bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservation prospects for threatened Vietnamese tree species: results from a demographic study
Authors: Chien Pham Duc , Zuidema Pieter A. , Nghia Nguyen Hoang 
Published: March 2008

AbstractGiven that changes in population size are slow, information on future prospects of long‐lived tree species is necessarily obtained from demographic models. We studied six threatened tree species in four Vietnamese protected areas: the broad‐leavedAnnamocarya sinensis,Manglietia fordianaandParashorea chinensis, and the coniferousCalocedrus macrolepis,Dacrydium elatumandPinus kwangtungensis. With data from a 2‐year field study on recruitment, growth and survival, we constructed matrix models for each species. All species showed continuous regeneration, as indicated by annual seedling recruitment and inverse J‐shaped population structures. To evaluate the future prospects of our study species, we calculated three parameters: (1) asymptotic growth rates (λ) from matrix models indicated significant population declines of 2–3%/year for two species; (2) population trajectories for 50–100 years showed slight population declines (0–3%/year) for five species; and (3) the reproductive period required for an adult tree to replace itself was excessive for three of the six species, suggesting that these species presently have insufficient recruitment. Overall agreement of the three parameters was low, showing that reliance on just one parameter is risky. Combining the three parameters we concluded that prospects are good forDacrydiumandParashorea, worrisome forAnnamocarya,ManglietiaandPinus, and intermediate forCalocedrus. We argue that conservation should involve strict protection of (pre‐)adult trees, as their survival is crucial for population maintenance in all species (high elasticity). For species with poor demographic prospects, active intervention is required to improve seedling and tree growth, enrich populations with seedlings from controlled germination, and restore habitat. Finally, our study suggests that these conservation measures apply to long‐lived trees in general, given that their demography is highly similar. Such measures should be taken before populations decline below critical levels, as long‐lived species will respond slowly to management.
Pilot Study of an Exercise Intervention Suitable for Older Heart Failure Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction
Authors: Witham Miles D. , Daykin Anne R. , McMurdo Marion E.T. 
Published: March 2008

Background: Most studies of exercise training for heart failure have been conducted on relatively young patients with little comorbidity. Such programmes are unsuitable for the majority of older frail heart failure patients. Aims: To test the acceptability and tolerability of an outpatient exercise programme in older heart failure patients with comorbid disease. Methods: 17 patients aged 70 years and over with left ventricular systolic dysfunction attended twice weekly group exercise classes for 12 weeks, focussing on endurance exercise and everyday functional tasks. Outcome measures were proportion of sessions attended; adverse events and reasons for non-attendance; six-minute walk, accelerometry, hospital depression and anxiety score, Guyatt quality of life scale, carer strain and satisfaction scores. Results: 83% of sessions were attended; 80% of subjects attended at least 80% of allocated sessions. One adverse incident occurred in 324 person-sessions. Encouraging improvements were seen in six minute walk test (+ 19 m, p = 0.14) and in Functional Limitation Profile score (− 82 points, p = 0.02). 50% of informal carers attended at least one session. No increase in carer strain was noted. Conclusions: Twice-weekly group exercise focussing on aerobic endurance and everyday functional tasks was acceptable and well-tolerated in this patient group.
