bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forearm vascular reactivity is differentially influenced by gliclazide and glibenclamide in chronically treated type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Wascher Thomas C. , Boes Ursula 
Published: January 2005

SummarySulphonylureas (SUs) act by inhibition of β‐cell KATP channels after binding to the sulphonylurea receptor SUR1. KATP channels are also expressed in cardiac and vascular myocytes coupled to SUR2A and SUR2B involved into adaptations of vascular tone and myocardial contractility. Different influence of SUs on vascular function is based on different binding to the SUR family. Few data on the effect of different SUs, used in patients in therapeutic doses, on vascular function are currently available. We investigated possible effects of acute and chronic treatment with glibenclamide and gliclazide on forearm postischaemic reactive hyperaemia (RH) in type 2 diabetic patients. To that purpose a double‐blind, randomized, cross‐over study with gliclazide (80 mg, b.i.d.) and glibenclamide (5 mg, b.i.d.) was performed in 15 type 2 diabetic patients. Forearm vascular reactivity was measured after 5 min of ischaemia by plethysmography before and after 4 weeks treatment. After acute administration of gliclazide (80 mg) or glibenclamide (5 mg) RH was not influenced. After 4 weeks of treatment, no influence of either drug was seen in the steady state before dosing. After dosing glibenclamide induced a significant (P = 0·004) reduction of RH from 26·4 ± 6·9 to 21·9 ± 7·6 ml min−1/100 ml after 4 h. Gliclazide, conversely, did not induce a reduction of RH (23·9 ± 6·0 to 23·3 ± 6·6 ml min−1/100 ml). No influence of HbA1c or actual glycaemia on RH was observed. Our results indicate that in chronically treated patients with type 2 diabetes ingestion of glibenclamide but not gliclazide results in sustained reduction of postischaemic RH. This difference is most probably based on different SUR binding.
Bone infection in patients suspected of complicating osteomyelitis: the diagnostic value of dual isotope bone‐granulocyte scintigraphy
Authors: Buhl Thora , Stentzer Kim , Hede Adam , Kjær Andreas , Hesse Birger 
Published: January 2005

SummaryAim:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of dual isotope bone‐granulocyte scintigraphy in patients with known bone pathology clinically suspected of osteomyelitis, i.e. complicating osteomyelitis, using per‐operative bacterial culture from bone as reference.Methods:  Simultaneous dual isotope bone‐granulocyte scintigraphic images were obtained in 42 consecutive patients in whom conventional X‐ray, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C‐reactive protein were also available. 99mTc MDP bone and 111In labelled granulocyte imaging was obtained simultaneously. The images were interpreted as positive for osteomyelitis if regions of interests of pathologic 111In granulocyte accumulation included 99mTc MDP activity on the bone images (except in the spine).Results:  The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 84, 71 and 79%, respectively, for simultaneous, dual isotope bone‐granulocyte scintigraphy, higher than the other diagnostic parameters.Conclusion:  Simultaneous bone‐granulocyte scintigraphy is a valuable diagnostic tool in diagnosing osteomyelitis complicating other bone pathology with or without soft‐tissue infection.
Dizziness is associated with decreased vasoreactivity in right cerebral hemisphere for head‐down manoeuvre – near‐infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Shinoura Nobusada , Yamada Ryozi 
Published: January 2005

