bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Meta‐analysis of mixed treatment comparisons at multiple follow‐up times
Authors: Lu G. , Ades A. E. , Sutton A. J. , Cooper N. J. , Briggs A. H. , Caldwell D. M. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMixed treatment comparisons (MTC) meta‐analysis is a methodology for making inferences on relative treatment effects based on a synthesis of both direct and indirect evidence on multiple treatment contrasts. This is particularly useful in the context of cost‐effectiveness analysis and medical decision making. Here, we extend these methods to a more complex situation where trials report results at one or more, different yet fixed, follow‐up times. These methods are applied to an illustrative data set combining evidence on healing rates under six different treatments for gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD). A series of Bayesian hierarchical models based on piece‐wise exponential hazards is developed that borrow strength across the MTC networks and also across time points. These include models for absolute and relative treatment effects, models with fixed or random effects over time, random walk models, and models with homogeneous or heterogeneous between‐trials variation. The deviance information criterion (DIC) is used to guide model development and selection. Models for absolute treatment effects generate materially different rankings of the treatments than models that separate the trial‐specific baselines from the relative treatment effects. The extent of between‐trials heterogeneity in treatment effects depends on treatment contrast. In discussion we note that models of this type have a very wide potential application. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Egg size manipulation in the migrant skipper, Parnara guttata guttata (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae), in response to different host plants
Authors: Mizumoto Makoto , Nakasuji Fusao 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFemale adults of the migrant skipper, Parnara guttata guttata, lay different‐sized eggs on different host plants in different generations. Moreover, P. g. guttata maintains large egg size variation either in the population or in the individual. Why such phenotypic plasticity in egg size is maintained has not been clarified. In the present study we performed a series of experiments to verify whether or not females of P. g. guttata discriminate between the different host plants, i.e., rice plant Oriza sativa in the first and second generations and cogon grass Imperata cylindrica in the third (overwintering) generation and manipulate egg size accordingly on these host plants. When a caged female was allowed to lay eggs alternatively on soft‐leafed rice plant and tough‐leafed cogon grass, the size of the eggs laid on cogon grass was significantly larger than that on rice plant. When a caged female was allowed to lay eggs on the two host plants that were supplied on alternate days, the size of eggs laid on cogon grass was also significantly larger than that on rice plant. A preliminary experiment using crude extract from the plants suggested that females did not manipulate egg size in response to chemical stimulants alone. The skipper female was able to lay different‐sized eggs instantaneously after assessing the host plant. However, the reaction norm to different host plants differed among females. Eggs of various sizes were matured in each ovariole, and egg size variation at the lowest part of the ovariole ranged from the size of the larger eggs laid on cogon grass to that of the smaller eggs laid on rice plant, although how the female chose the appropriate‐sized egg at each occasion is unknown.
Influence of consumer mutual interference on the stabilization of a three‐level trophic system
Authors: Zhang Fengpan , Li Zi‐zhen , Zhang Xinfeng , Gao Meng 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn this paper, we present a three‐level (food–prey–predator) trophic food chain which includes consumer mutual interference (MIF). In contrast with other analyses, we consider the effect of both prey and predator MIF on the dynamics of a three‐level trophic system. MIF is generally considered to exert a stabilizing effect on population dynamics based on the predator–prey model. However, results from analytical and numerical simulations utilizing a simple three‐species food chain model suggest that while the addition of prey MIF to the model provides a stabilizing influence, as the chaotic dynamics collapse to a stable steady state, adding only predator MIF to the model can only stabilize the system at intermediate MIF values. The three‐species trophic food chain is also stabilized when combination of both prey and predator MIF is added to the model. Our work serves to provide insight into the effects of MIF in the real world.
