bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomised trial of laparoscopic Burch colposuspension versus tension‐free vaginal tape: long‐term follow up
Authors: Jelovsek JE , Barber MD , Karram MM , Walters MD , Paraiso MFR 
Published: December 2007

Objective  To compare the long‐term efficacy of laparoscopic Burch colposuspension with tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) for the treatment of urodynamic stress urinary incontinence (SUI).Design  Long‐term follow up from a prospective randomised trial.Setting  Academic tertiary referral centre.Sample  Seventy‐two women with urodynamic SUI from two institutions.Methods  Subjects were randomised to either laparoscopic Burch or TVT from August 1999 to August 2002. Follow‐up evaluations occurred 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 4–8 years after surgery.Main outcome measures  Subjects completed the Incontinence Severity Index, Urogenital Distress Inventory 6 (UDI‐6), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7), and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI‐I) scales.Results  Median follow‐up duration was 65 months (range 12–88 months) with 92% completing at least one follow‐up visit. Seventy‐four percent of subjects had long‐term (4–8 years) follow up. Fifty‐eight percent of subjects receiving laparoscopic Burch compared with 48% of TVT subjects reported any urinary incontinence 4–8 years after surgery (Relative Risk (RR):1.19; 95% CI: 0.71–2.0) with no significant difference between groups. Bothersome SUI symptoms were seen in 11 and 8%, respectively, 4–8 years after surgery (P= 0.26). There was significant improvement in the postoperative UDI‐6 and IIQ‐7 scores in both groups at 1–2 years that were maintained throughout follow up with no significant differences between the groups.Conclusions  TVT has similar long‐term efficacy to laparoscopic Burch for the treatment of SUI. A substantial proportion of subjects have some degree of urinary incontinence 4–8 years after surgery; however, the majority of incontinence is not bothersome.
The carotid bodies influence growth responses to moderate maternal undernutrition in late‐gestation fetal sheep
Authors: Burrage D , Green LR , Moss TJM , Sloboda DM , Nitsos I , Newnham JP , Hanson MA 
Published: December 2007

Objective  To determine the role of carotid sinus innervation on differential fetal organ growth during maternal nutrient restriction in late pregnancy.Design  Randomised controlled study.Setting  University research facility.Sample  Thirty‐nine Merino ewes.Methods  At 113 days gestational age (dGA), fetuses were bilaterally carotid sinus denervated or sham denervated. From 118 dGA, the surgery groups were subdivided into two dietary groups, and their ewes were fed 100% of nutrient requirements or 50% until tissue collection at 140 dGA. This provided four groups (sham/control diet, sham/restricted diet, denervated/control diet and denervated/restricted diet).Main outcome measures  Fetal organ weights and hormone levels and maternal weight change during the dietary restriction.Results  Adrenal glands were larger in sham/restricted diet fetuses than in sham/control diet or denervated/restricted diet fetuses (P < 0.05). Fetal adrenal weight and brain‐to‐liver weight ratio were positively related to maternal weight change during the nutritional challenge in sham fetuses only (P < 0.05). Fetal liver weight was negatively related to maternal weight change during nutritional challenge in sham fetuses only (P < 0.05).Conclusions  We have shown a reduction in liver growth but sparing of adrenal growth in response to moderate maternal undernutrition, which is dependent on intact carotid body innervation. This suggests a new role for the carotid bodies in the control of differential organ growth during such undernutrition.
Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on oxidative metabolism of valproic acid in hepatic microsomes from donors with theCYP2C9*1/*1genotypeThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Numa Andrew M. , Abbott Frank S. , Chang Thomas K.H. 
Published: December 2007

