bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How valuable is a lumbar puncture in the management of patients with suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Authors: Foot Carole , Staib Andrew 
Published: March 2003

AbstractObjective:The aim of the study was to determine the range of cerebrospinal fluid findings associated with emergency department disposition and treatment of patients with headache suspicious of subarachnoid haemorrhage but a negative or equivocal computed tomoraphy head scan, in particular the role of xanthochromic index.Methods:A retrospective review of medical records of 196 adult patients who underwent cerebrospinal fluid examination for red cell count and xanthochromia for suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage but had a normal or equivocal computed tomography scan.Results:Included in the study were 196 patients. Only one patient out of 189 with a negative computed tomography scan was found to have a subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a ruptured aneurysm (0.5%; 95% confidence intervals 0–2.9%). Three other patients were diagnosed with benign subarachnoid haemorrhage. Ninety‐one patients were stratified into the lowest possible risk group for subarachnoid haemorrhage and discharged home from the emergency department. All patients with equivocal computed tomography head scans and a positive xanthochromic index were admitted for cerebral angiography. In many cases, cerebrospinal fluid findings did not appear to influence clinical decision‐making.Conclusions:In the study institution, cerebrospinal fluid results appeared to have a variable influence on clinical decision‐making for patients with suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage and a non‐diagnostic computed tomography head scan. Of particular concern is the lack of validation of the tests used in this investigative approach, the frequency of patients having a lumbar puncture where the results did not influence their management, the inconsistency in the laboratory’s technique for performing tests on cerebrospinal fluid and the very low yield of detecting patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage and a potentially treatable causative lesion.
HIGH USE OF COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN A NEW SOUTH WALES RURAL COMMUNITY
Authors: Wilkinson Jenny M. , Simpson Maree D. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT:In this study a postal questionnaire was used to investigate the use of complementary therapies (CT) in a rural region of New South Wales (NSW). A total of 70.3% of respondents reported using one or more therapies with 62.7% having visited a complementary practitioner. Vitamin/mineral therapy (68.7%), chiropractic (26.1%) and massage therapy (25.1%) were the most frequently used therapies, with the most commonly visited practitioners being chiropractors (55.3%) and those trained in vitamin/mineral therapy (47.9%). Of the vitamins, vitamin C and multivitamins were used most often, with garlic and Echinacea being the most used herbal products. The main source of information were friends (64.5%) with most people indicating that CT could improve quality of life and provide relief of symptoms. Results suggest that CT use in rural communities is high and that, in light of these findings, there is a need for training in CT to be included in the undergraduate and continuing education of health professionals. Furthermore, these professionals should be alert to the potential for increased numbers of herb–drug interactions in rural communities.
Plankton dynamics: observed and modelled responses to physical conditions in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Authors: Eslinger David L. , Cooney R. Ted , Mcroy C. Peter , Ward Alison , Kline Thomas C. , Simpson E. Paul , Wang Jia , Allen Jennifer R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPlankton populations in Prince William Sound, Alaska, exhibited pronounced seasonal, annual and longer‐period variability in composition and standing stock in response to physically influenced differences in nutrient availability, and possibly currents that modify local biomass by exchanges with water from the bordering Gulf of Alaska. During springs in which early, strong physical stratification developed, intense, short‐lived phytoplankton blooms occurred. These blooms had relatively short residence times in the water column. In contrast, during springs in which slower, weaker stratification developed, phytoplankton blooms were prolonged and took longer to peak. These slower blooms prolonged the period of phytoplankton production, prolonged interaction with the springtime grazing community and led to the incorporation of more organic matter into pelagic food webs. A coupled biological‐physical simulation of plankton production was used to examine the implications of seasonally varying air and mixed‐layer temperatures, surface winds and incident light on the timing, duration, annual production and standing stock of plankton. Our modelling results reproduced the observed characteristics of the springtime production cycle, and the magnitude of zooplankton stocks for the period 1992–97 but not for 1981–91. These results suggest that for most of the 1990s, bottom‐up influences on nutrient supplies controlled levels of primary consumers, whereas for the 11 years before that, other unknown factors dominated this process. We present the results of a comprehensive, multiyear study of relationships between plankton and physical limitations, and a retrospective analysis of earlier conditions to explore the possible causes for these differences.
