bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intra‐operative remifentanil might influence pain levels in the immediate post‐operative period after major abdominal surgery
Authors: Hansen E. G. , Duedahl T. H. , Rømsing J. , Hilsted K.‐L. , Dahl J. B. 
Published: September 2005

Background:  Remifentanil, a widely used analgesic agent in anaesthesia, has a rapid onset and short duration of action. In clinical settings, this requires an appropriate pain strategy to prevent unacceptable pain in the post‐operative period. The aim of this study was to investigate whether remifentanil had any impact on post‐operative pain and opioid consumption after major abdominal surgery.Methods:  Fifty patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomized to receive either remifentanil 0.4 µg/kg/min or placebo intra‐operatively, in addition to basic combined general and epidural anaesthesia, in this double‐blind study. Patients received patient‐controlled analgesia with morphine for 24 h post‐operatively. Morphine consumption, assessment of pain at rest and during coughing, side‐effects and levels of sensory block were recorded during the first 24 h post‐operatively.Results:  Twenty‐one patients receiving remifentanil and 18 patients receiving placebo completed the study. The median visual analogue scale (VAS) score at rest from 0 to 2 h was significantly increased in the remifentanil group [40 mm (27–61 mm)] vs. placebo [13 mm (3–35 mm)] (P < 0.05). No significant differences in morphine consumption, VAS score during coughing or adverse effects were observed between the groups.Conclusion:  The results are weak and difficult to interpret. They could indicate that a high dose of remifentanil added to otherwise sufficient combined general and epidural anaesthesia may induce opioid‐induced hyperalgesia and/or clinically acute opioid tolerance after major abdominal surgery; however, as no significant differences could be observed between the groups after 2 h post‐operatively, the clinical relevance of these observations is questionable.
A NOVEL IN VITRO ENDOTHELIUM‐DEPENDENT VASCULAR RELAXANT EFFECT OF APOCYNUM VENETUM LEAF EXTRACT
Authors: Kwan Chiu‐Yin , Zhang Wen‐Bo , Nishibe Sansei , Seo Shujiro 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. In the present study, a novel in vitro vascular relaxant effect of Apocynum venetum leaf extract (AVLE; also called ‘Luobuma’), obtained from a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with known antihypertensive effects, is reported in isometric contraction studies of rat aorta and superior mesenteric artery. At low concentrations (0.3–10 µg/mL), AVLE had no effect on the resting tension of either blood vessel and caused relaxation in agonist‐precontracted vessels with functionally intact endothelium.2. We demonstrated pharmacologically that the AVLE‐induced vasorelaxation was mediated selectively by the endothelial cells in both blood vessels. Using NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) and a low concentration of KCl (15 mmol/L), we also demonstrated that AVLE acted by releasing endothelium‐derived relaxation factors; nitric oxide (NO) in the rat aorta and NO plus endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor in the rat mesenteric artery.3. The vascular relaxation following brief exposure to AVLE appeared to persist even after subsequent prolonged washout; this was manifested as an attenuated contraction to subsequent application of phenylephrine (PE) compared with the PE‐induced contraction after exposure to carbachol (CCh) and subsequent similar washout. The addition of l‐NAME at this point in the absence of AVLE totally restored the contraction to PE, suggesting that enzymatic generation of endothelial NO persisted even after brief exposure to AVLE.4. Unlike the endothelium‐dependent NO‐mediated relaxation induced by CCh, which is mediated by endothelial muscarinic receptors (and inhibited by atropine), the relaxation induced by AVLE was not inhibited by atropine and, thus, was not mediated by muscarinic receptors. However, similar to CCh‐induced relaxation, AVLE‐induced relaxation was associated with the activation of K+ channels.5. These results provide a strong scientific basis for the folk use of AVLE decoction for antihypertensive therapy in traditional Chinese medicine.
