bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LIPID‐LOWERING IMPROVES ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN NEPHROTIC RANGE PROTEINURIA
Authors: Dogra G. , Herrmann S. , Playford D. , Irish A.B. , Watts G.F. 
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether lipid‐modifying therapy with atorvastatin improves impaired endothelial function in patients with nephrotic range proteinuria (NRP).METHODS: A sequential, open‐label study of the effects of atorvastatin on dyslipidaemia and endothelial dysfunction in 9 patients with NRP. Endothelial function was assessed at baseline, after 12 weeks of atorvastatin treatment and after an 8 week wash‐out period. Brachial artery endothelial function was studied by measuring post‐ischaemic flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) using ultrasonography. Endothelium‐ independent, glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) mediated vasodilatation was also measured.RESULTS: At baseline, median serum albumin was 31g/L (range 20‐40) and 24 hour protein excretion was 4.7g (1.0‐16.23). There was no significant change in serum creatinine and 24 hour protein excretion during the study. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were significantly lower following treatment with atorvastatin 20mg (20‐40): TC 8.1mmol/L (5.9‐14.9) vs. 5.2 (4.0‐8.6), TG 2.9mmol/L (1.3‐15.0) vs. 1.6 (1.0‐3.5), both p < 0.05. Brachial artery FMD improved significantly following atorvastatin treatment: 2.1% (‐1.2‐ 5.2%) to 4.7% (0.8‐16.3%), p < 0.05. At the end of the 8 week wash‐out, FMD had significantly deteriorated to 3.2% (‐2.8‐8.2), p < 0.05 vs. week 12 FMD, and was similar to pre‐treatment values. GTN mediated dilatation was unchanged through the study.CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin significantly reduced the hyperlipidaemia of NRP. This was associated with improved conduit artery endothelial function after 12 weeks of treatment. This is consistent with the hypothesis that dyslipoproteinaemia is the primary cause of endothelial dysfunction in NRP.
Effect of the proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase in patients with chronic airway disease
Authors: NAKAMURA Seiichi , HASHIMOTO Yasushi , MIKAMI Masashi , YAMANAKA Eiichi , SOMA Tomoyuki , HINO Mitsunori , AZUMA Arata , KUDOH Shoji 
Published: December 2004

Objectives:  The proteolytic enzyme serrapeptase (SER) is widely used in clinical practice in Japan. We investigated the effect of SER on sputum properties and symptoms in patients with chronic airway diseases.Methods:  This study was an open‐labelled trial with a non‐treatment control group. Patients were randomly assigned to oral treatment with (n = 15) and without (n = 14) SER 30 mg/day for 4 weeks. Patients collected sputum samples for about 4 h in the morning on the day the trial began and 4 weeks later. We measured the amount of sputum by weighing. Part of each sputum sample was weighed and then completely dried and reweighed. The percentage solid component, viscosity and elasticity of the sputum were measured. Mucociliary transportability index was measured using ciliated bovine trachea ex vivo. Sputum smears were also prepared to count sputum neutrophils. Patients’ symptoms were assessed by a questionnaire that used a visual analogue scale.Results:  After 4 weeks of SER treatment, sputum weight in the morning, percentage solid component, viscosity and elasticity of sputum, sputum neutrophil count, frequency of coughing and frequency of expectoration significantly decreased. The mean mucociliary transportability index increased from 13.3 ± 1.8 to 24.4 ± 2.5 (P = 0.0103).Conclusions:  SER may exert a beneficial effect on mucus clearance by reducing neutrophil numbers and altering the viscoelasticity of sputum in patients with chronic airway diseases.
Control of an outbreak of BCG complications in Gaza
Authors: DAOUD Walid 
Published: December 2004

