bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endovascular treatment of an acute left middle cerebral artery >6 h post stroke in a patient presenting with dysphasia and dense right hemiplegia
Authors: Chan Kenny , Cordato Dennis J , Kehdi Elias E , Schlaphoff Glen , McDougall Alan 
Published: January 2008

AbstractThis paper describes the case of a 32‐year‐old man presenting with dense right hemiplegia and global aphasia caused by an acute left middle cerebral artery infarct that underwent successful endovascular therapy after being determined ineligible for intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. Clot traversion and balloon disruption followed by intra‐arterial Alteplase resulted in successful re‐canalization of his middle cerebral artery at 7 h 30 min. At 3 months post stroke, the patient had moderately severe expressive dysphasia but was mobilizing independently with normal right upper and lower limb strength. In conclusion, the 3 month outcome suggests that the therapeutic time window for endovascular therapy might exceed 6 h post stroke.
Total access block time: A comprehensive and intuitive way to measure the total effect of access block on the emergency department
Authors: Paoloni Richard , Fowler Dawn 
Published: January 2008

AbstractObjective:  Access block refers to delayed transfer of admitted patients in the ED to wards from lack of an inpatient bed. Existing measures are crude indicators of its impact on ED function. Our aim was to devise measures of the total burden of access block on ED function which better measured the impact on ED function, yet were intuitive and easy to communicate.Methods:  Current access block measures, reported as percentage of total inpatient admissions, are based upon time intervals and cut points. ‘Total access block time’ (TABT) is obtained by summing the minutes in excess of 8 h that admitted patients spend in the ED. We describe derivation of TABT with reference to its intuitive comprehensibility and potential to improve understanding and communication of access block issues. Two examples of months with similar traditional measures but different TABT are used to highlight its advantages.Results:  TABT varies over a greater range than traditional measures. High TABT months had higher presentations, higher admissions, more admitted patients with long ED stays and impaired ability to meet triage benchmarks. Differences in these parameters are considered intermediate end‐points which reflect the degree of impairment of ED function.Conclusions:  TABT is a comprehensive, sensitive indicator of total impact of access block on ED function. Unlike current access block measures, TABT is reflective of long‐stay ED patients. Descriptive statistics derived from TABT, in terms of effective beds and bed‐days lost, will likely improve the communication and comprehension of access block issues.
Neuropharmacological Effects in Mice of Lychnophora Species (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) and Anticonvulsant Activity of 4,5‐di‐O‐[E]‐caffeoylquinic Acid Isolated From the Stem of L. rupestris and L. staavioides
Authors: Taleb‐Contini Silvia H. , Santos Wagner F. , Mortari Márcia R. , Lopes Norberto P. , Lopes João L. C. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract:   Aiming at contributing with the search for neuroactive substances from natural sources, we report for the first time antinociceptive and anticonvulsant effects of some Lychnophora species. We verify the protective effects of polar extracts (600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), and methanolic fractions of L. staavioides and L. rupestris (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizures on mice. Previously, a screening was accomplished, evaluating the antinociceptive central activity (hot plate test), with different extracts of L. rupestris, L. staavioides and L. diamantinana. It was possible to select the possible extracts of Lychnophora with central nervous system activity. Some of the active extracts were submitted to fractionation and purification process and the methanolic fractions of L. rupestris (stem) and L. staavioides (stem), with anticonvulsant properties (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), yielded 4,5‐di‐O‐[E]‐caffeoylquinic acid. This substance was injected intraperitoneally in mice and showed anticonvulsant effect against pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizures at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. It has often been shown that seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole are involved in inhibition and/or attenuation of GABAergic neurotransmission. However, other systems of the central nervous system such as adenosinergic and glutamatergic could be involved in the caffeoylquinic acid effects. Further studies should be conducted to verify that the target receptor could be participating in this anticonvulsant property. Although other investigations have reported a series of biological activities from Lychnophora species, this is the first report of central analgesic and anticonvulsant activity in species of this genus.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Does Not Potentiate Doxorubicin‐Induced Cardiotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Karagoz Bulent , Suleymanoglu Selami , Uzun Gunalp , Bilgi Oguz , Aydinoz Secil , Haholu Aptullah , Turken Orhan , Onem Yalcin , Kandemir E. Gokhan 
