bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms within the antioxidant defence system and associations with aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Abe Miyako , Xie Wanling , Regan Meredith M. , King Irena B. , Stampfer Meir J. , Kantoff Philip W. , Oh William K. , Chan June M. 
Published: May 2010

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Prior studies have identified potential interaction effects between antioxidant nutrients and germline gene variants with regards to prostate cancer risk. In particular, the rs4880 gene variant in SOD2 (or MnSOD) has been linked to several cancers, including prostate, and appears to interact with antioxidant status and cancer risk.We identified additional variants in SOD2 and SOD1 that may affect risk of prostate cancer, or interact with selenium status to affect prostate cancer risk.OBJECTIVETo study the effects of oxidative stress on prostate cancer development as the exact biological mechanisms behind the relationship remain uncertain. We previously reported a statistically significant interaction between circulating selenium levels, variants in the superoxide dismutase 2 gene (SOD2; rs4880), and risk of developing prostate cancer and presenting with aggressive prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe genotyped men with localized/regional prostate cancer for 26 loci across eight genes that are central to cellular antioxidant defence: glutathione peroxidase (GPX1, GPX4), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator (PPARGC1A, PPARGC1B), SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3, and ‘X‐ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cell 1’ (XRCC1). Among 489 men, we examined the relationships between genotypes, circulating selenium levels, and risk of presenting with aggressive prostate cancer at diagnosis, as defined by stage, grade and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level (213 aggressive cases).RESULTSTwo variants in SOD2 were significantly associated with the risk of aggressive prostate cancer (rs17884057, odds ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.70–0.99; and rs4816407, 1.27, 1.02–1.57); men with A alleles at rs2842958 in SOD2 had lower plasma selenium levels (median 116 vs 121.8 µg/L, P= 0.03); and the association between plasma selenium levels and risk of aggressive prostate cancer was modified by SOD1 (rs10432782) and SOD2 (rs2758330).CONCLUSIONWhile this study was cross‐sectional and these associations might be due to chance, further research is warranted on the potential important role of antioxidant defence in prostate cancer.
Places and Spaces for Circus Performers and Show People as Australian Migratory Workers
Authors: Danaher P.A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article draws on an 18‐year continuing empirical and qualitative study of the educational opportunities and experiences of Australian circus performers and show people to engage with broader questions about the intersection among rural mobilities, fixities and inequalities. In particular, the distinction between place as the source of the centre's power and space as the scene of operation of various tactics of resistance to that power is deployed to demonstrate that place and space are actually mobile concepts that highlight the relational and situated character of such supposedly fixed binaries as mobile and permanently resident on the one hand and rural and urban on the other. This conceptual fluidity and mobility are both useful and crucial in understanding the life‐worlds of migratory workers such as circus performers and show people and more broadly in engaging with rural mobilities, fixities and inequalities, in Australia and elsewhere.
Rural Melting‐pots, Mobilities and Fragilities: Reflections on the Spanish Case
Authors: Oliva Jesús 
Published: May 2010

AbstractNew migration and residential patterns and increased commuting are significantly changing Spanish rurality. Perhaps the most important change is that these processes are creating a changing world of new rural melting‐pots with a mixture of residents (such as international labour and retirement migrants, returning pensioners, ex‐urban groups and neo‐rural residents). These mobilities led to the demographic revitalisation of many areas, supporting traditional productive sectors as well as expanding rural activities. On the other hand, automobility, as a systematic resource to compress time and space, has become a key dimension of rural social sustainability today. In many rural habitats, commuting plays a determining role for retaining young people, women and skilled workers, providing more effective combinations of residence, labour strategies and sociality. However, these processes also open up a new range of vulnerabilities and social inequalities. By analysing census data and research carried out in different regions we explore the impact of mobilities on these rural areas, their interrelation with local fixities and the fragilities underlying these relations.
The work–life balance strategies of USDAW: mobilising collective voice
Authors: O'Brien‐Smith Fiona , Rigby Mike 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTThis article examines the articulation of member voice on work–life balance by USDAW at political, corporate and workplace levels. Despite eliciting favourable institutional responses at a political and corporate level, the necessary union role in policing and facilitating agreements at workplace level emphasises the interdependence of partnership and organising.
Ownership, corporate governance and industrial relations in the banking and telecommunications sectors: the case of Greece
Authors: Zambarloukou Stella 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTThe article examines how changes in ownership and corporate governance have affected industrial relations systems by drawing on the recent experience of Greece in two sectors: banking and telecommunications. The findings show that despite the seeming institutional stability in industrial relations arrangements, substantive change has taken place in the aforementioned sectors, which has resulted in the decentralisation of bargaining procedures.
High resolution skin colorimetry, strain mapping and mechanobiology
Authors: Devillers C. , Piérard‐Franchimont C. , Schreder A. , Docquier V. , Piérard G. E. 
Published: May 2010

