bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are there changes in leg vascular resistance during laparoscopic cholecystectomy with CO2 pneumoperitoneum?
Authors: Andersson L. E. , Jogestrand T. , Thörne A. , Sollevi A. , Odeberg‐Wernerman S. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  The prompt haemodynamic response to carbon dioxide insufflation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy suggests involvement of the sympathetic system. The aim of the present study was to examine if a change in vascular resistance in leg skeletal muscle could be an important mechanism behind the increased afterload. Furthermore, the arterio‐venous differences of the catecholamines were measured in the leg before and during insufflation of carbon dioxide into the peritoneal cavity.Methods:  Ten patients (ASA I) scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. After induction of anaesthesia, catheters were introduced percutaneously into the radial artery, the femoral vein and the cubital vein for pressure monitoring and blood sampling. The arterial blood flow in the legs was measured by mercury‐in‐Silastic strain gauge venous occlusion plethysmography. Vascular resistance in the right leg (LVR) was calculated from the formula: (MAP–FVP)/calf blood flow. Measurements were made before and 5 min after insufflation of pneumoperitoneum.Results:  Induction of pneumoperitoneum increased the heart rate (P < 0.05) and also increased mean arterial pressure and femoral vein pressure as well as the calculated leg vascular resistance (P < 0.01). Calf blood flow did not change significantly in either leg. Both arterial and venous noradrenaline concentrations were higher after insufflation (P < 0.01).Conclusion:  In patients without heart or lung disease, pneumoperitoneum at an intra‐abdominal pressure level of 11–13 mmHg increased the peripheral vascular resistance in the leg while the arterial blood flow in the leg was unaffected. Catecholamine levels increased, but were still low. Therefore, we suggest that the increase in peripheral vascular resistance is caused by increased myogenic activity in the resistance vessels secondary to increased arterial and transmural pressure rather than by increased neurogenic sympathetic activity.
Variability of duration of action of neuromuscular‐blocking drugs in elderly patients
Authors: Arain S. R. , Kern S. , Ficke D. J. , Ebert T. J. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Steroid‐based, non‐depolarizing neuromuscular‐blocking (NMB) drugs (e.g. rocuronium, vecuronium) are characterized by organ‐dependent elimination and significantly longer durations of action in elderly compared to young patients. Cisatracurium is a benzylisoquinolinium NMB drug with a duration of action not altered by ageing. The objective of the study was to determine if elderly patients had less variability in duration of action with 2 × ED95 of cisatracurium compared to equipotent doses of rocuronium or vecuronium.Methods:  Informed consent was obtained from 66 elderly patients with normal renal and liver function. Preoperative midazolam (1 mg) was given IV. The anaesthestic induction was with 5 mg kg−1 thiopental and 2 µg kg−1 fentanyl. The patients received 0.6 mg kg−1 rocuronium, 0.1 mg kg−1 vecuronium or 0.1 mg kg−1 cisatracurium. Anaesthetic maintenance was with sevoflurane in oxygen/nitrous oxide. Neuromuscular‐blocking duration of action was defined as the return of T1 twitch height to 25% of control. Variability was determined by subtracting the actual duration of action from the mean duration of action for each drug.Results:  The durations of action (range, min) were: cisatracurium, 37–81; vecuronium, 35–137; and rocuronium, 33–119. The median of the variability of duration was significantly less with cisatracurium (7 min) compared to vecuronium (18 min) and rocuronium (18 min) (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  When used with sevoflurane/N2O, there was a two‐fold greater variability of duration of neuromuscular blockade in elderly patients receiving rocuronium or vecuronium compared with cisatracurium.