Published: January 2008

Abstract:   The current use of doxorubicin is regarded as an absolute contraindication for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy because of the increased risk of cardiotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether additional exposure to HBO2 during the course of doxorubicin treatment would further increase the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin in rats. Female Wistar rats were treated with either HBO2 (n = 10) or doxorubicin (n = 8) or a combination of both treatments (n = 10) for 4 consecutive weeks and followed up for an additional 4 weeks. Cardiomyopathy was evaluated using two‐dimensional and M‐mode echocardiography at baseline, at the fourth, sixth and eighth weeks, and by histopathological investigation of the rat hearts at the eighth week. Doxorubicin treatment significantly reduced ejection fraction and fractional shortening (P < 0.001) and caused severe histopathological injury (P < 0.05) indicating development of cardiotoxicity. Although the combination of doxorubicin and HBO2 also markedly reduced ejection fraction and fractional shortening (P < 0.001), this reduction was significantly less than that of doxorubicin treatment (P < 0.05). HBO2 therapy also attenuated doxorubicin‐induced histopathological changes in rat hearts (P < 0.05). HBO2 alone did not alter echocardiographic parameters or histopathological findings (P > 0.05). In conclusion, HBO2 therapy does not potentiate doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Cardioprotection conferred by HBO2 against doxorubicin warrants further investigation.
The Influence of Feeding Patch Size and Relative Fruit Density on the Foraging Behavior of the Black Spider Monkey Ateles chamek
Authors: Wallace Robert B. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTBlack spider monkey Ateles chamek foraging data from eastern Bolivia are examined in relation to the size of fruit patches and the relative fruit density within the patch. In general, spider monkeys exhibited a preference for larger fruit patches and foraged for longer and in larger subgroups as patch size and relative fruit density increased. Nevertheless, results for specific resources revealed considerable variation in the primary variables influencing foraging behavior and subgroup size with certain specific resources more influenced by patch size, and others more influenced by relative fruit density. The results are discussed in relation to the foraging ecology of fission–fusion primate social systems and previous studies on the influence of patch size on primate foraging decisions.
The Geographical and Institutional Distribution of Ecological Research in the Tropics
Authors: Stocks Gabriela , Seales Lisa , Paniagua Franklin , Maehr Erin , Bruna Emilio M. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTWe reviewed 1333 papers published inBiotropicaand theJournal of Tropical Ecologyfrom 1995 to 2004. Only 62 percent of tropical countries were represented in our survey, with 62 percent of the publications based on research conducted in only ten countries. Sixty‐two percent of papers had lead authors that were based at institutions outside the country where the research was conducted. Cross‐national collaboration was limited, accounting for only 28 percent of papers with multiple authors. To evaluate if our choice of focal journals could have biased our results, we also reviewed 652 papers published inEcology,Oecologia,Conservation Biology, andBiological Conservationfor five randomly selected years from the same time period. While some differences in authorship and the geographic distribution of research existed, the results from these journals generally mirrored patterns observed in the two focal ones—almost 54 percent of publications were based on research conducted in only ten countries, and most studies had lead authors from a developed country. The results of our review suggest that the geographical distribution of research in the tropics is unequal, and that some important regions remain understudied. The results also suggest a need for a greater focus on establishing collaborative relationships with scientists from tropical countries.
Estimates of Apparent Survival Rates for Forest Birds in Eastern Ecuador
Authors: Blake John G. , Loiselle Bette A. 
