bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin in diseases of the oral cavity
Authors: Gómez‐Moreno G , Guardia J , Ferrera MJ , Cutando A , Reiter RJ 
Published: August 2009

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 242–247Background:  Melatonin is the principal secretory product of the pineal gland. It has immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities, stimulates the proliferation of collagen and osseous tissue and acts as a protector against cellular degeneration associated with aging and toxin exposure. Arising out of its antioxidant actions, melatonin protects against inflammatory processes and cellular damage caused by the toxic derivates of oxygen. As a result of these actions, melatonin may be useful as a co‐adjuvant in the treatment of certain conditions of the oral cavity.Methods: An extensive review of the scientific literature was carried out using PubMed, Science Direct, ISI Web of Knowledge and the Cochrane base.Results:  Melatonin, which is released into the saliva, may have important implications for oral diseases. Melatonin may have beneficial effects in certain oral pathologies including periodontal diseases, herpes viral infections and Candida, local inflammatory rocesses, xerostomia, oral ulcers and oral cancer.Conclusions:  Melatonin may play a role in protecting the oral cavity from tissue damage caused by oxidative stress. The experimental evidence suggests that melatonin may have utility in the treatment of several common diseases of the oral cavity. However, more specific studies are necessary to extend the therapeutic possibilities to other oral diseases.
Implant‐Supported Electrostimulating Device to Treat Xerostomia: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ami Smidt , Wolff Andy 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTBackground: The full accomplishment of salivary function depends on proper salivary flow rate and composition. Salivary secretion is highly essential in the maintenance of health and integrity of oral hard and soft tissue. Xerostomia is a common symptom affecting between one‐fifth and one‐third of the adult population, more commonly women than men. Induction of salivary secretion exists in several pharmacological formulations per os. Electrostimulation to enhance salivary secretion has been used frequently as a research tool but only in limited extent as a clinical method to treat patients with xerostomia.Purpose: The aims of this preliminary study were to observe and evaluate the therapeutic effect on xerostomia of the Saliwell Crown (Saliwell Ltd., Harutzim, Israel), an innovative saliva electrostimulation device fixed on an implant, placed in the lower third molar area.Materials and Methods: A Saliwell Crown was placed in the lower third molar area of an 81‐year‐old female patient with complaints of dry and burning mouth. Salivary secretion was measured, and the patient was asked to fill in written satisfaction questionnaires. The patient was monitored for a year, comparing her salivary secretion rates and the written questionnaires.Results: The results showed a constant slight but significant increase in the salivary secretion and in the patient's personal feelings as presented in the questionnaires.Conclusions: The saliva stimulation device Saliwell Crown, placed on an implant in an 81‐year‐old patient with dry and burning mouth complaints, presented promising results when both the salivary secretion tests and the self‐assessment questionnaires were examined and compared.
Evaluating the Role of the Serotoninergic System in the Control of Human Seminal Vesicle Smooth Muscle—An in Vitro Approach
Authors: Birowo Ponco , Ückert Stefan , Kedia George T. , Scheller Friedemann , Meyer Markus , Taher Akmal , Rahardjo Djoko , Jonas Udo , Kuczyk Markus A. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
It has been suggested that serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SRIs) may retard the ejaculatory response by acting directly on the seminal vesicle (SV) and ductus deferens smooth muscle. However, until now, only a very few experimental studies have investigated such potential local (peripheral) effects.

Aim
To elucidate the effects of serotonin (5-HT) and the SRIs clomipramine, fluoxetine and imipramine on the tension induced by norepinephrine (NE) of isolated human SV smooth muscle, as well as on the production of tissue cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP.

Main Outcome Measures
To measure the inhibition exerted by serotonin and SRIs clomipramine, fluoxetine, and imipramine on the contractile response of isolated SV tissue. In addition, the effects of the drugs on the turn-over of cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP were also elucidated.

Methods
The effects of the cumulative addition of serotonin and the SRIs clomipramine, fluoxetine and imipramine (1 nM–10 µM) on the tension induced by the alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist NE (10 µM) of SV strip preparations were studied using the organ bath technique. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were measured by means of specific radioimmunoassays.

Results
The tension induced by NE was dose-dependently reversed by the drugs tested. The rank order of efficacy was: imipramine ≥ fluoxetine ≥ clomipramine &gt; serotonin. Mean reversion of tension was measured between 66 ± 6.6% and 52 ± 6.6%. These effects were paralleled by a 1.3-fold to 2.7-fold increase in tissue cAMP in response to exposure to the drugs. In contrast, no significant enhancement in cGMP was noted.

