bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two‐Step Production of Oil Enriched in Conjugated Linoleic Acids and Diacylglycerol
Authors: Vu Phuong‐Lan , Park Rae‐Kyun , Lee Yun‐Jeung , Kim Yu‐Mi , Nam Ha‐Young , Lee Jeung‐Hee , Akoh Casimir C. , Lee Ki‐Teak 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA two‐step process was used to produce diacylglycerol‐enriched structured lipid that contained mainly c9,t11 and t10,c12 isomers of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA). First, a structured triacylglycerol (TAG) was synthesized by lipase‐catalyzed acidolysis of corn oil with CLA. This structured triacylglycerol contained 30.4 mol% CLA with 45.5% of the CLA mostly located at sn‐1,3 positions of the glycerol backbone. Then, lipase‐catalyzed glycerolysis was conducted between structured triacylglycerol and glycerol to produce diacylglycerol‐enriched structured lipid. The final product contained 6.8% monoacylglycerol, 31.5% diacylglycerol and 61.1% TAG after 48 h reaction. The selected chemical (fatty acid composition, the content of mono‐, di‐, and triacylglycerol in the reaction product) and physical properties (melting profile) were determined by hihg‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
The validity of questionnaire self‐report of psychopathology and parent–child relationship quality in juvenile delinquents with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Breuk R.E. , Clauser C.A.C. , Stams G.J.J.M. , Slot N.W. , Doreleijers T.A.H. 
Published: December 2006

ABSTRACTThe present study focuses on the validity of questionnaire self‐report of psychopathology and parent–child relationship quality for juvenile delinquents with severe behavioural and psychiatric disorders by comparing information derived from questionnaire self‐report with information from other sources, including parent report, in‐depth interviewing, behavioural observation by clinicians, and official criminal records. The sample consisted of N=33 juvenile delinquents with psychiatric disorders. The juvenile delinquents did not report increased levels of psychopathology or poor relationships with their parents, which is inconsistent with the fact that all juvenile delinquents were in day treatment for severe behavioural maladaptation and relationship problems. Moreover, parent ratings of psychopathology were consistently in the clinical range and relationship quality was evaluated as very poor by the parents (d>.80). We conclude that screening instruments for psychopathology and assessment of relationship quality relying on questionnaire self‐report may not yield valid scores in this (extreme) population of juvenile delinquents.
Body mass index, prognosis and mode of death in chronic heart failure: Results from the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial
Authors: Cicoira Mariantonietta , Maggioni Aldo Pietro , Latini Roberto , Barlera Simona , Carretta Elisa , Janosi Andras , Soler Jordi Soler , Anand Inder , Cohn Jay N. ,   Val‐HeFT Investigators
Published: December 2006

AbstractAims:To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI), mortality and mode of death in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients; to define the shape of the relationship between BMI and mortality.Methods and results:We performed a post‐hoc analysis of 5010 patients from the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial. The end‐points of the study were all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality. Mortality rate was 27.2% in underweight patients (BMI<22 kg/m2), 21.7% in normal weight patients (BMI 22–24.9 kg/m2), 17.9% in overweight patients (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2) and 16.5% in obese patients (BMI>30 kg/m2) (p<0.0001). The rates of non‐cardiovascular death did not differ among groups. The risk of death due to progressive heart failure was 3.4‐fold higher in the underweight than in the obese patients (p<0.0001). Normal weight, overweight and obese patients had lower risk of death as compared with underweight patients (p=0.019, HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61–0.96; p=0.0005, HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.55–0.84; p=0.003, HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.52–0.88, respectively) independently of symptoms, ventricular function, beta‐blocker use, C‐reactive protein and brain natriuretic peptide levels.Conclusions:In CHF patients a higher BMI is associated with a better prognosis independently of other clinical variables. The relationship between mortality and BMI is monotonically decreasing.
Myocardial viability estimation during the recovery phase of stress echocardiography after acute beta‐blocker administration
Authors: Karagiannis Stefanos E. , Feringa Harm H.H. , Bax Jeroen J. , Elhendy Abdu , Dunkelgrun Martin , Vidakovic Radosav , Hoeks S.E. , van Domburg Ron , Valhema Roelf , Cokkinos Dennis V. , Poldermans Don 
Published: December 2006