SummaryTo investigate the vasoreactivity of cerebral hemisphere in patients with dizziness and syncope, we compared changes in total haemoglobin (THbl) and regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) of the right and left frontal lobes in response to head‐down manoeuvre. Ninety‐six right‐handed subjects (aged 59 ± 19 years) were asked to perform a head‐down or a standing manoeuvre. Head‐down manoeuvre produced a greater increase in right side THbl in subjects under 70 years of age (8·5 ± 3·1) when compared with subjects older than 70 years (0·40 ± 0·08). In contrast, the head‐down manoeuvre had no effects on left side THbl, irrespective of patient age. Similarly, the head‐down manoeuvre resulted in a greater decrease of right side rSO2 in subjects under 70 years of age (−5·2 ± 2·1%) when compared with subjects older than 70 years (0·31 ± 0·9%). In contrast, the head‐down manoeuvre had no effects on left side rSO2, irrespective of patient age. The head‐down manoeuvre produced a smaller increase in right side THbl in subjects with dizziness (0·38 ± 0·19) than in those without dizziness (9·4 ± 3·5). A standing manoeuvre produced a smaller increase in right side THbl in subjects with syncope (−0·057 ± 0·047) than in those without syncope (0·063 ± 0·028). The head‐down manoeuvre produced a decrease in right side rSO2 in subjects without dizziness (−6·4 ± 2·4%) and a slight increase in right side rSO2 in subjects with dizziness (1·1 ± 0·4%). Subjects with dizziness (67 ± 2·1 years) were significantly older than those without dizziness (53 ± 2·7 years) or those with syncope (44 ± 4·2 years). These data indicate that reduced vasoreactivity to right hemispheric pressure changes is associated with dizziness in older subjects. Further, decreases in right hemispheric THbl during a standing manoeuvre are associated with syncope in relatively younger subjects.
Heart rate variability during sedentary work and sleep in normal and sleep‐deprived states
Authors: van den Berg Johannes , Neely Gregory , Wiklund Urban , Landström Ulf 
Published: January 2005

SummaryThe possibility of using heart rate variability (HRV) as an indicator of sleepiness was investigated by analysing heart rate (HR) activity and electroencephalography (EEG) recordings from 10 individuals who performed a monotonous attention task for 120 min in both sleep‐deprived and rested states. In both conditions, measurements were collected during 60 min of sleep immediately following a 120 min of non‐sleep (awake phase). Although HR decreased significantly in both the rested and the sleep‐deprived states during the awake phase, HR significantly changed sooner when subjects were sleep‐deprived than when they were rested. No significant changes in HRV were found during the awake phase; however, HRV correlated significantly with alpha and theta power densities when rested but not when sleep‐deprived. During the sleep phase, the total HRV and very low and low frequency HRV components significantly decreased approximately 40 min after sleeping in the sleep‐deprived condition. These HRV components were also significantly and negatively correlated with delta power densities. HRV does not seem to be a viable indicator of sleepiness; however, HRV may be useful for determining sleep stages.
Limitations of non‐invasive endothelial function assessment by brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation
Authors: Šejda Tomáš , Pit'ha Jan , Švandová Eva , Poledne Rudolf 
Published: January 2005

SummaryA non‐invasive technique using high‐frequency ultrasound brachial artery imaging to assess endothelium‐dependent flow‐mediated vasodilatation is a widely used test, but interpretation of results is not consistent. This study was designed to assess the method of non‐invasive endothelial function determination of a brachial artery. Endothelial function was assessed by two physicians in 18 young, healthy volunteers. Each volunteer was examined by both physicians on the same day using an identical protocol; a second assessment was carried out at an interval of 6–7 days. When comparing arterial dilatation at first and second measurements by one physician, there were no statistically significant differences (first physician: 5·95 ± 2·93% versus 7·63 ± 4·3%;P = 0·21; second physician: 4·23 ± 1·6% versus 4·94 ± 2·69%;P = 0·22). Further, we found statistically significant differences in artery dilatation when comparing measurements made separately by both physicians on the same day (5·95 ± 2·93% versus 4·23 ± 1·6%;P = 0·03, and 7·63 ± 4·3% versus 4·94 ± 2·69%;P = 0·003). Our results suggest a large inter‐individual variability of measurements within the whole group, if made on the same day and at the same time by two physicians. On the contrary, no significant differences were noted when comparing measurements of the whole group by the one physician at an interval of 1 week. It can be concluded that the degree of brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation is difficult to evaluate on the basis of a predefined cut‐off point as a single‐measurement screening test.
Assessment of lung volumes in children and adolescents: comparison of two plethysmographic techniques
Authors: Halvorsen Thomas , Skadberg Britt Torunn , Eide Geir Egil , Røksund Ola Drange , Bakke Per , Thorsen Einar 
Published: January 2005