SynopsisSkin colours are notoriously different between individuals. They are governed by ethnicities and phototypes, and further influenced by a variety of factors including photoexposures and sustained mechanical stress. Indeed, mechanobiology is a feature affecting the epidermal melanization. High‐resolution epiluminescence colorimetry helps in deciphering the effects of forces generated by Langer’s lines or relaxed skin tension lines on the melanocyte activity. The same procedure shows a prominent laddering pattern of melanization in striae distensae contrasting with the regular honeycomb pattern in the surrounding skin.
Resistance of human hair cuticle after a shaking process in wet conditions: comparison between Chinese and Caucasian hair
Authors: Galliano A. , Saint Olive Baque C. , Marty G. , Nedelec B. , Gauchet L. , Littaye P. , Gu W. , Huguet E. , Querleux B. , Silberzan I. , Kravtchenko S. , Kempf J. Y. 
Published: May 2010

SynopsisHair cuticle is the first protection shield of hair against external aggressions such as daily combing or brushing that induce friction, mechanical stress leading to ageing process. The identification of alterations of the hair surface induced by shaking process of various hair fibres, such as virgin and chemically treated Chinese and Caucasian hair, sheds some light on some specific features, e.g. Chinese cuticle is torn out in smaller particles than Caucasian, which seems to be related to geometrical rather than ethnic reasons. The present work also shows that two geometrical parameters of human hair, the inter‐scale distance and the scale angle are directly linked to fibre dimensions, regardless of ethnic origin. Representative of hair with an average larger cross‐sectional area, Chinese hair shows a slightly smaller inter‐scale distance as well as a higher scale angle. On the other hand, Chinese hair cuticle seems to be more sensitive to chemical treatment than Caucasian hair, at least for straightening treatment taken here as an example. Such an approach can be of interest in designing cosmetic products more suited to specific needs of human hair.
Comparative study of neural networks and least mean square algorithm applied to the optimization of cosmetic formulations
Authors: Balfagón A. C. , Serrano‐Hernanz A. , Teixido J. , Tejedor‐Estrada R. 
Published: May 2010

SynopsisIn this work, a comparative study between two methods to acquire relevant information about a cosmetic formulation has been carried out. A Design of Experiments (DOE) has been applied in two stages to a capillary cosmetic cream: first, a Plackett–Burman (PB) design has been used to reduce the number of variables to be studied; second, a complete factorial design has been implemented.With the experimental data collected from the DOE, a Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been utilized to obtain an equation (or model) that could explain cream viscosity. Calculations have shown that ANN are the best prediction method to fit a model to experimental data, within the interval of concentrations defined by the whole set of experiments.
Is karyotyping couples experiencing recurrent miscarriage worth the cost?
Authors: Barber JCK , Cockwell AE , Grant E , Williams S , Dunn R , Ogilvie CM 
Published: May 2010

