bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Digestion rate of dietary starch affects systemic circulation of amino acids in weaned pigs
Authors: Yin Fugui , Zhang Zhenzhen , Huang Ju , Yin Yulong 
Published: January 2010

The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo digestibility of dietary starch and its digestive behaviour on the systemic circulating amino acids (AA) in weaned pigs. Eighteen weanling pigs surgically fitted with a catheter in the jugular vein were randomly assigned to three dietary treatment groups. Sticky rice starch (SRS) was hydrolysed more quickly in vitro (P < 0·05) than maize starch (MS) and resistant starch (RS), and was almost completely hydrolysed within 4 h. The in vivo digestibility of dietary starch in different segments of the small intestine was significantly different. SRS was digested (81·9 %; P < 0·05) in the anterior jejunum, but not more than half of the MS and RS was digested in the same segment of the small intestine. The digestibilities of isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, alanine, aspartate and serine in the SRS group were higher than in the MS group (P < 0·05), and all nutritionally indispensable and dispensable AA in the SRS group were higher when compared with those in the RS group (P < 0·05). The serum concentrations of nutritionally indispensable AA, proline and serine in the three groups were increased to a peak point within 1·5 h postprandially then decreased gradually; however, the time that serum concentrations of alanine, aspartate, glutamate and glycine in each group increased to a peak point was different. The concentrations of nutritionally indispensable AA, including arginine, cystine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine at 09.30 hours and arginine, cystine, histidine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine and valine at 13.30 hours in the SRS group were higher than in the MS group (P < 0·05); all nutritionally indispensable AA in the SRS group were higher than in the RS group at 09.30 and 13.30 hours (P < 0·05), respectively. We conclude that dietary starches digested rapidly in vitro have higher digestibility in the anterior small intestine of pigs. Diets containing rapidly digestible starch ameliorate the digestive and absorptive function and regulate AA metabolism to beneficially increase the entry of dietary AA into the systemic circulation in pigs.
Vitamin D status and markers of bone turnover in Caucasian and South Asian postmenopausal women living in the UK
Authors: Lowe Nicola M. , Mitra Soma R. , Foster Peter C. , Bhojani Issak , McCann John F. 
Published: January 2010