Toll‐like receptor‐4 deficiency attenuates doxorubicin‐induced cardiomyopathy in mice
Authors: Riad Alexander , Bien Sandra , Gratz Matthias , Escher Felicitas , Heimesaat Markus M. , Bereswill Stefan , Krieg Thomas , Felix Stephan B. , Schultheiss Heinz P. , Kroemer Heyo K. , Tschöpe Carsten 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground:Cardiac inflammation and generation of oxidative stress are known to contribute to doxorubicin (Dox)‐induced cardiomyopathy. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are a part of the innate immune system and are involved in cardiac stress reactions. Since TLR4 might play a relevant role in cardiac inflammatory signalling, we investigated whether or not TLR4 is involved in Dox‐induced cardiotoxicity.Methods and results:Five days after a single injection of Dox (20 mg/kg; i.p.), left ventricular pressure–volume loops were measured in wild‐type and TLR4‐deficient mice (TLR4−/−) Dox‐treated and control mice. Analyses of possible pathophysiological mechanisms were performed in left ventricular tissue and isolated myocytes, respectively. Dox injection resulted in an impairment of left ventricular function and neurohumoral activation, indexed by increased ET‐1 expression. This was further associated with an increase in cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis, as indicated by an up‐regulation of cardiac lipid peroxidation, TNF‐α expression and enhanced content of TUNEL‐positive cells. In contrast, TLR4−/−Dox mice showed improved left ventricular function with reduced oxidative and inflammatory stress response including reduced cardiac apoptosis. These results were found to be associated with an increase of GATA‐4 expression.Conclusions:TLR4 deficiency improves left ventricular function and attenuates pathophysiological key mechanisms in Dox‐induced cardiomyopathy.
Poor outcome in end‐stage heart failure patients with low circulating calcitriol levels
Authors: Zittermann Armin , Schleithoff Stefanie S. , Götting Christian , Dronow Oxana , Fuchs Uwe , Kuhn Joachim , Kleesiek Knut , Tenderich Gero , Koerfer Reiner 
Published: March 2008

AbstractBackground:Vitamin D receptor knockout mice develop typical signs of congestive heart failure (CHF). In approximately 20% of stable CHF patients, frankly low concentrations of the vitamin D hormone calcitriol are found.Aims:We investigated whether serum calcitriol concentrations predict clinical outcome in end‐stage CHF.Methods and results:We collected blood samples in 383 end‐stage CHF patients who were on a waiting list for cardiac transplantation. We assessed associations of calcitriol with disease severity and freedom from event (death or cardiac transplantation) during 1‐year follow‐up. In electively listed patients (n=325), 31% had deficient calcitriol levels (<43pmol/l) compared to 47% in urgently/high urgently listed patients (n=58; P<0.001). As determined by multivariable logistic regression, calcitriol was an independent predictor of the listing status ‘urgent/high urgent’ (P<0.001). Calcitriol concentrations were also significantly lower in patients with an event (n=233) compared to those who survived on the waiting list (P<0.001). Cox regression analysis revealed that patients in the highest calcitriol tertile had a hazard ratio (95% CI) for an event of 0.506 (0.334–0.767) compared with patients in the lowest calcitriol tertile (P=0.005), after adjustment for potential confounders.Conclusion:Data indicate that low serum calcitriol concentrations are independently associated with poor clinical outcome in end‐stage CHF.
The Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire as an outcome measure: Test–retest reliability and responsiveness to change
Authors: Strand Liv Inger , Ljunggren Anne Elisabeth , Bogen Baard , Ask Tove , Johnsen Tom Backer 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAbilities of the Short‐Form McGill Pain Questionnaire to assess change have scarcely been addressed in previous studies. The aim of the present study was to examine test–retest reliability, sensitivity to change and responsiveness to clinically important change using a Norwegian version (NSF‐MPQ) in different groups of patients. ICC(1,1) values for test–retest reliability (relative reliability) assessed 1–3 days apart for total, sensory and affective scores were, respectively, 0.75, 0.76 and 0.62 in patients with musculoskeletal pain (n=58), and 0.93, 0.95 and 0.79 in patients with rheumatic pain (n=25). Variability in total scores (absolute reliability) was less in patients with rheumatic pain (within‐subject standard deviation,Sw=2.70) than in patients with musculoskeletal pain (Sw=4.28). Sensitivity to change by standardized response mean (SRM) was mostly large (>0.80) for three patient groups reporting improvement after treatment. More sensitivity to change was demonstrated by the total and sensory scores than by the affective score, and sensitivity of the total score was similarly good to capture improvement as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Indication was provided that mean improvement of groups in NSF‐MPQ total scores should be >5 on the 0–45 scale to demonstrate a clinically important change. Responsiveness to clinically important change by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was modest, as area under the curve indicating ability to discriminate improved and not improved patients with musculoskeletal pain, was only 0.61. The study indicates mostly satisfactory test–retest reliability and responsiveness values of the NSF‐MPQ, but shows that the measurement properties vary between groups of patients with pain.
