bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME AND SUBSTANCE P CHANGES IN BLISTER FLUID FOLLOWING AFFERENT NERVE STIMULATION IN THE RAT
Authors: Jackson B. , White D. , Cubela R. , Helme R. 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY1. We have examined the effect of electrical nerve stimulation on substance P and angiotensin converting enzyme activity in the interstitial fluid of rat skin using a blister model.2. Following sciatic nerve stimulation, blister fluid immunoreactive substance P (fmol/ml) was increased from 118 (unstimulated side, s.e.m. = 13, n= 15) to 197 (stimulated side, s.e.m. = 26, n= 15, P < 0.0125, paired t‐test, 14 d.f.). Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity (nmol HL/ml per h) was reduced in blister fluid from 26.5 (unstimulated side, s.e.m. = 2.4, n= 12) to 22.4 (stimulated side, s.e.m. = 1.4, P < 0.05, paired t‐test, 11 d.f.).3. Electrical stimulation of afferent nerves inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme activity in vivo. This may contribute to the process of neurogenic inflammation.
INFLUENCE OF LOWERED TEMPERATURE UPON THE RESPONSE OF PROSTATIC AND EPIDIDYMAL PORTION OF THE RAT ISOLATED VAS DEFERENS TO FIELD STIMULATION
Authors: Ebong Omotayo O. 
Published: July 2007

SUMMARY1. This paper reports the effects of lowering (bath) temperature upon contractile responses of prostatic and epididymal ends of the rat isolated vas deferens to electrical field stimulation.2. Responses to field stimulation with single pulses at 60 s intervals were potentiated by lowering the bath temperature. This effect was maximal at temperatures of 25‐27°C and was reduced in preparations treated with phentolamine (5 μmol/l).3. Field stimulation with trains of 50 pulses at 5 Hz every 5 min produced biphasic contractions of preparations.The initial, twitch‐like component, prominent at the prostatic end and resistant to blockade by phentolamine (5μmol/1) was little affected by lowering the bath temperature from 37.5°C to 19°C. In contrast, the second, more prolonged, component of the response to pulse trains, which was prominent at the epididymal end of the tissue was decreased by lowering the bath temperature and by phentolamine.4. In the epididymal segment, responses to exogenous noradrenaline were enhanced by lowering the bath temperature.5. It is concluded that lowering the bath temperature enhances the contractility of the vas deferens in response to the release of neurotransmitters and to the application of exogenous noradrenaline via a postsynaptic action. In addition, via a presynaptic action, lowering the bath temperature depresses or delays the release of the noradrenergic transmitter from the sympathetic nerve terminals.
Ecological implications of artificial mixing and bottom‐sediment removal for a shallow urban lake, Lake Sheldon, Colorado
Authors: Oberholster P. J. , Botha A‐M. , Cloete T. E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper describes the results of the investigation of a shallow urban lake before, and a second year after, restoration to determine the effects of aeration and bottom‐sediment removal on the trophic state and environmental variables controlling the lake's phytoplankton, macrovertebrates and zooplankton compositions. The anthropogenic eutrophic process of the lake is characterized by increased nutrient concentrations from urban run‐off inputs. This addition triggers a chain of events that start with a massive increase in the growth of primary producers, as these are generally growth‐limited by nutrients in freshwater ecosystems. Although the lake was artificially mixed, nuisance cyanobacteria were dominant as primary producers the second year after restoration, during the summers of 2004 and 2005, until this population collapsed and were replaced by diatoms after periods of high winds, rainfall and a decreased temperature. The absence of macrophytes in the main basin because of the removal of bottom sediment had a major effect on macroinvertebrates and zooplankton. Daphnia sp. was the dominant zooplankton species before restoration, being replaced by Bosmina sp., possibly because of the lack of refuge by macrophytes. As an alternative, Bosmina sp. used the surface blooms of cyanobacteria in summer as refuge from grazing by planktivorous fish. The greatest disturbance on the macroinvertebrate community richness and evenness was the decline of scrapers and shredders, because of the lack of macrophytes after removal of the lake bottom sediment.
Spatial variability of sulfate reduction in a shallow aquifer
Authors: Musslewhite Chris L. , Swift Don , Gilpen Johnnie , McInerney Michael J. 
