampsia worsening
Authors: MARIETTA M. , SIMONI L. , PEDRAZZI P. , FACCHINI L. , D’AMICO R. , FACCHINETTI F. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAntithrombin plasma levels (AT) have been found decreased in women with preeclampsia (PE), but little is known about the trend of AT during the course of this disease. We prospectively investigated AT in consecutive women admitted to our hospital with a diagnosis of PE, to assess if AT fluctuations could be associated with the evolution of the disease. AT, platelet count and d‐dimer levels were determined every other day. In the 73 patients studied, AT, platelet count and fibrinogen progressively reduced during the observational period, reaching a nadir on the day of delivery, whereas d‐dimer progressively increased over time. Statistical analysis was restricted to the 39 women that had an AT measurement performed on each of days −1, 0 and +1, with respect to the day of delivery. These subjects showed a significant decrease in AT on the day of delivery compared to the day just before (77.8 ± 15.1%vs. 85.4 ± 14.2%, P = 0.027), followed by a recovery on the first day after delivery (87.6 ± 21.3% from 77.8 ± 15.1%, P = 0.005). Our study demonstrates that a significant drop in AT levels is associated with the clinical worsening of PE, regardless of its severity.
Molecular cytogenetic aberrations in 21 Chinese patients with plasma cell leukemia
Authors: XU W. , LI J.‐Y. , FAN L. , CHEN L.‐J. , QIU H.‐R. , QIU H.‐X. , LU H. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryPlasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare malignant plasma cell disorder. Cytogenetic studies performed on plasma cell disorders are scarce and difficult because of the low proliferation rate of plasma cells (PCs). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis is an attractive alternative for evaluation of chromosomal changes in PCL. To explore the molecular cytogenetic abnormalities in Chinese patients with PCL, interphase FISH studies with three probes for the regions containing 13q14.3 (D13S319), 14q32 (IGHC/IGHV) and 1q12(CEP1) were retrospectively performed in 21 PCL patients. FISH with LSI IGH/CCND1 and LSI IGH/FGFR3 probes were used to detect t(11;14)(q13;q32) and t(4;14)(p16;q32) in patients with 14q32 rearrangement. Among 21 PCL patients, molecular cytogenetic aberrations were found in 18 (81.8%) patients, four (19.0%) patients simultaneously had 13q14 deletion, illegitimate IgH translocation and 1q abnormality. 13q14 deletion was detected in 13 (61.9%) cases and illegitimate 14q32 rearrangement in 16 (76.2%) including six with t(11;14) and three with t(4;14). Chromosome 1 abnormality was found in seven (33.3%) patients, one with deletion of 1q, six with at least three copies amplifications of 1q12 (Amp1q12). 14q32 rearrangement and 13q14 deletion were found concurrently in 11 (52.4%) cases. It was showed that most PCL had chromosomal abnormalities, 14q32 rearrangement, 13q14 deletion and chromosome 1 abnormality are the frequent abnormalities, and over half of the 14q32 rearrangement were t(11;14) or t(4;14). t(4;14) and 13q14 deletion were correlated in PCL. FISH is a highly sensitive technique at detecting molecular cytogenetic aberrations in PCL and should be used in the routine evaluation of PCL.
Microbial reporters of metal bioavailability
Authors: Magrisso Sagi , Erel Yigal , Belkin Shimshon 
Published: February 2008

SummaryWhen attempting to assess the extent and the implications of environmental pollution, it is often essential to quantify not only the total concentration of the studied contaminant but also its bioavailable fraction: higher bioavailability, often correlated with increased mobility, signifies enhanced risk but may also facilitate bioremediation. Genetically engineered microorganisms, tailored to respond by a quantifiable signal to the presence of the target chemical(s), may serve as powerful tools for bioavailability assessment. This review summarizes the current knowledge on such microbial bioreporters designed to assay metal bioavailability. Numerous bacterial metal‐sensor strains have been developed over the past 15 years, displaying very high detection sensitivities for a broad spectrum of environmentally significant metal targets. These constructs are based on the use of a relatively small number of gene promoters as the sensing elements, and an even smaller selection of molecular reporter systems; they comprise a potentially useful panel of tools for simple and cost‐effective determination of the bioavailability of heavy metals in the environment, and for the quantification of the non‐bioavailable fraction of the pollutant. In spite of their inherent advantages, however, these tools have not yet been put to actual use in the evaluation of metal bioavailability in a real environmental remediation scheme. For this to happen, acceptance by regulatory authorities is essential, as is a standardization of assay conditions.
Tracing explosives in soil with transcriptional regulators of Pseudomonas putida evolved for responding to nitrotoluenes
Authors: Garmendia Junkal , De Las Heras Aitor , Galvão Teca Calcagno , De Lorenzo Víctor 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAlthough different biological approaches for detection of anti‐personnel mines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) have been entertained, none of them has been rigorously documented thus far in the scientific literature. The industrial 2,4,6 trinitrotoluene (TNT) habitually employed in the manufacturing of mines is at all times tainted with a small but significant proportion of the more volatile 2,4 dinitrotoluene (2,4 DNT) and other nitroaromatic compounds. By using mutation‐prone PCR and DNA sequence shuffling we have evolved in vitro and selected in vivo variants of the effector recognition domain of the toluene‐responsive XylR regulator of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida that responds to mono‐, bi‐ and trinitro substituted toluenes. Re‐introduction of such variants in P. putida settled the transcriptional activity of the cognate promoters (Po and Pu) as a function of the presence of nitrotoluenes in the medium. When strains bearing transcriptional fusions to reporters with an optical output (luxAB, GFP) were spread on soil spotted with nitrotoluenes, the signal triggered by promoter activation allowed localization of the target compounds on the soil surface. Our data provide a proof of concept that non‐natural transcription factors evolved to respond to nitroaromatics can be engineered in soil bacteria and inoculated on a target site to pinpoint the presence of explosives. This approach thus opens new ways to tackle this gigantic humanitarian problem.