We investigated the effect of Ginkgo biloba extracts and some of its individual constituents on the oxidative metabolism of valproic acid (VPA) in hepatic microsomes from donors with the CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype. G. biloba extract decreased 4-ene-VPA, 3-OH-VPA, 4-OH-VPA, and 5-OH-VPA formation with mean (± SE) IC50values of 340 ± 40 μg/mL, 370 ± 100 μg/mL, 180 ± 30 μg/mL, and 210 ± 20 μg/mL, respectively. This was associated with inhibition of not only CYP2C9*1, but also CYP2A6 and CYP2B6. Bilobalide, ginkgolide A, ginkgolide B, ginkgolide C, ginkgolide J, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside were not responsible for the inhibition of VPA metabolism by the extract. When analyzed as the sum of the aglycone and total glycosides present in the extract, quercetin decreased 4-ene-VPA, 4-OH-VPA, and 5-OH-VPA formation by 76%, 51%, and 70%, respectively, kaempferol decreased 4-ene-VPA, 4-OH-VPA, and 5-OH-VPA formation by 65%, 46%, and 49%, respectively, and isorhamnetin decreased 4-ene-VPA, 4-OH-VPA, and 5-OH-VPA formation by 29%, 26%, and 31%, respectively. The 3 aglycones did not affect 3-OH-VPA formation. In summary, G. biloba extract decreased hepatic microsomal formation of 4-ene-VPA, 4-OH-VPA, 5-OH-VPA, and 3-OH-VPA, but the effect was not due to the terpene trilactones or flavonol glycosides investigated in our study.
Live encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus cells in yogurt for therapeutic oral delivery: preparation and in vitro analysis of alginate–chitosan microcapsulesThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Urbanska Aleksandra Malgorzata , Bhathena Jasmine , Prakash Satya 
Published: December 2007

Targeted delivery of live microencapsulated bacterial cells has strong potential for application in treating various diseases, including diarrhea, kidney failure, liver failure, and high cholesterol, among others. This study investigates the potential of microcapsules composed of two natural polymers, alginate and chitosan (AC), and the use of these artificial cells in yogurt for delivery of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus bacterial live cells. Results show that the integrity of AC microcapsules was preserved after 76 h of mechanical shaking in MRS broth and after 12 h and 24 h in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Using an in vitro computer-controlled simulated human gastrointestinal (GI) model, we found 8.37 log CFU/mL of viable bacterial cells were present after 120 min of gastric exposure and 7.96 log CFU/mL after 360 min of intestinal exposure. In addition, AC microcapsules composed of chitosan 10 and 100 at various concentrations were subjected to 4-week storage in 2% milk fat yogurt or 0.85% physiological solution. It was found that 9.37 log CFU/mL of cells encapsulated with chitosan 10 and 8.24 log CFU/mL of cells encapsulated with chitosan 100 were alive after 4 weeks. The AC capsule composed of 0.5% chitosan 10 provided the highest bacterial survival of 9.11 log CFU/mL after 4 weeks. Finally, an investigation of bacterial viability over 72 h in different pH buffers yielded highest survival of 6.34 log CFU/mL and 10.34 log CFU/mL at pH 8 for free and AC-encapsulated cells, respectively. We conclude from these findings that encapsulation allows delivery of a higher number of bacteria to desired targets in the GI tract and that microcapsules containing bacterial cells are good candidates for oral artificial cells for bacterial cell therapy.
Effects of traditionally used anxiolytic botanicals on enzymes of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systemThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Awad R. , Levac D. , Cybulska P. , Merali Z. , Trudeau V.L. , Arnason J.T. 
Published: December 2007

In Canada, the use of botanical natural health products (NHPs) for anxiety disorders is on the rise, and a critical evaluation of their safety and efficacy is required. The purpose of this study was to determine whether commercially available botanicals directly affect the primary brain enzymes responsible for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism. Anxiolytic plants may interact with either glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or GABA transaminase (GABA-T) and ultimately influence brain GABA levels and neurotransmission. Two in vitro rat brain homogenate assays were developed to determine the inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts. Approximately 70% of all extracts that were tested showed little or no inhibitory effect (IC50 values greater than 1 mg/mL) and are therefore unlikely to affect GABA metabolism as tested. The aqueous extract of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) exhibited the greatest inhibition of GABA-T activity (IC50 = 0.35 mg/mL). Extracts from Centella asiatica (gotu kola) and Valeriana officinalis (valerian) stimulated GAD activity by over 40% at a dose of 1 mg/mL. On the other hand, both Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) and Humulus lupulus (hops) showed significant inhibition of GAD activity (0.11–0.65 mg/mL). Several of these species may therefore warrant further pharmacological investigation. The relation between enzyme activity and possible in vivo mode of action is discussed.
XP-828L (Dermylex), a new whey protein extract with potential benefit for mild to moderate psoriasisThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 1 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Drouin Réjean , Lamiot Éric , Cantin Kim , Gauthier Sylvie F. , Pouliot Yves , Poubelle Patrice E. , Juneau Christina 
Published: December 2007

