bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combination of polydextrose and lactitol affects microbial ecosystem and immune responses in rat gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Peuranen Seppo , Tiihonen Kirsti , Apajalahti Juha , Kettunen Anu , Saarinen Markku , Rautonen Nina
Published: June 2004

The effects of various dietary fibres on gut health have been studied extensively but their combined effects are scarcely documented. In the present study the effects of 2 % (w/w) polydextrose (PDX), 2 % (w/w) disaccharide lactitol, or 2 % (w/w) PDX+2 % (w/w) lactitol on gut microflora, microbial metabolism and gut immune responses were investigated in rats. Both PDX and lactitol alone had an effect on many of the studied parameters, but their combination had stronger than additive effects in some parameters. The PDX+lactitol combination altered the microbial community structure as seen by a culture-independent method, percentage guanine+cytosine (%G+C) profiling, increasing the areas of %G+C 35–39 (P<0·0001) and %G+C 45–49 (P=0·0002), and decreasing %G+C 65–74 (P<0·0003). These changes were also reflected in the microbial metabolism so that the production of biogenic amines and branched volatile fatty acids was significantly reduced, by 12 (P=0·03) and 50 % (P=0·002), respectively, indicating a shift from putrefactive towards saccharolytic metabolism. PDX increased the secretion of IgA in the caecum (P=0·007). Secretion of IgA increased even more, almost ten-fold, with the combination of PDX+lactitol (P<0·0001) when compared with the control group. Lactitol increased the production of butyrate by caecal microbes by two- to three-fold when compared with the PDX or control group (P<0·0001). Butyrate is a preferred energy source for mucosal cells; thus a boost in the availability of energy for immune cells may have still added to the synergistic effects of PDX and lactitol on immune cells. It is noteworthy that improvement in the IgA secretion occurred without signs of mucosal inflammation.
Eating behaviours, dietary profile and body composition according to dieting history in men and women of the Québec Family Study
Authors: Provencher Véronique , Drapeau Vicky , Tremblay Angelo , Després Jean-Pierre , Bouchard Claude , Lemieux Simone
Published: June 2004

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study was to compare eating behaviours (cognitive dietary restraint, disinhibition and susceptibility to hunger), dietary profile and physiological variables according to the practice of dieting: current dieting; history of dieting in the 10-year period that preceded the study; no dieting during the same period. Dieting history, anthropometric markers of adiposity, RMR, dietary profile (3 d food record) and eating behaviours (three-factor eating questionnaire) were determined in a sample of 244 men and 352 women. A greater proportion of women (31·8 %) than men (16·8 %) reported that they had been on a diet over the past 10 years (P=0·0001). In both genders, current and past dieters had a higher BMI (P<0·05) than non-dieters and current dieters had lower reported energy intakes than past dieters and non-dieters (only in women) (P<0·05). Current and past dieters also had higher scores for all eating behaviours and their subscales (P<0·05; except for susceptibility to hunger in men) compared with non-dieters (adjusted for age, reported energy intake, percentage of dietary fat, BMI and RMR). Moreover, for each dieting-history category, women had significantly higher scores for cognitive dietary restraint than men (P<0·05). In conclusion, the present study showed that current and past dieters had higher scores for cognitive dietary restraint and disinhibition compared with non-dieters. As disinhibition has previously been associated with a greater risk of subsequent weight gain, interventions aimed at preventing an increase in disinhibition may be promising for long-term weight maintenance.
Effect of a methionine-supplemented diet on the blood pressure of Sprague–Dawley and deoxycorticosterone acetate–salt hypertensive rats
Authors: Robin Sophie , Maupoil Véronique , Laurant Pascal , Jacqueson Alain , Berthelot Alain
Published: June 2004

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of a methionine-supplemented diet on systolic blood pressure (BP) and vasomotor functions in Sprague–Dawley (SD) and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)–salt hypertensive rats. SD and DOCA rats were fed a normal or a methionine (8 g/kg)-supplemented diet for 10 weeks. Systolic BP was monitored and plasma homocysteine, methionine and cysteine levels were determined at the end of the experiment. Vasoconstriction and vasodilatation of aortic rings were measured. The methionine-supplemented diet induced a greater increase in homocysteinaemia concentration in DOCA rats than in SD rats and an increase in plasma cysteine concentration in DOCA rats. This diet was associated with an increase in systolic BP in SD rats and with a lesser development of DOCA–salt hypertension. An enhanced aortic constriction and a decreased responsiveness to acetylcholine, bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside in the SD rats fed the methionine-rich diet were consistent with the elevated systolic BP. In DOCA rats the increased responsiveness to bradykinin was in accordance with the systolic BP-lowering effect. In conclusion, the methionine-enriched diet cannot simply be considered as model of hyperhomocysteinaemia, since other metabolites and mechanisms seemed to be implicated in these complex interactions. The differential vasopressive effect of the methionine supplementation in SD and DOCA rats, and in particular the lowering of systolic BP obtained with a greater degree of hyperhomocysteinaemia in DOCA rats, suggest that more complex interactions exist between hyperhomocysteinaemia and BP than the simple positive association described previously.
Effect of dietary flavonols on oestrogen receptor transactivation and cell death induction
Authors: Leung Lai K. , See Po Lai , Yee Lau Tak , Man Yuen Yee
Published: June 2004

Consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with cancer prevention; flavonoids are widely distributed in plant foods and considered to be the active ingredients. Quercetin and kaempferol are two of the most commonly found dietary flavonols, and have been reported to prevent cancer. We have previously reported that the isoflavone genistein and the flavone baicalein exert differential actions on the oestrogen receptor (OR) α in HepG2 cells. Because of the structural resemblance to both isoflavone and flavone, we examined the effects of these dietary flavonols on ORα– and ORβ–specific transactivations and their subsequent involvement in inducing MCF-7 cell death. In the present study, both quercetin and kaempferol were able to compete for OR binding in a cell-free system and were agonistic to ORα and -β expressed in HepG2 cells, while some additive effect was observed in the oestrogen response element (ORE)-driven transcription when 17β-oestradiol was co-administered. Since the bcl-2 promoter contained two ORE, and ORE-driven transcriptional activity and Bcl-2 mRNA expression were increased by treatment with 10 μm-quercetin or kaempferol, it is possible that quercetin and kaempferol might up-regulate Bcl-2 expression through OR transactivation in MCF-7 cells. Cell death ELISA assay performed on MCF-7 cells indicated that an increase of apoptosis occurred at 25 μm-, but not 10 μm-, quercetin or kaempferol. Indirectly the results suggest that OR activation is not sufficient to induce apoptosis and that apoptosis is induced despite an increase in Bcl-2 expression.
The use of glycaemic index tables to predict glycaemic index of composite breakfast meals
Authors: Flint Anne , Møller Bente K. , Raben Anne , Pedersen Dorthe , Tetens Inge , Holst Jens J. , Astrup Arne
Published: June 2004

The applicability of the glycaemic index (GI) in the context of mixed meals and diets is still debatable. The objective of the present study was to investigate the predictability of measured GI in composite breakfast meals when calculated from table values, and to develop prediction equations using meal components. Furthermore, we aimed to study the relationship between GI and insulinaemic index (II). The study was a randomised cross-over meal test including twenty-eight healthy young men. Thirteen breakfast meals and a reference meal were tested. All meals contained 50 g available carbohydrate, but differed considerably in energy and macronutrient composition. Venous blood was sampled for 2 h and analysed for glucose and insulin. Prediction equations were made by regression analysis. No association was found between predicted and measured GI. The meal content of energy and fat was inversely associated with GI (R20·93 and 0·88, respectively;P<0·001). Carbohydrate content (expressed as percentage of energy) was positively related to GI (R20·80;P<0·001). Using multivariate analysis the GI of meals was best predicted by fat and protein contents (R20·93;P<0·001). There was no association between GI and II. In conclusion, the present results show that the GI of mixed meals calculated by table values does not predict the measured GI and furthermore that carbohydrates do not play the most important role for GI in mixed breakfast meals. Our prediction models show that the GI of mixed meals is more strongly correlated either with fat and protein content, or with energy content, than with carbohydrate content alone. Furthermore, GI was not correlated with II.
Quercetin glucosides inhibit glucose uptake into brush-border-membrane vesicles of porcine jejunum
Authors: Cermak Rainer , Landgraf Sandra , Wolffram Siegfried
Published: June 2004

Recent experimental data point to an interaction of dietary flavonol monoglucosides with the intestinal Na-dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1). To investigate this interaction in more detail, we performed experiments with SGLT1-containing brush-border-membrane vesicles (BBMV) from pig jejunum. The flavonol quercetin-3-O-glucoside (Q3G) concentration-dependently inhibited Na-dependent uptake of radioactively labelled d-glucose into BBMV. Uptake of l-leucine was not inhibited by Q3G, indicating a specific interaction of the glucoside with SGLT1. Whereas the maximal transport rate of concentration-dependent initial glucose uptake was not altered in the presence of Q3G, the constant for half-maximal glucose uptake was increased, suggesting a competitive type of inhibition of glucose uptake by Q3G. Trans-stimulation experiments suggested the transport of Q3G via SGLT1. In addition, Q3G decreased the Na-independent diffusive uptake of glucose into BBMV. Other flavonoids were also tested for their inhibitory effect on d-glucose uptake. Among the tested quercetin glycosides, only the 4′-O-glucoside (Q4G) also inhibited Na-dependent glucose uptake into BBMV, whereas the 3-O-galactoside, the 3-O-glucorhamnoside and the aglycone quercetin itself were ineffective. Glucosides of some other flavonoid classes such as naringenin-7-O-glucoside, genistein-7-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3,5-O-diglucoside were ineffective as well. Thus, dietary quercetin monoglucosides, for example, Q3G and Q4G, have an impact on intestinal nutrient transporters such as SGLT1 and related systems.
The influence of different combinations of γ-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid and EPA on immune function in healthy young male subjects
Authors: Miles Elizabeth A. , Banerjee Tapati , Dooper Maaike M. B. W. , M'Rabet Laura , Graus Yvo M. F. , Calder Philip C.
Published: June 2004

