bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leucodepletion leads to component‐like storage stability of whole blood – suggesting its homologous use?
Authors: Picker S. M. , Stürner S. S. , Oustianskaja L. , Gathof B. S. 
Published: November 2004

Background and Objectives  Leucodepleted whole blood (LWB) is already widely used for autologous donations and could also be appropriate for certain instances of allogeneic transfusion provided that storage quality can be preserved at component‐like levels.Materials and Methods  Sixteen units of whole blood (WB), donated by healthy volunteers into CPDA‐1 according to German guidelines, were leucofiltered prestorage and stored for up to 49 days. Unfiltered WB in CPDA‐1 (UFWB, n = 16) and filtered red blood cells in SAGM (RCC, n = 14) served as controls. Several haematological, biochemical and coagulatory quality parameters were determined at designated time‐points during storage.Results  Apart from significant differences (P < 0·05) in haematocrit (56·2 ± 3·6 vs. 37·9 ± 3·9%), and in the plasma concentrations of free haemoglobin (93·1 ± 37·8 vs. 57·8 ± 24·3 g/dl), K+ (38·9 ± 5·3 vs. 31·5 ± 4·3 mm) and ATP (2·7 ± 0·2 vs. 1·6 ± 0·4 µmol/g haemoglobin), with higher levels detected in RCC, no remarkable differences (P > 0·05) were observed regarding haemolysis (0·23 ± 0·07% vs. 0·31 ± 0·13) and pH value (6·63 ± 0·03 vs. 6·62 ± 0·02) between RCC and LWB at the end of storage. Lack of leucodepletion manifested in significantly (P < 0·05) higher rates of haemolysis (0·44 ± 0·21%), free haemoglobin (89·6 ± 43·5 g/dl) and lower pH values (6·56 ± 0·04). During 42 days of LWB storage, sufficient amounts (% of the initial mean value) were observed with stable (factor XI, 97·5 ± 15·0) and labile (factor V, 92·9 ± 18·0; factor VIII, 69·2 ± 17·1) clotting factors and inhibitors (antithrombin III 88·9 ± 9·5), without any signs of activated coagulation.Conclusions  Our data indicate that the quality of LWB is comparable to that of components during 42 days of storage. Thus, LWB could be an interesting option for using to facilitate and economize the blood supply, especially for surgical or trauma patients.
Chagas’ disease: application of TESA‐blot in inconclusive sera from a Brazilian blood bank
Authors: Silveira‐Lacerda E. P. , Silva A. G. , Junior S. F. , Souza M. A. , Kesper N. , Botelho‐Filho A. , Umezawa E. S. 
Published: November 2004

Background and Objectives  The procedure used for screening Trypanosoma cruzi‐infected blood donors by using two serological techniques has frequently led to discordant results. The TESA‐blot, a confirmatory test for Chagas’ disease, was applied in a survey of inconclusive sera from a Brazilian blood bank.Materials and Methods  Four hundred and forty‐eight sera, obtained from blood donors at the HRU‐Fundação Hemominas, were tested by using the TESA‐blot assay, a Western blotting method. Of these 448 sera, 348 had previously been determined as inconclusive for Chagas’ disease owing to discordance between the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results  The TESA‐blot was positive for 2·87% (10/348) of the inconclusive sera, and 100% positive and negative for the sera from chagasic (n = 50) and non‐chagasic (n = 50) donors, respectively.Conclusions  Our results clearly indicate the need to improve the diagnosis of Chagas’ disease in blood banks by using new confirmatory diagnostic test(s). The TESA‐blot, a new test with trypomastigote fractions of the T. cruzi Y strain, has made new approaches to the confirmation of Chagas’ disease possible.
