bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Half‐dose Aprotinin in Off‐pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Wei Minxin , Jian Kaitao , Guo Zhipeng , Li Peijun , Han Jiange , Cai Zhong , Tarkka Matti 
Published: May 2006

AbstractObjectiveThe effects of half‐dose aprotinin in off‐pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery have not yet been described. The present prospective study was designed to investigate its effects in OPCAB.MethodsSeventy‐six patients were randomized into two groups, receiving aprotinin (1 × 106 Kallikrein‐inactivating units [KIU] loading dose before surgery and 5 × 105 KIU/h during surgery, gross dose: 2.5 × 106 KIU, n = 36) and saline solution (control, n = 40) respectively. Perioperative blood samples were collected. Hematologic and hemostatic parameters including platelet adhesion rate, D‐dimer, and fibrinopeptide‐A (FPA) were analyzed. Perioperative CKMB release was measured. Volume of blood loss, blood transfusion, and other clinical data were recorded throughout the perioperative period.ResultsPostoperative blood loss was significantly reduced in patients treated with aprotinin (2 hours; median [25th–75th]: aprotinin: 90.0 [70.0–125.0] ml, control: 145.0 [70.0–180.0] ml, P < 0.05; 6 hours: aprotinin: 150.0 [100.0–220.0] ml, control: 225.0 [200.0–347.5.0] ml, P < 0.01; 24 hours: aprotinin: 370.0 [220.0–510.0] ml, control: 655.0 [500.0–920.0] ml, P < 0.01). The number of patients receiving blood transfusion in each group was similar. Levels of D‐dimer rose significantly after surgery, and were significantly lower in the aprotinin group than in the controls (end of surgery, aprotinin, 0.4 [0.2–0.5] mg/l versus controls, 1.4 [0.8–2.3] mg/l; 2 hours, aprotinin, 0.3 [0.2–0.4] mg/l versus controls, 0.9 [0.5–1.4] mg/l; 6 hours, aprotinin, 0.3 [0.2–0.5] mg/l versus controls, 0.6 [0.4–0.9] mg/l; 24 hours, aprotinin, 0.3 [0.2–0.4] mg/l versus controls, 0.5 [0.4–0.9] mg/l; ANOVA for repeated measures, P < 0.01). Platelet adhesion rate and FPA levels remained at baseline levels after the operation in the two groups. Early clinical outcomes were similar in the groups. Levels of CKMB were significantly lower in the aprotinin group than in the controls (6 hours after surgery, aprotinin, 10.0 [8.0–16.0] U/l versus controls, 15.5 [11.0–20.3] U/l; 12 hours, aprotinin, 13.5 [10.0–20.0] U/l versus controls, 19.0 [12.8–24.3] U/l; 24 hours, aprotinin, 19.0 [13.5–33.8] U/l versus controls, 25.0 [15.0–43.3] U/l; 72 hours, aprotinin, 13.0 [8.0–18.0] U/l versus controls, 16.0 [10.0–29.0] U/l; ANOVA for repeated measures, P = 0.018).ConclusionThe results indicated that half‐dose aprotinin limits fibrinolysis and myocardial injury, and reduces blood loss after OPCAB surgery.
Radical Subtotal Pancreatic Resection, Including Splenectomy, Is an Effective One‐off Treatment for Infected Pancreatic Necrosis
Authors: Davies Justin , Stojkovic Stevan G. , Duffy David , Alexander David J. 
Published: May 2006

AbstractBackgroundPancreatic resection for severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis has been associated with prohibitive mortality rates and has been hence replaced by piecemeal debridement, either by the open or the laparoscopic technique. We report the results of deliberate subtotal pancreatectomy with splenectomy for infected pancreatic necrosis.Materials and methodsSix‐year prospective audit of patients treated by a single surgeon, with an interest in pancreatic disease, within a Low Volume Hospital (LVH) setting. Results are presented as median (IQR).ResultsDuring the study period 18 patients (9 males) with complicated severe acute pancreatitis underwent radical pancreatic resection. The median age was 61 years (range 36–69). The median time to operation after presentation was 27 days (range 2–74). Microbiological culture confirmed infection in 14 (78%) patients. Three patients (17%) died within 30 days of operation. Twelve of the 15 survivors (80%) underwent a single operative procedure. Three patients required a further laparotomy, of whom 2 required colectomy for ischemia. Median hospital and ICU stays were 43 (range 30–57) and 5 (range 4–6) days respectively. Six patients (40% of survivors) developed an infection of the left half of the chevron incision; however, all wounds were fully healed within 3 months. Long‐term follow‐up of survivors (n = 14) revealed 8 (57%) to need at least occasional pancreatic enzyme supplementation and 5 (36%) to have diabetes mellitus. Two patients (14%) developed an incisional hernia.ConclusionsRadical resection of pancreas and spleen, combined with postoperative irrigation, was associated with comparatively low rates of morbidity and mortality for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis in a LVH setting.
Silencing the snorers: no gain without pain?
Authors: Wilson J A , Lester S E , Gibson G J , Anari S , Steele J G , Steen I N , McCracken G I 
Published: May 2006