To determine the effects of EPA, stearidonic acid (STA) or γ-linolenic acid (GLA) on immune outcomes, healthy male subjects consumed one of seven oil blends for 12 weeks. EPA consumption increased the EPA content of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Consumption of GLA (2·0 g/d) in the absence of STA or EPA increased di-homo-GLA content in PBMC. Neither STA nor its derivative 20:4n-3 appeared in PBMC when STA (<1·0 g/d) was consumed. However, STA (1·0 g/d), in combination with GLA (0·9 g/d), increased the proportion of EPA in PBMC. None of the treatments altered neutrophil or monocyte phagocytosis or respiratory burst, production of inflammatory cytokines by monocytes, T lymphocyte proliferation or the delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Production of cytokines by T lymphocytes increased in all groups, with no differences among them. The proportion of lymphocytes that were natural killer cells decreased significantly in subjects receiving 2·0 g EPA or GLA/d. There were no other effects on lymphocyte sub-populations. Plasma IgE concentration decreased in most groups, but not in the control group. Plasma IgG2 concentration increased in the EPA group. Thus, EPA or GLA at a dose of 2·0 g/d have little effect on key functions of neutrophils, monocytes and T lymphocytes, although at this dose these fatty acids decrease the number of natural killer cells. At this dose EPA increases IgG2 concentrations. STA can increase immune cell EPA status, but at 1·0 g/d does not affect human immune function.
Comparison of antioxidant activity and bioavailability of tea epicatechins with their epimers
Authors: Ze Xu Jin , Venus Yeung Sai Ying , Chang Qi , Huang Yu , Chen Zhen-Yu
Published: June 2004

Canned and bottled tea drinks contain not only green tea epicatechins (GTE), namely (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (−)-epicatechin (EC), but also four GTE epimers, namely (−)-gallocatechin gallate (GCG), (−)-catechin gallate (CG), (−)-gallocatechin (GC) and (−)-catechin (C). In the present study we examined the antioxidant activity and bioavailability of these epimers compared with their corresponding precursors. The epimerisation reaction was induced by autoclaving GTE extract derived from longjing green tea at 120°C for 20 min. Isolation and purification of each GTE and epimer were accomplished by various column chromatographic and semi-preparative HPLC techniques. The antioxidant activity of each epimer with its corresponding GTE precursor was conducted in the threein vitrosystems, namely human LDL oxidation, ferric reducing–antioxidant power (FRAP), and anti-2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assays. The results of all three assays demonstrated that CG had similar antioxidant activity with its precursor ECG, while GC was less potent as an antioxidant than its precursor EGC. Regarding EGCG and GCG, the antioxidant potency was similar for both LDL oxidation and DPPH free radical assays, but GCG was statistically less effective than EGCG in the FRAP assay. For EC and C, the latter had less anti-free radical activity in the DPPH assay, but in LDL oxidation and FRAP assays the antioxidant activity was similar. Oral and intravenous dosing of GTE–epimer mixture led to increase in total plasma antioxidant capacity in rats. In general, both epicatechins and epimers had low bioavailability (0·08–0·31) and most of the observed differences between epicatechins and their corresponding epimers were small, even if they were statistically significant in some cases. It was concluded that the epimerisation reaction occurring in manufacturing canned and bottled tea drinks would not significantly affect antioxidant activity and bioavailability of total tea polyphenols.
Diet, serum homocysteine levels and ischaemic heart disease in a Mediterranean population
Authors: Vrentzos George E. , Papadakis John A. , Malliaraki Niki , Zacharis Evagelos A. , Mazokopakis Elias , Margioris Andreas , Ganotakis Emmanuel S. , Kafatos Anthony
Published: June 2004

Homocysteine (Hcy) is recognised as a risk factor for IHD. Serum Hcy is negatively correlated with serum folate levels, the main sources of which are fruits, vegetables and legumes. The present case–control study was designed to examine the relationship between serum Hcy levels and IHD and to assess the role of dietary factors in the southern Mediterranean population of Crete, Greece. Serum Hcy, folate, vitamin B12, creatinine and glucose levels and a full lipid profile were measured in 152 patients with established IHD, median age 64 (range 33–77) years, and 152 healthy control subjects, age- and sex-matched. Dietary data were assessed using a 3 d food intake record. Compared with controls, patients with IHD had significantly higher daily intakes of vitamin B12and MUFA and significantly lower intakes of carbohydrate, fibre, folate, cholesterol,n-3 fatty acids and totaltransunsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, patients had significantly higher serum Hcy, vitamin B12and creatinine levels, but significantly lower folate. Serum folate concentrations in both groups had a significant positive correlation with dietary fibre consumption and a significant inverse correlation with vitamin B12intake. IHD patients should be encouraged to increase their daily dietary intake of fibre, folate andn-3 fatty acids, which are significant components of the traditional Cretan Mediterranean diet. Where dietary folate intake is inadequate, folate supplements are recommended to reduce elevated Hcy levels.
Oxidative stress status in an institutionalised elderly group after the intake of a phenolic-rich dessert
Authors: Ramirez-Tortosa M. Carmen , García-Alonso Javier , Vidal-Guevara M. Luisa , Quiles José L. , Periago M. Jesús , Linde Javier , Mesa M. Dolores , Ros Gaspar , Abellán Pedro , Gil Ángel
Published: June 2004

