bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pygeum africanum extract inhibits proliferation of human cultured prostatic fibroblasts and myofibroblasts
Authors: Boulbès Delphine , Soustelle Laurent , Costa Pierre , Haddoum Mohammed , Bali Jean‐Pierre , Hollande Frédéric , Magous Richard 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Pygeum africanum (PA) extract on the proliferation of cultured human prostatic myofibroblasts and fibroblasts; this extract is used for treating urinary disorders associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).MATERIALS AND METHODSPrimary cultures of prostatic stromal cells were obtained from histologically confirmed human BPH by enzymatic digestion. Cell proliferation was measured by 5‐bromo2′‐deoxy‐uridine (BrdU) incorporation assays, and cytotoxicity by luminescent quantification of adenylate kinase activity.RESULTSCultured cells were labelled by an anti‐vimentin antibody, and most of them by an α−smooth‐muscle‐actin antibody, revealing the presence of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. BrdU incorporation tests showed that proliferation of cultured human stromal cells, stimulated by fetal calf serum, by basic fibroblast growth factor and by epidermal growth factor, was dose‐dependently inhibited by PA extract (5–100 µg/mL). Except at 100 µg/mL, no acute cytotoxicity of the extract was detected after 24 h of culture. Similarly, the extract dose‐dependently inhibited the proliferation of Madin–Darby canine kidney epithelial cells, but to a lesser extent; whatever the dose of extract, no acute toxicity was evident on this cell line.CONCLUSION PA extract inhibits the proliferation of cultured human prostatic myofibroblasts and fibroblasts. We propose that cultured human prostatic cells offer a reliable model for preclinical screening of therapeutic agents, and to study the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of proliferation.
Effects of ovariectomy and oestrogen replacement on the function and expression of Rho‐kinase in rat bladder smooth muscle
Authors: Hong Sung K. , Yang Ji H. , Kim Tae B. , Kim Soo W. , Paick Jae‐Seung 
Published: October 2006

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ovariectomy and oestrogen replacement on the function and expression of Rho‐kinase in rat bladder smooth muscle, as the actual effects of oestrogen deprivation on bladder smooth muscle are unclear.MATERIALS AND METHODSFemale Sprague–Dawley rats were placed into one of three groups: sham‐operated, bilateral ovariectomy‐only, and bilateral ovariectomy plus oestrogen replacement groups. In the last group, oestrogen was replaced by weekly injection of β‐estradiol 17‐cypionate (250 µg/kg subcutaneously for 6 weeks) beginning at 1 week after ovariectomy, whereas the other groups received vehicle‐only injections for 6 weeks. After treatment, the bladder was removed for muscle strip studies to evaluate the effects of Y‐27632, a specific inhibitor of Rho‐kinase, on baseline tension and carbachol‐induced tonic contractions. Also, the protein expression of RhoA and Rho‐kinase isoenzymes was assessed by Western blot analysis.RESULTSOf the three groups, incubation with 10 µm Y‐27632 resulted in the largest decrease in baseline tension of strips from the bilateral ovariectomy‐only group, but this was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). For carbachol‐induced tonic contractions, strips from the bilateral ovariectomy‐only group were attenuated the most among the three groups after adding Y‐27632 (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of RhoA and the two Rho‐kinase isoenzymes in bladder tissues from the three groups.CONCLUSIONOur data show that oestrogen might inhibit the function of Rho‐kinase in bladder smooth muscle, while having no significant effect on its expression. This finding might help to explain the greater incidence of urinary tract symptoms suggestive of overactive bladder after the menopause in women.
The role of anticholinergics in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Blake‐James Benedict T. , Rashidian Arash , Ikeda Youko , Emberton Mark 
Published: October 2006

