bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spatial and temporal pattern of introduced Bombus terrestris abundance in Hokkaido, Japan, and its potential impact on native bumblebees
Authors: Inari Naoki , Nagamitsu Teruyoshi , Kenta Tanaka , Goka Koichi , Hiura Tsutom 
Published: February 2005

AbstractA commercial colony of Bombus terrestris (L.) was introduced to Japan in 1992 for crop pollination in greenhouses. Since then wild colonies have developed and spread in some regions. In the present study, we measured the spatial distribution and temporal change in abundance of B. terrestris in the Chitose River Basin, Hokkaido, Japan to elucidate the relation of greenhouses to the bee's distribution and to evaluate its potential effects on native bumblebees. Bumblebees were collected with window traps in windbreak forests roughly 1, 2, 4, and 6 km NNW and SSE of a large greenhouse. The peak catch of B. terrestris queens occurred in early June, suggesting that they had successfully hibernated in the field. The distributions of B. terrestris and the native B. ardens were mutually exclusive, while the native B. hypocrita appeared at all sites. Catches of B. terrestris were restricted to within 4 km of the nearest greenhouse, suggesting that the invasion was still in the initial phase in this area. The reduction in abundance of the native bumblebees in the sites of high B. terrestris abundance suggests the presence of interspecies competition between B. terrestris and the native bumblebees during the early part of the colony activity, although such reduction in B. ardens can be explained by habitat suitability.
Prenatal auditory enrichment with species‐specific calls and sitar music modulates expression of Bcl‐2 and Bax to alter programmed cell death in developing chick auditory nuclei
Authors: Alladi Phalguni Anand , Roy Tarashankar , Singh Neeta , Wadhwa Shashi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractPostnatal auditory stimulation influences early perceptual learning. Previously we reported morphological effects of prenatal auditory stimulation by species‐specific and sitar musical sounds on the chick brainstem auditory nuclei—nucleus magnocellularis and nucleus laminaris. At hatching, these two nuclei of auditory enriched embryos showed higher neuronal numbers, amongst other morphological changes. There were also increases in synaptophysin and syntaxin1 expressions in the sound enriched groups and modulation of the developmental expression of transcription factors c‐Fos and c‐Jun. We hypothesized that prenatal auditory enrichment may have reduced embryonic apoptosis in these nuclei with possible alteration of molecular mechanisms enhancing the postsynaptic neuron's ability to survive. In the present study, therefore, we examined apoptotic cell death by TUNEL technique and Bcl‐2 expression using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. In the controls, a peak percentage in the TUNEL‐positive cells was noted in the auditory nuclei at embryonic day 12, which was reduced at embryonic day 16. Bcl‐2 immunoreactivity decreased from embryonic day 8 to embryonic day 12 overlapping the period of embryonic cell death in these nuclei. The stimulated groups, however, showed fewer apoptotic neurons and higher Bcl‐2 level than that in the controls. On the other hand, Bax immunohistochemistry showed correlated reverse changes compared to Bcl‐2 expression. Thus prenatal extra‐acoustic stimulation appears to alter Bcl‐2 and Bax expression to support cell survival and differentiation, thereby augmenting the development of auditory nuclei.
Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha receptors p55/p75 ratio and ovarian cancer detection
Authors: Rzymski P. , Opala T. , Wilczak M. , Woźniak J. , Sajdak S. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractObjectiveEarly ovarian cancer detection is still very difficult and patients are mostly in advanced stages, with obvious influence on poor prognosis.MethodFifty‐one ovarian cancer patients and 16 healthy controls had the serum concentrations of TNFα receptor p55, p75 and CA‐125 measured prospectively and preoperatively.ResultMean concentrations of TNFα receptor p55, p75 and CA‐125 in patients with ovarian cancer were higher than in controls. The ratios of p55 and p75 receptor in ovarian cancer and controls were 0.73±0.38 and 0.55±0.06 respectively. The areas under ROC curve in detecting malignancy (all FIGO stages) were 0.73, 0.65, 0.88 and 0.85 for p55, p75, p55/p75 ratio and CA‐125 respectively. The areas under ROC curve in detecting stage I of ovarian cancer were 0.52, 0.60, 0.84 and 0.66 for p55, p75, p55/p75 ratio and CA‐125 respectively.ConclusionSerum TNFα p55/p75 ratio showed promising value in ovarian cancer detection.