Variation in male mating success in the paternal nest brooder, Rhinogobius goby, along a river course
Authors: Tamada Kazuaki 
Published: February 2007

AbstractRhinogobius sp. CB (cross band type) is an amphidromous freshwater goby which receives paternal nest care under stones on river beds. This goby is known to migrate to the upper reaches of rivers as it grows. In the present study, the relationships among male mating success of Rhinogobius sp. CB, male body size, the size frequency distribution of river bed stones and the presence of the sympatric goby Tridentigerbrevispinis (which uses nest sites similar to those of Rhinogobius sp. CB) were investigated along the course of the Aizu River, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. In the lower reach, where T.brevispinis was present and large stones were scarce, the sizes of the nest stones and the egg clusters of male Rhinogobius sp. CB were smaller than those of T.brevispinis. In the middle and the upper reaches, where T.brevispinis was absent and large stones were abundant, males of Rhinogobius sp. CB used larger nest stones than in the lower reach. In both gobies, there were positive correlations among male body size, nest size and egg cluster size in all reaches. Nest‐choice experiments carried out in the laboratory, with or without a rival, showed that males of both gobies preferentially used large nest sites and that large males had an advantage in male‐male competition for large nest sites. These results indicate that large male body size can increase male mating success and that male mating success increases in the upper reach in this goby. The migration pattern of Rhinogobius sp. CB was also discussed in relation to these findings.
Vortices in oscillating spin-up
Authors: WELLS M. G. , CLERCX H. J. H. , VAN HEIJST G. J. F. 
Published: February 2007

Laboratory experiments and numerical simulations of oscillating spin-up in a square tank have been conducted to investigate the production of small-scale vorticity near the no-slip sidewalls of the container and the formation and subsequent decay of wall-generated quasi-two-dimensional vortices. The flow is made quasi-two-dimensional by a steady background rotation, and a small sinusoidal perturbation to the background rotation leads to the periodic formation of eddies in the corners of the tank by the roll-up of vorticity generated along the sidewalls. When the oscillation period is greater than the time scale required to advect a full-grown corner vortex to approximately halfway along the sidewall, dipole structures are observed to form. These dipoles migrate away from the walls, and the interior of the tank is continually filled with new vortices. The average size of these vortices appears to be largely controlled by the initial formation mechanism. Their vorticity decays from interactions with other stronger vortices that strip off filaments of vorticity, and by Ekman pumping at the bottom of the tank. Subsequent interactions between the weaker ‘old’ vortices and the ‘young’ vortices result in the straining, and finally the destruction, of older vortices. This inhibits the formation of large-scale vortices with diameters comparable to the size of the container.The laboratory experiments revealed a k−5/3 power law of the energy spectrum for small-to-intermediate wavenumbers. Measurements of the intensity spectrum of a passive scalar were consistent with the Batchelor prediction of a k−1 power law at large wavenumbers. Two-dimensional numerical simulations, under similar conditions to those in the experiments (with weak Ekman decay), were also performed and the simultaneous presence of a k−5/3 and k−3−ζ (with 0 < ζ « 1) power spectrum is observed, with the transition occurring at the wavenumber at which vorticity is injected from the viscous boundary layer into the interior. For higher Ekman decay rates, steeper spectra are obtained for the large wavenumber range, with ζ = O(1) and proportional to the Ekman decay rate. Movies are available with the online version of the paper.
An epidemiological investigation of affective disorders with a population-based cohort of 1023 adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: COOPER SALLY-ANN , SMILEY ELITA , MORRISON JILLIAN , WILLIAMSON ANDREW , ALLAN LINDA 
Published: February 2007

Background. Intellectual disabilities (ID) are common and lifelong. People with ID have health inequalities compared with the general population, but little is known about the epidemiology of affective disorders in this population. This study was undertaken to determine the point prevalence of affective disorders, and to investigate factors associated with depression.Method. This population-based study (n=1023) included comprehensive individual assessments with each person. A two-stage process was used for diagnosis of affective disorders. Factors independently associated with depression were investigated through logistic regression analysis.Results. The point prevalence was higher than that reported previously for the general population; DC-LD yielded 3·8% for depression and 0·6% for mania. Additionally, 1·0% had bipolar disorder currently in remission, and 0·1% first episode of mania currently in remission. Similar to general population findings, depression was associated with female gender, smoking, number of preceding family physician appointments, and preceding life events. Important differences were the association of not having a hearing impairment, and the trends for not living in deprived areas, and being married. Unlike general population findings, not having daytime occupation and obesity were not independently associated; nor was previous long-stay hospital residence, severity of ID, or sensory impairments.Conclusions. This study has found a high point prevalence of affective disorders in adults with ID. The factors associated with depression have differences to general population findings. An understanding of this is important in order to develop appropriate interventions, public strategy and policy, to reduce existing health inequalities.
