bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction and Cessation of Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Cancer: A Cohort Study of Korean Men
Authors: Song Yun-Mi , Sung Joohon , Cho Hong-Jun 
Published: October 2008

Purpose Reducing cigarette smoking has been proposed as a method of harm reduction. The effect of smoking reduction on cancer risk has not been studied in Asian populations. Patients and Methods A total of 479,156 Korean men, age 30 to 58 years, were stratified into nine groups based on smoking status in 1990 and 1992. From 1992 to 2003, patients were observed and tested for the occurrence of cancer. Results There was no association between smoking reduction and risk of all cancers. However, the risk of smoking-related cancers tended to decrease, though not significantly, when heavy smokers (≥ 20 cigarettes/d) became moderate smokers (10 to 19 cigarettes/d), with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82 to 1.02). For lung cancer, patients who reduced from heavy to moderate smoking and from heavy to light smoking (< 10 cigarettes/d) had significantly decreased risks based on multivariable-adjusted HRs (HR = 0.72, 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.89; HR = 0.63, 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.84, respectively). Study participants who never smoked, sustained ex-smokers, and quitters had lower risks for all cancers, smoking-related cancers, and lung cancer in a dose-response manner as compared with heavy smokers. Conclusion Smoking reduction was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of lung cancer, but the size of risk reduction was disproportionately smaller than that expected from the reduced amount of cigarette consumption. Although smoking cessation should be the cornerstone of preventing smoking-related cancers, smoking reduction could be considered as a strategy to supplement smoking cessation for those who are unable to quit smoking immediately.
Glycerolipid Metabolism and Signaling in Health and Disease
Authors: Prentki Marc , Madiraju S. R. Murthy 
Published: October 2008

AbstractMaintenance of body temperature is achieved partly by modulating lipolysis by a network of complex regulatory mechanisms. Lipolysis is an integral part of the glycerolipid/free fatty acid (GL/FFA) cycle, which is the focus of this review, and we discuss the significance of this pathway in the regulation of many physiological processes besides thermogenesis.GL/FFA cycle is referred to as a “futile” cycle because it involves continuous formation and hydrolysis of GL with the release of heat, at the expense of ATP. However, we present evidence underscoring the “vital” cellular signaling roles of the GL/FFA cycle for many biological processes. Probably because of its importance in many cellular functions, GL/FFA cycling is under stringent control and is organized as several composite short substrate/product cycles where forward and backward reactions are catalyzed by separate enzymes. We believe that the renaissance of the GL/FFA cycle is timely, considering the emerging view that many of the neutral lipids are in fact key signaling molecules whose production is closely linked to GL/FFA cycling processes.The evidence supporting the view that alterations in GL/FFA cycling are involved in the pathogenesis of “fatal” conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer is discussed. We also review the different enzymatic and transport steps that encompass the GL/FFA cycle leading to the generation of several metabolic signals possibly implicated in the regulation of biological processes ranging from energy homeostasis, insulin secretion and appetite control to aging and longevity. Finally, we present a perspective of the possible therapeutic implications of targeting this cycling.
Thyroid Function and Structure Are Affected in Childhood Obesity
Authors: Radetti Giorgio , Kleon Wolfgang , Buzi Fabio , Crivellaro Claudio , Pappalardo Lucia , di Iorgi Natascia , Maghnie Mohamad 
Published: October 2008