Has survival improved for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the United States?
Authors: Lee Jivianne T. , Ko Clifford Y. 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiologic patterns and survival rates for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma over the last three decades.METHODSThe National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program tumor registries were used to identify patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the United States from 1973 to 1999. Incidence and survival rates for each decade were then determined according to age, gender, race, histological type, and stage using the SEER statistical program.RESULTSFrom 1973 to 1999, 4680 cases of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the United States were sampled by the NCI/SEER database. Overall incidence rates for each decade essentially remained unchanged over time (0.7/100,000). Asians exhibited the highest incidence rates (3.0–4.2), followed by blacks (0.7–1.1) and then whites (0.4–0.7). In contrast, survival rates have gradually improved over time for all stages and histological types (35.7% 5‐year survival in the 1970s vs. 44.1% in the 1980, and 51% in the 1990s). With respect to race, Asians demonstrated the best 5‐year survival rate (62.9%) followed by whites (42.6%) and then blacks (36.2%). However, this may be due to histology, because Asians were also found to have a greater proportion of World Health Organization (WHO) type III cases (27.6%) in comparison to the other 2 groups (22.4% for blacks and 15% for whites).CONCLUSIONSAlthough the incidence rates of nasopharyngeal carcinoma have remained essentially unchanged in the United States in the last 3 decades, survival rates for each stage and histological subtype have exhibited considerable improvement over time. The higher survival rates in Asians may be partially attributed to the more favorable histology (type III) often seen in this group. EBM rating: B‐3.
Laryngotracheal reconstruction in congenital laryngeal webs and atresias
Authors: Wyatt Michelle Elizabeth , John Hartley Benjamin Ernest 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo review the role of open laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in congenital laryngeal webs and atresias.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGA retrospective chart review was undertaken in a specialist otorhinolaryngology unit in an academic tertiary referral paediatric hospital. Twenty‐one patients with congenital laryngeal subglottic stenosis (SGS) underwent LTR between 1993 and 2003. Two groups were identified; one group had SGS alone (n = 6) and the other group had SGS associated with a laryngeal web (n = 15). Information recorded included presenting features, classification of lesion, surgery performed, and whether decannulation was achieved.RESULTSAll grades of stenosis (Myer‐Cotton classification) and webs of type 2, 3, and 4 (Cohen's classification) were recorded. Fifteen patients had a staged reconstruction and 6 patients had a single‐stage LTR. Complications included 2 revision procedures, 3 tracheocutaneous fistulas, and 1 death (cause unrelated). All appropriate patients were successfully decannulated at between 3 and 18 months post‐LTR (median, 5 months).CONCLUSIONThis series illustrates the effective role of open LTR in both congenital SGS alone and that in association with glottic webbing.
OSAS in children: Correlation between endoscopic and polysomnographic findings
Authors: Valera Fabiana C. P. , Avelino Melissa A. G. , Pettermann Márcia B. , Fujita Reginaldo , Pignatari Shirley S. N. , Moreira Gustavo A. , Pradella‐Hallinan Márcia L. , Tufik Sérgio , Weckx Luc L. M. 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVESTo correlate polysomnographic findings with clinical history of apnea, the degree of obstruction caused by tonsillar hypertrophy, and to age group.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING267 children with a clinical diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) were evaluated. Patients were divided into preschool‐ and school‐age categories, and subdivided in 3 additional groups, according to tonsillar hypertrophy. Polysomnographic findings were compared within groups.RESULTS34% of children had history of OSAS and normal polysomnographic findings. Tonsillar hypertrophy was correlated to more severe apnea among preschool‐age children, but not among school‐age children. Among children with tonsillar hypertrophy, more severe apnea was observed in preschool‐age children than in school‐age children.CONCLUSIONSThere is little correlation between polysomnographic and clinical findings in children with OSAS.SIGNIFICANCEAdenotonsillar hypertrophy leads to more severe polysomnographic patterns in preschool‐age children. More severe apnea is observed in younger children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy than in older ones.