Authors from the UK present a systematic review of publications on the safety and efficacy of anticholinergics in men with LUTS; they found them to be safe, but suggested that further studies are required to establish precisely their efficacy.Authors from the USA studied the correlation between risk factors for vascular disease and the AUA symptom score; there was a possible association between vascular disease and the development and severity of LUTS in men.OBJECTIVETo assess the safety and efficacy of anticholinergics in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by a systematic review of published reports and a meta‐analysis of the reported outcomes.METHODSWe searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases (1966–2006), and hand‐searched relevant reference lists and conference proceedings, for studies on the use of anticholinergics in men with BPH or bladder outlet obstruction. Eligible studies were assessed for quality and foreign language studies were translated. We collected data on all reported outcomes, conducted meta‐ analyses on the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) and volume at first contraction, and calculated the acute urinary retention (AUR) rate. We used sensitivity analysis to confirm the findings.RESULTSWe identified five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 15 observational studies. Four RCTs incorporating 633 patients were included in the meta‐analyses. Anticholinergics did not significantly alter Qmax (0.1 mL/s, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.6–0.7). The PVR was increased by 11.6 mL (95% CI 4.5–18.6) although there was no significant difference between AUR rates. The total International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) were not significantly different, but there were improvements for IPSS storage subscores in one RCT. The AUR rate was 0.3% at the 12‐week follow‐up in 365 men in the RCTs and observational studies.CONCLUSIONAnticholinergic use in men with LUTS suggestive of BPH appears to be safe. Further studies are required to establish efficacy with a suitable precision.
Influences of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide on hepatic fibrogenesis
Authors: Novitskiy Gennadiy , Potter James J. , Wang Lan , Mezey Esteban 
Published: October 2006

Abstract
Background/Aims: This study determined the roles of NAD(P)H oxidase, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), and of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which generates nitric oxide (NO) on the development of hepatic fibrosis in mice.Methods: Hepatic fibrosis was produced by carbon tetrachloride administered for 12 weeks in wild‐type (WT) mice and in mice with knockout of either the gp91phox subunit of the NAD(P)H complex (gp91phox−/−) or of iNOS (iNOS−/−).Results: Liver fibrosis and hydroxyproline after carbon tetrachloride was lower in gp91phox−/− and in iNOS−/− mice than in WT mice. The increase in α2(I) collagen mRNA was absent in the gp91phox−/− but not in the iNOS−/− mice. Transformation growth factor β (TGF‐β) mRNA was increased more in the gp91phox−/− than in the WT mice, while in the iNOS−/− mice there was no increase in TGF‐β mRNA. 3‐Nitrotyrosine was similarly increased by carbon tetrachloride in gp91phox−/− and WT mice, while there was no increase in the iNOS−/− mice.Conclusions:
Deficiencies in NAD(P)H oxidase and in iNOS separately reduce, but do not eliminate carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver fibrosis. Likely causes for this inhibitory effects are decreases in the production of ROS in NAD(P)H deficiency and of peroxinitrite radicals in iNOS deficiency.
Endogenous Adaptation: The Effects of Technology Position and Planning Mode on IT‐Enabled Change*
Authors: Mitchell Victoria L. , Zmud Robert W. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTThe redesign of information technology (IT)‐enabled work processes often necessitates fundamental design changes to the intended work process, the IT platform hosting the work process, or both. Research suggests that such design changes often can be traced to earlier decisions involving endogenous adaptation or internal organizational change. Two such decisions are a firm's technology position and planning mode. This study examines the relationship between technology position and planning mode in predicting the magnitude of design change in process redesign projects. The conceptual frame applied in examining these relationships involves a synthesis of Miles and Snow's adaptive cycle with elements central to concurrent engineering. Our results indicate that the magnitude of design change is related to differences in technology position and planning mode. To effectively implement organizational change, firms must leverage their IT platform by carefully timing IT investments in accordance with their adopted technology position. Directing the trajectory of a firm's IT platform and deploying it so as to complement the firm's technology position reduces design uncertainty, promoting reengineering success.
Initial Public Offerings: CFO Perceptions
Authors: Brau James C. , Ryan Patricia A. , DeGraw Irv 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe examine four issues pertaining to initial public offerings (IPOs) using a survey of 438 chief financial officers (CFOs). First, why do firms go public? Second, is CFO sentiment stationary across bear and bull markets? Third, what concerns CFOs about going public? Fourth, do CFO perceptions correlate with returns? Results support funding for growth and liquidity as the primary reasons for IPOs. CFO sentiment is generally stationary in pre‐ and post‐bubble years. Managers are concerned with the direct costs of going public, such as underwriting fees, as well as indirect costs. We find a negative relation between a focus on immediate growth and long‐term abnormal returns.
The Equity Premium: Consistent with GDP Growth and Portfolio Insurance
Authors: Faugère Christophe , Van Erlach Julian 
Published: October 2006

