bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF SHRIMP (MACROBRACIUM ROSENBERGII)‐DERIVED CHITOSAN ON PLASMA LIPID PROFILE AND LIVER LIPID PEROXIDE LEVELS IN NORMO‐ AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIC RATS
Authors: Hossain Shahdat , Rahman Azizur , Kabir Yearul , Shams Ali Ahmed , Afros Fahmida , Hashimoto Michio 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

The effects of chitosan (CS) derived from the exoskeleton of the shrimp Macrobracium rosenbergii on bodyweight, plasma lipid profile, fatty acid composition, liver lipid peroxide (LPO) levels and plasma levels of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were determined in normocholesterolaemic (NC) and hypercholesterolaemic (HC) Long Evans rats.
The NC rats were fed a diet containing 2% CS and the HC rats were fed a diet containing 2 and 4% CS for 8 weeks. Chitosan significantly reduced bodyweight gain only in HC + 4% CS rats compared with HC rats, but not in NC + 2% CS or HC + 2% CS rats.
Chitosan reduced plasma total cholesterol in the HC + 2% CS, HC + 4% CS and NC + 2% CS rats; however, low density lipoprotein–cholesterol decreased only in the first two groups. High‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL‐C) increased in the HC + 4% CS rats by 24% compared with the HC + 2% CS group and by 30% compared with HC rats; however, HDL‐C did not increase in the NC + 2% CS group compared with NC rats. The level of plasma triglycerides decreased significantly only in HC + 2% CS rats compared with HC rats.
Chitosan significantly decreased plasma levels of arachidonic acid in the HC + 2% CS and HC + 4% CS groups, with a concurrent increase in the molar ratio of total unsaturated fatty acid (TUFA) to total saturated fatty acid (TSFA).
Moreover, CS increased liver LPO levels without affecting plasma levels of GPT. Liver LPO levels were positively correlated with the TUFA/TSFA molar ratio.
The present study suggests that dietary CS decreases the atherogenic lipid profiles of both NC and HC rats and reduces the bodyweight gain of HC rats.
FIBRIN D‐DIMER FRAGMENTS ENHANCE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES IN MACROPHAGES: ROLE IN ADVANCING ATHEROSCLEROSIS
Authors: Zhou Dong , Yang Peng‐Yuan , Zhou Bin , Rui Yao‐Cheng 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

Fibrin D‐dimer is considered a consistent and independent marker of the risk of cardiovascular disease in population studies, as well as being related to atherosclerosis severity in patients. However, the role of fibrin D‐dimer in macrophage‐derived foam cell formation during atherogenesis remains unclear.
In the present study, using microarray techniques, we determined the effects of 100 ng/mL fibrin D‐dimer fragments on macrophage cell function in atherosclerosis by investigating the expression levels of 128 genes related to the atherosclerotic pathophysiological processes.
The results showed that 27 genes were enhanced by D‐dimer fragments to over twofold of control. These 27 genes belonged to six groups and included adhesion molecules, extracellular molecules, molecules related to lipid transport and metabolism, cell growth and proliferation molecules, transcription regulators and genes responsive to stress. We proceeded to determine the expression levels of five of these genes (intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor A and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α) using SYBR real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results confirmed gene upregulation, similar to the results obtained with the microarray, following treatment with D‐dimer.
Therefore, the present study provides direct evidence regarding the pro‐atherosclerotic role of D‐dimer in macrophage function, which is mainly to enhance the inflammatory response during macrophage‐derived foam cell formation.
AMINO ACID AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF AN AQUEOUS EXTRACT OFCHANNA STRIATUS(HARUAN) THAT EXHIBITS ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY
Authors: Zakaria ZA , Mat Jais AM , Goh YM , Sulaiman MR , Somchit MN 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARYThe present study was performed in order to determine the amino acid and fatty acid composition of an aqueous extract of the freshwater fishChanna striatus, obtained by soaking (1 : 2, w/v) fresh fillets overnight in a chloroform : methanol (2 : 1, v/v) solvent, to elucidate the mechanism responsible for its antinociceptive activity and to clarify the relationship between the presence of the amino and fatty acids and the expected activity.The aqueous extract was found to contain all amino acids with the major amino acids glycine, alanine, lysine, aspartic acid and proline making up 35.77 ± 0.58, 10.19 ± 1.27, 9.44 ± 0.56, 8.53 ± 1.15 and 6.86 ± 0.78% of the total protein, respectively.In addition, the aqueous extract was found to have a high palmitic acid (C16 : 0) content, which contributed approximately 35.93 ± 0.63% to total fatty acids. The other major fatty acids in the aqueous extract were oleic acid (C18 : 1), stearic acid (C18 : 0), linoleic acid (C18 : 2) and arachidonic acid (C20 : 4), contributing 22.96 ± 0.40, 15.31 ± 0.33, 11.45 ± 0.31 and 7.44 ± 0.83% of total fatty acids, respectively.Furthermore, the aqueous extract was demonstrated to possess concentration‐dependent antinociceptive activity, as expected, when assessed using the abdominal constriction test in mice.It is concluded that the aqueous extract ofC. striatuscontains all the important amino acids, but only some of the important fatty acids, which are suggested to play a key role in the observed antinociceptive activity of the extract, as well as in the traditionally claimed wound healing properties of the extract.
DIFFERENTIAL GROWTH INHIBITION AND INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS BY GOSSYPOL BETWEEN HCT116 AND HCT116/BAX−/– COLORECTAL CANCER CELLS
Authors: Zhang Manchao , Liu Hongpeng , Tian Zhenkun , Huang Jenny , Remo Mylene , Li Q Quentin 
Published: January 2007