A simple and reliable predictor for an adequate laryngeal view with rigid endoscopic laryngoscopy
Authors: Low Christopher , Young PAM , Webb Christopher J. , Walshe Peter , Hone Stephen , Panarese Alessandro , McCormick Maxwell S. 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVESIt is sometimes impossible to obtain an adequate laryngeal view during rigid endoscopic laryngoscopy. This may be due to a high tongue base. Our study seeks to determine a correlation between tongue base level and the adequacy of laryngeal view obtained with a 70‐degree rigid endoscope.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGOver a period of 4 months, patients from a voice clinic were gathered and categorized into class I to III according to Mallampati et al (1985). Rigid laryngo‐videostroboscopy was conducted to assess the larynx and the adequacy of the view was recorded.RESULTS74 patients were recruited. The number of adequate views were: class I = 18/20 (90%); class II = 20/33 (60.6%); class III = 7/21 (33.3%). χ2 analysis demonstrated significance trend in all 3 classes.CONCLUSIONThe level of the tongue base correlated well with the adequacy of laryngeal view obtained from a 70‐degree rigid endoscope. This can be used to predict the success of obtaining adequate views during rigid laryngoscopy.
Randomized controlled trial of Coblation versus electrocautery tonsillectomy
Authors: Chang Kay W. 
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVETo compare the postoperative recovery of patients receiving Coblation‐assisted (Arthrocare, Sunnyvale, CA) intracapsular tonsillectomy with that of patients receiving traditional subcapsular electrocautery tonsillectomy.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGThis was a prospective, randomized, double‐blinded, controlled study. One hundred one children, aged 2 to 16 years, were randomized to Coblation or to conventional electrocautery tonsillectomy. Only patients with the operative indication of obstructive sleep apnea were entered into the study. Intracapsular tonsillectomy was performed on the Coblation group, and traditional subcapsular dissection was performed on the electrocautery group. Adenoidectomy was performed with the curette in both groups. Outcome measures were assessed on days 1, 3, and 5 after surgery. These included child and parental rating of pain by using the Wong Faces pain scale, analgesic use, oral intake, and activity level. Patients, parents, and the nurse practitioner obtaining the outcome data were blinded to treatment arm.RESULTSTreatment groups were similar in age, gender, and weight. Surgical time and estimated blood loss were similar. There were no complications in either group. Coblation patients had less pain and greater oral intake at all 3 time points. Percentage of normal activity level returned to >70% earlier and more frequently in Coblation patients. There was slightly decreased analgesic use on postoperative day 5 in the Coblation group.CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCEChildren with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy demonstrate significantly better postoperative recovery after Coblation‐assisted intracapsular tonsillectomy.
Spinal phospholipase A2 in inflammatory hyperalgesia: role of Group IVA cPLA2
Authors: Lucas Karin Killermann , Svensson Camilla I , Hua Xiao‐Ying , Yaksh Tony L , Dennis Edward A 
Published: February 2005

Current work has shown the importance of spinal cyclooxygenase (COX) products in facilitatory processes leading to tissue injury induced hyperalgesia. This cascade must originate with free arachidonic acid (AA) released by the activity of spinal phospholipase A2's (PLA2). In the present work, we studied the role of PLA2's in spinal sensitization.
