bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SIMULTANEOUS GENOTYPING OF CYP2D6*3, *4, *5 AND *6 POLYMORPHISMS IN A SPANISH POPULATION THROUGH MULTIPLEX LONG POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION AND MINISEQUENCING MULTIPLEX SINGLE BASE EXTENSION ANALYSIS
Authors: Crescenti A , Mas S , Gassó P , Baiget M , Bernardo M , Lafuente A 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARY

The aim of the present study was to perform a descriptive study of the prevalence of the four major CYP2D6 poor metaboliser (PM) alleles (*3, *4, *5 and *6) in a Spanish population (n = 290) using a method based on a new combination of multiplex long polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and minisequencing through multiplex single base extension (SBE) analysis.
The method was validated using different strategies, such as allelic discrimination assay and PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).
The allele frequencies were similar to those described for other Spanish populations, namely 0.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5–1.3), 16.4% (95% CI 14.9–18.0), 2.7% (95% CI 2.0–3.4) and 0.7% (95% CI 0.3–1.0) for the *3, *4, *5 and *6 alleles, respectively. The results were satisfactory and left little doubt as to the genotypes, which were confirmed either by allelic discrimination assay (*4 and *6) or PCR‐RFLP (*3) with 100% concordance.
The present study corroborates the low prevalence of the most frequent polymorphism (CYP2D6*4) that leads to null CYP2D6 activity in Spain and the allelic geographical gradient between Caucasian populations in the north and south. The present study reports a technique for the detection of four polymorphisms that account for 98% of the CYP2D6 defect alleles. This multiplex long PCR–SBE technique is a combination of several known methods to genotype CYP2D6 alleles (*3, *4, *5 and*6). Given the importance of CYP2D6 in drug metabolism and the need to genotype a large number of samples, we believe that this method will find broad application.
INDICES OF VASCULAR STIFFNESS AND WAVE REFLECTION IN RELATION TO BODY MASS INDEX OR BODY FAT IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS
Authors: Wykretowicz Andrzej , Adamska Karolina , Guzik Przemyslaw , Krauze Tomasz , Wysocki Henryk 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARY

Obesity appears to influence vascular stiffness, an important cardiovascular risk factor. An accurate picture of arterial stiffness may be obtained when a combination of various techniques is used.
The purpose of the present study was to assess whether the body mass index (BMI) and body fat content obtained by bioimpedance were of equal value in estimating the influence of body fatness on various indices of vascular stiffness and wave reflection.
A total of 175 healthy subjects was studied. Anthropometric measurements and total body bio‐impedance analysis were performed to assess fat mass as a proportion of total body composition. Arterial stiffness and wave reflection were assessed using digital volume pulse analysis and tonometric measurement of the wave reflection indices and central haemodynamics.
Significant differences in the stiffness index (SIDVP; P < 0.0001), peripheral augmentation index (pAIx; P < 0.0001), central augmentation index (cAIx; P < 0.0001), peripheral pulse pressure (pPP; P = 0.026) and central pulse pressure (cPP; P < 0.0001) were found when the population examined was divided accordingly to tertile of body fat content. However, subdividing various indices of arterial stiffness according to the tertile of BMI did not reveal any significant differences between groups, except for pPP and cPP.
Body fat content was significantly correlated with SIDVP, pAIx, cAIx, pPP and cPP. The BMI correlated weakly with SIDVP, pPP and cPP.
In conclusion, the BMI is not very useful in predicting changes in arterial stiffness and wave reflection due to obesity. However, stiffness and wave reflection indices derived from digital volume pulse analysis, the characteristics of radial and aortic pressure waveforms and peripheral and aortic pulse pressure are all related to body fat content, as estimated by bioimpedance.
EFFECTS OF RESVERATROL ON NUMBER AND ACTIVITY OF ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS FROM HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Bin , Huang Jun , Zou Jian‐Gang , Su En‐Ben , Shan Qi‐Jun , Yang Zhi‐Jian , Cao Ke‐Jiang 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARY

It has been well established that oestrogens can increase the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) by anti‐apoptotic effects. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin extracted from grapes and wine, has been reported to act as an oestrogen receptor agonist. We hypothesize that putative phyto‐oestrogen may promote EPC proliferation and survival in vitro.
Endothelial progenitor cells were isolated from human peripheral blood and identified immunocytochemically. Endothelial progenitor cells were incubated with resveratrol (1, 10, 25 and 50 mmol/L) or control for specified times. Cell proliferation, migration and in vitro vasculogenesis were assayed using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetra‐zolium bromide (MTT) assay, modified Boyden chamber assay and in vitro vasculogenesis detection, respectively.
Resveratrol increased the number of EPC and promoted EPC proliferation, adhesion and migration in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Cell number peaked at 50 mmol/L resveratrol after incubation for 24 h compared with vehicle control (61.3 ± 5.8 vs 112.8 ± 7.2, respectively; P < 0.01).
Furthermore, cell cycle analysis showed that 50 mmol/L resveratrol significantly increased the S phase and decreased the G0/G1 phase of EPC. In addition, resveratrol increased vascular endothelial growth factor production and further induced vasculogenesis in vitro.
In conclusion, resveratrol significantly induces EPC proliferation, migration and further promotes angiogenesis in vitro.
FLAVONE INHIBITS VASCULAR CONTRACTION BY DECREASING PHOSPHORYLATION OF THE MYOSIN PHOSPHATASE TARGET SUBUNIT
Authors: Jeon Su Bun , Kim Gutae , Kim Jee In , Seok Young Mi , Kim Sang‐Hyun , Suk Kyoungho , Shin Heung‐Mook , Lee Young‐Ho , Kim In Kyeom 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARYFlavonoids modulate vascular tone through an endothelium‐dependent or ‐independent mechanism. Although a few mechanisms for endothelium‐independent relaxation have been suggested, such as interference with protein kinase C or cAMP or cGMP phosphodiesterase, the inhibition of Ca2+release from intracellular stores or Ca2+influx from extracellular fluids, the mode of action of flavonoids remains elusive.We hypothesized that treatment with flavone inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction by decreasing the phosphorylation of the myosin phosphatase target subunit (MYPT1).Rat aortic rings were denuded of endothelium, mounted in organ baths and contracted with U46619, a thromboxane A2analogue.Flavone dose‐dependently inhibited the U46619‐induced contractile response and myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation. At 10−7 mol/L, U46619 induced vascular contraction with the concomitant phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Thr855, but not at Thr697. Incubation with flavone (100 or 300 µmol/L) for 30 min attenuated the phosphorylation of MYPT1Thr855, but not MYPT1Thr697.It is concluded that treatment with flavone inhibits vascular smooth muscle contraction by decreasing the phosphorylation of the MYPT1. These results suggest that flavone causes endothelium‐independent relaxation through, at least in part, the inhibition of p160 Rho‐associated coiled‐coil‐containing protein kinase (ROCK) signalling.
17β‐OESTRADIOL PARTIALLY ATTENUATES THE INHIBITION OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE‐3 BY ADVANCED GLYCATION END‐PRODUCTS IN HUMAN PLATELETS
Authors: Chen Lu , Liu Yuan , Cui Bota , Mi Qiongyu , Huang Yan , Fan Leming , Chen Qi , Tang James , Ferro Albert , Ji Yong 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARY

Diabetes mellitus predisposes to and female sex protects against arterial thrombosis. The aim of the present study was to determine whether advanced glycation end‐products (AGE), which accumulate in diabetes, impair platelet function through effects on platelet nitric oxide (NO) generation and whether this can be prevented by 17β‐oestradiol.
Aggregation responses of human platelet‐rich plasma to ADP were determined in the absence or presence of 200 mg/L AGE‐modified albumin (AGE‐albumin), 10−5 mol/L 17β‐oestradiol and 10−5 mol/L ICI 182 780 (the pure oestrogen receptor antagonist).
Intraplatelet cGMP, an index of bioactive NO, was measured by radioimmunoassay and expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)‐3, phosphoserine‐1177‐NOS‐3 and O‐glycosylated NOS‐3 was quantified by western blotting in response to these same treatments.
Advanced glycation end‐products–albumin increased platelet aggregatory responses to ADP. This increase was largely prevented by 17β‐oestradiol. Advanced glycation end‐products–albumin decreased and 17β‐oestradiol increased intraplatelet NO‐attributable cGMP and 17β‐oestradiol attenuated the AGE‐albumin‐induced decrease in NO‐attributable cGMP. Despite no effect on NOS‐3 expression, AGE‐albumin decreased and 17β‐oestradiol increased phosphoserine‐1177‐NOS‐3 and 17β‐oestradiol largely prevented the decrease in phosphoserine‐1177‐NOS‐3 induced by AGE‐albumin. Alone, AGE‐albumin increased O‐glycosylation of NOS‐3 by N‐acetylglucosamine, an effect largely inhibited by 17β‐oestradiol.
In conclusion, AGE‐albumin inhibits platelet NO biosynthesis through effects on serine phosphorylation and O‐glycosylation of platelet NOS‐3 and this may explain, at least in part, the increase in platelet aggregability induced by AGE‐albumin. These effects of AGE‐albumin are largely prevented by 17β‐oestradiol. These actions may contribute to the effects of diabetes and sex on arterial thrombosis in vivo.
ANTICONVULSANT, BUT NOT ANTIEPILEPTIC, ACTION OF VALPROATE ON AUDIOGENIC SEIZURES IN METAPHIT–TREATED RATS
Authors: Stanojlović Olivera P , Hrnčić Dragan R , Živanović Dragana P , Šušić Veselinka T 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARY

1. The blocking effects of valproate (2‐propylpentanoic acid), a standard anti‐epileptic drug, on metaphit (1‐[1‐(3‐isothiocyanatophenyl)‐cyclohexyl]‐piperidine)‐induced audiogenic seizures as a model of generalized, reflex audiogenic epilepsy in adult Wistar male rats were studied.
Rats were stimulated using an electric bell (100 ± 3 dB, 5–8 kHz, 60 s) 60 min after i.p. metaphit (10 mg/kg) injection and afterwards at hourly intervals. For power spectra and electroencephalograph (EEG) recordings, three gold‐plated screws were implanted into the skull. Different doses of valproate (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) were injected i.p. into rats with fully developed metaphit seizures after the eighth audiogenic testing.
In metaphit‐treated animals, the EEG appeared as polyspikes, spike–wave complexes and sleep‐like patterns, whereas the power spectra were increased compared with the corresponding controls.
Valproate reduced the incidence and intensity of convulsions and prolonged the duration of the latency period in a dose‐dependent manner 4 h after administration.
The ED50 of valproate in the first hour after injection was 63.19 mg/kg (95% confidence interval 51.37–77.71 mg/kg).
None of the doses of valproate applied eliminated the EEG signs of metaphit‐provoked epileptiform activity.
Taken together, these results suggest that all doses of valproate examined acted to suppresse behavioural but not epileptic EEG spiking activity in metaphit‐induced seizures.
AGEING, OESTROGEN, PLATELETS AND THROMBOTIC RISK
Authors: Miller Virginia M , Jayachandran Muthuvel , Owen Whyte G 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARY

Adverse thrombotic cardiovascular events increase in women coincident with the onset of menopause.
Age past menopause may be an important variable in defining the benefit/risk of hormone treatments.
Few studies have examined hormonal status as a variable of ageing using a polygenomic approach of both humoral and cellular components of the coagulation system.
Longitudinal studies of a global set of platelet functions that define procoagulant activity (i.e. adhesion, aggregation, secretion and thrombin production) in individuals with documented hormonal status are needed to better understand how hormonal changes associated with ageing impact thrombotic risk.
NON‐GENOMIC VASCULAR ACTIONS OF FEMALE SEX HORMONES: PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS AND SIGNALLING PATHWAYS
Authors: Leung Susan WS , Teoh Hwee , Keung Wendy , Man Ricky YK 
Published: June 2007