Suboptimal vitamin D status among the South Asian UK population is widely reported; however, its impact on bone health is unclear. The aim of the present study was to conduct a comparative investigation of vitamin D status in postmenopausal South Asian (SA) and Caucasian (C) women and its relationship to parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration, biochemical markers of bone turnover and bone quality. A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling women aged 50–66 years was carried out. A total of sixty-six SA women of Pakistani origin and forty-two C women living in the same community were recruited. Fasting blood was taken for the measurement of vitamin D, PTH and biochemical markers of bone turnover, including type-1 collagen β C-telopeptide (βCTX), procollagen type-1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) activity. Bone quality was assessed using broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA). Total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was significantly lower in the SA women than the C women (medians: SA 10·5 v. C 47·1 nmol/l; P < 0·001) This was associated with a significantly elevated serum PTH concentration in the SA group (medians: SA 7·3 v. C 4·5 pmol/l; P < 0·01). BAP activity was also significantly higher in the SA group, indicating elevated osteoblast activity and bone turnover (medians: SA 23·0 v. C 20·0 U/l; P < 0·05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups for P1NP, βCTX or BUA. Although the SA women had significantly higher serum PTH and lower 25(OH)D concentrations than C women, this was not associated with significantly higher markers of bone resorption, or reduced bone quality in the SA women.
Wing shape variations in an invasive moth are related to sexual dimorphism and altitude
Authors: Hernández-L. N. , Barragán Á.R. , Dupas S. , Silvain J.-F. , Dangles O. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWing morphology has great importance in a wide variety of aspects of an insect's life. Here, we use a geometric morphometric approach to test the hypothesis that variation, in insect wing morphology patterns, occurs between sexes and along altitudinal gradients for invasive species, despite their recent association to this environment. We explored the variation in wing morphology between 12 invasive populations of the invasive potato pest,Tecia solanivora, at low and high altitude in the central highlands of Ecuador. After characterizing sexual dimorphism in wing shape, we investigated if moths at higher elevations differ in wing morphology from populations at lower altitudes. Results indicate wing shape and size differences between sexes and between altitudinal ranges. Females showed larger, wider wings than males, while high altitude moths showed larger, narrow-shaped wings by comparison to low-altitude moths. GLM analyses confirmed altitude was the only significant determinant of this gradient. Our study confirms a sexual dimorphism in size and wing shape for the potato moth. It also confirms and extends predictions of morphological changes with altitude to an invasive species, suggesting that wing morphology variation is an adapted response contributing to invasion success of the potato moth in mountainous landscapes. Ours is one of the first studies on the morphology of invasive insects and represents a valuable contribution to the study of insect invasions because it both offers empirical support to previous genetic studies onT. solanivoraas well as proving broader insight into the mechanisms behind morphological evolution of a recently introduced pest.
THE ‘TRANSPLANT EFFECT’ IN HARMONIZATION
Authors: Arvind T T 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis article examines the problem of divergent judicial interpretation of harmonized documents. Drawing on the experience of harmonization of the law of arbitration, it points out that divergent interpretation runs much deeper than is commonly assumed, and shows strong similarities to the ‘transplant effect’ discussed in the literature on legal transplants. The article examines why the transplant effect shows up in harmonization, and considers its importance for the eventual success or failure of harmonization projects.
CRIMINAL LIABILITY FOR NEGLIGENCE—A LESSON FROM ACROSS THE CHANNEL?
Authors: Spencer J R , Brajeux Marie-Aimée 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis article first examines criminal liability for negligently causing death or injury in English law, which it shows to be both complex and confused. It then examines French law on the subject, which at first sight appears both simpler and more rational, but has run into a number of difficulties in practice. A third and final section considers whether the French experience provides any useful lessons for the possible reform of English law.
Mind-mindedness and maternal responsiveness in infant–mother interactions in mothers with severe mental illness
Authors: Pawlby S. , Fernyhough C. , Meins E. , Pariante C. M. , Seneviratne G. , Bentall R. P. 
Published: January 2010

BackgroundPrevious cross-diagnosis studies of interaction between mothers with severe mental illness and their babies have concluded that mothers with schizophrenia have deficits in interaction, but these studies have not included healthy controls.MethodIn-patients on a mother and baby unit, with diagnoses of schizophrenia (n=15), depressive mood disorders with or without psychosis (n=23), or mood disorders where mania was the predominant feature, with or without psychosis (n=12), were observed interacting with their infants on admission and discharge. Mothers' mind-mindedness and other measures of the quality of maternal and infant behaviour were coded. Findings from this sample were compared with those from healthy mothers and their infants (n=49).ResultsCompared with healthy controls, on admission depressed mothers were marginally less likely to comment appropriately on their infants' mental states. Both the depressed and mania groups were more likely to touch their babies and engage in attention-seeking behaviours. Interactional behaviours of mothers in the schizophrenia group were not markedly different from healthy controls. On discharge there were fewer differences between the clinical and healthy groups, although the depressed group continued to engage in more attention-seeking and touching behaviour and the mania group continued to touch their infants more. Only mothers in the schizophrenia group showed changes in interactional behaviours between admission and discharge, talking more to their infants.ConclusionsThe findings challenge previous conclusions that mothers with schizophrenia have deficits in their interactions with their babies, and demonstrate that mothers with severe mental illness are able to respond appropriately to their infants' cues.
Human amygdala reactivity is diminished by the β-noradrenergic antagonist propranolol
Authors: Hurlemann R. , Walter H. , Rehme A. K. , Kukolja J. , Santoro S. C. , Schmidt C. , Schnell K. , Musshoff F. , Keysers C. , Maier W. , Kendrick K. M. , Onur O. A. 
Published: January 2010