Objective:  We aim to describe Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) complications in Gaza using two studies: one during an outbreak and the other after control of the possible contributing factors to this outbreak.Methodology:  The first study was conducted on 6145 newborn infants vaccinated in 21 primary care centres in Gaza with BCG vaccine, Pasteur Paris, batch number 5122 from July to October 2001. The study was repeated after changing the BCG vaccine and training 63 nurses from November to December 2001. The training program included theoretical lectures on BCG and tuberculosis and practical training in strict intradermal injection. The second study included 6877 newborn infants vaccinated with BCG vaccine, batch number 101023, Denmark, from January to April 2002.Results:  During the outbreak, BCG complications occurred in 225 infants with a complication rate of 36.61 per 1000 vaccinations. The mean age at presentation was 4 months. The commonest complications were regional lymphadenitis in 138 (61.33%) infants, local abscess in 48 (21.33%) infants, local ulcer in 26 (11.56%) infants, keloid scar in 12 (5.33%) infants and one (0.44%) infant who died from disseminated disease had severe combined immunodeficiency. In the follow‐up study, BCG complications occurred in 43 infants with a complication rate of 6.25 per 1000 vaccinations, which is significantly lower (P < 0.001) than that during the initial outbreak.Conclusion:  The study supports the use of a less virulent vaccine and proper vaccination techniques to minimize the incidence of BCG complications. The training of nurses in strict intradermal injection should be maintained and the proper selection of those receiving the vaccines should be considered to avoid the vaccination of any infant with immunodeficiency.
Changes in the activity of sperm nitric oxide synthase in the oviductal reservoir during ovulation
Authors: Oh‐Oka Tadasuke , Saxena Dinesh Kumar , Tanii Ichiro , Yoshinaga Kazuya , Toshimori Kiyotaka 
Published: December 2004

Background:  The oviductal isthmus is known to act as a sperm reservoir in several mammalian species including mice, but it is still unclear how sperm are released from the reservoir after ovulation. Recently, nitric oxide (NO) was reported to have important roles as a mediator in various sperm functions, including hyperactivation and capacitation. Therefore, we have investigated the change of the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) of sperm of the isthmus in relation to ovulation under in vivo fertilization conditions.Methods and Results:  The sperm were collected from the isthmus and uterus of the female mated before or after ovulation. The NOS activity change was evaluated by using the β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐diaphorase staining method, and sperm NOS activity was quantified by using NIH image software. The results showed that, in the reservoir, the peak intensity of sperm NOS activity was higher after ovulation (135.5 ± 22.4) than before ovulation (102.7 ± 15.5; P ≤ 0.05). After ovulation, the number of free sperm in the isthmus increased, and these sperm expressed strong NOS activity.Conclusion:  The change of sperm NOS activity is related to their release from the epithelium of the oviductal reservoir. (Reprod Med Biol 2003; 2: 75–81)
Congenital laryngotracheo‐oesophageal cleft: successful ventilation with the Laryngeal Mask AirwayTM
Authors: Jöhr Martin , Berger Thomas M. , Ruppen Wilhelm , Schlegel Christoph 
Published: December 2004

SummaryA congenital laryngotracheo‐oesophageal cleft is a rare airway malformation which results from incomplete separation of the larynx and trachea from the hypopharynx and oesophagus. Patients usually present with stridor, aspiration and cyanosis associated with feeding. For early diagnosis, a high index of suspicion is needed. Unless an appropriate diagnostic approach is taken, the diagnosis can be missed. The successful ventilation of a neonate with the Laryngeal Mask AirwayTM is described.
The prolonged use of the laryngeal mask airway in a neonate with airway obstruction and Treacher Collins syndrome
Authors: Bucx Martin J.L. , Grolman W. , Kruisinga Frea H. , Lindeboom Jerôme A.H. , Van Kempen Anne A.M.W 
Published: December 2004