SUMMARYEpidemiological studies indicate a lower incidence of coronary heart disease in premenopausal women compared with age‐matched men and post‐menopausal women. Accumulating evidence suggests that this cardiovascular protection observed in premenopausal women is at least partially attributed to the direct action of oestrogens on the vascular system.Research focused on vascular actions of 17β‐oestradiol indicates that this female sex hormone favourably modulates vascular reactivity at physiological concentrations. The vascular actions of 17β‐oestradiol appear independent of its genomic actions. Both endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent signalling cascades have been implicated in the vascular effects of 17β‐oestradiol.However, clinical trials on hormone‐replacement therapy argue against a role of oestrogens in preventing the development of coronary heart disease. Supplementation with oestrogen is also complicated with the increased risk of breast and endometrial cancer. Hence, a better understanding of the vascular actions of 17β‐oestradiol will serve to enhance our understanding of its role in coronary heart disease.
Coding location in enclosed spaces: is geometry the principle?
Authors: Huttenlocher Janellen , Lourenco Stella F. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Both animals and human toddlers can find an object in a rectangular enclosure after they have been disoriented. They use geometric cues (relative lengths of walls) to discriminate among different corners (e.g. long wall to the left, short to the right). It has been claimed that this ability is ‘modular’, i.e. exclusively geometric. The present study demonstrates that the ability toddlers exhibit is a more general one, namely, an ability to discriminate relative quantity. Using a square enclosure, we show that toddlers use the relative sizes of the figures on different walls to characterize different corners. We also show that they do not use simple non‐relative features to distinguish different corners. Possible reasons for differences in the ability to use relative versus non‐relative cues are discussed.
Use it or lose it: examining preschoolers’ difficulty in maintaining and executing a goal
Authors: Marcovitch Stuart , Boseovski Janet J. , Knapp Robin J. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Individuals with low working memory capacity (e.g. preschoolers) are more prone to goal neglect, or a failure to execute a goal even though it is understood. We examined the role of goal neglect in performance on the Dimensional Change Card Sort by including ‘redundant’ cards that could be sorted without attending to the rules, as well as the traditional ‘conflict’ cards that encouraged awareness of the rules. In Experiment 1, 4‐ and 5‐year‐old children were administered two card sorts that differed on the proportion of redundant cards presented (20% vs. 80%). Children neglected the goal more often when faced with a preponderance of redundant cards, suggesting that consistent attention to the rules leads to goal maintenance. In Experiment 2, results were replicated even when the post‐switch rules were repeated on every trial. Implications for the development of working memory are discussed.
Development of beliefs about storybook reality
Authors: Woolley Jacqueline D. , Cox Victoria 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe goal of this research was to assess children's beliefs about the reality status of storybook characters and events. InExperiment 1, 156 preschool age children heard realistic, fantastical, or religious stories, and their understanding of the reality status of the characters and events in the stories was assessed. Results revealed that 3‐year‐olds were more likely to judge characters as real than were 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds, but most children judged all characters as not real for all story types. Children of all ages who heard realistic stories made more claims that the events in the stories could happen in real life than did children who heard fantastical stories. Five‐year‐olds made significantly more claims that events in religious stories could happen in real life than did younger children. InExperiment 2, 136 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds heard similar stories. Results replicated those fromExperiment 1, and also indicated a growing awareness of the basic nature of realistic fiction.
MEASURES OF TECHNICAL CHANGE AND STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN SERVICES IN THE USA: WAS THERE A RESURGENCE OF PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH IN SERVICES?
Authors: Wolff Edward N. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTTraditional measures of productivity growth show very low gains made by most service industries since 1980s in the USA. However, other indices of ‘technological activity’, such as computerization, education, and occupational change, show that service industries were more technologically active than goods producers over this period. I first distinguish among three types of services: standardized like communications, customized like recreation, and hybrid like retailing. Using output, employment, and capital stock data for 43 industries over 1960–2000, I find that in terms of productivity standardized services behave like goods producers, customized services have had virtually zero productivity growth, and hybrid services fall in between. These results show up in historical data as well as in econometric analysis.
‘BAUMOL'S DISEASE’, PRODUCTION EXTERNALITIES AND PRODUCTIVITY EFFECTS OF INTERSECTORAL TRANSFERS
Authors: De Vincenti Claudio 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a model that introduces in an unbalanced growth framework à la Baumol the hypothesis of an endogenous productivity growth due to a positive externality of the service sector on manufacturing productivity and a learning‐by‐doing process inside both sectors. The model shows that a policy aimed at keeping the ratio between outputs in the two sectors constant in real terms may improve the aggregate productivity performance of the economy, depending on the parameters' values. Then the model derives the dynamics of the intersectoral transfer which is necessary to keep the ratio between outputs constant, and verifies that the amount of the transfer turns out to be always lower than the output of the manufacturing sector, and only asymptotically approaches it.
Single nucleotide sequence analysis: a cost‐ and time‐effective protocol for the analysis of microsatellite‐ and indel‐rich chloroplast DNA regions
Authors: GUICKING DANIELA , KRÖGER‐KILIAN TIM , WEISING KURT , BLATTNER FRANK R. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractWe present a simple method to screen for DNA sequence variation in microsatellite‐ and indel‐rich regions of the chloroplast genome. The single nucleotide sequence (SNS) analysis provides a trade‐off between the time‐ and cost‐effective, but less informative and homoplasy‐sensitive electrophoretic detection of microsatellite and indel size variation on the one hand, and more costly, but also more accurate methods like DNA sequencing on the other. The principle of the SNS method is to sequence one instead of all four nucleotides of a target region amplified by polymerase chain reaction. By careful selection of the respective nucleotide, almost the same amount of information can be retrieved from these partial sequences as could be from complete sequences; however, only a third to a fourth of the money and time resources are needed.
Tube structures of probable microbial origin in the Neoarchean Carawine Dolomite, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia
Authors: MURPHY M. A. , SUMNER D. Y. 
Published: June 2007