AbstractWe find that the long‐term equity premium is consistent with both GDP growth and portfolio insurance. We use a supply‐side growth model and demonstrate that the arithmetic average stock market return and the returns on corporate assets and debt depend on GDP per capita growth. The implied equity premium matches the U.S. historical average over 1926–2001. Separately, we find that the equity premium tracks the value of a put option on the S&P 500. Our theory predicts a smaller equity premium in the future, assuming that the recent regime shifts in dividend policies, interest rates, and tax rates are permanent.
Increased survivin expression in high‐grade oral squamous cell carcinoma: a study in Indian tobacco chewers
Authors: Jane C. , Nerurkar A. V. , Shirsat N. V. , Deshpande R. B. , Amrapurkar A. D. , Karjodkar F. R. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Oral cancer is one of the five leading sites of cancer in the Indian population. In the present study we analyzed the expression of apoptosis regulating genes, viz. survivin, Bcl‐2, Bax and p53 in precancerous and cancerous lesions of the buccal mucosa of Indian tobacco chewers.Method:  Paraffin‐embedded tissue samples from 38 patients with primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 17 patients with leukoplakia were used. The expression of survivin, Bcl‐2, Bax, and p53 was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining method.Results:  Thirty‐six percent OSCC were found to be positive for nuclear p53 staining while none of the precancerous lesions showed p53 positivity. Survivin, Bcl‐2 and Bax expression was found to increase with increased grade of malignancy. Increase in survivin expression was statistically most significant (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Increased expression of anti‐apoptotic survivin in high‐grade tumors suggests that survivin is likely to contribute significantly to apoptosis resistance in response to therapy.
Alveolar bone loss in T helper 1/T helper 2 cytokine‐deficient mice
Authors: Alayan J. , Ivanovski S. , Farah C. S. 
Published: October 2006

Background and Objective:  The role of cytokines in bone loss is important in the context of periodontitis, where inflammation‐induced bone destruction is a major manifestation. Numerous cytokines have been implicated as mediators of bone resorption. The purpose of this study was to observe the impact of targeted gene deletion of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines on naturally occurring alveolar bone loss in genetically modified mice.Material and Methods:  Alveolar bone loss was measured histomorphometrically in interleukin‐4, interleukin‐10, interleukin‐12p40, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) knockout mice at 6, 16 and 30 wk of age.Results:  Both Th1 (interleukin‐12p40, IFN‐γ, TNF) and Th2 (interleukin‐10, interleukin‐4) knockout mice exhibited significantly more alveolar bone loss than their respective wild‐type control mice (p < 0.001). Interleukin‐10–/– and interleukin‐12p40–/– mice exhibited a three‐fold increase in alveolar bone loss at 30 wk of age, whereas bone loss in IFN‐γ–/–, TNF–/– and interleukin‐4–/– mice was 1.5‐ to two‐fold higher compared with wild‐type control mice.Conclusion:  The results of the present study indicate that both Th1 and Th2 cytokines play an important role in maintaining alveolar bone homeostasis. The kinetics of alveolar bone loss seen in cytokine gene knockout mice indicates that bone loss is age dependent and late in onset.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF A PROVINCIAL FUEL LEVY: A CGE ANALYSIS
Authors: Mcdonald Scott , Reynolds Sanri , Van Schoor Melt 
Published: October 2006

AbstractProvincial governments in South Africa, commencing with the Western Cape, are expected to institute provincial fuel levies in addition to the existing national fuel levy in future. This paper presents results from a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model calibrated with a detailed Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) to evaluate the effects of a 3 per cent provincial fuel levy implemented simultaneously in all provinces. The results are presented for the petroleum products market, government, the macro economy, industries, factor income (including employment) and household income and expenditure. Results indicate that although the impact of the fuel levy is not drastic, it is large relative to the expected revenue gain. The impact is distributed more uniformly than was expected.
EVALUATING THE GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM EFFECTS OF A WAGE SUBSIDY SCHEME FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Pauw Kalie , Edwards Lawrence 
Published: October 2006

