bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do bio‐based products move us toward sustainability? A look at three USEPA case studies
Authors: Curran Mary Ann 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe movement to buy “environmentally‐friendly” products was recently reinvigorated by the signing of the 2002 Farm Act that requires all federal agencies to give preference to products made, in whole or significant part, from biobased material. This paper addresses the reality behind widely held beliefs regarding “green” issues, and shows how complex it can be to choose among alternative products. Examples are presented in which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) used diff e rent approaches, all based on life cycle assessment (LCA), to evaluate the environmental trade ‐offs of bio‐based alternatives. These examples incorporate various combinations of life cycle inventory (LCI) and life cycle impact assessment (LCIA).The first example presents results of a USEPA Office of Research & Development (ORD) project called the Framework for Responsible Environmental Decision‐Making (FRED). The FRED framework uses a set of impact categories in an LCIA. Motor oil, wall insulation, and asphalt coating alternatives were all studied using FRED. The second example is a pilot study in the USEPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program. Using a mix of LCI and LCIA, transformer oil and hard surface cleaner alternatives were evaluated. Finally, the paper presents preliminary LCI results of another ORD effort comparing fuel additives ethanol and MTBE. These examples demonstrate that the move to bio‐based products is not an across ‐ the ‐ board “win” for the environment. While LCAs cannot, at this time, provide a definitive answer as to the preferability of bio‐based products, it is the best tool to identify environmental tradeoffs, thereby providing additional information to support decision‐making.
Mapping of bovine skeletal muscle proteins using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry
Authors: Bouley Julien , Chambon Christophe , Picard Brigitte 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe large individual variation in meat quality seen both within and between animals is not fully understood. Consequently, our long‐term goal is to identify reliable proteins which control or determine bovine meat quality. Using a proteomic approach, bovine skeletal muscle samples were analyzed by two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) using an immobilized pH 4–7 gradient in the first dimension and mass spectrometry. We first tested the reproducibility of the method. These experiments showed slightly greater intersample than intrasample variability. In order to evaluate the type of visualized proteins in 2‐DE, we initiated the construction of a protein reference map of bovine Semitendinosus muscle. In total, 129 protein spots corresponding to 75 different gene products were identified. Of these proteins, the largest portion is involved in metabolism (25.5%), cell structure (17%), cell defense (16%) and contractile apparatus (14.5%). One quarter of the identified proteins are represented by two or several protein spots and multiple isoforms of troponin T are present. Peptide mass fingerprint results indicate that these isoforms are partly generated by alternative splicing. The data presented here are an important step for further proteome analyses on bovine muscle. This may lead to progress in understanding the mechanisms controlling postmortem muscle metabolism and meat quality.
Proteomic analysis of adipocyte differentiation: Evidence that α2 macroglobulin is involved in the adipose conversion of 3T3 L1 preadipocytes
Authors: Choi Kai‐Luk , Wang Yu , Tse Cynthia A. , Lam Karen S. L. , Cooper Garth J. S. , Xu Aimin 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAdipogenesis is an important aspect of energy homeostasis. Here we have used a differential proteome mapping strategy to identify intracellular proteins that are differentially expressed during adipose conversion of 3T3 L1 preadipocytes. Two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis identified 8 proteins that are induced following hormone‐evoked differentiation. In addition, we found that a α2 macroglobulin fragment was abundantly present in 3T3 L1 preadipocytes, but was virtually undetectable in fully differentiated adipocytes. Metabolic radiolabeling with (35S)methionine and Northern blot analysis indicated that the intracellular α2 macroglobulin fragment in preadipocytes was derived from the extracellular culture medium, not de novo synthesis. Incubation of preadipocytes with an antiα2 macroglobulin polyclonal antibody caused depletion of the intracellular α2 macroglobulin fragments, and also enhanced spontaneous adipose conversion. These results suggest that intracellular α2 macroglobulin fragment inhibits adipocyte differentiation, and that hormone treatment induces differentiation at least in part by suppression of intracellular α2 macroglobulin activity in 3T3 L1 preadipocytes.
Persistent current oscillations in a series‐coupled double quantum dot embedded in a mesoscopic ring
Authors: Wu Shaoquan , Sun Weili , Wang Shunjin , Yu Wanlun 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe properties of the ground state of a series‐coupled double quantum dot embedded in a mesoscopic ring in the Kondo regime are studied theoretically by means of a two‐impurity Anderson Hamiltonian. The Hamiltonian is solved by means of the slave‐boson mean‐field theory. It is shown that two dots can be coupled coherently, which is reflected in the appearance of parity effects and the complex current–phase relation in this system. So this system might be a possible candidate for future device applications. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Probabilistic model‐set identification not assuming plant linearity
Authors: Oishi Yasuaki , Kimura Hidenori 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA model‐set identification algorithm is proposed in a probabilistic framework with its performance guarantee based on a leave‐one‐out technique. This algorithm provides a nominal model and a bound of its uncertainty for a provided plant assuming that the effect of past inputs decays with a known bound. Because it does not require further assumptions such as plant linearity and Gaussian noise, a risk to make inappropriate assumptions is small. The number of assumptions is shown to be minimum in the sense that identification is impossible after removing the assumption made here. Extension of the result is discussed in several directions. A simple plant is identified with the proposed algorithm for illustration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of caudal vs intravenous tramadol administered either preoperatively or postoperatively for pain relief in boys
Authors: Güneş Yasemin , Gündüz Murat , Ünlügenç Hakki , Özalevli Mehmet , Özcengiz Dilek 
Published: April 2004

