bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of resistance versus endurance training on serum adiponectin and insulin resistance index
Authors: Ahmadizad Sajad , Haghighi Amir Hossein , Hamedinia Mohammad Reza 
Published: November 2007

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance and endurance training on serum adiponectin and insulin resistance index (SI) in healthy men.MethodsTwenty-four healthy males (age, 35–48 years) participated in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: endurance training group (n=8), resistance training group (n=8) and control group (n=8). Blood samples were taken in fasting state from all subjects. The experimental groups performed either endurance or resistance training 3 days a week for 12 weeks. The endurance training programme included continuous running at an intensity corresponding to 75–85% of maximal heart rate, while resistance training consisted of four sets of circuit weight training for 11 stations and at an intensity corresponding to 50–60% of one-repetition maximum. The maximum numbers of repetitions in each station was 12.ResultsThere were significant negative correlations between serum adiponectin and body fat percentage, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and the insulin resistance index at baseline, whereas changes in response to training were not significantly correlated. Both endurance and resistance training resulted in a significant decrease in the SI in comparison with the control group. However, serum adiponectin did not change significantly in response to resistance and endurance training.ConclusionEndurance and resistance training caused an improvement in insulin resistance in healthy men, but this improvement was not accompanied by increased adiponectin levels.
Flutamide–metformin for post-menarcheal girls with preclinical ovarian androgen excess: evidence for differential response by androgen receptor genotype
Authors: Ong Ken K , de Zegher Francis , López-Bermejo Abel , Dunger David B , Ibáñez Lourdes 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveAddition of androgen receptor (AR) blockade (flutamide) to insulin-sensitising therapy (metformin) may confer synergistic benefits in girls with hyperinsulinaemic androgen excess. We hypothesised that girls with shorter AR gene CAG repeat alleles, and thus greater receptor sensitivity, might benefit more from the addition of low-dose flutamide.DesignOpen randomised crossover study.MethodsIn this study, 32 post-menarcheal girls (mean age 12.1 years) with a history of low birth weight and precocious pubarche were subgrouped by CAG genotype (‘short’: CAG mean length ≤20, n=14; ‘long’: CAG >20, n=18). Within each subgroup, girls were 1:1 randomised to metformin alone (850 mg/day) or in combination with flutamide (62.5 mg/day) for 12 months. To allow comparisons with no treatment, long-CAG girls randomised to flutamide–metformin, and short-CAG girls randomised to metformin alone were observed for 12 months before treatment. Body composition by absorptiometry, fasting lipid profiles and levels of insulin, glucose and androgens were measured during the first 12 months on each treatment.ResultsIn all girls, 12 months flutamide–metformin lowered body fat and improved lipid profiles when compared with no treatment. Compared with metformin alone, flutamide–metformin achieved greater reductions in the percentage of body fat and abdominal fat mass in the short-CAG subgroup (P=0.001 to P<0.0001). In contrast, in the long-CAG subgroup, flutamide–metformin produced no further improvements when compared with metformin alone.ConclusionsIn young post-menarcheal girls with preclinical androgen excess, low-dose flutamide–metformin improved body composition and key endocrine–metabolic abnormalities. However, only those girls with genetic markers of greater AR sensitivity may benefit from the addition of flutamide above metformin alone.
