bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Platelets, but not erythrocytes, significantly affect cytokine release and scaffold contraction in a provisional scaffold model
Authors: Jacobson May , Fufa Duretti , Abreu Eduardo L. , Kevy Sherwin , Murray Martha M. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTPlatelets and erythrocytes are major components of wound provisional scaffolding. In this study, we hypothesized that the concentration of platelets and erythrocytes would significantly affect fibroblast‐mediated contraction of three‐dimensional scaffolds or the release of cytokines from the scaffold. To test this hypothesis, human anterior cruciate ligament fibroblasts were cultured in one of four scaffolds: a collagen matrix, a collagen‐fibrin matrix containing the same concentration of platelets as whole blood, a collagen‐fibrin matrix containing a high platelet concentration, and a collagen–fibrin matrix containing a high platelet concentration and red blood cells. Cytokine release from the four groups of gels and gel contraction were measured over a 10‐day period. The results of these assays supported greater cytokine release, fibroblast proliferation, and gel contraction in scaffolds with higher platelet concentration. In contrast, the addition of erythrocytes did not significantly stimulate or suppress scaffold contraction or growth factor release from the provisional scaffolds. We concluded that while platelet concentration can significantly impact cytokine release and scaffold retraction in a provisional scaffold, the inclusion of erythrocytes does not have a significant effect on these same behaviors. Therefore, while platelets may be an important regulator of repair processes after injury, it is less likely that erythrocytes have a similar function.
Skin cells, but not T cells, are resistant to indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase (IDO) expressed by allogeneic fibroblasts
Authors: Forouzandeh Farshad , Jalili Reza B. , Germain Marc , Duronio Vincent , Ghahary Aziz 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTWe have previously demonstrated that indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase (IDO) expressed by dermal fibroblasts generated a tryptophan deficient environment in which immune cells, but not skin cells, undergo apoptosis. However, the mechanism by which primary skin cells such as fibroblasts and keratinocytes are resistant to this culture environment is not elucidated. Here, we asked the question of whether the activity of the general control nonderepressing‐2 (GCN2) kinase pathway in primary immune and skin cells is differently regulated in response to IDO‐induced tryptophan deficient environment. Before addressing this question, the expression of IDO in IDO‐adenoviral infected fibroblasts, as a source of IDO expression, was validated. We then demonstrated a significant immunosuppressive effect of IDO expression in primary human T cells co‐cultured with IDO expressing fibroblasts in the presence of allogeneic pieces of either epidermis or full thickness skin. Evaluating the mechanism by which skin cells, but not T cells, are resistant to IDO induced low tryptophan environment, we then co‐cultured IDO‐expressing fibroblasts with bystander human T cells, the fibroblasts, or keratinocytes for 3 days. The results showed a significant activation of apoptotic pathway as analyzed by caspase‐3 induction as well as the expression of CHOP, a downstream effector of GCN2 kinase pathway in T cells, but not in skin cells.
The Journal of Risk and Insurance: A 75‐Year Historical Perspective
Authors: Weiss Mary A. , Qiu Joseph 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis research provides a comprehensive historical analysis of articles published in The Journal of Risk and Insurance over the 75‐year period from 1932 to 2006. Historical statistics are provided including the number of articles, number of authors per article, geographic location of contributors, leading contributors, author affiliation (industry or academic), the proportion of articles that are theoretical and empirical, and topics covered. Statistics relating to the entire 75‐year period are provided as well as breakdowns by decade. The results indicate that the contributors to The Journal of Risk and Insurance have become more international over time, average article length and average number of authors per article have increased over time, and empirical articles appear more frequently than theoretical articles.
An Extension of Arrow's Result on Optimal Reinsurance Contract
Authors: Kaluszka Marek , Okolewski Andrzej 
Published: May 2008

AbstractWe consider the problem of finding reinsurance policies that maximize the expected utility, the stability and the survival probability of the cedent for a fixed reinsurance premium calculated according to the maximal possible claims principle. We show that the limited stop loss and the truncated stop loss are the optimal contracts.