BackgroundAnimal models of anxiety disorders emphasize the crucial role of locus ceruleus–noradrenergic (norepinephrine, NE) signaling, the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and their interactions in the expression of anxiety-like behavioral responses to stress. Despite clinical evidence for the efficacy of a β-noradrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol in the alleviation of anxiety symptoms and the secondary prevention of post traumatic stress disorder, preclinical evidence for a β-noradrenergic modulation of BLA activity in humans is missing.MethodWe combined functional magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers with probabilistic mapping of intra-amygdalar responses to fearful, neutral and happy facial expressions to test the hypothesis that a β-noradrenergic receptor blockade with propranolol would inactivate the BLA.ResultsConsistent with our a priori hypothesis, propranolol diminished BLA responses to facial expressions, independent of their emotional valence. The absence of activity changes in probabilistically defined visual control regions underscores the specific action of propranolol in the BLA.ConclusionsOur findings provide the missing link between the anxiolytic potential of propranolol and the biological basis of β-noradrenergic activation in the human BLA as a key target for the pharmacological inhibition of anxiety neurocircuitry. Moreover, our findings add to emerging evidence that NE modulates both the reactivity (sensitivity) and the operating characteristics (specificity) of the BLA via β-noradrenergic receptors.
Quantitative review of the efficacy of slow-frequency magnetic brain stimulation in major depressive disorder
Authors: Schutter D. J. L. G. 
Published: January 2010

BackgroundSlow-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the frontal cortex has been suggested as a safer and better tolerable alternative to fast-frequency rTMS in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of slow-frequency rTMS to the frontal cortex in MDD.MethodA literature search was carried out in the databases PubMed and Web of Science in the period between January 1994 and July 2009 with the search terms ‘depression’ and ‘transcranial magnetic stimulation’. Nine double-blind sham-controlled parallel intention-to-treat studies (252 patients) fulfilled inclusion criteria and were entered in a random-effects meta-analysis.ResultsThe test for heterogeneity was not significant (QT=9.63,p=0.38). An overall weighted moderate mean effect size (d=0.63, 95% confidence interval=0.03–1.24) for active treatment was observed.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that slow-frequency rTMS to the frontal cortex is more effective than sham treatment and may be equally effective as fast-frequency rTMS in the treatment of MDD.
Applied Social Science? Academic Contributions to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry and Their Consequences
Authors: MURJI KARIM 
Published: January 2010

AbstractA decade on from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, this article examines the contributions of social scientists to the Inquiry on two key issues: the meaning of institutional racism and the police response to racial violence. These academic inputs are characterised as instrumental and reflexive forms of knowledge. While social science applied to social policy is most effective in instrumental mode, rather than reflexively, there are various factors – such as the interpretation of evidence, media debate and the role of prominent individuals – that are more significant in assessing its consequences. The impact of these factors mean that, although academic work on these issues has been influential, the outcome appears to be that institutional racism has run its course and been disowned or downgraded, while racial violence has become subsumed within the broader category of hate crime. It is argued that the relationship between academic knowledge and policy requires a better grasp of the complexities of applying social science, and that is what this article aims to make a contribution to.
Rapid declines in habitat quality and population size of the Liben (Sidamo) LarkHeteromirafra sidamoensisnecessitate immediate conservation action
Authors: DONALD PAUL F. , BUCHANAN GRAEME M. , COLLAR NIGEL J. , DELLELEGN ABEBE YILMA , GABREMICHAEL MERID N. , MWANGI M. A. KIRAGU , NDANG'ANG'A PAUL KARIUKI , SPOTTISWOODE CLAIRE N. , WONDAFRASH MENGISTU 
Published: January 2010

