bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin on [35S]GTPγS binding in mouse brain cerebellum and piriform cortex membranes
Authors: Dennis I , Whalley B J , Stephens G J 
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:We have recently shown that the phytocannabinoid Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9‐THCV) and the CB1receptor antagonist AM251 increase inhibitory neurotransmission in mouse cerebellum and also exhibit anticonvulsant activity in a rat piriform cortical (PC) model of epilepsy. Possible mechanisms underlying cannabinoid actions in the CNS include CB1receptor antagonism (by displacing endocannabinergic tone) or inverse agonism at constitutively active CB1receptors. Here, we investigate the mode of cannabinoid action in [35S]GTPγS binding assays.Experimental approach:Effects of Δ9‐THCV and AM251 were tested either alone or against WIN55,212‐2‐induced increases in [35S]GTPγS binding in mouse cerebellar and PC membranes. Effects on non‐CB receptor expressing CHO‐D2cell membranes were also investigated.Key results:Δ9‐THCV and AM251 both acted as potent antagonists of WIN55,212‐2‐induced increases in [35S]GTPγS binding in cerebellar and PC membranes (Δ9‐THCV: pA2=7.62 and 7.44 respectively; AM251: pA2=9.93 and 9.88 respectively). At micromolar concentrations, Δ9‐THCV or AM251 alone caused significant decreases in [35S]GTPγS binding; Δ9‐THCV caused larger decreases than AM251. When applied alone in CHO‐D2membranes, Δ9‐THCV and AM251 also caused concentration‐related decreases in G protein activity.Conclusions and implications:Δ9‐THCV and AM251 act as CB1receptors antagonists in the cerebellum and PC, with AM251 being more potent than Δ9‐THCV in both brain regions. Individually, Δ9‐THCV or AM251 exhibited similar potency at CB1receptors in the cerebellum and the PC. At micromolar concentrations, Δ9‐THCV and AM251 caused a non‐CB receptor‐mediated depression of basal [35S]GTPγS binding.British Journal of Pharmacology(2008)154, 1349–1358; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.190; published online 19 May 2008
Kaempferol stimulates large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BKCa) channels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via a cAMP/PKA‐dependent pathway
Authors: Xu Y C , Leung G P H , Wong P Y D , Vanhoutte P M , Man R Y K 
Published: May 2008

Background and purpose:Kaempferol has been shown to possess a vasodilator effect but its mechanism of action remains unclear. In this study, experiments were carried out to study the effect of kaempferol on K+ channels in endothelial cells.Experimental approach:K+ channel activities in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were studied by conventional whole cell and cell‐attached patch‐clamp electrophysiology.Key results:Kaempferol stimulated an outward‐rectifying current in HUVECs in a dose‐dependent manner with an EC50 value of 2.5±0.02 μM. This kaempferol‐induced current was abolished by large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BKCa) channel blockers, such as iberiotoxin (IbTX) and charybdotoxin (ChTX), whereas the small conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (SKCa) channel blocker, apamin, and the voltage‐dependent K+ (KV) channel blocker, 4‐aminopyridine, had no effect. Cell‐attached patches demonstrated that kaempferol increased the open probability of BkCa channels in HUVECs. Clamping intracellular Ca2+ did not prevent kaempferol‐induced increases in outward current. In addition, the kaempferol‐induced current was diminished by the adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22536, the cAMP antagonist Rp‐8‐Br‐cAMP and the PKA inhibitor KT5720, but was not affected by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ, the cGMP antagonist Rp‐8‐Br‐cGMP and the PKG inhibitor KT5823. The activation of BKCa channels by kaempferol caused membrane hyperpolarization of HUVECs.Conclusion and implications:These results demonstrate that kaempferol activates the opening of BKCa channels in HUVECs via a cAMP/PKA‐dependent pathway, resulting in membrane hyperpolarization. This mechanism may partly account for the vasodilator effects of kaempferol.British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 1247–1253; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.194; published online 19 May 2008
Integrated reticuloendotheliosis virus genomic sequences in fowlpox virus.