Objective: Alterations in thyroid function are reported in obesity, although no relevant data exist on the thyroid structure of these patients and the frequency of autoimmunity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the involvement of the thyroid gland in a large group of obese children.
Design: This was a cross-sectional study.
Methods: The study was conducted between March 2004 and December 2007 in 186 overweight and obese children. In all subjects, serum free T3, free T4, TSH, antithyroid antibodies, and a thyroid ultrasound were assessed. A total ot 40 healthy children matched for age and of normal weight for height served as controls.
Results: A total of 23 children (12.4%) showed antithyroid antibodies and an ultrasound pattern suggestive of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (group A). Of them, 20 (10.8%) showed antithyroid antibodies and normal ultrasound (group B). A total of 70 subjects (37.6%) showed absent antithyroid antibodies and an ultrasound pattern suggestive of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (group C), and 73 children (39.2%) showed no thyroid antibodies with normal ultrasound (group D). TSH was higher in groups A and C compared with groups B and C, and controls (P &lt; 0.05). Mean free T4 was lower in group B (P &lt; 0.05) than in controls, whereas free T3 was higher in group C than in controls (P &lt; 0.05). TSH and body mass index sd scores were significantly correlated in group C (P &lt; 0.001), and TSH was also significantly associated with the degree of thyroid structure alterations (P &lt; 0.05).
Conclusion: Obese children frequently show alterations of thyroid structure and function that are not completely explained by the presence of an autoimmune involvement.
The Majority of Adrenocorticotropin Receptor (Melanocortin 2 Receptor) Mutations Found in Familial Glucocorticoid Deficiency Type 1 Lead to Defective Trafficking of the Receptor to the Cell Surface
Authors: Chung T. T. , Webb T. R. , Chan L. F. , Cooray S. N. , Metherell L. A. , King P. J. , Chapple J. P. , Clark A. J. L. 
Published: October 2008

