bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of electromyography (sEMG) in measuring muscular activity during spinal anaesthesia in patients undergoing knee arthroplasty
Authors: Niemi‐Murola L. , Paloheimo M. 
Published: March 2005

Background:  Bromage scale (0–3) is used to measure the degree of motor block during spinal anaesthesia. However, an estimation of motor block is difficult during surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of surface EMG describing spontaneous muscular activity in the lower extremities during spinal anaesthesia.Methods:  In part I of the study, 13 patients undergoing day case surgery were studied. They received 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine at interspace L3–4. EMG, sensory and muscular block were measured at 5‐min intervals during the first 30 min and then every 15 min until the patient was able to flex the knee. In part II of the study, 16 patients undergoing knee arthroplasty received 10 mg bupivacaine through spinal catheter at interspace L3–4 (Group CSA). An additional bolus of 2.5 mg was administered using EMG‐guidance, if needed. Another group, 15 patients, received a single bolus of bupivacaine (15–20 mg) at L3–4 (Group Bolus). EMG, muscular and sensory block were monitored as described above. The epidural catheter was used as rescue.Results:  Part I: EMG compared to modified Bromage scale showed a significant correlation (P < 0.01, Spearman rank correlation). Part II: The amount of bupivacaine was significantly reduced with EMG guidance when compared with the single bolus group (14.0 mg vs. 17.0 mg) (P < 0.05 Mann–Whitney U). Motor block started to recover before the sensory block in 7/15 CSA patients vs. 1/15 Bolus patient.Conclusion:  Stable maximal sensory block does not necessarily correlate with adequate motor block in patients receiving spinal anaesthesia induced with small bolus doses. In spite of electrical noise, EMG‐guided administration of spinal anaesthesia significantly reduced the amount of bupivacaine compared to the hospital routine. Further studies are needed to develop the method.
Management of the difficult pediatric airway with Shikani Optical StyletTM
Authors: SHUKRY MOHANAD , HANSON RYAN D. , KOVELESKIE JOSEPH R. , RAMADHYANI USHA 
Published: March 2005

SummaryThe airways of children with many craniofacial and mandibulofacial malformations often present unique challenges to the anesthesiologists. We report the application of Shikani Optical StyletTM (SOS) in facilitating the tracheal intubation of four children with history of difficult airway management. The SOS combines the benefits of the lightwand and fiberoptic bronchoscope.
Impact of occult hepatitis B virus infection on efficacy and prognosis of interferon‐α therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Hasegawa Izumi , Orito Etsuro , Tanaka Yasuhito , Hirashima Noboru , Sakakibara Kenji , Sakurai Mayumi , Suzuki Seiji , Sugauchi Fuminaka , Ohno Tomoyoshi , Ueda Ryuzo , Mizokami Masashi 
Published: March 2005

