bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND GLUCOSE METABOLISM IN WOMEN WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME
Authors: Nestel Paul 
Published: August 2006

SUMMARY

Cardiovascular risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome affect vascular functions adversely. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between parameters of glucose homeostasis and arterial stiffness in women with characteristics of the metabolic syndrome.
Twenty post‐menopausal women participated in a cross‐sectional study in which systemic arterial compliance (SAC) and plasma glucose, lipids and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured while subjects were maintained on a diet high in fibre, raised in protein and reduced in saturated fat.
Regression analysis suggested that mean ( SD) fasting glucose of 5.9 ± 1.7 mmol/L, glucose levels 2 h after a 75 g glucose load of 6.8 ± 3.6 mmol/L, systolic blood pressure of 131 ± 12 mmHg and HbA1c of 5.3 ± 1.7% predicted SAC negatively. The following correlations were obtained between SAC and: (i) fasting glucose: R = ‐0.49, P = 0.028; (ii) 2 h glucose level post‐glucose load: R = ‐0.42, P = 0.064; (iii) HbA1c: R = ‐0.42, P = 0.056; and (iv) systolic blood pressure: R = ‐0.55, P = 0.012.
Relationships between SAC and fasting glucose and systolic blood pressure were significantly independent of each other. There was no evidence of relationships between SAC and any plasma lipid parameter (other than a trend in relation to plasma triglyceride), bodyweight or waist circumference.
In conclusion, in post‐menopausal women with metabolic syndrome, fasting plasma glucose and systolic blood pressure, and possibly HbA1c and the 2 h glucose post‐glucose load, predicted increased arterial stiffness.
Complications and diagnostic difficulties arising from biliary self‐expanding metal stent insertion before definitive histological diagnosis
Authors: Ayaru Lakshmana , Kurzawinski Tom R , Shankar Ariun , Webster George JM , Hatfield Adrian RW , Pereira Stephen P 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground:  Self‐expanding metal bile duct stents provide good palliation for inoperable malignant disease. However, problems may arise if metal stents are inserted before definitive histological diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of such patients.Methods:  A retrospective case note review was conducted of patients referred to a tertiary pancreaticobiliary center between 1992 and 2004 in whom a metal bile duct stent was inserted for presumed unresectable malignant disease before definitive histological diagnosis.Results:  There were 21 patients identified. Final diagnoses were: group 1, benign disease (n = 3); group 2, resectable malignancy (n = 2); group 3, unresectable malignancy (n = 12); and group 4, diagnosis remains uncertain (n = 4). During a follow‐up of 22, 38 and 111 months, the patients in group 1 had one, eight and five episodes of stent occlusion. In group 2, both patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary carcinoma, 2 and 6 months after presentation. In group 3, the median time to a confirmed malignant diagnosis was 2 months (range 1–27 months). In group 4, a median of two biopsies (range 1–4) were negative for malignancy, during a median follow up of 13 months (range 3–46). Overall in eight patients, the metal stents caused artifacts on computed tomography and/or were associated with tissue in‐growth making the differentiation between benign and malignant disease difficult.Conclusion:  These cases indicate that metal bile duct stent insertion before definitive histological diagnosis can be problematic. A proportion of cases will have benign strictures and in others the confirmation of malignancy may be made more difficult.
Evaluation of solitary and scattered esophageal varices according to infrared endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography
Authors: Tsujigami Koji , Okamura Seisuke , Fukuda Tamotsu , Ichikawa Soichi , Nakasono Masahiko , Okita Yoshio , Muguruma Naoki , Ito Susumu 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The aim of this study was to clarify the etiology and clinical significance of solitary and scattered esophageal varices by evaluating their hemodynamics and other characteristics using infrared endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography.Methods:  The study group comprised 44 lesions of these two related types detected in 28 patients by visible‐light endoscopy. Infrared endoscopy was used to characterize blue‐black coloration before and after rapid intravenous injection of indocyanine green (2 mg/kg). During endoscopic ultrasonography, depth within the esophagus and echo patterns of these varices were characterized.Results:  Diameters of these varices were significantly smaller in lesions more strongly staining by infrared endoscopy. Lesion diameter was significantly smaller in varices showing homogeneous low echogenicity than in those showing mixed echogenicity. Lesions showing homogeneous high echogenicity stained most weakly followed in turn by lesions with mixed echogenicity and finally those showing homogeneous low echogenicity.Conclusion:  Indocyanine green injection was useful for infrared observation of the hemodynamics of solitary and scattered esophageal varices, as was endoscopic ultrasonography in defining the location and morphology of these lesions. Varices with larger diameters stained more persistently when hemodynamics were evaluated by infrared endoscopy, and often showed a mixture of low and high echogenicity by endoscopic ultrasonography. These observations suggest that blood flow in the varices is slowed, and that the risk of hemorrhage increases with increased diameter especially with uniform enhancement and uniform echogenicity.