Helicobacter pylori‐Related Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Review
Authors: Barabino Arrigo 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSeveral clinical reports have demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori gastric infection has emerged as a new cause of refractory iron deficiency anemia, unresponsive to iron therapy, and not attributable to usual causes such as intestinal losses or poor intake, malabsorption or diversion of iron in the reticulo‐endothelial system.Although the interaction between infection and iron metabolism is now well consolidated, our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanism underlying the anemia is still wanting. Microbiological and ferrokinetic studies seem to suggest that Helicobacter pylori infected antrum could act as a sequestering focus for serum iron by means of outer membrane receptors of the bacterium, that in vitro are able to capture and utilize for growth iron from human lactoferrin.The proposed hypothesis does not answer why this complication is such a rare disease outcome in a common human infection but it may be used as a template for further controlled studies to determine the mechanisms of this atypical, medically important putative sequelae of H. pylori infection.
Effect of propylene glycol and undegradable protein source on rumen fermentation, blood metabolism and milk production in lactating dairy cows
Authors: BAIYILA Turigen , HAN Jifu , KANDA Shuhei , ITOH Masahiro , WASHIO Yuichiro , SUZUKI Tamotu , HORIKAWA Hiroshi , KAMADA Toshihiko , ITABASHI Hisao 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTEight lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups (n = 4) and used in a double reversal trial with three periods of 14 days each, to evaluate diets containing propylene glycol (PG) and ruminally undegradable protein (RUP) blend on milk yield and composition, ruminal fermentation and blood metabolism. The control diet contained 20% chopped Sudangrass hay, 20% cubed alfalfa hay, 12% corn silage, and 48% of the respective concentrate mixtures (dry matter basis). The experimental diet (PG + RUP) partially replaced the concentrate mixture from the control diet with 1.4% PG and 2.1% RUP. Both diets contained about 16% crude protein and 71% total digestible nutrients. Dry matter intake was similar between the two diets. Daily production of milk, milk lactose and milk solids‐not‐fat increased by 9.0%, 11.3% and 9.3%, respectively (P < 0.1), for cows fed diets with PG + RUP; milk composition was unchanged. Although the concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acids was unchanged, the proportion of propionic acid increased, and the proportion of acetic acid decreased with PG + RUP. The concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen and number of ciliate protozoa was not significantly affected by PG + RUP. The concentration of glucose in blood plasma increased, the concentration of urea nitrogen was unaffected, and the concentration of some essential free amino acids decreased with PG + RUP. It is suggested that these changes might be caused predominantly by PG, and the addition of PG may exert a favorable effect on milk production through increased metabolism.
Use of a box to prevent agonistic behavior after regrouping in isolated and non‐isolated pigs
Authors: ISHIWATA Toshie , UETAKE Katsuji , TANAKA Toshio 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe effects of a box in the pen on the agonistic behavior of pigs after regrouping was determined in 24 pigs from five litters that were kept in three pens after weaning. For the experiment, the pigs were allocated to six pens with four animals each and kept with their peers for 2 weeks. The lightest pig from each pen was removed and isolated for 2 weeks, and then regrouped with its original peers. At the time of regrouping, half of the pens were equipped with the box. The number and duration of agonistic behavior events were particularly large and long in the pen without a box on the first day after regrouping, and for the isolated pig on the first day (all P < 0.05). The number of times the box was accessed was large for the isolated pig on the first day after regrouping (P < 0.01). The number of agonistic behavior events and the times the box was accessed was correlated on the first day after regrouping (rs = 0.79, P < 0.01). The number of agonistic behavior events on the first day after regrouping was greater in the pens without a box than in the pens with a box (P < 0.01). It was suggested that the box had the effect of reducing agonistic behavior after regrouping.