AbstractUnemployment among semi‐ and unskilled labour has reached severe proportions (over 50%) and threatens the political and economic stability of the South African economy. In this paper a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the South African economy is used to assess the effectiveness of a wage subsidy in raising employment of semi‐ and unskilled workers. We find that employment of semi‐ and unskilled workers can be raised quite significantly. Further, the wage subsidy schemes compares favourably with alternative welfare grant schemes in terms of employment growth. However, the results are sensitive to the targeting of sectors and the substitutability between labour of different skill levels.
THE INTERNATIONAL ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM UNDER RESTRAINT
Authors: Strydom Pdf 
Published: October 2006

AbstractInternational imbalances, featuring as large current account deficits and surpluses in different countries are closely related but the adjustment mechanism that should restore equilibrium appears to be under restraint. These imbalances cannot be sustained without severe negative effects on the world economy. The different elements of the adjustment mechanism are complementary and it appears that the current state of economic policy and the absence of incentives to market participants in favour of portfolio switching inhibit an effective adjustment process. Institutional reform in the financial markets of the emerging economies, particularly Asia, appears to be an important prerequisite for the adjustment process to be effective.
THE STRATEGIC USE OF ANTI‐DUMPING IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Authors: Bekker Doreen 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAlthough anti‐dumping duties are the official countermeasure to the unfair trading practice known as injurious dumping, it is alleged that in some cases anti‐dumping duties are being used to protect certain strategic industries against competitive rather than dumped imports. Although conventional economic wisdom is against such protectionism, some economists argue that certain sensitive and strategic industries may need to be protected against competitive imports even at the cost of economic welfare. This paper argues that more attention should be paid to those strategic industries to establish what is really happening in these industries, while less time and effort should be spent trying to change the Anti‐dumping Agreement.
Habitat selection as a mechanism of resource partitioning in two cryptic bat species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus
Authors: Nicholls Barry , A. Racey Paul 
Published: October 2006

Ecomorphological studies of bat communities often reveal the spatial and temporal coexistence of morphologically similar species, leading to suggestions that these communities are structured by non‐deterministic processes. However, the diversification of echolocation call structure in bats allows for considerable morphological similarity while still permitting niche differentiation based on specialisation for prey type and habitat structure. The recent separation of a common Palaearctic bat, the pipistrelle, into Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus, which are sympatrically distributed throughout their range, raises the question as to whether these two morphologically similar species partition resources in time and space.To test the hypothesis that the coexistence of these cryptic species is facilitated by differential habitat use, 14 P. pipistrellus, and 12 P. pygmaeus were radio‐tracked from adjacent maternity roosts, in northeast Scotland, from May to September 2002/2003. The two species showed distinct habitat partitioning with P. pygmaeus foraging predominantly in riparian woodland and over water, and P. pipistrellus foraging along woodland edges and short isolated tree lines. Inter‐specific overlap in habitat use was low and consequently foraging ranges were segregated spatially.The degree of habitat partitioning revealed in these species, which show considerable overlap in echolocation call parameters and functional morphology, suggests that morphological features, whilst useful in separating chiropteran species into coarse‐grained foraging guilds, may not predict fine‐grained ecological segregation.
A Putative Ariadne-Like Ubiquitin Ligase Is Required for
Dictyostelium discoideum
Development
Authors: Whitney Nathaniel , Pearson Lacey J. , Lunsford Ryan , McGill Lisa , Gomer Richard H. , Lindsey David F. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The
Dictyostelium rbrA
gene encodes a putative Ariadne ubiquitin ligase.
rbrA

−

cells form defective slugs that cannot phototax. Prestalk cell numbers are reduced in
rbrA

−

slugs, and these prestalk cells do not localize to the tip of slugs. Chimeric slugs containing wild-type cells could phototax and form fruiting bodies.
SWI/SNF Displaces SAGA-Acetylated Nucleosomes
Authors: Chandy Mark , Gutiérrez José L. , Prochasson Philippe , Workman Jerry L. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

