bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tuning for shape dimensions in macaque inferior temporal cortex
Authors: Kayaert Greet , Biederman Irving , Op de Beeck Hans P. , Vogels Rufin 
Published: July 2005

AbstractIt is widely assumed that distributed bell‐shaped tuning (e.g. Radial Basis functions) characterizes the shape selectivity of macaque inferior temporal (IT) neurons, analogous to the orientation or spatial frequency tuning found in early visual cortex. Demonstrating such tuning properties requires testing the responses of neurons for different values along dimensions of shape. We recorded the responses of single macaque IT neurons to variations of a rectangle and a triangle along simple shape dimensions, such as taper and axis curvature. The neurons showed systematic response modulation along these dimensions, with the greatest response, on average, to the highest values on the dimensions, e.g. to the most curved shapes. Within the range of values tested, the response functions were monotonic rather than bell‐shaped. Multi‐dimensional scaling of the neural responses showed that these simple shape dimensions were coded orthogonally by IT neurons: the degree and direction of responses modulation (i.e. the increase or decrease of responses along a dimension) was independent for the different dimensions. Furthermore, for combinations of curvature‐related and other simple shape dimensions, the joint tuning was separable, that is well predicted by the product of the tuning for each of the dimensions. The independence of dimensional tuning may provide the neural basis for the independence of psychophysical judgements of multidimensional stimuli.
Cell‐type specific GABA synaptic transmission and activity‐dependent plasticity in rat hippocampal stratum radiatum interneurons
Authors: Patenaude Christian , Massicotte Guy , Lacaille Jean‐Claude 
Published: July 2005

AbstractIn hippocampal pyramidal cells, the efficacy of synaptic transmission at γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synapses, is modulated by activity. However, whether such plasticity occurs at inhibitory synapses on interneurons remains largely unknown. Using whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in Sprague–Dawley rat hippocampal slices, we examined whether GABA synapses of stratum radiatum interneurons were affected by stimulation protocols known to alter efficacy at inhibitory synapses of CA1 pyramidal cells. Monosynaptically evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs) exhibited different properties with significantly faster kinetics, higher coefficients of variation, a current–voltage (I–V) relationship shifted to depolarized values and a smaller paired‐pulse depression, in interneurons than in pyramidal cells. GABA synapses on interneurons also showed a different capacity for plasticity. Indeed, theta‐burst stimulation induced a long‐term potentiation of eIPSCs in both cell types, but the induction mechanisms differed in interneurons, as it was not affected by antagonists of GABAB receptors and group I/II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Furthermore, 100‐Hz tetanization selectively elicited a short‐term depression of eIPSCs in pyramidal cells. A postsynaptic depolarization produced a transient suppression of eIPSCs (depolarization‐induced suppression of inhibition) in pyramidal cells but not in interneurons. Spontaneous IPSCs were similarly reduced following depolarization in pyramidal cells, but not in interneurons. These results indicate that GABA synapses of stratum radiatum interneurons exhibit different properties and capacity for activity‐dependent plasticity than those of pyramidal cells. This cell‐type specific mode of transmission and adaptive regulation of GABA synapses may contribute to hippocampal plasticity and functions.
Memory consolidation of Pavlovian fear conditioning requires nitric oxide signaling in the lateral amygdala
Authors: Schafe Glenn E. , Bauer Elizabeth P. , Rosis Svetlana , Farb Claudia R. , Rodrigues Sarina M. , LeDoux Joseph E. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) has been widely implicated in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. In studies of long‐term potentiation (LTP), NO is thought to serve as a ‘retrograde messenger’ that contributes to presynaptic aspects of LTP expression. In this study, we examined the role of NO signaling in Pavlovian fear conditioning. We first show that neuronal nitric oxide synthase is localized in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala (LA), a critical site of plasticity in fear conditioning. We next show that NO signaling is required for LTP at thalamic inputs to the LA and for the long‐term consolidation of auditory fear conditioning. Collectively, the findings suggest that NO signaling is an important component of memory formation of auditory fear conditioning, possibly as a retrograde signal that participates in presynaptic aspects of plasticity in the LA.
Antagonism of the interleukin‐1 receptor following traumatic brain injury in the mouse reduces the number of nitric oxide synthase‐2‐positive cells and improves anatomical and functional outcomes
Authors: Jones Nigel C. , Prior Malcolm J. W. , Burden‐Teh Esther , Marsden Charles A. , Morris Peter G. , Murphy Sean 
Published: July 2005

