bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cerebral state index during anaesthetic induction: a comparative study with propofol or nitrous oxide
Authors: Anderson R. E. , Barr G. , Jakobsson J. G. 
Published: June 2005

Background:  Confidently predicting the depth of anaesthesia for the individual patient and independently of drug(s) type using EEG‐based monitors has proven difficult. This open, randomized, explorative study of day surgical patients evaluates the ability of the Cerebral State Monitor™ (Danmeter AB, Odense, Denmark) of anaesthetic depth to identify loss of response (LOR) using either propofol or N20 for induction.Methods:  In this open, randomized study, day surgical patients (n=10 in each group) were studied using the Cerebral State Index Monitor™. After baseline measurements, induction to LOR was achieved with either repeated 30‐mg boluses of propofol every second minute or with N20 (after premedication 5 min before with 30 mg propofol) increased every other minute in 15% increments (max. 75%). Sedation level was evaluated every other minute using the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scaleResults:  Baseline values were 91 (82–98) and 94 (82–100) for N20 and propofol patients, respectively. During induction CSI™ decreased with increasing sedation in patients given propofol (P<0.001) but not in patients given nitrous oxide. Median value at LOR was 56 (40–76) and 95 (87–100) for the propofol and nitrous oxide group of patients, respectively.Conclusion:  The Cerebral State Index™ behaves as other depth of anaesthesia monitors with a progressive decrease during propofol induction but loss of consciousness with N20 results in no change in CSI™.
Impact of rHuEPO therapy initiation on soluble adhesion molecule levels in haemodialysis patients
Authors: KAHRAMAN SERKAN , YILMAZ RAHMI , KIRKPANTUR ALPER , GENCTOY GULTEKIN , ARICI MUSTAFA , ALTUN BULENT , ERDEM YUNUS , YASAVUL UNAL , TURGAN CETIN 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARY:Background:  Increased levels of soluble adhesion molecules have been reported in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Recent studies have shown that recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) elicits proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and modifies endothelial function. The present study was design to explore the effects of rHuEPO on serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules in HD patients.Methods:  Soluble serum levels of E‐selectin (sE‐selectin), intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (sVCAM‐1) were measured by ELISA in 29 rHuEPO naïve HD patients (20 males, 9 females) and 10 control subjects at baseline and second month. The HD patients with a haemoglobin level lower than 10.0 mg/dL (n = 19) were administered rHuEPO therapy and other HD patients (n = 10) were followed as a placebo group.Results:  Serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules were significantly higher in HD patients compared with the control group. A significant rise from the baseline in sE‐selectin levels (77 ± 70 vs 100 ± 86 ng/mL, P < 0.05) was observed 2 months after rHuEPO initiation, while sICAM‐1 and sVCAM‐1 levels decreased (271 ± 261 vs 197 ± 89 and 1043 ± 243 vs 990 ± 236 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.05).Conclusions:  The present data indicate that rHuEPO could have an important action on serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules in HD patients. rHuEPO might modify the expression of adhesion molecules from endothelial cells either. However, the exact mechanism responsible for the serum elevation of these molecules in HD patients is yet to be fully elucidated.
Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells infectious burden: Correlation to inflammation and atherosclerosis in haemodialysis patients
Authors: TSIRPANLIS GEORGE , CHATZIPANAGIOTOU STYLIANOS , IOANNIDIS ANASTASIOS , BOUFIDOU FOTINI , MOUTAFIS SPYROS , NICOLAOU CHRYSOULA 
Published: June 2005