Authors: Wang JianNing Wang JianNing , Meers J. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Fowlpox is a common viral disease in domestic poultry, with a worldwide distribution. The negative impacts of the disease are reduction in egg production and retarded growth in younger birds. Vaccination with live vaccines has long been used for the control of the disease in the poultry industry and economic losses have been minimized. However, in recent years, this disease re-emerged as a new threat to poultry production, particularly in vaccinated flocks. Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) sequences were detected in the genomes of the fowlpox virus (FPV) field isolates causing the disease outbreaks and subsequently in archival virus isolates. It is interesting that this integration event occurred over 50 years ago. It has been found that most fowlpox field viruses contain REV provirus, while vaccine strains (except FPV S strain, an obsolete Australian vaccine strain) contain only remnants of REV long terminal repeats (LTRs). The integrated REV provirus appears to be infectious, as antibody responses to REV have been detected in infected birds. The presence of REV provirus in FPV field isolates has resulted in enhanced pathogenicity of the virus. In addition, clinical signs associated with REV, including runting disease syndrome and immunosuppression, have been demonstrated in young birds. The retention of the REV provirus may have resulted in modification of host gene (FPV genome) activities such as gene activation or inactivation, giving rise to alteration of the viral phenotype. This may have contributed to antigenic variation, leading to inadequate protection in vaccinated flocks.
Biochemical factors that contribute to pork tenderness.
Authors: Kemp C. M. , Sensky P. L. , Bardsley R. G. , Buttery P. J. , Parr T. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Meat quality is a generic term used to describe properties and perceptions of meat and is generally comprised of colour, flavour, texture, tenderness and juiciness. One of the most common causes of unacceptability in meat quality is toughness, with consumers willing to pay a premium for meat that is guaranteed to be tender. Toughness is attributed to a range of factors such as the amount of intramuscular connective tissue, intramuscular fat and the length of the sarcomere. However, it does appear that the extent of proteolysis of key proteins within muscle fibres is the main determinant of ultimate tenderness. Research into tenderness in pork has been relatively limited in comparison with beef and lamb as historically it has been considered as reasonably tender. However, variation in pork tenderness is a concern and genetic selection for rapid lean growth adversely affects juiciness, flavour, tenderness and general acceptability of pork meat products. The objective of this review is to examine the current understanding of the molecular factors that are involved in the development of tender pork with a specific focus on the role of the various endogenous proteolytic enzymes.
Balancing science versus societal issues in poultry nutrition.
Authors: Leeson S. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Scientific rational exists for the formulation of poultry diets. However, this practice is now being impacted, and sometimes overshadowed, by societal issues that for the most part are consumer-driven emotional decisions lacking sound scientific rationale. Nevertheless, the adage that 'perception is reality' certainly applies to current poultry feeding practices and so nutritionists have had to modify feed formulations to accommodate not only science-based needs but also these societal concerns. The impact of societal issues is influencing decision-making from farm production through to retail distribution of poultry products. In fact, some of these social issues have been driven by retailers who see marketing opportunities that are now impacting the entire production chain. Perhaps the single largest factor to impact poultry production and poultry nutrition over the last 10 years has been the mandatory or voluntary removal of antibiotics from feeds. Consumers are becoming more concerned about the nutrient content of foods and how this impacts their health. Over the last few years there have been various strategies aimed at manipulating poultry products, and especially eggs, with a view to improving human health. For the animal and food industries, functional foods represent an opportunity for increased revenue while concomitantly providing the consumer with meaningful contributions of various nutrients that positively impact human health. Environmental issues are also impacting poultry feed formulation, as is the limited supply of energy-rich ingredients as a consequence of government policies to reduce dependence on imported oil by fermenting traditional ingredients such as corn.
Development of tuberculosis vaccines for cattle.
Authors: Buddle B. M. , Collins D. M. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract

Bovine tuberculosis causes enormous economic losses worldwide and constitutes a serious public health risk in many developing countries. Vaccination of cattle against this disease has the potential to become an important control strategy in developing countries that do not find a test and slaughter programme acceptable or cannot afford it. Vaccination may also have some limited use in developed countries that have a wildlife reservoir of
Mycobacterium bovis
infection. Considerable recent progress has been made in the development and evaluation of tuberculosis vaccines for cattle. Neonatal vaccination with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been more effective than vaccination of 6-month-old calves, but BCG is less protective than newly attenuated
M. bovis
strains when animals are presensitized to environmental mycobacteria. Prime-boost strategies involving combinations of BCG plus a protein or DNA vaccine, to improve on BCG vaccination alone, have produced encouraging results but further improvement is required. Differential diagnostic tests have been developed using mycobacterial antigens that are only present in virulent
M. bovis
, in order to differentiate between BCG-vaccinated and
M. bovis
-infected cattle. Future prospects for further improvement of vaccines against bovine tuberculosis in cattle are promising and vaccination could become important for the control of this disease when other control strategies are not economically or socially practicable.
Nutricines: the function in functional foods.