Metformin improves polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms irrespective of pre-treatment insulin resistance
Authors: Tan Susanne , Hahn Susanne , Benson Sven , Dietz Tiina , Lahner Harald , Moeller Lars C , Schmidt Markus , Elsenbruch Sigrid , Kimmig Rainer , Mann Klaus , Janssen Onno E 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveInsulin resistance (IR) and obesity are common features of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin-sensitizing agents have been shown to improve both reproductive and metabolic aspects of PCOS, but it remains unclear whether it is also beneficial in lean patients without pre-treatment IR. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of metformin on the clinical and biochemical parameters of PCOS irrespective of the presence of basal obesity and IR.DesignThe effect of 6 months of metformin treatment was prospectively assessed in 188 PCOS patients, divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI; lean: BMI<25 kg/m2, overweight: BMI 25–29 kg/m2, and obese: BMI≥30 kg/m2). Outcome parameters, which were also assessed in 102 healthy controls, included body weight, homeostasis model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR), fasting glucose and insulin levels, area under the curve of insulin response (AUCI), hyperandrogenism, and menstrual irregularities.ResultsIn comparison with the respective BMI-appropriate control groups, only obese but not lean and overweight PCOS patients showed differences in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR. Metformin therapy significantly improved all outcome parameters except fasting glucose levels. Subgroup analyses revealed that in the group of lean PCOS patients without pre-treatment IR, metformin significantly improved HOMA-IR (1.7±1.0 vs 1.1±0.7 μmol/l×mmol/l2) and fasting insulin levels (7.7±4.2 vs 5.4±3.9 mU/l), in addition to testosterone levels (2.6±0.9 vs 1.8±0.7 nmol/l), anovulation rate (2.3 vs 59.5%), and acne (31.8 vs 11.6%; all P<0.017). In the overweight and obese PCOS groups, metformin also showed the expected beneficial effects.ConclusionMetformin improves parameters of IR, hyperandrogenemia, anovulation, and acne in PCOS irrespective of pre-treatment IR or obesity.
Distribution of neuropeptide Y Leu7Pro polymorphism in patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy among Swedish and American populations
Authors: Ma Jun , Nordman Sofia , Möllsten Anna , Falhammar Henrik , Brismar Kerstin , Dahlquist Gisela , Efendic Suad , Gu Harvest F 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveThe distribution of Leu7Pro polymorphism in the neuropeptide Y gene shows a geographical north to south gradient of decreasing frequency, suggesting that it may be a population-specific causal variant. This polymorphism is found to be associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN) and coronary heart disease in Finnish women with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The present study aims to evaluate the susceptibility of this polymorphism to the development of DN in two different populations.DesignOne sample set consists of 174 (females 98 and males 76) Swedish T1D patients with DN and 249 (females 132 and males 117) patients without DN. Another sample set includes 597 (females 356 and males 241) American T1D patients without DN and 577 (females 264 and males 313) patients with DN, who were descents of European Caucasians and were from the Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) Study.MethodsGenotyping of Leu7Pro polymorphism was performed by dynamic allele-specific hybridization.ResultsThe C allele frequencies of Leu7Pro polymorphism in T1D patients between Swedish and American GoKinD populations were significantly different (6.3 vs 4.0%; P=0.006). Particularly, the C allele frequency in Swedish female T1D patients with DN was significantly higher in comparison with T1D patients without DN (10.2 vs 4.2%; P=0.011, OR=2.614, 95% confidence intervals: 1.249–5.467). No significant association of this polymorphism with DN was observed in Swedish male T1D patients and the patients from GoKinD.ConclusionsThe present study provides further evidence that Leu7Pro polymorphism confers the susceptibility to the development of DN in Swedish female T1D patients.
The association of interleukin-18 genotype and serum levels with metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease
Authors: Evans Juliet , Collins Malcolm , Jennings Courtney , van der Merwe Lize , Söderström Ingegerd , Olsson Tommy , Levitt Naomi S , Lambert Estelle V , Goedecke Julia H 
Published: November 2007

AbstractObjectiveCirculating levels of interleukin (IL)-18 are associated with the metabolic syndrome and risk for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study investigated the association between the circulating IL-18 levels and the −137 G/C polymorphism within theIL-18gene with metabolic risk factors for CVD in normal-weight and obese black South African women.MethodsBlood pressure (BP), body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometer), visceral adiposity (computerized tomography), as well as fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, IL-18 levels, andIL-18genotype were measured in 104 normal-weight (body mass index (BMI) ≤25 kg/m2) and 124 obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2) black South African women.ResultsSubjects with a GC genotype (23%) had a greater mean arterial pressure (MAP, 90.6±11.1 vs 85.5±10.3 mmHg,P<0.001) than the subjects with the GG genotype. Serum IL-18 levels were not associated with IL-18 genotype (P=0.985); however, they significantly correlated with percentage of body fat (r=0.25,P<0.001), visceral adiposity (r=0.32,P<0.001), MAP (r=0.22,P=0.001), HOMA-IR (r=0.33,P<0.001), fasting insulin (r=0.25,P<0.001), triglyceride (r=0.16,P<0.05), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r=−0.14,P<0.05) levels, after adjusting for age and body fatness.ConclusionsWe show for the first time that the GC genotype of theIL-18−137 G/C polymorphism and the circulating IL-18 levels are independently associated with raised BP. Moreover, fasting IL-18 levels are associated with the other metabolic risk factors for CVD in normal-weight and obese black South African women.