Increase in the use of rebreathing gas flow systems and in the utilization of low fresh gas flows in Finnish anaesthetic practice from 1995 to 2002
Authors: Tohmo H. , Antila H. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  The use of rebreathing systems together with low fresh gas flows saves anaesthetic gases, reduces the costs of anaesthesia, causes less environmental and ergonomic adverse effects, i.e. less air contamination in the operating room, and has favourable physiological effects. We assessed whether the use of non‐rebreathing vs. rebreathing gas flow systems and high vs. lower fresh gas flows has changed during recent years.Methods:  The use of rebreathing and non‐rebreathing systems and the utilization of fresh gas flows were evaluated by sending a questionnaire to the heads of anaesthesia departments at all public health care hospitals in Finland in 1996 and 2003. The data was gathered from the previous years 1995 and 2002, respectively.Results:  The use of rebreathing systems increased from 62% to 83% of all instances of general anaesthesia (P < 0.001). In rebreathing gas flow systems, there was a significant shift from high fresh gas flows (3 l min−1 and more) towards lower fresh gas flows (between 1 to 2 l min−1 and even below 1 l min−1) (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  The benefits of low fresh gas flows have now been achieved in most instances of rebreathing system anaesthesia, which was not the case in 1995.
Less postoperative nausea and vomiting after propofol + remifentanil versus propofol + fentanyl anaesthesia during plastic surgery
Authors: Rama‐Maceiras P. , Ferreira T. A. , Molíns N. , Sanduende Y. , Bautista A. P. , Rey T. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  The effect of different opioids on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has not been conclusively determined yet, thus the aim of this study was to compare the incidence of PONV in propofol‐anaesthetized patients receiving either fentanyl or remifentanil as opioid supplement.Methods:  Sixty ASA physical status I and II patients scheduled for plastic surgery gave their written informed consent for this prospective, randomized, double‐blind study. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol, rocuronium and fentanyl (n = 30; 2 µg kg−1) or remifentanil (n = 30; 1 µg kg−1). After tracheal intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with propofol, oxygen in air and an infusion of the opioid studied, which was modified according to clinical criteria. Baseline postoperative analgesia was achieved with intravenous propacetamol + metamizol. Intravenous morphine was given if visual analogic scale (VAS) for pain was ≥ 4 (scale 0–10) and metoclopramide was administered if a patient presented ≥ 2 PONV episodes (nausea or vomiting) in less than 30 min. Postoperatively (2, 12 and 24 h), we registered VAS, rescue morphine consumption, number of patients with episodes of PONV and number of patients requiring metoclopramide. P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results:  There were no significant differences between groups in the demographic parameters, ASA physical status, propofol dose, VAS, and rescue morphine requirements. Fourteen patients in the fentanyl group and four in the remifentanil group presented PONV episodes 2–12 h postoperative hours' interval; (P < 0.05). Ten patients in the fentanyl group and four in the remifentanil group presented vomiting episodes in the same period (P < 0.05); and eight patients in the fentanyl group and one in the remifentanil group required metoclopramide; (P < 0.05). The number of postoperative PONV episodes were low, both in the 0–2‐h period (n = 2 vs. n = 1, fentanyl and remifentanil, respectively) and in the 12–24‐h period (n = 3 vs. n = 1).Conclusion:  Propofol + fentanyl anaesthesia resulted in a higher incidence of PONV and requirements of antiemetic drugs in the period between 2 and 12 postoperative hours compared with propofol + remifentanil, in patients undergoing plastic surgery.