Objective: To compare the estimated effects of conservative surgery to those of a mandibular advancement splint (MAS) in the treatment of habitual snoring.Method: Prospective, observational, non-randomized cohort study.Results: Adequate follow-up data were available for 88 participants (23 following coblation, 65 after provision of an MAS). The mean reduction in snoring symptoms inventory (SSI) score for the 23 subjects undergoing coblation was 9.83 (± standard deviation 11.43). Reported pain duration was greatest with uvula amputation, but uvula coblation did not always adequately reduce its bulk. Of the 65 MAS patients, 39 (60 per cent) used the device regularly, with a mean fall in SSI of 12 (±16.4, p = 0.001). Approximately one in four patients in both groups achieved a significant fall in SSI (>15 points), and the measured effect sizes were close to 0.75 for both treatments.Conclusions: Mandibular advancement splints and coblation have similar efficacies. However, their efficacy does not match that of radical surgery.
Review of: Proliferation of estrogen receptor-alpha-positive mammary epithelial cells is restrained by transforming growth factor-beta1 in adult mice
Authors: Kalirai H. , Clarke R. B. 
Published: May 2006

Citation of original article:K. B. Ewan, H. A. Oketch-Rabah, S. A. Ravani, G. Shyamala, H. L. Moses, M. H. Barcellos-Hoff. Proliferation of estrogen receptor-alpha-positive mammary epithelial cells is restrained by transforming growth factor-beta1 in adult mice.American Journal of Pathology2005;167(2): 409–17.Abstract of the original article:Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a potent inhibitor of mammary epithelial proliferation. In human breast, estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha cells rarely co-localize with markers of proliferation, but their increased frequency correlates with breast cancer risk. To determine whether TGF-beta1 is necessary for the quiescence of ER-alpha-positive populations, we examined mouse mammary epithelial glands at estrus. Approximately, 35% of epithelial cells showed TGF-beta1 activation, which co-localized with nuclear receptor-phosphorylated Smad 2/3, indicating that TGF-beta signaling is autocrine. Nuclear Smad co-localized with nuclear ER-alpha. To test whether TGF-beta inhibits proliferation, we examined genetically engineered mice with different levels of TGF-beta1. ER-alpha co-localization with markers of proliferation (i.e., Ki-67 or bromodeoxyuridine) at estrus was significantly increased in the mammary glands of TGF-beta1 C57/bl/129SV heterozygote mice. This relationship was maintained after pregnancy but was absent at puberty. Conversely, mammary epithelial expression of constitutively active TGF-beta1 via the MMTV promoter suppressed proliferation of ER-alpha-positive cells. Thus, TGF-beta1 activation functionally restrains ER-alpha-positive cells from proliferating in adult mammary gland. Accordingly, we propose that TGF-beta1 dysregulation may promote proliferation of ER-alpha-positive cells associated with breast cancer risk in humans.
Nitrous oxide analgesia for intubating preterm neonates: A pilot study
Authors: Milesi Christophe , Pidoux Odile , Sabatier Elisabeth , Badr Malia , Cambonie Gilles , Picaud Jean Charles 
Published: May 2006