SummaryUpper airway obstruction and difficult tracheal intubation are often encountered in patients with Treacher Collins syndrome (mandibulofacial dysostosis). In this case report, the use of a laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) in a 10‐day‐old newborn with severe Treacher Collins syndrome and acute airway obstruction is described. It successfully relieved the airway obstruction and was left in situ for an exceptionally long period of 4 days. The difficult decisions with respect to the management of the airway and specifically the role of the laryngeal mask are described. In our opinion, in some newborns with severe mandibulofacial disorders and upper airway obstruction, where conservative airway management procedures have failed, the laryngeal mask can be considered not only to relieve the obstruction but also to buy time until there is full insight into the medical condition and its consequences.
Intraoperative ketorolac is an effective substitute for fentanyl in children undergoing outpatient adenotonsillectomy
Authors: Keidan Ilan , Zaslansky Ruth , Eviatar Ephraim , Segal Samuel , Sarfaty Shlomo M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryBackground : In this prospective randomized double‐blind study, we compared the incidence of emesis and 48‐h recovery profiles after a single dose of ketorolac vs fentanyl in dexamethasone‐pretreated children undergoing ambulatory adenoidectomy and laser‐assisted tonsillectomy (ADLAT). We evaluated the hypothesis that avoiding the use of opioids and replacing them with an equianalgesic dose of ketorolac, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug, would reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).Methods : Fifty‐seven ASA I and II children aged 1.710 years who underwent ADLAT were randomized to receive either intravenous ketorolac (1 mg·kg−1) or fentanyl (2 μg·kg−1) for pain control during a standardized general anaesthetic with propofol infusion. The early (postanaesthesia care unit, day surgical area) and late postoperative courses were compared between the groups.Results : The incidence of PONV was low and equal in both groups. Postoperative pain scores were equal at all stages of followup. Agitation scores in the postanaesthesia care unit were significantly higher in the ketorolac group, but this had no effect on the late variables of behaviour studied.Conclusions : Ketorolac showed no advantage over fentanyl in reducing the incidence of PONV in children undergoing ADLAT.
Sensitivity of 70‐mer oligonucleotides and cDNAs for microarray analysis of gene expression in Arabidopsis and its related species
Authors: Lee Hyeon‐Se , Wang Jianlin , Tian Lu , Jiang Hongmei , Black Michael A. , Madlung Andreas , Watson Brian , Lukens Lewis , Pires J. Chris , Wang Jiyuan J. , Comai Luca , Osborn Thomas C. , Doerge R. W. , Chen Z. Jeffrey 
Published: December 2004

SummarySynthetic oligonucleotides (oligos) represent an attractive alternative to cDNA amplicons for spotted microarray analysis in a number of model organisms, including Arabidopsis, C. elegans, Drosophila, human, mouse and yeast. However, little is known about the relative effectiveness of 60–70‐mer oligos and cDNAs for detecting gene expression changes. Using 192 pairs of Arabidopsis thaliana cDNAs and corresponding 70‐mer oligos, we performed three sets of dye‐swap experiments and used analysis of variance (anova) to compare sources of variation and sensitivities for detecting gene expression changes in A. thaliana, A. arenosa and Brassica oleracea. Our major findings were: (1) variation among different RNA preparations from the same tissue was small, but large variation among dye‐labellings and slides indicates the need to replicate these factors; (2) sources of variation were similar for experiments with all three species, suggesting these feature types are effective for analysing gene expression in related species; (3) oligo and cDNA features had similar sensitivities for detecting expression changes and they identified a common subset of significant genes, but results from quantitative RT‐PCR did not support the use of one over the other. These findings indicate that spotted oligos are at least as effective as cDNAs for microarray analyses of gene expression. We are using oligos designed from ∼26 000 annotated genes of A. thaliana to study gene expression changes in Arabidopsis and Brassica polyploids.
High‐yield expression of a viral peptide animal vaccine in transgenic tobacco chloroplasts
Authors: Molina Andrea , Hervás‐Stubbs Sandra , Daniell Henry , Mingo‐Castel Angel M. , Veramendi Jon 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe 2L21 peptide, which confers protection to dogs against challenge with virulent canine parvovirus (CPV), was expressed in tobacco chloroplasts as a C‐terminal translational fusion with the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) or the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Expression of recombinant proteins was dependent on plant age. A very high‐yield production was achieved in mature plants at the time of full flowering (310 mg CTB‐2L21 protein per plant). Both young and senescent plants accumulated lower amounts of recombinant proteins than mature plants. This shows the importance of the time of harvest when scaling up the process. The maximum level of CTB‐2L21 was 7.49 mg/g fresh weight (equivalent to 31.1% of total soluble protein, TSP) and that of GFP‐2L21 was 5.96 mg/g fresh weight (equivalent to 22.6% of TSP). The 2L21 inserted epitope could be detected with a CPV‐neutralizing monoclonal antibody, indicating that the epitope is correctly presented at the C‐terminus of the fusion proteins. The resulting chimera CTB‐2L21 protein retained pentamerization and GM1‐ganglioside binding characteristics of the native CTB and induced antibodies able to recognize VP2 protein from CPV. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an animal vaccine epitope expression in transgenic chloroplasts. The high expression of antigens in chloroplasts would reduce the amount of plant material required for vaccination (∼100 mg for a dose of 500 µg antigen) and would permit encapsulation of freeze‐dried material or pill formation.
Thermography studies of the spatial and temporal variability in stomatal conductance of Avena leaves during stable and oscillatory transpiration
Authors: Prytz Gunnar , Futsaether Cecilia M. , Johnsson Anders 
Published: December 2004

