bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The neuropsychopharmacological effects of Catha edulis in mice offspring born to mothers exposed during pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Bedada Worku , Engidawork Ephrem 
Published: July 2009

AbstractChewing fresh leaves of the khat plant (Catha edulis Forsk) is a deep rooted and widespread habit in East Africa and the Middle East. Although a body of knowledge exists about the adverse effects of khat during pregnancy, data are sparse with regard to the consequences of long‐term exposure during pregnancy and lactation. The present work, therefore, was initiated to evaluate the neuropsychopharmacological effects of Catha edulis exposure during pregnancy and lactation in mice at postnatal day 28. To this effect, a lyophilized extract of khat (100 mg/kg, K100 and 200 mg/kg, K200), amphetamine (1 mg/kg, positive control, AMP), and a similar volume of 2% v/v Tween‐80 in distilled water (negative control, CONT) were administered daily to pregnant mice from gestational day 6 until weaning. Neuropsychopharmacological measurements were done by making use of a battery of neurobehavioural and cognitive tests. Moreover, toxicity to liver and kidney was also evaluated by determining biochemical markers for possible tissue damage.K200 produced significant motor in‐coordination and emotional instability; as revealed by impairment in both cliff avoidance (p < 0.01) and forelimb grip strength (p < 0.001), as well as by an increase in stereotyped behaviour such as grooming (p < 0.05), and in the percent of time spent in open arms (p < 0.05). On the other hand, K100 had an effect only on grip strength where a decrement was noted (p < 0.01). A different pattern emerged with AMP whilst it increased duration of sniffing (p < 0.05), neither grip strength nor the time spent in the open arm was affected compared with CONT. Increased latency to reach the goal box and the number of wrong decisions (p < 0.05) in both the learning and the recall tests was observed with K200 and AMP. By contrast, both doses of khat and AMP equally affected performance in the Y‐maze (p < 0.05). Alterations in the biochemical indices of liver and kidney function were also noted with AMP and K200. These findings indicate that khat exposure produces dose‐related central and peripheral effects during pregnancy and lactation which might pose a serious impediment to the physical and mental development of the offspring. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic Rheological and Thermal Properties of Acetylated Sweet Potato Starch
Authors: Lee Hye‐Lin , Yoo Byoungseung 
Published: July 2009

AbstractDynamic rheological and thermal properties of acetylated sweet potato starch (SPS) pastes (5%, w/w) were evaluated as a function of the degree of substitution (DS). The transition temperatures (To, Tp and Tc) and enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) of acetylated SPS, which were determined using differential scanning calorimetry, were lower than those of native starch, and significantly decreased with an increase in DS. Magnitudes of storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G′′) and complex viscosity (η*) of acetylated SPS pastes were determined using a small‐deformation oscillatory rheometer. Dynamic moduli (G′, G′′ and η*) values of acetylated SPS pastes except for 0.123 DS were higher than those of native starch, and they also decreased with an increase in DS. The tan δ (ratio of G′′/G′) values (0.37–0.39) of acetylated SPS samples were lower than that (0.44) of native starch and no significant differences were found among acetylated SPS samples, indicating that the elastic properties of SPS pastes were affected by acetylation but did not depend on DS. The G′ values of acetylated SPS during aging at 4°C for 10 h were much lower than those of native starch, showing that the addition of acetyl groups produced a pronounced effect on the retrogradation properties of SPS.
Determination of trace elements in natural water using X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry after preconcentration with powdered silica gel
Authors: Yamini Y. , Amiri N. , Karimi M. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractA simple and cheap method is described for simultaneous determination of V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn contents in water by means of wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectrometry after preconcentration. The method of preconcentration is based on sorbing analytes onto silica gel powder. 1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphthol (PAN) is used as a chelating agent. The effect of some parameters such as pH, temperature, stirring time, amount of ligand, breakthrough volume and the limit of detection has been studied. The detection limits 0.120, 9.75 × 10−4, 0.075, 0.070, 0.061, 0.089, 0.029 and 0.044 mg l−1 were achieved for V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of Substructures on the Spreading Ability and Hydrolysis Resistance of Double‐Tail Trisiloxane Surfactants
Authors: Peng Zhongli , Lu Caifeng , Xu Minling 
Published: July 2009