Natural health products (NHPs) or complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are commonly used to prevent disorders or support the usual treatments of many diseases. XP-828L, a whey protein extract, has demonstrated potential benefits for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis. The aim of this study was to analyze further clinical data that demonstrated the clinical benefits and safety of the XP-828L in patients with psoriasis and the potential mechanism of action of this product in vitro. Oral administration (2.5 g, twice a day, over 112 days) of XP-828L in 42 human subjects with mild to moderate psoriasis improved their PGA scores (physician’s global assessment). Moreover, no significant changes in haematology or hepatic and renal parameters were observed throughout the study period, indicating the safety of the product. In vitro experiments showed that XP-828L decreased the proliferation of concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated murine splenocytes and their production of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ. Although the in vivo mechanism of action of XP-828L remains unknown, XP-828L represents an NHP to be used as an alternative or concomitant treatment for mild to moderate psoriasis and potentially for other immune-mediated diseases.
In vitro activity of uva-ursi against cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and P-glycoproteinThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 2 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Chauhan B. , Yu C. , Krantis A. , Scott I. , Arnason J. T. , Marles R. J. , Foster B. C. 
Published: December 2007

Some natural health products (NHPs) affect drug metabolism enzymes and transport proteins, potentially affecting the safety and efficacy of the drug or other NHPs. This study was undertaken to characterize the effect of uva-ursi ( Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ) on cytochrome P450 isozyme (3A4, 3A5, 3A7, 2C19, and 19)-mediated metabolism and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport. Three bulk and 2 capsulated uva-ursi samples were obtained from commercial outlets. The capsules were batched, and herbal samples were ground to a common consistency. Aqueous and methanol extracts were freshly prepared. Cytochrome P450 isozyme-mediated metabolism was determined by using in vitro bioassays. P-gp transport function was determined by using a rhodamine 123 (Rh123) uptake test in human (THP-1) monocytes and human Caco-2 cells. All products were analyzed by HPLC for arbutin, gallic acid, myricitrin, and isoquercetin. A large variation was observed in the biomarkers found between the bulk and capsulated samples. Our data indicate that both the aqueous and methanol extracts of all 5 uva-ursi products showed high cytochrome P450 isozyme inhibition, with the exception of the methanol extracts against cytochromes P3A4 and P19, which had low to moderate activity. The aqueous extracts of uva-ursi showed an inhibitory effect on Rh123 efflux by P-gp at 1 h and an inductive effect at 18 h for both cell lines. Our results show that the uva-ursi herbal products tested here have pharmacological properties, including the potential capacity to affect drug safety and efficacy. Further studies are warranted against a wider range of cytochrome P450 isozymes and to determine whether these effects are clinically significant.
Medicinal plants of Cree communities (Québec, Canada): antioxidant activity of plants used to treat type 2 diabetes symptomsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 2 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Fraser Marie-Hélène , Cuerrier Alain , Haddad Pierre S. , Arnason John T. , Owen Patrick L. , Johns Timothy 
Published: December 2007

Traditional medicines (TM) used to treat symptoms of diabetes by two Cree communities were assessed for their free radical scavenging activity using the stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical, and their ability to protect human low-density lipoprotein from Cu2+-mediated oxidation by measuring lag time before the appearance of conjugated dienes and formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. Water-soluble phenolic content was also measured. A total of 20 medicinal plants from Whapmagoostui and 16 from Mistissini were compared with 16 extracts of plants that were not used medicinally. Medicinal plant extracts, particularly those from Larix laricina, displayed high antioxidant activity, comparable with ascorbic acid, Trolox, and the known antioxidant flavonoids quercetin, epicatechin, catechin. Extracts of Pinaceae and Ericaceae contained the highest levels of phenolics. Factors such as season and area of plant collection, as well as the plant part from which the extract was derived, affected antioxidant activity. Positive correlations were found between the established traditional knowledge of Cree Elders and Healers and the antioxidant activity for medicinal plants used in Mistissini (r = 0.3134; p = 0.058) and in Whapmagoostui (r = 0.5165; p = 0.001). Significant correlations between phenolic content were also seen with the existing ethnobotanical data (r = 0.5015; p = 0.003) and bioassays (r = 0.4178; p = 0.003). These results indicate that a clear majority of plants used by the Cree are excellent sources of antioxidants.
Synergistic cytotoxic effects of tamoxifen and black cohosh on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells: an in vitro studyThis article is one of a selection of papers published in this special issue (part 2 of 2) on the Safety and Efficacy of Natural Health Products.
Authors: Al-Akoum Mahéra , Dodin Sylvie , Akoum Ali 
Published: December 2007