SummaryThoracic gas volume (Vtg) can be measured with body plethysmography by either repetitive panting or one single inspiratory effort against a shutter occluding the airways. The panting technique is preferred, but may be demanding. We aimed to assess the precision of these two methods and the degree of agreement between them. Vtg and functional residual capacity (FRC) were measured in 155 subjects with a standard, commercially available plethysmograph, acting as a variable‐pressure, constant‐volume device when Vtg is determined. Total lung capacity (TLC) and residual lung volume (RV) were calculated subsequent to a full vital capacity manoeuvre. For non‐asthmatic healthy subjects, the standard deviations (SD) of the differences between two replicate measurements of FRC, TLC and RV were respectively 0·16, 0·13 and 0·14 litres with the panting technique, and 0·18, 0·18 and 0·23 litres with the single inspiratory effort technique. In percentage of the respective lung volumes, the corresponding 1·96 SDs were 20%, 8% and 40% with the panting technique and 23%, 12% and 67% with the single inspiratory effort technique. Between the two techniques, 95% limits of agreement were 21% for FRC, 11% for TLC and 58% for RV. The variability of Vtg and FRC accounted for most of the variability of TLC and RV. In conclusion, the panting and the single inspiratory effort technique produced results that were comparable in magnitude, however with a better precision with the panting technique. The single inspiratory effort technique can be used as an alternative if the panting technique fails.
ELECTRONIC CONDUCTION IN ION IMPLANATED AMORPHOUS CARBON THIN FILMS
Authors: KHAN R. U. A. , SILVA S. R. P. 
Published: January 2005

The electronic conduction mechanism occuring in amorphous thin films is quite complicated. In amorphous carbon films it is further exacerbated by the rich diversity of its microstructure as well as the large number of gap states present in the films. One of the main reasons for the tunability of the optical band gaps of these films not being exploited in active devices, has been the inability firstly to reduce the gap states to an acceptable level, and secondly finding suitable dopants that are electrically active at room temperature. The large number of gap states in the films further exacerbates its problems by not allowing suitable barriers (eg. Schottky) to be formed on to the amorphous carbon films. In this paper we hope to first divide the amorphous carbon thin films into two main categories. Namely, diamond-like carbon films which have a high precentage of C-C sp 3 bonding, and polymer-like carbon films that also have a high percentage of sp 3 bonding which is a mixture of C-C and C-H bonds, and have a high percentage of hydrogen as well as large optical band gaps. Recent results based on ion implantation using ions such as N, B, C will be contrasted to in-situ dopant incorporation via a gaseous source., and is shown to be a very powerful technique of modifying the conduction properties. It will be shown that in the diamond-like films the conduction properties are usually controlled via Poole-Frenkel type defect conduction, while for the polymer-like films it is more a space charge based bulk and possibly, barrier controlled process. But, due to the large band gaps of these films it is difficult to distinguish between the bulk effects and the barrier effects.
ANALYSIS AND MODELING OF A NOVEL ZVZCS FB PWM CONVERTER
Authors: SONG TINGTING , HUANG NIANCI 
Published: January 2005