The elderly population undergoes a series of physiological and sociological changes common to old age with a high probability of suffering degenerative illness and malnutrition. A dessert rich in phenolic compounds has been designed by using concentrated juices of grape, cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant and raspberry with the aim of it being used as a complementary food in adulthood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the intake of this dessert (a jar of 200 g daily for a period of 2 weeks), with an antioxidant activity equivalent to ten servings of fruits and vegetables, on several markers of oxidative and antioxidant status in DNA and plasma in a group of elderly individuals. Non-smoking institutionalised elderly subjects were recruited from a pool of volunteers in an old-age home in Murcia (Spain). Twenty-two subjects (six men and sixteen women) participated in the study. The study was designed as a randomised intervention trial with a period of 2 weeks. At days 1 and 15, blood samples were collected to analyse total antioxidant capacity, biochemical parameters, antioxidant vitamins, LDL peroxidation, and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The conclusion of the present study is that a 2-week intervention with our dessert enriched with natural polyphenol compounds in elderly individuals does not give enough time to find changes in the antioxidant and oxidative status. Also, the view that the marked antioxidant ability of polyphenolsin vitrodoes not translate to analogous effectsin vivowas confirmed. Moreover, a highly oxidative stress status during ageing was confirmed, together with the need to perform follow-up nutritional studies to improve this situation.
The effects of dietary lipids on dendritic cells in perinodal adipose tissue during chronic mild inflammation
Authors: Mattacks Christine A. , Sadler Dawn , Pond Caroline M.
Published: June 2004

The effects of dietary lipids on the abundance of dendritic cells in adipose tissue in anatomically defined relationships to chronically inflamed lymph nodes were investigated in mature male rats fed plain chow or chow plus 20 % sunflower-seed or fish oil. The popliteal lymph nodes were stimulated by local subcutaneous injection of 20 μg lipopolysaccharide to both hindlegs three times/week for 2 weeks. The masses of the major adipose depots and the numbers of dendritic cells emerging from perinodal adipose tissue and samples 5 and 10 mm from the popliteal lymph nodes were measured, and those from omental and mesenteric adipose tissue around and remote from lymphoid tissue, and mesenteric and popliteal lymph nodes. Dendritic cells were most numerous in the perinodal adipose tissue, with the corresponding ‘remote’ samples containing 25–50 % fewer such cells under all conditions studied. Dietary sunflower-seed oil increased the numbers of dendritic cells by about 17 % in all adipose samples and fish oil reduced the numbers in perinodal tissue by about 5 %. The fish-oil diet diminished responses of the intra-abdominal adipose depots to local stimulation of the popliteal node. Correlations in dendritic cell numbers were stronger between perinodal samples from different depots than between remote and perinodal samples from the same depot and after the sunflower-seed-oil diet compared with fish oil. These data show that dietary lipids modulate the number of dendritic cells in lymphoid tissue-containing adipose depots and support the hypothesis that perinodal adipose tissue interacts locally with lymphoid cells.
Maximum tolerable dose of red pepper decreases fat intake independently of spicy sensation in the mouth
Authors: Yoshioka Mayumi , Imanaga Makoto , Ueyama Hiromi , Yamane Miya , Kubo Yoshiko , Boivin André , St-Amand Jonny , Tanaka Hiroaki , Kiyonaga Akira
Published: June 2004

Dietary red pepper suppresses energy intake and modifies macronutrient intake. We have investigated whether a stimulus in the mouth and the sensation of spiciness are necessary for red pepper-induced changes in energy and macronutrient intake in human volunteers. In a preliminary test, sixteen Japanese male volunteers tasted samples of a soup with graded doses of red pepper in order to define a moderate and a maximum tolerable (strong) dose of red pepper. On the day of the experiment, a standardised breakfast was given to the volunteers. At lunchtime, the subjects ingested one of four experimental soups containing either a placebo, a moderate or a strong dose of red pepper plus placebo capsules, or a placebo soup plus capsules delivering a strong dose of red pepper. The rest of the meal was givenad libitumto all subjects. The amount of food, protein and carbohydrate ingested was similar for all conditions. Energy and fat intake were similar after the ingestion of the moderate soup compared with placebo. However, the strong soup significantly lowered fat intake compared with placebo (P=0·043), and ingestion of strong capsules also tended to suppress it (P=0·080). Moreover, energy intake after strong soup and capsules tended to be lower than placebo (P=0·089 and 0·076, respectively). The present results indicate that the maximum tolerable dose is necessary to have a suppressive effect of red pepper on fat intake. The main site of the action of red pepper is not in the mouth.
The effects of fluid restriction on hydration status and subjective feelings in man
Authors: Shirreffs Susan M. , Merson Stuart J. , Fraser Susan M. , Archer David T.
Published: June 2004