Published: January 2008

ABSTRACTKnowledge of survival rates of Neotropical landbirds remains limited, with estimates of apparent survival available from relatively few sites and species. We used capture–mark–recapture models to estimate apparent survival of 31 species from eastern Ecuador based on data collected from 2001 to 2006. Models assuming constant survival had highest support for 27 species; models incorporating effects of transients were highest for four. Average apparent survival across 30 species of passerines was 0.58 (± 0.02 SE); apparent survival was lower during the first interval after initial capture (φ1: mean = 0.49 ± 0.03) than during subsequent intervals (φ2: mean = 0.60 ± 0.02). Apparent survival was similar among three families represented by at least four species (Thamnophilidae: 0.57 ± 0.03,N= 10; Furnariidae: 0.59 ± 0.03,N= 5; Pipridae: 0.56 ± 0.02,N= 4). There was no indication that species that occur in flocks had higher survival than nonflocking species (obligate flock members: 0.57 ± 0.03,N= 10; facultative flock members: 0.56 ± 0.04,N= 5; nonflocking: 0.59 ± 0.03,N= 15). Comparisons of published estimates of apparent survival of tropical species demonstrated substantial differences among species and, in some cases, within species across different sites in the Neotropics. Our results support previous studies that concluded that early estimates of high (> 85%) survival in tropical birds may not be representative of all tropical species. Future studies should focus on understanding factors (e.g., life‐history traits) that promote differences in survival among species within tropical forests.
Galaxy peculiar velocities and evolution-bias
Authors: Percival Will J. , Schäfer Björn Malte 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Galaxy-bias can be split into two components: a formation-bias based on the locations of galaxy creation, and an evolution-bias that details on their subsequent evolution. In this Letter, we consider evolution-bias in the peaks model. In this model, galaxy formation takes place at local maxima in the density field, and we analyse the subsequent peculiar motion of these galaxies in a linear model of structure formation. The peak restriction yields differences in the velocity distribution and correlation between the galaxy and the dark matter fields, which causes the evolution-bias component of the total bias to evolve in a scale-dependent way. This mechanism naturally gives rise to a change in shape between galaxy and matter correlation functions that depends on the mean age of the galaxy population. This model predicts that older galaxies would be more strongly biased on large scales compared to younger galaxies. Our arguments are supported by a Monte Carlo simulation of galaxy pairs propagated using the Zel'dovich approximation for describing peculiar galaxy motion.
Evaluating Ethnopedological Knowledge Systems for Classifying Soil Quality. A Case Study in Bo Hamlet with Muong People of Northern Vietnam
Authors: TRUNG NGUYEN DAI , VERDOODT ANN , DUSAR MICHIEL , VAN TRAN TAN , VAN RANST ERIC 
Published: January 2008

AbstractEthnopedological knowledge is incorporated in a case study for sustainable land management of mountain karst areas in Vietnam. The research is based on a multidisciplinary approach, including participation of local inhabitants for identifying and classifying local indicators of soil quality, next to scientifically sound approaches to soil quality assessment based on analytical soil data and a statistical treatment of the results. The case study focuses on Bo hamlet, located in the Ngo Luong commune of the Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province. The participatory approach reveals that local people of the Muong ethnic group distinguish seven land use types and six soil types. They also identified nine local indicators of soil quality: presence of earthworms; crop productivity; topsoil colour; presence of a humus layer; soil surface compaction; erosion; slope gradient; surface water, and soil moisture status. Based on this indigenous knowledge, 19 soil samples from nine soil profiles in Bo hamlet were analysed for fertility indicators. Laboratory results confirmed the validity of indigenous knowledge for identifying and classifying local indicators of soil fertility, compared to scientific standards of soil quality.
Active Learning for Understanding Land Degradation: African Catchment Game and Riskmap
Authors: ROWNTREE K. M. , FOX R. C. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractLand degradation is the result of the intersection of a complex set of biophysical and socio‐economic factors. The capacity of an individual or community to address land degradation is likewise constrained. While it is quite possible for professionals and learners to grasp the main issues around land degradation from a theoretical perspective, internalising the reality of what it means to be the resource degrader is more difficult. We have developed two active learning methods that aim to address this problem. The first is the African Catchment Game, a role‐playing game based on Graham Chapman's Green Revolution Game, adapted for the southern Africa context and incorporating a land degradation component. In this game participants play out the complex dynamics of rural‐urban‐global linkages against a background of environmental hazards. The second is based on Save the Children Fund's RiskMap computer simulation that models risk in terms of rural livelihoods for different income groups. Ethiopia is used as the example. This paper evaluates the two active learning techniques as tools for exploring the relationships between land degradation and poverty through an evaluation of participants’ experiences. The analysis shows clear potential for developing alternative teaching curricula that are aligned to our theoretical understanding.