SWI/SNF is a well-characterized chromatin remodeling complex that remodels
chromatin by sliding nucleosomes in
cis
and/or displacing
nucleosomes in
trans
. The latter mechanism has the potential
to remove promoter nucleosomes, allowing access to transcription
factors and RNA polymerase. In vivo, histone acetylation often precedes
apparent nucleosome loss; therefore, we sought to determine whether
nucleosomes containing acetylated histones could be displaced by the
SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. We found that SAGA-acetylated
histones were lost from an immobilized nucleosome array when treated
with the SWI/SNF complex. When the nucleosome array was acetylated by
SAGA in the presence of bound transcription activators, it generated a
peak of acetylation surrounding the activator binding sites. Subsequent
SWI/SNF treatment suppressed this acetylation peak. Immunoblots
indicated that SWI/SNF preferentially displaced acetylated histones
from the array relative to total histones. Moreover, the Swi2/Snf2
bromodomain, an acetyl-lysine binding domain, played a role in the
displacement of acetylated histones. These data indicate that targeted
histone acetylation by the SAGA complex predisposes promoter
nucleosomes for displacement by the SWI/SNF
complex.
A Glucose Sensor in
Candida albicans
Authors: Brown Victoria , Sexton Jessica A. , Johnston Mark 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT

The Hgt4 protein of
Candida albicans
(orf19.5962) is orthologous to the Snf3 and Rgt2 glucose sensors of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
that govern sugar acquisition by regulating the expression of genes encoding hexose transporters. We found that
HGT4
is required for glucose induction of the expression of
HGT12
,
HXT10
, and
HGT7
, which encode apparent hexose transporters in
C. albicans
. An
hgt4Δ
mutant is defective for growth on fermentable sugars, which is consistent with the idea that Hgt4 is a sensor of glucose and similar sugars. Hgt4 appears to be sensitive to glucose levels similar to those in human serum (∼5 mM).
HGT4
expression is repressed by high levels of glucose, which is consistent with the idea that it encodes a high-affinity sugar sensor. Glucose sensing through Hgt4 affects the yeast-to-hyphal morphological switch of
C. albicans
cells:
hgt4Δ
mutants are hypofilamented, and a constitutively signaling form of Hgt4 confers hyperfilamentation of cells. The
hgt4Δ
mutant is less virulent than wild-type cells in a mouse model of disseminated candidiasis. These results suggest that Hgt4 is a high-affinity glucose sensor that contributes to the virulence of
C. albicans
.
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Hog1 Is Essential for the Response to Arsenite in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sotelo Jael , Rodríguez-Gabriel Miguel A. 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT
Here we describe, for the first time, that budding yeast mitogen-activated protein kinase Hog1 and its upstream activators Pbs2 and Ssk1 are essential for the response to arsenite. Hog1 is rapidly phosphorylated in response to arsenite and triggers a transcriptional response that involves the upregulation of genes essential for arsenite detoxification.
Effect of marigold (Tagetes patula) on population dynamics of Pratylenchus penetrans in a field
Authors: Pudasaini Mahesh , Viaene Nicole , Moens Maurice 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe effect of a sequence of host and non-host crops on the population dynamics of Pratylenchus penetrans was monitored for 2 years in a field. The sequence was pea (Pisum sativum, 25% cv. Colombia and 75% cv. Coca), French marigolds (Tagetes patula nana cv. Sparky); fallow; carrot (Daucus carota, cv. Amsterdamse bak); bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, cv. Avignon) and again fallow. Samples were taken every 21 days during the marigold crop and following fallow, and at planting and harvest for the other crops. From five 2 × 5 m2 plots, 15 cores were taken per plot to a depth of 70 cm and split into seven segments of 10 cm each. Within the plots, segments from corresponding depths were pooled and nematodes were estimated from a 200 g subsample. Densities of P. penetrans increased 2.2-fold under pea, but decreased by 90% after marigolds had been grown for 105 days. The P. penetrans population was reduced by about 90% in the soil layer above 40 cm while the reduction was about 80% below 50 cm after 105 days of marigold culture. Densities of P. penetrans declined exponentially in time under marigold and fallow. The effect of marigold was persistent as no increase in P. penetrans densities over the whole soil profile was noticed after two crop cycles of host plants.