bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of parity on phalangeal bone mineral density in post‐menopausal Sri Lankan women: a community based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Lekamwasam Sarath , Wijayaratne Lalith , Rodrigo Mahinda , Hewage Udul 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThere is paucity of studies related to parity and bone mineral density in South Asian countries. We recruited 713 healthy, community dwelling post‐menopausal women from seven provinces in Sri Lanka for this survey. The number of pregnancies, including miscarriages beyond 20 weeks of gestation, was recorded. Women with diseases and those who have taken drugs that can affect bone mineral density (BMD) were excluded (n = 15). Phalangeal BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using AccuDEXA in 713 women. Mean (SE) BMD of nulliparous women (n = 32), women with one to two pregnancies (n = 284), three to four pregnancies (n = 290) and more than four pregnancies (n = 107) were 0.437(0.014), 0.454(0.005), 0.455(0.005) and 0.417(0.006) g/cm2, respectively (P < 0.001). Corresponding mean (SE) BMCs were 1.30(0.063), 1.41(0.021), 1.43(0.022) and 1.32(0.033) g, respectively (P < 0.001). Women with more than four pregnancies were older and lighter when compared with other groups. When results were adjusted for current age and current weight, differences in mean BMD and BMC between groups became non‐significant. BMD of nulliparous women remained low in all analyses. We report a significant difference in unadjusted phalangeal BMD in women categorized according to their parity. Women with one to four pregnancies had the highest phalangeal BMD and BMC, while multi‐parous (more than four pregnancies) and nulliparous women had lower values. However, in an adjusted analysis, the differences in BMD and BMC were partially explained by the differences of age and body weight between the groups and the unique effect of parity was difficult to determine. Women with lower BMD may have a higher risk of future fractures.
Effects of Pravastatin on the Function of Dendritic Cells in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Li Xiang , Liu Cheng , Cui Jian , Dong Min , Peng Cheng‐Hai , Li Qing‐Song , Cheng Jia‐Li , Jiang Shu‐Lin , Tian Ye 
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  The aim of the study was to investigate the functional profile of dendritic cells in patients with coronary heart disease and the effects of pravastatin on this. Forty‐eight patients with coronary heart disease were divided into three groups: 16 treated with pravastatin 10 mg/day, 16 treated with pravastatin 20 mg/day and 16 not treated with pravastatin. Dendritic cells from 48 patients with coronary heart disease (before and 4 weeks after the treatment) and 16 healthy individuals were derived from peripheral blood. CD86 of dendritic cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Immunostimulatory capacity of dendritic cells was measured by mixed lymphocyte reaction. The levels of cytokines in the medium of mixed lymphocyte reaction were analysed. Blood lipids and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were measured. Compared to normal group, more CD86+ dendritic cells were expressed in coronary heart disease and greater immunostimulatory capacity of dendritic cells in coronary heart disease was demonstrated. T lymphocytes in coronary heart disease in mixed lymphocyte reaction secreted higher levels of pro‐inflammation cytokines and lower levels of anti‐inflammation cytokines. CD86 expression significantly correlated with C‐reactive protein, but did not correlate with low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. Both dosages of pravastatin markedly inhibited the function of dendritic cells and lowered C‐reactive protein, which is independent of plasma cholesterol lowering. The anti‐inflammatory effect of pravastatin showed no obvious difference between the two dosage groups. In conclusion, dendritic cells were activated in coronary heart disease and dendritic cell‐mediated immune mechanisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease. Pravastatin can inhibit dendritic cell activation, which is independent of plasma cholesterol lowering. Pravastatin in different doses showed no apparent differences in the inhibition of dendritic cell functions.
SMND‐309, a Novel Derivate of Salvianolic Acid B, Attenuates Apoptosis and Ameliorates Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism in Rat Cortical Neurons
Authors: Tian Jingwei , Li Guisheng , Zhang Shumin , Gao Yubai , Jiang Wanglin , Fu Fenghua , Liu Zhifeng 
Published: December 2008