SHENG MAI SAN, A CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE, PROTECTS AGAINST RENAL ISCHAEMIC INJURY DURING HEAT STROKE IN THE RAT
Authors: Lee IY , Lee CC , Chang CK , Chien CH , Lin MT 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. There is evidence that the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and peroxynitrite by ischaemia/reperfusion may lead to renal cell injury. Herein, we investigated whether Sheng mai san (SMS), a Chinese herbal medicine, protects against renal ischaemic injury during heat stroke by reducing iNOS‐dependent nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite formation.2. Urethane‐anaesthetized rats were exposed to heat stress (ambient temperature 43°C) to induce heat stroke. Control rats were exposed to 24°C. Mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow after the onset of heat stroke were significantly lower in heat stroke rats than in control rats. However, both colonic temperature and renal damage score were greater in heat stroke rats compared with control rats. Similarly, plasma NO, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), as well as the renal immunoreactivity of iNOS and peroxynitrite, were significantly higher in heat stroke rats compared with their normothermic controls.3. Pretreatment with SMS (1.2 g/day per rat for 7 consecutive days before the initiation of heat stress) significantly attenuated the heat stroke‐induced arterial hypotension, hyperthermia, renal ischaemia and damage, the increased renal immunoreactivity of iNOS and peroxynitrite and the increased plasma levels of NO, creatinine and BUN. Pretreatment with SMS resulted in a prolongation of survival time in heat stroke.4. The results of the present study suggest that SMS protects against renal ischaemic damage by reducing iNOS‐dependent NO and peroxynitrite production during heat stroke.
TOCOTRIENOL OFFERS BETTER PROTECTION THAN TOCOPHEROL FROM FREE RADICAL‐INDUCED DAMAGE OF RAT BONE
Authors: Ahmad NS , Khalid BAK , Luke DA , Ima Nirwana S 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. Free radicals generated by ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) can activate osteoclastic activity and this is associated with elevation of the bone resorbing cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1 and IL‐6. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 2 mg/kg FeNTA (2 mg iron/kg) on the levels of serum IL‐1 and IL‐6 with or without supplementation with a palm oil tocotrienol mixture or α‐tocopherol acetate in Wistar rats.2. The FeNTA was found to elevate levels of IL‐1 and IL‐6. Only the palm oil tocotrienol mixture at doses of 60 and 100 mg/kg was able to prevent FeNTA‐induced increases in IL‐1 (P < 0.01). Both the palm oil tocotrienol mixture and α‐tocopherol acetate, at doses of 30, 60 and 100 mg/kg, were able to reduce FeNTA‐induced increases in IL‐6 (P < 0.05). Therefore, the palm oil tocotrienol mixture was better than pure α‐tocopherol acetate in protecting bone against FeNTA (free radical)‐induced elevation of bone‐resorbing cytokines.3. Supplementation with the palm oil tocotrienol mixture or α‐tocopherol acetate at 100 mg/kg restored the reduction in serum osteocalcin levels due to ageing, as seen in the saline (control) group (P < 0.05). All doses of the palm oil tocotrienol mixture decreased urine deoxypyridinoline cross‐link (DPD) significantly compared with the control group, whereas a trend for decreased urine DPD was only seen for doses of 60 mg/kg onwards of α‐tocopherol acetate (P < 0.05).4. Bone histomorphometric analyses have shown that FeNTA injections significantly lowered mean osteoblast number (P < 0.001) and the bone formation rate (P < 0.001), but raised osteoclast number (P < 0.05) and the ratio of eroded surface/bone surface (P < 0.001) compared with the saline (control) group. Supplementation with 100 mg/kg palm oil tocotrienol mixture was able to prevent all these FeNTA‐induced changes, but a similar dose of α‐tocopherol acetate was found to be effective only for mean osteoclast number. Injections of FeNTA were also shown to reduce trabecular bone volume (P < 0.001) and trabecular thickness (P < 0.05), whereas only supplementation with 100 mg/kg palm oil tocotrienol mixture was able to prevent these FeNTA‐induced changes.
