bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phosphodiesterase 5 in the female pig and human urethra: morphological and functional aspects
Authors: WERKSTRÖM VIKTORIA , SVENSSON ANNA , ANDERSSON KARL‐ERIK , HEDLUND PETTER 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVESTo characterize the distribution of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE‐5), cGMP and cGMP‐dependent protein kinase I (PKG1), and to evaluate the effect of pharmacological inhibition of PDE‐5 in isolated preparations of pig and human urethra, as the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway generates the main inhibitory signals to reduce resistance in the bladder outlet and urethra during emptying of the bladder.MATERIALS AND METHODSAfter obtaining ethics committee approval, urethral specimens were obtained from three female patients during cystectomy, and from young female pigs. The specimens were prepared for immunohistochemical investigations and for functional studies in organ baths. Effects of sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil (1 nmto 30 µm) were studied inl‐noradrenaline (1 µm)‐activated or spontaneously contracted preparations, and on relaxations induced by electrical‐field stimulation (EFS). Levels of cGMP were determined by radioimmunoassay.RESULTSAfter stimulation with the NO donor, DETA NONO‐ate (1 mm), there was greater cGMP‐immunoreactivity (IR) in urethral and vascular smooth muscles. There was a wide distribution of cGMP‐ and vimentin‐positive interstitial cells between pig urethral smooth muscle bundles. There was also cGMP‐IR within NO‐synthase‐IR endothelium. There was PDE‐5 IR within the urethral and vascular smooth muscle cells, but also in vascular endothelial cells that expressed cGMP‐IR. In pig and human sections, there was strong PKG1‐IR in α‐actin‐IR urethral smooth muscle cells that also contained IR for cGMP. Sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil caused mean (sem) concentration‐dependent relaxations of the pig urethra which, at 30 µm, were 80 (3)% (11 samples), 81 (5)% (12 samples) and 64 (4)% (10 samples) of the spontaneous tone. The relaxation of L‐noradrenaline‐contracted female human urethra was 100% in response to 10 µmsildenafil, and 85 (15)% and 47 (13)% for 30 µmof vardenafil and tadalafil, respectively (three samples). Vardenafil or sildenafil (30 µm) doubled cGMP levels in pig specimens. There were no effects on cGMP levels with tadalafil. EFS (1–32 Hz) causedl‐NG‐nitroarginine‐sensitive relaxations of pig urethral muscle that were increased in amplitude and duration by PDE‐5 inhibition. At 0.1 µm, sildenafil, vardenafil or tadalafil significantly prolonged the mean (sem) duration of the relaxation at 4 Hz by 55 (19)%, 45 (14)% and 51 (12)%, respectively.CONCLUSIONSPDE‐5‐, cGMP‐ and PKG1‐IR is widely distributed in human and pig urethral tissues. Nerve‐induced relaxations of urethral preparations were enhanced at low concentrations of sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil, whereas there were direct smooth muscle‐relaxant actions of the PDE‐5 inhibitors at high concentrations. Inhibition of PDE‐5 might be an interesting option to facilitate cGMP‐mediated relaxation of the outflow region.
Two cycles of cisplatin‐based chemotherapy for low‐volume retroperitoneal stage II nonseminomatous germ cell tumours
Authors: STEINER HANNES , MÜLLER TILKO , GOZZI CHRISTIAN , AKKAD THOMAS , BARTSCH GEORG , BERGER ANDREAS P. 
Published: April 2006