Please cite this paper as: Barber J, Cockwell A, Grant E, Williams S, Dunn R, Ogilvie C. Is karyotyping couples experiencing recurrent miscarriage worth the cost? BJOG 2010;117:885–888.Karyotyping couples that have had recurrent miscarriages detects balanced rearrangements in carrier parents who can be offered prenatal cytogenetic analysis to prevent the birth of a subsequent child with an unbalanced rearrangement. In four UK centres, over periods of 5–30 years, balanced rearrangements were found in 406 out of 20 432 parents that had experienced miscarriage (1.9%), but only four unbalanced rearrangements were found after referral for prenatal diagnosis because of a balanced parental translocation ascertained for recurrent miscarriages. At an estimated cost of £3–4 million, these data raise doubts about the cost effectiveness of current policies on the routine karyotyping of couples experiencing repeated miscarriages.
Human NK cells display major phenotypic and functional changes over the life span
Authors: Le Garff‐Tavernier Magali , Béziat Vivien , Decocq Julie , Siguret Virginie , Gandjbakhch Frédérique , Pautas Eric , Debré Patrice , Merle‐Beral Hélène , Vieillard Vincent 
Published: May 2010

SummaryAging is generally associated with an increased predisposition to infectious diseases and cancers, related in part to the development of immune senescence, a process that affects all cell compartments of the immune system. Although many studies have investigated the effects of age on natural killer (NK) cells, their conclusions remain controversial because the diverse health status of study subjects resulted in discordant findings. To clarify this situation, we conducted the first extensive phenotypic and functional analysis of NK cells from healthy subjects, comparing NK cells derived from newborn (cord blood), middle‐aged (18–60 years), old (60–80 years), and very old (80–100 years) subjects. We found that NK cells in cord blood displayed specific features associated with immaturity, including poor expression of KIR and LIR‐1/ILT‐2 and high expression of both NKG2A and IFN‐γ. NK cells from older subjects, on the other hand, preserved their major phenotypic and functional characteristics, but with their mature features accentuated. These include a profound decline of the CD56bright subset, a specific increase in LIR‐1/ILT‐2, and a perfect recovering of NK‐cell function following IL2‐activation in very old subjects. We conclude that the preservation of NK cell features until very advanced age may contribute to longevity and successful aging.
AMP‐activated protein kinase deficiency exacerbates aging‐induced myocardial contractile dysfunction
Authors: Turdi Subat , Fan Xiujuan , Li Ji , Zhao Junxing , Huff Anna F. , Du Min , Ren Jun 
Published: May 2010