AbstractInterleukin (IL)‐1β plays an important role in the inflammatory response that results from traumatic brain injury and antagonism of the actions of this cytokine can affect outcome. We subjected male mice to aseptic cryogenic injury and assessed recovery through anatomical, histological and functional measures following treatment with recombinant mouse IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra). A single dose (1 µg, i.c.v.) at the time of injury reduced lesion volume 3 days later, as assessed by Nissl staining, and also the number (30%) of FluoroJade‐positive degenerating neurones. Mice treated with IL‐1ra performed better on the beam balance and in the grid test as compared with vehicle‐treated animals. Furthermore, IL‐1ra‐treated animals showed fewer (40%) nitric oxide synthase‐2‐positive cells in and around the lesion. These data suggest that activation of the IL‐1 receptor following trauma contributes to the pathology and that antagonism can reduce both anatomical and functional consequences of neuroinflammation.
Responses of summer cereal aphid populations to reduced rate aphicide applications in field plots of winter wheat
Authors: Oakley J. N. , Ellis S. A. , Watling M. , Walters K. F. A. , Young J. E. B. 
Published: July 2005

Abstract  1 Recommended and reduced rate applications of pirimicarb and alpha‐cypermethrin were applied to winter wheat crops to control summer infestations of grain aphid (Sitobion avenae) and rose‐grain aphid (Metopolophium dirhodum).2 Aphid numbers were assessed weekly and the yield response to treatment application was compared with accumulated aphid days on the crop.3 Responses to aphicide treatment varied between sites according to variations in the subsequent development of aphid populations under varying weather conditions and differential pressures from aphid natural enemies.4 Alpha‐cypermethrin treatment reduced spider density at most sites, and also resulted in a resurgence of aphid populations at three sites.
Health, quality of life and cancer
Authors: Sægrov S. 
Published: July 2005

Background: One in every three persons in Norway will be afflicted with some form of cancer during their lifetime.Aim: This article discusses the self‐evaluations of health and quality of life by 86 people who were diagnosed with cancer 6 months to 3 years previously.Method: The Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF‐36), developed to measure health status and outcome for both clinical practice and research, was sent to 199 cancer patients in a rural Norwegian county‐municipality. Eighty‐six questionnaires were returned with a response rate of 43%. Of the respondents, 44 were women and 42 were men. Their average age was 58 years. The majority had been diagnosed with cancer 2 years earlier, and 49 responded that they had been declared cured.Results: Respondents scored lowest on the scale of ‘physical role functions’, which indicates the degree to which poor physical health influences daily activities, and on ‘vitality’, which reflects their perception of energy.Conclusions: Cancer victims in this study felt drained of energy for a long period after they had received their diagnosis. Those who had not been declared cured scored lower on all scales than those who have been declared healthy. These respondents apparently have poor health and quality of life. When compared with a nationally available study, the persons who have cancer are far more drained of energy than the population as a whole.Implications for practice: Health personnel need to take more responsibility for the follow‐up of persons with cancer throughout all stages of illness. More concern should be paid particularly to psychosocial needs.
Addressing the challenges of the global nursing community
Authors: Swenson M. J. , Salmon M. E. , Wold J. , Sibley L. 
Published: July 2005