Body fat distribution and leptin correlation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Endocrine and biochemical evaluation in south Indian population
Authors: RAM MANI RAVISHANKAR , SUNDARARAMAN PULLIANGUDI GOKULAKRISHNAN , MALATHI RAGHUNATHAN 
Published: March 2005

Aims:   Obesity is associated with the increased prevalence of infertility and is also an independent risk factor in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which the ob gene product, leptin, alone or in combination with other metabolic and endocrinal parameters, may be correlated to infertility with the incidence of PCOS.Methods:  Serum leptin levels were measured in both PCOS and non‐PCOS subjects of the following categories, such as thin, overweight, obese and morbidly obese, and compared with normal weight women. Female infertility is associated with body mass index, percentage of body fat, body fat distribution, and other biochemical and endocrinal parameters parameters.Results:  Women with PCOS and normally menstruating control women were analyzed by univariate analysis for body fat distribution. Serum leptin was positively correlated with body mass index, percentage of body fat, serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, free testosterone, luteinizing hormone and prolactin. Serum leptin was inversely correlated with serum sex hormone‐binding globulin concentration and androstenedione.Conclusions:  We report, for the first time in the Indian population, that leptin levels are different in thin and morbidly obese PCOS patients than in regularly menstruating normal weight subjects, and leptin could be a novel, independent risk factor for PCOS. (Reprod Med Biol 2005; 4: 71–78)
Ovarian follicular development in the unilateral ovariectomized rat
Authors: KAGABU SATOSI , UMEZU MOTOAKI 
Published: March 2005

Background and Aims:  Following unilateral ovariectomy, the contralateral ovary underwent hypertrophy and the number of ovulations remained unchanged. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism, which occurred by this compensation, through examination of ovarian follicular development in operated rats.Methods:  Rats were examined 1–8 weeks post unilateral operation. The ovaries were serially sectioned. All sections were examined and the size of each follicle was measured.Results:  Large follicles soon recovered after surgery, but it took 5 weeks for small and medium‐sized follicles to recover. The rate of atresia at the ‘critical point’ was 31.1% in unilateral ovariectomized animals and 73.9% in the sham‐operated rats.Conclusions:  These findings showed that in operated rats, the recovery of the number of follicles varied depending on the size of the follicle. Compared with the control animals, approximately twice as many large healthy follicles were saved from atresia at the ‘critical point’, producing a compensatory increase in the ovulation number (P < 0.01). (Reprod Med Biol 2005; 4: 89–93)
Low Income Dynamics in 1990s Britain
Authors: JARVIS SARAH , JENKINS STEPHEN P. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis paper analyses low income dynamics in Britain using the first four waves of the British Household Panel Survey. There is much low income turnover: although there is a small group of people who are persistently poor, more striking is the relatively large number of low income escapers and entrants from one year to the next. Simulations using estimated low income exit and re‐entry rates demonstrate the importance of repeated low income spells for explaining a person's experience of low income over a given period. We also document the characteristics of low income stayers, escapers and entrants.
Binding Rulings
Authors: CHAN WINNIE 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAfter a period of consultation, it has been decided that the Revenue should be empowered to issue legally‐binding rulings in favour of taxpayers only where the relevant transaction has already taken place. This paper considers the reasons for having binding rulings, and argues that those reasons justify implementing pre‐ as well as post‐transaction rulings. Additionally, it is contended that many of the more detailed aspects of the proposal warrant reconsideration in light of those underlying rationales. JEL classification: H20, K34.
European Pension Systems: A Simulation Analysis
Authors: KENC TURALAY , PERRAUDIN WILLIAM 
Published: March 2005

Pension systems in different countries vary widely in such aspects as the dependence of benefits on earlier labour income, the minimum permitted retirement age and limits on labour supply after retirement. This paper uses a simulation model of a rational, utility‐maximising household facing the detailed pension provisions of eight European countries to study microeconomic distortions induced by the different rules and regulations. We examine in particular the impact on savings, labour supply, retirement age decisions and welfare. JEL classification: H55, J26, J65.
The Windfall Tax
Authors: CHENNELLS LUCY 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis paper analyses the windfall tax on the privatised utilities, introduced in the 1997 Budget. It describes the main arguments put forward for the tax and sets out the details of its scope, scale and method of implementation. The tax is examined against the guidelines of economic efficiency, fairness and administrative feasibility. A one‐off tax based on past profits should be efficient, provided that the statement that it is one‐off is credible. However, as a tax levied on companies, it does not directly tax the windfall gains that were made in the past by shareholders in the companies concerned. JEL classification: H25, L51, L98.
Simplifying the Formal Structure of UK Income Tax
Authors: MCCRAE JULIAN 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe tax system in the UK has developed through numerous ad hoc changes to its structure. This has resulted in a situation where the way in which the tax system is described does not readily correspond to the marginal rate schedule actually faced by taxpayers. This paper outlines the connection between the formal description of the tax system and the marginal rate schedule faced by taxpayers. It argues that the operation of the tax system would be greatly clarified if it were described explicitly in terms of its marginal rate schedule.
