bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased EEG spectral power density during sleep following short‐term sleep deprivation in pigeons (Columba livia): evidence for avian sleep homeostasis
Authors: MARTINEZ‐GONZALEZ DOLORES , LESKU JOHN A. , RATTENBORG NIELS C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryBirds provide a unique opportunity to evaluate current theories for the function of sleep. Like mammalian sleep, avian sleep is composed of two states, slow‐wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye‐movement (REM) sleep that apparently evolved independently in mammals and birds. Despite this resemblance, however, it has been unclear whether avian SWS shows a compensatory response to sleep loss (i.e., homeostatic regulation), a fundamental aspect of mammalian sleep potentially linked to the function of SWS. Here, we prevented pigeons (Columba livia) from taking their normal naps during the last 8 h of the day. Although time spent in SWS did not change significantly following short‐term sleep deprivation, electroencephalogram (EEG) slow‐wave activity (SWA; i.e., 0.78–2.34 Hz power density) during SWS increased significantly during the first 3 h of the recovery night when compared with the undisturbed night, and progressively declined thereafter in a manner comparable to that observed in similarly sleep‐deprived mammals. SWA was also elevated during REM sleep on the recovery night, a response that might reflect increased SWS pressure and the concomitant ‘spill‐over’ of SWS‐related EEG activity into short episodes of REM sleep. As in rodents, power density during SWS also increased in higher frequencies (9–25 Hz) in response to short‐term sleep deprivation. Finally, time spent in REM sleep increased following sleep deprivation. The mammalian‐like increase in EEG spectral power density across both low and high frequencies, and the increase in time spent in REM sleep following sleep deprivation suggest that some aspects of avian and mammalian sleep are regulated in a similar manner.
Liver transplantation in children with glycogen storage disease: Controversies and evaluation of the risk/benefit of this procedure
Authors: Davis Michael K. , Weinstein David A. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract: GSD‐I, III, and IV are congenital disorders of glycogen metabolism that are commonly associated with severe liver disease. Liver transplantation has been proposed as a therapy for these disorders. While liver transplantation corrects the primary hepatic enzyme defect, the extrahepatic manifestations of GSD often complicate post‐transplantation management. Upon review of the English‐language literature, 42 children <19 yr of age were discovered to have undergone liver transplantation for complications associated with GSD (18 patients with GSD‐Ia, six with GSD‐Ib, one with GSD‐III, 17 with GSD‐IV). An additional two children followed at our institution have undergone liver transplantation for GSD complications (one with GSD‐Ia and one with GSD‐III) and are included in this review. The risks and benefits of liver transplantation should be considered prior to performing liver transplantation in these metabolic disorders, particularly in GSD‐Ia. As liver pathology is not the major source of morbidity in GSD‐Ib and GSD‐IIIa, liver transplantation should only be performed when there is high risk for HCC or evidence of substantial cirrhosis or liver dysfunction. Liver transplantation remains the best option for treatment of GSD‐IV.
A prospective study of unmet activity of daily living needs in palliative care inpatients
Authors: Jeyasingam Lalitha , Agar Meera , Soares Michael , Plummer John , Currow David 
Published: February 2008

Aim:  To define the unmet needs of activities of daily living as defined by patients and caregivers in a palliative care inpatient unit. Methods:  A cross‐sectional prevalence study of a convenience cohort of a dyad of patient/caregiver. Functional status and unment needs were assessed. Agreement between respondents was analysed. Results:  Caregivers identified significantly more unmet needs than patients (2.5 vs 2.5; p = 0.03). Areas of unmet need included mobility, leisure and bathing. Conclusion:  Routine screening for unmet needs in function should be part of all inpatient palliative care assessments.
SEX‐DIFFERENCES IN CIRCADIAN BLOOD PRESSURE VARIATIONS IN RESPONSE TO CHRONIC ANGIOTENSIN II INFUSION IN RATS
Authors: Sampson Amanda K , Widdop Robert E , Denton Kate M 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARY

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic angiotensin II (AngII) infusion on the circadian rhythms of arterial blood pressure, heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity (ACT) in male and female rats.
Radiotelemetry probes were implanted into the aorta in male and female rats and allowed 10 days for recovery. Control levels for mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR and ACT were recorded for 3 days, then AngII (400 ng/kg per min s.c via osmotic minipump) or vehicle (saline) was infused for 10 days (n = 6 per group). Further recordings of MAP, HR and ACT were made during days 8, 9 and 10 of the infusion period.
In response to AngII infusion, night and day‐time MAP increased significantly in female (18 ± 2 mmHg; 28 ± 7 mmHg) and male (27 ± 4 mmHg; 30 ± 3 mmHg) rats, respectively. The degree of elevation in MAP in response to AngII was attenuated in the females during the night period (Psex < 0.05) but not the day (Psex = 0.2). Control night–day differences in MAP, HR and ACT averaged 7 ± 1 mmHg, 58 ± 5 b.p.m. and 30 ± 4 units in the female and 6 ± 1 mmHg, 43 ± 3 b.p.m. (Psex < 0.05) and 14 ± 2 units (Psex < 0.05) in male rats, respectively. AngII infusion disrupted MAP circadian rhythm in female (–4 ± 2 mmHg) and male rats (1 ± 2 mmHg; Ptreat < 0.01), but did not affect heart rate or locomotor activity.
In conclusion, sex differences in the circadian rhythm of heart rate and locomotor activity, but not arterial pressure exist under basal conditions. Circulating AngII modulated the circadian rhythm of MAP in female and male rats but not heart rate or locomotor activity. These findings have important implications for our understanding of circadian blood pressure rhythms in states of activation of the renin angiotensin system.
ROLE OF INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES IN THE EFFECT OF ESTRADIOL ON ATHEROMA
Authors: Gourdy P , Calippe B , Laurell H , Trémollières F , Douin‐Echinard V , Lenfant F , Bayard F , Guery JC , Arnal JF 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARY

Although hormonal therapy (HT) may increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in postmenopausal women, epidemiological studies (protection in premenopausal women) suggest and experimental studies (prevention of fatty streak development in animals) demonstrate a major atheroprotective action of estradiol (E2). The understanding of the deleterious and beneficial effects of oestrogens is thus required.
The immuno‐inflammatory system plays a key role in the development of fatty streak deposit as well as in the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque. Although E2 favours an anti‐inflammatory effect in vitro (cultured cells), it rather elicits a pro‐inflammatory response in vivo involving several subpopulations of the immuno‐inflammatory system, which could contribute to plaque destabilization. The functional role of several cytokines was explored in hypercholesterolemic mice. The atheroprotective effect of E2 was fully maintained in mice deficient in interferon‐g or interleukin‐12, as well as IL‐10. In contrast, the protective effect of estradiol was abolished and even reversed in hypercholesterolemic mice given a neutralizing anti‐transforming growth factor‐b (TGF‐b) antibody. Endothelium is another important target for E2, since it not only potentiates endothelial nitric oxide and prostacyclin production, but also controls trafficking of the populations of the immuno‐inflammatory system.
To conclude, the respective actions of oestrogens on the cell populations involved in the pathophysiology of atherothrombosis may be influenced, among others, by the timing of HT initiation, the status of the vessel wall and, as recently demonstrated the status of the TGF‐b pathway.
ADVANCES IN REDUCING THE BURDEN OF VASCULAR DISEASE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES
Authors: Chalmers John , Joshi Rohina , Patel Anushka 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARY

The epidemic of diabetes is accelerating and the World Health Organization estimates that the number of people affected worldwide will grow from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million by 2030.
The main causes of death and disability in individuals with type 2 diabetes are macrovascular and microvascular disease, and blood pressure is one of the main determinants of vascular complications in this population.
While randomized trials have demonstrated that blood pressure lowering reduces vascular complications in subjects with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, ADVANCE was designed to determine whether the addition of a fixed combination of perindopril and indapamide, on top of comprehensive and effective cardiovascular treatments and glucose control therapy, would produce further benefits, irrespective of the initial blood pressure.
The blood pressure lowering arm of ADVANCE has demonstrated that the simple addition of the fixed combination of perindopril and indapamide compared to matching placebo, significantly reduces combined macrovascular and microvascular complications by 9%, all‐cause mortality by 14% and cardiovascular death by 18%. It also reduces total coronary events by 14% and all renal events and microalbuminuria by 21%.
Similar benefits were observed in participant sub‐groups characterized by age, sex, baseline blood pressure, previous vascular diseases and concomitant cardiovascular therapy including blood pressure lowering therapy.
Successful implementation of this treatment, with a single combination tablet of perindopril and indapamide, should be practical and affordable in most clinical settings worldwide and has the capacity to save countless lives and to reduce the burden of coronary disease and renal disease burden among millions of people with type 2 diabetes.
CONSTITUTIVE NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASES IN THE HEART FROM HYPERTROPHY TO FAILURE
Authors: Loyer Xavier , Heymes Christophe , Samuel Jane‐Lise 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARY

Endogenous myocardial nitric oxide (NO) may modulate the transition from adaptive to maladaptive hypertrophy leading to heart failure. This review summarizes the information on the interrelations between the precise localization of NO synthases (NOS) and their regulatory functions within different compartments of the heart.
In rodent models of pressure overload or myocardial infarction, the three NOS isoforms (NOS1, NOS2, NOS3) were shown to play a neutral, protective, or even adverse role in myocardial remodelling, depending on the NOS activity, the location of each NOS and their regulators.
The analysis of conditions that modulate the expression of NOS1 and NOS3 in the heart according to physiopathological situations, indicated that, beside the level of total NOS activity, unique changes in NO compartmentation secondary to NOS1 or NOS3 subcellular location might be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and failure.
Thus, different circuits in NO‐signalling pathways in myocardium might be activated and this principle is a key to understand contradictions existing in NO biology in the heart. Unravelling the mechanisms behind the NO, NOS and cardiac function is still an ongoing challenge.
ROLE OF ENDOTHELIUM‐DERIVED HYPERPOLARIZING FACTOR IN THE REGULATION OF RADIAL ARTERY BASAL DIAMETER AND ENDOTHELIUM‐DEPENDENT DILATATION IN VIVO
Authors: Bellien Jeremy , Thuillez Christian , Joannides Robinson 
Published: February 2008

SUMMARY

The role of the balance between nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), synthesized by cytochrome epoxygenase and acting through calcium‐activated potassium channels, in the regulation of basal diameter and endothelium‐dependent flow‐mediated dilatation of conduit arteries has been poorly assessed in humans.
Radial artery diameter and flow (echotracking coupled to Doppler) were measured in healthy volunteers under basal conditions and during flow‐mediated dilatation induced by hand skin heating, in the presence of saline and inhibitors of NO‐synthase, NG‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine (L‐NMMA), calcium‐activated potassium channels, tetraethylammonium (TEA) and cytochrome epoxygenases, fluconazole, infused alone and in combination. Mean wall shear stress, the flow‐mediated dilatation stimulus, was calculated and taken as cofactor into statistical analysis.
Under basal conditions, the radial artery diameter was not affected by L‐NMMA and fluconazole infused alone but was decreased by TEA, the combinations of L‐NMMA + fluconazole and, to a greater extent, L‐NMMA + TEA. During heating, radial artery diameter increased with temperature in all cases. This increase in diameter, compared with saline, was reduced by L‐NMMA, TEA, fluconazole and to a greater extent, by L‐NMMA + TEA and L‐NMMA + fluconazole.
These data show that EDHF is involved in balance with NO in the regulation of basal diameter and endothelium‐dependent dilatation of human peripheral conduit arteries. The alteration of this balance could play a major role in the physiopathology of the endothelial dysfunction, in particular during essential hypertension.
Variation in sexual reproduction in Taxus cuspidata Sieb. & Zucc
Authors: ALLISON TABER D. , SHIMIZU TATEMI , OHARA MASASHI , YAMANAKA NORIKAZU 
Published: February 2008