Soil‐surface CO2 efflux and its spatial and temporal variations in a young ponderosa pine plantation in northern California
Authors: Xu Ming , Qi Ye 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSoil‐surface CO2 efflux and its spatial and temporal variations were examined in an 8‐y‐old ponderosa pine plantation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California from June 1998 to August 1999. Continuous measurements of soil CO2 efflux, soil temperatures and moisture were conducted on two 20 × 20 m sampling plots. Microbial biomass, fine root biomass, and the physical and chemical properties of the soil were also measured at each of the 18 sampling locations on the plots. It was found that the mean soil CO2 efflux in the plantation was 4.43 µmol m−2 s−1 in the growing season and 3.12 µmol m−2 s−1 in the nongrowing season. These values are in the upper part of the range of published soil‐surface CO2 efflux data. The annual maximum and minimum CO2 efflux were 5.87 and 1.67 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively, with the maximum occurring between the end of May and early June and the minimum in December. The diurnal fluctuation of CO2 efflux was relatively small (< 20%) with the minimum appearing around 09.00 hours and the maximum around 14.00 hours. Using daytime measurements of soil CO2 efflux tends to overestimate the daily mean soil CO2 efflux by 4–6%. The measurements taken between 09.00 and 11.00 hours (local time) seem to better represent the daily mean with a reduced sampling error of 0.9–1.5%. The spatial variation of soil CO2 efflux among the 18 sampling points was high, with a coefficient of variation of approximately 30%. Most (84%) of the spatial variation was explained by fine root biomass, microbial biomass, and soil physical and chemical properties. Although soil temperature and moisture explained most of the temporal variations (76–95%) of soil CO2 efflux, the two variables together explained less than 34% of the spatial variation. Microbial biomass, fine root biomass, soil nitrogen content, organic matter content, and magnesium content were significantly and positively correlated with soil CO2 efflux, whereas bulk density and pH value were negatively correlated with CO2 efflux. The relationship between soil CO2 efflux and soil temperature was significantly controlled by soil moisture with a Q10 value of 1.4 when soil moisture was <14% and 1.8 when soil moisture was >14%. Understanding the spatial and temporal variations is essential to accurately assessment of carbon budget at whole ecosystem and landscape scales. Thus, this study bears important implications for the study of large‐scale ecosystem dynamics, particularly in response to climatic variations and management regimes.
CO2 emission from mineral soils following land‐cover change in Brazil
Authors: Bernoux Martial , Da ConceiçÃo Maria , Carvalho Santana , Volkoff Boris , Cerri Carlos Clemente 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThis paper presents a first approximation of net CO2 fluxes from mineral soil due to land use, land‐use changes and forestry (LULUCF) activities in Brazil for the periods 1970–90 and 1975–95. The methodology employed is an adaptation of the approach proposed by the IPCC in ‘Revised 1996 guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories’, which is based on the variations in soil C stocks as a function of changes in land‐use activities. The calculation was done separately for each Brazilian state and subsequently summarized for all of Brazil. The annual fluxes for Brazil indicate a net emission of CO2 to the atmosphere, which decreased from 93.3 Tg CO2 for the period 1970–90 to 46.4 Tg CO2 for the period 1975–95. This corresponded to yearly net emission rates of 11.0 g CO2 m−2 year−1 for the 1970–90 period and 5.5 g CO2 m−2 year−1 for the 1975–95 period. Within each administrative region, considerable differences in the yearly emission rates between the states could be observed. Several sources of uncertainties could be identified. The most important uncertainties were linked to the impact factor values, which represent changes in native C stock associated with conversion of the native vegetation to agricultural use.