Gene expression profiling in whole liver of bile duct ligated rats: VEGF‐A expression is up‐regulated in hepatocytes adjacent to the portal tracts
Authors: Tanaka Atsushi , Tsuneyama Kohichi , Mikami Masaki , Uegaki Satoko , Aiso Mitsuhiko , Takikawa Hajime 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  It would be of clinical importance to clarify molecular mechanisms of cholangiocytes proliferation for the treatment of intractable cholestatic diseases. The aim of this study was to elucidate gene expression profiling in the whole liver of bile duct ligated (BDL) rats using microarray analysis. In addition, the localization and time course of up‐regulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was investigated.Methods:  Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were used. The whole liver was removed from BDL and sham‐operated rats at day 2 after the procedure, and microarray analysis was performed using an array on which 3757 rat cDNA clones spotted. The up‐regulation of VEGF expression was investigated by RT‐PCR using livers at day 1, 2, 4 and 7, and immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry at day 2.Results:  Marked proliferation of bile ducts was observed in livers of BDL rats. By microarray analysis, 38 up‐regulated and 17 down‐regulated transcripts were detected in whole liver of the BDL rat. The expression of VEGF‐A was significantly elevated in the BDL rats at day 2; the VEGF‐A/GAPDH ratio was 4.030 ± 2.493 in BDL rats and 1.159 ± 0.125 in sham‐operated rats (P = 0.0330). The up‐regulation of VEGF‐A expression was maximal at day 2. Immunoblotting also demonstrated up‐regulated expression of VEGF‐A at the protein level. Immunostaining of VEGF revealed that the expression was evident in hepatocytes adjacent to the portal tracts, and scarcely observed in hepatocytes at the centrilobular area or cholangiocytes.Conclusion:  Gene expression profiling in the whole liver of the BDL rats revealed 38 up‐regulated and 17 down‐regulated transcripts. In addition, the up‐regulated expression of VEGF was mainly observed in hepatocytes surrounding to the portal tracts.
Sphincter‐preserving radiation therapy for rectal cancer: a simulation study using three‐dimensional computerized technology
Authors: Gervaz P. , Lavertu S. , Kazemba B. , Pemberton J. H. , Haddock M. G. , Gunderson L. L. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractBackground  The acquisition of detailed computerized tomography (CT) imaging at the time of simulation, along with three‐dimensional (3D) treatment planning software has been integrated with radiation delivery hardware to create the modality known as 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DXRT). This approach provides, in theory, a means to selectively subtract the anal sphincter from the high‐dose field of irradiation in patients with stage II and III adenocarcinomas of the mid‐rectum scheduled for low anterior resection (LAR).Hypothesis  Implementation of 3DXRT with sphincter blocking may be a feasible strategy to reduce the dose of radiation distributed to the anal canal without reduction in the dose distribution to the gross tumour volume (GTV) plus adequate margins.Methods  Pretreatment simulation CT scans of 10 patients with rectal cancers located between 5 and 10 cm from the anal verge were retrieved from a computerized database. Radiation oncologists and colorectal surgeons defined the contours of the GTV and the anal sphincter, respectively, on successive CT scan slices. These contours provided the volumetric data required to quantify dose distribution and compute dose‐volume histograms. The standard mode of pelvic irradiation planned with CT simulation was compared with a ‘virtual CT simulation’ approach, in which a sphincter block was added to the protocol.Results  The mean distance of tumours from the anal verge was 6.3 cm. In the virtual simulation treatment plan, a 2‐cm margin separated the sphincter block from the lower limit of the GTV. The mean volume of the anal sphincter was 16.1 ± 3.5 cm3. The dose distributed to the GTV in the real plan and in the virtual simulated block plan were 51.7 ± 1.4 and 51.6 ± 1.4 Gy respectively (P = 0.85). By comparison the mean dose distributed to the anal sphincter was dramatically reduced by using a sphincter block (33.2 ± 12 Gy vs 6.4 ± 4.1 Gy, P < 0.001).Conclusion  During a course of radiotherapy for most low‐ or mid‐rectal cancers, the anal canal is included within the field of irradiation with a mean dose distribution to the sphincter of 33 Gy. Evaluation of 3DXRT with full sphincter block (mid‐rectum) and partial sphincter block (distal rectum) is a feasible strategy to decrease the volume of anal sphincter carried to full dose without reduction in dose to the GTV. This approach, by minimizing treatment‐induced damage to the anal sphincter, might improve functional outcome of LAR.
Tax Evasion and Limited Liability
Authors: UENG K. L. GLEN , YANG C. C. 
Published: August 2006