Summary

The spatial and temporal distribution of stomatal conductance of young Avena sativa cv. Seger leaves was studied when the whole‐leaf transpiration was stable or displayed complicated oscillatory behaviour to determine whether different regions of the leaf behaved synchronously.
A camera detecting infrared radiation in the 7.5–13 µm range was used to capture leaf temperature images which represented an indirect measure of the transpiration. Simultaneous gas exchange measurements of whole‐leaf transpiration were also recorded.
During nonoscillatory behaviour of whole‐leaf transpiration, nonhomogeneous, patch‐like temperature distributions across the leaf surface could sometimes be observed. However, during complex oscillatory behaviour or dampening of the oscillations, the entire leaf surface displayed the same temporal leaf temperature pattern as the whole‐leaf transpiration. Small phase differences characterized by distal regions lagging 0.5–3 min behind the central leaf region were observed.
The synchronous behaviour observed during oscillatory transpiration indicates strong coupling between stomata. During stable whole‐leaf behaviour, the coupling was weaker and temperature distributions similar to results categorized as patchy stomatal conductance could be observed.
Magnetohydrodynamic Shock Structure without Collisions
Authors: Morawetz Cathleen S. 
Published: December 2004

The internal structure of a magnetohydrodynamic shock is examined under the condition that there are no collisions among the plasma particles. The equations to be solved are the collisionless, steady Boltzmann equations for ions and electrons coupled with Maxwell's equation for the fields (a self-consistent system). There is one space variable x and all quantities are prescribed constant as x = − ∞. Under appropriate conditions at − ∞, e.g., no transverse magnetic field, low ion pressure, and Alfvén-Mach number roughly less than 2, the state at + ∞ has oscillating fields, density, etc. The length scale is a mean phase length. Thus a change of state is possible without collisions.
The theory is based on an asymptotic development in the ion-to-electron mass ratio and is valid over distances that are comparable to or even large compared to the wavelength of the oscillation but small compared to the ion Larmor radius. The electrons are adiabatic.
Effect of Radiative Transfer on a Sound Wave Traveling in a Gas having γ near One
Authors: Moore F. K. 
Published: December 2004

It is shown that the assumption of specific heat ratio near one simplifies the analysis of plane sound waves subject to energy addition dependent on temperature, and in the case of radiative energy exchange in a fairly transparent gas, a third-order differential equation is obtained. Analytical solutions for a hot and a cool gas are presented which give the complete history of velocity and temperature profiles when a wave is produced by an impulsively started piston, with either a black or reflecting face.
In a very hot gas, an optically thin wave which is thermally dominated by the piston face (or the undisturbed gas, if the face is perfectly reflecting) disperses as though by relaxation and is followed by an optically thick wave, which is thermally independent of the piston and disperses as though by conduction. Transition between thin and thick waves is accomplished in a temperature boundary layer. In a cool gas, dispersion occurs as though by simple radiative heat conduction.
Finally, it is remarked that dispersion in a transparent gas would be observed on the scale of a meter only if the gas is very hot.
Writing is more than ‘exciting’: equipping primary children to become reflective writers
Authors: Corden Roy 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis article describes work undertaken as part of a partnership programme initiated to encourage collaborative research between teachers and university tutors. In the Teaching Reading and Writing Links project (TRAWL) primary school teachers, working as research partners, explored ways of developing children as reflective writers. The research group wanted to know whether, through examining how texts are crafted by expert writers during literacy sessions, children might be encouraged to pay more attention to compositional rather than secretarial aspects of narrative writing during writing workshops. The overall writing achievement of 338 children was monitored over one school year and narrative writing from 60 case study children was evaluated at the beginning and end of the research period. In this article the impact on achievement is illustrated, some examples of writing are analysed and evidence of development in children's metacognition and confidence as writers is discussed.
Book Reviews
Authors: Mucklow Fiona 
Published: December 2004