SummaryBackground : In this study we compared caudal with intravenous (i.v.) tramadol given pre‐ or postoperatively for pain relief in boys having hypospadias repair.Methods : The study was approved by the Ethics Committee and informed written consent was obtained from the parents of each patient. Patients (n = 134), aged 1–3 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, scheduled for hypospadias surgery were recruited. The patients were randomly allocated to one of the four groups: group I (n = 33), received 2 mg·kg−1 (0.5 ml·kg−1) of caudal tramadol after the surgical procedure was completed, group II (n = 33) received 2 mg·kg−1 (0.5 ml·kg−1) of caudal tramadol before incision, group III (n = 34) received 2 mg·kg−1 tramadol intravenously, after surgery and group IV (n = 34) received 2 mg·kg−1 tramadol intravenously, after anaesthesia induction. When the patients were fully awake in the recovery area, heart rate, arterial pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, pain and sedation scores were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 min, and 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h postoperatively and side‐effects were noted. Pain was assessed using an objective pain score (OPS).Results : The OPS were lower in caudal tramadol groups than in i.v. tramadol groups only at 3 h (P < 0.05). The duration of postoperative analgesia was longer in the caudal groups than in the i.v. groups (P = 0.001). However, the duration of postoperative analgesia was unaffected by the timing of administration.Conclusions : Caudal tramadol provides better and longer lasting postoperative analgesia than i.v. tramadol. These results also suggest that preoperative caudal tramadol did not provide any clinically perceptible benefits compared with postoperative caudal tramadol.
Comparison of a Lower-lipid Propofol Emulsion with the Standard Emulsion for Sedation during Monitored Anesthesia Care
Authors: Song Dajun , Hamza Mohamed A. , White Paul F. , Byerly Stephanie I. , Jones Stephanie B. , Macaluso Amy D. 
Published: April 2004

Background
The currently used emulsion formulations of 1% propofol contain 10% soybean oil. However, a new emulsion of 1% propofol (Ampofol) containing 50% less lipid has recently become available for clinical investigation. This study was designed to compare the pharmacodynamic properties of Ampofol with those of a standard formulation (Diprivan) when administered for intraoperative sedation.

Methods
Sixty healthy outpatients undergoing minor operations with local anesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either Ampofol (n = 31) or Diprivan (n = 29) for intravenous sedation. The sedation was initiated with an intravenous loading dose of propofol, 0.75 mg/kg, followed by an initial infusion rate of 50 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) to achieve an Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score of 3. The targeted level of sedation was maintained with a variable-rate propofol infusion during the operation. The onset times to achieving a sedation score of 3, the severity of pain on injection of the loading dose, intraoperative hemodynamic variables, and electroencephalographic Bispectral Index values were recorded. In addition, recovery times, postoperative pain and nausea, and patient satisfaction with the sedative medication were assessed.