INCREASED VASCULAR SELECTIVITY AND PROLONGED PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFICACY OF THE L‐TYPE Ca2+ CHANNEL ANTAGONIST LERCANIDIPINE IN HUMAN CARDIOVASCULAR TISSUE
Authors: Brixius Klara , Gross Thomas , Tossios Paschalios , Geissler Hans‐Joachim , Mehlhorn Uwe , Schwinger Robert Hg , Hekmat Khosro 
Published: September 2005

SUMMARY1. The present study investigates the vasoselectivity of lercanidipine (LER), a 1,4‐dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, compared with amlodipine (AML) and nifedipine (NIF) in human cardiovascular tissue. Experiments were performed either in human left ventricular failing myocardium (orthotopic heart transplants) or in isolated right atrial trabeculae and isolated vessel preparations of arteria mammaria obtained from patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass operation.2. The obtained rank order for the L‐type Ca2+ channel affinity in human tissue was LER > NIF ≥ AML. Lercanidipine had the lowest negative inotropic efficacy (1 µmol/L LER: 60.3% basal < AML: 79.1% basal < NIF: 92.4 basal) and potency (IC50 NIF: 3.5 nmol/L < AML: 48 nmol/L < Ler: 127 nmol/L) in right atrial trabeculae.3. The vasorelaxant potency of LER (IC50 0.5 nmol/L) and AML (IC50 0.8 nmol/L) was similar and significantly increased compared with that of NIF (IC50 5.9 nmol/L) in arteria mammaria preparations of the very same patients.4. The following rank order was obtained for vasoselectivity: LER (260) < AML (60) < NIF (0.6).5. The pharmacological effects of LER and AML were still present 2 h after drug washout.3. Lercanidipine is characterized by a high vasoselectivity and a prolonged interaction with the L‐type calcium channel in human cardiovascular tissue This may be advantageous, especially in the treatment of patients with arterial hypertension.
Emergency neurosurgery by general surgeons at a remote major hospital
Authors: Treacy P. John , Reilly Peter , Brophy Brian 
Published: September 2005

Background:  Due to the geographical remoteness of Darwin, which has no resident neurosurgeon, emergency transfer of patients for neurosurgery is usually impractical. In Darwin emergency neurosurgery must be undertaken by general surgeons.Methods:  Data from the operating theatre, Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit were prospectively recorded on all patients who underwent an emergency neurosurgical procedure between January 1992 and June 2004. Outcomes were assessed by retrospective case note review.Results:  Three hundred and five neurosurgical procedures were performed upon 258 patients (average 26.5 procedures per year), including 130 craniotomies, 88 burr holes, 3 posterior fossa craniotomies, 2 decompressive frontal lobectomies, 4 decompressive craniectomies, 25 elevations of fracture and 33 ventricular drains only. Assault/domestic incident (31%) was a more common aetiology than motor vehicle accidents (29%). Outcome was best for extradural haematoma (82% good/moderate) and chronic subdural haematoma (84% good/moderate). In contrast, 44% with acute subdural haematoma and 77% with intracerebral haematoma died. Irrespective of type of bleed, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at presentation was a reliable predictor of outcome following surgery (61% correlation): 60% with GCS less than 9 died whereas 79% with GCS over 11 had a good recovery. Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation, version 2 and Simplified Acute Physiology Score, version 2 scores were also independent predictors of outcome. Time from presentation to operation for extradural haematoma and acute subdural haematoma was prolonged (more than 4 h) in 48% and was associated with worse outcome (P = 0.0001). Neither extremes of age nor the particular surgeon performing the operation affected outcome.Conclusions:  General surgeons undertake a substantial number of procedures across a broad spectrum of emergency neurosurgery in Darwin. Outcomes following surgery appear acceptable.
Successful anesthetic management of a child with an extensive facial hemangioma and high output cardiac failure for placement of a central venous catheter
Authors: SHROFF PERSIS K. , MARTIN TIMOTHY W. , SCHMITZ MICHAEL L. 
Published: September 2005

SummaryA two‐and‐a‐half‐year‐old female with an extensive facial and lingual hemangioma, associated high output cardiac failure, and a history of difficult intubation presented for central venous catheter (CVC) placement for vincristine chemotherapy. Anesthetic management of this complex case is presented and the complicating medical conditions are discussed.