ABSTRACTThe ~2.63 Ga Carawine Dolomite, Hamersley Basin, Western Australia, preserves tube structures of probable microbial origin that formed in a low energy environment. The tubes are 0.4–1.8 cm in diameter and at least 10–16 cm long in outcrop. The tubes are defined by dark, 45‐µm‐thick dolomicritic walls, whereas the tube fill and host rock are composed of 30 µm, cloudy dolomite crystals and rare 170‐ to 425‐µm‐wide, dark well‐sorted clasts. Closely spaced, rarely discontinuous laminae coat the insides of tubes; less closely spaced, peaked, discontinuous laminae coat the outsides of tubes. The laminae on the outsides of tubes are often intercalated with mammilate structures. The presence of probable microbial coatings on both the insides and the outsides of the tube walls requires that the tubes formed above the sediment–water interface. These tube structures probably formed during gas‐charged fluid escape, similar to tubes observed in ancient and modern hydrocarbon seeps and cylindrical water transfer structures in sandstones. The laminae that coat the tubes have very similar geometries to modern biofilms that form in both turbulent and laminar flow, and their geometries probably reflect flow conditions during the fluid escape. The identification of these structures suggests that the preserved interaction between fluid escape and microbial growth in carbonates may be more common than previously thought.
Associations between Outpatient and Inpatient Service Use among Persons with HIV Infection: A Positive or Negative Relationship?
Authors: Fleishman John A. , Moore Richard D. , Conviser Richard , Lawrence Perrin B. , Korthuis P. Todd , Gebo Kelly A. 
Published: June 2007

Objective. To examine the prospective association between frequency of outpatient visits and subsequent inpatient admissions.Data Sources. Medical record data on 13,942 patients with HIV infection seen in 10 HIV speciality care sites across the United States.Study Design. This observational study followed a cohort of HIV‐infected patients who were in care in the first half of 2001. Numbers of inpatient admissions and outpatient visits were calculated for each patient for each 3‐month period, from 2001 through 2004.Analysis. Negative binomial and logistic regression analyses using random‐effects models examined the effects of inpatient admissions and outpatient visits in the previous period on inpatient and outpatient service utilization, controlling for background characteristics and HIV disease stage.Results. For 3‐month periods, between 5 and 9 percent of patients had an inpatient admission. The linear association between number of outpatient visits and any inpatient admission in the subsequent period was positive (adjusted odds ratio=1.05; 95 percent confidence interval [CI]=1.04, 1.06). However, patients with zero prior outpatient visits had significantly greater admission rates than those with one prior visit. Hospitalization rates were also higher among those with a prior hospitalization and those with more advanced HIV disease.Conclusions. These results suggest a J‐shaped relationship between outpatient use and inpatient use among persons with HIV disease. Those in worse health have greater utilization of both inpatient and outpatient care. However, having no outpatient visits may also increase the likelihood of subsequent hospitalization. Although outpatient care cannot be justified as a cost‐saving mechanism, maintaining regular clinical monitoring of patients is important.