SummaryAging is associated with myocardial dysfunction although the underlying mechanism is unclear. AMPK, a key cellular fuel sensor for energy metabolism, is compromised with aging. This study examined the role of AMPK deficiency in aging‐associated myocardial dysfunction. Young or old wild‐type (WT) and transgenic mice with overexpression of a mutant AMPK α2 subunit (kinase dead, KD) were used. AMPK α isoform activity, myocardial function and morphology were examined. DCF and JC‐1 fluorescence probes were employed to quantify reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), respectively. KD mice displayed significantly reduced α2 but not α1 AMPK isoform activity at both ages with a greater effect at old age. Aging itself decreased α1 isoform activity. Cardiomyocyte contractile function, intracellular Ca2+ handling, and SERCA2a levels were compromised with aging, the effects of which were exacerbated by AMPK deficiency. H&E staining revealed cardiomyocyte hypertrophy with aging, which was more pronounced in KD mice. TEM micrographs displayed severe disruption of mitochondrial ultrastructure characterized by swollen, irregular shape and disrupted cristae in aged KD compared with WT mice. Aging enhanced ROS production and reduced ΔΨm, the effects of which were accentuated by AMPK deficiency. Immunoblotting data depicted unchanged Akt phosphorylation and a significant decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis cofactor PGC‐1α in aged groups. AMPK deficiency but not aging decreased the phosphorylation of ACC and eNOS. Expression of membrane Glut4 and HSP90 was decreased in aged KD mice. Moreover, treatment of the AMPK activator metformin attenuated aging‐induced cardiomyocyte contractile defects. Collectively, our data suggest a role for AMPK deficiency in aging‐induced cardiac dysfunction possibly through disrupted mitochondrial function and ROS production.
Intersegmental vessel formation in zebrafish: requirement for VEGF but not BMP signalling revealed by selective and non‐selective BMP antagonists
Authors: Cannon JE , Upton PD , Smith JC , Morrell NW 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were first identified through their role in inducing bone and cartilage formation, but many other important functions have since been ascribed to BMPs, including dorsoventral patterning, angiogenesis and tissue homeostasis. Using dorsomorphin and LDN193189, selective small molecule inhibitors of BMP signalling, we investigated the role of BMP signalling in early vascular patterning in zebrafish.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe effects of dorsomorphin and LDN193189 on vascular endothelial growth factor‐a (VEGF) and BMP signalling in developing zebrafish and in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells were determined using confocal microscopy, Western blotting and quantitative PCR.KEY RESULTSWe showed that dorsomorphin, similar to the VEGF inhibitor SU5416, strongly inhibits intersegmental vessel formation in zebrafish and that this is due to inhibition of VEGF activation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), leading to reduced VEGF‐induced phospho‐ERK (extracellular regulated kinase) 1/2 and VEGF target gene transcription. These effects occurred at concentrations of dorsomorphin that block BMP signalling. We also showed that LDN193189, an analogue of dorsomorphin, more potently blocks BMP signalling but has no effect on VEGF signalling in zebrafish and does not disrupt early vascular patterning.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSDorsomorphin inhibits both BMP and VEGF signalling, whereas LDN193189 is a more selective BMP antagonist. Results obtained in cardiovascular studies using dorsomorphin need to be interpreted with caution, and use of LDN193189 would be preferable due to its selectivity. Our data also suggest that BMP signalling is dispensable for early patterning of intersegmental vessels in zebrafish.
The antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam in an inflammatory model of pain in rats: mechanism of action
Authors: Micov A , Tomić M , Popović B , Stepanović‐Petrović R 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Levetiracetam, a novel antiepileptic drug, has recently been shown to have antinociceptive effects in various animal models of pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam and its mechanism of action, by examining the involvement of GABAergic, opioidergic, 5‐hydroxytryptaminergic (5‐HTergic) and adrenergic systems in its effect, in a rat model of inflammatory pain.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Rats were intraplantarly injected with the pro‐inflammatory compound carrageenan. A paw pressure test was used to determine: (i) the effect of levetiracetam on carrageenan‐induced hyperalgesia; and (ii) the effects of bicuculline (selective GABAA receptor antagonist), naloxone (non‐selective opioid receptor antagonist), methysergide (non‐selective 5‐HT receptor antagonist) and yohimbine (selective α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist) on the antihyperalgesic action of levetiracetam.RESULTS Levetiracetam (10–200 mg·kg−1; p.o.) significantly reduced, in a dose‐dependent manner, the inflammatory hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan. The antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam was significantly decreased after administration of bicuculline (0.5–2 mg·kg−1; i.p.), naloxone (1–3 mg·kg−1; i.p.), methysergide (0.25–1 mg·kg−1; i.p.) and yohimbine (1–3 mg·kg−1; i.p.).CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results show that levetiracetam produced antihyperalgesia which is at least in part mediated by GABAA, opioid, 5‐HT and α2‐adrenergic receptors, in an inflammatory model of pain. The efficacy of levetiracetam in this animal model of inflammatory pain suggests that it could be a potentially important agent for treating inflammatory pain conditions in humans.
Interaction between anandamide and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate in mediating vasorelaxation in rat coronary artery
Authors: Mair KM , Robinson E , Kane KA , Pyne S , Brett RR , Pyne NJ , Kennedy S 
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEAnandamide and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) both regulate vascular tone in a variety of vessels. This study aimed to examine the mechanisms involved in the regulation of coronary vascular tone by anandamide and S1P, and to determine whether any functional interaction occurs between these receptor systems.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHMechanisms used by anandamide and S1P to regulate rat coronary artery (CA) reactivity were investigated using wire myography. Interactions between S1P and the cannabinoid (CB)2receptor were determined using human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells that stably over‐express recombinant CB2receptor.KEY RESULTSAnandamide and S1P induced relaxation of the rat CA. CB2receptor antagonists attenuated anandamide‐induced relaxation, while S1P‐mediated relaxation was dependent on the vascular endothelium and S1P3. Anandamide treatment resulted in an increase in the phosphorylation of sphingosine kinase‐1 within the CA. Conversely, anandamide‐mediated relaxation was attenuated by inhibition of sphingosine kinase. Moreover, S1P3, specifically within the vascular endothelium, was required for anandamide‐mediated vasorelaxation. In addition to this, S1P‐mediated relaxation was also reduced by CB2receptor antagonists and sphingosine kinase inhibition. Further evidence that S1P functionally interacts with the CB2receptor was also observed in HEK293 cells over‐expressing the CB2receptor.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSIn the vascular endothelium of rat CA, anandamide induces relaxation via a mechanism requiring sphingosine kinase‐1 and S1P/S1P3. In addition, we report that S1P may exert some of its effects via a CB2receptor‐ and sphingosine kinase‐dependent mechanism, where subsequently formed S1P may have privileged access to S1P3to induce vascular relaxation.
Assessing the Impact of Alternative Water Pricing Schemes on Income Distribution
Authors: Giannoccaro Giacomo , Prosperi Maurizio , Zanni Giacomo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe reform of water pricing policies may represent an effective instrument for enhancing the efficient use of water resource. However, policy makers fear that a change in the pricing methods may cause income loss for some farmers, and that this income inequality may generate public discontent and policy inertia. The aim of this paper was to compare some pricing methods in order to measure their effects on income distribution. The analysis focuses on the income distribution among different types of farms, and the income distribution between different social groups (landowners, capitalists and workers) in the short term. A linear programing model based on expected utility theory is used to take into account the effect of commodity prices and rainfall variability, which are among the most relevant factors affecting farmers’ income. According to the findings, water pricing schemes do not affect the income distribution among farm types, although a significant impact emerges on the distribution among social groups, and in particular on the wages of temporary workers.
Left Atrial Volume and Function Assessment by Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: HOF IRENE E. , VELTHUIS BIRGITTA K. , VAN DRIEL VINCENT J. , WITTKAMPF FRED H. , HAUER RICHARD N. , LOH PETER 
Published: May 2010