Equine amniotic membrane transplantation for corneal ulceration and keratomalacia in three horses
Authors: Lassaline Mary E. , Brooks Dennis E. , Ollivier Franck J. , Komaromy Andras M. , Kallberg Maria E. , Gelatt Kirk N. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPurpose Amniotic membrane has antifibrotic, anti‐angiogenic and antiprotease properties. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the use of equine amniotic membrane transplants (AMT) at preserving vision, maintaining the structural integrity of the globe and maximizing cosmesis in equine eyes with corneal ulceration and severe keratomalacia.Methods Equine amnion had previously been aseptically harvested from a 12‐year‐old Thoroughbred mare during an elective Cesarean section. Sections of amnion were stored at −80 °C and thawed as needed. Records of equine cases at the University of Florida with keratomalacia that received an AMT without adjunctive conjunctival grafting were examined. Clinical description, details of medical and surgical treatment, globe survival and visual outcome were documented. Etiologies were determined by cytology, culture or histology.Results Three horses with corneal ulceration and severe keratomalacia received an AMT without conjunctival graft between December 2002 and April 2003.Pseudomonasspp. were cultured from all three eyes, with evidence of a concurrent fungal infection in two eyes. The three ulcers were 50, 72, and 76% of corneal diameter, and each one worsened in the face of aggressive medical therapy. In all three cases, the AMT sloughed over a 4 to 6‐week period. At last follow‐up, all three eyes receiving AMT were comfortable and receiving no medication, with light perception and an inconsistent location‐dependent menace response. All three horses returned to their prior work.Conclusions Results of a small number of equine AMT suggest that amnion can be used successfully to preserve both globe structure and limited vision, as well as optimize cosmesis, in horse eyes with corneal ulceration and severe keratomalacia.
Isolation and characterization of EST‐derived microsatellite loci from the fungal wheat pathogen Phaeosphaeria nodorum
Authors: STUKENBROCK EVA H. , BANKE SØREN , ZALA MARCELLO , MCDONALD BRUCE A. , OLIVER RICHARD P. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractEleven polymorphic microsatellite loci and one minisatellite locus originating from expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries of Phaeosphaeria (syn. Stagonospora) nodorum were isolated and characterized. The satellite markers were used to genotype isolates from field populations collected in China, North America and South Africa. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to 15. Genotype diversity ranged from 87.5 to 95.3 and gene diversity from 0.1 to 0.8. The variable levels of polymorphism within and among populations of P. nodorum renders these 12 satellite loci ideal markers for population genetic analysis of P. nodorum.
Microsatellite markers for evolutionary studies in the sexually deceptive orchid genus Chiloglottis
Authors: FLANAGAN NICOLA S. , EBERT DANIEL , PORTER CAROLYN , ROSSETTO MAURIZIO , PEAKALL ROD 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe orchids in the genus Chiloglottis are pollinated exclusively by sexual deception. We describe 20 variable microsatellite loci that will facilitate the study of the evolution and ecology of this specialized pollination system. Two loci were isolated from Chiloglottis trilabra, with the rest derived from Chiloglottis valida. All loci were polymorphic in C. valida (HE 0.07–0.87). Most loci amplified, and were variable within close relatives of C. valida, and a number amplified more broadly, including outside the genus.
Development of microsatellite markers from an ectomycorrhizal fungus, Laccaria amethystina, by a dual‐suppression‐PCR technique
Authors: WADUD M. A. , LIAN C. L. , NARA K. , ISHIDA T. A. , HOGETSU T. 
Published: September 2005

Abstract Laccaria amethystina is a major early successional ectomycorrhizal fungus. We isolated 10 polymorphic loci from L. amethystina using a dual‐suppression‐PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technique. These loci provided microsatellite markers with polymorphism of two to 10 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.136 to 0.545 and 0.206 to 0.877, respectively.
Contribution of cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid to hypertension and end‐organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with l‐NAME
Authors: Benter I. F. , Francis I. , Cojocel C. , Juggi J. S. , Yousif M. H. M. , Canatan H. 