Effects of Dietary Arginine on Hematological Parameters and Innate Immune Function of Channel Catfish
Authors: Buentello J. Alejandro , Reyes-Becerril Martha , Jesús Romero-Geraldo María , Jesús Ascencio-Valle Felipe 
Published: November 2007

Abstract
The effects of elevated dietary arginine on the hematology and immune function of juvenile channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus were evaluated by means of in vivo and in vitro experiments. Healthy juvenile channel catfish (average weight, 34.8 g) were fed casein–gelatin-based diets containing 28% crude protein and supplemented with crystalline l-arginine (ARG) at 0.5, 1, 2, or 4% of diet. An intact-protein diet containing 1.3% arginine also was included to investigate the effects of amino acid form (crystalline-free amino acids versus intact protein). Each purified diet was fed to apparent satiation to triplicate groups of fish for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental feeding period, the fish were injected intraperitoneally with two doses (3 d apart) of 2 mg lipopolysaccharide/kg body weight. Six days after the initial injection, the fish were anesthetized and tissue samples were obtained to evaluate hematological and humoral and cellular immune parameters, including phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), blood cell counts, plasma protein, and hepatic superoxide dismutase activity. High dietary levels (4% ARG) resulted in significantly higher levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and circulating erythrocytes. Dietary ARG did not significantly affect MCV and the number of circulating leukocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. In vitro, a moderate level (2 mM) of ARG in the culture media was found to be ideal in significantly enhancing phagocytosis. This study demonstrates that some aspects of the immune system of channel catfish are sensitive to changes in dietary ARG.
Inside Front Cover: Direct Patterning, Conformal Coating, and Erbium Doping of Luminescent nc‐Si/SiO2 Thin Films from Solution Processable Hydrogen Silsesquioxane (Adv. Mater. 21/2007)
Authors: Hessel C. M. , Summers M. A. , Meldrum A. , Malac M. , Veinot J. G. C. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractPatterned nanostructure arrays of luminescent, oxide‐embedded silicon nanocrystals (nc‐Si) are formed by reductively thermally processing e‐beam patterns of hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ). While traditionally employed as a negative type e‐beam resist, HSQ is shown to produce thin films, non‐flat conformal coatings, and sub‐10 nm structures that contain luminescent nc‐Si. The variety of morphologies (structures) that can be produced by this method highlights the versatility of HSQ as a nc‐Si precursor, report Jonathan Veinot and co‐workers from the University of Alberta, Canada on p. 3513.