We first demonstrate the presence of constitutive mRNA in the spinal cord for PLA2 Groups IB, IIA, IIC, IVA, V and VI by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and sequencing. Using quantitative‐PCR, we found that Group IVA cPLA2 and Group VI iPLA2 are the predominant PLA2 messages in the spinal cord. Western blotting and activity assays specific for Group IVA cPLA2 and Group VI iPLA2 verified the presence of these enzymes. PLA2 activity in spinal cord homogenates was suppressed by methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP) and arachidonyl trifluoromethylketone (AACOCF3), mixed inhibitors of Group IVA cPLA2 and Group VI iPLA2 as well as by bromoenol lactone (BEL), a Group VI iPLA2 inhibitor. The spinal expression of PLA2 mRNA or protein was not altered in the face of peripheral inflammation. Secondly, we showed that intrathecal (i.t.) administration of MAFP and AACOCF3, but not BEL, dose‐dependently prevented thermal hyperalgesia induced by intraplantar carrageenan as well as formalin‐induced flinching. Finally, i.t. injection of AACOCF3, at antihyperalgesic doses, decreased the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) into spinal dialysate evoked by i.t. NMDA, while i.t. injection of BEL had no effect.
Taken together, this work points to a role for constitutive Group IVA cPLA2 in spinal nociceptive processing.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 940–952. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706116
Postnatal consequences of prenatal cocaine exposure and myocardial apoptosis: does cocaine in utero imperil the adult heart?
Authors: Feng Qingping 
Published: February 2005

Cocaine use is common among pregnant women with a history of substance abuse, and has been shown to cause abnormalities in the heart during fetal and postnatal development. However, mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of cocaine on the developing heart are not fully understood. In this issue, Bae and Zhang show that prenatal cocaine exposure increases the susceptibility of the postnatal heart to ischemia and reperfusion injury. Their results suggest that myocardial apoptosis induced by cocaine during fetal development may represent one of the mechanisms by which prenatal cocaine exposure exerts its long‐term, deleterious consequences on postnatal cardiac function.British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 887–888. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706130
CGH2466, a combined adenosine receptor antagonist, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor with potent in vitro and in vivo anti‐inflammatory activities
Authors: Trifilieff Alexandre , Keller Thomas H , Press Neil J , Howe Trevor , Gedeck Peter , Beer David , Walker Christoph 
Published: February 2005

Theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and adenosine receptor antagonist, is used in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment. However, the relatively low effectiveness of theophylline have recently led to reduced usage. The goal of the present study was to identify a theophylline‐like compound with improved effectiveness.
We discovered CGH2466, which not only antagonised the adenosine A1, A2b and A3 receptors with IC50 values of 19±4, 21±3 and 80±14 nM, respectively, but also inhibited the p38 mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases α and β and the phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) isoenzyme with IC50 values of 187±18, 400±38 and 22±5 nM, respectively.
Despite similar potencies on individual targets, CGH2466 inhibited the production of cytokines and oxygen radicals by human peripheral blood leucocytes in vitro, more potently (IC50 values between 30 and 50 nM) than the standard p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 (30 nM to >1 μM), the PDE4 inhibitor cilomilast (120–400 nM) and the broad spectrum adenosine receptor antagonist CGS15943 (>10 μM).
When given either orally or locally into the lungs, CGH2466 (3 to 10 mg kg−1) inhibited the ovalbumin‐ or lipopolysaccharide‐induced airway inflammation in mice more potently than the single receptor antagonists or enzyme inhibitors used alone.
