bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lung resection in cystic fibrosis: A survival analysis
Authors: Camargos Paulo , Le Bourgeois Muriel , Revillon Yann , Tatsuo Edson , Sermet‐Gaudelus Isabelle , Scheinmann Pierre , de Blic Jacques 
Published: November 2007

AbstractLung resection may be considered for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients showing localized severe chronic atelectasis and/or bronchiectasis. Nonetheless, literature on survival after surgery is scarce. This study was carried out to assess survival time after partial lung resection. Twenty‐one CF patients were operated from 1988 to 2003 and were followed until November 30th, 2004. Survival analysis was performed through Kaplan–Meier method. Mean age at resection was 8.09 years (SD 4.40 years) and two‐thirds were females. Z‐scores for height, weight, and body mass index as well as FEV1 values showed no statistical significance when comparing values obtained from 2 years before to 2 years after resection. Eleven years after resection, survival probability was 93.8%. Our results suggest that lobectomy or segmentectomy are safe procedures and should be considered in carefully selected patients with unilateral severe symptomatic localized and chronic persistent atelectasis and/or bronchiectasis refractory to conservative management. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2008; 43:72–76. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electroconductive and photocurrent generation properties of self‐assembled monolayers formed by functionalized, conformationally‐constrained peptides on gold electrodes
Authors: Gatto Emanuela , Stella Lorenzo , Formaggio Fernando , Toniolo Claudio , Lorenzelli Leandro , Venanzi Mariano 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe electroconductive properties and photocurrent generation capabilities of self‐assembled monolayers formed by conformationally‐constrained hexapeptides were studied by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and photocurrent generation experiments. Lipoic acid was covalently linked to the N‐terminus of the peptides investigated to exploit the high affinity of the disulfide group to the gold substrates. Smart functionalization of the peptide scaffold with a redox‐active (TOAC) or a photosensitizer (Trp) amino acid allowed us to study the efficiency of peptide‐based self‐assembled monolayers to mediate electron transfer and photoinduced electron transfer processes on gold substrates. Interdigitated microelectrodes have shown higher film stability under photoexcitation, lower dark currents, and higher sensitivity with respect to standard gold electrodes. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the solvability of dynamic elastic‐visco‐plastic contact problems
Authors: Jarušek J. , Sofonea M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractWe consider two dynamic contact problems between an elastic‐visco‐plastic body and an obstacle, the so‐called foundation. The contact is frictionless and it is modelled with normal compliance of such a type that the penetration is not restricted in the first problem, but is restricted with unilateral constraint, in the second one. We derive a variational formulation of the first problem and then prove its unique weak solvability, by using arguments on nonlinear evolution equations with monotone operators and fixed point. Then, we derive a variational formulation of the second problem and prove its weak solvability. To this end we consider a sequence of regularized problems which have a unique solution, derive a priori estimates and use compactness properties to obtain a solution to the original model, by passing to the limit as the regularization parameter converges to zero.
Developmental neurotoxicity role of cyclophosphamide on post‐neural tube closure of rodents in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Xiao R. , Yu Huan L. , Zhao Hai F. , Liang J. , Feng Jin F. , Wang W. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractTo evaluate the possible developmental role of cyclophosphamide on post‐neural tube closure of rodents, the 46 pregnant rats of 2.5–3 months old were randomly divided into five groups. On the 13th day of gestation, the rats in control and experimental groups were treated with physiological saline and cyclophosphamide (7.5, 10.5, 12.5 and 15.0 mg/kg bw), respectively. On the 14th day of gestation, three rats each selected randomly from control and experimental (12.5 mg/kg bw) group, respectively, were executed and the embryo brains were checked using both light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Neurocytotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide were determined using tetrazolium dye (MTT) assay, single cell gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry and scanning electron microscope. Compared with control group, the malformation incidence of the experimental groups (except the group 7.5 mg/kg bw) was significantly higher, especially in 12.5 mg/kg bw group (malformation incidence 98%, lethality 0). Neural tube serial section of fetus showed the apoptotic morphological features after 24 h cyclophosphamide administrated. Cyclophosphamide (8 μg/ml) decreased the growth and viability of neurons, damaged nuclear DNA and induced early apoptotic morphological changes. Our study shows that the teratogenesis of cyclophosphamide after neural tube closure are involved in cyclophosphamide‐induced neuronal apoptosis and DNA damage.