Abstract:  SMND‐309, a novel compound (2E)‐2‐{6‐[(E)‐2‐carboxyvinyl]‐2,3‐dihydroxyphenyl}‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid, is a new derivate of salvianolic acid B. The present study elucidates the effects of SMND‐309 on the cultured rat cortical neuron damage induced by oxygen‐glucose deprivation. The results show that SMND‐309 treatment obviously attenuates apoptosis and ameliorates mitochondrial energy metabolism in rat cortical neurons by increasing cell survival rate, mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activities, mitochondrial respiratory enzymes activities, mitochondrial respiratory control ratio and the adenosine triphosphate content, and by decreasing mitochondrial malondialdehyde content, lactate dehydrogenase release, intracellular Ca2+ level and caspase‐3 activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. Moreover, SMND‐309 exhibits significantly higher potency as compared to salvianolic acid B. These findings indicate that SMND‐309 has a protective potential against cerebral ischaemic injury and its protective effects may be due to the suppression of intracellular Ca2+ elevation and caspase‐3 activity, and improvement of mitochondrial energy metabolism and antioxidant property.
Pharmacogenetic Studies of Paclitaxel in the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Gréen Henrik , Söderkvist Peter , Rosenberg Per , Mirghani Rajaa A. , Rymark Per , Lundqvist Elisabeth Åvall , Peterson Curt 
Published: December 2008

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of sequence variants in the CYP2C8, ABCB1 and CYP3A4 genes and the CYP3A4 phenotype for the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of paclitaxel in ovarian cancer patients. Thirty‐eight patients were treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin. The genotypes of CYP2C8*1B, *1C, *2, *3, *4, *5, *6, *7, *8 and P404A, ABCB1 G2677T/A and C3435T, as well as CYP3A4*1B, were determined by pyrosequencing. Phenotyping of CYP3A4 was performedin vivowith quinine as a probe. The patients were monitored for toxicity and 23 patients underwent a more extensive neurotoxicity evaluation. Patients heterozygous for G/A in position 2677 in ABCB1 had a significantly higher clearance of paclitaxel than most other ABCB1 variants. A lower clearance of paclitaxel was found for patients heterozygous for CYP2C8*3 when stratified according to the ABCB1 G2677T/A genotype. In addition, the CYP3A4 enzyme activityin vivoaffected which metabolic pathway was dominant in each patient, but not the total clearance of paclitaxel. The exposure to paclitaxel correlated to the degree of neurotoxicity. Our findings suggest that interindividual variability in paclitaxel pharmacokinetics might be predicted by ABCB1 and CYP2C8 genotypes and provide useful information for individualized chemotherapy.
Field mapping of chemical composition of forage using hyperspectral imaging in a grass meadow
Authors: Suzuki Yumiko , Tanaka Katsuyuki , Kato Wataru , Okamoto Hiroshi , Kataoka Takashi , Shimada Hiroshi , Sugiura Toshihiro , Shima Eikichi 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSpatial information on the quantity and quality of forage is important for practicing precision agriculture in grasslands. The objective of this research was to generate a field map of the concentrations of total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein (CP) of forage in an orchardgrass‐dominated meadow field (0.6 ha) using a hyperspectral imaging sensor. The sensor was mounted on the roof of a vehicle in order to scan the whole meadow field. Calibration models to estimate the concentrations of the chemical components were developed using a dataset consisting of observed concentrations and spectral data acquired from the hyperspectral images. The models were developed by multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise variable selection, and were evaluated by cross‐validation and evaluation index (EI) methods. The cross‐validation for the calibration model using 10 explanatory variables resulted in R2 values of 0.74 and 0.76 for TDN and CP, respectively. Standard error of prediction (SEP) was, respectively, 4.51 and 1.04. Bias was close to 0 for both TDN and CP. The EI values ranged 28.1–29.4, showing rank C. These results show that the calibration models are practical for estimating the concentrations of TDN and CP. Finally, field maps of the concentrations of TDN and CP were generated by applying the calibration models to field‐scale image data. The maps were able to identify the variations in the concentrations of TDN and CP throughout the field. In conclusion, this system is a useful technique for obtaining maps of forage chemical composition for site‐specific field management.
Relationship between liveweight change of cattle and forage supply in a young tree plantation in southern Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Hirata Masahiko , Hasegawa Nobumi , Takahashi Tomotsugu , Chowdappa Rekha , Ogura Shin‐ichiro , Nogami Kangoro , Sonoda Tatsunobu 
Published: December 2008