VASCULAR AND ANTI‐OXIDANT ACTIONS OF FLAVONOLS AND FLAVONES
Authors: Woodman Owen L , Chan Elsa CH 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY1. Flavonols and flavones are plant‐derived polyphenolic compounds that are commonly consumed in the diet. Epidemiological studies indicating that high dietary intake of flavonols reduces the risk of mortality due to coronary heart disease have provoked interest in the mechanism of this cardioprotective effect.2. We have investigated the structure–activity relationships of a range of flavonols and flavones with regard to their vascular relaxant and anti‐oxidant activity. In rat isolated thoracic aorta, the synthetic flavonol 3′,4′‐dihydroxyflavonol (DiOHF) was found to be a significantly more potent vasorelaxant than the naturally occurring compounds chrysin, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin and fisetin. Similarly, DiOHF was significantly more potent than those compounds in the inhibition of calcium‐induced contraction of the rat aorta.3. 3′,4′‐Dihydroxyflavonol was also found to significantly inhibit superoxide radical generation in a cell‐free system in the presence of xanthine/xanthine oxidase or by rat isolated aorta in the presence of NADPH. In the presence of oxidant stress generated by pyrogallol or xanthine/xanthine oxidase, endothelium‐dependent relaxation of rat aortic rings was impaired. 3′,4′‐Dihydroxyflavonol was able to significantly improve endothelium‐dependent relaxation in the presence of those oxygen radical generators.4. In addition, DiOHF was found to significantly improve dilatation in the rat hindquarters vasculature after exposure to ischaemia and reperfusion. 3′,4′‐Dihydroxyflavonol was found to be equally effective whether applied before ischaemia or during ischaemia just before reperfusion.5. In conclusion, DiOHF is an effective vasodilator and anti‐oxidant that is able to prevent vascular reperfusion injury. We suggest that DiOHF may be useful as an adjunct to thrombolytic therapy in the management of reperfusion injury.
ARTERIAL STIFFNESS, ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION AND NOVEL PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES
Authors: Wilkinson Ian B , McEniery Carmel M 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY1. Despite over half a century of intensive research, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death world wide. Nevertheless, a number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been identified, such as hypertension and serum cholesterol, and therapies targeting such factors are effective in reducing cardiovascular and total mortality. Arterial stiffness is an additional independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and strategies aimed at lowering arterial stiffness may be effective in reducing cardiovascular risk. However, in order to exploit fully the therapeutic potential of this approach, it is necessary first to understand the physiological and pathophysiological factors regulating the stiffness of the large arteries.2. Until recently, stiffness was thought to depend largely upon structural components within the arterial wall, such as elastin and collagen and the distending pressure. However, we now recognize that arterial smooth muscle also regulates vessel stiffness and that a number of locally derived and circulating factors, including nitric oxide (NO), endothelin‐1 and the natriuretic peptides, contribute to the short‐term or functional regulation of large artery stiffness. Changes in the balance between these factors and, in particular, a reduction in NO production may well explain why conditions such as hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes are themselves associated with arterial stiffening before the development of manifest atherosclerosis.3. The importance of smooth muscle in regulating arterial stiffness suggests that direct pharmacological manipulation of stiffness may be possible, thus providing novel therapeutic strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, differences in the effect of existing drugs on larger artery stiffness may explain, in part, why some drugs produce better clinical outcomes than others.
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN δ OPIOID RECEPTORS AND α2A‐ADRENOCEPTORS
Authors: Rios Carl , Gomes Ivone , Devi Lakshmi A 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY1. Several studies have reported functional interactions between different subtypes of opioid and α2A‐adrenoceptors in the induction of spinal cord analgesia. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not well characterized. We propose that direct receptor–receptor associations could account for some of the observed functional interactions. In the present study, we examined the presence of δ opioid receptors and α2A‐adrenoceptors in interacting complexes and the functional implications of such interactions on receptor activity.2. Using the proximity based bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assay, we found that the δ opioid receptors and α2A‐adrenoceptors are in close enough proximity (< 100 Å) in live cells that can foster physical interactions.3. Using coimmunoprecipitation of differentially epitope‐tagged receptors, we found that δ opiate receptors exist in interacting complexes with α2A‐adrenoceptors in heterologous cells.4. Finally, using receptor activity mediated neurite outgrowth in Neuro 2A cells as a physiological readout, we found that interactions between δ opiate receptors and α2A‐adrenoceptors have functional consequences. The expression of α2A‐adrenoceptors is sufficient to promote δ opiate receptor‐mediated neurite outgrowth, suggesting that the presence of inactive α2A‐adrenoceptors can enhance δ opiate receptor‐mediated signalling.5. Taken together, these findings suggest that modulation of receptor function as a result of physical associations between δ opiate receptors and α2A‐adrenoceptors may account for the observed synergy between opiate and adrenergic agonists in spinal analgesia.