Aim:  To describe both the initial and the subsequent impact of the 2001 Global Nursing Partnerships Conference: ‘Strategies for a Sustainable Workforce’, the first ever forum of its type, on the key challenges facing the global nursing community.Design:  Identification of short‐ and long‐term outcomes through descriptive review of immediate post‐conference evaluations and follow‐up questionnaires sent out 13 months later to nursing leaders in the participating countries.Methods:  Content analysis of quantitative data from 61 immediate post‐conference evaluations and 13 follow‐up questionnaires, as well as qualitative data from participant comments on the evaluation forms and questionnaires.Findings:  Analysis indicated conference participants viewed the conference as a beneficial forum to collaboratively examine nursing workforce issues and trends, develop country‐specific nursing action plans, establish and strengthen national and international partnerships, and build stronger international nursing bodies.Conclusion:  The Global Nursing Partnerships Conference was an international success – addressing the unique challenges facing nursing leaders in developed and developing countries and the needs of nurses throughout the world.
Using the worldwide web to improve children's pain care
Authors: Bruce E. , Franck L. 
Published: July 2005

Aim:  This paper describes a three‐year project, the aims of which were to disseminate information regarding the assessment and management of children's pain, to reach consensus on the essential elements of pain assessment for children and to track nurses’ perceived changes in pain assessment and management practices in hospital settings over time.Background:  Despite the availability of research, guidelines and standards, paediatric nurses inconsistently practice evidence‐based pain management.Project methods:  Nurses attending the 5th International Symposium on Paediatric Pain were invited to a workshop to discuss best practices and consider ways to share information regarding the assessment and management of children's pain. A website was designed and participants provided hospital guidelines, exchanged information via the Internet and completed periodic surveys.Conclusion:  Web‐based resources were positively received. Consensus regarding the essential elements of pain management was achieved, but nurses identified organizational and resource restraints as barriers to achieving best practices. Surveys identified perceived increases in some hospital and ward level resources and activities to improve children's pain care. Sharing of information related to children's pain management and benchmarking of practice should be encouraged. Consensus building and networking may facilitate change, but organizational commitment is also required for successful implementation of new practices.
The effects of different incubation temperatures on the acetaldehyde content and viable bacteria counts of bio‐yogurt made from ewe's milk
Authors: GÜLER‐AKIN MUTLU B 
Published: July 2005

Yogurt and bio‐yogurt were manufactured from ewe's milk using a starter culture and a probiotic culture. Incubation was carried out at 37°C and 42°C until pH 4.6 was reached and the yogurts were stored at 4 +1°C for 14 days. Analysis after 1, 7 and 14 days showed that incubation temperature and storage time significantly influenced overall properties of the samples. During the storage, whey separation and pH decreased, but titratable acidity, lactic acid and volatile fatty acid contents increased. Viable bacterial counts in all bio‐yogurts were above 107 cfu g−1 at the end of storage.
The effect of inulin as a fat replacer on the quality of set‐type low‐fat yogurt manufacture
Authors: GUVEN M , YASAR K , KARACA O B , HAYALOGLU A A 
Published: July 2005