SUMMARY:Background:  Infectious agents may be implicated in the inflammatory atherosclerotic process. Not only specific microorganisms but also the infectious burden, defined as the number of pathogens to which a patient is exposed, has been associated with atherosclerosis. In the present study, the infectious burden, determined directly (by identification of viable pathogens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)) and indirectly (by serum antibodies detection) is correlated to the inflammatory and atherosclerotic status in haemodialysis (HD) patients, a population at high risk for cardiovascular disease.Methods:  The viable forms of four microorganisms (Chlamydia pneumoniae, herpes virus 1 and 2 and cytomegalovirus) were identified in patients PBMC by cell cultures and subsequent polymerase chain reaction. Serum IgG against the above pathogens and Helicobacter pylori were also determined. Inflammation was assessed by measurement of C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), three pro‐ and one anti‐inflammatory cytokines and four adhesion molecules. Atherosclerosis was defined by a scoring system using medical history data.Results:  The number of viable pathogens identified in PBMC in the 122 HD patients included in the study were zero in 22.1% of them, one in 33.6%, two in 43.4% and three in one patient. The number of IgG antibodies determined was one in 6.6% of patients, two in 32%, three in 48.4% and four in 13.1%. Seropositivity was not significantly different between patients with or without the respective viable pathogen identified in PBMC. Atherosclerosis was present in 40.2% of patients, and CRP, SAA and interleukin‐6 were all increased in these patients. Neither inflammatory indexes nor atherosclerosis were significantly different in patients with a higher number of viable pathogens detected in PBMC or in those with a higher antibodies number.Conclusions:  The direct infectious burden determination (the number of viable pathogens in PBMC) does not coincide with the serum (by IgG detection) infectious burden. Although inflammation correlates to atherosclerosis, neither PBMC nor the serum infectious burden is associated with these two entities in the inflamed and atherosclerotic HD patients.
Use of low‐dose mitozantrone to treat aggressive multiple sclerosis: a single‐centre open‐label study using patient self‐assessment and clinical measures of multiple sclerosis status
Authors: Ostberg A. , Pittas F. , Taylor B. 
Published: June 2005

Abstract Background:  There is significant evidence supporting the use of mitozantrone in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) but few data on the subtypes of MS that respond or which measures of disease status are most useful.Aims:  To assess the efficacy of low‐dose (5 mg/m2 3 monthly) mitozantrone using patient self‐assessment questionnaire (SAQ), expanded disability status score (EDSS), multiple sclerosis functional composite score (MSFC), and the fatigue severity scale (FSS). Then, to compare the responses of a subgroup of relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients to treatment, and to assess which measures of MS disease status are the most useful in a study of this type.Method:  Thirty‐one patients with definite (McDonald criteria) active MS were commenced on mitozantrone 5 mg/m2 every 3 months. EDSS, MSFC and FSS data collected before treatment and after 12 months were analysed. The SAQ was administered after at least 12 months of therapy.Results:  RRMS patients showed significantly more response to mitozantrone than SPMS patients in terms of MSFC (P = 0.02) and SAQ (P = 0.01).Conclusions:  Low‐dose mitozantrone was well tolerated and useful in active RRMS in the short term; however, mitozantrone did not display any useful activity in SPMS patients over this time interval or at the mitozantrone dose used. Patient perception of treatment is a worthwhile outcome measure and the MSFC is the most useful objective measure of MS status change in this type of study. (Intern Med J 2005; 35: 382–387)
Delayed onset refractory dystonic movements following propofol anesthesia
Authors: SARAVANAKUMAR K. , VENKATESH P. , BROMLEY P. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryNeuroexcitation is an uncommon but well recognized side effect of propofol anesthesia and sedation. We present a patient who, despite an intact mental status and without any preexisting movement disorder, experienced delayed onset of involuntary dystonic movements involving head, neck and shoulder for 11 h following emergence from propofol/nitrous oxide anesthesia.
Perioperative pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen enantiomers after rectal administration
Authors: KYLLÖNEN MATTI , OLKKOLA KLAUS T. , SEPPÄLÄ TIMO , RYHÄNEN PAULI 
Published: June 2005