SUMMARY

Bax is a very important pro‐apoptosis molecule. HCT116/Bax−/– cells do not express the pro‐apoptosis Bcl‐2 family member, Bax. In the present study, the anticancer effects of gossypol on HCT116 and HCT116/Bax−/– cells were compared in terms of inhibition of cell growth, inhibition of colony formation and induction of apoptosis.
Following treatment with concentrations more than 20 µmol/L gossypol, only slight differences (not signficant) were seen between HCT116 and HCT116/Bax−/– cells in terms of the inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. No difference was seen in the inhibition of colony formation. Gossypol had no effect at concentrations < 2 µmol/L. The only effective concentration of gossypol to result in differences between HCT116 and HCT116/Bax−/– cells was 5 µmol/L. However, even at this concentration, Bax deficiency did not result in complete abolition of gossypol‐induced growth inhibition or apoptosis. Exposure of cells to 5 µmol/L gossypol for 24 h did not cause any significant difference in the activation of caspase 2 between HCT116 and HCT116/Bax−/– cells; however, activation of caspase 3, 8 and 9 was significantly elevated in HCT116 cells, with the effect on caspase 3 activation being the greatest, compared with HCT116/Bax−/– cells.
These findings suggest that the contribution of Bax to gossypol‐induced growth inhibition and apoptosis is dose dependent and that gossypol‐induced apoptosis requires activation of caspase 3, 8, and 9.
The effects of sevoflurane and desflurane anesthesia on QTc interval and cardiac rhythm in children
Authors: AYPAR EBRU , KARAGOZ AYSE HEVES , OZER SEMA , CELIKER ALPAY , OCAL TURGAY 
Published: January 2007