Investigating the effects of distracting stimuli on nociceptive behaviour and associated alterations in brain monoamines in rats
Authors: Ford Gemma K. , Moriarty Orla , McGuire Brian E. , Finn David P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractDistraction interventions are used clinically to relieve pain. Exposure to distracting stimuli causes withdrawal of attention from the painful stimulus and reduces perceived pain. However, the neurobiological mechanisms mediating distraction‐induced analgesia are poorly understood due, in part, to a paucity of animal studies modelling this phenomenon. The present study investigated the effects of three distracting stimuli on formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour and brain tissue monoamine levels in rats. The three distractors were: exposure to a novel environment, exposure to a novel object, and exposure, without contact, to another rat (conspecific). A control group, habituated to the test arena, was also included. Formalin‐evoked nociceptive behaviour was significantly reduced in rats exposed to the novel object or novel arena, but not those exposed to the conspecific, compared with controls. Antinociception resulting from exposure to the novel object was of longer duration than that resulting from exposure to the novel arena. Failure to detect any distractor‐induced effects on plasma corticosterone levels or aversive behaviours suggests that the stimuli used were non‐stressful. HPLC analysis revealed that there was a significant reduction in serotonin and dopamine metabolites in the medial prefrontal cortex in animals exposed to the novel object. These results indicate that exposure to a novel object or arena reduces nociceptive behaviour in rats, effects accompanied by discrete alterations in serotonin and dopamine metabolites in the medial prefrontal cortex.
Enhancement of offset analgesia during sequential testing
Authors: Derbyshire S.W.G. , Osborn J. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractInterruption of a continuous noxious heat by a relatively greater noxious heat evokes reductions in pain experience when the original noxious heat returns. The reduction is greater than that evoked by continuous delivery of noxious heat. This disproportionate reduction in pain experience, known as offset analgesia, is presumably mediated by a mechanism different to adaptation or habituation. Reduction in pain experience to an equivalent noxious stimulus, however, has also been demonstrated when applying the same stimulus over a number of days. This reduction due to repeated days of stimulation is known as attenuation. In order to distinguish further the mechanisms of offset analgesia and attenuation we applied noxious heat resulting in an experience of low, medium or high pain to the volar forearm of 16 subjects comparing pain intensity ratings for increases and decreases in temperature, repeated over 3days. Offset analgesia was consistently demonstrated but the effects of attenuation were more complex. There was no attenuation effect for the unchanging stimuli delivered across the 3days of testing but attenuation effects enhanced the offset analgesia resulting in a larger offset analgesia effect on days 2 and 3. It is possible that offset analgesia and attenuation are mediated by inter‐related mechanisms. Further studies might investigate whether offset analgesia involves inhibitory structures such as the PAG‐RVM.
Is the interleukin‐6 haplotype a prognostic factor for sciatica?