CIRCADIAN CHANGES IN THE QT VARIABILITY INDEX IN THE BEAGLE DOG
Authors: Nolan Emily R , Girand Michael , Bailie Marc , Yeragani Vikram Kumar 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY1. QT variability is a non‐invasive marker of cardiac repolarization lability and a higher QT variability is associated with sudden death. No data exist as to the circadian fluctuations in QT variability and the QT variability index (QTvi) in the canine. The purpose of the present investigation was to explore QT interval variability over 24 h in the healthy dog.2. Continuous lead II electrocardiogram and blood pressure data were collected for 24 h from three beagles instrumented with radiotelemetry devices. The mean heart rate (HR), detrended HR variance, mean QT interval and detrended QT variance were calculated from the instantaneous HR and QT time series of 1024 points (256 s), as described previously, and a normalized QTvi was derived.3. The dog has a diurnal pattern of QTvi similar to healthy humans. Both dogs and humans exhibit a significantly higher QTvi during active waking hours, with more negative values during deep sleep.4. These findings suggest QTvi may serve as an additional non‐invasive tool to assess ventricular repolarization lability in dogs in relation to any conditions or drugs that are known to be associated with increased cardiac mortality.
CAN WE DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN AIRWAY AND VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE?
Authors: Fernandes Darren J , McConville John F , Stewart Alastair G , Kalinichenko Vladimir , Solway Julian 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY1. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) has recently been termed the ‘frustrated’ cell of the lung given that contraction of ASM has no proven useful physiological function in adults and yet is indelibly associated with pathological conditions by virtue of its unwanted airflow‐limiting actions in asthma. In contrast, pulmonary vascular smooth muscle contraction plays an essential role in the control of blood flow through the lung.2. Little is known of the differences in phenotype between human ASM and pulmonary vascular smooth muscle (VSM) tissues, but differences in contractile protein and transcription factor expression and regulation of contractile protein promoter activity have been documented. Similarly, the embryological signals in mice required for differentiation of ASM versus pulmonary VSM are distinct.3. Bronchoconstriction in asthma is currently treated with β2‐adrenoceptor agonists, which relax contracted ASM cells. An additional approach may be to use gene therapy to render ASM unable to contract (via disruption of their contractile apparatus organization).4. Application of ASM‐specific gene therapies would rely on minimal actions on other lung smooth muscle tissues, including pulmonary and bronchial vascular smooth muscle. The combination of mRNA analysis of laser‐captured microdissected tissue with in situ immunohistochemical staining for protein should be very useful in terms of being able to characterize definitively the differences in mRNA and protein expression between the smooth muscle species of the lung. Any discovery of an ASM‐selective target could provide a novel lead for ASM‐directed anti‐asthma therapy.