Elevated UV‐B radiation alters fluxes of methane and carbon dioxide in peatland microcosms
Authors: Niemi Riikka , Martikainen Pertti J. , Silvola Jouko , Wulff Anu , Turtola Satu , Holopainen Toini 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIncreases in solar ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B; 280–320 nm) reaching the earth have been estimated to continue until 2050s in the boreal and subarctic regions with an abundant peatland cover. Peatlands are significant sinks for carbon dioxide (CO2) and sources for methane (CH4). To assess whether the future increases in UV‐B could affect the fluxes of CO2 and CH4 in peatlands via an impact on vegetation, we exposed peatland microcosms to modulated 30% supplementation of erythemally weighted UV‐B at an outdoor facility for one growing season. The experimental design included appropriate controls for UV‐A and ambient radiation. The UV‐B caused a significant reduction in gross photosynthesis, net ecosystem CO2 exchange, and CH4 emission of the peatland microcosms. These changes in the carbon gas cycling can be partly explained by UV‐B‐induced morphological changes in Eriophorum vaginatum which acts as a conduit for CH4. Leaf cross section and the percentage of CH4‐conducting aerenchymatous tissue in E. vaginatum were significantly reduced by UV‐B. Methanol‐extractable UV‐B absorbing compounds decreased under both UV‐B and UV‐A in Sphagnum angustifolium, and tended to accumulate under UV‐B in S. papillosum. Membrane permeability to magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) ions was higher in UV‐B exposed S. angustifolium. Amount of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments was increased by UV‐A in S. magellanicum. The observed changes in Sphagnum mosses did not coincide with those in carbon gas fluxes but occurred at the time of the highest UV intensity in the mid summer. Our findings indicate that increasing UV‐B may have more substantial effects on gas exchange in peatlands than previously thought.
Essential role of S‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase in mouse embryonic development
Authors: Nishimura Kazuhiro , Nakatsu Fubito , Kashiwagi Keiko , Ohno Hiroshi , Saito Takashi , Igarashi Kazuei 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: S‐Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) is one of the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of spermidine and spermine, which are essential for normal cell growth. To examine the role of polyamines in embryogenesis, we carried out targeted disruption of the mouse Amd1 gene, encoding AdoMetDC, to generate mice that can not synthesize spermidine and spermine.Results: Amd1 heterozygous mice were viable, normal and fertile. However, homozygous Amd1−/− embryos died early in embryonic development, between E3.5 and E6.5 days post‐coitus. Homozygous (Amd1−/−) blastocysts at E3.5 arrested cell proliferation immediately after the onset of cell culture, and this arrest was rescued by the addition of spermidine. Chromosomal DNA breakage did not occur in Amd1−/− blastocysts at E3.5, as determined by TUNEL assay.Conclusions: These results indicate that AdoMetDC plays an essential role in embryonic development and that polyamines are required for cell proliferation in the embryo after E3.5.
Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α induces cell cycle arrest of endothelial cells
Authors: Iida Takeshi , Mine Shinichiro , Fujimoto Hiroko , Suzuki Koji , Minami Yasuhiro , Tanaka Yoshiya 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground: Hypoxia can induce tissue injury, including apoptosis of endothelial cells. However, little is known about the effects of hypoxia on endothelial cell function. We assessed the effects of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)‐1α on the functional characteristics of endothelial cells, particularly on cell cycle regulators, by cationic liposome‐mediated transfection of HIF‐1α‐expression vector into the cells.Results: Transfection of the HIF‐1α gene in endothelial cells resulted in (a) reduced proliferation and detachment of the cells; (b) up‐regulation of intracellular p21waf1/cip1 and down‐regulation of bcl‐2; (c) reduced activities of cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)‐4 and CDK‐6; (d) cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase; and (e) apoptosis of the cells.Conclusions: HIF‐1α can induce cell cycle arrest, resulting in the reduced proliferation and apoptosis of endothelial cells, and the hypoxia‐induced cell death may be involved by suppression of anti‐apoptotic molecule, bcl‐2.