Authors: Karppinen Jaro , Daavittila Iita , Noponen Noora , Haapea Marianne , Taimela Simo , Vanharanta Heikki , Ala‐Kokko Leena , Männikkö Minna 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAims: We have shown in a cross‐sectional setting that an IL6 haplotype (GGGA) is associated with intervertebral disc disease (IDD) characterized by sciatica. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of the GGGA haplotype in IDD.Methods: DNA from 153 sciatica patients who participated in a randomized controlled trial of periradicular infiltration was analysed for IL6 variations rs1800797 (−596A>G), rs1800796 (−572G>C), rs1800795 (−174G>C), and rs13306435 (+15T>A). The patients recorded back and leg pain intensity and duration, disability by Oswestry Index and back‐related sickness absence over a three‐year follow‐up. Repeated measures and univariate analysis of variance with adjustment for age, gender and physical work load were used in statistical analyses for the last two‐years of the follow‐up.Results: The prevalence of the GGGA haplotype was 9% (14/153). Subjects with the GGGA haplotype did not differ from those without the haplotype with respect to pain intensity, or disability score, but days with back and leg pain and days on sick leave were significantly higher among subjects with the IL6 haplotype after adjustment for occupation (p=0.006, 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). An interaction between the IL6 haplotype and physical work load was significant for the duration of back and leg pain and sick leave (p=0.038, 0.011 and 0.006, respectively).Conclusions: This is the first observation of any prognostic genotype among sciatica patients. The IL6 haplotype GGGA predicted the number of days with back or leg pain and also sickness absence. Subjects with the IL6 haplotype may be more vulnerable when doing physically demanding jobs.
Upregulation and redistribution of ephrinB and EphB receptor in dorsal root ganglion and spinal dorsal horn neurons after peripheral nerve injury and dorsal rhizotomy
Authors: Song Xue‐Jun , Cao Jun‐Li , Li Hao‐Chuan , Zheng Ji‐Hong , Song Xue‐Song , Xiong Li‐Ze 
Published: March 2008

AbstractEphrinB–EphB receptor signaling plays diverse roles during development, but recently has been implicated in synaptic plasticity in the matured nervous system and in pain processes. The present study investigated the correlation between expression of ephrinB and EphB receptor proteins and chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve and dorsal rhizotomy (DR) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord (SC); and interaction of CCI and DR on expression of these signals. Adult, male Sprague–Dawley rats were employed and thermal sensitivity was determined in the sham operated CCI and DR rats. Western blot and immunobiochemistry analysis and immunofluorescence staining techniques were used to detect the expression and location of the ephrinB–EphB receptor proteins in DRG and SC. The results showed that expression of ephrinB1 and EphB1 receptor proteins was significantly upregulated in DRG and SC in a time‐dependent manner corresponding to the development of thermal hyperalgesia after CCI. The increased expression is predominately located in the medium‐ and small‐sized DRG neurons, the superficial layers of spinal dorsal horn (DH) neurons, and the IB4 positive nociceptive terminals. DR increases ephrinB1 in DRG, not SC and EphB receptor in SC, not DRG. DR suppressed CCI‐induced upregulation of ephrinB1 in SC and EphB1 receptor in DRG and SC. These findings indicate that ephrinB–EphB receptor activation and redistribution in DRG and DH neurons after nerve injury could contribute to neuropathic pain. This study may also provide a new mechanism underlying DR‐induced analgesia in clinic.
JXA-8100 microanalyzer: accuracy of analysis of rock-forming minerals
Authors: Korolyuk V.N. , Lavrent’ev Yu.G. , Usova L.V. , Nigmatulina E.N. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The JXA-8100 microanalyzer software provides precise electron-probe microanalysis of rock-forming minerals, with a relative deviation within 1.0–1.5%, if the matrix effect in the samples is predominantly determined by only one physical factor: either atomic number or absorption. If the matrix effect is of binary character, i.e., is owing to the simultaneous action of two commensurate factors (absorption and atomic number), the analysis error grows up to 4–14%.