AbstractBackground:Myocardial viability assessment in severely dysfunctional segments by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is less sensitive than nuclear scanning.Aim:To assess the additional value of using the recovery phase of DSE after acute beta‐blocker administration for identifying viable myocardium.Methods:The study included 49 consecutive patients with ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%. All patients underwent DSE evaluation at low–high dose and during recovery phase, and dual‐isotope single photon emission tomography (DISA‐SPECT) evaluation for viability of severely dysfunctional segments. Patients with ≥4 viable segments were considered viable. Coronary revascularization followed within 3 months in all patients. Radionuclide evaluation of LVEF was performed before and 12 months after revascularization.Results:Viability with DISA‐SPECT was detected in 463 (59%) segments, while 154 (19.7%) segments presented as scar. The number of viable segments increased from 415 (53%) at DSE to 463 (59%) at DSE and recovery, and the number of viable patients increased from 43 to 49 respectively. LVEF improved by ≥5% in 27 patients. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, DSE with recovery phase was the only independent predictor of ≥5% LVEF improvement after revascularization (OR 14.6, CI 1.4–133.7).Conclusion:In this study, we demonstrate that the recovery phase of DSE has an increased sensitivity for viability estimation compared to low–high dose DSE.
A randomized controlled clinical trial of a psychosocial and communication intervention carried out by GPs for patients with medically unexplained symptoms
Authors: AIARZAGUENA JOSÉ M. , GRANDES GONZALO , GAMINDE IDOIA , SALAZAR AGUSTÍN , SÁNCHEZ ÁLVARO , ARIÑO JULEN 
Published: December 2006

Background. Somatizing patients are a challenge to general practitioners (GPs). A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted to asses the effect of specific communication techniques delivered by GPs on somatizing patients' self-perceived health.Method. Thirty-nine GPs were assigned randomly to two parallel groups. GPs in the intervention group treated somatic patients according to specific communication techniques focused on offering a physical explanation – release of hormones – and approaching sensitive topics in the patient's experience indirectly. Control GPs used the standard Goldberg reattribution technique. A total of 156 patients, aged 18–65 years, were selected randomly from a list of 468 patients with six or more active symptoms for women and four or more for men. All patients had six programmed 30-min consultations. Health-related quality of life (assessed with the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36) and a summary utility index were used as outcome measures. Patients were interviewed at home at baseline and at 3, 8 and 12 months after the beginning of the intervention.Results. Patients in both groups improved in all dimensions of the SF-36. The time course of the quality of life was significantly better for the intervention group in five of the eight scales of the SF-36 (bodily pain, mental health, physical functioning, vitality, and social functioning) and in the utility index (p<0·039).Conclusions. Communication techniques were found to have a clinically relevant impact on body pain. This finding, together with a trend towards better scores in the remaining scales, justifies the use of these techniques in psychosocial interventions delivered to patients with medically unexplained symptoms.
Kinetics of cell death of frozen-thawed human embryonic stem cell colonies is reversibly slowed down by exposure to low temperature
Authors: Heng B.C. , Ye C.P. , Liu H. , Toh W.S. , Rufaihah A.J. , Cao T. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryA major challenge in the widespread application of hES (human embryonic stem) cells in clinical therapy and basic scientific research is the development of efficient cryopreservation protocols. Conventional slow-cooling protocols utilizing standard cryoprotectant concentrations i.e. 10% (v/v) DMSO, yield extremely low survival rates of less than 5% as reported by previous studies. This study characterized cell death in frozen-thawed hES colonies that were cryopreserved under standard conditions. Surprisingly, our results showed that immediately after post-thaw washing, the overwhelming majority of hES cells were viable (approximately 98%), as assessed by the trypan blue exclusion test. However, when the freshly thawed hES colonies were placed in a 37 °C incubator, there was a gradual reduction in cell viability over time. The kinetics of cell death was drastically slowed down by keeping the freshly thawed hES colonies at 4 °C, with more than 90% of cells remaining viable after 90 min of incubation at 4 °C. This effect was reversible upon re-exposing the cells to physiological temperatures. The vast majority of low temperature-exposed hES colonies gradually underwent cell death upon incubation for a further 90 min at 37 °C. Hence, our observations would strongly suggest involvement of a self-induced apoptotic mechanism, as opposed to cellular necrosis arising from cryoinjury.
Modulation of protein kinase C by curcumin; inhibition and activation switched by calcium ions
Authors: Mahmmoud Y A 
Published: December 2006