Authors: Adams C. A. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Food must primarily supply nutrients for growth of an individual, but modern nutrition research has moved on to concepts of functional foods, molecular nutrition and nutrition-based health. The impetus is to identify functional foods to reduce the risk of non-infectious and infectious diseases. Many molecules in food which are not classical nutrients have important bioactivities at a cellular level and these are designated as nutricines. Nutricines are the functional components of functional foods. Nutricines act at several different sites and levels in the body. They manage the gastrointestinal tract and help the digestion and absorption of nutrients. They protect against pathogenic micro-organisms through supporting the immune system and against non-infectious diseases by control of oxidative stress. Nutricines also influence gene expression. The dietary dose response for nutricines is different from nutrients because nutricines will not readily display acute deficiency symptoms. A nutricine deficiency will have an adverse effect on health but this is more likely to be a chronic than an acute effect. Nutricines as the function in functional foods are not drugs or pharmaceutical products and an important aspect of nutricine research is that the target population is healthy people and the objective is to promote health maintenance and disease avoidance. As nutrition research increasingly focuses on nutrition-based health and functional foods, the role of nutricines will become more extensive and important.
Organic acids, prebiotics and protein level as dietary tools to control the weaning transition and reduce post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets.
Authors: Halas D. , Heo J. M. , Hansen C. F. , Kim J. C. , Hampson D. J. , Mullan B. P. , Pluske J. R. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract

The most effective way to control post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets remains the use of prophylactic and for therapeutic levels of antibiotics. However, increasing concerns about the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans via the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in animals have led to the ban in the European Union of all AGPs in pig diets from 1 January 2006. Consequently, it is important to develop ways of controlling the weaning transition in piglets without the use of antibiotic feed additives. The scope of this review is an examination of the adaptation of the gastrointestinal tract to weaning and the mechanisms of PWD. Furthermore, the addition of organic acids, prebiotics and probiotics as feed additives as well as dietary carbohydrate and protein modulation to minimize PWD will be discussed. Based on the available literature, organic acids can increase post-weaning performance significantly even though it is not possible at times to recognize the most effective dosage, acid or combination of acids. In some cases, prebiotics can increase the numbers of possible beneficial bacteria such as
Lactobacillus
spp. and
Bifidobacterium
spp. in the gastrointestinal tract; however, there is little evidence of this then improving performance and health. The data defining the benefits of probiotics are equivocal; however, at least some probiotics seem to be able to improve performance of nursery pigs. Lowering dietary protein content for a short period post-weaning will probably reduce PWD and improve intestinal health of the piglets but performance is compromised if essential amino acid levels and/or ratios are reduced below requirement.
Impact of goat milk and milk products on human nutrition.
Authors: Park Y. W. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract

Even though dairy cows produce the highest proportion of the world milk supply (mostly in developed countries), more people drink the milk of goats than drink milk of any other species worldwide. Given the limited availability of cow milk, goat milk and its products are important daily food sources of protein, phosphate and calcium for the people of developing countries. In addition, dairy goat farming is a vital sector of agriculture in developed countries, especially those in the Mediterranean region, such as France, Italy, Spain and Greece. This indicates that goat and sheep dairying is not necessarily synonymous with poverty or an underdeveloped business sector. Goat milk differs from cow or human milk in its higher digestibility, distinct alkalinity, higher buffering capacity and certain therapeutic values in human medicine. Goat milk has smaller fat globules and more friable proteins (with significantly lower α
s1
- and higher α
s2
-casein) when acidified, giving better digestibility than cow milk. Goat milk has more short- and medium-chain fatty acids (medium chain triglycerides (MCT)), which have a unique metabolic ability to provide energy for growing children, and are used for treatment of malabsorption patients. Goat milk and its manufactured products including cheeses, yoghurt and powdered products are valued parts of the dairy industry in developed countries, providing connoisseur consumers with diversified and unique tastes, and by supporting people with medical afflictions, such as allergies and gastrointestinal disorders, who need alternative dairy products. Goat milk serves human nutrition in three important ways: (a) home consumption, (b) specialty gourmet interests and (c) medical-therapeutic applications.
Understanding flowering time.
Authors: Massiah A. J. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
The timing of the onset of flowering can be critical for the competence and survival of a plant species in particular environments. Regulation of flowering time in plants involves complex interactions between several endogenous and environmental factors. During post-embryonic growth, plants undergo two significant developmental transitions that impact on flowering time. The first occurs during vegetative growth when plants switch from a juvenile to an adult (or mature) phase of growth, referred to as vegetative phase change or vegetative maturation. The onset of maturity brings about reproductive competence and the second transition involves a switch within the shoot apical meristem (SAM) from a programme of vegetative to floral development. This floral transition is regulated by the complex interaction of components that either repress or promote flowering involved in largely four main floral input pathways: the photoperiodic, autonomous, gibberellin (GA) and vernalization pathways. The juvenile-to-adult transition within the vegetative phase and the vegetative to reproductive transition are independently regulated and yet coordinated processes. The precise timing of the onset of flowering in any given environmental condition is influenced by the time taken to proceed through both developmental transitions. Over recent years, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the regulation of flowering time. This review summarizes the current knowledge gained from classical physiological and contemporary molecular and genetic studies carried out on model flowering plants.