A subordinate status position increases the present value of financial resources for low 2D:4D men
Authors: Millet Kobe , Dewitte Siegfried 
Published: October 2007

AbstractIt has been suggested that the ratio of the length of the 2nd and 4th fingers (digit ratio or 2D:4D) is related to prenatal testosterone with lower ratios thought to be influenced by higher prenatal testosterone levels. Accordingly, low 2D:4D has been associated to a number of fitness‐related factors, such as high status in competitive sports and in music. Recent evidence suggests that 2D:4D is also related to economic decision making. We combine both streams of research in the present paper. In two studies we manipulated status in two different ways. We found that a subordinate position raises discount rates, consistent with the reasoning that the present utility of money is higher for men in this position. Moreover, the effect was more pronounced for men with a low 2D:4D. There was a significant negative relationship between 2D:4D and level of discounting in a subordinate status position, but no significant relationship emerged in the dominant status position. Our studies add evidence to the recent line of research associating digit ratio and economic decision making. Moreover, our studies show that future 2D:4D research should focus on plausible interactions between 2D:4D and context cues rather than on linear relations. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Descent, lineage, and pedigree of the Trojans in Homer's Iliad
Authors: Bazopoulou‐Kyrkanidou Euterpe 
Published: November 2007

AbstractHomer's Iliad, is an epic poem that describes the last 70 days of the Trojan War, which was waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans. Here, the descent, lineage, and the pedigree of the Trojans are presented. In the Illiad, they are said to have originated from Zeus. Beginning with him, the Trojan pedigree comprised 17 men in 8 generations with Dardanus, founder of Dardania in the second generation; Tros, King of the Trojans in the fourth generation; and the two heroes Hector and Aeneas in the eighth generation. In the seventh generation, Priam, as King of the Trojans, had a huge family, including 50 sons: 19 children with his wife Hecabe, other sons with many different wives, and some daughters as well. Hector, the first born, became leader of the Trojans. Hector's brother, Paris, in abducting Helen of Sparta, the wife of King Menelaus, caused the Trojan War to break out. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutualism, reciprocity, or kin selection? Cooperative rescue of a conspecific from a boa in a nocturnal solitary forager the gray mouse lemur
Authors: Eberle Manfred , Kappeler Peter M. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPredator mobbing is a widespread phenomenon in many taxa but the evolution of cooperative mobbing as an adaptive behavior is still subject to debate. Here, we report evidence for cooperative predator defense in a nocturnal solitarily foraging primate, the gray mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus). Several mouse lemurs mobbed a snake that held a non‐related male conspecific until he could escape. Evolutionary hypotheses to explain cooperative mobbing include (1) by‐product mutualism, when individuals defend others in the process of defending themselves; (2) reciprocity, where animals achieve a higher fitness when helping each other than when they do not cooperate; and (3) kin selection where animals help each other only if they share genes by common descent. Owing to the solitary activity of this species, reciprocity seems to be least likely to explain our observations. By‐product mutualism cannot be ruled out entirely but, if costs of snake mobbing are relatively low, the available detailed socio‐genetic information indicates that kin selection, rather than any of the other proposed mechanisms, is the primary evolutionary force behind the observed cooperative rescue. Am. J. Primatol. 70:410–414, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of branch diameter on primate gait sequence pattern
Authors: Stevens Nancy Jeanne 
Published: October 2007

AbstractMost mammals use lateral sequence gaits during quadrupedal locomotion, a pattern characterized by the touchdown of a forelimb directly following the ipsilateral hind limb in a given stride cycle. Primates, however, tend to use diagonal sequence (DS) gaits, whereby it is the touchdown of a contralateral forelimb that follows that of a given hind limb most closely in time. A number of scenarios have been offered to explain why primates favor DS gaits, most of them relating to the use of the arboreal habitat and, in particular, the exploitation of a narrow branch niche. This experimental study explores the potential explanation for the use of DS gaits by examining the relationship between branch diameter and gait patterns in 360 strides collected from six species of quadrupedal strepsirrhine primates on broad and narrow diameter supports. Gait sequence is quantified using limb phase, or the percentage of time during a stride cycle that a forelimb touchdown follows an ipsilateral hind limb touchdown. Although Loris, Nycticebus and Eulemur rubriventer individuals in this study did exhibit significantly lower locomotor velocities on narrower supports (P<0.01 in all three species), analyses of covariance showed no significant differences in limb phase values between broad and narrow diameter supports. Hence, results indicate surprisingly little evidence to suggest that alterations in gait sequence pattern provide a specific advantage for negotiating narrow supports. Am. J. Primatol. 70:356–362, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of structure of aromatic imide–amines on curing behavior and thermal stability of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A