Petroleum potential of Baikal deposits
Authors: Kontorovich A.E. , Kashirtsev V.A. , Moskvin V.I. , Burshtein L.M. , Zemskaya T.I. , Kostyreva E.A. , Kalmychkov G.V. , Khlystov O.M. 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
We analyzed oils, gases, and bitumens of bottom sediments from natural shows on the southeastern shore of Lake Baikal, in the mouth of the Stvolovaya River near Capes Tolstyi and Gorevoi Utes. Based on a set of geological data, we have established that: (1) the lake oils underwent biodegradation to a variable degree: “Fresh” nondegraded paraffin oil floats up near Cape Gorevoi Utes; in the mouth of the Stvolovaya River and near Cape Tolstyi, aromatic-naphthene oil lacks n-alkanes, monomethyl alkanes, and acyclic isoprenoids; (2) Cenozoic oil originated from the organic matter of fresh-water basins with significant amounts of higher land plant remains, including angiosperm plants (oleanane), which suggests the lake or delta genesis of oil source formations of Cretaceous and younger ages. Judging from the carbon isotope composition (average δ13C = −43.84‰), methane from the bottom sediments near Cape Gorevoi Utes is catagenetic. The initial in-place resources in the Baikal sedimentary basins are estimated by the volumetric-statistical method at 500 mln tons of equivalent hydrocarbons.
Effect of piperonyl butoxide on diazinon resistance in field strains of the sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), in New Zealand
Authors: Wilson J.A. , Clark A.G. , Haack N.A. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractPretreatment of first instar larvae of 28 resistant strains of Lucilia cuprina(Wiedemann) with the inhibitor of microsomal oxidases, piperonyl butoxide, resulted in a biphasic response to the phosphorothioate insecticide diazinon. Analysis of the data revealed a complex response in which both synergist-dependent and independent effects occurred. The responses varied markedly from strain to strain. A laboratory susceptible strain and field strains with resistance factors of less than 20-fold exhibited, in the presence of piperonyl butoxide, an increased LC50 with respect to diazinon whereas those strains with > 20-fold resistance were synergized by the compound. We conclude tentatively that microsomal mixed-function oxidases play a contributory role in the development of resistance and that the variation in synergist effect from strain to strain may be attributed, at least in part, to the two-fold effect of these enzymes on phosphorothioate insecticides such as diazinon.
Behaviour of tsetse (Diptera: Glossinidae) during the hot season in Zimbabwe: the interaction of micro-climate and reproductive status
Authors: Torr S.J. , Hargrove J.W. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractStudies were made of the behaviour ofGlossina pallidipesAusten andG. morsitans morsitansWestwood during the hot season (September–November) in Zimbabwe, and attributes of samples of tsetse from refuges, odour-baited traps, targets and mobile baits were compared. Various arrangements of electric nets were used to study tsetse as they entered or left artificial refuges. The peak time of entry into a refuge varied between 0800 h and 1400 h and coincided with the time when the air temperature reached 32°C; the response was stronger if 32°C occurred earlier in the day. The peak time of exit varied between 1500 h and 1700 h, being significantly later on hotter days, but did not show a clear temperature threshold. Micro-meteorological measurements showed that refuges were significantly cooler than the surrounding riverine woodland during the day but warmer at night. There was no significant difference between the air temperatures in leafless mopane woodland and semi-evergreen riverine woodland during the day but at night the riverine woodland was significantly cooler. Combining the micro-meteorological data with the estimated local movements of tsetse suggested that during the hot season, tsetse experienced temperatures 2°C cooler than the daily mean in a Stevenson screen located in mopane woodland. Compared with the catches of tsetse from traps, refuges had higher proportions ofG. m. morsitans, males, young flies and females in the later stages of reproduction, and it is suggested that during the hot season, samples from refuges were less biased than traps with respect to species and sex composition, age and reproductive status. During the hot season, tsetse populations declined byc. 90% and although air temperatures exceeded lethal levels (c.40°C), the refuge-entering responses meant that adult flies probably experienced a maximum of onlyc.35°C. It is suggested that the decline in numbers is not due to direct mortality effects of temperature on adults but may be due, in part, to a doubling in the rates of reproductive abnormality during the hot season and an increase in adult mortality related to a temperature-dependent decrease in pupal period.
Distribution of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) infesting domestic ruminants in Ghana
Authors: Walker A.R. , Koney E.B.M. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractNineteen sites throughout Ghana were selected as representative of the three major zones of natural vegetation. At these sites, samples of ticks were collected from groups of approximately five each of cattle, sheep and goats. Ticks were identified by light microscopy. In order of abundance, tick species found on livestock were:Amblyomma variegatum(Fabricius),Boophilus decoloratus(Koch),Rhipicephalus senegalensisKoch,Boophilus annulatus(Say), Hyalomma marginatum rufipesKoch, aRhipicephalusspecies in thesanguineusgroup of uncertain identity close to bothR. turanicusPomerantsev andR. sulcatusNeumann,Boophilus geigyiAeschlimann & Morel, Hyalomma truncatumKoch, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsiNeumann andRhipicephalus lunulatusNeumann.Amblyomma variegatumwas found on every sample of the sheep, goats and cattle examined and was equally abundant in all vegetation zones.Boophilusspecies were found mainly on cattle, with some on sheep and were widely distributed by vegetation zone.Hyalommaspecies were found predominantly on cattle and widely distributed by vegetation zone.Rhipicephalus e. evertsiandR. senegalensiswere found on sheep and cattle in all vegetation zones. The tick fauna of Ghana is similar to those of other West African countries and this shows that control strategies developed in neighbouring countries can be applied to Ghana. The significance of this tick fauna is discussed in relation to potential for pathogen transmission.