Abstract Andreoni, Erard, and Feinstein (1998) suggest that imposing very high penalties for tax evasion is not possible under bankruptcy or limited liability constraints. In this paper, we complement their suggestion by showing that, in the presence of these constraints, imposing very high penalties can make an economy Pareto worse‐off. This result helps provide a further insight into why governments typically do not set very high penalties for tax evasion in practice. Implications for optimal deterrence policies in the context of tax evasion are also explored.
Is it the Law or the Lawyers? Investment Covenants around the World*
Authors: Cumming Douglas , Johan Sofia 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThis paper introduces a new dataset from 50 private investment funds from 17 countries around the world. We analyse the frequency of use of investment covenants imposed by institutional investors governing the activities of private investment fund managers in areas pertaining to investment decisions, investment powers, types of investments, fund operations and limitations on liability. While the data indicate a role for country legality in affecting the frequency of use of fund covenants, the data further indicate that the presence of legally trained managers has a more pronounced role in affecting the use of covenants. As private equity and venture capital investment increases across Europe and elsewhere, our results indicate that legal practice factors will matter more than the legal setting for the establishment of covenants governing new funds.
An Analysis of Changes in Board Structure during Corporate Governance Reforms
Authors: Hillier David , McColgan Patrick 
Published: August 2006

Abstract This study examines the evolution of company board structure during a period of corporate governance reform. Using data over a time period following the publication of the Cadbury Report (1992) we present evidence of an increase in the independence of UK boards, as measured by an increased willingness to employ independent non‐executive directors, and to separate the positions of the CEO and the Chairman of the Board. In examining the determinants of these changes, we find that boards change more readily in response to changes in managerial control, equity issuance and corporate performance than changes in the firm‐specific operating environment of companies.
The Importance of Corporate Foreign Debt in Managing Exchange Rate Exposures in Non‐Financial Companies
Authors: Aabo Tom 
Published: August 2006