A novel zero-voltage and zero-current-switch (ZVZCS) full-bridge PWM converter is presented. There are neither additional active switches nor lossy components in the proposed converter to achieve ZVZCS conditions. Moreover, the ZVZCS conditions are achieved by changing the traditional configuration of ZVS-full-bridge without added control: a simple auxiliary circuit is added in the secondary and the center tap of the transformer's secondary is linked to the auxiliary circuit. The secondary rectifier voltage of the converter is clamped to a relative low level, so additional clamp circuit for the secondary rectifier is not necessary. Using a new improved approach, which concerns the energy input into the secondary rather than the voltage in secondary, a complete small-signal model for the converter is developed through simple calculation. The operation of the proposed converter is analyzed, some important formulas are deduced. The experimental results of a 1.2-KW prototype prove that the novel converter is successful.
Regional Brain Activity Associated with Visual Backward Masking
Authors: Green Michael F. , Glahn David , Engel Stephen A. , Nuechterlein Keith H. , Sabb Fred , Strojwas Magda , Cohen Mark S. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractIn visual backward masking, the visibility of a briefly presented visual target is disrupted by a mask that is presented shortly thereafter. The goal of the current study was to identify regions in the human cortex that may provide the neural basis of visual masking. We searched for areas whose activity correlated with perception as we systematically varied the strength of masking. A total of 13 subjects performed a backward masking task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Target and mask were presented at three delay intervals (34, 68, and 102 msec) and behavioral measures confirmed that the targets were more visible at longer masking intervals. Two sets of regions of interest were identified: Distinct regions in the visual cortex (V1/V2, LO, hMT+) were segregated using scans to localize visual processing drawn from the existing literature. Additional cortical regions were selected in a data-driven approach based on their activity during the backward masking task. For each set, we determined the regions whose magnitude of activation increased at longer masking intervals. Nine of the subjects provided valid behavioral performance data on the visual masking task and imaging data from these subjects were used for subsequent analysis. The scans of visual processing areas identified four regions, including: early visual areas (V1 and V2), the motion-sensitive regions in the lateral occipital (LO) lobe (hMT+), and two components (dorsal and ventral) of the object-sensitive region, LO. Of these, the ventral and dorsal LO regions were sensitive to the strength of the mask. For the data-driven approach, six regions were identified on the basis of a difference map in which all masking intervals were contrasted with rest. These included the inferior parietal, anterior cingulate, precentral, insula, thalamic, and occipital areas. The predicted effects of more activity with weaker masking were seen in the thalamus, inferior parietal, and anterior cingulate. This study isolated three types of visual processing areas. The first included regions that subserve key stages of vision (including object and motion processing). The second type responded to the presentation of briefly presented visual stimuli, regardless of masking interval. The third type (selected from the first two) included regions sensitive to the interval between the target and mask. These latter regions (including ventral LO, inferior parietal, anterior cingulate, and thalamus) may form the neural substrate of backward masking.
Deep-Sea Fisheries of the High Seas: The Management Impasse
Authors: Kimball Lee 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThis article briefly reviews the current status of high seas bottom fishing and its impacts. It then traces the evolution of major intergovernmental discussions on these issues up to the 5th meeting of the UN Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea in June 2004, including the involvement of scientists and conservation organisations. Next, it highlights the four key arguments presented to date on the need for immediate action to curtail high seas bottom trawling: that it is largely unregulated and unsustainable, severely impacts deep-sea biodiversity, and is a highly destructive fishing technique. In addition, it draws attention to an important emerging argument on equity considerations. Rights and duties regarding conservation of sedentary species on the coastal state's continental margin beyond 200 nautical miles are also considered. A final section suggests possible solutions to the management impasse regarding high seas bottom trawl fisheries, covering the authority to regulate, the need for deep ocean assessment, strengthening the international community's stake in deep-sea conservation and some of the tools available.
Managing Deep-sea Fisheries: Some Threshold Questions
Authors: Balton David , Zbicz Dorothy 
Published: January 2005

AbstractIncreasing fishing effort and advances in fishing technology and methods are putting new pressure on deep-sea fisheries. Multilateral efforts to manage the living marine resources over the past fifty years have met with mixed results. This paper examines multilateral approaches and measures adopted in the past decade to manage these resources. It then addresses two threshold questions to be asked in considering multilateral management of deep-sea fisheries: 1) whether new approaches should take the form of binding or non-binding measures, and 2) whether such measures should apply in all marine areas or only on the high seas. It concludes with recommended elements that should be included to maximize the chances of success for managing deep-sea fisheries.
Unregulated Deep-Sea Fisheries: A Need for a Multi-Level Approach
Authors:   Molenaar
Published: January 2005