Functional state of patients with heterotaxy syndrome following the Fontan operation
Authors: Atz Andrew M. , Cohen Meryl S. , Sleeper Lynn A. , McCrindle Brian W. , Lu Minmin , Prakash Ashwin , Breitbart Roger E. , Williams Richard V. , Sang Charlie J. , Wernovsky Gil ,   for the Investigators of the Pediatric Heart Network
Published: November 2007

AbstractBackgroundChildren born with heterotaxy syndromes have poorer outcomes compared with children born with comparable cardiac lesions requiring similar surgical palliation. Heterotaxy has been reported as a separate risk factor for mortality and increased morbidity in a series of Fontan operations reported from single centres. Little is known, however, about the functional state of surviving patients with heterotaxy following a Fontan operation.MethodsIn the multicentric cross-sectional study carried out by the Pediatric Heart Network of 546 survivors of the Fontan procedure, the patients, aged from 6 to 18 years, underwent evaluation by echocardiography, exercise testing, electrocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and functional health status questionnaires compiled by the patients and their parents. Heterotaxy was identified in 42 patients (8%). Medical and patient characteristics were compared between those with heterotaxy and the remaining 504 patients who did not have heterotaxy.ResultsPatients with heterotaxy had their Fontan procedure performed at a later age, with a median of 3.9 years versus 2.8 years (p = 0.001) and had volume-unloading surgery performed later, at a median age of 1.4 versus 0.9 years (p = 0.008). These patients had significantly different ventricular and atrioventricular valvar morphology, as well as a higher incidence of systemic and pulmonary venous abnormalities. They had a higher incidence of prior surgery to the pulmonary veins, at 21 versus 0.4%. The type of Fontan procedure was different, but no difference was detected in length of stay in hospital, or the number of postoperative complications. Sinus rhythm was less common, at 44 versus 71%, (p = 0.002), and history of atrial arrhythmias more common, at 19 versus 8%, (p = 0.018) in those with heterotaxy. Echocardiography revealed a greater degree atrioventricular valvar regurgitation, lower indexed stroke volume, and greater Tei index. Exercise performance, levels of brain natriuretic peptide in the serum, and summary and domain scores from health status questionnaires, were not different from those not having heterotaxy.ConclusionsThe study illustrates a profile of characteristics, medical history, functional health state, and markers of ventricular performance in patients with heterotaxy after the Fontan procedure. Despite obvious anatomic differences, and some differences in echocardiography and heart rhythm, there were no important differences in exercise performance or functional health state between these patients and other survivors of the Fontan procedure.
Coping accountably in a dangerous world
Authors: CHINITZ DAVID 
Published: November 2007

The world is a dangerous place, and so is the health system; hospitals in particular.This was not self evident to this author before observing 20 years of health policy evolution in Western countries, together with some personal experience. This perspective is furthered by the two volumes reviewed here. In the view of this author, health policy is moving beyond, or at least supplementing, the structure and process emphasis, provided mainly by economists, but with under-girding from other disciplines, that has dominated during the last two decades. The new focus in health policy is not only on quality, but on what to do when quality breaks down and we cannot rely, however much we desire, on a clear systematic framework of standards, incentives, regulations, and controls (Chinitz, 2002). How do we go forward in a realm where the stakes are so high? While not providing all the answers, the two volumes examined by this essay certainly lay out the dilemmas and provide some realistic propositions, for moving forward in health policy and management. And, not surprisingly, economics loses its pre-eminence to other disciplines, especially law, organizational theory, and management.
THE BEHAVIOUR OF TWO STRAINS OF MURINE SARCOMA VIRUS IN VITRO
Authors: Simons PJ 
Published: November 2007

SummaryTwo variants of murine sarcoma virus were able to cause different alterations in an established line of mouse embryo cells. Infection with the Moloney strain of murine sarcoma virus produced densely staining round cells and spindle cells which were overgrown by normal cells on passage. The Harvey strain of murine sarcoma virus induced the formation of densely staining round cells and spindle cells which multiplied on subculture. Passage of murine sarcoma virus (Harvey) infected cultures led to the appearance of multinucleate giant cells. Murine sarcoma virus (Harvey) transformed cells were able to divide and form colonies in soft agar. Lines of murine sarcoma virus (Harvey) transformed cells have been established from soft agar colonies.