Abstract:Background/Aims: It is reported that some patients with undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of occult HBV infection on the efficacy and prognosis of interferon‐α (IFN) therapy in HCV patients.Methods: One hundred and forty HCV patients without HBsAg who received IFN therapy were studied. Serum HBV DNA was quantified by real‐time detection polymerase chain reaction.Results: Of 140 patients, 11 (7.9%) were HBV DNA‐positive before IFN therapy. The serum HBV DNA levels ranged from 106 to 884 copies/ml. Four of these 11 patients showed a sustained virologic response by IFN, compared with 39 of 129 without HBV DNA (P=NS). Interestingly, two of the 11 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after therapy, compared with 16 of 129 without HBV DNA (P=NS). In the serial study, serum HBV DNA was transiently undetectable during and after IFN; however, most became positive during follow‐up.Conclusions: Occult HBV infection may not have a significant impact on response to IFN therapy for chronic HCV and development of HCC after therapy. Occult HBV may be sensitive to IFN although HBV is not completely eradicated.
Patients' satisfaction following implant therapy
Authors: Pjetursson Bjarni E. , Karoussis Ioannis , Bürgin Walter , Brägger Urs , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractAim: To analyse the patients' perception of implant therapy, 10 years following installation of titanium oral implants.Material and methods: As a part of a prospective cohort study of patients with ITI® dental implants, 104 patients were recruited to answer a questionnaire with 13 statements on the subjective perception of implant treatment, 5–15 years after implant installation (mean: 10.2 years). In addition, the patients were asked to mark a visual analogue scale (VAS) in which 0 indicated ‘total discontent’ and 100 ‘total satisfaction’ with the statements mentioned in the questionnaire. Results from the qualified questions answered were then compared with those obtained from VAS analysis.Results: One hundred and four patients, with 214 installed oral implants participated. Forty‐eight percent of the implants were reconstructed with single crowns and 52% with fixed partial dentures (FPD). The cumulative survival rate of the implants at 10 years was 93%. Two of the statements addressing function and chewing comfort yielded very high patient satisfaction (97% highly satisfied or satisfied, mean VAS: 94±13). Comparing chewing comfort for teeth or implants, respectively, 72.1% perceived no difference between the two, 17.3% felt more secure when masticating on teeth and 7.7% when masticating on implants (mean VAS: 54±24). The vast majority (96%, mean VAS: 96±10) was highly satisfied or satisfied with phonetic function and with aesthetics (97%, mean VAS: 93±13). A great majority of the patients (93%, mean VAS: 89±19) had no problems with cleansing the implant reconstruction. Indeed, one‐third (37%, mean VAS: 55±27) indicated more ease to clean implants than to clean teeth. About half of the patients (47%) had noticed bleeding of the mucosa or the gingiva following brushing. In addition, half (47%) of those noticing bleeding felt that bleeding was less marked around implants than around teeth. Again, the vast majority of patients (92%, mean VAS: 92±14) indicated complete fulfilment of the treatment, i.e. the outcome satisfied their expectations. The same majority (94%, mean VAS: 93±17) would be willing to undergo the same treatment again, and (89%, mean VAS: 93±16) would even recommend such treatment to friends and relatives, if indicated. The cost for implant therapy was deemed to be reasonable to a large extent (87%, mean VAS: 85±20).Conclusion: Using oral implants, more than 90% of the patients were completely satisfied with implant therapy, both from a functional and aesthetic point of view. The costs associated with implant therapy were considered to be justified. This was determined by both qualified questions and the use of VAS after 10 years of function.
Studies on immunological, biochemical, hematological and growth regulation by Scomber scombrus fish protein extract supplementation in young pigs
Authors: LOMBARDI Valter R. M. , FERNANDEZ‐NOVOA Lucía , ETCHEVERRIA Ignacio , SEOANE Silvia , CACABELOS Ramón 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTSeveral trials with young pigs were conducted during an experimental period of 6 weeks to evaluate the effects on growth and immune responses of dietary supplementation with 10, 25 and 50 g/kg of E‐CAB‐94011, a fish extract rich in proteins, unsaturated fatty acids and endogenous anti‐oxidants. This extract was obtained using a lyophilization process consisting of three phases: freezing, primary drying and secondary drying. Conditions in the dryer were varied through the cycle to ensure that the resulting product had the desired physical and chemical properties, and that the required stability was achieved. A total of 360 pigs were randomly allocated according to initial bodyweight and divided into four groups of 90 pigs. The control diet contained hard red spring wheat, spray‐dried whey and soybean meal. The treatment diets were the control plus 10 g/kg, 25 g/kg and 50 g/kg of E‐CAB‐94011. Growth performance, plasma biochemical values, hematological values and humoral and cellular immune responses were measured. Results indicated that supplementation with E‐CAB‐94011 affects both growth and immune response. When the growth parameters of pigs were compared, the largest percentage improvement in growth was observed from weaning to 8–10 weeks of age. These experiments confirm that the use of E‐CAB‐94011 results in significant improvements, even when the herd of origin has a relatively high health status.
Interaction Network amongEscherichia coliMembrane Proteins Involved in Cell Division as Revealed by Bacterial Two-Hybrid Analysis
Authors: Karimova Gouzel , Dautin Nathalie , Ladant Daniel 
Published: March 2005