Books reviewed:Laurence Boisson de Chazournes and Philippe Sands (eds), Reflections on International Law, the International Court of Justice and Nuclear WeaponsChristopher C. Joyner, Governing the Frozen Commons – The Antarctic Regime and Environmental ProtectionIan H. Rowlands (ed), Climate Change Cooperation in Southern AfricaTheodore Panayotou, Instruments for Change, Motivating and Financing Sustainable DevelopmentJonathan Krueger, International Trade and the Basel Convention
Boundary mechanisms and symbolic resources: towards a process‐oriented approach to national identity*
Authors: Zimmer Oliver 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis article argues that the classical distinction between civic and ethnic forms of national identity has proved too schematic to come to terms with the dynamic nature of social and political processes. This has caused difficulties particularly for those historians and social scientists studying particular national movements rather than concentrating on a handful of thinkers and intellectuals or taking a broadly comparative approach. As an alternative to the classical model, I propose to distinguish between, on the one hand, the mechanisms which social actors use as they reconstruct the boundaries of national identity at a particular point in time; and, on the other, the symbolic resources upon which they draw when they reconstruct these boundaries.
Repetition and semantic priming of nonwords: Implications for theories of N400 and word recognition
Authors: Deacon Diana , Dynowska Anna , Ritter Walter , Grose‐Fifer Jillian 
Published: December 2004

AbstractERPs were elicited by two types of orthographically legal, pronounceable nonwords. One nonword set was derived from and resembled real words, whereas the other set did not. Nonwords derived from related root words elicited N400 semantic priming effects similar to those obtained for words, indicating semantic activation of the root words. N400 repetition priming effects from nonderived nonwords were similar to those obtained for words. The elicitation of N400 by only derived nonwords would have suggested it was generated by the activation of word meanings, per se. However, both types of nonwords produced an N400, and an N400 priming effect. Because nonderived nonwords are not associated with meaning, the N400 cannot be generated by semantic activation per se. Rather, the N400 appears to be generated by orthographic/phonological analysis and is attenuated by the top‐down feed of semantic information to the orthographic/phonological level.
Suspicious minds: The motive to acquire relationship‐threatening information
Authors: Ickes William , Dugosh Jeremy W. , Simpson Jeffry A. , Wilson Carol L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn four studies, we obtained evidence for the reliability and validity of a 21‐item scale designed to measure a new theoretical construct: individual differences in the motivation to acquire relationship‐threatening information (hereafter, MARTI). Study 1 provided evidence for the MARTI scale's reliability and discriminant validity, revealing that it was reliable and not significantly correlated with measures of the Big Five personality traits, adult attachment styles, or more general social orientations. Studies 2 and 3 provided evidence for the scale's convergent and discriminant validity, showing that dating partners with higher MARTI scores (i.e., those who were more motivated to acquire relationship‐threatening information) scored lower in relational trust and reported engaging in more “suspicion behaviors.” Study 4 provided behavioral evidence for the scale's predictive validity, revealing that (a) dating partners with higher MARTI scores were more likely to break up within 5 months, and (b) the breakup rate was most pronounced for dating partners who scored higher on the scale and who also reported being less close. We discuss how this new construct and measure can be used to study important relationship dynamics.
We can’t go on together With suspicious minds.
‐ Lines from the 1969 Elvis Presley hit