Design of a Prospective Multi-National CLOTBUST Collaboration on Reperfusion Therapies for Stroke
Authors: Saqqur Maher , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Molina Carlos A. , Demchuk Andrew M. , Garami Zsolt , Barreto Andrew , Spengos Konstantinos , Forteza Alex , Mikulik Robert , Sharma Vijay K. , Brunser Alex , Martinez Patricia , Montaner Joan , Kohrmann Martin , Schellinger Peter D. , Alexandrov Andrei V. ,   for the CLOTBUST-PRO Investigators
Published: January 2008

Background The benefit of intravenous (i.v.) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in acute ischemic stroke (IS) is attributable to lysis of thrombus and restoration of perfusion to ischemic but not yet infarcted brain. Aims Our multicentre collaborative group prospectively implemented a protocol for transcranial Doppler assessment of intracranial recanalization with tPA treatment based on the CLOTBUST clinical trial (CLOTBUST-PRO). We aim to determine whether early recanalization (within 1 h from tPA bolus) is independently associated with better 3-month outcome in patients with intracranial arterial occlusions and correlates to a shorter time interval elapsed from symptom onset to tPA bolus. Subjects and methods Consecutive patients with acute IS due to intracranial arterial occlusions will be treated with standard i.v.-tPA and continuously monitored with 2 MHz Transcranial Doppler for arterial recanalization. Early recanalization will be determined with the previously validated Thrombolysis in Brain Ischemia flow-grading system within 60 min after tPA bolus. Power calculations are based on the assumption of α = 0·05 (two-sided test) and probabilities of functional independence at 3 months of 0·50 and 0·35 in patients with early complete recanalization and persisting occlusion, respectively. Detection of a 15% difference with a power of 0·824 requires an estimated sample of 480 patients of whom 25% are expected to achieve early recanalization while 75% will have persisting occlusion at 1 h after tPA bolus. We also plan to test prespecified secondary hypotheses within the projected study sample. Conclusions CLOTBUST-PRO is designed to determine if the timing (within 1 h from tPA bolus) of tPA-induced arterial recanalization is an independent determinant of 3-month functional recovery. We also seek to demonstrate that the sooner the tPA is given to stroke patients, the earlier the recanalization occurs and the greater is the likelihood of functional independence at 3 months. Introduction Intravenous (i.v.) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) remains the only approved therapy for acute ischemic stroke (IS) with faster time to treatment being associated with better outcomes at 3 months ( 1 ). Although the benefit of tPA is attributable to lysis of thrombus and restoration of perfusion to ischemic but not yet infarcted brain ( 2 ), recanalization was not documented in pivotal tPA trials. This hypothesis is supported by both animal and smaller human studies showing that the duration of impaired perfusion is associated with final infarct volume and that early recanalization correlates with smaller infarct size ( 3 – 5 ).
An Improved Scoring System for Identifying Patients at High Early Risk of Stroke and Functional Impairment after an Acute Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Stroke
Authors: Coutts Shelagh B. , Eliasziw Michael , Hill Michael D. , Scott James N. , Subramaniam Suresh , Buchan Alastair M. , Demchuk Andrew M. 