SummaryBackground : Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug which has both peripheral and central analgesic effects. Ibuprofen has been shown to be an effective antipyretic and postoperative analgesic drug both in adults and children with few side effects. Pharmacokinetics of rectal ibuprofen has not been studied, although suppositories are frequently used for perioperative pain control in children.Methods : There were four study groups: full‐term infants aged 1–7 weeks (n = 9), infants aged 8–25 weeks (n = 8), and infants aged 26–52 weeks (n = 7). Adult patients were 20–40 years old (n = 7). Ibuprofen suppository 20 mg·kg−1 was administered after induction of anesthesia. Blood samples were collected from 20 min to 10 h after dosing and pharmacokinetic analysis of ibuprofen enantiomers were done.Results : Both ibuprofen enantiomers were detectable in blood in 20 min. Total ibuprofen plasma concentrations >10 mg·l−1 were seen from 40 min to 8 h. Values for Tmax of ibuprofen enantiomers and total ibuprofen were higher in the adult group than any of the infant groups (P < 0.05). In addition, values for physiological (standardized) t1/2 of (R)‐(−)‐ and (S)‐(+)‐ibuprofen were higher in infants aged 1–7 weeks than the adults (P < 0.05). None of the other pharmacokinetic variables, Cmax, AUC, chronological t1/2 or AUC ratio differed between the groups.Conclusions : A single dose of ibuprofen suppository 20 mg·kg−1 after induction of anesthesia guarantees analgesic plasma concentrations during the early postoperative period. Except for the delayed absorption of ibuprofen in adults and higher physiological t1/2 in infants aged 1–7 weeks, no major pharmacokinetic differences were observed between study groups.
Giving parents written information about children's anesthesia: Are setting and timing important?
Authors: SPENCER CAROLINE , FRANCK LINDA S. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryBackground:  Research indicates that parents wish to receive more information and are anxious about anesthesia prior to their child's surgery.Methods:  A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted to ascertain if parents who received a general anesthesia information leaflet by post 1 week following their presurgical assessment clinic visit (n = 19) had greater knowledge, reduced anxiety, or greater satisfaction with anesthetic information on the day of surgery than parents who received the leaflet at the clinic visit (n = 21).Results:  Parents had important knowledge deficits on the day of surgery, despite receiving the leaflet in addition to standard verbal communication. Parents who were given the leaflet at the presurgical assessment clinic had a modest 10% increase in knowledge compared with parents who received the leaflet by post. However, parents who received the leaflet within 2 weeks for their child's surgery also had 10% greater knowledge, regardless of the method of delivery. There were no differences in parental anxiety or satisfaction with the information related to method or timing of delivery. Parents appreciated receiving written information and a slight majority of parents (56%) preferred to receive the information at the presurgical assessment clinic visit.Conclusions:  Parents have unmet information needs related to children's anesthetic care. Written information may improve parent knowledge and enhance satisfaction, but the setting and timing of information delivery are also important to consider.
Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula: anesthetic and intensive care management of a series of eight neonates
Authors: KROSNAR SUZANNE , BAXTER ALISTAIR 
Published: June 2005

SummaryAdvances in minimally invasive techniques have made pediatric laparoscopic surgery commonplace. Thoracoscopic surgery in children however is still performed in only a few centers throughout the world. Between July 2001 and January 2004, the first eight esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula repairs were performed thoracoscopically at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh. This article presents their anesthetic management, their postoperative management in the pediatric intensive care unit and reviews the complications seen in both the intraoperative and postoperative periods. Finally we discuss how our experience to date influences our perioperative management of these challenging cases.
Prolonged infusion of dexmedetomidine for sedation following tracheal resection
Authors: HAMMER GREGORY B. , PHILIP BRIDGET M. , SCHROEDER ALAN R. , ROSEN FREDERICK S. , KOLTAI PETER J. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryDexmedetomidine is a centrally acting alpha‐2 adrenergic agonist that is currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for short‐term use (≤24 h) to provide sedation in adults in the ICU. This drug has been shown to be efficacious in adult medical and surgical patients in providing sedation, anxiolysis, and analgesia. Dexmedetomidine has been associated with rapid onset and offset, hemodynamic stability, and a natural, sleep‐like state in mechanically ventilated adults. To date, there are few publications of the use of this drug in children, and prolonged infusion has not been described. We report our use of dexmedetomidine in a child during a 4‐day period of mechanical ventilation following tracheal reconstruction for subglottic stenosis.
A site‐specific insertion sequence in flax genotrophs induced by environment
Authors: Chen Yiming , Schneeberger Richard G. , Cullis Christopher A. 
Published: June 2005