Incident in Arles: Regionalism, Resistance and the Case of the Statue of Frédéric Mistral
Authors: FREEMAN KIRRILY 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOn 11 October 1941 the Vichy government passed legislation mandating the dismantling and smelting of French bronze statues and monuments in the public domain. Crippled by copper shortages and bound by the terms of the Franco-German armistice, the etat français sought to ‘mobilise’ all potential sources of non-ferrous metals, including public statuary. The statue of Mistral in Arles was one of the monuments that were dismantled. The destruction of this tribute to the Provençal poet and founder of the Félibrige sparked considerable protest and opposition, but from an unusual quarter – supporters of Pétain's National Revolution. The case of the destruction of the statue of Mistral in Arles reveals the intersection of regionalism and resistance in wartime France and challenges many of our perceptions about both these movements.Ame de Mon PaysAme éternellement renaissanteAme joyeuse, fière et viveQui hennis dans le bruit du Rhône et de son vent!Ame des bois pleins d'harmonieEt des calanques pleines de soleilDe la patrie, âme pieuseJe t'appelle! Incarne-toi dans mes vers provençaux!1
A Flight of Fantasy? Portugal and the First Attempt to Enlarge the European Economic Community, 1961–1963
Authors: LEITÃO NICOLAU ANDRESEN 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis article explains the position of Portugal during the first attempt to enlarge the European Economic Community in 1961–3. It first makes clear the motives behind the Portuguese government's policy option in favour of EEC associate membership and future entry. Next, it analyses the attitude of the EEC members and Portugal's EFTA partners to this policy option. The article concludes that such a policy was condemned to failure, due to the authoritarian nature of the Portuguese regime and the country's colonial policy, and that, had the negotiations progressed, Lisbon would probably have had to opt in favour of a provisional agreement.
Negative inotropic effects of tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β are ameliorated by alfentanil in rat ventricular myocytes
Authors: Duncan D J , Hopkins P M , Harrison S M 
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) increase during an inflammatory response and have been reported to induce a negative inotropic effect on the myocardium. Alfentanil, an opioid analgesic often used in the critical care of patients with sepsis, has been shown to enhance ventricular contractility. This study characterised the effects of TNF‐α and IL‐1β on contraction and the Ca2+ transient and investigated whether depressed ventricular function was ameliorated by alfentanil.Experimental approach:Isolated rat ventricular myocytes were loaded with fura‐2 and electrically stimulated at 1 Hz. Contraction and Ca2+ transients were measured after 60, 120 and 180 min incubations in TNF‐α (0.05 ng ml−1) and IL‐1β (2 ng ml−1). The effects of 10 μM alfentanil on contractility and Ca2+ transients of TNF‐α and IL‐1β treated cells were determined.Key results:After 180 min of TNF‐α and IL‐1β treatment, the amplitude of contraction, the Ca2+ transient and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ content were significantly reduced. Alfentanil significantly increased contraction of TNF‐α and IL‐1β treated cells via a small increase in the Ca2+ transient and a larger increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, effects that were not blocked by 10 μM naloxone, a broad spectrum opioid receptor antagonist.Conclusions and implications:TNF‐α and IL‐1β induce a significant negative inotropic effect on ventricular myocytes in a time dependent manner through disruption of SR Ca2+ handling and the Ca2+ transient. This negative inotropic effect was ameliorated by alfentanil, but this response may not be mediated via opioid receptors.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 720–726. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707147
The importance of baseline in identifying 8‐OH‐DPAT‐induced effects on prepulse inhibition in rats
Authors: Gogos A , van den Buuse M 