Equivariant Intersection Theory and Surgery Theory for Manifolds with Middle Dimensional Singular Sets
Authors: Bak Anthony , Morimoto Masaharu 
Published: March 2008

AbstractLet G denote a finite group and n = 2k 6 an even integer. Let X denote a simply connected, compact, oriented, smooth G-manifold of dimension n. Let L denote a union of connected, compact, neat submanifolds in X of dimension k. We invoke the hypothesis that L is a G-subcomplex of a G-equivariant smooth triangulation of X and contains the singular set of the action of G on X. If the dimension of the G-singular set is also k then the ordinary equivariant self-intersection form is not well defined, although the equivariant intersection form is well defined. The first goal of the paper is to eliminate the deficiency above by constructing a new, well defined, equivariant, self-intersection form, called the generalized (or doubly parametrized) equivariant self-intersection form. Its value at a given element agrees with that of the ordinary equivariant self-intersection form when the latter value is well defined. Let denote a finite family of immersions withtrivial normal bundle of k-dimensional, connected, closed, orientable, smooth manifolds into X. Assume that the integral (and mod 2) intersection forms applied to members of and to orientable (and nonorientable) k-dimensional members of L are trivial. Then the vanishing of the equivariant intersection form on × and the generalized equivariant self-intersection form on is a necessary and sufficient condition that is regularly homotopic to a family of disjoint embeddings, each of which is disjoint from L. This property, when is a finite family of immersions of the k-dimensional sphere Sk into X, is just what is needed for constructing an equivariant surgery theory for G-manifolds X as above whose G-singular set has dimension less than or equal to k. What is new for surgery theory is that the equivariant surgery obstruction is defined for an almost arbitrary singular set of dimension k and in particular, the k-dimensional components of the singular set can be nonorientable.
The State Wealth-Legislative Compensation Effect
Authors: Squire Peverill 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Legislative scholars have paid almost no attention to explanations for the level of compensation provided to legislators, either within a country or cross-nationally, despite its importance to members and institutions. I posit a simple theory based on state wealth to explain differences in legislative pay. I test this theory using two novel data sets, one on 35 national assemblies, the other on subnational assemblies in Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States. Analysis of these data reveals that national or state wealth is strongly associated with legislator compensation. This finding is consistent with an intriguing analog in the labour economics literature.Résumé. Les érudits du monde législatif ne se sont guère penchés sur les raisons des divers niveaux de rémunération des législateurs, à l'échelle nationale ou transnationale, malgré l'importance du sujet pour les institutions et les membres des législatures. Pour expliquer cette disparité, j'avance une simple théorie fondée sur la richesse des États. J'évalue ensuite cette théorie en m'appuyant sur deux nouvelles bases de données, la première portant sur 35 assemblées nationales et l'autre sur des assemblées sous-nationales en Australie, au Canada, en Allemagne et aux États-Unis. Ces analyses statistiques démontrent qu'il existe effectivement un lien étroit entre la richesse de l'État et la rémunération des législateurs. Cette constatation est confirmée par une analogie fascinante dans la littérature sur l'économique du travail.
Neoliberalism and Violence against Women: Can Retrenchment Convergence Explain the Path of Provincial Anti-Violence Policy, 1985–2005?
Authors: Collier Cheryl N. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract.This article examines the impact of neoliberalism on provincial policies aimed at addressing the problem of violence against women during a period (1985–2005) when welfare state retrenchment convergence has been documented both provincially and in a variety of Western democracies, including in Canada. Using measurements of both aggregate government expenditures and qualitative evaluations of anti-violence policy progression during this time frame, my analysis questions the existence of welfare state convergence in both Ontario and British Columbia. Instead, it demonstrates evidence of pronounced anti-violence policy divergence in both cases, which is better explained by a partisan theory of public policy framework.Résumé.Cet article examine l'incidence du néolibéralisme sur les politiques provinciales visant à enrayer le problème de la violence faite aux femmes au cours de la période 1985–2005. Cette période coïncide avec la remise en question de l'État providence, phénomène largement documenté à l'échelle provinciale comme dans diverses démocraties occidentales, incluant le Canada. En mesurant les dépenses publiques d'agrégat ainsi que les évaluations qualitatives de l'évolution des politiques contre la violence durant cette période, mon analyse remet en question l'existence d'une convergence dans l'évolution de l'État providence en Ontario et en Colombie-Britannique. En fait, elle démontre plutôt l'évidence d'une divergence prononcée de politiques dans les deux cas, qui peut être mieux expliquée par une théorie “partisane” des politiques publiques.