AbstractMale and female strobilus production and seed production were measured in multiple years in three natural populations of Taxus cuspidata in Japan. Our goal was to record variation in these parameters among individuals, among populations, and from year to year in this species, which is defined as dioecious. We also wished to determine whether cosexual individuals occurred in the sampled T. cuspidata populations. Male and female strobilus production varied significantly among male and female individuals, respectively, and individuals had significant annual variation in male and female strobilus production. Significant variation in male and female strobilus production was also recorded in comparisons among T. cuspidata populations. In some populations, males were significantly larger than females, but this result was not consistently observed. No cosexual individuals were recorded in any of the populations studied. Correlations among reproductive variables and measured vegetative characters were generally non‐significant at all sites and in most years, with a few exceptions. When compared with other Taxus species, strobilus ratios in T. cuspidata were less male biased (2.3 male strobili per female strobilus in T. cuspidata versus 8.7 and 7.0 male strobili per female strobilus in Taxus brevifolia and Taxus canadensis, respectively). Seed production efficiency was comparable to T. brevifolia, but less than half of that recorded for T. canadensis, the only species of the genus that has individuals that are typically cosexual.
Pathogens promote plant diversity through a compensatory response
Authors: Bradley Devon J. , Gilbert Gregory S. , Martiny Jennifer B. H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractPathogens are thought to promote diversity in plant communities by preventing competitive exclusion. Previous studies have focussed primarily on single‐plant, single‐pathogen interactions, yet the interactions between multiple pathogens and multiple hosts may have non‐additive impacts on plant community composition. Here, we report that both a bacterial and a fungal pathogen maintained the diversity of a four‐species plant community across five generations; however, significant interactions between the pathogens resulted in less plant diversity when the two pathogens were present than when the fungal pathogen was present alone. Standard models predict that pathogens will maintain plant diversity when they cause a disproportionate loss of fitness in the dominant plant species. In our experiment, however, pathogens maintained plant diversity because the rare species produced more seeds through a compensatory response to pathogen infection. Finally, we found that the influence of pathogens on maintaining plant diversity was 5.5 times greater than the influence of nutrient resource heterogeneity. Pathogens may be a major factor in maintaining plant diversity, and our findings emphasize the importance of investigating the roles of pathogens in natural plant communities.
Effect of regulatory oversight on the association between internal governance characteristics and audit fees
Authors: Boo El’fred , Sharma Divesh 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe examine the relationship between internal governance, external audit monitoring and regulatory oversight for a sample comprising industrial companies and financial/utility companies subject to additional industry‐specific regulation. Our results indicate that the association between audit fees and board/audit committee independence and size are weaker for regulated companies. These observations are consistent with the notion that regulatory oversight partially substitutes the external audit as a monitoring mechanism. However, boards/audit committees with more multiple directorships demand a more extensive audit in the presence of regulatory oversight to protect their reputation capital. Our study enhances our understanding of the complex relationships among the major corporate governance elements.
Is international trust performance predictable over time? A note
Authors: Fletcher Jonathan , Marshall Andrew 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe examine whether past return measures have any significant predictive ability for future returns of UK unit trusts with international equity objectives. We find significant positive persistence between the past return performance of the trust relative to its investment sector and future trust returns relative to its sector. This result holds at short‐run and long‐run return horizons. The persistence is stronger in trusts that perform well relative to their sector. Our findings suggest that the past return performance of the trust relative to their sector provides a useful guide to future return performance relative to their sector.
Relationship between franking credits and the market risk premium: a reply
Authors: Gray Stephen , Hall Jason 
Published: February 2008