SummaryBackground:  Inhalational anesthetics may prolong QTc interval (QT interval corrected for heart rate) of the ECG and cause life‐threathening arrythmias. The effects of desflurane on QTc interval and cardiac rhythm have not been reported previously in children. We assessed the effects of desflurane anesthesia on QTc interval and cardiac rhythm and compared them with sevoflurane anesthesia in children.Methods:  The study was performed on 20 children admitted for inguinal hernia repair, with normal QTc intervals. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and intubation was achieved with vecuronium. Anesthesia was maintained with 2% sevoflurane (group I, n = 11) or 6% desflurane (group II, n = 9) and 66% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Electrocardiogram recordings were obtained by Holter recorder. QTc intervals were measured at baseline, 5, 10, 15, and 30 min after inhalation.Results:  None of the patients had significant arrythmia with desflurane anesthesia. One patient in the sevoflurane group had single, bigemini and multiform ventricular extrasystoles. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline QTc values of the groups. Desflurane significantly prolonged QTc interval 5 min after induction until 30 min of anesthesia compared with baseline values (P = 0.029), while no significant prolongation was observed with sevoflurane (P = 0.141).Conclusions:  Use of 2% sevoflurane during maintenance of anesthesia does not significantly prolong QTc interval while 6% desflurane significantly prolonged QTc interval in children with normal QTc interval undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy.
Regional anesthetic techniques are an alternative to general anesthesia for infants with Pompe's disease
Authors: WALKER ROBERT W.M. , BRIGGS GERAINT , BRUCE JAMES , FLETCHER JOAN , WRAITH E.D. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryPompe's disease or glycogen storage disease type II is a genetic disorder affecting skeletal and cardiac muscle. The infantile form is associated with gross hypertrophic cardiomegaly and death in the early years. General anesthesia is associated with potential major morbidity in these patients. We present our experience of regional anesthetic blocks used in five patients with the infantile form of glycogen storage disease type II with and without sedation for 11 surgical procedures during a clinical trial of replacement therapy for this condition. Both femoral nerve blockade and caudal epidural blockade were used with good result. The relative merits of the type of block are discussed in addition to the choice of sedation and risks of general anesthesia. The avoidance of general anesthesia in the newly presenting patient with Pompe's disease may reduce potential morbidity until enzyme replacement has been established.
Evolution and persistence of obligate mutualists and exploiters: competition for partners and evolutionary immunization
Authors: Ferrière Régis , Gauduchon Mathias , Bronstein Judith L. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractMutualisms are ubiquitous in nature, as is their exploitation by both conspecific and heterospecific cheaters. Yet, evolutionary theory predicts that cheating should be favoured by natural selection. Here, we show theoretically that asymmetrical competition for partners generally determines the evolutionary fate of obligate mutualisms facing exploitation by third‐species invaders. When asymmetry in partner competition is relatively weak, mutualists may either exclude exploiters or coexist with them, in which case their co‐evolutionary response to exploitation is usually benign. When asymmetry is strong, the mutualists evolve towards evolutionary attractors where they become extremely vulnerable to exploiter invasion. However, exploiter invasion at an early stage of the mutualism's history can deflect mutualists’ co‐evolutionary trajectories towards slightly different attractors that confer long‐term stability against further exploitation. Thus, coexistence of mutualists and exploiters may often involve an historical effect whereby exploiters are co‐opted early in mutualism history and provide lasting ‘evolutionary immunization’ against further invasion.
Stable expression of Gal/GalNAc lectin of Entamoeba histolytica in transgenic chloroplasts and immunogenicity in mice towards vaccine development for amoebiasis
Authors: Chebolu Seethamahalakshmi , Daniell Henry 
Published: January 2007

SummaryChloroplast genetic engineering offers several advantages, including high levels of transgene expression, transgene containment via maternal inheritance and multigene engineering in a single transformation event. Entamoeba histolytica infects 50 million people, causing about 100 000 deaths annually, but there is no approved vaccine against this pathogen. LecA, a potential target for blocking amoebiasis, was expressed for the first time in transgenic plants. Stable transgene integration into chloroplast genomes and homoplasmy were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analyses. LecA expression was evaluated by Western blots and quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (up to 6.3% of total soluble protein or 2.3 mg LecA/g leaf tissue). Subcutaneous immunization of mice with crude extract of transgenic leaves resulted in higher immunoglobulin G titres (up to 1 : 10 000) than in previous reports. An average yield of 24 mg of LecA per plant should produce 29 million doses of vaccine antigen per acre of transgenic plants. Such high levels of expression and immunogenicity should facilitate the development of a less expensive amoebiasis vaccine.
Coupling two mercury resistance genes in Eastern cottonwood enhances the processing of organomercury
Authors: Lyyra Satu , Meagher Richard B. , Kim Tehryung , Heaton Andrew , Montello Paul , Balish Rebecca S. , Merkle Scott A. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryEastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) trees were engineered to express merA (mercuric ion reductase) and merB (organomercury lyase) transgenes in order to be used for the phytoremediation of mercury‐contaminated soils. Earlier studies with Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum showed that this gene combination resulted in more efficient detoxification of organomercurial compounds than did merB alone, but neither species is optimal for long‐term field applications. Leaf discs from in vitro‐grown merA, nptII (neomycin phosphotransferase) transgenic cottonwood plantlets were inoculated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58 carrying the merB and hygromycin resistance (hptII) genes. Polymerase chain reaction of shoots regenerated from the leaf discs under selection indicated an overall transformation frequency of 20%. Western blotting of leaves showed that MerA and MerB proteins were produced. In vitro‐grown merA/merB plants were highly resistant to phenylmercuric acetate, and detoxified organic mercury compounds two to three times more rapidly than did controls, as shown by mercury volatilization assay. This indicates that these cottonwood trees are reasonable candidates for the remediation of organomercury‐contaminated sites.
Understanding the 2001 UK Census Migration and Commuting Data: The Effect of Small Cell Adjustment and Problems of Comparison with 1991
Authors: Stillwell John , Duke-Williams Oliver 
Published: January 2007