Abstract This empirical study of the exchange rate exposure management of Danish non‐financial firms listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange shows that debt denominated in foreign currency (‘foreign debt’) is a very important alternative to the use of currency derivatives. The results show that the relative importance of foreign debt is positively related to (1) the extent of foreign subsidiaries, (2) the relative value of assets in place, and (3) the debt ratio. The pivotal role of time horizon is emphasised. These findings are important to firms in other countries with open economies.
Use of river‐wetland habitats in a declining population of the terrapin (Mauremys rivulata) along the Strymon River, northern Greece
Authors: Chelazzi G. , Naziridis T. , Benvenuti S. , Ugolini A. , Crivelli A. J. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractA declining population of the freshwater turtle Mauremys rivulata (Chelonia, Geoemydidae) living in a human‐impacted area along the Strymon River, just upstream from Kerkini Lake (Prefecture of Serres, northern Greece), was investigated by capture–recapture and radio‐tracking. Fyke nets placed along the river and in ponds lying on the riparian lowland gave about 2000 catches in 6 years, permitting us to assess major inter‐habitat movements during ontogenesis and throughout the seasons. Annual intensive radio‐tracking of 15 females and 10 males gave finer details of movement patterns between different river‐wetland habitats. Younger specimens, including yearlings, inhabited the ponds almost exclusively, whereas the adult population shifted seasonally from the ponds during the mating season to a marsh area lying on the opposite side of the river for aestivation and overwintering. The river served mainly as a corridor for transit between the two habitats. Moreover, longitudinal movements along the river were observed, particularly in the males, which probably allow dispersal and gene flow between subpopulations living in the area. One major threat to the viability of M. rivulata in the study area is the diversion of water for irrigation during the summer, drying up the Strymon completely, which reduces the water level in the ponds. Livestock crossing the area for grazing and watering in the ponds is also of impact, as turtles in the ponds are trampled on and nests are disturbed.
Social and environmental influences on egg size evolution in frogs
Authors: Summers K. , McKeon C. S. , Heying H. , Hall J. , Patrick W. 
Published: August 2006

AbstractThe reproductive strategies of frogs are highly diverse, but analysis of these strategies in a phylogenetic context has lagged behind other taxa. Here we investigate associations between aspects of parental care and egg size in a phylogenetic context. We obtained data on egg size and parental care strategies in various species of frogs from the scientific literature. We developed a phylogenetic supertree of frogs by combining the results of multiple phylogenetic analyses using matrix representation parsimony. We used phylogenetic pairwise comparisons to investigate the correlation between various forms of parental care and egg size across the order Anura. We also investigated correlations between tadpole carnivory and egg size, and phytotelm breeding and egg size. We also investigated the association of egg size with several environmental factors. Parental care, male parental care, direct development, stream breeding and montane breeding habitats were all associated with large egg size. Female care (in species with trophic egg feeding), carnivory, use of small pools (phytotelmata) and use of temporary pools were not associated with egg size.
Diagnostic microbial microarrays in soil ecology
Authors: Sessitsch A. , Hackl E. , Wenzl P. , Kilian A. , Kostic T. , Stralis‐Pavese N. , Sandjong B. Tankouo , Bodrossy L. 
Published: August 2006

SummarySoil microbial communities are responsible for important physiological and metabolic processes. In the last decade soil microorganisms have been frequently analysed by cultivation‐independent techniques because only a minority of the natural microbial communities are accessible by cultivation. Cultivation‐independent community analyses have revolutionized our understanding of soil microbial diversity and population dynamics. Nevertheless, many methods are still laborious and time‐consuming, and high‐throughput methods have to be applied in order to understand population shifts at a finer level and to be better able to link microbial diversity with ecosystems functioning. Microbial diagnostic microarrays (MDMs) represent a powerful tool for the parallel, high‐throughput identification of many microorganisms. Three categories of MDMs have been defined based on the nature of the probe and target molecules used: phylogenetic oligonucleotide microarrays with short oligonucleotides against a phylogenetic marker gene; functional gene arrays containing probes targeting genes encoding specific functions; and community genome arrays employing whole genomes as probes. In this review, important methodological developments relevant to the application of the different types of diagnostic microarrays in soil ecology will be addressed and new approaches, needs and future directions will be identified, which might lead to a better insight into the functional activities of soil microbial communities.