Published: July 2007

SummaryThe distribution and metabolic activity of sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB) in a shallow, suboxic aquifer were studied. A radioimaging technique was used to visualize and quantify the activity of sulfate reducers in sediments at a centimetre‐level scale. The distribution of SRB metabolic activity was heterogeneous with areas showing little activity far outnumbering areas with high activity. Variation in sulfate‐reducing activity was not statistically correlated with variation in depth, bacterial numbers, or the following sediment properties: sediment type (sand, peat or silt), grain size, permeability and hydraulic conductivity. Sulfate‐reducing bacteria activity did vary significantly with sediment porosity (multivariate analysis, r = 0.48). We hypothesized that the small pore sizes associated with sediments with low porosity restricted the ability of SRB to grow to high numbers as well as their access to nutrients. To further explore the relationship between pore size and microbial metabolic activity, columns with varying pore diameters were constructed. Sulfate‐reducing bacteria in the columns with the smallest pore diameters had the lowest rates of metabolism and SRB metabolic rates increased as the pore diameter increased. For the aquifer studied, sediment porosities and pore sizes were the main factor controlling SRB activity.
The British Association of Urological Surgeons: guidelines for training in laparoscopy
Authors: Keeley Francis X. , Eden Christopher G. , Tolley David A. , Joyce Adrian D. 
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVETo report the guidelines of the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in response to safety concerns about the rapid uptake of new, complex laparoscopic procedures.METHODSA combination of expert opinion and review of published studies was used to produce a consensus document.RESULTSPatient demand and excellent published reports have prompted many consultant urologists with little previous laparoscopic training to learn laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopic urological surgery involves some of the most complex procedures in all of surgery and there has been a lack of formal training for consultants. The guidelines produced by BAUS are designed to help consultant urologists gain experience safely, by a combination of didactic learning and mentorship. We recommend that urologists work with a mentor and master ablative laparoscopic surgery before attempting more complex procedures such as prostatectomy, cystectomy, pyeloplasty and partial nephrectomy. These guidelines were approved by BAUS Council in October 2006.CONCLUSIONSThese guidelines are intended to be complementary to the NICE guidelines on specific procedures (available at http://www.nice.org.uk).
Prognostic significance of erythropoietin expression in human renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Michael Agniezka , Politi Ekaterini , Havranek Erik , Corbishley Catherine , Karapanagiotou Lena , Anderson Chris , Relph Kate , Syrigos Konstantinos N. , Pandha Hardev 
Published: July 2007

OBJECTIVESTo investigate, in a retrospective study, the expression of erythropoietin (Epo) in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its correlation with overall survival, as Epo (an haematopoietic cytokine that regulates the production of red blood cells), with its receptor, was recently localized in non‐haematopoietic tissues, e.g. liver, uterus, central nervous system, vascular endothelial cells and solid tumours.PATIENTS AND METHODSWe used data from 113 patients who had radical nephrectomy for RCC between 1990 and 2000, taking sections from formalin‐fixed and paraffin wax‐embedded tissue blocks. The association between Epo staining and the patients’ characteristics was assessed by either chi‐squared tests (for categorical variables) or two‐sample independent t‐tests (for continuous variables).RESULTSTissue from 37 patients (33%) was positive for cytoplasmic Epo expression; 76 (67%) samples were negative. Univariate hazard ratio analysis confirmed that those with positive Epo staining were more than twice as likely to die as those with negative staining (hazard ratio 2.34, 95% confidence interval 1.27–4.3).CONCLUSIONThis study shows that the expression of Epo in RCC is adversely associated with overall survival. This is the first report of such an association, and might be explained by the loss of Von Hippel‐Lindau protein function in clear cell RCC. The expression of Epo might have potential use in clinical trials when stratifying high‐risk patients for adjuvant therapy after nephrectomy.
Where is the British national press?1
Authors: MacInnes John , Rosie Michael , Petersoo Pille , Condor Susan , Kennedy James 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAlthough globalization has highlighted the danger of conflating state, society and nation, sociologists remain insufficiently alert to such banal nationalism. Newspapers offer a strong test case of the extent of diversity in the construction of state, national and social boundaries, since Billig and Anderson have argued they comprise a special case where their orientation to an audience simultaneously located in a state, society and nation allows them to reproduce a sense of national identity. However, despite the commonsense obviousness of the term, it proves remarkably difficult to define what the ‘British national press’ might comprise. Circulation density of titles varies substantially across different parts of the UK and editorial copy is altered to address diverse ‘national’ readerships. ‘British’ newspapers also circulate in other states, especially the Republic of Ireland. After reviewing how newspapers might be defined as ‘national’ and/or ‘British’, we conclude that both Anderson and Billig over‐estimate the congruence, relevance and obviousness of state, society and national boundaries. If the conceptualization of such boundaries is problematic in the case of the press, it follows that it must be still more so for most other objects of sociological analysis, including that of ‘society’ itself.