AbstractAim: To evaluate the administration of an equimolar mixture of N2O and O2 for intratracheal intubation in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Design: Prospective evaluation of N2O/O2 in premature neonates with RDS. Setting: Tertiary neonatal unit from March to August 2003. Patients: Twenty‐six of 79 neonates admitted for RDS within 48 h of birth. Intervention: N2O/O2 was administered until muscle tone was suppressed. Surfactant was given intratracheally. Patients were extubated as soon as possible. Main outcome measures: The time needed for N2O/O2 to suppress muscle tone, an evaluation of sedation/analgesia through movements of the limbs, and indicators of stress‐related haemodynamic change, all recorded by an independent observer. Results: In the 26 patients, gestational age was 30.5 (25th, 75th percentile: 30, 32) wk and median body weight was 1540 (1220, 1900) g. Postnatal age at intubation was 2 (2, 3) h. N2O/O2 administration time was 8 (6, 10) min (range 4–15 min). Sedation/analgesia was complete in 77% of patients. No significant differences between pre‐procedure and post‐procedure values were found for heart rate (p=0.29) or mean arterial blood pressure (p=0.13) (paired Wilcoxon test). Time needed for intubation was 30 (20, 37) s (range 10–60 s). Side effects included transient agitation (3/26) and retching (2/26). Extubation occurred 5 (5, 10) min (range 2–15 min) after surfactant instillation. Apnoeas occurred in 3/26 patients within 2 h after extubation. Two patients required reintubation to repeat surfactant administration within 24 h after extubation. Conclusion: N2O/O2 may be helpful for intubation in preterm neonates. Larger randomized, double‐blind studies are needed for a thorough evaluation of effectiveness and safety.
Synchronizing a multicellular system by external input: an artificial control strategy
Authors: Wang Ruiqi , Chen Luonan , Aihara Kazuyuki 
Published: May 2006

Abstract
Motivation: Although there are significant advances on elucidating the collective behaviors on biological organisms in recent years, the essential mechanisms by which the collective rhythms arise remain to be fully understood, and further how to synchronize multicellular networks by artificial control strategy has not yet been well explored.
Results: A control strategy is developed to synchronize gene regulatory networks in a multicellular system when spontaneous synchronization cannot be achieved. We first construct an impulsive control system to model the process of periodically injecting coupling substances with constant or random impulsive control amounts into the common extracellular medium, and further study its effects on the dynamics of individual cells. We derive the threshold of synchronization induced by the periodic substance input. Therefore, we can synchronize the multicellular network to a specific collective behavior by changing the frequency and amplitude of the periodic stimuli. Moreover, a two-stage scheme is proposed to facilitate the synchronization in this paper. We show that the presence of the external input may also initiate different dynamics. The multicellular network of coupled repressilators is used to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results not only provide a perspective to understand the interactions between external stimuli and intrinsic physiological rhythms, but also may lead to development of realistic artificial control strategy and medical therapy.
Availability:
Contact: aihara@sat.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Palaeoclimates: the first two billion years
Authors: Kasting James F , Ono Shuhei 
Published: May 2006

Earth's climate during the Archaean remains highly uncertain, as the relevant geologic evidence is sparse and occasionally contradictory. Oxygen isotopes in cherts suggest that between 3.5 and 3.2 Gyr ago (Ga) the Archaean climate was hot (55–85 °C); however, the fact that these cherts have experienced only a modest amount of weathering suggests that the climate was temperate, as today. The presence of diamictites in the Pongola Supergroup and the Witwatersrand Basin of South Africa suggests that by 2.9 Ga the climate was glacial. The Late Archaean was relatively warm; then glaciation (possibly of global extent) reappeared in the Early Palaeoproterozoic, around 2.3–2.4 Ga.Fitting these climatic constraints with a model requires high concentrations of atmospheric CO2or CH4, or both. Solar luminosity was 20–25% lower than today, so elevated greenhouse gas concentrations were needed just to keep the mean surface temperature above freezing. A rise in O2at approximately 2.4 Ga, and a concomitant decrease in CH4, provides a natural explanation for the Palaeoproterozoic glaciations. The Mid-Archaean glaciations may have been caused by a drawdown in H2and CH4caused by the origin of bacterial sulphate reduction. More work is needed to test this latter hypothesis.
The origin and diversification of eukaryotes: problems with molecular phylogenetics and molecular clock estimation
Authors: Roger Andrew J , Hug Laura A 
Published: May 2006