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Liben Lark (formerly Sidamo Lark) is known only from the Liben Plain of southern Ethiopia, where rapid grassland deterioration is driving the species towards extinction. Fieldwork on the Liben Plain in May 2009 to assess changes in habitat and population since June 2007 recorded a significant deterioration in habitat and decline in numbers. In both 2007 and 2009, birds were associated with areas with greater than average grass cover, and in 2007 with areas of higher grass. However, between 2007 and 2009 there was a significant decline in grass cover and height, a 40% decline in number of birds recorded along repeated transects, and a contraction of 38% in the occupied area of the Liben Plain. Moreover, the cover of bare ground increased more in areas where the species was recorded in 2007 than at random points, suggesting a more rapid degradation of the best sites. There was also a loss to arable agriculture of 8% of the grassland present in 2007. Invading fennel plants increased in number and area on the plain but did not appear to influence the distribution of the lark. An analysis of NDVI showed that grassland deterioration could not be explained by drought, and the most likely explanation is that grassland quality is suffering from overgrazing. Predictive modelling suggests that, apart from a smaller and politically insecure area some 500 km to the north-east near Somalia, there is no suitable habitat for this species elsewhere in the Horn of Africa. As a matter of extreme urgency, cattle exclosures need to be established on the Liben Plain to allow grassland regeneration. This may require the ploughing of land to reduce soil compaction and re-sowing with local grass species. In the longer term, further degradation of the plain should be prevented by, for example, clearing encroaching scrub to increase grassland area and reduce grazing pressure, and by developing sustainable rangeland management practices. These actions have the full and active support of local pastoralists.
Differential expression of abscisic acid metabolism and signalling genes induced by seed-covering structures or hypoxia in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grains
Authors: Mendiondo Guillermina M. , Leymarie Juliette , Farrant Jill M. , Corbineau Françoise , Benech-Arnold Roberto L. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractDormant barley grains cannot germinate at 30°C and this inability to germinate is imposed mostly by the glumellae which have been suggested to limit oxygen supply to the embryo. Hypoxia imposed either artificially or by the glumellae to embryos from dormant grains, increases embryo sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) and promotes the accumulation of ABA during the first hours after imbibition. Expression of candidate genes involved in ABA synthesis (HvNCED), catabolism (HvABA8OH1) and signalling (HvABI5, HvVP1 and HvPKABA) was analysed in embryos isolated from dormant whole or de-hulled grains incubated in air or in hypoxia (5% oxygen). The presence of the glumellae enhanced the expression of genes involved in ABA metabolism and signalling with respect to that observed in de-hulled grains incubated in air. These results suggest that at least part of the observed physiological responses to the presence of the glumellae are regulated at the level of gene expression. However, hypoxia imposed on dormant de-hulled grains did not mimic the presence of the glumellae in terms of expression of candidate genes. Hypoxia mimics the presence of the glumellae in terms of dormancy maintenance and ABA accumulation and sensitivity, but its effects appear to operate through different mechanisms.
Quality decay and shelf-life study of fresh celery (Apium graveolens L.) grown under different nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Rizzo Valeria , Muratore Giuseppe , Russo Marco Antonio , Iacona Riccardo , Belligno Adalgisa 
Published: January 2010

AbstractNitrogen fertilization is useful and widespread to obtain higher growth and quality of productions. To evaluate the influence of nitrogen-rich fertilizers on the quality characteristics, shelf-life tests of celery grown with two levels (80-120 kg ha-1) of two different nitrogen fertilizers were performed. Celery plants were selected and packed in two plastic films (anti-fog polyolefin and micro-perforated polypropylene). Nitrate contents, weight loss, hardness, changes in colour parameters and total phenols, were studied in both packaging solutions during storage. Results showed that celery fertilized with organic nitrogen and packed in anti-fog polyolefin reached a shelf-life of 37 days. Not treated sample packed in micro-perforated polypropylene was not marketable after 20 days, while the same sample packed in anti-fog polyolefin reached 30 days.
Myosin VI Lever Arm Rotation: Fixed or Variable?
Authors: Sun Yujie , Schroeder III Harry , Beausang John , Homma Kazuaki , Ikebe Mitsuo , Goldman Yale 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTwo recent articles addressed the power-stroke of myosin VI molecules during stepping. Although both groups measured the angles of fluorescent probes attached on the myosin VI molecule lever arm using polarized fluorescence techniques, they differ about whether the myosin VI lever arm rotation is fixed1 or variable2. Here we discuss the causes of the discrepancy between the two studies and the implications for myosin VI processive motility.
Coadministration of Propofol and Remifentanil for Lumbar Puncture in Children
Authors: Hayes Jason A. , Lopez Alejandra V. , Pehora Carolyne M. , Robertson James M. , Abla Oussama , Crawford Mark W. 
Published: January 2010