In conclusion, CGH2466 through its combined activities at multiple targets exerted a powerful anti‐inflammatory effect and therefore may have beneficial therapeutic value in diseases such as asthma and COPD.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 1002–1010. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706132
Humanizing mice: catching up with elusive B1 receptors
Authors: Connor Mark , Vaughan Christopher W 
Published: February 2005

Bradykinin receptor activation plays an important role in pain arising following tissue inflammation, and recent studies have suggested that bradykinin B1 receptors in particular may be important in chronic pain related to arthritis and various neuropathies. The investigation of the function of the B1 receptors in vivo has been hampered by the lack of nonpeptide antagonists, and the development of such compounds made more difficult by the considerable species variation between human and rodent B1 receptors. In this issue, Fox and co‐workers report the creation of a mouse that has had the human B1 gene inserted into the corresponding mouse locus, and they exploit this animal to study the effects of a novel, nonpeptide B1 receptor antagonist on measures of acute nociception and nociception following inflammation. By creating a platform that allows the study of human B1 receptors in vivo, these investigators have provided a tool to significantly advance the understanding of the kallikrein–kinin system in physiological and pathophysiological states.British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 885–886. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706141
Access policies and licensing issues in research libraries
Authors: Horava Tony 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThis paper discusses the importance of incorporating licensing issues in access policies for electronic resources in research libraries. The implications for patron understanding of basic legal issues and the role of the library in managing and acquiring these resources are investigated and discussed.Design/methodology/approachA survey of various research libraries was undertaken to examine what is provided to patrons in terms of conditions of use for electronic resources. Literature relating to the management and provision of electronic resources was examined.FindingsIt was found that few libraries provide key licensing information to their patrons. This has important consequences in terms of the patron's lack of awareness of restrictions on use, as well as the costs, complexity, and consortial involvement in acquiring these resources.Research limitations/implicationsA comprehensive international review of the trends and practices of research libraries regarding access policies and licensing issues would build upon this paper's findings.Practical implicationsLibrary patrons are not receiving adequate information about the resources they are using. If more research libraries would consider what licensing information is made available to patrons, there could be changes in patron understanding and perception of the library. This will impact the profile of the library in academia, and the changing role of librarians in collection development in the digital environment.Originality/valueThe paper will be of value to research libraries involved in the acquisition, management and delivery of electronic resources to its patrons, and to librarians involved in collection development and management.
Re‐engineering service quality process mapping: e‐banking process
Authors: Akamavi Raphaël K. 
Published: February 2005

PurposeThe paper examines a financial service innovation process, which is referred to as financial product innovation: improvements to existing services. This study conducts a critical analysis of the operational process of opening a Lloyds TSB Student Account at a local branch.Design/methodology/approachThe process of opening a student bank account is documented in a flowchart/flow network, which highlights operational steps and the visibility line between front‐end and backroom staff. This process mapping technique/flowchart allows for the diagnosis and identification of both potential and actual bottlenecks in the existing process, which prevented a quality service encounter for the customer. After outlining these problematic areas/non‐value added activities, the adopted qualitative triangulated methodological approach yields a redesigned flowchart illustrating these changes. Furthermore, this paper proposes a re‐engineered process (i.e. e‐process or virtual process), which removes these bottlenecks systematically.FindingsThe results show the increased efficiency, productivity and customer satisfaction levels that are the key to innovation process performance. The study concludes with evidence of non‐financial performance results of this type of financial service innovation.Research limitations/implicationsThe study does not quantify the performance of e‐process operations, and it does not examine customer concerns related to complexity, trust security and safety issues. However, it provides useful managerial recommendations for improving the process of opening a student account. Numerous key learning points and invaluable insights gathered during this project are practical contributions both to managers involved in innovation process and researchers interested in this domain.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a re‐engineered process which is simpler, more economical and faster than the original process. It presents principles to diagnose appropriate service operation processes for re‐engineering using action mapping programmes and review their innovation performances. Managers will learn new frameworks, diagnostic tools and analysis techniques to better understand and improve their firm's service operations. This study is designed to give service innovation managers and e‐marketers instantaneous and continuous improvement in the quality of their e‐service designs.Originality/valueOne of its contributions lies in increasing the ability of managers to improve their knowledge and skills for responding to the e‐service innovation process. It adds to the growing literature on the innovation process for financial services. While the study answers a number of salient questions, it also produces a stimulus for further investigation of service innovation through the provision of future research directions in this area.