Contents

Summary
719

I.
Introduction
720

II.
General methodology
721

III.
Methodological considerations
722

IV.
Application of microarrays in the soil environment
726

V.
Conclusions
731

Acknowledgements
732

References
732
Active warming as emergency interventional care for the treatment of pelvic pain
Authors: Bertalanffy P , Kober A , Andel H , Hahn R , Frickey N , Hoerauf K 
Published: August 2006

Objective  To assess whether local active warming can lessen acute pelvic pain of gynaecological origin compared with traditional methods in a prehospital setting.Design  Prospective, randomised, single‐blinded study.Setting  Prehospital emergency system.Population  Women calling emergency ambulance for pelvic pain.Methods  Women were randomised in two groups: resistive heating (group 1) or passive warming (group 2), each treatment was initiated at the emergency site.Main outcome measures  Pain on visual analogue scale (VAS), anxiety and nausea, given as mean (SD).Results  Prior to the interventions, all women were vasoconstricted and had comparable pain scores. Then, group 1 showed a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in pain (VAS: 72.2 [10.5] mm to 32.4 [18.0] mm), anxiety (VAS: 59.0 [10.9] mm to 37.5 [24.1] mm), nausea (VAS: 42.7 [6.2] mm to 21.6 [5.0] mm) and heart rate (101 [12] beats per minute [bpm] to 59 [8] bpm), as well as in the number of vasoconstricted women (from 19/19 constricted/dilated to 2/19 constricted/dilated), whereas scores in group 2 remained unchanged. There were no significant changes in blood pressure in either group.Conclusions Local warming is an effective emergency care measure for acute pelvic pain.
Glucose metabolism and proliferation in glia: role of astrocytic gap junctions
Authors: Tabernero Arantxa , Medina José M. , Giaume Christian 
Published: August 2006

AbstractAstrocytes play a well‐established role in brain metabolism, being a key element in the capture of energetic compounds from the circulation and in their delivery to active neurons. Their metabolic status is affected in many pathological situations, such as gliomas, which are the most common brain tumors. This proliferative dysfunction is associated with changes in gap junctional communication, a property strongly developed in normal astrocytes studied both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we summarize and discuss the findings that have lead to the identification of a link between gap junctions, glucose uptake, and proliferation. Indeed, the inhibition of gap junctional communication is associated with an increase in glucose uptake due to a rapid change in the localization of both GLUT‐1 and type I hexokinase. This effect persists due to the up‐regulation of GLUT‐1 and type I hexokinase and to the induction of GLUT‐3 and type II hexokinase. In addition, cyclins D1 and D3 have been found to act as sensors of the inhibition of gap junctions and have been proposed to play the role of mediators in the mitogenic effect observed. Conversely, in C6 glioma cells, characterized by a low level of intercellular communication, an increase in gap junctional communication reduces glucose uptake by releasing type I and type II hexokinases from the mitochondria and decreases the exacerbated rate of proliferation due to the up‐regulation of the Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27. Identification of the molecular actors involved in these pathways should allow the determination of potential therapeutic targets that could lead to the testing of alternative strategies to prevent, or at least slow down, the proliferation of glioma cells.
Ischemic preconditioning improves liver regeneration by sustaining energy metabolism after partial hepatectomy under ischemia in rats
Authors: Kerem Mustafa , Bedirli Abdulkadir , Ofluoglu Ebru , Deniz Kemal , Turkozkan Nurten , Pasaoglu Hatice , Sakrak Omer 
Published: August 2006

Abstract: Background: The protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) has been reported on improvement of survival, reduction of liver necrosis and enhancement of the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy. This study was undertaken to confirm that IPC has a significant impact on regeneration of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy in ischemically damaged liver. In addition, we sought to examine the role of adenine nucleotides in this process.Methods: Wistar rats were subjected to 60 min of total hepatic ischemia, followed by 70% hepatectomy. The animals were subdivided into an IPC (10/15 min) group and a non‐IPC (control) group. Liver function tests and arginase activity were analyzed. Hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate and adenosine monophosphate were measured using gradient high‐performance liquid chromatography. The liver regeneration was identified using relative liver weight and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index.Results: IPC treatment improved serum liver enzymes and tissue arginase activity (P<0.05) when compared with the control group. The preconditioned livers were associated with upregulation of ATP expression and also increased tissue energy charge. Regenerated liver weight in the IPC group was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The PCNA labeling index in the remnant livers in the IPC group was also significantly increased at 24 and 48 h after partial hepatectomy (P<0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that IPC‐augmented liver regeneration after hepatectomy, probably due to the stabilization of energy metabolism in rats.