Context: There are at least 24 missense, nonconservative mutations found in the ACTH receptor [melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R)] that have been associated with the autosomal recessive disease familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD) type 1. The characterization of these mutations has been hindered by difficulties in establishing a functional heterologous cell transfection system for MC2R. Recently, the melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein (MRAP) was identified as essential for the trafficking of MC2R to the cell surface; therefore, a functional characterization of MC2R mutations is now possible.Objective: Our objective was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for defective MC2R function in FGD.Methods: Stable cell lines expressing human MRAPα were established and transiently transfected with wild-type or mutant MC2R. Functional characterization of mutant MC2R was performed using a cell surface expression assay, a cAMP reporter assay, confocal microscopy, and coimmunoprecipitation of MRAPα.Results: Two thirds of all MC2R mutations had a significant reduction in cell surface trafficking, even though MRAPα interacted with all mutants. Analysis of those mutant receptors that reached the cell surface indicated that four of six failed to signal, after stimulation with ACTH.Conclusion: The majority of MC2R mutations found in FGD fail to function because they fail to traffic to the cell surface.
Light-dependent magnetoreception: orientation behaviour of migratory birds under dim red light
Authors: Wiltschko Roswitha , Munro Ursula , Ford Hugh , Stapput Katrin , Wiltschko Wolfgang 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYMagnetic compass orientation in migratory birds has been shown to be based on radical pair processes and to require light from the short wavelength part of the spectrum up to 565 nm Green. Under dim red light of 645 nm wavelength and 1 mW m–2 intensity, Australian silvereyes and European robins showed a westerly tendency that did not change between spring and autumn, identifying it as a `fixed direction' response. A thorough analysis revealed that this orientation did not involve the inclination compass, but was a response based on the polarity of the magnetic field. Furthermore, in contrast to the orientation under short-wavelength light, it could be disrupted by local anaesthesia of the upper beak where iron-containing receptors are located, indicating that it is controlled by these receptors. The similarity of the response under dim red light to the response in total darkness suggests that the two responses may be identical. These findings indicate that the observed `fixed direction' response under dim red light is fundamentally different from the normal compass orientation, which is based on radical pair processes.
The influence of oxygen and high-energy phosphate diffusion on metabolic scaling in three species of tail-flipping crustaceans
Authors: Jimenez Ana Gabriela , Locke Bruce R. , Kinsey Stephen T. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYWe examined the influence of intracellular diffusion of O2 and high-energy phosphate (HEP) molecules on the scaling with body mass of the post-exercise whole-animal rate of O2 consumption(V̇O2) and muscle arginine phosphate (AP) resynthesis rate, as well as muscle citrate synthase(CS) activity, in three groups of tail-flipping crustaceans. Two size classes in each of three taxa (Palaemonetes pugio, Penaeus spp. and Panulirus argus) were examined that together encompassed a 27,000-fold range in mean body mass. In all species, muscle fiber size increased with body mass and ranged in diameter from 70±1.5 to 210±8.8 μm. Thus, intracellular diffusive path lengths for O2 and HEP molecules were greater in larger animals. The body mass scaling exponent, b, for post-tail flipping V̇O2(b=–0.21) was not similar to that for the initial rate of AP resynthesis (b=–0.12), which in turn was different from that of CS activity (b=0.09). We developed a mathematical reaction–diffusion model that allowed an examination of the influence of O2 and HEP diffusion on the observed rate of aerobic flux in muscle. These analyses revealed that diffusion limitation was minimal under most conditions, suggesting that diffusion might act on the evolution of fiber design but usually does not directly limit aerobic flux. However, both within and between species, fibers were more diffusion limited as they grew larger,particularly when hemolymph PO2 was low, which might explain some of the divergence in the scaling exponents of muscle aerobic capacity and muscle aerobic flux.
Ionic determinants of pH of acidic compartments under hypertonic conditions in trout hepatocytes
Authors: Ahmed Khaled H. , Pelster Bernd 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARYExposure of trout hepatocytes to hypertonicity induced a decrease in acridine orange (AO) fluorescence, indicating a corresponding decrease in pH inside the lumen of acidic compartments (pHL). Pre-exposure of cells to the specific V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 (0.3 μmol l–1) increased AO fluorescence – unmasking H+ leaks under steady-state conditions – and partially removed the hypertonicity-induced pHL decrease. The sustainability of the luminal acidification, but not the acidification itself, appeared to depend on a low K+ and a high Cl– conductance under hypertonic conditions. Increasing K+ conductance using the specific ionophore valinomycin (10 μmol l–1) or removal of extracellular Cl– after an instant drop in AO fluorescence resulted in a reversal of luminal acidity. The alkalinization measured under hypertonic conditions in the absence of Cl– was largely attenuated when cells were bathed in HCO3–-free medium, signifying the possible presence of Cl–/HCO3– exchange. Under steady-state conditions, while a slight and brief pHL increase was measured upon exposure of cells to valinomycin, Cl– removal,unexpectedly, induced a decrease in pHL, indicating a role for extracellular Cl– in limiting luminal acidification. This was confirmed by the substantial pHL decrease measured upon exposure of cells to the anion exchanger inhibitor SITS (0.5 mmol l–1). Furthermore, hypertonicity-induced acidification was still noticeable in the presence of SITS. On the other hand, the hypertonicity-induced acidification was significantly reduced in the absence of extracellular Na+ or Ca2+. However, BAPTA-AM induced an increase in steady-state pHL that was independent of V-ATPase inhibition. Moreover, the BAPTA-induced alkalinization was still apparent after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ using the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 in Ca2+-free medium. We conclude that pHL of trout hepatocytes is sensitive to hypertonicity and ionic determinants of hypertonicity. Thus, changes in pHL should be considered when studying pH adaptations to hypertonic stress.
Integrating the determinants of suction feeding performance in centrarchid fishes
Authors: Holzman Roi , Day Steven W. , Mehta Rita S. , Wainwright Peter C. 
Published: October 2008

SUMMARY
When suction-feeding vertebrates expand their buccal cavity to draw water into their mouth, they also exert a hydrodynamic force on their prey. This force is key to strike success, directly countering forces exerted by escaping or clinging prey. While the ability to produce high flow accelerations in front of the mouth is central to the predator's ability to exert high forces on the prey, several mechanisms can contribute to the disparity between the potential and realized performance through their effect on flow and acceleration as experienced by the prey. In the present study, we test how interspecific variation in gape size, mouth displacement speed and the fish's ability to locate prey at the optimal position affect variation in the force exerted on attached prey. We directly measured these forces by allowing bluegill sunfish and largemouth bass to strike at ghost shrimp tethered to a load cell that recorded force at 5000 Hz, while synchronously recording strikes with a 500 Hz video. Strike kinematics of largemouth bass were slower than that of bluegill, as were estimated flow speeds and the force exerted on the prey. This difference in force persisted after taking into account the faster suction flows and accelerations of bluegill, and was only accounted for by considering interspecific differences in gape size, mouth displacement speed and fish's ability to locate the prey at the optimal position. The contribution to interspecific differences in the force exerted on the prey was estimated to be 42% for flow speed, 25% for strike efficiency, 3% for gape size and 30% for mouth displacement speed. Hence, kinematic diversity results in substantial differences in suction performance, beyond those expected based on the capacity to generate a high flow velocity. This functional complexity,in the form of biomechanically independent mechanisms that are recruited for one function, can potentially mitigate performance trade-offs in suction-feeding fishes.
Tips for teaching evidence-based medicine in a clinical setting: lessons from adult learning theory. Part one
Authors: Das Kausik , Malick Sadia , Khan Khalid S 
Published: October 2008