Explaining Low Annuity Demand: An Optimal Portfolio Application to Japan
Authors: Purcal Sachi , Piggott John 
Published: May 2008

AbstractUsing an optimizing financial planning model in the tradition of Merton and Richard we explore how individuals should determine their life insurance and annuity choices, given uncertainty about investment returns and mortality. Both consumption and bequests appear as arguments in the individual's preference function. The model explicitly recognizes the existence of social security in retirement, and of loadings on insurance premiums, due to administration costs in the life insurance and annuities markets. The model sheds light on the reasons for the thinness of voluntary life annuity markets worldwide. The relative importance of pre‐existing annuitization through social security, the role of bequests, and premium loadings are quantitatively assessed within a single optimizing framework. Results are presented for a model specification calibrated to Japan.
Heart Rate Variability Measures During Sinus Rhythm Predict Cycle Length Entropy During Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: SEGERSON NATHAN M. , SMITH MICHAEL L. , WASMUND STEPHEN L. , LUX ROBERT L. , DACCARETT MARCOS , HAMDAN MOHAMED H. 
Published: May 2008

Introduction:
Several noninvasive measures of cardiac risk such as heart rate variability (HRV) cannot be used in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). One promising exception is the measure of ventricular cycle length entropy (VCLE) where initial data suggest that a reduction in VCLE portends an increased risk of cardiac death in patients with chronic AF. In this study, we hypothesized that measures of short‐term HRV during sinus rhythm would correlate with measures of cycle length entropy during paroxysms of AF.
Methods:
We tested 25 Holter recordings of paroxysmal AF from the Physionet AF Prediction Database. We calculated HRV parameters including standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN), the root mean square root of the differences between adjacent NN intervals (RMSSD), standard deviation of 5‐minute averages of NN intervals (SDANN), percentage of adjacent NN interval differences >50 ms (pNN50), and interbeat correlation coefficient (ICC) from 30 minutes of normal sinus rhythm, and entropy measures (the Shannon Informational Entropy [ShEn] and Average of Approximate Entropy [ApEn]) from 5 minutes of AF that occurred during the same 24‐hour monitor. Pairwise correlations were used to assess associations, as regression residuals were normally distributed.
Results:
The mean entropy measures during AF were: ShEn: 4.78 ± 0.82, ApEn: 0.198 ± 0.21. When assessed during the 30 minutes immediately preceding AF onset, ICC showed a significant negative correlation with both ShEn (r =–0.65, P < 0.001) and ApEn (r =–0.60, P < 0.01). RMSSD also correlated with both ShEn (r = 0.41, P = 0.04) and ApEn (r = 0.39, P = 0.05), but other HRV measures showed no correlation with VCLE during AF. Conclusion: Reductions in RMSSD or increases in ICC, two short‐term HRV measures that are known to reflect parasympathetic function in sinus rhythm, are correlated with reductions in the entropy of ventricular response intervals during AF. Our findings suggest that entropy during AF may be modulated, in part, by vagal innervation.
Prospective Study of Atrial Fibrillation Termination During Ablation Guided by Automated Detection of Fractionated Electrograms
Authors: PORTER MICHAEL , SPEAR WILLIAM , AKAR JOSEPH G. , HELMS RAY , BRYSIEWICZ NEIL , SANTUCCI PETER , WILBER DAVID J. 
Published: May 2008

Introduction: Complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) may identify critical sites for perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) and provide useful targets for ablation. Current assessment of CFAE is subjective; automated detection algorithms may improve reproducibility, but their utility in guiding ablation has not been tested.
Methods and Results: In 67 patients presenting for initial AF ablation (42 paroxysmal, 25 persistent), LA and CS mapping were performed during induced or spontaneous AF. CFAE were identified by an online automated computer algorithm and displayed on electroanatomical maps. A mean of 28 ± 18 sites/patient were identified (20 ± 13% of mapped sites), and were more frequent during persistent AF. CFAE occurred most commonly within the CS, on the atrial septum, and around the pulmonary veins. Ablation initially targeting CFAE terminated AF in 88% of paroxysmal AF, but only 20% of persistent AF (P < 0.001). Subsequently, additional ablation was performed in all patients (PV isolation for paroxysmal AF, PV isolation + mitral and roof lines for persistent AF). Minimum follow‐up was 1 year. One‐year freedom from recurrent atrial arrhythmias without antiarrhythmic drug therapy after a single procedure was 90% for paroxysmal AF, and 68% for persistent AF.