Conclusions
The findings, for the first time, present evidence that SRIs may antagonize the sympathetic contraction of SV smooth muscle via stimulation of tissue cyclic AMP.
Ten-Year Follow-Up of Sildenafil Use in Spinal Cord-Injured Patients with Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Lombardi Giuseppe , Macchiarella Angelo , Cecconi Filippo , Del Popolo Giulio 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Data are sparse concerning the long-term effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction (ED).

Aim
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of long-term sildenafil use in subjects with ED caused by spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods
Phase 1: From October 1998 to January 1999, 113 SCI patients with ED were given 50 mg of sildenafil after a 4-week treatment-free period. Those with a score lower than 26 on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) and with less than 75% total successful sexual attempts the dosage of sildenafil was increased to 100 mg. Attempts were evaluated using the Sexual Encounter Profile Questions 2 and 3 (SEP2 and 3) regarding respectively the capacity to penetrate their partner and to maintain the erection after penetration. Phase 2: Only responding patients entered phase 2 where they were evaluated every 6 months. The final visit was concluded by January 2009.

Main Outcome Measures
Follow-up using the IIEF-15 questionnaire every 6 months.

Results
Seventy-five patients entered Phase 2. Thirty-eight patients were excluded, 35 of them because they did not respond to the drug. Lesions higher than T12, an incompleteness of lesions, and higher residual erection were significant predictable factors for the success of the therapy (P &lt; 0.05). Phase 2: the most frequent reason (68.3%) for discontinuing treatment was the desire to try a new oral therapy especially for patients using 100 mg. Thirty-four individuals continued treatment, 28 of whom took 50 mg.

Conclusion
Sildenafil represents an effective and safe long-term option for SCI subjects with ED. Further investigation of long-term use of oral PDE5 inhibitors in SCI patients is needed for evaluating both factors that are determinant in the choice of a starter treatment and in detecting elements that influence the switching from initial treatment.
Variation in Susceptibility to Hurricane Damage as a Function of Storm Intensity in Puerto Rican Tree Species
Authors: Canham Charles D. , Thompson Jill , Zimmerman Jess K. , Uriarte María 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTOne of the most significant challenges in developing a predictive understanding of the long‐term effects of hurricanes on tropical forests is the development of quantitative models of the relationships between variation in storm intensity and the resulting severity of tree damage and mortality. There have been many comparative studies of interspecific variation in resistance of trees to wind damage based on aggregate responses to individual storms. We use a new approach, based on ordinal logistic regression, to fit quantitative models of the susceptibility of a tree species to different levels of damage across an explicit range of hurricane intensity. Our approach simultaneously estimates both the local intensity of the storm within a plot and the susceptibility to storm damage of different tree species within plots. Using the spatial variation of storm intensity embedded in two hurricanes (Hugo in 1989 and Georges in 1998) that struck the 16 ha Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot in eastern Puerto Rico, we show that variation in susceptibility to storm damage is an important aspect of life history differentiation. Pioneers such as Cecropia schreberiana are highly susceptible to stem damage, while the late successional species Dacryodes excelsa suffered very little stem damage but significant crown damage. There was a surprisingly weak relationship between tree diameter and the susceptibility to damage for most of the 12 species examined. This may be due to the effects of repeated storms and trade winds on the architecture of trees and forest stands in this Puerto Rican subtropical wet forest.
Crops and Livestock Productivity Growth in the Prairies: The Impacts of Technical Change and Scale
Authors: Stewart Bryce , Veeman Terrence , Unterschultz James 
Published: August 2009