AbstractFour types of novel double‐tail trisiloxane surfactants of the general formula Me3SiOSiMeR1OSiMe3 (R1 = –(CH2)3NR2CH2CH(OH)CH2(OCH2CH2)xOCH3; R2 = –CH2CH(OH)CH2OCH2(CH2)yCH3, –CH2(CH2)3CH3, –CH2CH2CH(CH3)2; x = 8.4, 12.9, 17.5, 22; y = 2, 6), have been synthesized. Their structures were characterized by proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance. Most of them are able to reduce the surface tension of water to less than 24 mN/m at concentration levels of 10−5 mol/L and 10−4 mol/L. The emphasis was on the influence of substructures on their spreading ability and hydrolysis resistance. The results showed that a weaker hydrophilicity of a surfactant molecule, a larger molar ratio of methyl to methylene in the whole hydrophobic groups, more flexible hydrophobic groups and introduction of a methyl group in the spacer can all improve the spreading ability of the double‐tail trisiloxane surfactant solutions on low‐energy solid surfaces. The double‐tail trisiloxane surfactants 1F and 2F are stable for more than 270 days in a neutral environment (pH 7.0). The hydrolysis resistance of the double‐tail trisiloxane surfactants can be improved by a weaker hydrophilicity of the surfactant molecule, and a larger volume of the hydrophobic groups.
Multi-bump nodal solutions for an indefinite non-homogeneous elliptic problem
Authors: Girão Pedro M. , Gomes José Maria 
Published: July 2009

We construct multi-bump nodal solutions of the elliptic equationin $H^1_0(\varOmega)$, when μ is large, under appropriate assumptions, for f superlinear and subcritical and such that the eigenvalues of the associated linearized operator on $H^1_0(\{x\in\varOmega:a(x)>0\})$ at zero, u ↦ u − λ(−Δ)−1(a+u), are positive. The solutions are of least energy in some Nehari-type set defined by imposing suitable conditions on orthogonal components of functions in $H^1_0(\varOmega)$.
Articulation rate across dialect, age, and gender
Authors: Jacewicz Ewa , Fox Robert A. , O'Neill Caitlin , Salmons Joseph 
Published: July 2009

AbstractWhether some languages or dialects are spoken faster or slower than others constitutes a gap in the understanding of sociolinguistic variation. Speech tempo is interconnected with the social, physical and psychological marking of speech. This study examines regional variation in articulation rate and its manifestations across speaker age, gender, and speaking situations (reading vs. informal talk). The results of an experimental investigation show that articulation rate differs significantly between two regional varieties of American English examined here. A group of Northern speakers (from Wisconsin) spoke significantly faster than a group of Southern speakers (from North Carolina). With regard to age and gender, young adults read faster than older adults in both regions; in informal talks, however, only Northern young adults spoke faster than older adults. Effects of gender were smaller and less consistent; men generally spoke slightly faster than women did. As the body of work on the sociophonetics of American English continues to grow in scope and depth, we argue that it is important to include fundamental phonetic information as part of our catalog of regional differences and patterns of change in American English.
Effect of Cultural Management Practices on Grain Quality of Two Rice Cultivars
Authors: Bryant R. J. , Anders M. , McClung A. M. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTTo reduce fuel and labor costs and increase profits, farmers are trying new ways of growing rice (Oryza sativa L.). This includes changing crop rotations, tillage systems, and fertilization levels. There is little information on how these changes affect the cooking quality of rice. We therefore looked at the parameters associated with cooking and processing quality (apparent amylose, gelatinization temperature, lipid and protein contents, and pasting properties) of two U.S. long grains (Cybonnet and Wells) that were grown using two different tillage systems, standard rate and high rates of fertilization, and different crop rotations (continuous rice R‐R, rice after soybeans R‐SB, and rice after corn R‐C). No differences in quality traits were observed among any of the tillage systems. Rice grown in continuous rice rotation had the lowest protein content of brown and milled rice (8.6 and 8.1%, respectively) as compared to the highest levels observed in the rice‐soybean rotation (9.3 and 8.6%, respectively). Rice grown in continuous rice rotation also had higher peak viscosity than other crop rotations. Increasing the fertilization rate increased the protein content of brown rice and decreased peak, trough, and final viscosities. Apparent amylose content, gelatinization temperature, and lipid content were not affected by crop rotation or fertility; however, they were influenced by cultivar. Although the results indicated statistical differences for some quality parameters, the differences were small enough that they are unlikely to have a major impact on processing quality of long grain rice if co‐mingled.
Influence of Different Individual Traits on Vigilance Behaviour in European Rabbits
Authors: Monclús Raquel , Rödel Heiko G. 
Published: July 2009