Summary Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is an indispensable tool in clinical practice. Teaching and training of EBM to trainee clinicians is patchy and fragmented at its best. Clinically integrated teaching of EBM is more likely to bring about changes in skills, attitudes and behaviour. Provision of evidence-based health care is the most ethical way to practice, as it integrates up-to-date, patient-oriented research into the clinical decision making process, thus improving patients' outcomes. In this article, we aim to dispel the myth that EBM is an academic and statistical exercise removed from practice by providing practical tips for teaching the minimum skills required to ask questions and critically identify and appraise the evidence and presenting an approach to teaching EBM within the existing clinical and educational training infrastructure.
The effect of ketamine/xylazine and carbon dioxide on plasma luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and testosterone concentrations in the male Norway rat
Authors: Gould E M 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe effect of a commonly used anaesthetic, ketamine/xylazine and/or carbon dioxide (CO2) on plasma luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and testosterone concentrations was determined in male Sprague-Dawley rats. These values were compared with values obtained from pre-anaesthetic control samples. Ketamine/xylazine treatment did not significantly affect testosterone concentrations. In contrast, LHRH started to decrease one hour after ketamine/xylazine administration and continued to significantly decrease after 24 h. In addition, in the CO2euthanasia-only group, LHRH concentrations were also significantly decreased. These results suggest that ketamine/xylazine anaesthesia followed by CO2euthanasia 24 h later is exerting a significant effect on LHRH concentrations 24 h after anaesthetizing, while only having a slight effect on testosterone, and that CO2is exerting an immediate significant effect on LHRH. In conclusion, LHRH analysis should be avoided after ketamine/xylazine anaesthesia and CO2euthanasia.
Animal models of chronic lung infection withPseudomonas aeruginosa: useful tools for cystic fibrosis studies
Authors: Kukavica-Ibrulj I , Levesque R C 
Published: October 2008

SummaryCystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by a defect in the transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein that functions as a chloride channel. Dysfunction of the CFTR protein results in salty sweat, pancreatic insufficiency, intestinal obstruction, male infertility and severe pulmonary disease. In most patients with CF life expectancy is limited due to a progressive loss of functional lung tissue. Early in life a persistent neutrophylic inflammation can be demonstrated in the airways. The cause of this inflammation, the role of CFTR and the cause of lung morbidity by different CF-specific bacteria, mostly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are not well understood. The lack of an appropriate animal model with multi-organ pathology having the characteristics of the human form of CF has hampered our understanding of the pathobiology and chronic lung infections of the disease for many years. This review summarizes the main characteristics of CF and focuses on several available animal models that have been frequently used in CF research. A better understanding of the chronic lung infection caused particularly by P. aeruginosa, the pathophysiology of lung inflammation and the pathogenesis of lung disease necessitates animal models to understand CF, and to develop and improve treatment.
Repeated anaesthesia with isoflurane and xylazine/levomethadone/fenpipramide premedication in female Beagle dogs: Influence on general health and wellbeing
Authors: Bert B , Hartje I , Voigt J-P , Arndt G , Ulbrich H-F , Fink H , Hauff P 
Published: October 2008