Results
There were no significant differences between Ampofol and Diprivan with respect to onset times, dosage requirements, Bispectral Index values, hemodynamic variables, recovery times, or patient satisfaction scores. The incidence of moderate pain on injection was higher in the Ampofol group (26%vs. 7% with Diprivan; P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Ampofol was equipotent to Diprivan with respect to its sedative properties during monitored anesthesia care. Although both groups received pretreatment with intravenous lidocaine, Ampofol was associated with more pain on injection.
Can Acceleromyography Detect Low Levels of Residual Paralysis?
Authors: Capron Florent , Alla Francois , Hottier Claire , Meistelman Claude , Fuchs-Buder Thomas 
Published: April 2004

Background
The incidence of residual paralysis, i.e., a mechanomyographic train-of-four (TOF) ratio (T4/T1) less than 0.9, remains frequent. Routine acceleromyography has been proposed to detect residual paralysis in clinical practice. Although acceleromyographic data are easy to obtain, they differ from mechanomyographic data, with which they are not interchangeable. The current study aimed to determine (1) the acceleromyographic TOF ratio that detects residual paralysis with a 95% probability, and (2) the impact of calibration and normalization on this predictive acceleromyographic value.

Methods
In 60 patients, recovery from neuromuscular block was assessed simultaneously with mechanomyography and acceleromyography. To obtain calibrated acceleromyographic TOF ratios in group A, the implemented calibration modus 2 was activated in the TOF-Watch S; to obtain uncalibrated acceleromyographic TOF ratios in group B, the current was manually set at 50 mA (n = 30 for each). In addition, data in group B were normalized (i.e., dividing the final TOF ratio by the baseline value). The agreement between mechanomyography and acceleromyography was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient. Negative predictive values were calculated for detecting residual paralysis from acceleromyographic TOFs of 0.9, 0.95, and 1.0.

Results

Group A
: For a mechanomyographic TOF of 0.9 or greater, the corresponding acceleromyographic TOF was 0.95 (range, 0.86-1.0), and the negative predictive values for acceleromyographic TOFs of 0.9, 0.95, and 1.0 were 37% (95% CI, 20-56%), 70% (95% CI, 51-85%), and 97% (95% CI, 83-100%), respectively. Group B: Without normalization, an acceleromyographic TOF of 0.97 (range, 0.68-1.18) corresponded to a mechanomyographic TOF of 0.9 or greater, with negative predictive values for acceleromyographic TOFs of 0.9, 0.95, and 1.0 being 40% (95% CI, 23-59%), 60% (95% CI, 41-77%), and 77% (95% CI, 58-90%), respectively. After normalization, an acceleromyographic TOF of 0.89 (range, 0.63-1.06) corresponded to a mechanomyographic TOF of 0.9 or greater, and the negative predictive values of acceleromyographic TOFs of 0.9, 0.95, and 1.0 were 89% (95% CI, 70-98%), 92% (95% CI, 75-99%), and 96% (95% CI, 80-100%), respectively.

Conclusion
To exclude residual paralysis reliably when using acceleromyography, TOF recovery to 1.0 is mandatory.
Propofol Modulates γ-Aminobutyric Acid–mediated Inhibitory Neurotransmission to Cardiac Vagal Neurons in the Nucleus Ambiguus
Authors: Wang Xin , Huang Zheng-Gui , Gold Allison , Bouairi Evguenia , Evans Cory , Andresen Michael C. , Mendelowitz David 
Published: April 2004

Background
Although it is well recognized that anesthetics modulate the central control of cardiorespiratory homeostasis, the cellular mechanisms by which anesthetics alter cardiac parasympathetic activity are poorly understood. One common site of action of anesthetics is inhibitory neurotransmission. This study investigates the effect of propofol on gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABAergic) and glycinergic neurotransmission to cardiac parasympathetic neurons.

Methods
Cardiac parasympathetic neurons were identified in vitro by the presence of a retrograde fluorescent tracer, and spontaneous GABAergic and glycinergic synaptic currents were examined using whole cell patch clamp techniques.