AbstractAn animal’s level of vigilance depends on various environmental factors such as predator presence or the proximity of conspecific competitors. In addition, several individual traits may influence vigilance. We investigated the effects of body condition, social rank and the state of pregnancy on individual vigilance (scanning) rates in individually marked European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) of a field enclosure population. We found lower rates in young rabbits than in adult females, but male and female juveniles did not differ. Vigilance of juveniles was positively correlated with their age‐dependent body mass (used as a measure of body condition), i.e. young rabbits with lower body condition scanned less. We suggest that juveniles with low body condition were trading off vigilance against feeding to maximise their growth. In contrast, there was no significant correlation between body mass and vigilance in adult females. Adult females increased scanning rates during late pregnancy, which might constitute a behavioural compensation because of their lower capacity to escape predator attacks. In addition, adult females with low social ranks scanned more than high ranking individuals, likely because of their higher risk of attacks by conspecifics. In summary, our results highlight various individual characteristics that influence vigilance behaviour in European rabbits.
Effect of hardness on multiaxial fatigue behaviour and some simple approximations for steels
Authors: SHAMSAEI N. , FATEMI A. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTConstant‐amplitude in‐phase and 90° out‐of‐phase axial‐torsional fatigue tests were conducted on tubular specimens made from a medium‐carbon steel with three hardness levels obtained from normalizing, quenching and tempering and induction hardening to find the effect of hardness on multiaxial fatigue behaviour. In addition, the same loadings were applied on the normalized solid specimens to investigate the effect of specimen geometry on multiaxial fatigue life. Similar fatigue life variation as a function of hardness was found for in‐phase and out‐of‐phase loadings, with higher ductility beneficial in low‐cycle fatigue (LCF) and higher strength beneficial in high‐cycle fatigue (HCF). Multiaxial fatigue data were satisfactorily correlated for all hardness levels with the Fatemi–Socie parameter. Furthermore, in order to predict multiaxial fatigue life of steels in the absence of any fatigue data, the Roessle–Fatemi hardness method was used. Multiaxial fatigue lives were predicted fairly accurately using the Fatemi–Socie multiaxial model based on only the hardness level of the material. The applicability of the prediction method based on hardness was also examined for Inconel 718 and a stainless steel under a wide range of loading conditions. The great majority of the observed fatigue lives were found to be in good agreement with predicted lives.
Treatment costs of prostate cancer in the first year after diagnosis: a short‐term cost of illness study for France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK
Authors: Fourcade Richard Olivier , Benedict Ágnes , Black Libby K. , Stokes Michael E. , Alcaraz Antonio , Castro Ramiro 
Published: July 2009

Study Type – Economic (prospective cohort) Level of Evidence 2aOBJECTIVETo calculate the total cost per patient of prostate cancer treatment and the economic cost burden by stage, in the first year after diagnosis, for five European countries.METHODSData from the Information Management Systems, Inc. database, survival data, expert opinion, published data and unit costs from various published official sources were used to calculate total costs per patient by stage for each country, from a payer’s perspective. Diagnostic costs, first surgery, radio‐, chemo‐ and hormonal therapy costs were included. Costs were aggregated for incident cases.RESULTSThe mean direct costs per patient for initial treatment were €3698 in Germany, €3256 in Spain, €3682 in the UK, €5226 in Italy and €5851 in France. The total costs for all diagnosed patients in the first year from diagnosis were (million €) 116.7 (UK), 244 (Germany), 385 (France), 202 (Italy) and 114.6 (Spain).CONCLUSIONSThe direct initial healthcare cost burden of the most common non‐skin‐related male cancer, prostate cancer, in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK is considerable. Given the high and increasing prevalence of prostate cancer due to ageing populations in Europe, and the significant cost burden of the disease, national health policy makers should be aware of prostate cancer as a priority disease area.
The role of experience during childhood in shaping the other‐race effect
Authors: De Heering Adélaïde , De Liedekerke Claire , Deboni Malorie , Rossion Bruno 
Published: July 2009