Summary Beagle dogs continue to be used in experimental studies and preclinical and clinical trials, many of which address the usage of anaesthesia. In order to reduce the number of animals, researchers tend to conduct several experiments on a single animal. The question arises, however, as to whether or not this frequent usage involves more than simply additional stress and discomfort for the individual animal. Within the framework of an existing study involving six female Beagle dogs, we investigated the effects of repeated (5) isoflurane anaesthesia with xylazine/levomethadone/fenpipramide premedication carried out at short intervals (2 weeks) and compared these with the effects of two treatments intermitted by a longer resting period (8 weeks). To verify our hypothesis that frequent anaesthesia affects the dog's wellbeing more than the occasional anaesthesia, the following parameters were measured at regular intervals: body weight, body temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure, reflexes and heart rate, both at rest and during a treadmill exercise. In addition, recovery behaviour subsequent to anaesthesia was monitored for one hour. Our observations indicate that the anaesthetic effects are most prominent 24 h after the anaesthetic treatment. However, crossover analysis of our data cannot show that there is no statistical difference of whether dogs were anaesthetized occasionally or frequently. In our study, it appears that frequent anaesthesia within a two-week period did not affect the wellbeing and general health of Beagle dogs in a super-additive manner and that a minimum of two-week testing-free period is sufficient to ensure complete recovery from the unwanted effects induced by anaesthesia.
Marine epiphytic diatoms from the shallow sublittoral zone in Potter Cove, King George Island, Antarctica
Authors: Al-Handal Adil Y. , Wulff Angela 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Marine epiphytic diatoms in the Antarctic Peninsula have not been studied in detail previously, and information on their distribution and occurrence is scarce. We studied the marine epiphytic diatoms on several species of macroalgae belonging to the Rhodophyta, Phaeophyceae and Chlorophyta. We recorded a total of 50 epiphytic diatoms, with Cocconeis spp., Entopyla australis var. gigantea, Grammatophora arctica, Licmophora antarctica and Pseudogomphonema kamtschaticum the most common taxa. Diatoms appeared to have substratum preferences rather than site preferences. The most frequent hosts for diatom attachment were the rhodophytes Pantoneura plocamioides, Delesseria lancifolia and Georgiella
confluens. Phaeophytes were less favourable hosts, and no diatoms were recorded on the chlorophytes.
Antifeedant, antibacterial, and antilarval compounds from the South China Sea seagrass Enhalus acoroides
Authors: Qi Shu-Hua , Zhang Si , Qian Pei-Yuan , Wang Bin-Gui 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
We investigated chemical constituents and the antifeedant, antibacterial, and antilarval activities of EtOH (ethanol) extracts of the South China Sea seagrass Enhalus acoroides. Eleven pure compounds including four flavonoids and five steroids were obtained. Among these compounds, three flavonoids were antifeedant against second-instar larvae of Spodoptera litura, two flavonoids had antibacterial activity towards several marine bacteria, and one flavonoid showed strong antilarval activity against Bugula neritina larvae. This is the first description of isolation and bioactivity of secondary metabolites from E. acoroides.
A Flexible Java-on-Chip Solution Eine flexible Java-on-Chip Lösung
Authors: Uhrig Sascha 
Published: October 2008

Abstract
Java is getting more and more important in embedded systems. However, there are several obstacles like the poor real-time capability, the garbage collection, and the need for a sufficient runtime environment. We present the jamuth Java framework which provides a multithreaded Java processor as IP core for programmable logic devices (FPGAs), a runtime system, and the necessary offline tools. The framework provides CDC compatibility and real-time support for embedded systems as well as a powerful garbage collection.
Schnelle Rechenmaschinenspeicher und ihre Geschwindigkeits- und Kapazitätsgrenzen Fast memories for computers and their limitations regarding speed and capacity
Authors: Billing Heinz 
Published: October 2008

Zusammenfassung
Für Speicher aus Ferritkernen, dünnen magnetischen Schichten und supraleitenden Schichten wird der Zusammenhang zwischen erreichbarer Kapazität und Zugriffszeit diskutiert. Beim magnetischen Dünnschichtspeicher wird ein neuartiges Speicherverfahren angegeben, welches die Blockierung in schwerer Richtung zur Erzeugung zweier zusätzlicher stabiler Speicherzustände ausnützt.