Background and purpose:Previous studies have identified the natural polyphenol curcumin as a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. In contrast, we found significant stimulation of PKC activity following curcumin treatment. Thus, the mechanism of curcumin interaction with PKC was investigated.Experimental approach:We employed phosphorylation assays in the presence of soluble or membrane‐bound PKC substrates, followed by SDS–PAGE, autoradiography and phosphorylation intensity measurements.Key results:Curcumin inhibited PKC in the absence of membranes whereas stimulation was observed in the presence of membranes. Further analysis indicated that curcumin decreased PKC activity by competition with Ca2+ stimulation of the kinase, resulting in inhibition of activity at lower Ca2+ concentrations and stimulation at higher Ca2+ concentrations. The role of the membrane is likely to be facilitation of Ca2+‐binding to the kinase, thus relieving the curcumin inhibition observed at limited Ca2+ concentrations. Curcumin was found to mildly stimulate the catalytic subunit of PKC, which does not require Ca2+ for activation. In addition, studies on Ca2+‐independent PKC isoforms as well as another curcumin target (the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase) confirmed a correlation between Ca2+ concentration and the curcumin effects.Conclusions and Implications:Curcumin competes with Ca2+ for the regulatory domain of PKC, resulting in a Ca2+‐dependent dual effect on the kinase. We propose that curcumin interacts with the Ca2+‐binding domains in target proteins. To our knowledge, this is the first study that defines an interaction domain for curcumin, and provides a rationale for the broad specificity of this polyphenol as a chemopreventive drug.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 200–208. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706970
Activation of peripheral cannabinoid CB1and CB2receptors suppresses the maintenance of inflammatory nociception: a comparative analysis
Authors: Gutierrez T , Farthing J N , Zvonok A M , Makriyannis A , Hohmann A G 
Published: December 2006

Background and Purpose:Effects of locally administered agonists and antagonists for cannabinoid CB1and CB2receptors on mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity were compared after the establishment of chronic inflammation.Experimental approach:Carrageenan was administered unilaterally to the rat hindpaw on day 1. Prophylactic efficacy of locally administered CB1‐ and CB2‐selective agonists −arachidonyl‐2‐chloroethylamide (ACEA) and (R,S)‐(2‐iodo‐5‐nitro‐phenyl)‐[l‐(l‐methyl‐piperidin‐2‐ylmethyl)‐lH‐ubdik‐3‐yl]‐methanone ((R,S)‐AM1241), respectively− on mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity were compared on day 2. Pharmacological specificity was evaluated using locally administered CB1and CB2‐selective antagonists −N‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐4‐methyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamidehydrochloride (SR141716A) andN‐[(1S)‐endo‐1,3,3‐trimethyl bicycle [2.2.1] heptan‐2‐yl]‐5‐(4‐chloro‐3‐methylphenyl)‐1‐(4‐methylbenzyl)‐pyrazole‐3‐carboxamide (SR144528), respectively.Key Results:Administration of either ACEA or AM1241 to the inflamed but not noninflamed paw suppressed the maintenance of carrageenan‐evoked mechanical hyperalgesia and tactile allodynia and attenuated thermal hyperalgesia. The ACEA‐induced suppression of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity was blocked by local injection of SR141716A but not SR144528. AM1241 suppressed mechanical hypersensitivity with the reverse pharmacological specificity. The AM1241‐induced suppression of thermal hyperalgesia was blocked by SR144528 and to a lesser extent by SR14176A. Co‐administration of ACEA with AM1241 in the inflamed paw increased the magnitude but not the duration of thermal antihyperalgesia compared to intraplantar administration of either agonist alone.Conclusions and Implications:Cannabinoids act locally through distinct CB1and CB2mechanisms to suppress mechanical hypersensitivity after the establishment of chronic inflammation, at doses that produced modest changes in thermal hyperalgesia. Additive antihyperalgesic effects were observed following prophylactic co‐administration of the CB1‐ and CB2‐selective agonists. Our results suggest that peripheral cannabinoid antihyperalgesic actions may be exploited for treatment of inflammatory pain states.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 153–163. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706984
Insulin induces airway smooth muscle contraction
Authors: Schaafsma D , Gosens R , Ris J M , Zaagsma J , Meurs H , Nelemans S A 
Published: December 2006