Conclusions: Ablation guided by automated detection of CFAE proved feasible, and was associated with a high AF termination rate in paroxysmal, but not persistent AF. As an adjunct to conventional techniques, it was associated with excellent long‐term single procedure outcomes in both groups. Criteria for identifying optimal CFAE sites for ablation, and selection of patients most likely to benefit, require additional study.
Effect of irradiation on mating performance and mating ability in the West Indian sweetpotato weevil, Euscepes postfasciatus
Authors: Kumano Norikuni , Haraguchi Dai , Kohama Tsuguo 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used for suppressing or eradicating target pest insect populations. The effectiveness of SIT depends on the ability of released sterile males to mate with and inseminate wild females. Irradiation not only damages the reproductive cells but the somatic cells as well. The mating behavior of irradiated males may be altered over time due to the depressed metabolic activity brought about by sterilization. In this study, we evaluated the mating behavior (copulation behavior, mating performance, and ability of sperm transfer) of irradiated males in Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) for 16 days after irradiation in the laboratory. The mating performance of males irradiated with a 150 Gy dose, as currently used in the SIT program in Okinawa prefecture for E. postfasciatus, decreased compared to that of control after day 7. As a result, we considered that irradiation had no major effect on male mating behavior for approximately 1 week after irradiation.
Dihydroartemisinin induces apoptosis and sensitizes human ovarian cancer cells to carboplatin therapy
Authors: Chen Tao , Li Mian , Zhang Ruiwen , Wang Hui 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe present study was designed to determine the effects of artemisinin (ARS) and its derivatives on human ovarian cancer cells, to evaluate their potential as novel chemotherapeutic agents used alone or in combination with a conventional cancer chemotherapeutic agent, and to investigate their underlying mechanisms of action. Human ovarian cancer cells (A2780 and OVCAR‐3), and immortalized non‐tumourigenic human ovarian surface epithelial cells (IOSE144), were exposed to four ARS compounds for cytotoxicity testing. The in vitro and in vivo antitumour effects and possible underlying mechanisms of action of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the most effective compound, were further determined in ovarian cancer cells. ARS compounds exerted potent cytotoxicity to human ovarian carcinoma cells, with minimal effects on non‐tumourigenic ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells. DHA inhibited ovarian cancer cell growth when administered alone or in combination with carboplatin, presumably through the death receptor‐ and, mitochondrion‐mediated caspase‐dependent apoptotic pathway. These effects were also observed in in vivo ovarian A2780 and OVCAR‐3 xenograft tumour models. In conclusion, ARS derivatives, particularly DHA, exhibit significant anticancer activity against ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, with minimal toxicity to non‐tumourigenic human OSE cells, indicating that they may be promising therapeutic agents for ovarian cancer, either used alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 expression in dermatofibroma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Authors: Adler Neta , Tsabari Cochava , Sulkes Jaqueline , Ad‐El Dean , Feinmesser Meora 
Published: May 2008

Background:  Dermatofibroma (DF) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) occasionally resemble each other histologically but differ in histogenesis and biological behavior. This study sought to determine if these lesions can be differentiated by the quantity or quality of expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), an enzyme associated with both reactive and neoplastic processes.Patients and methods:  Formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded samples from 20 DFs and 20 DFSPs were stained immunohistochemically with antibodies directed against COX‐2. Staining was evaluated semiquantitatively for percentage and intensity using a three‐tiered system. DFs were graded and analyzed by cellularity. Findings within the tumors were compared with fibrocyte staining in adjacent tissue. The results were analyzed.Results:  Nineteen DFs (95%) and 15 DFSPs (75%) were immunopositive for COX‐2; this difference was not statistically significant. Highly cellular DFs showed more widespread (p = 0.0039; r = 0.614) and more intense (p = 0.0586; r = 0.429) staining than less cellular DFs and more prominent staining in adjacent fibroblasts (p = 0.044; r = 0.608).Conclusions:  COX‐2 immunostaining does not distinguish DFs from DFSPs. However, the enzyme is expressed more widely and more intensely in more cellular, possibly younger, DFs. The prominent expression of COX‐2 in DFSP may have clinical implications for treatment with COX‐2 inhibitors in tumors that are not amenable to surgery.