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response is a model of sensorimotor gating which is disrupted in schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. We and others have shown that treatment with the 5‐hydroxytryptamine‐1A (5‐HT1A) receptor agonist, 8‐OH‐DPAT, disrupts PPI in rats. In the present study, we highlight the importance of baseline levels on the effect of 8‐OH‐DPAT on PPI.Experimental approach:Adult male and female Sprague‐Dawley rats were gonadectomised. These rats were treated with saline, 0.02 and 0.5 mg kg‐1 of 8‐OH‐DPAT using a random‐sequence, repeated‐measures protocol. The rats were allocated into high and low baseline groups depending on their baseline PPI observed after saline treatment.Key results:Treatment with 0.5 mg kg‐1 of 8‐OH‐DPAT significantly disrupted PPI in both male and female rats. In male rats only, 0.02 mg kg‐1 8‐OH‐DPAT caused a small, but significant, increase in PPI. When these male rats were allocated to either a high or low baseline PPI group, 0.5 mg kg‐1 8‐OH‐DPAT disrupted PPI in the high baseline group only. In contrast, treatment with 0.02 mg kg‐1 8‐OH‐DPAT increased PPI only in the low baseline PPI group. There were no changes in the effect of 8‐OH‐DPAT administration in female rats when they were divided into high and low baseline PPI groups.Conclusions and implications:The level of baseline PPI is an important variable that can influence the direction of drug effects induced by 8‐OH‐DPAT. The explanation for this phenomenon could be differential activation of pre‐ and postsynaptic 5‐HT1A receptors.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 750–757. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707148
Genetic and pharmacological approaches to evaluate the interaction between the cannabinoid and cholinergic systems in cognitive processes
Authors: Bura S A , Castañé A , Ledent C , Valverde O , Maldonado R 
Published: February 2007

Background and purpose:The objective of this study was to investigate the possible interactions between the cannabinoid and cholinergic systems in memory and learning processes by using genetic and pharmacological approaches in two different behavioural models, the active avoidance and the object recognition test.Experimental approach:The effects induced by nicotine, physostigmine and scopolamine were studied in CB1receptor knockout and wild‐type mice in the active avoidance paradigm. In addition, the effects of pretreatment with the CB1receptor antagonist rimonabant were evaluated on the responses induced by nicotine in the active avoidance and the object recognition tasks in wild‐type mice.Key results:Nicotine (0.5 mgkg–1s.c.) did not modify the performance of CB1knockout and wild‐type mice in this model, whereas scopolamine (0.5 mgkg–1i.p.) impaired the performance in both genotypes. Physostigmine (0.1 mgkg–1i.p.) increased the active avoidance performance in wild‐type but not in CB1knockout mice. Rimonabant (0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mgkg–1) did not modify the performance in the active avoidance test, given alone or co‐administered with nicotine. In contrast, nicotine enhanced the performance in the object recognition task but this response was attenuated by rimonabant co‐administration.Conclusions and implications:The present findings revealed that the cognitive effects of nicotine and physostigmine were attenuated in the absence of CB1receptor activity. Scopolamine effects were independent from CB1receptors.British Journal of Pharmacology(2007)150, 758–765. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707152
The intracellular region of FXYD1 is sufficient to regulate cardiac Na/K ATPase
Authors: Pavlovic Davor , Fuller William , Shattock Michael J. 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTABSTRACT FXYD1 is a transmembrane protein predominantly expressed in excitable tissues that associates with and regulates Na/K ATPase. PKA phosphorylates FXYD1 at serine 68 (S68), however, the effects of phosphorylation on Na/K ATPase activity are not fully characterized. The objectives of this study were to characterize Na/K ATPase currents in FXYD1 wild‐type (WT) and knockout (KO) adult mouse ventricular myocytes, and investigate the effects of FXYD1 on Na/K ATPase currents using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique. A peptide representing the 19 C‐terminal residues of FXYD1 (FXYD154–72) was introduced into the interior of FXYD1 KO and WT myocytes through the patch pipette. K‐sensitive Na/K ATPase currents were higher in KO myocytes (2.9 ±0.1 pA/pF; n=4) compared with WT (1.9±0.1 pA/pF;n=4). Unphosphorylated FXYD154–72, at a concentration of 4 μM, reduced the currents in WT (from 2.1 ±0.1 to 1.3±0.1 pA/pF;P<0.05, n=7) and KO (from 2.9±0.1 to 1.7±0.1 pA/pF;P<0.05, n=5), whereas, 1 μMof FXYD1 54‐72 phosphorylated at S68 increased currents in WT (from 1.91±0.09 to 3.1±0.5 pA/pF;P<0.05, n=6) and KO (from 2.7±0.11 to 3.8±0.2 pA/pF; P<0.05, n=6) myocytes. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that S68 phosphorylated and unphosphorylated FXYD154–72 associates with Na/K ATPase α1 subunit. We conclude that unphosphorylated FXYD1 inhibits Na/K ATPase, whereas S68 phosphorylated FXYD1 stimulates Na/K ATPase to a level above that seen in the absence of FXYD1.—Pavlovic, D., Fuller, W., and Shattock, M. J. The intracellular region of FXYD1 is sufficient to regulate cardiac Na/K ATPase. FASEB J. 21, 1539–1546 (2007)
Thalidomide induces limb deformities by perturbing the Bmp/Dkkl/Wnt signaling pathway
Authors: Knobloch Jürgen , Shaughnessy John D. , Rüther Ulrich 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTThalidomide, a sedative originally used to treat morning sickness and now used to treat leprosy and multiple myeloma, is also a teratogen that induces birth defects in humans such as limb truncations and microphthalmia. However, the teratogenic mechanism of action of this drug remains obscure. Thalidomide induces limb and eye defects in the chicken embryo at an EC50 of 50 μg/kg egg wt and apoptosis in primary human embryonic fibroblasts (HEFs) at an EC50 of 8.9 μM. Using these model systems, we demonstrate by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and whole‐mount in situ hybridization that thalidomide‐induced oxidative stress enhances signaling through bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps). This leads to up‐regulation of the Bmp target gene and Wnt antagonist Dickkopfl (Dkkl) with subsequent inhibition of canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and increased cell death as shown by trypan blue and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated nick end labeling staining. Thalidomide‐induced cell death was dra‐matically reduced in HEFs and in embryonic limb buds by the use of inhibitors against Bmps, Dkkl, and Gsk3β,a β‐catenin antagonist acting downstream of Dkkl in the Wnt pathway. Most interestingly, blocking of Dkkl or Gsk3β dramatically counteracts thalido‐mide‐induced limb truncations and microphthalmia. From this, we conclude that perturbing of Bmp/Dkkl/ Wnt signaling is central to the teratogenic effects of thalidomide.—Knobloch, J., Shaughnessy, Jr., J. D., Rüther, U. Thalidomide induces limb deformities by perturbing the Bmp/Dkkl/Wnt signaling pathway FASEB J. 21, 1410–1421 (2007)
Determinants of local spider (Araneidae and Thomisidae) species richness on a regional scale: climate and altitude vs. habitat structure
Authors: JIMÉNEZ‐VALVERDE ALBERTO , LOBO JORGE M. 
Published: February 2007

Abstract 1. The habitat heterogeneity hypothesis states that the more complex the habitat, the higher the species richness. The present study analyzes the effect of local factors on regional spider (Araneidae and Thomisidae) richness. The main objective is to disentangle the relative importance of habitat structure and other environmental variables.2. Fifteen territorial units of 1 km2 were sampled to obtain reliable and comparable inventories of the two spider families. Richness values were modelled using general regression models and a set of climate, topographic and vegetation structure variables. Pure and joint effects were computed via variation partitioning.3. The results highlight the great importance of vegetation complexity, especially of grass and sub‐shrub cover, in determining spider species richness.4. The maximum temperature is the only climate variable significantly related to species richness, although its effect is combined with that of spatial and vegetation structure variables.5. These results support the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis, and highlight the importance of taking vegetation complexity into account when managing habitats and where spider conservation is desired.