Hydration status and the effects of hypohydration have been the topic of much public and scientific debate in recent years. While many physiological responses to hypohydration have been studied extensively, the subjective responses to hypohydration have largely been ignored. The present investigation was designed to investigate the physiological responses and subjective feelings resulting from 13, 24 and 37 h of fluid restriction (FR) and to compare these with a euhydration (EU) trial of the same duration in fifteen healthy volunteers. The volunteers were nine men and six women of mean age 30 (SD 12) years and body mass 71·5 (SD 13·4) kg. Urine and blood samples were collected and subjective feelings recorded on a 100 mm verbally anchored questionnaire at intervals throughout the investigation. In the EU trial the subjects maintained their normal diet. Body mass decreased by 2·7 (SD 0·6) % at 37 h in the FR trial and did not change significantly in the EU trial. Food intake in the FR trial (n 10) provided an estimated water intake of 487 (SD 335) ml and urinary losses (n 15) amounted to 1·37 (SD 0·39) litres. This is in comparison with an estimated water intake of 3168 (SD 1167) ml and a urinary loss of 2·76 (SD 1·11) litres in the EU trial. Plasma osmolality and angiotensin II concentrations increased from 0–37 h with FR. Plasma volume decreased linearly throughout the FR trial amounting to a 6·2 (SD 5·1) % reduction by 37 h. Thirst increased from 0–13 h of FR then did not increase further (P>0·05). The subjects reported feelings of headache during the FR trial and also that their ability to concentrate and their alertness were reduced.
Contribution of acetate to butyrate formation by human faecal bacteria
Authors: Duncan Sylvia H. , Holtrop Grietje , Lobley Gerald E. , Calder A. Graham , Stewart Colin S. , Flint Harry J.
Published: June 2004

Acetate is normally regarded as an endproduct of anaerobic fermentation, but butyrate-producing bacteria found in the human colon can be net utilisers of acetate. The butyrate formed provides a fuel for epithelial cells of the large intestine and influences colonic health. [1-13C]Acetate was used to investigate the contribution of exogenous acetate to butyrate formation.Faecalibacterium prausnitziiandRoseburiaspp. grown in the presence of 60 mm-acetate and 10 mm-glucose derived 85–90 % butyrate-C from external acetate. This was due to rapid interchange between extracellular acetate and intracellular acetyl-CoA, plus net acetate uptake. In contrast, aCoprococcus-related strain that is a net acetate producer derived only 28 % butyrate-C from external acetate. Different carbohydrate-derived energy sources affected butyrate formation by mixed human faecal bacteria growing in continuous or batch cultures. The ranking order of butyrate production rates was amylopectin > oat xylan > shredded wheat > inulin > pectin (continuous cultures), and inulin > amylopectin > oat xylan > shredded wheat > pectin (batch cultures). The contribution of external acetate to butyrate formation in these experiments ranged from 56 (pectin) to 90 % (xylan) in continuous cultures, and from 72 to 91 % in the batch cultures. This is consistent with a major role for bacteria related toF. prausnitziiandRoseburiaspp. in butyrate formation from a range of substrates that are fermented in the large intestine. Variations in the dominant metabolic type of butyrate producer between individuals or with variations in diet are not ruled out, however, and could influence butyrate supply in the large intestine.
Lipoprotein metabolism in patients with anorexia nervosa: a case–control study investigating the mechanisms leading to hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Weinbrenner T. , Züger M. , Jacoby G. E. , Herpertz S. , Liedtke R. , Sudhop T. , Gouni-Berthold I. , Axelson M. , Berthold H. K.
Published: June 2004

Hypercholesterolaemia is a common finding in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). To investigate the type, frequency and pathophysiological mechanisms of changes in lipoprotein metabolism in AN we performed a cross-sectional study in fifty-eight female patients (mean age 24·2 years, BMI 15·3 (SD 1·5) kg/m2) and fifty-eight healthy age-matched controls (CO; BMI 22·2 (SD 1·7) kg/m2). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were higher in AN (5·5 (SD 1·3)v. 5·0 (SD 0·8) mmol/l,P=0·023; 3·6 (SD 1·1)v. 3·2 (SD 0·7) mmol/l,P=0·025 respectively). LDL particles were significantly more enriched in cholesterol and triacylglycerol in AN. In multiple regression analysis with LDL-cholesterol as the dependent and BMI, total body fat ( %), lathosterol:cholesterol ratio (endogenous cholesterol synthesis), 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (bile acid synthesis), non-esterified glycerol, free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine as independent variables, BMI was the only significant predictor in CO (R20·36, overallP=0·001). In AN the variability of LDL-cholesterol was significantly predicted by total body fat, free thyroxine, BMI, free triiodothyronine and non-esterified glycerol (R20·55, overallP<0·001). Subgroup analysis between restricting (AN-R) and binge-eating–purging patients (AN-B) indicated that in AN-R changes in lipoproteins, BMI and total body fat were more pronounced. AN-R patients had lower bile acid synthesis than AN-B (P=0·02). We conclude that elevated cholesterol concentrations in AN are generally due to an increase in LDL-cholesterol, which is mostly determined by the severe loss of body fat and the resulting changes in thyroid hormones, increased lipolysis and decreased endogenous cholesterol synthesis with resulting decrease in LDL removal. The clinical subtype of AN plays a major role in the mechanisms leading to hypercholesterolaemia.
A locking-free Reissner-Mindlin quadrilateral element
Authors: Duan Huo-Yuan , Liang Guo-Ping
Published: June 2004