THE ROLE OF THE KIDNEY IN NITROGEN CONSERVATION IN SHEEP
Authors: McIntyre KH , Williams VJ 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThe experiment was designed to test the theory that there is a special renal mechanism involved in urea conservation in sheep given diets low in protein content. The effects of different plasma urea levels and urine flow rates on renal function with respect to urea reabsorption were studied, using three rations which varied in protein content. The same rations were also studied in conjunction with an intravenous infusion of urea of 12 g. per 8 hours.The urea clearances and clearance ratios varied with the dietary treatments imposed and were lowest on the diet which produced a minimum plasma urea level. The ratio of urea in urine to urea in plasma was inversely and linearly related to urine flow rate.The rates of excretion of urea in urine were linearly related to plasma urea nitrogen concentrations (P < 0·01) and urine flow rates (P < 0·01), while plasma urea nitrogen concentrations were linearly related to urine flow rates (P < 0·05).Urine flow rates were linearly related to urea clearances (P < 0·01) and clearance ratios (P < 0·01).The evidence presented suggests that urea reabsorption by the kidney is related to the amount of urea filtered by the kidney, which depends on the plasma urea nitrogen concentration. The ability of the sheep on the low protein diets fed in these experiments to conserve urea was apparently linked with the presentation of relatively small amounts of urea to the glomerulus. There was no evidence of a special renal mechanism.
Role of α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes in the effects of methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) on body temperature in the mouse
Authors: Bexis S , Docherty J R 
Published: November 2007

Background and purpose:We have investigated the ability of α1‐adrenoceptor antagonists to affect the hyperthermia produced by methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) in conscious mice.Experimental approach:Mice were implanted with temperature probes under ether anaesthesia and allowed 2 weeks recovery. MDMA (20 mg kg−1) was administered subcutaneously 30 min after vehicle or test antagonist or combination of antagonists and effects on body temperature monitored.Key results:Following vehicle, MDMA produced a hyperthermia, reaching a maximum increase of 1.8 °C at 140 min. Prazosin (0.1 mg kg−1) revealed an early significant hypothermia to MDMA of −1.94 °C. The α1A‐adrenoceptor antagonist RS 100329 (0.1 mg kg−1), or the α1D‐adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 (0.5 mg kg−1) given alone, did not reveal a hypothermia to MDMA, but the combination of the two antagonists revealed a significant hypothermia to MDMA. The putative α1B‐adrenoceptor anatagonist cyclazosin (1 mg kg−1) also revealed a significant hypothermia to MDMA, but actions of cyclazosin at the other α1‐adrenoceptor subtypes cannot be excluded.Conclusions and implications:More than one subtype of α1‐adrenoceptor is involved in a component of the hyperthermic response to MDMA in mouse, probably both α1A‐ and α1D‐adrenoceptors, and removal of this α1‐adrenoceptor‐mediated component reveals an initial hypothermia.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 591–597; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707590; published online 26 November 2007
Mechanisms of potentiation of the mammalian GABAAreceptor by the marine cembranoid eupalmerin acetate
Authors: Li P , Reichert D E , Rodríguez A D , Manion B D , Evers A S , Eterović V A , Steinbach J H , Akk G 
Published: November 2007

Background and purpose:Eupalmerin acetate (EPA) is a marine diterpene compound isolated from the gorgonian octocoralsEunicea succineaandEunicea mammosa. The compound has been previously shown to modulate muscle‐type and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are inhibited in the presence of low micromolar concentrations of EPA. In this study, we examined the effect of EPA on another transmitter‐gated ion channel, the GABAAreceptor.Experimental approach:Whole‐cell and single‐channel recordings were made from HEK 293 cells transiently expressing rat wild‐type and mutant α1β2γ2L GABAAreceptors.Key results:Our findings demonstrate that, at micromolar concentrations, EPA potentiates the rat α1β2γ2L GABAAreceptor. The analysis of single‐channel currents recorded in the presence of EPA showed that the kinetic mode of action of EPA is similar to that of neuroactive steroids. Mutations to residues α1Q241 and α1N407/Y410, previously shown to affect receptor modulation by neurosteroids, also diminished potentiation by EPA. Exposure to a steroid antagonist, (3α,5α)‐17‐phenylandrost‐16‐en‐3‐ol, reduced potentiation by EPA. Additionally, exposure to EPA led to potentiation of GABAAreceptors activated by very high concentrations (1–10 μM) of allopregnanolone. In tadpole behavioural assays, EPA caused loss of righting reflex and loss of swimming reflex.Conclusions and implications:We conclude that EPA either interacts with the putative neurosteroid binding site on the GABAAreceptor or shares with neurosteroids the key transduction elements involved in channel potentiation by steroids. The results indicate that cembranoids represent a novel class of GABAAreceptor modulators.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)153, 598–608; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707597; published online 26 November 2007