Background and purpose:Recently, the use of inhaled insulin formulations for the treatment of type I and type II diabetes has been approved in Europe and in the United States. For regular use, it is critical that airway function remains unimpaired in response to insulin exposure.Experimental approach:We investigated the effects of insulin on airway smooth muscle (ASM) contraction and contractile prostaglandin (PG) production, using guinea‐pig open‐ring tracheal smooth muscle preparations.Key results:It was found that insulin (1 nM‐1 μM) induced a concentration‐dependent contraction that was insensitive to epithelium removal. These sustained contractions were susceptible to inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (indomethacin, 3 μM), Rho‐kinase (Y‐27632, 1 μM) and p42/44 MAP kinase (PD‐98059, 30 μM and U‐0126, 3 μM), but not of PI‐3‐kinase (LY‐294002,10 μM). In addition, insulin significantly increased PGF2α‐production which was inhibited by indomethacin, but not Y‐27632. Moreover, the FP‐receptor antagonist AL‐8810 (10 μM) and the EP1‐receptor antagonist AH‐6809 (10 μM) strongly reduced insulin‐induced contractions, supporting a pivotal role for contractile prostaglandins.Conclusions and implications:Collectively, the results show that insulin induces guinea‐pig ASM contraction presumably through the production of contractile prostaglandins, which in turn are dependent on Rho‐kinase for their contractile effects. The data suggest that administration of insulin as an aerosol could result in some acute adverse effects on ASM function.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 136–142. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706985
Prolactin stimulates prostate cell proliferation by increasing endoplasmic reticulum content due to SERCA 2b over-expression
Authors: Crépin Alexandre , Bidaux Gabriel , Vanden-Abeele Fabien , Dewailly Etienne , Goffin Vincent , Prevarskaya Natalia , Slomianny Christian 
Published: December 2006

Prolactin (PRL) has been shown to be involved in the differen-tiation and proliferation of numerous tissues, including the prostate gland. Moreover, variations in [Ca2+]ER (calcium concentration within the endoplasmic reticulum) may play a role in cell growth. However, few studies have focused on the regulation of calcium homoeostasis by prolactin. The present study evaluates the regulation of calcium pools as well as the possible role of [Ca2+]ER variations as a signal for growth modulation by PRL. We show that PRL stimulates the proliferation of normal SV40 immortalized epithelial prostate (PNT1A) cells with a maximum effect at a dose of 100 ng/ml. We also show that 100 ng/ml PRL increases the [Ca2+]ER when measured either by indirect quantific-ation with Fura-2AM after application of 1 μM thapsigargin or by direct quantification with Mag-Fura-2AM within the endoplas-mic reticulum. Western blot analysis shows that the SERCA 2b (sarcoendoplasmic calcium ATPase 2b) is over-expressed in PNT1A cells treated with 100 ng/ml PRL for 24 h. A small inter-fering RNA SERCA 2a/b, used to down-regulate endogenous SERCA 2b expression, reduced both PNT1A cell proliferation and [Ca2+]ER. We thus identify [Ca2+]ER and SERCA 2b as protagonists in PRL-induced proliferation.
Inhibition of human betaine–homocysteine methyltransferase expression by S-adenosylmethionine and methylthioadenosine
Authors: Ou Xiaopeng , Yang Heping , Ramani Komal , Ara Ainhoa Iglesias , Chen Hui , Mato José M. , Lu Shelly C. 
Published: December 2006

BHMT (betaine–homocysteine methyltransferase) remethylates homocysteine to form methionine. SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) inhibits BHMT activity, but whether SAM modulates BHMT gene expression is unknown. Transcriptional regulation of the human BHMT is also unknown. The present study examined regulation of the human BHMT gene by SAM and its metabolite, MTA (5′-methylthioadenosine). To facilitate these studies, we cloned the 2.7 kb 5′-flanking region of the human BHMT gene (GenBank® accession number AY325901). Both SAM and MTA treatment of HepG2 cells resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in BHMT mRNA levels, which paralleled their effects on the BHMT promoter activity. Maximal suppression was observed with the BHMT promoter construct −347/+33, which contains a number of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) binding sites. SAM and MTA treatment increased NF-κB nuclear binding and NF-κB-driven luciferase activities, and increased nuclear binding activity of multiple histone deacetylase co-repressors to the NF-κB sites. Overexpression of p50 and p65 decreased BHMT promoter activity, while blocking NF-κB activation increased BHMT expression and promoter activity, and prevented SAM but not MTA's ability to inhibit BHMT expression. The NF-κB binding site at −301 is responsible, at least in part, for this effect. Lower BHMT expression can impair homocysteine metabolism, which can induce ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress. Indeed, MTA treatment resulted in increased expression ER stress markers. In conclusion, SAM and MTA down-regulate BHMT expression in HepG2 cells in part by inducing NF-κB, which acts as a repressor for the human BHMT gene. While SAM's mechanism is NF-κB-dependent, MTA has both NF-κB-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Comprehensive Peace? An Analysis of the Evolving Tension in Eastern Sudan
Authors: Pantuliano Sara 
Published: December 2006