ABSTRACTFormation of theEscherichia colidivision septum is catalyzed by a number of essential proteins (named Fts) that assemble into a ring-like structure at the future division site. Several of these Fts proteins are intrinsic transmembrane proteins whose functions are largely unknown. Although these proteins appear to be recruited to the division site in a hierarchical order, the molecular interactions underlying the assembly of the cell division machinery remain mostly unspecified. In the present study, we used a bacterial two-hybrid system based on interaction-mediated reconstitution of a cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling cascade to unravel the molecular basis of septum assembly by analyzing the protein interaction network amongE. colicell division proteins. Our results indicate that the Fts proteins are connected to one another through multiple interactions. A deletion mapping analysis carried out with two of these proteins, FtsQ and FtsI, revealed that different regions of the polypeptides are involved in their associations with their partners. Furthermore, we showed that the association between two Fts hybrid proteins could be modulated by the coexpression of a third Fts partner. Altogether, these data suggest that the cell division machinery assembly is driven by the cooperative association among the different Fts proteins to form a dynamic multiprotein structure at the septum site. In addition, our study shows that the cAMP-based two-hybrid system is particularly appropriate for analyzing molecular interactions between membrane proteins.
EXPLORING CONDITIONS FOR THE OPTIMALITY OF NAÏVE BAYES
Authors: ZHANG HARRY 
Published: March 2005

Naïve Bayes is one of the most efficient and effective inductive learning algorithms for machine learning and data mining. Its competitive performance in classification is surprising, because the conditional independence assumption on which it is based is rarely true in real-world applications. An open question is: what is the true reason for the surprisingly good performance of Naïve Bayes in classification? In this paper, we propose a novel explanation for the good classification performance of Naïve Bayes. We show that, essentially, dependence distribution plays a crucial role. Here dependence distribution means how the local dependence of an attribute distributes in each class, evenly or unevenly, and how the local dependences of all attributes work together, consistently (supporting a certain classification) or inconsistently (canceling each other out). Specifically, we show that no matter how strong the dependences among attributes are, Naïve Bayes can still be optimal if the dependences distribute evenly in classes, or if the dependences cancel each other out. We propose and prove a sufficient and necessary condition for the optimality of Naïve Bayes. Further, we investigate the optimality of Naïve Bayes under the Gaussian distribution. We present and prove a sufficient condition for the optimality of Naïve Bayes, in which the dependences among attributes exist. This provides evidence that dependences may cancel each other out. Our theoretic analysis can be used in designing learning algorithms. In fact, a major class of learning algorithms for Bayesian networks are conditional independence-based (or CI-based), which are essentially based on dependence. We design a dependence distribution-based algorithm by extending the ChowLiu algorithm, a widely used CI based algorithm. Our experiments show that the new algorithm outperforms the ChowLiu algorithm, which also provides empirical evidence to support our new explanation.
The effects of cholesterol lowering with simvastatin on cause-specific mortality and on cancer incidence in 20,536 high-risk people: a randomised placebo-controlled trial [ISRCTN48489393]
Authors:   Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group
Published: March 2005

Abstract
Background
There have been concerns that low blood cholesterol concentrations may cause non-vascular mortality and morbidity. Randomisation of large numbers of people to receive a large, and prolonged, reduction in cholesterol concentrations provides an opportunity to address such concerns reliably.

Methods
20,536 UK adults (aged 40–80 years) with vascular disease or diabetes were randomly allocated to receive 40 mg simvastatin daily or matching placebo. Prespecified safety analyses were of cause-specific mortality, and of total and site-specific cancer incidence. Comparisons between all simvastatin-allocated versus all placebo-allocated participants (ie, "intention-to-treat") involved an average difference in blood total cholesterol concentration of 1.2 mmol/L (46 mg/dL) during the scheduled 5-year treatment period.