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the oncological efficacy of reducing cisplatin‐based chemotherapy to two cycles in patients with low‐volume retroperitoneal stage II nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCTs).PATIENTS AND METHODSFrom October 1988 until January 2004, two cycles of cisplatin‐based chemotherapy were administered in 59 patients with low‐volume retroperitoneal clinical stage II NSGCT (retroperitoneal mass of <5 cm in diameter). Regardless of remission detected on computed tomography, 6  weeks after chemotherapy the patients had a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) to assess residual active tumour or mature teratoma (open modified bilateral RPLND until 1992, then laparoscopic unilateral template RPLND).RESULTSThe chemotherapy was effective, as no active tumour was found in any of RPLND specimens. Mature teratoma was present in lymphatic tissue in 23 of 59 patients (39%). In one patient there was a pulmonary recurrence, successfully treated with cisplatin‐based salvage chemotherapy. One patient died from an accident but with no evidence of tumour, and 56 patients remained free of disease at a mean follow‐up of 98.6 months. No patient died from disease. All patients had antegrade ejaculation after laparoscopic RPLND, as did 89% after open RPLND.CONCLUSIONSIn this pilot study, the oncological efficacy of two cycles of cisplatin‐based chemotherapy was favourable, but this approach still cannot be recommended as a standard treatment for patients with low‐volume retroperitoneal stage II disease. RPLND after chemotherapy has diagnostic (detecting active tumour) and therapeutic (removing mature teratoma) value and can be done laparoscopically. Based on the present results a prospective randomized trial seems reasonable.
Free to Trust: Economic Freedom and Social Capital
Authors: Berggren Niclas , Jordahl Henrik 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARYWe present new evidence on how generalized trust is formed. Unlike previous studies, we look at the explanatory power of economic institutions, we use newer data, we incorporate more countries, and we use instrumental variables in an attempt to handle the causality problem. A central result is that legal structure and security of property rights (area 2 of the Economic Freedom Index) increase trust. The idea is that a market economy, building on voluntary transactions and interactions with both friends and strangers within the predictability provided by the rule of law, entails both incentives and mechanisms for trust to emerge between people.
Institutions and the Impact of Investment on Growth
Authors: Gwartney James D. , Holcombe Randall G. , Lawson Robert A. 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARYThe literature on institutions and economic growth shows a close relationship between the quality of institutions and prosperity. This paper examines the impact of institutions on investment, and the resulting impact of investment on growth. The private investment rate of countries with better institutional quality is higher, and the productivity of any given level of investment is greater in countries with better institutions. Models that include various indicators of institutional quality along with inputs such as physical and human capital will generally underestimate the impact of institutional quality on growth because they do not account for the indirect impact of institutions on investment, as is done here. The paper also examines the direction of causality to show that higher institutional quality causes more investment, rather than the other way around. Further, future institutional improvements are more likely to occur against a background of poor economic performance than one of sustained growth.
Social Learning and Digital Divides: A Case Study of Internet Technology Diffusion
Authors: Liu Meng‐chun , San Gee 
Published: April 2006