Results
Propofol at concentrations of 1.0 microm and greater significantly (P < 0.05) increased the duration and decay time of spontaneous GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents. To determine whether the action of propofol was at presynaptic or postsynaptic sites, tetrodotoxin was applied to isolate miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Propofol at concentrations of 1.0 microm and greater significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged the decay time and duration of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents, indicating that propofol directly alters GABAergic neurotransmission at a postsynaptic site. Propofol at high concentrations (> or =50 microm) also inhibited the frequency of both GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Propofol at concentrations up to 50 microm had no effect on glycinergic neurotransmission.

Conclusions
Propofol may vary heart rate by modulating GABAergic neurotransmission to cardiac parasympathetic neurons. At clinically relevant concentrations (> or =1.0 microm), propofol facilitated GABAergic responses in cardiac vagal neurons by increasing decay time, which would increase inhibition of cardioinhibitory cardiac vagal neurons and evoke an increase in heart rate. At higher supraclinical concentrations (> or =50 microm), propofol inhibits GABAergic neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons, which would evoke a decrease in heart rate.
Lidocaine Inhibits Tyrosine Kinase Activity of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Suppresses Proliferation of Corneal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Hirata Masashi , Sakaguchi Masahiro , Mochida Chikako , Sotozono Chie , Kageyama Kyoko , Kuroda Yoshihiro , Hirose Munetaka 
Published: April 2004

Background
Although lidocaine is recognized as an excellent topical corneal analgesic, its toxic effect on corneal epithelial cells limits its use during corneal epithelial wound healing. Mechanism of the impairment of corneal reepithelialization with lidocaine, however, has not been evaluated. The authors' previous study revealed that lidocaine inhibits the activity of tyrosine kinase receptors through the interaction with specific amino acid sequences around autophosphorylation sites, including acidic, basic, and aromatic amino acids. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a tyrosine kinase receptor with an important role in epithelial cell proliferation after corneal wounding, also possesses these amino acids sequences around autophosphorylation sites. The authors hypothesized that lidocaine would suppress tyrosine kinase activity of EGFR and would impair corneal epithelial cell proliferation.

Methods
To investigate the effect of lidocaine (4 microM-40 mM) on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated autophosphorylation of EGFR, the authors studied purified EGFR in microtubes. They cultured human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) with EGF and lidocaine to investigate the effect of lidocaine on cell proliferation and on autophosphorylation of EGFR in HCECs.

Results
Lidocaine (> or =400 microM) significantly suppressed EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of the purified EGFR. In the HCEC study, EGF alone stimulated cell proliferation and increased autophosphorylation of EGFR in HCECs. Lidocaine (> or = 400 microM) significantly suppressed both the proliferation of HCECs promoted by EGF and EGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of EGFR.

Conclusion
Lidocaine directly inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of EGFR and suppresses the corneal epithelial cell proliferation.
Isoflurane Differentially Modulates Medullary ON and OFF Neurons While Suppressing Hind-limb Motor Withdrawals
Authors: Jinks Steven L. , Carstens Earl , Antognini Joseph F. 
Published: April 2004

Background
Isoflurane acts primarily in the spinal cord to block movement; however, it is unclear how supraspinal sites might contribute to anesthetic effects on quantified parameters of movement such as force.

Methods
The authors investigated the effects of isoflurane on spontaneous and noxious heat-evoked activity of nociceptive reflex-modulating ON and OFF cells in the rostral ventromedial medulla of rats. Single ON or OFF neurons were recorded simultaneously with hind-limb withdrawal force elicited by graded noxious thermal hind paw stimulation. Isoflurane concentrations were administered in reference to each animal's minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane.

Results
From 0.65 to 1.15 MAC, isoflurane dose-dependently reduced spontaneous activity of ON cells by 70% (P < 0.001). OFF-cell spontaneous activity was dose-dependently increased 138% (P < 0.001). ON-cell heat-evoked activity was depressed 95% by isoflurane from 0.65 to 1.15 MAC (P < 0.001). Isoflurane-induced changes in ON- and OFF-cell activity paralleled similar reductions in withdrawal force, with the largest change in both neuronal activity and withdrawal force occurring between 0.85 and 1.15 MAC. For the lowest stimulus temperature, excitatory responses of ON cells and inhibitory responses of OFF cells were significantly greater for trials in which withdrawals occurred than for trials in which no withdrawal occurred, suggesting that responses in both classes of neurons were related to movement rather than the stimulus alone.