Results
There was a highly significant 17% (95% CI 9–25) proportional reduction in vascular deaths, along with a non-significant reduction in all non-vascular deaths, which translated into a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (p = 0.0003). The proportional reduction in the vascular mortality rate was about one-sixth in each subcategory of participant studied, including: men and women; under and over 70 years at entry; and total cholesterol below 5.0 mmol/L or LDL cholesterol below 3.0 mmol/L. No significant excess of non-vascular mortality was observed in any subcategory of participant (including the elderly and those with pretreatment total cholesterol below 5.0 mmol/L), and there was no significant excess in any particular cause of non-vascular mortality.
Cancer incidence rates were similar in the two groups, both overall and in particular subcategories of participant, as well as at particular primary sites. There was no suggestion that any adverse trends in non-vascular mortality or morbidity were beginning to emerge with more prolonged treatment.

Conclusion
These findings, which are based on large numbers of deaths and non-fatal cancers, provide considerable reassurance that lowering total cholesterol concentrations by more than 1 mmol/L for an average of 5 years does not produce adverse effects on non-vascular mortality or cancer incidence. Moreover, among the many different types of high-risk individual studied, simvastatin 40 mg daily consistently produced substantial reductions in vascular (and, hence, all-cause) mortality, as well as in the rates of non-fatal heart attacks, strokes and revascularisation procedures.
Effects of C3A and Mineral Admixtures on the Sulfate Attack Using ASTM C 1012
Authors: Ahn N 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
There are three major properties that influence concrete sulfate resistance: the chemistry of the Portland cement, the permeability of the concrete, and the chemistry and replacement level of mineral admixtures. In order to investigate the effect of those on the sulfate attack, the testing program involved testing several different mortar mixes using the standardized test, ASTM C 1012. Four different cements were evaluated including one Type I cement, two Type I–II cements, and one Type V cement. Mortar mixes were also made with mineral admixtures as each cement was combined with three different types of mineral admixtures. One Class F fly ash, one Class C fly ash, and one ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) was added in various % volumetric replacement levels. Expansion measurements were taken and investigated with expansion criteria recommended from past experience.
Sliding Wear Characteristics of Materials in Artificial Seawater
Authors: Kawazoe T , Okumura T , Morohoshi S , Sada H 
Published: March 2005