Continuity and change in work–life balance choices
Authors: Charles Nickie , Harris Chris 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis paper explores the ways in which the work–life balance choices made by heterosexual couples differ in different generations, how such choices are gendered, and the extent to which ‘individualization’ provides an adequate conceptualization of the effects of social change on heterosexual couples. It argues that processes of individualization need to be seen in the context of changing social institutions, and that it is the de‐institutionalization of ‘the family’ and the life course that is leading to a de‐gendering of work–life balance choices. The paper draws on findings from a restudy of the family and social change and a study of the gender dimensions of job insecurity both of which were carried out in the same geographical location. The studies provide evidence of generational change in work–life balance choices and increasing occupational differentiation between heterosexual partners. This leads to a situation where increasingly choices are made which blur gendered boundaries and which has been made possible by a process of de‐institutionalization of the male breadwinner family. Our findings support the contention that processes of individualization are more apparent amongst younger than older generations and that, because of changes external to the family, there is more negotiation and pragmatism amongst younger generations about work–life choices.
Polyandry by wood mice in natural populations
Authors: Booth W. , Montgomery W. I. , Prodöhl P. A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMultiple paternity was investigated for the first time in natural populations of the wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus. Thirteen females and their respective litters sampled within distinct habitats, seasons and years were screened for eight microsatellite loci. Allelic variation was compared with a dataset comprising 307 adult mice collected from the same source populations as pregnant females. Multiple paternity was unambiguously identified in seven litters (53.8%). In each case, a minimum of two or three male parents were involved. Populations of A. sylvaticus inhabiting the northern latitudes of the species range are characterized by annual cycles of abundance during which numbers can fluctuate by several orders of magnitude. Hence, the discovery of multiple paternity within litters sampled between May and July (high and low densities, respectively) in all years suggests that polyandry maximizes genetic diversity of the litter and, hence, survival of some of the offspring through such cycles. The results indicate that polyandry is a common mode of reproduction within wild populations of A. sylvaticus.
Use of winter habitat by roe deer at a northern latitude where Eurasian lynx are present
Authors: Ratikainen I. I. , Panzacchi M. , Mysterud A. , Odden J. , Linnell J. , Andersen R. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWinter climate at northern latitudes is a challenge to small‐bodied ungulates, and they modify behaviour to save energy and to increase the likelihood of survival. Also, the ongoing expansion of large carnivores in several European countries can lead to the recovery of (potentially energetically costly) anti‐predator behaviours. In an area recently recolonized by Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx, we snow‐tracked radio‐collared roe deer Capreolus capreolus in order to investigate their bedding and feeding behaviour during winter, and assess how environmental factors affect their habitat use. We also tested the prediction that roe deer use more open sites than locally available in areas with a stalking predator such as the lynx. Our results showed that both bed sites and foraging sites had more cover, compared with random sites. Most of the variation in canopy cover and in the distance and foraging sites between bed sites and foraging sites was explained by prevailing weather. As the winter progressed, the presumed depletion of fat reserves promoted the use of more canopy cover at foraging sites by night, less by day and a decrease in the distance between beds, foraging sites and human activities. Males used artificial feeding sites less often and bedded further from humans than females. The data fit the hypothesis of tighter energy budgets for family groups (females with fawns) or that males are more cautious towards humans. There was no support for the hypothesis that roe deer used more open habitat than locally available in order to reduce their vulnerability to lynx predation. Owing to severe winter conditions and the danger of starvation, roe deer seem to be forced to accept a high risk when predators are present, not changing their main pattern of habitat use from comparative areas where predators are absent.
Ontogenetic change in novel functions: waterfall climbing in adult Hawaiian gobiid fishes
Authors: Blob R. W. , Wright K. M. , Becker M. , Maie T. , Iverson T. J. , Julius M. L. , Schoenfuss H. L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractJuveniles from three species of Hawaiian gobiid fishes climb waterfalls as part of an amphidromous life cycle, allowing them to re‐penetrate adult upstream habitats after being swept out to the ocean upon hatching. The importance of climbing for juvenile stream gobies is well established, but adult fish in upstream island habitats also face potential downstream displacement by periodic disturbances. Thus, retention of climbing ability could be advantageous for adult stream gobies. Climbing performance might be expected to decline among adults, however, due to the tendency for mass‐specific muscular power production to decrease with body size, and a lack of positively allometric growth among structures like the pelvic sucker that support body weight against gravity. To evaluate changes in waterfall‐climbing ability with body size in Hawaiian stream gobies, we compared climbing performance and kinematics between adults and juveniles from three species: Awaous guamensis, Sicyopterus stimpsoni and Lentipes concolor. For species in which juveniles climbed using ‘powerbursts’ of axial undulation, adult performance and kinematics showed marked changes: adult A. guamensis failed to climb, and adult L. concolor used multiple pectoral fin adductions to crutch up surfaces at slow speeds, rather than rapid powerbursts. Adult S. stimpsoni, like juveniles, still used oral and pelvic suckers to ‘inch’ up surfaces and climbed at speeds comparable to those of juveniles. However, unlike juveniles, adult S. stimpsoni also add pectoral fin crutching to every climbing cycle. Thus, although powerburst species appear to be particularly susceptible to size‐related declines in waterfall‐climbing performance, the addition of compensatory mechanisms prevents the loss of this novel function in some species.