This study undertakes a comprehensive analysis of productivity growth in Canadian Prairie primary agriculture from 1940 to 2004. Total factor productivity (TFP) is measured using Törnqvist‐Theil indexing procedures for the Prairie provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan). During the 1940–2004 period, productivity growth in Prairie agriculture grew at a rate of 1.56% a year. This aggregate measure does not indicate the substantial variations in productivity growth that have occurred between crops and livestock, between the provinces, and over time: productivity growth in crops is considerably higher than productivity growth in livestock; Manitoba and Saskatchewan display consistently higher productivity growth than Alberta; and from 1980 to 2004 livestock productivity growth increased considerably in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The productivity growth estimates are decomposed econometrically using a translog cost function to indicate the relative roles of technical change and scale effects. Productivity growth in crops has largely been the result of technical change while economies of scale have played a critical role in generating productivity growth in the livestock sector. La présente étude est une analyse approfondie de la croissance de la productivité du secteur de l’agriculture primaire dans les provinces des Prairies (Alberta, Manitoba et Saskatchewan), de 1940 à 2004. Nous avons mesuré la productivité totale des facteurs (PTF) à l’aide de l’indice Törnqvist‐Theil. De 1940 à 2004, la productivité de l’agriculture dans les provinces des Prairies a cru au rythme annuel de 1,56 p. 100. Cette mesure globale n’indique pas les variations substantielles de la croissance de la productivité entre le secteur des cultures et le secteur de l’élevage, entre les provinces, et au fil du temps. La croissance de la productivité dans le secteur des cultures a été considérablement plus élevée que celle observée dans le secteur de l’élevage. La croissance de la productivité au Manitoba et en Saskatchewan a été supérieure à celle observée en Alberta. De 1980 à 2004, la croissance de la productivité du secteur de l’élevage a enregistré une hausse considérable au Manitoba et en Saskatchewan. Nous avons décomposé la croissance de la productivité de façon économétrique à l’aide d’une fonction de coût de type translog afin de faire ressortir le rôle des changements technologiques et des économies d’échelle. Les changements technologiques ont joué un rôle important dans la croissance de la productivité du secteur des cultures, tandis que les économies d’échelle ont joué un rôle primordial dans la croissance de la productivité du secteur de l’élevage.
INHIBITION OF TNFα PRODUCTION AND BLOCKING OF MITOGEN‐ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE/NFκB ACTIVATION IN LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE‐INDUCED THP‐1 HUMAN MONOCYTES BY 3‐O‐ACETYL‐11‐KETO‐β‐BOSWELLIC ACID
Authors: SENGUPTA KRISHANU , GOLAKOTI TRIMURTULU , MARASETTI AJIT K. , TUMMALA TEJASWI , RAVADA SURYACHANDRA R. , KRISHNARAJU ALLURI V. , RAYCHAUDHURI SIBA P. 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTBoswellia serrataresin is regarded as a potent anti‐inflammatory agent in traditional and herbal medicine in the Indian subcontinent. The compound 3‐O‐acetyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid (AKBA) is the most effective boswellic acid and mostly responsible forB. serrata's anti‐inflammatory properties. Here, we reexamined the anti‐inflammatory potential of a product selectively enriched with 30% AKBA (BE‐30, also known as 5‐Loxin®) and evaluated its underlying possible molecular mechanism of action. BE‐30 was 42.96% more effective than regularBoswelliaextract (BE‐3) in inhibiting 5‐lipoxygenase activity. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced THP‐1 human monocytes, BE‐30 showed a strong anti‐TNFαactivity (half maximal inhibitory concentration 4.61 ± 0.87 µg/mL), which provides 71.14% (P < 0.001) better efficacy than BE‐3. Our investigations suggest that BE‐30 inhibits the LPS‐induced activation of serine/threonine kinases of mitogen‐activated protein kinase family, which are the key players responsible for a variety of cellular responses, including inflammation. Additionally, we also show that BE‐30 blocks the LPS‐induced NFκB activation by inhibiting IκBα phosphorylation and p65 translocation to the nuclear compartment of THP‐1 monocytes. Collectively, these findings provide molecular basis for the anti‐inflammatory properties of BE‐30.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThis article describes the underlying molecular mechanisms for the anti‐inflammatory activities of an enriched formulation containing up to 30% 3‐O‐acetyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid (AKBA), the active principle that is mainly responsible forBoswellia serrata'santi‐inflammatory properties. This AKBA‐enriched formulation (BE‐30), known as 5‐Loxin, is commercially available in the United States and is being used as a key ingredient of several formulations for improvement of joint health. This work explains anti‐TNFα properties of BE‐30 in a cellular inflammation modelin vitroand its inhibitory action on MAPK pathways in inflammation and, in addition, its anti‐NFκB activities. The findings will provide a further comprehensive mechanism of anti‐inflammatory action of 5‐Loxin at the cellular and molecular level.
EFFECT OF CHEMICAL INTERESTERIFICATION ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF CANOLA OIL AND FULLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL BLENDS
Authors: RIBEIRO ANA PAULA BADAN , BASSO RODRIGO CORRÊA , GRIMALDI RENATO , GIOIELLI LUIZ ANTONIO , GONÇALVES LIRENY APARECIDA GUARALDO 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACT Blends of canola oil (CO) and fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil (FHCSO), with 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% FHCSO (w/w) were interesterified under the following conditions: 0.4% sodium methoxide, 500 rpm stirring, 100C, 20 min. The original and interesterified blends were examined for triacylglycerol composition, melting point, solid fat content (SFC) and consistency. Interesterification caused considerable rearrangement of triacylglycerol species, reduction of trisaturated triacylglycerol content and increase in disaturated‐monounsaturated and monosaturated‐diunsaturated triacylglycerols in all blends, resulting in lowering of respective melting points. The interesterified blends showed reduced SFC at all temperatures and more linear melting profiles if compared with the original blends. Consistency, expressed as yield value, significantly decreased after the reaction. Iso‐solid curves indicated eutectic interactions for the original blends, which were eliminated after randomization. The 80:20, 75:25, 70:30 and 65:35 (w/w) CO: FHCSO interesterified blends showed characteristics which are appropriate for their application as soft margarines, spreads, fat for bakery/all‐purpose shortenings, and icing shortenings, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSRecently, a number of studies have suggested a direct relationship between trans isomers and increased risk of vascular disease. In response, many health organizations have recommended reducing consumption of foods containing trans fatty acids. In this connection, chemical interesterification has proven the main alternative for obtaining plastic fats that have low trans isomer content or are even trans isomer free. This work proposes to evaluate the chemical interesterification of binary blends of canola oil and fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil and the specific potential application of these interesterified blends in food products.
OMEGA‐3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AFFECT LEPTIN RECEPTOR GENE EXPRESSION IN PITUITARY GH4C1 CELL LINE
Authors: DI BENEDETTO RITA , SALVATI SERAFINA , ATTORRI LUCILLA , DI BIASE ANTONELLA 
Published: August 2009