Published: January 2008

Background Risk of a subsequent stroke following an acute transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is high. The ABCD2 tool was proposed as a method to triage these patients using five clinical factors. Modern imaging of the brain was not included. The present study quantified the added value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) factors to the ABCD2 tool. Methods Patients with TIA or minor stroke were examined within 12 h and had a brain MRI within 24 h of symptom onset. Primary outcomes were recurrent stroke and functional impairment at 90 days. A new tool, ABCD2+ MRI, was created by adding diffusion-weighted imaging lesion and vessel occlusion status to the ABCD2 tool. The predictive accuracy of both tools was quantified by the area under the curve (AUC). Results One hundred and eighty patients were enrolled and 11·1% had a recurrent stroke within 90 days. The predictive accuracy of the ABCD2+MRI was significantly higher than ABCD2 (AUC of 0·88 vs. 0·78, P = 0·01). Those with a high score ( 7 – 9 ) had a 90-day recurrent stroke risk of 32·1%, moderate score ( 5 – 6 ) risk of 5·4%, and low score (0-4) risk of 0·0%. The ABCD2 tool did not predict risk of functional impairment at 90 days ( P = 0·33), unlike the ABCD2+MRI ( P = 0·02): high score (22·9%), moderate (7·5%), low (7·7%). Conclusions Risk of recurrent stroke and functional impairment after a TIA or minor stroke can be accurately predicted by a scoring system that utilizes both clinical and MRI information. The ABCD2+MRI score is simple and its components are commonly available during the time of admission.
Effect of Microparticulate Diets on Growth and Survival of Spotted Sand Bass Larvae, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, at Two Early Weaning Times
Authors: Civera‐Cerecedo Roberto , Alvarez‐González Carlos A. , García‐Gómez Rubén E. , Carrasco‐Chávez Victor , Ortiz‐Galindo José L. , Rosales‐Velázquez Martín O. , Grayeb‐Del Álamo Tanos , Moyano‐López Francisco J. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract Early weaning in spotted sand bass larvae, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, was evaluated, testing a combination of two weaning times, 17 and 22 d after hatching (d.a.h.), and three different microparticulate diets. Protein in diets was mainly from sardine meal and from 15% squid meal, beef blood meal, or fish protein hydrolysate. Anatomical (standard length), histological (gut development), and biochemical (highly unsaturated fatty acids) parameters were measured in larvae, as well as survival and resistance to a stress test measured 40 d.a.h. For larvae weaned at 17 d.a.h., the best growth and survival were obtained with diets containing fish protein hydrolysates; for larvae weaned at 22 d.a.h., best results were obtained with squid meal and fish protein hydrolysate. Growth and survival were significantly lower when using beef blood meal in both weaning treatments. The best relative and total survival were for larvae weaned at 22 d.a.h. After the resistance test, 100% survival occurred in larvae fed on any microparticulate diet and either weaning treatment. No significant differences in arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in fish fed on any diet occurred. Results suggest that weaning at 22 d.a.h. with diets containing fish protein hydrolysate or squid meal is preferred by this species.
Effects of Different Dietary Lipid Sources on the Survival, Growth, and Fatty Acid Composition of South American Catfish, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, Surubim, Juveniles
Authors: Arslan Murat , Rinchard Jacques , Dabrowski Konrad , Portella Maria Celia 
Published: January 2008

Abstract The present study examines the effect of four semi‐purified diets (casein–gelatin based) where the source of fatty acids was free (esterified) oleic acid and linoleic acid (LA) (LOA diet), linseed and olive oil (predominantly LA and linolenic acid) (LO diet), cod liver oil (rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids) (CLO diet), and soybean lecithin (phospholipids; mostly LA) (LE diet) on the growth of juvenile South American catfish (surubim, Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum, Pimelodidae) (0.98 ± 0.04 g individual weight). Fish were fed at a restricted–readjusted feeding rate for 8 wk. At the end of the experiment, LE‐diet‐fed fish grew significantly larger than those of the other three groups (P < 0.05). Considerable cannibalism was observed in all the treatments. It is suggested that the quantitative growth performance may possibly change under other conditions, with less or no cannibalism. Survival did not differ significantly among the fish fed four different diets. Muscle and liver lipid contents did not vary among dietary treatments (P > 0.05), but whole‐body lipid concentrations were affected by dietary treatments. Fish fed LE diet contained significantly lower lipid level than those fed three other diets (P < 0.05). Muscle and liver fatty acid profiles reflected dietary fatty acid composition. Arachidonic acid level was significantly higher in muscle and liver of fish fed LOA and LE diets than in those fed LO and CLO diets. The results suggest that the efficiency of elongation and desaturation of 18C fatty acids depends on the dietary lipid source, and South American catfish has considerable capacity to transform linoleate to arachidonate.