The influence of different levels of inulin on the quality of fat‐free yogurt production was investigated. Inulin was added to milk containing 0.1% of milk fat to give inulin levels of 1, 2 and 3%. The experimental yogurts were compared with control yogurt produced from whole milk. The total solids content of milk was standardized to 14% by adding skim milk powder to the experimental yogurt. The chemical composition, pH, titratable acidity, whey separation, consistency, acetaldehyde and volatile fatty acidity contents were determined in the experimental yogurts after 1, 7 and 15 days. Sensory properties of the yogurts were evaluated during storage. The addition of inulin at more than 1% increased whey separation and consistency. Acetaldehyde, pH and titratable acidity were not influenced by addition of inulin. Tyrosine and volatile fatty acidity levels were negatively affected by inulin addition. With respect to the organoleptic quality of yogurt, inulin addition caused a decrease in organoleptic scores: the control yogurt had the highest score, and the lowest score was obtained in yogurt samples containing 3% of inulin. Overall, the yogurt containing 1% of inulin was similar in quality characteristics to control yogurt made with whole milk.
An alternative cost effectiveness analysis of ThinPrep in the Australian setting
Authors: NEVILLE A. Munro , QUINN Michael A. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractObjective:  To assess the clinical and economic impacts of the use of liquid based cytology (LBC) in the Australian average risk population from the perspective of the public health care budget.Background:  Concerns over the evaluation of medical technologies in Australia, which are assessed by the Medicare Services Advisory Committee (MSAC), have been raised recently. We report on the evaluation of LBC, which although being widely adopted in other parts of the world, has, despite substantial uptake in the private sector in Australia, been rejected for public funding by MSAC.Methods:  We used the health economic model developed by MSAC, but populated the model with the best available international data, sourced from a published review article. The economic model considered the clinical benefits and the costs arising from a biennial cervical screening programme. Net costs divided by life years saved is the cost per life year saved and this is reported as the incremental cost effectiveness.Results:  Populating the MSAC model with data on test performance showed that one type of LBC (ThinPrep) ‘dominates’ the conventional Pap smear in the screening of average risk women in the Australian setting.Conclusion:  The health economic model created by MSAC predicts that ThinPrep dominates the conventional Pap as a screening test for cervical cancer. An additional 2240 high‐grade lesions could be detected, resulting in 480 life years gained and delivering an expected saving to the health care system of $5 536 000 per annum if liquid based cytology replaced the conventional Pap.
Peri‐operative physiotherapy improves outcomes for women undergoing incontinence and or prolapse surgery: Results of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: JARVIS Sherin K. , HALLAM Taryn K. , LUJIC Sanja , ABBOTT Jason A. , VANCAILLIE Thierry G. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground:  Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are common complaints in women. Physiotherapy and surgery to correct these conditions are often seen as mutually exclusive. No study has yet investigated their synergistic potential.Aim:  This study aimed to investigate the role of peri‐operative physiotherapy in women undergoing corrective surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and/or incontinence.Methods:  In this randomised controlled trial, 30 women underwent preoperative physiotherapy and 30 others had no physiotherapy prior to their incontinence and or prolapse surgeries. Comparison was performed on the basis of the following tests: paper towel test, urinary symptom specific health and quality of life questionnaire, frequency/volume chart and pelvic floor muscle manometry. Women were followed up for 3 months.Results:  Both groups showed improvement in urinary continence. Significant group differences were noted in the quality of life questionnaire (P = 0.004), urinary symptoms (P = 0.017) and maximum pelvic floor muscle squeeze on manometry (P = 0.022). Diurnal frequency analysis indicates that there is a significant difference in favour of the treatment group (P = 0.024).Conclusion:  Routine pre and post operative physiotherapy interventions improve physical outcomes and quality of life in women undergoing corrective surgery for urinary incontinence and or pelvic organ prolapse.
Concomitant tension‐free vaginal tape for urinary incontinence during laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: LIN Yi‐Hao , LIANG Ching‐Chung , LO Tsia‐Shu , SOONG Yung‐Kuei , CHANG Shuenn‐Dhy , CHANG Yao‐Lung 
Published: July 2005