AbstractLiveweight change (LWC) of cattle grazing a young Chamaecyparis obtusa (an evergreen conifer) plantation in southwestern Japan was investigated in relation to forage supply and diet selection by animals. While the animals ate 29–53 species or species groups (mean = 42; six herbaceous species or groups, 12 lianas, 23 shrubs and trees, one fern group) during a morning feeding bout, most bites (71–97%, mean = 85) were taken from 10 species or species groups, with Miscanthus sinensis as the most selected plant (27–74%, mean = 55). Reflecting this and the low defoliation‐tolerance of the grass, live leaf mass of M. sinensis decreased drastically with time under grazing. Daily LWC of animals increased with increasing live leaf mass of M. sinensis to 45 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1, and thereafter increased with increasing percentage bite count of three non‐herbaceous species, Ficus erecta (tree), Broussonetia kaempferi (liana) and Mallotus japonicus (tree), with F. erecta being the most contributing species. The results highlight the importance of grasses (mainly M. sinensis) as the basal (major) diet and the importance of some non‐herbaceous species (mainly F. erecta, B. kaempferi and M. japonicus) as the quality supplement in cattle foraging in the forest environment. The results also show that adjusting stocking rates to maintain live leaf mass of M. sinensis closely above the critical level (45 kg DM ha−1) is a criterion in the management of this forest grazing system, in terms of meeting the requirements of forest manager (effective control of herbaceous and woody weeds) and livestock producer (satisfactory level of animal performance).
Characterization of a Lolium multiflorum accessory chromosome
Authors: Kindiger Bryan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe meiotic behavior and the male and female transmission rates of a Lolium multiflorum accessory chromosome were investigated. Typically, accessory chromosomes display an accumulative behavior termed non‐disjunction that allows them to increase their numbers in a population. Root‐tip counts, utilizing individuals with known numbers of accessory chromosomes were evaluated to determine male and female transmission rates and cytogenetic examinations of microspores and developing pollen grains were performed at the metaphase and anaphase stages where such accumulative non‐disjunction events occur. Results of the investigation identified that the accessory chromosome of this Lolium cv. did not exhibit a strong accumulation mechanism and were relatively normal during meiosis and pollen mitosis. Accessory chromosome transmission through the egg was normal without accumulation and frequent non‐disjunction events did not occur during the microspore or pollen development stages. The pattern of chromosome movement was more similar to that of the A‐chromosome set than that observed for the characterized accessory chromosome of Festuca pratensis. Because the Lolium accessory chromosome meiotic and pollen mitotic behavior are relatively normal with a low rate of accumulation, such a chromosome may serve as a mini‐chromosome carrier platform for directed biolistic‐mediated gene transformation or the generation of accessory chromosome‐Lolium and accessory chromosome‐Festuca translocations.
Ethylene Response Factor TERF1 Enhances Glucose Sensitivity in Tobacco through Activating the Expression of Sugar‐related Genes
Authors: Li Ang , Zhang Zhijin , Wang Xue‐Chen , Huang Rongfeng 
Published: December 2008