Prevention of post‐operative nausea and vomiting in children – a prospective randomized double‐blind study
Authors: Sakellaris G , Georgogianaki P , Astyrakaki E , Michalakis M , Dede O , Alegakis A , Makatounaki K , Charissis G 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground/Purpose: Post‐operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are common complications related to surgery and anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to assess whether sevoflurane, with or without the use of an antiemetic such as ondansetron, increases or not the incidence of PONV in children.Methods: One hundred and ten children, 2 months to 14 years undergoing inguinal hernia, hypospadias and penile deformity repair, were randomly allocated into one of two groups, according to whether they received ondansetron or placebo (47 vs. 63). Induction and maintenance of anaesthesia was with Sevoflurane in both groups.Regional anaesthesia was performed on all children (inguinal nerve, penile or caudal block). No opioids were used.In post‐operative period, children were assessed for PONV, every 4 h for the first 24 h.Results: Vomiting was very low in both groups (8 cases: 7.3%). No significant statistical difference of post‐operative nausea (p = 0.296) and vomiting (p = 0.462) (Fisher's exact test) was found between the group that received ondansetron and the placebo group.Conclusion: We found that the use of ondansetron did not change the incidence of PONV, the avoidance of opioids and the adequate analgesia may contribute to this. Post‐operative oral intake of liquid, (within the first 4 h), increases the risk for PONV.
Effects of high protein levels in concentrate feed during the early fattening stage on physico‐chemical composition and sensory characteristics of M. longissimus in Japanese Black heifers
Authors: OKUMURA Toshiaki , SAITO Kaoru , NADE Toshihiro , MISUMI Satsuki , SAKUMA Hironori , NAKAYAMA Sachio , MASUDA Yasuhisa , FUJITA Kazuhisa , KAWAMURA Tadashi 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRUCTThe effects that high levels of protein in concentrate feed has during the early fattening stage on physico‐chemical composition and sensory characteristics of M. longissimus in Japanese Black heifers were investigated. Four sets (8 head) of identical twins of Japanese Black heifers were divided into two groups: a group fed high levels of protein in concentrate feed in the early fattening stage (HCP); and a control group. Moisture, fat, protein, cooking loss, Warner‐Bratzler shear force and fatty acid composition of M. longissimus were similar in both groups. Levels of free amino acid (FAA), aspartic acid, glutamine, taurine and histidine were lower in the HCP group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Levels of glutamic acid, serine, asparagine, threonine and total FAA in the HCP group tended to be lower than in the control group (P < 0.1). There were no significant differences between the sensory characteristics (juiciness, tenderness, fattiness, flavor and overall acceptability) of the two groups. These results suggest that the use of high levels of protein in concentrate feed during the early fattening stage does not affect the sensory characteristics of Japanese Black beef, but does alter the FAA content.
Reduced dietary lysine enhances proportion of oxidative fibers in porcine skeletal muscle
Authors: KATSUMATA Masaya , MATSUMOTO Mitsuhito , KOBAYASHI Shu‐ichi , KAJI Yuji 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe present study was conducted to elucidate the effects of dietary lysine levels on the proportion of oxidative muscle fibers in porcine muscle. Two 6‐week‐old barrows from each of five litters were used. Each littermate was assigned to one of two diets, control (lysine content: 1.16%) or low lysine (LL) diet (lysine content: 0.73%). The diets were iso‐energetic and iso‐protein, and contained all essential amino acids (apart from lysine) in the recommended amounts. The pigs were fed these diets for 3 weeks. Citrate synthase (EC 4.1.3.4) activity in longissimus dorsi and rhomboideus muscles was higher in the LL group (P < 0.05). In both muscles, pigs fed the LL diet had a higher proportion of muscle fiber with activities of reduced nicotinic amide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (EC 1.6.5.3,P < 0.01). The abundance of mRNA of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator 1α in rhomboideus muscle was higher in the LL group (P < 0.05), and those ofperoxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ2were higher in both longissimus dorsi and rhomboideus muscles in the LL group (P < 0.05). We conclude that reduced intake of dietary lysine enhances proportion of oxidative muscle fiber, and hence oxidative capacity of porcine muscle.