Summary• A single‐copy 5.7 kilobase (kb) DNA fragment, termed Linum Insertion Sequence 1 (LIS‐1), has been identified and characterized. This is one of the DNA changes associated with the environmentally induced heritable changes resulting in stable lines termed genotrophs in flax (Linum usitatissimum).• The insertion sequence and its insertion site have been cloned from genomic libraries and sequenced. PCR products across the insertion and surrounding regions have also been cloned and sequenced.• The 5.7 kb DNA fragment is inserted into a 3.7 kb EcoRI fragment in the plastic line (Pl) with the generation of a 3 base pair duplication at the insertion site, as well as additional sequence changes. The identical insertion was also found in other genotrophs and flax varieties. The intact element was not present in Pl but appeared to be generated by a reproducible series of complex rearrangements or insertion events.• LIS‐1 is the result of a targeted, highly specific, complex insertion event that occurs during the formation of some of the genotrophs, and occurs naturally in many flax and linseed varieties.
Patterns of introgression across an expanding hybrid zone: analysing historical patterns of gene flow using nonequilibrium approaches
Authors: Cruzan Mitchell B. 
Published: June 2005

SummaryPrevious studies suggest that the hybrid zone between two taxa in thePiriqueta carolinianacomplex in central Florida (south‐eastern North America) has recently expanded with hybrids replacing parental genotypes across a broad region of the Florida peninsula.Here I use patterns of genetic disequilibria and levels of differentiation among populations to infer historical patterns of introgression across this broad hybrid zone.There were strong positive associations among taxon‐specific alleles at the southern extent of hybridization, but disequilibria values were close to zero across the central and northern portions of the hybrid zone. Levels of among‐population differentiation in the central portion of the hybrid zone were relatively low, and increased towards the northern extent of hybridization.The high levels of disequilibria are coincident with the sharp clines at the southern end of the hybrid zone, suggesting that there is a tension zone in this region that is maintained by selection against hybrids and dispersal from parental regions. The levels of disequilibria within populations and patterns of differentiation among populations are consistent with historical introgression and northward expansion of this hybrid zone, which may have slowed or ceased in recent generations.
When Do Venture Capital Firms Learn from Their Portfolio Companies?
Authors: De Clercq Dirk , Sapienza Harry J. 
Published: June 2005

In this study, we examine when venture capital firms (VCFs) learn from their portfolio companies (PFCs). Relying primarily on learning and behavioral theories, we develop hypotheses regarding the effects of prior experience, knowledge overlap, trust, and PFC performance on learning by VCFs. We use a combination of primary and secondary data from 298 U.S.–based VCFs to test the hypotheses. Interview data are used to illuminate the results and to guide our discussion of implications.  Many of our results were surprising. For example, we found that the VCF's overall experience is negatively related to VCF learning, and we found that trust in VCF–PFC dyads is also negatively associated with VCF learning. Whereas we expected to observe a curvilinear relationship between knowledge overlap and learning, we found that lower levels of knowledge overlap were associated with greater learning in a linear fashion. Finally, we found that VCFs perceive greater learning to occur in higher–performing PFCs. We discuss the limitations and implications of our findings and also suggest avenues for future research.
A CGE analysis of trade costs in the Russian agrofood sector
Authors: Kuhn Arnim 
Published: June 2005