AbstractWe have previously documented an inconsistency between the dividend yield implied by the Officer (1994) model with standard Australian regulatory parameters and actual dividend yields of Australian companies. We have shown that, within the Officer framework, this inconsistency can be resolved by setting the assumed value of franking credits (γ) to zero, consistent with the practice of Australian firms and independent valuation experts. Truong and Partington (2008) and Lally (2008) recognize this same inconsistency and propose alternate ways of resolving it. In this paper, we demonstrate that these proposals are outside the Officer framework. The standard set of regulatory parameters cannot be resolved with observed dividend yields within the Officer framework. Whichever method is used to resolve the inconsistency, the effect will be an increase in the estimated after‐tax cost of equity.
The cost of obesity in Hong Kong
Authors: Ko G. T. C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryObesity is now being considered a rapid growing economic burden on the healthcare system of many countries. These costs should include expenditure on prevention, as well as the investigation and treatment of obesity and its related problems. Accurate information on the cost of obesity in Hong Kong is lacking so we analysed the annual hospital discharges in a representative district hospital in Hong Kong. The estimated hospitalization costs in Hong Kong' public hospitals were HK$ 2.29 billion (US$ 0.29 billion) in 1998 and HK$ 3.36 billion (US$ 0.43 billion) in 2002 accounting for 8.2–9.8% of total public expenditure on health in Hong Kong. Based on the likelihood ratio of diabetes, hypertension and dylsipidaemia related to obesity in Hong Kong Chinese (defined as body mass index ≥25 kg m−2) the estimated proportion of these conditions attributable to obesity are 10–20%. In addition, significant amounts of money are being spent by the public on obesity self management schemes of no proven benefit. In 2005, 5.5% of Hong Kong's total population was consuming proprietary drugs for obesity or its related conditions. To properly assess the overall costs of obesity, other indirect costs should also be considered such as economic losses on sick leave because of obesity and its related conditions.
Childhood obesity and its health consequence in China
Authors: Li Y. , Yang X. , Zhai F. , Piao J. , Zhao W. , Zhang J. , Ma G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAnalyses of data from the representative 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey were used to assess the likelihood of metabolic complications of overweight and obesity in Chinese children aged 7–17 years. Chinese criteria for body mass index classification were used for overweight and obesity with the 75th percentile US adolescent values for waist circumferences and all the metabolic criteria for blood pressure, lipids, fasting glucose established for US adolescents. Diabetes in 7–12‐year‐olds was 0.2% and 0.4% in children aged 12–18 years. Prevalences of dyslipidaemia (61.9%), hypertriglyceridaemia (18.2%) and low high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (56.1%) were high and 16.0% of 15–18 years had hypertension. The overall prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 3.3% with more than half the children having at least one metabolic abnormality and 19.8% having at least two. All the metabolic parameters were significantly elevated in the overweight and obese children except high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. These data emphasize the marked sensitivity of Chinese children to the metabolic complications of overweight and obesity and amplify the need for early preventive measures.
Childhood obesity and adverse health effects in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan C. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryHong Kong soon became aware of the importance of ensuring the optimum growth of their children with growth standards for Hong Kong being set out in 1962. By 1972 it was already clear that childhood obesity was emerging as a problem and increasing in prevalence and by 1987 an international workshop on nutrition, held in Hong Kong, was being alerted to this issue. Then 10 years later obesity featured as a major issue in the programme of the Asian Congress of Pediatrics with the local contributors highlighting the evidence already available in Hong Kong of the wide range of metabolic, cardiovascular, physical and psychological complications of obesity in the local community. The school health service was given a prominent role and there are now guidelines not only in relation to the standards of school lunches but also for the need to enhance the physical activity of children and involve a new educational community wide approach as part of a major co‐coordinated effort within Hong Kong. Professional and community workers together with the government now have a comprehensive determination to tackle the challenge of obesity prevention. So Hong Kong intends to play a major role in the international response to the formation of the Global Alliance for the prevention of obesity and its associated chronic diseases.