SUMMARYThe past few decades have witnessed a widening of the digital divide among countries in the world. Bridging this global digital divide has now become an important development policy of many governments in the developing world. Differing from previous studies that look at the Internet's popularity, this paper focuses on the speed of diffusion of such technologies over the period from 1997 to 2002 in order to highlight its role as a critical driving force in enhancing the social learning of a country. Our empirical results show that a country with better social learning can harmonize its heterogeneous populations, promote the sharing of knowledge as a result of using such technologies, and finally speed up the rate of information technology diffusion.
The impact of childhood obesity on musculoskeletal form
Authors: Wearing S. C. , Hennig E. M. , Byrne N. M. , Steele J. R. , Hills A. P. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryDespite the greater prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in obese adults, the consequences of childhood obesity on the development and function of the musculoskeletal system have received comparatively little attention within the literature. Of the limited number of studies performed to date, the majority have focused on the impact of childhood obesity on skeletal structure and alignment, and to a lesser extent its influence on clinical tests of motor performance including muscular strength, balance and locomotion. Although collectively these studies imply that the functional and structural limitations imposed by obesity may result in aberrant lower limb mechanics and the potential for musculoskeletal injury, empirical verification is currently lacking. The delineation of the effects of childhood obesity on musculoskeletal structure in terms of mass, adiposity, anthropometry, metabolic effects and physical inactivity, or their combination, has not been established. More specifically, there is a lack of research regarding the effect of childhood obesity on the properties of connective tissue structures, such as tendons and ligaments. Given the global increase in childhood obesity, there is a need to ascertain the consequences of persistent obesity on musculoskeletal structure and function. A better understanding of the implications of childhood obesity on the development and function of the musculoskeletal system would assist in the provision of more meaningful support in the prevention, treatment and management of the musculoskeletal consequences of the condition.
Parental obesity and overweight affect the body‐fat accumulation in the offspring: the possible effect of a high‐fat diet through epigenetic inheritance
Authors: Wu Q. , Suzuki M. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThe prevalence of obesity in adults has been rising continually, as has the prevalence of childhood obesity, and a large number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between parental obesity and childhood obesity. In this paper, we review the effect of diet, the intrauterine environment, and the genetic inheritance on obesity. We described a study in detail that used experimental animals as a model to investigate the effect of a parental high‐fat diet on body‐fat accumulation in their offspring. Fertilized eggs were transplanted in that study, and body‐fat accumulation in the offspring of the parents fed a high‐fat diet was found to be greater than in the offspring of the parents fed a low‐fat diet, even when the experimental conditions were the same in the intrauterine and subsequent environment. The results suggested that a parental high‐fat diet before intrauterine developmental stage may increase body‐fat accumulation in the offspring. We discuss the possibility that parental diet may influence the lifelong health of offspring and epigenetic inheritance may be occurred.
Gut peptides and the regulation of appetite
Authors: Huda M. S. B. , Wilding J. P. H. , Pinkney J. H. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThere is a growing worldwide epidemic of obesity. Obese people have a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and hence present increasing social, financial and health burdens. Weight loss is always difficult to achieve through lifestyle changes alone, and currently licensed anti‐obesity drug treatments, such as orlistat and sibutramine, if tolerated, only achieve modest weight loss. Therefore, there is a need to identify more potent pharmacological targets. In the last 10 years, discoveries of new hormones such as leptin and ghrelin, together with greater understanding of previously described hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK), pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1), have led to a rapid increase in our knowledge of the regulation of energy balance. Among the most important factors, controlling appetite and satiety are peptide hormones released from the gut. In this paper, we provide a full up‐to‐date overview of the current state of knowledge of this field, together with the potential of these peptides as drugs, or as other therapeutic targets, in the treatment of obesity. Finally, we propose an integrated model to describe the complex interplay of these hormones in the broader physiology of energy balance.
Project Aid or Budget Aid? The Interests of Governments and Financial Institutions
Authors: Hefeker Carsten 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe paper compares different aid policy instruments and their effect on the target group. Starting from a situation where interest groups compete for the resources of the government, international financial institutions aim to change the policy outcome. They can either directly support one group or condition their financial help to the government on its policy. Apart from a normative analysis which policy is more adequate to help one group, the paper asks what happens if the aid agency is driven by bureaucratic self‐interest.
Aid and the Delegated Fight Against Terrorism
Authors: Azam Jean‐Paul , Delacroix Alexandra 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA positive empirical relationship is found between the level of foreign aid received by a country and the number of terrorist attacks originating from it. A simple model is used to explain it, where the donor delegates some actions against terrorism to the aid‐recipient government. Aid is endogenous in an econometric equation explaining participation in terrorist events, as expected from the model, and an attacks‐supply curve in which aid has a negative impact is presented at the end.
Consistent control of psoriasis by continuous long‐term therapy: the promise of biological treatments
Authors: Van De Kerkhof PCM 
Published: April 2006