AbstractTen years after the end of central planning, enormous interregional price differences indicate that Russian food markets are not well integrated spatially. Trade potentials are thus not exploited, most probably because of high trade costs. Besides transport costs, transaction costs seem to play an important role as an impediment to interregional arbitrage. These transaction costs can be very high in transition countries due to underdeveloped market structures and weak public institutions. After subtracting transport costs from interregional price differences, large differences remain, particularly in the case of high‐value products. It is assumed that these residual price differences constitute the transaction cost component of total trade costs. The regional economic impact of different trade cost components is quantified using a bi‐regional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model. Simulations show that the results are quite different between the two stylized regions (East and West), depending on which trade cost component is reduced. While the welfare effects of varying customs tariffs and transport margins are rather limited, lower transaction costs of trade seem to be a promising way to achieve a better functioning food market in Russia.
Output, prices, and the distribution of consumption in rural India
Authors: Bell Clive , Klonner Stefan 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThis article analyzes the relation among agricultural output, inflation, and the distribution of consumption in rural India, using both the Singh–Maddala and Dagum families to model the entire distribution parametrically. Employing a benchmark case in which growth is distributionally neutral and idiosyncratic shocks are completely smoothed, and using a GMM‐estimator to deal with potential simultaneity between output and consumption, we conclude that: (i) growth was not distributionally neutral; (ii) good harvests (relative to trend) yielded improvements according to first‐order stochastic dominance; (iii) slow growth before 1980 went with decreasing inequality; (iv) accelerated growth thereafter tended to increase inequality, though yielding improvements according to first‐order stochastic dominance; (v) consumption smoothing was incomplete.
Environmental impacts of technological change in Bangladesh agriculture: farmers' perceptions, determinants, and effects on resource allocation decisions
Authors: Rahman Sanzidur 
Published: June 2005

AbstractThis article measures the impact of modern technology adoption in raising farmers' environmental awareness and the impact of farmers' environmental awareness on resource use by utilizing survey data from 21 villages in three agro‐ecological regions of Bangladesh. The econometric analysis is based on the application of the Tobit model explaining farmers' environmental awareness in the first stage and a profit function examining environmental awareness and resource use relationships in the second stage. Results reveal that the “level” and “duration” of involvement with modern technology raises farmers' environmental awareness, and that farmers' environmental awareness reduces resource use including chemicals. Farmers, who are aware of the adverse environmental impacts of modern agricultural technology, use lower amounts of all inputs in order to avoid further environmental damage. Therefore, efforts to raise farmers' environmental awareness are expected to enhance intangible benefits accruing from a relatively less chemical‐intensive environment.
Twenty five year mortality and air pollution: results from the French PAARC survey
Authors: Filleul L , Rondeau V , Vandentorren S , Le Moual N , Cantagrel A , Annesi-Maesano I , Charpin D , Declercq C , Neukirch F , Paris C , Vervloet D , Brochard P , Tessier J-F , Kauffmann F , Baldi I 
Published: June 2005

Aims and Methods:Long term effects of air pollution on mortality were studied in 14 284 adults who resided in 24 areas from seven French cities when enrolled in the PAARC survey (air pollution and chronic respiratory diseases) in 1974. Daily measurements of sulphur dioxide, total suspended particles, black smoke, nitrogen dioxide, and nitric oxide were made in 24 areas for three years (1974–76). Cox proportional hazards models controlling for individual confounders (smoking, educational level, body mass index, occupational exposure) were applied, and frailty models used to take into account spatial correlation. Indicators of air pollution were the mean concentration.Results:Models were run before and after exclusion of six area monitors influenced by local traffic (NO/NO2>3 in ppb). After exclusion of these areas, analyses showed that adjusted risk ratios (95% CI) for TSP, BS, NO2, and NO for non-accidental mortality were 1.05 (1.02 to 1.08), 1.07 (1.03 to 1.10), 1.14 (1.03 to 1.25), and 1.11 (1.05 to 1.17) for 10 μg/m3respectively. Consistent patterns for lung cancer and cardiopulmonary causes were observed.Conclusions:Urban air pollution assessed in the 1970s was associated with increased mortality over 25 years in France.