AbstractMany deep-sea fisheries share characteristics that distinguish them from other fisheries in a way which heightens sustainability and biodiversity concerns. Due to their depth of operation, many deep-sea fisheries occur in areas where the current international law of the sea gives coastal states no jurisdiction to regulate fisheries unilaterally. Whereas many international fisheries currently suffer from unregulated fishing under irresponsible flags of convenience, the concerns on deep-sea fisheries relate first of all to the absence of (international) regulation. The approach advocated in this article would be one where complementary action is taken simultaneously at the global, regional and national levels. As there may not be enough time for conceptually sound and holistic but incremental processes for regime building, the focus should first of all be on flexible short-term action.
Managing Antarctic Marine Living Resources: The CCAMLR Approach
Authors: Miller Denzil , Sabourenkov Eugene , Ramm David 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThis paper documents the experiences of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in developing, and implementing, its fisheries conservation and management measures. Examples are given to show how the provisions of Article II of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR Convention) have been applied in practice. Generally, these provisions strive for an ecosystem-based and precautionary approach to the management of harvested and non-harvested species. Emphasis is given to the development of management measures to deal with: (a) uncertainty associated with new and exploratory fisheries, (b) reduction and elimination (i.e.minimisation) of seabird bycatch in longline fisheries, (c) trade-related measures to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing on CCAMLR species, and (d) general environmental protection. CCAMLR's achievements are evaluated, potential threats to its future effectiveness are identified and some possible counteractions are offered.
The tumor suppressor Scrib interacts with the zyxin-related protein LPP, which shuttles between cell adhesion sites and the nucleus
Authors: Petit Marleen MR , Meulemans Sandra MP , Alen Philippe , Ayoubi Torik AY , Jansen Erik , Van de Ven Wim JM 
Published: January 2005

Abstract
Background
At sites of cell adhesion, proteins exist that not only perform structural tasks but also have a signaling function. Previously, we found that the Lipoma Preferred Partner (LPP) protein is localized at sites of cell adhesion such as focal adhesions and cell-cell contacts, and shuttles to the nucleus where it has transcriptional activation capacity. LPP is a member of the zyxin family of proteins, which contains five members: ajuba, LIMD1, LPP, TRIP6 and zyxin. LPP has three LIM domains (zinc-finger protein interaction domains) at its carboxy-terminus, which are preceded by a proline-rich pre-LIM region containing a number of protein interaction domains.

Results
To catch the role of LPP at sites of cell adhesion, we made an effort to identify binding partners of LPP. We found the tumor suppressor protein Scrib, which is a component of cell-cell contacts, as interaction partner of LPP. Human Scrib, which is a functional homologue of Drosophila scribble, is a member of the leucine-rich repeat and PDZ (LAP) family of proteins that is involved in the regulation of cell adhesion, cell shape and polarity. In addition, Scrib displays tumor suppressor activity. The binding between Scrib and LPP is mediated by the PDZ domains of Scrib and the carboxy-terminus of LPP. Both proteins localize in cell-cell contacts. Whereas LPP is also localized in focal adhesions and in the nucleus, Scrib could not be detected at these locations in MDCKII and CV-1 cells. Furthermore, our investigations indicate that Scrib is dispensable for targeting LPP to focal adhesions and to cell-cell contacts, and that LPP is not necessary for localizing Scrib in cell-cell contacts. We show that all four PDZ domains of Scrib are dispensable for localizing this protein in cell-cell contacts.

Conclusions
Here, we identified an interaction between one of zyxin's family members, LPP, and the tumor suppressor protein Scrib. Both proteins localize in cell-cell contacts. This interaction links Scrib to a communication pathway between cell-cell contacts and the nucleus, and implicates LPP in Scrib-associated functions.