AbstractPsoriasis is a chronic, incurable disease that frequently requires long‐term treatment. Although many patients benefit from effective traditional systemic therapies, namely methotrexate, cyclosporin, retinoids and fumaric acid esters, and some patients achieve long‐term disease control, unrestricted long‐term administration is not recommended due to the potential for cumulative toxicity. In order to diminish the risk of toxicity, physicians have adopted various treatment approaches (e.g. rotational, sequential, intermittent, and combination). However, these approaches may not provide continuous disease control or a stable treatment regimen. The recent advent of targeted biological therapeutics such as etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, alefacept and efalizumab may offer physicians and their patients treatment options with improved safety profiles that may permit continuous disease control.
UVB therapy of pityriasis lichenoides – our experience with 29 patients
Authors: Pavlotsky F , Baum S , Barzilai A , Shpiro D , Trau H 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  Pityriasis lichenoides comprises a clinical and pathological spectrum of disorders. So far no highly effective treatment has been reported. Previous small studies have suggested that ultraviolet B (UVB) is a good alternative.Methods  This is a retrospective analysis of 29 pityriasis lichenoides patients treated in our institution with broad‐ or narrow‐band UVB during the period 1996–2002. Twenty‐one of these patients had one or more previous unsuccessful treatments.Results  Complete response was achieved in 93.1% in both treatment groups, with 73% of them still relapse free after a mean follow‐up of 58 and 38 months in broad‐ and narrow‐band UVB treatment groups, respectively. Mild side‐effects were observed in about one‐third of the patients.Conclusion  We believe both forms of UVB are a good option for pityriasis lichenoides and should be considered as the first line in generalized cases interested in treatment.
Combination of narrow band UVB and topical calcipotriol for the treatment of vitiligo
Authors: Goktas EO , Aydin F , Senturk N , Canturk MT , Turanli AY 
Published: April 2006

AbstractBackground  Narrow band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) phototherapy has been used successfully for the treatment of vitiligo. Recently, topical calcipotriol has also been claimed to be effective, either as monotherapy or as a part of combination therapies.Objective  The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical efficacy of NB‐UVB and NB‐UVB plus topical calcipotriol in the treatment of vitiligo.Methods  NB‐UVB treatment was given to 24 patients with generalized vitiligo three times weekly. Topical calcipotriol cream was only applied to the lesions located on the right side of the body. Treatment was continued for 6 months. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by determining the average response rates of the lesions at 3‐month intervals.Results  The average response rates of patients receiving combination of NB‐UVB plus calcipotriol and NB‐UVB alone were 51 ± 19.6% and 39 ± 18.9%, respectively. The median cumulative UVB dose and number of UVB exposures for initial repigmentation were 6345 mj/cm2 (range; 2930–30980) and 18 (range; 12–67) for the combination therapy, and 8867.5 mj/cm2 (range; 2500–30980) and 24 (range; 15–67) for the narrow band UVB therapy, respectively.Conclusions  These findings indicate that concurrent topical calcipotriol potentates the efficacy of NB‐UVB in the treatment of vitiligo. This combination not only provides earlier pigmentation with lower total UVB dosage and less adverse UVB effects, but also reduces the duration and cost of treatment as well.
From the inside looking out – an Intensive Interaction group for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities
Authors: Leaning Brian , Watson Tessa 
Published: April 2006

SummaryThis paper describes the use of a new project, ‘from the inside looking out’ (FILO) (N. Richardson Unpublished data), to develop communication, interaction and emotional literacy skills with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The authors utilized tools derived from Intensive Interaction Therapy [D. Hewett & M. Nind (1994)Access to communication. London, David Fulton Publishers; D. Hewett & M. Nind (1998)Interaction in action: reflections on the use of Intensive Interaction. London, David Fulton Publishers] and applied these within a FILO paradigm to run an 8‐week group with five participants where the aim was to build relationships and enhance awareness of emotional variables. The results were measured using both quantitative and qualitative analysis and it was found that a number of discreet observable behaviours related to interactive ability were positively changed across all participants. Important processes within the group are analysed and recommendations for expanding this approach in the future are discussed.
High‐pressure‐induced changes in bovine milk: a review
Authors: HUPPERTZ THOM , SMIDDY MARY A , UPADHYAY VIVEK K , KELLY ALAN L 
Published: April 2006