ABSTRACTLeptin (Ob) and Ob receptor (Ob‐Rb) genes are expressed in human and rodent anterior pituitary, and an autocrine/paracrine loop in the production and regulation of Ob and Ob‐Rb in this tissue has been suggested. As brain membranes contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and PUFA may affect the levels of leptin as well as the receptor's environment, a possible regulatory role of exogenous PUFA on Ob and Ob‐Rb expression in pituitary cell lines was investigated. GH4C1 cells were incubated with arachidonic (ARA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids and fatty acid incorporation, viability, and gene expression were measured. The results showed that although fatty acids were incorporated in GH4C1 cells at a minimum level, positively affected cell viability without differences, among the different fatty acids. On the contrary, ARA, EPA and DHA showed different effects on Ob‐Rb gene regulation that was upregulated by EPA, downregulated by DHA and not affected by ARA. The effects of leptin co‐incubation are also reported and discussed.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSData from this paper consolidate the observations regarding the role of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid in gene expression regulation, and thus they could support the recommendation to enrich diet with fish or fish oil with high PUFA content.
Improving Efficiency in Australian Local Government: Structural Reform as a Catalyst for Effective Reform
Authors: DOLLERY BRIAN , CRASE LIN , O'KEEFE SUE 
Published: August 2009

AbstractMunicipal amalgamation has been the main policy instrument of local government structural reform programmes in Australia for well over a century. However, council consolidation programs have not achieved the intended cost savings or improved service provision promised by advocates of this means of structural reorganisation. This paper considers whether the failure of municipal amalgamation processes to produce significant economic benefits necessarily implies that structural reform programs that invoke consolidation have no place in Australian local government policy. It is argued that ‘top‐down’ state government structural reform policy initiatives carrying the threat of amalgamation constitute an efficient mechanism for evoking optimal ‘bottom‐up’ structural change models.
Mapping the Contours of Race: Griffith Taylor's Zones and Strata Theory
Authors: WINLOW HEATHER 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThis article explores the ways in which cartography served as a tool to reinforce racial divisions in the context of late nineteenth and early twentieth century race science. Racial and anthropometric mapping was an endeavour in which both European and new world anthropologists and geographers were involved. The focus here is on the work of Thomas Griffith Taylor – regarded as one of the founders of modern geography in Australia – who deployed a number of cartographic techniques to reinforce his racial theorisations. This article explores Taylor's ‘zones and strata’ portrayal of racial evolution, and other geological‐ style maps of racial difference. These representations are investigated from two standpoints. Firstly, Taylor's theories are situated within the wider context of the Victorian tradition of classifying race, a tradition where physical race type was often correlated with moral and intellectual traits, and which was supported by the acceptance of environmental determinism within geographical circles. Secondly, his maps are considered from the perspective that, as J.B. Harley has argued, maps are social texts that contain power and, as such, can be deconstructed. Taylor's cartographic representations resulted from the manipulation of the internal elements of the map text, such as shading and projection, and were supported by the widely held belief that human racial groups could be delineated through physical anthropometry.
Prison foodservice in England*
Authors: Edwards John S. A. , Hartwell Heather J. , Schafheitle Joachim 
Published: August 2009

AbstractFeeding a prison population presents a number of challenges. This paper draws on two major studies conducted in 16 prisons (12 male, two female and two young offenders' institutes) to examine the foodservice provision of prisoners in England. Both studies used observation, kitchen records and unstructured interviews to establish food preparation methods and procedures. The first study measured the intake of food provided in eight male prisons (n = 506) over a 24‐h period; in the second study, data were collected from eight prisons, four male, two female and two young offenders' institutes, for 3 days, from the cyclical menus. The institutions' recipes, methods and average portion sizes were used to calculate food and nutrient intake. Unstructured interviews were conducted with inmates and prison warders in both studies. Results show that prisoners are provided with a high standard of food and, with the exception of some nutrients, consume a healthy diet.