AbstractIt is well known that adults’ face recognition is characterized by an ‘other‐race effect’ (ORE; see Meissner & Brigham, 2001), but few studies have investigated this ORE during the development of the face processing system. Here we examined the role of experience with other‐race faces during childhood by testing a group of 6‐ to 14‐year‐old Asian children adopted between 2 and 26 months in Caucasian families living in Western Europe, as well as a group of age‐matched Caucasian children. The latter group showed a strong ORE in favour of own‐race faces that was stable from 6 to 14 years of age. The adopted participants did not show a significant reversal of the ORE, unlike a recently reported study (Sangrigoli et al., 2005), but rather comparable results with Asian and Caucasian faces. Their pattern of performance was neither influenced by their age of adoption, nor by the amount of experience they accumulated during childhood with other‐race faces. These results indicate that the balance of performance with Asian and Caucasian faces can be modulated, but not completely reversed, in children whose exposure to own‐ and other‐race faces changes drastically during the period of maturation of the face recognition system, depending on the length of exposure to the new face race. Overall, experience appears to be crucial during childhood to shape the face recognition system towards the most predominant morphologies of faces present in the environment.
MORAL FICTIONS AND MEDICAL ETHICS
Authors: MILLER FRANKLIN G. , TRUOG ROBERT D. , BROCK DAN W. 
Published: July 2009

ABSTRACTConventional medical ethics and the law draw a bright line distinguishing the permitted practice of withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment from the forbidden practice of active euthanasia by means of a lethal injection. When clinicians justifiably withdraw life‐sustaining treatment, they allow patients to die but do not cause, intend, or have moral responsibility for, the patient's death. In contrast, physicians unjustifiably kill patients whenever they intentionally administer a lethal dose of medication. We argue that the differential moral assessment of these two practices is based on a series of moral fictions – motivated false beliefs that erroneously characterize withdrawing life‐sustaining treatment in order to bring accepted end‐of‐life practices in line with the prevailing moral norm that doctors must never kill patients. When these moral fictions are exposed, it becomes apparent that conventional medical ethics relating to end‐of‐life decisions is radically mistaken.
Monthly itraconazole versus classic homeopathy for the treatment of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: a randomised trial
Authors: Witt A , Kaufmann U , Bitschnau M , Tempfer C , Özbal A , Haytouglu E , Gregor H , Kiss H 
Published: July 2009

Objective  Antimycotics effectively treat sporadic and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). Classic homeopathy (CH) is also used to treat this condition. We compared the efficacy of CH and itraconazole in reducing the frequency of RVVC episodes.Design  Single‐centre, prospective, randomised trial.Sample  One hundred‐and‐fifty patients with a history of RVVC and an acute episode of VVC.Methods  Women were randomised into 3 groups: itraconazole with lactobacilli (group 1), itraconazole without lactobacilli (group 2) and CH (group 3). Itraconazole treatment of acute infection was followed by a 6‐month maintenance regimen with monthly single‐day itraconazole (200 mg bid). Women in group 1 were given additional vaginal lactobacilli for 6 days per month throughout the maintenance regimen Thereafter, patients were followed without treatment for 6 months. CH treatment was performed for 12 months.Results  Women in groups 1 and 2 reached a culture‐free status significantly earlier than women in group 3 (log‐rank test; P < 0.0001). Specifically, before the start of the maintenance regimen, 44 of 49 women (89.8%) in group 1 and 40 of 47 women (85%) in group 2 were free of Candida detectable by culture, 22 of 46 (47%) women in group 3 reached a culture‐free status after the first visit, but had a recurrence significantly earlier compared with women in groups 1 and 2 (log‐rank test; P = 0.002). After 12 months, 19 of 25 (76%) women in group 1, 18 of 23 (78%) women in group 2 and 9 of 23 (39%) women in group 3 were free of culture‐detectable Candida. Assessment of RVVC‐associated complaints by VAS score showed that women in group 3 had a significantly higher level of discomfort (36.8, 25.1 and 27.7 respectively; P < 0.001) and were significantly less satisfied (59.2, 68.2 and 71.7 respectively; P < 0.001) than patients in groups 1 and 2.Conclusions  Monthly cycle‐dependent itraconazole is more effective than CH in the treatment of RVVC. Lactobacilli do not confer an added benefit.
After‐effects reported by women following colposcopy, cervical biopsies and LLETZ: results from the TOMBOLA trial
Authors: The TOMBOLA (Trial Of Management of Borderline and Other Low  
Published: July 2009