On arbitrary regular quadrilaterals, a new finite element method for the Reissner-Mindlin plate is proposed, where both transverse displacement and rotation are approximated by isoparametric bilinear elements, with local bubbles enriching rotation, and a local reduction operator is applied to the shear energy term. This new method gives optimal error bounds, uniform in the thickness of the plate, for both transverse displacement and rotation with respect toH1H^1andL2L^2norms.
A quasi–Monte Carlo scheme for Smoluchowski’s coagulation equation
Authors: Lécot Christian , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: June 2004

This paper analyzes a Monte Carlo algorithm for solving Smoluchowski’s coagulation equation. A finite number of particles approximates the initial mass distribution. Time is discretized and random numbers are used to move the particles according to the coagulation dynamics. Convergence is proved when quasi-random numbers are utilized and if the particles are relabeled according to mass in every time step. The results of some numerical experiments show that the error of the new algorithm is smaller than the error of a standard Monte Carlo algorithm using pseudo-random numbers without reordering the particles.
Numerical schemes for the simulation of the two-dimensional Schrödinger equation using non-reflecting boundary conditions
Authors: Antoine Xavier , Besse Christophe , Mouysset Vincent
Published: June 2004

This paper adresses the construction and study of a Crank-Nicolson-type discretization of the two-dimensional linear Schrödinger equation in a bounded domain

Ω
\Omega

with artificial boundary conditions set on the arbitrarily shaped boundary of

Ω
\Omega

. These conditions present the features of being differential in space and nonlocal in time since their definition involves some time fractional operators. After having proved the well-posedness of the continuous truncated initial boundary value problem, a semi-discrete Crank-Nicolson-type scheme for the bounded problem is introduced and its stability is provided. Next, the full discretization is realized by way of a standard finite-element method to preserve the stability of the scheme. Some numerical simulations are given to illustrate the effectiveness and flexibility of the method.
On quadratic fields with large 3-rank
Authors: Belabas Karim
Published: June 2004

Davenport and Heilbronn defined a bijection between classes of binary cubic forms and classes of cubic fields, which has been used to tabulate the latter. We give a simpler proof of their theorem then analyze and improve the table-building algorithm. It computes the multiplicities of the

O
(
X
)

O(X)

general cubic discriminants (real or imaginary) up to

X
X

in time

O
(
X
)

O(X)

and space

O
(

X

3

/

4

)

O(X^{3/4})

, or more generally in time

O
(
X
+

X

7

/

4

/

M
)

O(X + X^{7/4} / M)

and space

O
(
M
+

X

1

/

2

)

O(M + X^{1/2})

for a freely chosen positive

M
M

. A variant computes the

3
3

-ranks of all quadratic fields of discriminant up to

X
X

with the same time complexity, but using only

M
+
O
(
1
)

M + O(1)

units of storage. As an application we obtain the first

1618
1618

real quadratic fields with

r
3

(
Δ
)
≥
4

r_3(\Delta ) \geq 4

, and prove that

Q

(

−
5393946914743

)

\mathbb {Q}(\sqrt {-5393946914743})

is the smallest imaginary quadratic field with

3
3

-rank equal to

5
5

.
Localized pointwise error estimates for mixed finite element methods
Authors: Demlow Alan
Published: June 2004

In this paper we give weighted, or localized, pointwise error estimates which are valid for two different mixed finite element methods for a general second-order linear elliptic problem and for general choices of mixed elements for simplicial meshes. These estimates, similar in spirit to those recently proved by Schatz for the basic Galerkin finite element method for elliptic problems, show that the dependence of the pointwise errors in both the scalar and vector variables on the derivative of the solution is mostly local in character or conversely that the global dependence of the pointwise errors is weak. This localization is more pronounced for higher order elements. Our estimates indicate that localization occurs except when the lowest order Brezzi-Douglas-Marini elements are used, and we provide computational examples showing that the error is indeed not localized when these elements are employed.
Microtubule-Dependent Movement of Late Endocytic Vesicles In Vitro: Requirements for Dynein and Kinesin
Authors: Bananis Eustratios , Nath Sangeeta , Gordon Kristie , Satir Peter , Stockert Richard J. , Murray John W. , Wolkoff Allan W.
Published: June 2004

Our previous studies demonstrated that fluorescent early endocytic vesicles prepared from rat liver after injection of Texas red asialoorosomucoid contain asialoglycoprotein and its receptor and move and undergo fission along microtubules using kinesin I and KIFC2, with Rab4 regulating KIFC2 activity (J. Cell Sci. 116, 2749, 2003). In the current study, procedures to prepare fluorescent late endocytic vesicles were devised. In addition, flow cytometry was utilized to prepare highly purified fluorescent endocytic vesicles, permitting validation of microscopy-based experiments as well as direct biochemical analysis. These studies revealed that late vesicles bound to and moved along microtubules, but in contrast to early vesicles, did not undergo fission. As compared with early vesicles, late vesicles had reduced association with receptor, Rab4, and kinesin I but were highly associated with dynein, Rab7, dynactin, and KIF3A. Dynein and KIF3A antibodies inhibited late vesicle motility, whereas kinesin I and KIFC2 antibodies had no effect. Dynamitin antibodies prevented the association of late vesicles with microtubules. These results indicate that acquisition and exchange of specific motor and regulatory proteins characterizes and may regulate the transition of early to late endocytic vesicles. Flow cytometric purification should ultimately facilitate detailed proteomic analysis and mapping of endocytic vesicle-associated proteins.
STAR: an algorithm to Search for Tandem Approximate Repeats
Authors: Delgrange Olivier , Rivals Eric
Published: June 2004