Forecasting the Public Finances in the Treasury
Authors: PIKE TIM , SAVAGE DAVID 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis article describes the methods used by the Treasury and other government departments for making forecasts of the public finances. A highly detailed approach is required because of the Treasury's budgetary role, but the aggregated results are subjected to careful ‘top‐down’ checks. Forecasts have a necessary role in fiscal policy. But they are subject to large margins of error, and should be presented and used with caution. JEL classification: E6, H1, H6.
Modelling and Forecasting UK Public Finances
Authors: SENTENCE ANDREW , HALL STEPHEN , O'SULLIVAN JOHN 
Published: March 2005

AbstractIn this paper, we present a new model of UK public finances which aims to shed light on recent problems of forecasting the PSBR. The main elements of public spending are treated as endogenous variables which rise in line with GDP over the medium term. Also, the cyclical response of public borrowing to rises in the level of economic activity is more muted when growth is export‐led than when it is consumer‐led. These two features go a long way towards explaining the rapid deterioration of public finances in the early 1990s and the slow pace of improvement since 1993. JEL classification: C53, E62, H62.
Private Opportunity, Public Benefit?
Authors: HALL JOHN 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe newly elected Labour government has pledged to ‘reinvigorate the Private Finance Initiative’, as part of the new emphasis on ‘public/private partnerships’ in the delivery of core public services. This article assesses the merits of using private finance to deliver public services against three criteria: whether it will lead to additional investment in social infrastructure, whether it represents good value for the taxpayer's money and whether the use of private finance will reduce the public sector's flexibility to pursue its public service objectives. JEL classification: H54, H11.
Asset Wealth and Asset Decumulation among Households in the Retirement Survey
Authors: DISNEY RICHARD , JOHNSON PAUL , STEARS GARY 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThis paper examines the asset positions of households at and around retirement in Britain using the Retirement Survey ‘waves’ of 1988–89 and 1994. The data provide the first panel evidence on retirement behaviour and asset evolution for a sample of older households in Britain. The analysis in this paper shows the importance of housing and private pension wealth for this age‐group in Britain, and also the differential wealth holdings between surviving respondents and those who died or failed to respond for other reasons in 1994. It provides some preliminary evidence as to whether households decumulate assets after retirement in accordance with the ‘textbook’ version of the Life‐Cycle Hypothesis of consumption.
Responses of Nondormant Black Willow (Salix nigra) Cuttings to Preplanting Soaking and Soil Moisture
Authors: Pezeshki S. R. , Brown C. E. , Elcan J. M. , Douglas Shields F. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract The use of willow cuttings for streambank stabilization is a common practice in riparian ecosystems throughout the United States. Many environmental factors govern the outcome of such planting. However, other factors such as preplanting treatments, planting methods, and physiological status of cuttings (dormant vs. actively growing) may also be crucial in determining the survival of willow cuttings. Actively growing (nondormant) Black willow (Salix nigra) cuttings, 30 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter at the base, were subjected to three soaking treatments (0, 7, and 15 days) prior to planting. Following the initial treatment, cuttings were grown in a greenhouse in pots under three soil moisture regimes (well‐watered but not flooded, permanently flooded, and intermittently flooded). Plant gas exchange, growth, biomass, and survival were measured. Results demonstrated that soaking for 7 days was beneficial to early development of cuttings in the well‐watered (control) soil moisture regime, enhancing percent bud flush and survival significantly. However, 15 days of soaking proved to be detrimental to survival of cuttings irrespective of soil moisture regimes. Results also demonstrated that the beneficial effects of 7‐day soaking were limited to the well‐watered soil moisture regime but not to the flooded or intermittently flooded regimes. Soaking nondormant cuttings may be worthwhile if the planting site is likely to present ample soil moisture but nonflooded conditions to the transplanted cuttings.