Background
The combination of propofol and remifentanil may be particularly suitable for short-duration procedures such as lumbar puncture. The authors undertook a two-part study to evaluate coadministration of propofol and remifentanil as an anesthetic technique for lumbar puncture in children.

Methods
The first part was a sequential allocation dose-finding study to determine the minimum effective dose of remifentanil when coadministered with 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg propofol. The second was a randomized double-blind study to compare the intraoperative and recovery characteristics of 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg propofol coadministered with the corresponding effective dose of remifentanil.

Results
Effective doses of remifentanil in 98% of children were 1.50 +/- 1.00 and 0.52 +/- 1.06 microg/kg when coadministered with 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg propofol, respectively. The duration of apnea was longer (median, 110 vs. 73 s; P < 0.05) and the time to awakening was shorter (median, 10 vs. 23 min; P < 0.05) after 2.0 mg/kg propofol plus 1.5 microg/kg remifentanil compared with 4.0 mg/kg propofol plus 0.5 microg/kg remifentanil. No child experienced hypotension or postprocedure nausea or vomiting after either dose combination.

Conclusions
Both dose combinations (2.0 mg/kg propofol plus 1.5 microg/kg remifentanil and 4.0 mg/kg propofol plus 0.5 microg/kg remifentanil) provide effective anesthesia for lumbar puncture in children. However, the intraoperative and recovery characteristics of the two dose combinations differ in that the duration of apnea increases whereas recovery time decreases as the dose of remifentanil is increased and that of propofol is decreased.
Dexmedetomidine Weakens Dynamic Cerebral Autoregulation as Assessed by Transfer Function Analysis and the Thigh Cuff Method
Authors: Ogawa Yojiro , Iwasaki Ken-ichi , Aoki Ken , Kojima Wakako , Kato Jitsu , Ogawa Setsuro 
Published: January 2010

Background
Dexmedetomidine, which is often used in intensive care units in patients with compromised circulation, might induce further severe decreases in cerebral blood flow (CBF) with temporal decreases in arterial pressure induced by various stimuli if dynamic cerebral autoregulation is not improved. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that dexmedetomidine strengthens dynamic cerebral autoregulation.

Methods
Fourteen healthy male subjects received placebo, low-dose dexmedetomidine (loading, 3 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 10 min; maintenance, 0.2 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 60 min), and high-dose dexmedetomidine (loading, 6 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 10 min; maintenance, 0.4 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) for 60 min) infusions in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. After 70 min of drug administration, dynamic cerebral autoregulation was estimated by transfer function analysis between arterial pressure variability and CBF velocity variability, and the thigh cuff method.

Results
Compared with placebo, steady state CBF velocity and mean blood pressure significantly decreased during administration of dexmedetomidine. Transfer function gain in the very-low-frequency range increased and phase in the low-frequency range decreased significantly, suggesting alterations in dynamic cerebral autoregulation in lower frequency ranges. Moreover, the dynamic rate of regulation and percentage restoration in CBF velocity significantly decreased when a temporal decrease in arterial pressure was induced by thigh cuff release.

Conclusion
Contrary to the authors' hypothesis, the current results of two experimental analyses suggest together that dexmedetomidine weakens dynamic cerebral autoregulation and delays restoration in CBF velocity during conditions of decreased steady state CBF velocity. Therefore, dexmedetomidine may lead to further sustained reductions in CBF during temporal decreases in arterial pressure.