Motivation: Tandem repeats consist in approximate and adjacent repetitions of a DNA motif. Such repeats account for large portions of eukaryotic genomes and have also been found in other life kingdoms. Owing to their polymorphism, tandem repeats have proven useful in genome cartography, forensic and population studies, etc. Nevertheless, they are not systematically detected nor annotated in genome projects. Partially because of this lack of data, their evolution is still poorly understood.

Results: In this work, we design an exact algorithm to locate approximate tandem repeats (ATR) of a motif in a DNA sequence. Given a motif and a DNA sequence, our method named STAR, identifies all segments of the sequence that correspond to significant approximate tandem repetitions of the motif. In our model, an Exact Tandem Repeat (ETR) comes from the tandem duplication of the motif and an ATR derives from an ETR by a series of point mutations. An ATR can then be encoded as a number of duplications of the motif together with a list of mutations. Consequently, any sequence that is not an ATR cannot be encoded efficiently by this description, while a true ATR can. Our method uses the minimum description length criterion to identify which sequence segments are ATR. Our optimization procedure guarantees that STAR finds a combination of ATR that minimizes this criterion.

Availability: for use at http://atgc.lirmm.fr/star

Supplementary information: an appendix is available at http://atgc.lirmm.fr/star under ‘Paper and contacts’.
A spline function approach for detecting differentially expressed genes in microarray data analysis
Authors: He Wenqing
Published: June 2004

Motivation: A primary objective of microarray studies is to determine genes which are differentially expressed under various conditions. Parametric tests, such as two-sample t-tests, may be used to identify differentially expressed genes, but they require some assumptions that are not realistic for many practical problems. Non-parametric tests, such as empirical Bayes methods and mixture normal approaches, have been proposed, but the inferences are complicated and the tests may not have as much power as parametric models.

Results: We propose a weakly parametric method to model the distributions of summary statistics that are used to detect differentially expressed genes. Standard maximum likelihood methods can be employed to make inferences. For illustration purposes the proposed method is applied to the leukemia data (training part) discussed elsewhere. A simulation study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method.
Exercise as a Time‐conditioning Effector in Chronic Disease: a Complementary Treatment Strategy
Authors: Costa Rosa Luis F. B. P.
Published: June 2004

Exercise has been widely believed to be a preventive and therapeutic aid in the treatment of various pathophysiological conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. A common problem associated with such pathologies is cachexia, characterized by progressive weight loss and depletion of lean and fat body mass, and is linked to poor prognosis. As this syndrome comprises changes in many physiological systems, it is tempting to assume that the modulation of the psychoneuroimmunoendocrine axis could attenuate or even prevent cachexia progression in cancer patients. Cancer cachexia is characterized by a disruption in the rhythmic secretion of melatonin, an important time‐conditioning effector. This hormone, secreted by the pineal gland, transmits circadian and seasonal information to all organs and cells of the body, synchronizing the organism with the photoperiod. Considering that exercise modulates the immune response through at least two different mechanisms—metabolic and neuroendocrine—we propose that the adoption of a regular exercise program as a complementary strategy in the treatment of cancer patients, with the exercise bouts regularly performed at the same time of the day, will ameliorate cachexia symptoms and increase survival and quality of life.
Measuring performance in defense‐sector companies in a small NATO member country
Authors: Pestana Barros Carlos
Published: June 2004

In all European national defense‐sector industries, organizational efficiency forms a vital component of the operations that improves competitiveness in the market. The Portuguese government subsidizes companies that are active in this sector in its mission for the companies to achieve improved operational competitiveness, thereby increasing exports and, consequently, become profitable. The policy of subsidization is intended to provide incentives for increasing productive efficiency, which, in the long run, would contribute to the defense industry sharing in the social gains in the form of greater employment and local development. The issue considered in this paper is whether government subsidies have, in fact, resulted in an increase in the technical efficiency and allocative efficiency of the Portuguese defense‐sector companies. The results are, at best, mixed, leading to the conclusion that the incentive regulation carried out by the Ministry of Defense is not achieving its aims. Therefore, a policy revision to enforce efficiency is proposed, based on a governance environment framework.
Management of risks in information technology projects
Authors: Baccarini David , Salm Geoff , Love Peter E.D.
Published: June 2004

Information technology (IT) projects are renowned for their high failure rate. Risk management is an essential process for the successful delivery of IT projects. In‐depth interviews with IT professionals from leading firms in Western Australia were undertaken to determine how IT risks were managed in their projects. The respondents ranked 27 IT risks in terms of likelihood and consequences to identify the most important risks. The top five risks, in order, were: personnel shortfalls; unreasonable project schedule and budget; unrealistic expectations; incomplete requirements; and diminished window of opportunity due to late delivery of software. The respondents overwhelmingly applied the treatment strategy of risk reduction to manage these risks. Furthermore, these strategies were primarily project management processes, rather than technical processes. This demonstrates that project management is a risk management strategy. Scope, quality management, and human resource management were solutions applied to several risks. In particular, managing stakeholders’ expectations is a specific risk treatment that helps to manage several key IT risks.
A scenario, goal and feature‐oriented domain analysis approach for developing software product lines
Authors: Park Sooyong , Kim Minseong , Sugumaran Vijayan
Published: June 2004