EFFECTS OF GLUTAMATE TRANSPORT SUBSTRATES AND GLUTAMATE RECEPTOR LIGANDS ON THE ACTIVITY OF Na+/K+‐ATPase IN BRAIN TISSUE IN VITRO
Authors: Nanitsos Ellas K , Acosta Gabriela B , Saihara Yukiko , Stanton David , Liao Lee P , Shin Jae W , Rae Caroline , Balcar Vladimir J 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY1. It has been suggested that Na+/K+‐ATPase and Na+‐dependent glutamate transport (GluT) are tightly linked in brain tissue. In the present study, we have investigated Na+/K+‐ATPase activity using Rb+ uptake by ‘minislices’ (prisms) of the cerebral cortex. This preparation preserves the morphology of neurons, synapses and astrocytes and is known to possess potent GluT that has been well characterized. Uptake of Rb+ was determined by estimating Rb+ in aqueous extracts of the minislices, using atomic absorption spectroscopy.2. We determined the potencies of several known substrates/inhibitors of GluT, such as l‐trans‐pyrrolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylate (LtPDC), dl‐threo‐3‐benzyloxyaspartic acid, (2S,3S,4R)‐2‐(carboxycyclopropyl)‐glycine (L‐CCG III) and l‐anti,endo‐3,4‐methanopyrrolidine dicarboxylic acid, as inhibitors of [3H]‐l‐glutamate uptake by cortical prisms. In addition, we established the susceptibility of GluT, measured as [3H]‐l‐glutamate uptake in brain cortical prisms, to the inhibition of Na+/K+‐ATPase by ouabain. Then, we tested the hypothesis that the Na+/K+‐ATPase (measured as Rb+ uptake) can respond to changes in the activity of GluT produced by using GluT substrates as GluT‐specific pharmacological tools.3. The Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibitor ouabain completely blocked Rb+ uptake (IC50 = 17 µmol/L), but it also potently inhibited a fraction of GluT (approximately 50% of [3H]‐l‐glutamate uptake was eliminated; IC50 < 1 µmol/L).4. None of the most commonly used GluT substrates and inhibitors, such as l‐aspartate, d‐aspartate, L‐CCG III and LtPDC (all at 500 µmol/L), produced any significant changes in Rb+ uptake.5. The N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonists (R,S)‐(tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐glycine and NMDA decreased Rb+ uptake in a manner compatible with their known neurotoxic actions.6. None of the agonists or antagonists for any of the other major classes of glutamate receptors caused significant changes in Rb+ uptake.7. We conclude that, even if a subpopulation of glutamate transporters in the rat cerebral cortex may be intimately linked to a fraction of Na+/K+‐ATPase, it is not possible, under the present experimental conditions, to detect regulation of Na+/K+‐ATPase by GluT.
MULTIPLE LEVELS OF SENSORY INTEGRATION IN THE INTRINSIC SENSORY NEURONS OF THE ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Authors: Bertrand Paul P , Thomas Evan A 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY1. The enteric nervous system (ENS) is present in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract and contains all the functional classes of neuron required for complete reflex arcs. One of the most important and intriguing classes of neuron is that responsive to sensory stimuli: sensory neurons with cell bodies intrinsic to the ENS.2. These neurons have three outstanding and interrelated features: (i) reciprocal connections with each other; (ii) a slow excitatory post‐synaptic potential (EPSP) resulting from high‐speed firing in other sensory neurons; and (iii) a large after‐hyperpolarizing potential (AHP) at the soma. Slow EPSP depolarize the cell body, generate action potentials (APs) and reduce the AHP. Conversely, the AHP limits the firing rate and, hence, reduces transmission of slow EPSP.3. Processing of sensory information starts at the input terminals as different patterns of APs depending on the sensory modality and recent sensory history. At the soma, the ability to fire APs and, hence, drive outputs is also strongly determined by the recent firing history of the neuron (through the AHP) and network activity (through the slow EPSP). Positive feedback within the population of intrinsic sensory neurons means that the network is able to drive outputs well beyond the duration of the stimuli that triggered them.4. Thus, sensory input and subsequent reflex generation are integrated over several hierarchical levels within the network on intrinsic sensory neurons.
Truth and Robustness in Cross‐country Growth Regressions*
Authors: Hoover Kevin D. , Perez Stephen J. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe re‐examine studies of cross‐country growth regressions by Levine and Renelt (American Economic Review, Vol. 82, 1992, pp. 942–963) and Sala‐i‐Martin (American Economic Review, Vol. 87, 1997a, pp. 178–183; Economics Department, Columbia, University, 1997b). In a realistic Monte Carlo experiment, their variants of Edward Leamer's extreme‐bounds analysis are compared with a cross‐sectional version of the general‐to‐specific search methodology associated with the LSE approach to econometrics. Levine and Renelt's method has low size and low power, while Sala‐i‐Martin's method has high size and high power. The general‐to‐specific methodology is shown to have a near nominal size and high power. Sala‐i‐Martin's method and the general‐to‐specific method are then applied to the actual data from Sala‐i‐Martin's original study.