Sprinkling coarse marble powder during the afternoon, toward the end of the laying period, may increase eggshell quality
Authors: ERENER Guray , OCAK Nuh , GARIPOGLU Ali Vaiz , OZTURK Ergin 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of time, particle size (PS) and level of calcium supplementation above the requirements toward the end of the laying period on egg production and eggshell quality. A total of 675 Isa‐Brown layer hens were distributed in a completely randomized factorial arrangement of 3×3×3, using three sprinkling times (08.00, 12.00, 16.00 hours), PC (mash, granular and large size) and amounts (0 g control, 0.75 g/day/h, 1.50 g/day/h) of marble sprinkling as a calcium source. All hens were fed a commercial layer diet from 55 to 67 weeks of age. Sprinkling of 1.50 g marble reduced (P < 0.05) egg production compared to 0.75 g marble, and feed efficiency (FE) compared to that of 0 and 0.75 g marble. Sprinkling of 0.75 and 1.50 g marble increased (P < 0.01) eggshell weight, shell strength and shell thickness compared to that of 0 g marble. The interaction of sprinkling time‐by‐PS‐by–quantity of marble was significant for egg production (P < 0.05), FE and shell strength (P < 0.01). Results showed that sprinkling of coarse marble powder to complete diet increased shell strength without reduction in egg production and FE.
Differential expression of myostatin and its receptor in the porcine anterior pituitary gland
Authors: TAKETA Yoshikazu , NAGAI Yasuhiro , OGASAWARA Hideki , HAYASHI Shinichiro , MIYAKE Masato , TANAKA Sachi , WATANABE Kouichi , OHWADA Shyuichi , ASO Hisashi , YAMAGUCHI Takahiro 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTMyostatin (MSTN), known as growth and differentiation factor 8 (GDF‐8), is a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) superfamily that negatively regulates skeletal muscle mass. Myostatin binds with high affinity to the receptor serine threonine kinase activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB). Activins that also belong to the TGF‐β superfamily, stimulate follicle‐stimulating hormone production in gonadotrophs and suppress growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone production in somatotrophs and corticotrophs, respectively. The aim of the present paper was therefore to clarify the endocrine action of MSTN in adenohypophysis. The present study details the expression and cellular localization of MSTN and ActRIIB in porcine anterior pituitary gland. The mRNA of MSTN and ActRIIB was consistently expressed in RT‐PCR. Immunohistochemistry of MSTN and specific hormones showed that MSTN localized in thyrotrophs and gonadotrophs, in which most of the MSTN immunoreactive cells were identified as thyrotrophs. The immunostaining of ActRIIB was restricted to corticotrophs. These results indicate that MSTN was mainly produced in thyrotrophs and its receptor, ActRIIB, was restrictively contained in corticotrophs. Interestingly, thyrotrophs immunoreactive for MSTN were frequently close to corticotrophs immunoreactive for ActRIIB. The present study suggests that MSTN from thyrotrophs may regulate corticotroph function as a paracrine mediator among the porcine anterior pituitary cells.
Effect of oral administration of 3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphyenl on the intestinal microbiota of Sprague–Dawley rats
Authors: YAMAZAKI Kaoru , SUZUKI Takehito , SHIRAI Mitsuyuki , TAKIZAWA Tatsuya , SHINODA Tadashi , MASAOKA Toshio , AKAHORI Fumiaki , MORITA Hidetoshi 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe effect of the endocrine‐disrupting chemical 3,3′,4,4′,5‐pentachlorobiphyenl (PCB 126) on intestinal microbiota after oral administration, and the improvement of intestinal microbiota and feces quantity by the subsequent administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus or Lactobacillus reuteri was investigated. All the rats were given 100 μg/kg bodyweight of PCB 126. The changes in bacterial counts were confirmed using a culture method. The administration of PCB 126 tended to decrease the bacterial counts of lactobacilli (109.6−1010.2 to 108.8−109.2) and bifidobacteria (105.3−106.1 to 103.6−104.2), and to increase those of Enterobacteriaceae (108.2−109.1 to 109.4−1010.3) and staphylococci (106.6−107.4 to 107.2−108.4) compared to no PCB 126 administration. After administration of PCB 126, L. acidophilus or L. reuteri orally administered to rats caused Enterobacteriaceae and staphylococci counts to decrease, suggesting that the intestinal microbiota was improved by the lactobacilli. The administration of L. acidophilus and L. reuteri improved the balance of intestinal microbiota, and defecation volume returned to its normal level. L. acidophilus and L. reuteri have a remedial effect on intestinal microbiota affected by PCB 126 and can function to lessen accumulated PCB 126 volume.