AbstractObjective:  To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of placing tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) during a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) in women with stress urinary incontinence and coexistent benign gynaecological disease.Design:  Retrospective clinical study (Canadian Task Force classification II‐2).Sample:  Thirty patients diagnosed with genuine stress incontinence and benign gynaecological disease were studied.Methods:  All the patients underwent LAVH and concomitant TVT procedure.Results:  There was no significant difference in urodynamic parameters before and after surgery. All patients were followed postoperatively for a mean duration of 24.6 ± 11.5 months (range 12–40). The cure rate of stress urinary incontinence was 96.7%.Conclusions:  Concomitant placement of tension‐free vaginal tape during a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy proved to be an efficacious and safe procedure for women with benign gynaecological disease and coexistent stress urinary incontinence.
Cost savings from use of emergency contraceptive pills in Australia
Authors: TRUSSELL James , CALABRETTO Helen 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground:  Emergency contraception, which prevents pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, has the potential to reduce significantly the incidence of unintended pregnancy and the consequent need for abortion and to reduce medical care costs.Aim:  To determine the savings generated by use of Postinor‐2, the levonorgestrel regimen of emergency hormonal contraception, in Australia.Methods:  We modelled the cost savings when women obtain Postinor‐2 directly from a pharmacist where cost savings are measured as the cost of pregnancies averted by use of Postinor‐2 per dollar spent on Postinor‐2.Results:  Each dollar spent on a single treatment with Postinor‐2 saves $A2.27–$A3.81 in direct medical care expenditures on unintended pregnancy depending on assumptions about savings from costs avoided by preventing mistimed births. Postinor‐2 is cost‐saving even under the least favourable assumption that mistimed births when prevented today occur 2 years later. Results are robust even to large changes in model input parameters.Conclusion:  Emergency contraception is cost saving. More extensive use of emergency contraception could save considerable medical and social costs by reducing unintended pregnancies, which are expensive.
Introduction of early medical abortion in New Zealand: An audit of the first 67 cases
Authors: SHAND Carol , ROSE Sally B. , SIMMONS Ann , SPARROW Margaret J. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractBackground:  In New Zealand, mifepristone became available in 2001, but because of uncertainty about the law, the first 67 cases were carried out under a very strict protocol. Once the prostaglandin had been administered it was necessary that the woman remain in the unit until the products of conception (POC) had been passed and, if this had not occurred within 8 h, she underwent suction curettage.Aims:  To demonstrate that an early medical termination of pregnancy (EMTOP) service could be offered as a safe option for women, despite the constraints of the law.Methods:  An audit of patient notes was carried out on the first 67 patients undergoing an EMTOP at the Level J Unit (LJU), Wellington Hospital. Data collected included age, ethnicity, parity, previous abortions, gestational age, length of time between the administration of mifepristone and misoprostol, length of time after administration of misoprostol to the completion of abortion, whether a fetal sac was seen, analgesia required, extent of heavy bleeding and any adverse effects. Patient characteristics were compared with those of the 3052 women who underwent surgical termination during the same time period. Data were analysed using EpiInfo 2000 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA) and Chi square tests for significance.Results:  Successful completion of EMTOP occurred in 63 of 67 cases (94%). Only four cases (6%) required completion by suction curettage and this was performed for legal and financial reasons, rather than for medical reasons. Clinical events requiring management, mainly bleeding problems, occurred in 11 patients (16%).Conclusions:  EMTOP with mifepristone and misoprostol was successfully introduced and the experience provides useful data for others contemplating a similar service.
VITAMIN D IN HEALTH AND DISEASE: Vitamin D Treatment in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Andress Dennis L. 
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACTActivated vitamin D continues to be the major treatment for suppressing parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in dialysis patients who have secondary hyperparathyroidism. Active vitamin D compounds are distinguished by their ability to bind with high affinity to vitamin D receptors (VDRs) not only in the parathyroid glands, but in cells throughout the body. Because of recent data showing that pulsatile, intravenous vitamin D treatment (calcitriol or paricalcitol) confers a survival advantage in the dialysis population, there is new interest in understanding the systemic effects of VDR activation, particularly in the predialysis stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), where high mortality rates from cardiovascular disease have recently been documented. Previous underutilization of calcitriol treatment to control PTH levels in stages 3 and 4 CKD was often due to concerns about its potential for accelerating the progression of CKD as a consequence of hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, or hyperphosphatemia. Vitamin D analogs with selective VDR activity (such as paricalcitol) have great potential for preventing parathyroid hyperplasia and bone loss in early CKD without adversely affecting kidney function. Whether they also reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in early CKD, as they appear to do in dialysis patients, remains to be determined.