Objective  Few studies have investigated physical after‐effects of colposcopy. We compared post‐colposcopy self‐reported pain, bleeding, discharge and menstrual changes in women who underwent: colposcopic examination only; cervical punch biopsies; and large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ).Design  Observational study nested within a randomised controlled trial.Setting  Grampian, Tayside and Nottingham.Population  Nine hundred‐and‐twenty‐nine women, aged 20–59, with low‐grade cytology, who had completed their initial colposcopic management.Methods  Women completed questionnaires on after‐effects at approximately 6‐weeks, and on menstruation at 4‐months, post‐colposcopy.Main outcome measures  Frequency of pain, bleeding, discharge; changes to first menstrual period post‐colposcopy.Results  Seven hundred‐and‐fifty‐one women (80%) completed the 6‐week questionnaire. Of women who had only a colposcopic examination, 14–18% reported pain, bleeding or discharge. Around half of women who had biopsies only and two‐thirds treated by LLETZ reported pain or discharge (biopsies: 53% pain, 46% discharge; LLETZ: 67% pain, 63% discharge). The frequency of bleeding was similar in the biopsy (79%) and LLETZ groups (87%). Women treated by LLETZ reported bleeding and discharge of significantly longer duration than other women. The duration of pain was similar across management groups. Forty‐three percent of women managed by biopsies and 71% managed by LLETZ reported some change to their first period post‐colposcopy, as did 29% who only had a colposcopic examination.Conclusions  Cervical punch biopsies and, especially, LLETZ carry a substantial risk of after‐effects. After‐effects are also reported by women managed solely by colposcopic examination. Ensuring that women are fully informed about after‐effects may help to alleviate anxiety and provide reassurance, thereby minimising the harms of screening.
Intestinal gaboxadol absorption via PAT1 (SLC36A1): modified absorption in vivo following co‐administration of L‐tryptophan
Authors: Larsen M , Holm R , Jensen KG , Brodin B , Nielsen CU 
Published: July 2009

Background and purpose:  Gaboxadol has been in development for treatment of chronic pain and insomnia. The clinical use of gaboxadol has revealed that adverse effects seem related to peak serum concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of intestinal absorption of gaboxadol in vitro and in vivo.Experimental approach:  In vitro transport investigations were performed in Caco‐2 cell monolayers. In vivo pharmacokinetic investigations were conducted in beagle dogs. Gaboxadol doses of 2.5 mg·kg−1 were given either as an intravenous injection (1.0 mL·kg−1) or as an oral solution (5.0 mL·kg−1).Key results:  Gaboxadol may be a substrate of the human proton‐coupled amino acid transporter, hPAT1 and it inhibited the hPAT1‐mediated L‐[3H]proline uptake in Caco‐2 cell monolayers with an inhibition constant Ki of 6.6 mmol·L−1. The transepithelial transport of gaboxadol was polarized in the apical to basolateral direction, and was dependent on gaboxadol concentration and pH of the apical buffer solution. In beagle dogs, the absorption of gaboxadol was almost complete (absolute bioavailability, Fa, of 85.3%) and Tmax was 0.46 h. Oral co‐administration with 2.5–150 mg·kg−1 of the PAT1 inhibitor, L‐tryptophan, significantly decreased the absorption rate constant, ka, and Cmax, and increased Tmax of gaboxadol, whereas the area under the curve and clearance of gaboxadol were constant.Conclusions and implications:  The absorption of gaboxadol across the luminal membrane of the small intestinal enterocytes is probably mediated by PAT1. This knowledge is useful for reducing gaboxadol absorption rates in order to decrease peak plasma concentrations.