High‐pressure (HP) treatment of food products is a novel processing technique during which the product is treated in a vessel of suitable strength at a high pressure, generally in the range 100–1000 MPa. As a result, several constituents and properties of the treated product are altered. HP‐induced changes in the constituents and properties of milk are arguably among the most extensive of the range of food products studied to date. HP treatment of milk induces solubilization of minerals associated with the casein micelles, denatures whey proteins and, depending on pressure, can either induce aggregation or disruption of the casein micelles. These HP‐induced changes in milk constituents affect the properties of the milk; cheesemaking properties of milk can be enhanced considerably, indicating potential application of HP treatment in this area; furthermore, encouraging results have also been reported for HP treatment of milk prior to yogurt manufacture. HP treatment of milk also affects its microflora; however, considerable variation in baroresistance between bacterial species and strains exists. Further applied research appears warranted to establish the full commercial potential of HP treatment of milk.
Innovation in milk powder technology
Authors: KELLY PHILIP M 
Published: April 2006

Global trade in preserved milks is on the increase as new markets open up in regions of the world that have not been traditionally associated with milk consumption. Equally, a rise in world milk production is forecasted to continue, and the indications are that significant quantities of the extra milk produced will be converted to commodity products such as butter and powders. Consequently, on‐going investment in new spray drying capability is likely to track geographical shifts in milk production. Successful application of advanced process control to the operation of large scale drying plant is both a priority and a challenge.  Meanwhile, opportunities for the exploitation of milk as a source of functional ingredients are being availed of by the dairy industry as it continues to achieve added value and unique key selling points. Recent research on the role of spray drying, along with other processes in the development of dairy ingredients for applications in chocolate and the preparation of microencapsulated powders, is reviewed.
Enterobacter sakazakii: biological properties and significance in dried infant milk formula (IMF) powder†
Authors: MULLANE N R , DRUDY D , WHYTE P , O'MAHONY M , SCANNELL A G M , WALL P G , FANNING S 
Published: April 2006

Enterobacter sakazakii is an emerging opportunistic pathogen associated with rare but life‐threatening cases of meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis in premature infants. The bacterium has been isolated at low levels from dried infant milk formulas and is a cause of concern to all manufacturers. The threat posed by E. sakazakii is further compounded by a paucity of knowledge in key areas, specifically its ecology and physiology. This organism now represents a serious challenge to all those involved in the manufacture of infant formula products.
Cyclopentenone isoprostanes are novel bioactive products of lipid oxidation which enhance neurodegeneration
Authors: Musiek Erik S , Breeding Rebecca S. , Milne Ginger L. , Zanoni Giuseppe , Morrow Jason D. , McLaughlin BethAnn 
Published: April 2006

AbstractOxidative stress and subsequent lipid peroxidation are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative conditions, including stroke. Cyclopentenone isoprostanes (IsoPs) are novel electrophilic lipid peroxidation products formed under conditions of oxidative stress via the isoprostane pathway. These cyclopentenone IsoPs are isomeric to highly bioactive cyclopentenone prostaglandins, yet it has not been determined if these products are biologically active or are formed in the brain. Here we demonstrate that the major cyclopentenone IsoP isomer 15‐A2t‐IsoP potently induces apoptosis in neuronal cultures at submicromolar concentrations. We present a model in which 15‐A2t‐IsoP induced neuronal apoptosis involves initial depletion of glutathione and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species, followed by 12‐lipoxygenase activation and phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 and the redox sensitive adaptor protein p66shc, which results in caspase‐3 cleavage. 15‐A2t‐IsoP application also dramatically potentiates oxidative glutamate toxicity at concentrations as low as 100 nm, demonstrating the functional importance of these molecules in neurodegeneration. Finally, we employ novel mass spectrometric methods to show that cyclopentenone IsoPs are formed abundantly in brain tissue under conditions of oxidative stress. Together these findings suggest that cyclopentenone IsoPs may contribute to neuronal death caused by oxidative insults, and that their activity should perhaps be addressed when designing neuroprotective therapies.