Determining the relationships among and divergence times for the major eukaryotic lineages remains one of the most important and controversial outstanding problems in evolutionary biology. The sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes led to the first nearly comprehensive phylogenies of eukaryotes in the late 1980s, and supported a view where cellular complexity was acquired during the divergence of extant unicellular eukaryote lineages. More recently, however, refinements in analytical methods coupled with the availability of many additional genes for phylogenetic analysis showed that much of the deep structure of early rRNA trees was artefactual. Recent phylogenetic analyses of a multiple genes and the discovery of important molecular and ultrastructural phylogenetic characters have resolved eukaryotic diversity into six major hypothetical groups. Yet relationships among these groups remain poorly understood because of saturation of sequence changes on the billion-year time-scale, possible rapid radiations of major lineages, phylogenetic artefacts and endosymbiotic or lateral gene transfer among eukaryotes.
Estimating the divergence dates between the major eukaryote lineages using molecular analyses is even more difficult than phylogenetic estimation. Error in such analyses comes from a myriad of sources including: (i) calibration fossil dates, (ii) the assumed phylogenetic tree, (iii) the nucleotide or amino acid substitution model, (iv) substitution number (branch length) estimates, (v) the model of how rates of evolution change over the tree, (vi) error inherent in the time estimates for a given model and (vii) how multiple gene data are treated. By reanalysing datasets from recently published molecular clock studies, we show that when errors from these various sources are properly accounted for, the confidence intervals on inferred dates can be very large. Furthermore, estimated dates of divergence vary hugely depending on the methods used and their assumptions. Accurate dating of divergence times among the major eukaryote lineages will require a robust tree of eukaryotes, a much richer Proterozoic fossil record of microbial eukaryotes assignable to extant groups for calibration, more sophisticated relaxed molecular clock methods and many more genes sampled from the full diversity of microbial eukaryotes.
Genome‐wide transcriptional profiling in human squamous cell carcinoma of the skin identifies unique tumor‐associated signatures
Authors: KATHPALIA Vinnie P. , MUSSAK Erich N. , CHOW Selwyn S. , LAM Phillip H. , SKELLEY Nathan , TIME Michael , MARKELEWICZ Robert J. , KANDUC Darja , LOMAS Lucy , XIANG Zhaoying , SINHA Animesh A. 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTThe elucidation of specific genetic changes associated with human cancer pathogenesis has focused efforts to relate such changes to the neoplastic phenotype. To further our understanding of the genetic basis of human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin, this study used a genome‐wide (12 627 sequences) approach to determine transcriptional signatures in lesional and nonlesional sites from five SCC patients. Several novel genes involving the p53 pathway, anti‐apoptotic pathways, signal transduction, structural loss and DNA replication, including BCL2A1, MUC4, PTPN11 (SHP2) and FGF9, are upregulated in SCC and could warrant further study regarding their role in disease pathogenesis. SCC pathology is likely combinatorial in nature involving the compounded changes from several cellular processes.
Successful treatment of diabetic gangrene with topical application of a mixture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and basic fibroblast growth factor
Authors: ASAI Jun , TAKENAKA Hideya , ICHIHASHI Kaori , UEDA Eiichiro , KATOH Norito , KISHIMOTO Saburo 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTDiabetic gangrene is a non‐healing skin ulcer that is often resistant to most common treatments. It is caused by microvascular disorders and an immunocompromised state which are induced by diabetes mellitus. We report a 65‐year‐old man with an aggressive, refractory diabetic gangrene on his left foot. Treatment of his diabetic gangrene with topical application of a mixture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) resulted in a dramatic improvement in a short time. The ulcer was completely closed and, in the past 6 months, no new ulceration has been observed. The patient is able to stand and walk by himself. Topical application of a mixture of PBMC and bFGF appears to be a useful, non‐invasive and convenient method for the treatment of diabetic gangrene.
Public sector managed care: a comparative evaluation of substance abuse treatment in three counties
Authors: Beattie Martha , McDaniel Patricia , Bond Jason 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAims  A study of publicly funded substance abuse treatment systems compared MidState, a county that reorganized its treatment system using managed care principles, to two other California counties that took different approaches, NorthState and SouthState. It was hypothesized that MidState would have better outcomes due to its emphasis on quality of care.Design  This natural experiment compared the ‘experimental’ county, MidState, to two ‘control’ counties, assessing client outcomes following treatment. Administrative and historical exigencies that may affect system differences were explored in interviews with treatment program managers and staff.Settings  Comparison counties were selected using treatment system and county census data, maximizing similarities to