A software product line (SPL) captures commonalities and variations (C&V) within a family of systems. Although, feature‐oriented approaches have been proposed for building product lines, none of them provide a systematic approach for identifying features. This paper proposes a domain analysis method for creating SPL based on scenarios, goals and features. In particular, the paper presents a domain requirements model (DRM) that integrates features with goals and scenarios, and a domain requirements modeling method that uses the DRM. This approach has been applied to the home integration system (HIS) domain to demonstrate its feasibility. This approach makes it possible to systematically identify features and provide the rationale for both features and C&V.
Simulating production performance: cross case analysis and policy implications
Authors: O'Kane James
Published: June 2004

A case‐based research approach is used to illustrate the power of modelling manufacturing performance measures and to help develop insights into the nature and problems evident when attempting to use simulation across different enterprise sectors. The research methodology used considered three specific companies, each with distinctive characteristics and attributes; a small to medium enterprise, a medium to large enterprise and a large enterprise. From a cross‐case analysis of the use of discreet‐event (DE) simulation when applied in these instances, the research attempts to develop policy implications that will provide a better understanding of how simulation studies should be approached across different manufacturing enterprises.
The influencing factors of commitment and business integration on supply chain management
Authors: Wu Wann‐Yih , Chiag Chwan‐Yi , Wu Ya‐Jung , Tu Hui‐Ju
Published: June 2004

The main purpose of this study focuses on how to integrate the supply chain management business process. There were a total of 600 questionnaires issued in this study with 134 valid questionnaires being retrieved. The study concludes the following results: the level of idiosyncratic investments to supply chain partners, the degree of dependence between supply chain partners, and the level of product salability of manufacturer would enhance commitment and, consequently, the integration of the SCM business process. The degree of trust, power, continuity, and communication between supply chain partners would enhance commitment and, consequently, the integration of the SCM business process. The level of affective commitment, continuance commitment, and normative commitment of supply chain partners would be helpful in the integration of the SCM business process.
Selection and application of risk management tools and techniques for build‐operate‐transfer projects
Authors: Dey Prasanta K. , Ogunlana Stephen O.
Published: June 2004

Construction projects are risky. However, the characteristics of the risk highly depend on the type of procurement being adopted for managing the project. A build‐operate‐transfer (BOT) project is recognized as one of the most risky project schemes. There are instances of project failure where a BOT scheme was employed. Ineffective rts are increasingly being managed using various risk management tools and techniques. However, application of those tools depends on the nature of the project, organization's policy, project management strategy, risk attitude of the project team members, and availability of the resources. Understanding of the contents and contexts of BOT projects, together with a thorough understanding of risk management tools and techniques, helps select processes of risk management for effective project implementation in a BOT scheme. This paper studies application of risk management tools and techniques in BOT projects through reviews of relevant literatures and develops a model for selecting risk management process for BOT projects. The application to BOT projects is considered from the viewpoints of the major project participants. Discussion is also made with regard to political risks. This study would contribute to the establishment of a framework for systematic risk management in BOT projects.
A maturity model and an evaluation system of software customer satisfaction: the case of software companies in Korea
Authors: Seong Leem Choon , Yoon YongKi
Published: June 2004

The importance of software has been growing rapidly owing to the development of various Internet and e‐business applications. One of the active research areas in software involves its evaluation methods or models. The traditional approaches to software evaluation are based on the development process point of view, and their major concerns are not strongly related to user or customer‐oriented evaluation of software. In this paper, a maturity model and a corresponding evaluation system are suggested that focuses on software customer satisfaction. As a case study, they are applied to 18 software companies and their 180 customers in Korea to prove their practical values.
A process and tool for supply network analysis
Authors: Leong Yee Choy , Hua Tan Kim
Published: June 2004

Managing firms’ supply network is a difficult task. The process is complex because it involves many interrelated business decisions, and a wide range of companies at different levels. So far, little is available to assist managers in analysing and monitoring a supply network performance. This paper proposes a tool, supply network analysis process (SNAP), to address this gap. SNAP can be implemented in a three‐stage process. The tool enables managers to explore, connect, and visualise the interaction of network decisions in such a way that it is easy to understand and communicate, that engage more people within an organization, and that unlock the creativity of participants. A case study is used to illustrate the application of the SNAP tool. Finally, the implication of this research to managers and academics is discussed.
Motivating employees for environmental improvement
Authors: Govindarajulu Nalini , Daily Bonnie F.
Published: June 2004

This paper presents a theoretical framework for environmental performance by looking at the crucial employer and employee factors affecting environmental performance. The model focuses on the integration between top management commitment, employee empowerment, rewards, feedback and review, and environmental performance. Suggestions for managers on implementing core concepts from the model, in addition to the challenges they may encounter are discussed throughout the article.