Role of expansins in fruit development.
Authors: Choi DongSu Choi DongSu , Lee Yi Lee Yi 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
Expansins are cell-wall-loosening proteins and their presence and various roles have been discovered in many plants. In fruit development, expansin gene expression has an effect on pollen germination, pollen tube elongation, fruit cell division and expansion, ripening and abscission. Generally, expansin gene expression is elevated during the early stages as volume increases, after which expression decreases. Ripening-related expansin genes increase again during the fruit softening stage. Most expansin genes related with ripening are controlled by the plant hormone ethylene. We can use the ripening-related expansin genes for the control of fruit firmness or changes in texture.
Fisheries and poverty reduction.
Authors: Thorpe A. , Andrew N. L. , Allison E. H. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
There is a somewhat pervasive belief in much of the fisheries literature (especially that relating to small-scale fisheries in the developing world) that fishers are among the 'poorest of the poor'. The purpose of this review therefore is to review historic and contemporary research into fisher poverty. Our review commences by acknowledging the paucity of studies on the levels of (income) poverty within the sector and highlights the fact that, somewhat paradoxically, a growing number of studies are suggesting that average incomes for fishing households outstrip those recorded by non-fishing households in the same areas. Nevertheless, these findings must be qualified as poverty cannot be captured exclusively in income terms - and social manifestations of poverty (low literacy levels, reduced access to health care, education, water and sanitation facilities) may be more acute within the fisheries sector. Equally, while fisher households may be more vulnerable (given their lifestyles/location) to exogenous shocks (such as tsunamis), the sector is not a homogenous one and factors such as technological change may also induce the impoverishment of certain sub-groups of fishers over time. As a consequence, fisher households have derived a variety of coping mechanisms, mechanisms which (we argue) militate against considering 'fishing' as an activity in isolation from other facets of the household livelihood strategy. One response, as we note, to this has been the application of livelihoods analysis as a technique for assessing (and redressing) fisher poverty. Championed initially by the Sustainable Livelihoods Fisheries Programme (SFLP) operating in West Africa from 1999 to 2006, the technique has subsequently been deployed in a number of other regions/fisheries. Our review then moves on to assess how interventions within the fisheries sector can contribute to fisher poverty reduction. At the macroeconomic level, while the emphasis historically has been on the sector's contribution to domestic nutritional requirements and the goal of food security, more recent research has examined the prioritization of the sector within national development plans and poverty reduction strategies. At the microeconomic level, we provide two contrasting examples to show that, while poverty-reducing policy interventions are to be welcomed at the local level, the heterogeneity of the local environment militates against the prescription of a 'one size fits all' approach to poverty reduction. This theme is picked up in the concluding comments of the review, where directions for further research are also highlighted.
Nitrate from agriculture: a hazard to health and the environment?
Authors: Addiscott T. M. 
Published: May 2008

Abstract
The inconvenient truth that the world cannot now feed itself without synthetic nitrogen fertilizer counterpoints the widespread concern about nitrate losses from agriculture. This review discusses the ways in which soil nitrate and the gaseous nitrous oxide produced from it are lost from arable and grassland farming systems to natural waters and the atmosphere. It then examines the alleged hazards they pose to health and the environment. Nitrate is not a threat to humans at the concentrations normally encountered, and methaemoglobinaemia in infants, for which it is often blamed, is probably associated with nitric oxide released in response to a gastroenteritic infection. Nitrate, in fact, plays a key role in defending our bodies against disease, but it is potentially toxic to ruminant animals because its conversion in the rumen to nitrite can cause methaemoglobinaemia. Phosphate, rather than nitrate, is usually the ion that limits the growth of blue-green algae in freshwater, but nitrate is the limiting ion for blooms and other undesirable organisms in coastal and estuarine waters but not the open ocean. The nitrous oxide released from soil nitrate is a greenhouse gas and is also responsible for damage to the stratospheric ozone layer, albeit not directly. The damage is done by nitric oxide, which is a free radical and highly reactive. Nitrous oxide acts as an inert carrier for nitric oxide through the troposphere in which the nitric oxide would otherwise react with other free radicals. The nitrous oxide decomposes in the stratosphere to release the nitric oxide.