enhance internal validity.Participants  Adult clients (n = 681) were interviewed when beginning treatment and 12 months later (81% response rate). In addition, 50 treatment program managers and staff members across the three counties were interviewed during the year of client recruitment.Measurements  Client interviews assessed functioning in the seven Addiction Severity Index domains—alcohol, drug, psychiatric, legal, employment, medical and family/social.Findings  Outcomes (differences between baseline and 12 month composite scores) did not differ between counties in six of seven domains; in the seventh, psychiatric functioning, SouthState had better outcomes than MidState. Staff interviews indicated generally similar treatment strategies across counties, with MidState supplying greater oversight and performance standards.Conclusions  Managed care in public sector treatment generally did not result in poorer outcomes. Future attention in MidState to the barriers to successful implementation of individualized treatment, and to dual diagnosis treatment, might bring more positive results.
Nicotine dependence is associated with compulsive alcohol craving
Authors: Hillemacher Thomas , Bayerlein Kristina , Wilhelm Julia , Frieling Helge , Thürauf Norbert , Ziegenbein Marc , Kornhuber Johannes , Bleich Stefan 
Published: May 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate a possible association of nicotine dependence and alcohol craving.Design  A prospective cross‐sectional study on patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence.Setting  Detoxification unit of a regional psychiatric hospital.Participants  A total of 127 smoking male patients were included in the study at admission for detoxification from alcohol.Measurements  The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to assess the severity of nicotine dependence while the Obsessive Compulsive Craving Scale (OCDS) was used to measure alcohol craving. The OCDS was assessed at admission and after 7 days of withdrawal treatment, distinguishing the total score, the obsessive and the compulsive subscale.Findings  Spearman’s correlation revealed a significant association between the extent of alcohol craving and the FTND score (day 0, n = 127: OCDS total score r = 0.238, P = 0.007; OCDS compulsive score r = 0.280, P = 0.001; day 7; n = 94: OCDS total score r = 0.212, P = 0.040; OCDS compulsive score r = 0.225, P = 0.029).Conclusions  The severity of nicotine dependence is associated with higher craving in alcohol‐dependent patients. These results point towards shared pathophysiological mechanisms in alcohol craving and nicotine addiction.
Prevalence and sociodemographics of reflux symptoms in Germany – results from a national survey
Authors: NOCON M. , KEIL T. , WILLICH S. N. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryBackgroundAlthough gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder, the prevalence rates differ depending on the population studied.AimTo determine the prevalence of reflux symptoms in the German adult population and any associations with age, gender or socio‐economic status.MethodsA total of 7124 subjects were interviewed as part of the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey, which is a representative sample of the general adult population. The prevalence of mild, moderate or severe heartburn or regurgitation was calculated. Logistic regression models were developed to determine the relationship between reflux symptoms and sociodemographic factors such as age, gender and socio‐economic status.ResultsThe overall prevalence of moderate and severe reflux symptoms was 14% and 4%, respectively. The prevalence increased with age and was highest in the age group 60–69 years with 25% of these subjects reporting moderate or severe reflux symptoms. Being male, it increased the risk of mild, but not of moderate or severe symptoms. Lower socio‐economic status was associated with moderate or severe symptoms.ConclusionsBecause of their high prevalence, reflux symptoms are of major public health importance.
Inhalation induction using sevoflurane in children: the single‐breath vital capacity technique compared to the tidal volume technique*
Authors: Lejus C. , Bazin V. , Fernandez M. , Nguyen J. M. , Radosevic A. , Quere M. F. , Le Roux C. , Le Corre A. , Pinaud M. 
Published: May 2006

SummaryThe single‐breath vital capacity technique is suitable for inhalation induction of anaesthesia, using sevoflurane in children aged > 5 years. The purpose of this randomised trial was to compare the single breath vital capacity technique with the conventional tidal volume technique. Seventy‐ three ASA 1 or 2 children were instructed during the pre‐operative visit in the vital capacity technique. The main criterion measured was time to loss of the eyelash reflex. Induction was performed using a circle‐absorber breathing circuit primed with sevoflurane 7% in 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen with 6 l.min−1 fresh gas flow. Time required for induction, haemodynamic changes, airway tolerance and side‐effects were recorded. The children's opinion on the technique used was scored using a visual analogue scale (0–100) and a Smiley scale (0–10). The time to loss of the eyelash reflex was found to be reduced in the vital capacity group compared to the tidal volume group. The time to central myosis, to achieve bispectral index values 60 and 40, haemodynamic changes, respiratory events and side‐effect incidences were similar in both groups. However, we found that the vital capacity technique was preferred by the children to the tidal volume technique.