Published: September 2005

Summary 1 The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of inhibition of the formation of cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid with 1‐aminobenzotriazole (ABT) on the development of hypertension and end‐organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) chronically treated with nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor l‐NAME (SHR‐l‐NAME). 2 Administration of l‐NAME in drinking water (80 mg l−1) to SHR for 3 weeks significantly elevated mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) (223 ± 4 mmHg) as compared to SHR controls drinking regular water (165 ± 3 mmHg). The administration of ABT (50 mg kg−1 i.p. alt diem) for 6 days significantly attenuated elevation of blood pressure in SHR‐l‐NAME (204 ± 4 mmHg). 3 l‐NAME‐induced increase in urine volume and protein was significantly lower in ABT‐treated animals. 4 The impaired vascular responsiveness to noradrenaline and isoprenaline in the perfused mesenteric vascular bed of SHR‐l‐NAME‐treated animals was significantly improved by ABT treatment. 5 Morphological studies of the kidneys and hearts showed that treatment with ABT minimized the extensive arterial fibrinoid necrosis, arterial thrombosis, significant narrowing of arterial lumen with marked arterial hyperplastic arterial changes that were observed in vehicle treated SHR‐l‐NAME. 6 In isolated perfused hearts, recovery of left ventricular function from 40 min of global ischaemia was significantly better in ABT‐treated SHR‐l‐NAME. 7 These results suggest that in hypertensive individuals with endothelial dysfunction and chronic NO deficiency, inhibitors of 20‐HETE synthesis may be able to attenuate development of high blood pressure and end‐organ damage.
‘Marshall-ing’ Social and Political Citizenship: Towards a Unified Conception of Citizenship
Authors: Lister Michael 
Published: September 2005

AbstractMarshall's work on citizenship has become a cornerstone of most contemporary discussions of citizenship. Yet, in this article, it is argued that his work is frequently misunderstood, or misinterpreted. I argue that Marshall presents a normative argument that citizenship should be seen as a unified but dynamic concept. The unified nature of citizenship should not, however, obscure the tensions within the concept. These tensions are negotiated, so that citizenship should be seen as a complex relationship where tensions and webs of interdependence co-exist. This, it is argued, is an important theoretical framework with which to consider a issues such as the impact of the restructuring of welfare.
Reform in a Cold Climate: Change in US Campaign Finance Law
Authors: McSweeney Dean 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002 was the first major change in US federal campaign finance law in a quarter of a century. Many attempts at reform had failed in that period. Few members of Congress were enthusiasts for reform, the two parties and two chambers had conflicting interests to protect, successive presidents did not promote the issue and public pressure for reform was weak. When reform was achieved in 2002, many of these formidable obstacles remained in place. This paper draws on the literature of public interest reform and policy innovation to attribute the change to a policy entrepreneur whose resources had undergone a sharp increase, the neutralization of opposition, the impact of an event (the bankruptcy of the Enron Corporation) and membership turnover in Congress. The substantial support for the bill in Congress from Democrats, the party with most to lose from reform, is attributed to the inescapability of past commitments.
From Fujimori to Toledo: The 2001 Elections and the Vicissitudes of Democratic Government in Peru
Authors: Taylor Lewis 
Published: September 2005

AbstractFollowing scandals concerning extensive corruption, electoral fraud and manipulation by the security services, Alberto Fujimori's authoritarian regime collapsed in November 2000, throwing Peru into political turmoil. A fresh ballot organised in 2001 led to the election of Alejandro Toledo as president. Assessments of the Toledo administration's performance and the health of Peruvian democracy in the post-Fujimori period have been overwhelmingly pessimistic. Recent political developments are analysed to argue that such negativity is mistaken. Apart from recording strong economic growth, under Toledo civilian control over the military and intelligence services has increased markedly. Greater horizontal and vertical accountability has produced a more open polity. Citizen's rights are better secured. Despite ongoing problems, post-Fujimori a process of democratic ‘deepening’ has occurred.
Being Indigenous: Resurgences against Contemporary Colonialism
Authors: Alfred Taiaiake , Corntassel Jeff 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn this article, we discuss strategies for resisting further encroachment on Indigenous existences by Settler societies and states – and as well multinational corporations and other elite organizations controlled by state powers and other elements of the imperial institutional network; and we focus on how Indigenous communities can regenerate themselves to resist the effects of the contemporary colonial assault and regenerate politically and culturally. We ask the fundamental question: how can we resist further dispossession and disconnection when the effects of colonial assaults on our own existences are so pronounced and still so present in the lives of all Indigenous peoples?