Inter‐industry Wage Differences and Individual Heterogeneity*
Authors: Carruth Alan , Collier William , Dickerson Andy 
Published: November 2004

AbstractTwo well‐established findings are apparent in the analyses of individual wage determination: cross‐section wage equations can account for less than half of the variance in earnings and there are large and persistent inter‐industry wage differentials. We explore these two empirical regularities using longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). We show that around 90% of the variation in earnings can be explained by observed and unobserved individual characteristics. However, small – but statistically significant – industry wage premia do remain, and there is also a role for a rich set of job and workplace controls.
Do Wages Rise or Fall Following Merger?*
Authors: Conyon Martin J. , Girma Sourafel , Thompson Steve , Wright Peter W. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThis paper provides a systematic empirical analysis of the effects of merger and acquisition activity on profitability and firm‐level employee remuneration in the UK, using a specially constructed database for the period 1979–91. It finds that both profitability and wages rise following acquisition, and firms that merge within the same industry division experience larger increases in profitability and pay their workers higher wages than those engaged in unrelated acquisitions; i.e. in part, the result of an increase in the efficiency with which labour is used following related acquisition.
Tests for Stationarity in Series with Endogenously Determined Structural Change*
Authors: Harvey David I. , Mills Terence C. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe consider tests of the null hypothesis of stationarity against a unit root alternative, when the series is subject to structural change at an unknown point in time. Three extant tests are reviewed which allow for an endogenously determined instantaneous structural break, and a related fourth procedure is introduced. We further propose tests which permit the structural change to be gradual rather than instantaneous, allowing the null hypothesis to be stationarity about a smooth transition in linear trend. The size and power properties of the tests are investigated, and the tests are applied to four economic time series.
Perceiving emotion in children's songs across age and culture1
Authors: ADACHI MAYUMI , TREHUB SANDRA E. , ABE JUN‐ICHI 
Published: November 2004

Abstract: We explored children's and adults’ ability to perceive the emotional intent of sung performances by Canadian children who were 8–10 years old. Experiment 1 revealed that Canadian listeners were more accurate on happy renditions than on sad renditions of songs and on skilled (“good”) than on unskilled (“ordinary”) performances. Moreover, children's accuracy was greater than that of adults. In Experiment 2, Japanese children and adults with limited comprehension of spoken English successfully perceived the expressive intentions of Canadian children, but they were more accurate on sad renditions than on happy renditions. Japanese children performed better than adults, but only on the sad renditions. Moreover, the accuracy of Japanese children and adults was greater for skilled than for unskilled singers, but only on happy renditions. Finally, expressive cues in children's sung performances were predictive of accuracy regardless of the age or the cultural background of listeners (Experiment 3).
Electromechanical Myocardial Mapping in Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease: Feasibility and Diagnostic Accuracy
Authors: van der Vleuten P. A. , Jessurun G. A. J. , Tio R. A. , Tan E.‐S. , Zijlstra F. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractSince the introduction of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in the late 1970s the question remains whether myocardial tissue behind an obstruction will benefit from renewed blood supply and if an intervention will contribute to a better myocardial function. Positron emission tomography is recognized to be the golden standard in myocardial viability assessment. Recently the three‐dimensional electromechanical NOGA endocardial mapping system was introduced. The system measures myocardial unipolar voltage and linear local shortening. In theory a matched decrease indicates scar tissue, whereas reduced linear local shortening with normal unipolar voltage indicates tissue hibernation. The main advantage of this system is its ability to assess myocardial viability online, thus allowing the intervention cardiologist to proceed with treatment in the same session. Few studies have been conducted on the diagnostic accuracy of the NOGA system and their results vary. We compared NOGA and PET measurements in patients suffering from severe coronary artery disease. In this patient group we could not reproduce the sensitivity and specificity levels reported in earlier studies. This may in part be explained by the diffuse and extensive nature of coronary artery disease in the study group. However, the advantage of having an online assessment tool remains evident.