Capsule Treatments to Enhance Seedling Emergence of Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis
Authors: Burgess L. M. , Hild A. L. , Shaw N. L. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract Management of riparian vegetation is difficult because these communities are frequently impacted by herbivores, invasive weeds, and altered hydrologic regimes. Multiple and intertwined factors affecting rare species recruitment are particularly difficult to identify. Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis Munz (Gaura) is a short‐lived perennial forb endemic to riparian areas in mixed‐grass prairies of Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado, U.S.A. It became a federally listed threatened species in October 2000. Because the species is a recruitment‐limited monocarpic perennial, we studied the effects of six capsule‐collection dates, a 2‐month cool‐moist stratification, 24‐hr leaching, and 24‐hr imbibition on Gaura seedling emergence. Seedling emergence did not vary with collection date. Capsules collected from Gaura plants grown at the Bridger Plant Materials Center in Montana exhibited greater emergence than capsules harvested from endemic populations near Cheyenne, Wyoming, suggesting that maternal plant growing conditions impact dormancy. Because cool‐moist stratification enhanced seedling emergence of Gaura and leaching did not, sufficient moisture during cool temperatures may be more critical than leaching of germination inhibitors as might occur with normal stream flows. Spring flooding may enhance Gaura recruitment by increasing the availability of riparian sites that are inundated during periods of cool temperatures. If so, hydrologic and climatic regimes must be considered in restoring the unique conditions needed for germination of this rare riparian endemic.
Effects of Multispecies Clumping on Survival of Three Succulent Plant Species Translocated onto Mine Spoil in the Succulent Karoo Desert, South Africa
Authors: Blignaut A. , Milton S. J. 
Published: March 2005

Abstract Salvaging from premining areas and translocation of succulent plants has been investigated for the revegetation of gypsiferous mine spoil in an arid region of South Africa. Given that facilitation effects are thought to outweigh competition effects in harsh environments, we hypothesized that the survival of translocated succulents would be higher when planted in multispecies clumps than alone and that the growth rate (measured as stem extension) and fruit‐set would be greater for plants in clumps than for those planted alone. Two leaf‐succulent species (Aridaria noctiflora ssp. noctiflora and Drosanthemum deciduum) and one stem‐succulent species (Psilocaulon dinteri) were salvaged from the area destined for mining and translocated onto the mine spoil. These plants were planted either in a multispecies clump of the three species together or alone. One year after translocation, 67% of the plants survived. It was also found that the succulents used in these experiments survived in higher numbers when planted alone. Due to the similar root morphology of D. deciduum and P. dinteri, they competed for resources instead of facilitating each other's establishment. The results were variable for each of the species used, and neither growth nor seed‐set was improved by clumping. These findings would also possibly vary from year to year with different abiotic conditions.
Aboveground Biomass Removal by Burning and Raking Increases Diversity in a Reconstructed Prairie
Authors: Tix D. , Charvat I. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractPrescribed spring burning often contributes to a predominance of C4grasses and low forb abundance and is impractical at many sites, especially near development. We tested raking after mowing as an alternative to prescribed burning in a reconstructed Minnesota prairie. We also tested mowing without raking as a possible means of maintaining prairie communities. Frequency, flowering stem abundance, and cover were measured for all plant species and native functional groups (C4grasses, C3graminoids, forbs, legumes, and annual or biennial forbs). Mowing alone did not differ from the control in its effect on any functional groups of plants. Round‐headed bush clover (Lespedeza capitata), a legume, and Black‐eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), a biennial, increased in frequency with treatments that removed biomass (i.e., fire or raking), but they did not have significantly more flowering stems. Thus, new plants established well from seed, whereas the vitality of mature plants did not change. Raking had similar effects to burning on most functional groups, although flowering stems of C4grasses were significantly more abundant after fire than after raking. Burning reduced some C3forbs and grasses and favored the dominance of C4grasses. Therefore, raking after mowing in the spring provides an alternative to prescribed burning that has many of the same positive aspects as fire but does not promote aggressive C4grasses to the same extent.