Authors: Sharma Pooja , Choudhary Veena , Narula Anudeep Kumar 
Published: October 2007

AbstractThe curing behavior of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) with aromatic imide–amines having aryl ether, sulfone, and methylene linkages was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Six imide–amines of varying structure were synthesized by reacting 1 mol of naphthalene 1,4,5,8‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride (N) or 4,4′‐oxodiphthalic anhydride (O) with excess (>2 mol) of 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether [E] or 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl methane [M] or 4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl sulfone [S]. The imide–amines prepared by reacting O or N with S, M, and E have been designated as OS/NS; OM/NM, and OE/NE, respectively. Structural characterization of imide–amines was done using FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis. The curing behavior of DGEBA in the presence of stoichiometric amount of imide–amines was investigated by recording DSC scans. A broad exothermic transition was observed and the peak exotherm temperature was found to be dependent on the structure of imide–amines. The peak exotherm temperature (Tp) was lowest in case of imide–amines OE and highest in case of imide–amines NS/OS. Thermal stability of isothermally cured DGEBA in the presence of imide–amines was evaluated by dynamic thermogravimetry. The char yield was highest for resin cured with imide–amines NE. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Activated carbon‐polyethylenedioxythiophene composite electrodes for symmetrical supercapacitors
Authors: Selvakumar M. , Krishna Bhat D. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractA symmetrical (p/p) supercapacitor has been fabricated by making use of activated carbon (AC)‐polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)‐composite electrodes for the first time. The composite electrodes have been prepared via electrochemical deposition of β‐napthalenesulphonate doped PEDOT onto AC electrodes. The characteristics of the electrodes and the fabricated supercapacitor have been investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and AC impedance spectroscopy. The electrodes show a maximum specific capacitance of 158 Fg−1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s−1. This indicates that the in situ electro‐polymerization of ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) onto AC could improve the performance of carbon electrodes for use in supercapacitors. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008
In vitro release study of diltiazem hydrochloride from poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)/sodium alginate blend microspheres
Authors: Şanlı Oya , Biçer Emine , Işıklan Nuran 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPolymeric blend microspheres of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) with sodium alginate (NaAlg) were prepared by cross‐linking with calcium ions and used to deliver a calcium channel blocker drug, diltiazem hydrochloride (DT). The prepared microspheres were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the spherical nature of the particles. Preparation conditions for the microspheres were optimized by considering the percentage entrapment efficiency, particle size, and swelling capacity. Effects of variables such as PVP/NaAlg ratio, molecular weight of PVP, cross‐linker concentration, and drug/polymer ratio on the release of DT were discussed at two different pH values (1.2, 6.8) at 37°C. It was observed that DT release from the microspheres decreased with increasing molecular weight of PVP and extent of cross‐linking. However, DT release increased with increasing PVP content and drug/polymer ratio (d/p) of the blend microspheres. The highest DT release percentage was obtained as 99% for PVP/NaAlg ratio of 1/2 with d/p ratio of 1/2 at the end of 4 h. It was also observed from release results that DT delivery from the microspheres through the external medium are much higher at low pH (1.2) value than that of high pH (6.8) value. The drug release from the microspheres mostly followed Fickian transport. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline–organoclay nanocomposites
Authors: Salahuddin N. , Ayad M. M. , Ali M. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractPolyaniline (PANI)–organoclay nanocomposites were prepared. Intercalation of aniline monomer into montmorillonite (MMT) modified by polyoxyalkylene was followed by subsequent oxidative polymerization of the aniline in the interlayer spacing. The organoclay was prepared by cation exchange process between sodium cation in MMT and onium ion in four different types of polyoxyalkylene diamine and triamine with different molecular weight. Infrared spectra confirm the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged onium group (NH3+) and the negatively charged surface of MMT. X‐ray diffraction analysis provides a structural information. The absence of d001 diffraction band in the nanocomposites was observed at certain types and contents of organoclay. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were employed to determine the dispersion of the clay into PANI. The thermal degradation behavior of PANI in the nanocomposites has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The weight loss suggests that the PANI chains in the nanocomposites are more thermally stable than pristine PANI. This improvement is attributed to the presence of nanolayers with high aspect ratio acting as barriers, thus shielding the diffusion of degraded PANI from the nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites was increased 30 times more than that of pure MMT at a certain concentration. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008