SummaryOrigin–destination statistics have been produced from the last three UK censuses. The paper describes what is new about the 2001 census interaction data on migration and commuting, considers the disclosure control methods that were applied to cells containing small values and demonstrates the problems that are associated with making comparisons with 1991 data. The effect of small cell adjustment procedures on the interaction data sets is investigated by means of selective analyses at different spatial scales. Some recommendations are made in light of the problems that were manifest in 2001.
Statistical Learning Procedures for Monitoring Regulatory Compliance: an Application to Fisheries Data
Authors: Lennert-Cody Cleridy E. , Berk Richard A. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryAs a special case of statistical learning, ensemble methods are well suited for the analysis of opportunistically collected data that involve many weak and sometimes specialized predictors, especially when subject-matter knowledge favours inductive approaches. We analyse data on the incidental mortality of dolphins in the purse-seine fishery for tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The goal is to identify those rare purse-seine sets for which incidental mortality would be expected but none was reported. The ensemble method random forests is used to classify sets according to whether mortality was (response 1) or was not (response 0) reported. To identify questionable reporting practice, we construct ‘residuals’ as the difference between the categorical response (0,1) and the proportion of trees in the forest that classify a given set as having mortality. Two uses of these residuals to identify suspicious data are illustrated. This approach shows promise as a means of identifying suspect data gathered for environmental monitoring.
The effect of oil exchange receipts on import in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Authors: Rad Abbas Alavi , Dehghan Mohammad Ali 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis paper examines the determinants of aggregate imports in Iran between 1960 and 2000. With respect to the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran is an oil‐exporting country, and most foreign exchange earnings result from oil export, recent study variable of oil exchange receipts to variables of traditional import demand function is added. Quantitative estimates, based on multivariate and univariate co‐integration analysis, indicate that oil exchange receipts, real income and relative prices all significantly determine the behaviour of total import in the long‐run. Findings also show that the income elasticity generally is within the range of 0.58 to 0.76. On the other hand, relative prices elasticity is within the range of −0.56 to −0.67. Additionally, we have used an error correction model to show the behaviour of import demand function in the short‐run. Finally, our analysis show that oil exchange receipts, as well as real income and relative prices, play a remarkable role in shaping import behaviour both in the long‐run and short‐run.
Physical properties of carbonate fault rocks, fucino basin (Central Italy): implications for fault seal in platform carbonates
Authors: AGOSTA F. , PRASAD M. , AYDIN A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe documented the porosity, permeability, pore geometry, pore type, textural anisotropy, and capillary pressure of carbonate rock samples collected along basin‐bounding normal faults in central Italy. The study samples consist of one Mesozoic platform carbonate host rock with low porosity and permeability, four fractured host rocks of the damage zones, and four fault rocks of the fault cores. The four fractured samples have high secondary porosity, due to elongated, connected, soft pores that provide fluid pathways in the damage zone. We modeled this zone as an elastic cracked medium, and used the Budiansky–O'Connell correlation to compute its permeability from the measured elastic moduli. This correlation can be applied only to fractured rocks with large secondary porosity and high‐aspect ratio pores. The four fault rock samples are made up of survivor clasts embedded in fine carbonate matrices and cements with sub‐spherical, stiff pores. The low porosity and permeability of these rocks, and their high values of capillary pressure, are consistent with the fault core sealing as much as 77 and 140 m of gas and oil columns, respectively. We modeled the fault core as a granular medium, and used the Kozeny–Carmen correlation, assigning the value of 5 to the Kozeny constant, to compute its permeability from the measured porosities and pore radii. The permeability structure of the normal faults is composed of two main units with unique hydraulic characteristics: a granular fault core that acts as a seal to cross‐fault fluid flow, and an elastic cracked damage zone that surrounds the core and forms a conduit for fluid flow. Transient pathways for along‐fault fluid flow may form in the fault core during seismic faulting due to the formation of opening‐mode fractures within the cemented fault rocks.
Obesity in pregnancy: a study of the impact of maternal obesity on NHS maternity services
Authors: Heslehurst N , Lang R , Rankin J , Wilkinson JR , Summerbell CD 
Published: January 2007