Eastern Sudan is the site of a little known armed struggle by popular forces against the government in Khartoum, which in turn has been engaged in counter-insurgency and repression there. A complex set of interrelated factors is driving the war: historical grievances, feelings of exclusion and marginalisation, demands for fair sharing of power between different groups, inequitable distribution of economic resources and benefits, underdevelopment, the absence of a genuine democratic process and other governance issues. The article documents the particular patterns of marginalisation and underdevelopment among the predominant population of the Beja people, whose livelihoods are mainly based on pastoralism. It also shows the patterns of political alienation and the emergence of the Beja Congress as a movement that has given voice to those grievances. Excluded from normal political expression or dialogue with the government and then from the political dispensations that the South gained from its peace agreement with the North, the Congress has made common cause with the Rashaida Free Lions, formed among a smaller group of pastoralists of Bedouin origin and other small groups to form the Eastern Front. Operating from logistical bases on the Eritrean border, the Front has made armed incursions into Eastern Sudan and controls some territory. Pressures from inside and outside Sudan have finally led to both sides agreeing to talks, which have finally started in August 2006 under Eritrean mediation. The prospects of these talks leading to a sustainable agreement are explored.
This article is an extract from a much longer study entitled ‘Comprehensive Peace? Causes and Consequences of Underdevelopment and Instability in Eastern Sudan’, Nairobi: NGO Paper. The article was first presented at the 7th International Sudan Studies Conference ‘Fifty Years After Independence: Sudan's Quest for Peace, Stability and Identity’, 6-8 April 2006, University of Bergen, Norway.
Integrals with nearly coincident branch points: Gegenbauer polynomials of large degree
Authors: Ursell F 
Published: December 2006

The integral considered here is a loop integral of the form

where the integrand has branch points at
t
=±
θ
,
F
(
t
2
,
θ
2
) is an analytic function of its arguments and
N
is a large positive parameter. When
θ
is not small, its complete asymptotic expansion can be found by standard techniques. When
θ
is small, the branch points are nearly coincident, and it will be shown that there is a uniform asymptotic expansion involving Bessel functions of argument
Nθ
. An inequality will be established and will be used to show that the expansion is valid in a region including a disc |
θ
|≤
m
of the complex
θ
-plane, where
m
does not tend to 0, when
N
tends to ∞. The proof of this inequality uses the maximum-modulus principle of complex function theory.
The population of Acacia tree species producing gum arabic in the Karamoja region, Uganda
Authors: Egadu Simon P. , Mucunguzi Patrick , Obua Joseph 
Published: December 2006

AbstractThe study aimed at determining the population status of the different Acacia tree species producing gum arabic in the undisturbed, grazed and cultivated habitats in the Karamoja region, Uganda. A total of 135 sample plots each measuring 20 × 20 m2 (0.04 ha) with each habitat having 45 plots were selected and established in the seven counties using a simple random sampling technique. The tree species present, their abundances and sizes were recorded. Twelve Acacia species were identified and a total of 5535 recorded in the sampled area. Out of these, five were gum‐producing acacias. Acacia senegal dominated the acacias in all the seven counties and in all habitats of Karamoja with Acacia nilotica (72.3%), Acacia seyal (13.4%), Acacia sieberiana (4%) and Acacia gerrardii (2.6%). Non‐gum‐producing acacias constituted 7.19% of the total abundance. The tree densities increased with increase in tree size in the undisturbed and grazed habitats but decreased in the cultivated habitat. Most Acacia trees were of large size, an indication of old age and poor regeneration that could affect their future population status. It is recommended that further investigations be carried out into the causes of poor regeneration of Acacia species.