Conclusions
The results show that isoflurane modulation of ON- and OFF-cell activity corresponds to anesthetic-induced reductions in hind-limb withdrawal force, and therefore, the effects of isoflurane on these classes of neurons in rostral ventromedial medulla might contribute to motor depression.
Ultrasound-guided Lumbar Facet Nerve Block
Authors: Greher Manfred , Scharbert Gisela , Kamolz Lars P. , Beck Harald , Gustorff Burkhard , Kirchmair Lukas , Kapral Stephan 
Published: April 2004

Background
Lumbar facet nerve (medial branch) block for pain relief in facet syndrome is currently performed under fluoroscopic or computed tomography scan guidance. In this three-part study, the authors developed a new ultrasound-guided methodology, described the necessary landmarks and views, assessed ultrasound-derived distances, and tested the clinical feasibility.

Methods
(1) A paravertebral cross-axis view and long-axis view were defined under high-resolution ultrasound (15 MHz). Three needles were guided to the target point at L3-L5 in a fresh, nonembalmed cadaver under ultrasound (2-6 MHz) and were subsequently traced by means of dissection. (2) The lumbar regions of 20 volunteers (9 women, 11 men; median age, 36 yr [23-67 yr]; median body mass index, 23 kg/m2 [19-36 kg/m2]) were studied with ultrasound (3.5 MHz) to assess visibility of landmarks and relevant distances at L3-L5 in a total of 240 views. (3) Twenty-eight ultrasound-guided blocks were performed in five patients (two women, three men; median age, 51 yr [31-68 yr]) and controlled under fluoroscopy.

Results
In the cadaver, needle positions were correct as revealed by dissection at all three levels. In the volunteers, ultrasound landmarks were delineated as good in 19 and of sufficient quality in one (body mass index, 36 kg/m2). Skin-target distances increased from L3 to L5, reaching statistical significance (*, **P < 0.05) between these levels on both sides: L3r, 45+/-6 mm*; L4r, 48+/-7 mm; L5r, 50+/-6 mm*; L3l, 44+/-5 mm**; L4l, 47+/-6 mm; L5l, 50+/-6 mm**. In patients, 25 of 28 ultrasound-guided needles were placed accurately, with the remaining three closer than 5 mm to the radiologically defined target point.

Conclusion
Ultrasound guidance seems to be a promising new technique with clinical relevance and the potential to increase practicability while avoiding radiation in lumbar facet nerve block.
Effect of Methylprednisolone on Neuropathic Pain and Spinal Glial Activation in Rats
Authors: Takeda Kenji , Sawamura Shigehito , Sekiyama Hiroshi , Tamai Hisayoshi , Hanaoka Kazuo 
Published: April 2004

Background
Basic data are lacking regarding the efficacy and mechanisms of action of corticosteroids in neuropathic pain. Because recent studies indicate that spinal glial activation mediates the pathologic pain states, the authors sought to determine the effects of systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone on the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain and spinal glial activation in a rat model.

Methods
Rats were anesthetized, and L5 and L6 spinal nerves were tightly ligated. Then, continuous infusion of systemic (4 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) or intrathecal (80 microg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) methylprednisolone or saline was started. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were evaluated on days 4 and 7 postoperatively with von Frey and Hargreaves tests, respectively. Spinal astrocytic activation was evaluated with glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity on day 7. In other groups of rats, continuous 3-day treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone or saline was started 7 days after spinal nerve ligation, when neuropathic pain had already developed. Behavioral tests and immunostaining were performed up to 3 weeks after the treatment.

Results
Spinal nerve ligation induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia on days 4 and 7 postoperatively. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was remarkably enhanced on day 7. Both systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone inhibited the development of neuropathic pain states and glial activation. Three-day treatment with intrathecal methylprednisolone reversed existing neuropathic pain state and glial activation up to 3 weeks after the treatment.

Conclusion
: Systemic and intrathecal methylprednisolone inhibited spinal glial activation and the development and maintenance of a neuropathic pain state in a rat model of spinal nerve ligation.