Breast cancer cell cultures were exposed to different concentrations of black cohosh, estradiol (E2), and tamoxifen to examine the effect on cell proliferation; cytotoxicity was assessed by using sulforhodamine B (SRB) dye solution. E2 (10−10–10−8 mol/L) markedly stimulated the proliferation of MCF-7 cells (p < 0.01). Tamoxifen stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation at 10−6 mol/L and 10−5 mol/L (p < 0.005) but inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion the proliferative effect of E2 (p < 0.001). Black cohosh alone did not show any stimulatory effect, but exhibited a cytotoxic effect, which was significant at 103 μg/mL (p < 0.001). Adding black cohosh at 100–103 μg/mL to E2 at 10−9 mol/L also resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of E2 proliferative effect. Interestingly, the combination of black cohosh (100–103 μg/mL) with increasing tamoxifen concentrations further inhibited MCF-7 cell growth. On MDA-MB-231 cells, neither E2 nor tamoxifen displayed any detectable effect. However, black cohosh inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation at 103 μg/mL (p < 0.05), and this inhibitory effect was enhanced by increasing tamoxifen concentrations. This study reveals a cytotoxic effect of black cohosh on both estrogen-sensitive and estrogen-insensitive breast cancer cells and a synergism with tamoxifen for inhibition of cancerous cell growth.
Role of calmodulin and myosin light chain kinase in the activation of carbachol-activated cationic current in murine ileal myocytes
Authors: Kim Byung Joo , Jeon Ju-Hong , Kim Seon Jeong , So Insuk 
Published: December 2007

We investigated the effect of calmodulin (CaM) and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) on murine ileal myocytes using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Under the voltage clamp, at the holding potential of –60 mV, 50 μmol/L carbachol (CCh) induced inward currents (ICCh), and spontaneous decay of ICChoccurred. The peak inward currents induced by the repetitive application of CCh (50 μmol/L) tended to decrease in amplitude. Intracellular application of 0.2 mmol/L guanosine 5′-O-(γ-thio)triphosphate (GTPγS) from the patch electrode induced an inward current at a holding potential of –60mV, and the peak inward currents induced by the repetitive application of Cs tended to decrease slightly in amplitude. The amplitude of ICChwas reduced by pretreatment either with W-7, trifluoroperazine, W-5, and melittin (CaM inhibitors) or with ML-7 and ML-9 (selective MLCK inhibitors), and the inhibitory effects were reversible. However, when we pretreated with 50 μmol/L W-7 or 5 μmol/L ML-7 on GTPγS-induced inward currents, almost no inhibition was observed in the inward currents. Application of both Rho kinase inhibitor and MLCK inhibitor inhibited GTPγS-induced currents. We conclude that CaM and MLCK modulate the activation process of ICChin murine ileal myocytes and suggest that the classical type transient receptor potential (TRPC) channel 5 might be a candidate for nonselective cationic currents (NSCC) activated by muscarinic stimulation in gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells.
Hydrogen sulfide contributes to cardioprotection during ischemia–reperfusion injury by opening KATPchannels
Authors: Zhang Zhifei , Huang Haixia , Liu Ping , Tang Chaoshu , Wang Jun 
Published: December 2007