Objective  To gain a detailed understanding of healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the impact that caring for obese pregnant women has on maternity services.Design  Qualitative interview study using purposeful sampling and face‐to‐face interviews.Setting  Sixteen maternity units in NHS Trusts in the North East Government Office Region of England, UK.Sample  Thirty‐three maternity and obstetric healthcare professionals with personal experience of managing the care of obese pregnant women.Methods  Semi‐structured interviews with healthcare professionals representing each maternity unit in the region. Transcripts were analysed using systematic content analysis.Main outcome measures  Views on the impact maternal obesity has on maternity services, the facilities required to care for obese mothers in pregnancy, and existing services directed towards maternal obesity.Results  Five dominant themes relating to service delivery emerged; booking appointments, equipment, care requirements, complications and restrictions, and current and future management of care. Many of the issues identified were associated with managing the care of obese women in pregnancy safely, resources and cost issues to be able to do this, multidisciplinary care requirements because of coexisting morbidities when the mother is obese, and restricted care options and patient choice.Conclusions  Healthcare professionals in the North East of England feel that maternal obesity has a major impact on services and resource, on the health of both the mother and child, and on the psychological wellbeing of the mother.
Being born small for gestational age increases the risk of severe pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Zetterström K , Lindeberg S , Haglund B , Magnuson A , Hanson U 
Published: January 2007

Objective  The first aim of this study was to investigate the risk of pre‐eclampsia, both mild and severe, in women born small for gestational age (SGA). The second aim was to investigate whether the risk is modified by pre‐eclampsia in the previous generation.Design  Population‐based cohort study.Setting  Sweden.Population  A population of 118 634 women registered both as newborns and as mothers in the Swedish Medical Birth Register of 1973–2003. Of these, 6883 had been born SGA. Only primiparas and singletons were included.Methods  The pregnancies that the women were born out of were analysed with regard to presence of pre‐eclampsia, while their own pregnancies were analysed regarding age at delivery, smoking, body mass index and incidence of mild or severe pre‐eclampsia. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used. In a first step, we adjusted for maternal characteristics, and in a second step, for pre‐eclampsia in the previous generation.Main outcome measures  Odds ratio for mild and severe pre‐eclampsia.Results  In women born SGA, the adjusted odds ratio (first step) for mild pre‐eclampsia was 1.19 (95% CI 1.03–1.38), while for severe pre‐eclampsia it was 1.69 (95% CI 1.40–2.02) compared with those not born SGA. After the second‐step adjustment, the odds ratio for mild pre‐eclampsia was 1.16 (95% CI 1.00–1.35) and for severe pre‐eclampsia was 1.62 (95% CI 1.35–1.95). No statistically significant effect modification from pre‐eclampsia in the previous generation was shown.Conclusions  Women born SGA suffer a markedly increased risk of severe pre‐eclampsia. Exposure to pre‐eclampsia during a woman’s own fetal development significantly increases her risk of pre‐eclampsia but does not modify the SGA effect.