The trade‐off between tooth strength and tooth penetration: predicting optimal shape of canine teeth
Authors: Freeman P. W. , Lemen C. A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractWe investigate the shape of canine teeth under the assumption that the tooth's morphology is optimized by the evolutionary trade‐off to minimize breakage and maximize ease of the penetration of prey. A series of experiments using artificial teeth to puncture the hides of a deer Odocoileus virginianus and pig Sus scrofa domesticus were conducted to establish the relationships between the tooth shape and the force needed to puncture the hide. The shapes of these teeth were also used in a beam theory analysis to calculate the strength of the teeth. Because the relative costs of puncturing and breakage were not known, a complete prediction of tooth shape was not possible. Instead, we used two independent measures of tooth shape: aspect ratio (total tooth length/tooth width at base) and rate of taper along the shank of the tooth. We quantified rate of taper in several species of felids, and by assuming this was the optimal design, we determined the relative costs of breakage and puncturing that would produce such a taper. Then, we used the relative costs to predict the aspect ratio of the optimum tooth. The average predicted value is about 2.5, very close to the average value in extant species of cats.
The underground life of the oriental mole cricket: an analysis of burrow morphology
Authors: Endo C. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe underground life of the oriental mole cricketGryllotalpa orientalishas been investigated by studying the structure of its burrows under different environmental situations and in different seasons. The different uses of different burrow types and their advantages and disadvantages have been examined. The total length, number of tunnels and combination of burrow types varied from a simple tunnel to a more complex one with branches at various angles to the surface, burrow types being divided roughly into shallow horizontal or deep vertical ones. In horizontal burrows, the branching structure was well developed in various directions. It is notable that the vertical burrows ofG. orientaliswere occupied by only one individual. Both vertical and horizontal burrows were used for foraging: vertical burrows for plants with subterranean stems and horizontal burrows for creeping plants. Vertical burrows were also used for hiding from predators, resting, moulting and overwintering, whereas horizontal burrows were used for escaping from predators and as mating routes. Egg chambers were constructed beside horizontal burrows, and calling burrows were constructed as part of horizontal burrows. Based on their current requirements, mole crickets continuously modify their burrow structures or change burrowing sites.
Effect of voriconazole on the pharmacokinetics of diclofenac
Authors: Hynninen Ville‐Veikko , Olkkola Klaus T. , Leino Kari , Lundgren Stefan , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Rane Anders , Valtonen Mika , Laine Kari 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug diclofenac is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, mainly by CYP2C9. Our objective was to study the effect of voriconazole, a potent inhibitor of several CYP enzymes, on the pharmacokinetics of diclofenac. This study had a two‐way, open, crossover design and included 10 healthy Caucasian male subjects. In the control phase, the subjects ingested a single 50‐mg oral dose of diclofenac. In the voriconazole phase, the subjects ingested voriconazole 400 mg twice daily on the first day and 200 mg twice daily on the second day, and 50 mg diclofenac was given 1 h after the last dose of voriconazole. Plasma diclofenac concentrations were determined for up to 24 h post‐dose. In the voriconazole phase, the area under the plasma concentration–time curve of diclofenac was 178% (95% CI 143–212%; P < 0.001) and the peak plasma concentration was 214% (95% CI 128–300%; P < 0.05) of the respective control value. Voriconazole did not affect significantly the elimination half‐life or time to maximum concentration of diclofenac. The renal clearance of diclofenac was decreased by 47% (95% CI −76% to −16%; P < 0.01) by voriconazole. In conclusion, voriconazole increased exposure to diclofenac, probably mainly by inhibition of its cytochrome P450 (CYP)‐mediated metabolism. The inhibition of CYP2C9, and to some extent that of CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 enzymes during the first‐pass metabolism of diclofenac seems to be involved in the interaction. The clinical importance of the interaction between voriconazole and diclofenac remains to be studied, but lower doses of diclofenac may be adequate for patients receiving voriconazole.