Abstract Ethylene response factor (ERF) proteins are important plant‐specific transcription factors. Increasing evidence shows that ERF proteins regulate plant pathogen resistance, abiotic stress response and plant development through interaction with different stress responsive pathways. Previously, we revealed that overexpression of TERF1 in tobacco activates a cluster gene expression through interacting with GCC box and dehydration responsive element (DRE), resulting in enhanced sensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) and tolerance to drought, and dark green leaves of mature plants, indicating that TERF1 participates in the integration of ethylene and osmotic responses. Here we further report that overexpression of TERF1 confers sugar response in tobacco. Analysis of the novel isolated tomato TERF1 promoter provides information indicating that there are many cis‐acting elements, including sugar responsive elements (SURE) and W box, suggesting that TERF1 might be sugar inducible. This prediction is confirmed by results of reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction amplification, indicating that transcripts of TERF1 are accumulated in tomato seedlings after application of glucose. Further investigation indicates that the expression of TERF1 in tobacco enhances sensitivity to glucose during seed germination, root and seedling development, showing a decrease of the fresh weight and root elongation under glucose treatment. Detailed investigations provide evidence that TERF1 interacts with the sugar responsive cis‐acting element SURE and activates the expression of sugar response genes, establishing the transcriptional regulation of TERF1 in sugar response. Therefore, our results deepen our understanding of the glucose response mediated by the ERF protein TERF1 in tobacco.
Application of a Discrete‐Continuum Model to Karst Aquifers in North China
Authors: Wu Qiang , Zhou Wanfang , Pan Guoying , Ye Siyuan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractA generalized discrete‐continuum model is developed to simulate ground water flow in the karst aquifers of North China. The model is a hybrid numerical flow model, which takes into account both quick conduit flow and diffusive fissure flow. The conduit flow is represented by a discrete network model, and the fissure flow is modeled by a continuum approach. The developed model strongly emphasizes the function of the conduits in the flow fields. They control the general drainage pattern, as demonstrated in the simulation of a complex karst aquifer in North China. The model reproduces reasonably well the flow field in response to an unanticipated discharge of ground water from the karst aquifer into an underground mine based on the aquifer parameters that are manually calibrated from a multiple‐well pumping test. Sensitivity of the model to the aquifer parameters was evaluated in the context of the case study.
Brealey, Myers, and Allen on Valuation, Capital Structure, and Agency Issues*
Authors: Brealey Richard A. , Myers Stewart C. , Allen Franklin 
Published: December 2008

In these “extracts” from the world's best‐selling graduate textbook, the authors offer a number of suggestions for practitioners, including:

When valuing a company or an investment project, managers should start whenever possible with the asset's market price as the best initial estimate and then make adjustments that reflect their own private information. One obvious example of this process is when companies are evaluating possible acquisitions.
When valuing a company or an asset, don't worry about risks that you can hedge separately. For example, foreign exchange risk can be hedged using forwards or futures, and there is no need to form an opinion on the future path of exchange rates.
A positive NPV for a project is credible only if the company has some special advantage that competitors cannot match. That requires an understanding of the sources of the competitive advantage and how long they are likely to last.
Although market inefficiencies may offer economic rents from “convergence trades,” as a general rule nonfinancial corporations gain nothing, on average, by speculating in financial markets.
Since corporate managers know more about their company than outside investors, investors are likely to infer from corporate decisions to issue equity that the firm is overvalued (otherwise, why not issue debt instead?). And issuing overpriced stock to invest in projects that offer below‐normal rates of return is a sure way to destroy value.
To make the most of their growth opportunities and create value for outside investors, most public companies require a co‐investment of insiders' human capital with outsiders' financial capital. Such co‐investment in turn implies a larger return to managers' and employees' human capital than that suggested by either the conventional prescription of shareholder value maximization (or even the financial economist's model of firm value maximization).
Can Companies Use Hedging Programs to Profit from the Market? Evidence from Gold Producers*
Authors: Adam Tim R. , Fernando Chitru S. 
Published: December 2008

In this article, the authors summarize the findings of their recent study of the hedging activities of 92 North American gold mining companies during the period 1989‐1999. The aim of the study was to answer two questions: (1) Did such hedging activities increase corporate cash flows? (2) And if yes, were such increases the result of management's ability to anticipate price movements when adjusting their hedge ratios? Although the author's answer to the first question is “yes,” their answer to the second is “no.”More specifically, the authors concluded that:

During the 1989‐1999 period, the gold derivatives market was characterized by a persistent positive risk premium— that is, a positive spread between the forward price and the realized future spot price—that caused short forward positions to generate positive cash flows. The gold mining companies that hedged their future gold production realized an average total cash flow gain of $11 million, or $24 per ounce of gold hedged, per year, as compared to average annual net income of only $3.5 million. Because of the positive risk premium, short derivatives positions did not generate significant losses even during those subperiods of the study when the gold price increased.
There was considerable volatility in corporate hedge ratios during the period of the study, which is consistent with managers incorporating market views into their hedging programs and attempting to time the market by hedging selectively. But after attempting to distinguish between derivatives activities designed to hedge and those designed to profit from a view, the authors conclude that corporate efforts to time the market through selective hedging were largely if not completely futile. In fact, the companies' adjustments of hedge ratios appeared to consistently lag instead of leading the market.
In vivo functions of the prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase domain oxygen sensors: direct route to the treatment of anaemia and the protection of ischaemic tissues
Authors: Katschinski D. M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase domain (PHD) 1–3 enzymes have been identified based on their ability to regulate the stability of hypoxia‐inducible factor α subunits and thus to modify hypoxia‐inducible gene expression. Transgenic mouse models provided insights into the isoform‐specific functions of these oxygen sensors with physiological implications for angiogenesis, erythropoiesis/oxygen transport, cardiovascular function, metabolism and tissue homeostasis. This knowledge is important for the ongoing development of small molecule PHD inhibitors that are currently tested in preclinical and clinical trials for the treatment of anaemia and for cytoprotection. This review aims at summarizing the insights obtained from key mouse knock‐out models as well as first experiences in the therapeutic application of PHD inhibitors.
Fishery‐induced selection on an Alpine whitefish: quantifying genetic and environmental effects on individual growth rate
Authors: Nusslé Sébastien , Bornand Christophe N. , Wedekind Claus 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSize‐selective fishing, environmental changes and reproductive strategies are expected to affect life‐history traits such as the individual growth rate. The relative contribution of these factors is not clear, particularly whether size‐selective fishing can have a substantial impact on the genetics and hence on the evolution of individual growth rates in wild populations. We analysed a 25‐year monitoring survey of an isolated population of the Alpine whitefish Coregonus palaea. We determined the selection differentials on growth rate, the actual change of growth rate over time and indicators of reproductive strategies that may potentially change over time. The selection differential can be reliably estimated in our study population because almost all the fish are harvested within their first years of life, i.e. few fish escape fishing mortality. We found a marked decline in average adult growth rate over the 25 years and a significant selection differential for adult growth, but no evidence for any linear change in reproductive strategies over time. Assuming that the heritability of growth in this whitefish corresponds to what was found in other salmonids, about a third of the observed decline in growth rate would be linked to fishery‐induced evolution. Size‐selective fishing seems to affect substantially the genetics of individual growth in our study population.
Movement rates of woodland invertebrates: a systematic review of empirical evidence
Authors: BROUWERS NIELS C. , NEWTON ADRIAN C. 
Published: December 2008

Abstract.

A systematic review was conducted to gather empirical evidence on movement rates of invertebrates associated with woodland.
Eight scientific literature databases were systematically searched for relevant studies on invertebrates associated with woodland habitat.
Twenty‐five studies were identified that met the search selection criteria, which provided estimates of movement rate for 30 invertebrate species associated with woodland habitat. These 30 species represented insect species only, including 17 carabid (ground) beetle, eight butterfly, two bark beetle, two ant, and one moth species. From 2000 to 2008, only six studies were identified, indicating a current lack of dispersal‐related studies for woodland invertebrates.
A meta‐analysis of studies on ground‐dwelling species indicated that carabid beetle species that were strongly associated with woodland habitat were found to move more slowly than more generalist species (median: 2.1 m day−1 vs. 11.0 m day−1). Furthermore, for carabid beetles it was found that body size was positively correlated with movement rate.
The lack of field measurements of movement and dispersal ability for all but a tiny minority of woodland invertebrates indicates a substantial knowledge gap that should be addressed by future research, which might usefully test whether the patterns identified for carabid beetles are generally applicable.