Abstract
The corrosive wear resistance and the damage behavior of metals used for sliding parts in seawater were investigated by changing normal load and sliding speed using a ball on disk tribometer. Sliding wear tests of Fe base and Cu base materials rubbed against Al2O3 were carried out in artificial seawater. The obtained results indicate that Cu base materials show higher corrosive wear resistance and lower coefficient of friction than Fe base materials. Especially, bronze casting alloy shows an excellent corrosive wear resistance, while the corrosive wear of stainless steel is predominantly affected by normal load and sliding speed; that is, higher normal load and sliding speed result in stronger adhesion, leading to higher wear rate.
Ethanol production from glucose and dilute‐acid hydrolyzates by encapsulated S. cerevisiae
Authors: Talebnia Farid , Niklasson Claes , Taherzadeh Mohammad J. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe performance of encapsulated Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 8066 in anaerobic cultivation of glucose, in the presence and absence of furfural as well as in dilute‐acid hydrolyzates, was investigated. The cultivation of encapsulated cells in 10 sequential batches in synthetic media resulted in linear increase of biomass up to 106 g/L of capsule volume, while the ethanol productivity remained constant at 5.15 (±0.17) g/L·h (for batches 6–10). The cells had average ethanol and glycerol yields of 0.464 and 0.056 g/g in these 10 batches. Addition of 5 g/L furfural decreased the ethanol productivity to a value of 1.31 (±0.10) g/L·h with the encapsulated cells, but it was stable in this range for five consecutive batches. On the other hand, the furfural decreased the ethanol yield to 0.41–0.42 g/g and increased the yield of acetic acid drastically up to 0.068 g/g. No significant lag phase was observed in any of these experiments. The encapsulated cells were also used to cultivate two different types of dilute‐acid hydrolyzates. While the free cells were not able to ferment the hydrolyzates within at least 24 h, the encapsulated yeast successfully converted glucose and mannose in both of the hydrolyzates in less than 10 h with no significant lag phase. However, since the hydrolyzates were too toxic, the encapsulated cells lost their activity gradually in sequential batches. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Sphingosine‐1‐phosphonate and Homosphingosine‐1‐phosphonate
Authors: Tarnowski Andrej , Retz Oliver , Bär Thomas , Schmidt Richard R. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractIn the first approach to homosphingosine‐1‐phosphonate, D‐glucofuranose was selectively deoxygenated at C‐5. Bond cleavage between C‐1 and C‐2 afforded a 5‐deoxy‐D‐threo‐pentose intermediate. (E)‐Selective Wittig reaction with a C14‐chain gave a C19‐intermediate, which was readily transformed into homosphingosine. Formation of a cyclic urethane containing the 3‐amino and the 4‐hydroxy group of the C19‐intermediate permitted regioselective introduction of the phosphonate group at C‐1, thus affording the target molecule after deprotection. In a second and shorter route, C18‐sphingosine was converted to a cyclic urethane containing the 2‐amino and the 3‐hydroxy group of the C18‐chain. C1‐Chain extension by a hydroxymethyl group by introduction of cyanide led to the same C19 cyclic urethane as obtained in the first route. Similarly, the C18 cyclic urethane led to the other target molecule, namely sphingosine‐1‐phosphonate. The third and shortest route to homosphingosine‐1‐phosphonate could be based on regioselective 1‐O‐tosylation of 1,2,3‐(trihydroxy)octadec‐4‐ene. Transformation into a 1,2‐epoxide, then combination of C1‐chain extension and introduction of a phosphonate group with methylphosphonate as reagent, and finally azide introduction, led after functional group liberation to the target molecule. As shown, also truncated derivatives are readily accessible by this route. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Novel Alkylidenating Agents via the α Lithiation of Monoalkyl Group 4 Metal Derivatives: Methylidene‐Metal Complexes and Their Active Lithiated Precursors
Authors: Eisch John J. , Adeosun Adetenu A. 
Published: March 2005

AbstractThe interaction of the Group 4 metal chlorides, MCl4, where M = Ti, Zr, Hf, with two equiv. of methyllithium at –78 °C in toluene has led to the corresponding methylidene‐metal complex, H2C=MCl2, possibly complexed with LiCl. That this complex was stable to at least –40 °C was demonstrated by adding chemical trapping agents at this temperature: 1) benzophenone was quantitatively converted into 1,1‐diphenylethylene when M = Ti or Zr; with the Hf analogue, a 1:3 mixture of 1,1‐diphenylethylene and 1,1‐diphenylethanol was produced; 2) propiophenone reacted with the methylidene complex to yield 2‐phenyl‐1‐butene, 38 % (M = Ti) or 25 % (M = Zr), with the majority of the propiophenone being recovered (the unreacted ketone is attributed to enolate salt formation competing with the methylidenation); 3) diphenylacetylene reacted with H2C=TiCl2 by cycloaddition in 50 % yield, ultimately to give a 1:1 mixture of α‐methyl‐cis‐stilbene and α‐methyl‐trans‐stilbene; and finally 4) norbornene was polymerized in a ROMP process by either the methylidene‐titanium or methylidene‐zirconium complex, but the titanium catalyst exhibited higher activity. The stability of such methylidene complexes proved to be highly temperature‐ and solvent‐dependent: 1) the methylidene complex in toluene was no longer detectable by chemical trapping when the reaction mixture was warmed to 0 °C or above; 2) the generation of the methylidene complex in THF was uniformly unsuccessful even at –78 °C or above. From these observations this study concludes that in toluene the free methylidene complex, H2C=MCl2, is not present but rather the agent is still bonded to LiCl. At higher temperatures in toluene or even at –78 °C in THF, the LiCl dissociates from such complexation and the free methylidene dimerizes to [Cl2M–CH2]2, as is known in the case of Cp2Ti=CH2. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)