The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of H2S against myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury and its possible mechanism by using isolated heart perfusion and patch clamp recordings. Rat isolated hearts were Langendorff-perfused and subjected to a 30-minute ischemia insult followed by a 30-minute reperfusion. The heart function was assessed by measuring the LVDP, ±dP/dtmax, and the arrhythmia score. The results showed that the treatment of hearts with a H2S donor (40 μmol/L NaHS) during reperfusion resulted in significant improvement in heart function compared with the I/R group (LVDP recovered to 85.0% ± 6.4% vs. 35.0% ± 6.1%, +dP/dtmaxrecovered to 80.9% ± 4.2% vs. 43.0% ± 6.4%, and –dP/dtmaxrecovered to 87.4% ± 7.3% vs. 53.8% ± 4.9%; p < 0.01). The arrhythmia scores also improved in the NaHS group compared with the I/R group (1.5 ± 0.2 vs. 4.0 ± 0.4, respectively; p < 0.001). The cardioprotective effect of NaHS during reperfusion could be blocked by an ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) blocker (10 μmol/L glibenclamide). In single cardiac myocytes, NaHS increased the open probability of KATPchannels from 0.07 ± 0.03 to 0.15 ± 0.08 after application of 40 μmol/L NaHS and from 0.07 ± 0.03 to 0.36 ± 0.15 after application of 100 μmol/L NaHS. These findings provide the first evidence that H2S increases the open probability of KATPin cardiac myocytes, which may be responsible for cardioprotection against I/R injury during reperfusion.
Functions, services and value of soil organic matter for human societies and the environment: a historical perspective
Authors: Feller C. , Manlay R. J. , Swift M. J. , Bernoux M. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Soil organic matter (SOM) contributes significantly to the chemical, physical and biological ecosystem functions of soil. It influences on plant growth, thus contributing to agricultural production, and performs environmentally valuable services such as carbon sequestration, regulation of the water cycle and detoxification of pollutants. Identification of the functions and services provided by SOM has a long and tumultuous history of scientific discoveries and struggles against false assumptions. This work reports the major steps of this history, with emphasis on two services secured by SOM: (1) the role of SOM in plant production and its connection to soil fertility and thence to the sustainability of cropping and farming systems; and (2) the recognition and assessment of the contribution of SOM to climate-change regulation. Finally, the work explores how SOM, as a multifunctional resource, may be allocated an economic value as a way of promoting its conservation.
Soil sealing and soil properties related to sealing
Authors: Burghardt Wolfgang 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Sealing implies separation of soils from the atmosphere and above-ground biosphere by impermeable layers. Sealing has a strong impact on soils. The degree of sealing is related to the type of land use and to the population density. Sealed areas are still increasing, and it is often the most fertile soils which are sealed. The negative effects of sealing are partial or total loss of soils, e.g. for plant production and habitats, and an increase in floods, as well as an increase in health and social costs. On the other hand, sealed areas contribute hugely to the gross national product of a country. The most effective contributions for reducing soil sealing are expected to come from the engineering sciences. Other contributions could be made by the economic and social sciences. It is also important to address the problem at a political level, e.g. by passing an international convention to prevent soil consumption. Despite all these problems, soils can still exist underneath sealed areas. Their properties can be used to mitigate the negative effects of sealing.
Australian examples of the role of soils in environmental problems
Authors: Hazelton P. A. 
Published: December 2007

Will everyone, please at some stage during the next few days take hold of a handful of soil and show it some respect? Grab
some, take a hard look at it, marvel at its workings, sing in praise of its chemistry, bless its bugs for being there and before
piacing it on the ground, say thank you. If ever the environment had a poor relation, it is the soil. It has none of the romance
of furry animals, birds or butterflies and yet it is fundamental to life on earth.
(Heiney 1997)
Seismic geomorphology - an overview
Authors: Posamentier H. W. , Davies R. J. , Cartwright J. A. , Wood L. 
Published: December 2007

Abstract
Seismic geomorphology, the extraction of geomorphic insights using predominantly three-dimensional seismic data, is a rapidly evolving discipline that facilitates the study of the subsurface using plan view images. A variety of analytical techniques is employed to image and visualize depositional elements and other geologically significant features. This volume presents key technical papers presented at a recent research conference - the Seismic Geomorphology Conference (10–11 February 2005), co-convened by the Society for Sedimentary Geology and The Geological Society (London). These papers cover a broad range of topics, from detailed depositional element analysis to big picture regional issues, from lithology prediction to diagenetic modification of the stratigraphic section. This discipline is only in its early stages of development and will henceforth expand rapidly in response to the growing availability to researchers of high-quality three-dimensional seismic data.