Cannabis dependence in young adults: an Australian population study
Authors: Coffey Carolyn , Carlin John B. , Degenhardt Louisa , Lynskey Michael , Sanci Lena , Patton George C. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTObjectives The symptomatology of cannabis dependence remains ill‐defined and its importance controversial. Compared with alcohol dependence, the symptom profile of cannabis dependence has received little attention. We aimed to (a) report cannabis use in a representative population of young adults, (b) examine cannabis dependence symptoms according to frequency in the dependence syndrome and (c) contrast the symptomatology of cannabis and alcohol syndromes.Methods 1601 young adults (mean age 20.7 years) from an Australian longitudinal cohort study (N = 2032) were surveyed in 1998. Regular substance users were assessed for DSM‐IV cannabis and alcohol dependence. Prevalence estimates allowed for sampling variation and attrition.Results Fifty‐nine per cent reported life‐time use of cannabis, 17% used at least weekly and 7% (11% males, 4% females) met criteria for cannabis dependence. Symptom prevalence in dependent cannabis users was: persistent desire 91%; unintentional use 84%; withdrawal 74%; excessive time obtaining/using 74%; continued use despite health problems 63%; tolerance 21%; and social consequences 18%. The combination of withdrawal, persistent desire and unintentional use was reported by 57%. Dependent cannabis users reported compulsive and out‐of‐control use more frequently than dependent alcohol users, withdrawal similarly and tolerance considerably less often.Conclusions Cannabis use appears to be normative behaviour in young Australians. Progression beyond weekly use of cannabis carries a significant risk of dependence that should be considered in the public health response. The differing profiles of cannabis and alcohol dependence, particularly with regard to craving, draws attention to the need for further study of cannabis dependence as an important and distinct disorder in young adults.
Polylysine binding to unphosphorylated smooth muscle myosin enhances formation and stabilizes myosin filaments in vitro
Authors: SZYMANSKI P. T. , FERGUSON D. G. , PAUL R. J. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTPreviously, we demonstrated that positively charged polylysine, our model for biological polyamines, activates the Mg2+ ATPase activity of unphosphorylated smooth muscle myosin and shifts the myosin conformation from the folded 10S to linear 6S form. These effects of polylysine were reversed by the oppositely charged heparin (Szymanski et al. (1993) Am J Physiol265, C379). In the present report, we provide further information on polylysine binding to smooth muscle myosin, and test the hypothesis that polylysine binding to unphosphorylated myosin involves filament formation. To relate the effects of polylysine on contractility in smooth muscle to physiologically relevant material, we investigated the ability of naturally occurring positively charged polyamines, histones, cadaverine, putrescine and spermidine to activate the Mg2+ ATPase activity of unphosphorylated smooth muscle myosin. Our data show that polylysine binding to individual unphosphorylated myosin molecules stimulates formation of myosin filaments. Polylysine also interacts with myosin filaments, causing enhancement of their size and the numbers, and this could be reversed by heparin. Polylysine binding to myosin filaments made them more resistant to disassembly by high salt concentrations (KCl) or ATP. Naturally occurring polyamines in millimolar concentrations activate the Mg2+ ATPase activity of unphosphorylated smooth muscle myosin. We suggest that the electrostatic interactions between naturally occurring positively charged polyamines and unphosphorylated smooth muscle myosin may play a role in stabilization of thick filament structurein situ.
Gene expression of colony‐stimulating factors and stem cell factor after myocardial infarction in the mouse
Authors: WOLDBAEK P. R. , HOEN I. B. , CHRISTENSEN G. , TØNNESSEN T. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTRecent studies have suggested that cytokines such as macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) might be involved in the pathogenesis of ischaemic heart disease. Macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF), granulocyte‐macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), stem cell factor (SCF), interleukin‐3 (IL‐3) and interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) are potent cytokines belonging to the same structual class that may affect function, growth and apoptosis both in the heart and other organs. The aims of the present study were to characterize a post‐infarction model in the mouse and to examine mRNA expression of M‐CSF, GM‐CSF, SCF, IL‐3 and IL‐7 during the development of heart failure. Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in mice by ligation of the left coronary artery. Average infarct size was 40% and the mice developed myocardial hypertrophy and pulmonary oedema. Ribonuclease (RNAase) protection assays showed abundant cardiac expression of M‐CSF and SCF. After MI, we measured down‐regulation of cytokine mRNA expression in the heart (M‐CSF, SCF), lung (M‐CSF), liver (M‐CSF) and spleen (M‐CSF) compared with sham. Cardiac G‐CSF, GM‐CSF and IL‐7 mRNAs were not detected. In conclusion, abundant cardiac gene expression of M‐CSF and SCF was found. In our mouse model of MI, M‐CSF and SCF were down‐regulated in the heart and several other organs suggesting specific roles for these cytokines during development of ischaemic heart failure.