Left Atrial Volume and Function Assessment Introduction: In patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can determine left atrial (LA) volume and function before and after ablation. The most accurate, but time consuming, method to determine LA volume is the multiple slice method (MSM), which involves manual tracing of LA area on each slice. The area length method (ALM) offers a simplified, but unvalidated, alternative for LA volume assessment by MRI. The aim of this study was to compare LA volume and function assessment by ALM with MSM. Methods and Results: MRI was performed before and after catheter ablation in 40 patients with atrial fibrillation (30 male, mean age 57 years). All patients had sinus rhythm during imaging. In total, 72 MRI scans were available. LA end‐diastolic and end‐systolic volumes (EDV, respectively ESV) were measured by both methods. LA function was determined by calculating LA ejection fraction (EF = (EDV‐ESV)/EDV). Measured by ALM, mean LA EDV and ESV were significantly lower than using MSM (102 mL and 49 mL vs 111 mL and 65 mL, respectively, P < 0.001) with a larger difference in mean ESV than EDV (16 mL vs 9 mL). This resulted in an overestimation of LA EF by ALM with a mean of 11% (54% by ALM and 42% by MSM, P < 0.001). ALM correlated well with MSM for LA EDV and ESV (r = 0.77, respectively 0.85), and showed no significant difference in intraobserver and interobserver variability. Conclusion: ALM significantly underestimates LA volumes and overestimates LA function, but correlates well with the more accurate MSM. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1247‐1250, November 2010)
Farmers’ objectives as determinants of organic farming adoption: the case of Catalonian vineyard production
Authors: Kallas Zein , Serra Teresa , Gil José Maria 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis article assesses the decision to adopt organic farming practices. We use Duration Analysis (DA) to determine why farmers adopt organic farming practices and what influences the timing of adoption. We extend previous studies by including farmers’ objectives, risk preferences, and agricultural policies as covariates in the DA model. The Analytical Hierarchy Process is used as a multicriteria decision‐making methodology to measure farmers’ objectives. The empirical analysis uses farm‐level data from a sample of vineyard farms in the Spanish region of Catalonia. Farmers’ objectives are found to influence the conversion decision. Moreover, farmers who are not risk averse are more likely to adopt organic farming. Results point to the policy changes that have been most relevant in motivating adoption of organic practices.