bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic Dietaryl‐Arginine Down‐Regulates Adenosine Receptor and Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in Rat Heart
Authors: Rose'Meyer Roselyn B. , Harrison Glenn J. , Fenning Andrew , Jenner Tamsin L. , Brown Lindsay 
Published: February 2008

Abstract: l‐Arginine increases myocardial nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide mediates many of the cardiovascular actions of adenosine and modulates adenosine metabolism. In this study, we examined the effect of chronicl‐arginine (5%) intake on cardiac nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and adenosine receptor expression and cardiac function in rat Langendorff‐isolated perfused hearts. Our results show that 4‐week chronicl‐arginine ingestion increases the weight of rat hearts by 17.6% (P < 0.05).l‐Arginine treatment decreased the expression of all the cardiac adenosine receptors, with reductions in adenosine A1(20‐fold), A2A(7.7‐fold), A2B(76‐fold) and A3(25.6‐fold) mRNA (P < 0.05). NOS expression was variably affected with no change in the expression of NOS1and 4.2‐fold down‐regulation of NOS3expression with chronicl‐arginine treatment (P < 0.05). NOS2was expressed in control tissues; however, inl‐arginine‐treated hearts the amount of NOS2mRNA was reduced to non‐detectable levels. Following chronicl‐arginine treatment, an increase in coronary perfusion pressure was observed (P < 0.05). Purine efflux was used as an indicator of metabolic efficiency.l‐Arginine did not alter catecholamine‐induced purine efflux (P > 0.05); however, noradrenaline‐mediated increases in contractility and myocardial oxygen consumption were reduced. Vasodilator responses to 5′‐N‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) were reduced in hearts froml‐arginine‐treated rats and the NOS inhibitor Nϖ‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (3 µM) did not inhibit responses to NECA. In conclusion, 4‐week dietary supplementation ofl‐arginine reduced the expression of cardiac adenosine receptors and NOSs with a subsequent decrease in noradrenaline‐stimulated cardiac function and adenosine receptor‐mediated coronary vasodilation.
Association of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms with the outcome of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Bogunia‐Kubik K. , Middleton P. , Norden J. , Dickinson A. , Lange A. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryRecently, vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism has been identified as an additional genetic factor associated with the outcome after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from HLA‐matched sibling donors. In the present study, VDR ApaI, TaqI and FokI alleles were typed using single strand conformation polymorphism in 123 Polish recipients and their sibling or alternative donors to test the associations of VDR polymorphisms with HSCT outcome. Four VDR genotypes were identified as risk factors of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD). Donor ApaI AA (OR = 7.245, P = 0.009), source of HSC (OR = 7.001, P = 0.007), transplantation from an alternative donor (OR = 6.630, P = 0.007) and donor FokI FF (OR = 4.473, P = 0.025) significantly contributed to the development of grades II–IV aGVHD, while recipient ApaI aa (OR = 3.233, P = 0.069), recipient FokI FF (OR = 2.558, P = 0.077) and female to male transplants (OR = 2.955, P = 0.099) were found to be less significant factors. In addition, the presence of ApaI aa genotype in the recipient was found to be associated with increased likelihood of death (P = 0.0228). The present study contributes to the studies demonstrating a role of VDR polymorphisms in HSCT outcome. In addition to previously described correlations of ApaI a allele and occurrence of severe grades III–IV aGVHD and (linked with ApaI aa) recipient TaqI TT genotype with aGVHD, the novel associations of recipient and donor FokI FF genotype and the increased aGVHD risk and recipient ApaI aa with survival were identified.
Effect of a partially purified 30.1 kDa ovine follicular fluid protein on ovine follicle and ovarian somatic cell growth, and oocyte maturation in vitro
Authors: Nandi S. , Girish Kumar V. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractAim:  Regulation of folliculogenesis and oocyte–somatic cell interactions in the ovarian follicles is under the control of gonadotrophins and various local factors. In the present study, an attempt was made to isolate and examine the biological activities of ovarian follicular fluid protein(s) in sheep in vitro.Methods:  Follicular fluids aspirated from ovarian follicles of slaughterhouse‐derived ovaries were made cell free by centrifugation (5000 g for 30 min) and steroid free by charcoal treatment. The follicular fluid was then subjected to ammonium sulphate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography using G‐75 Sephadex. Protein detection was performed using a UV spectrophotometer at 280 nm. The 35–50% fraction yielded a detectable peak and a protein of 30.1 kDa as examined by SDS‐PAGE. The effect of increasing doses of the 30.1 kDa ovine follicular fluid protein (oFFP) was tested at different doses on pre‐antral and antral follicle growth; cumulus cell expansion; oocyte maturation; changes in protein, calcium and phosphorus levels of oocytes after culture in media containing different levels of isolated protein; mural granulosa cell, polar granulosa cell (cumulus cell), oviductal epithelial cell monolayer formation and granulosa cell proliferation in vitro.Results:  The oFFP significantly inhibited antral follicle growth, cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation and somatic cell growth in vitro in a dose‐dependent manner. The oFFP did not have a significant effect on the pre‐antral follicle growth in vitro. The protein, calcium and phosphorus contents of oocytes were found to decrease in oocytes cultured in maturation medium containing the oFFP.Conclusion:  The present study demonstrates a follicular fluid factor regulating folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation in sheep.
Heart rate-based lactate minimum test: a reproducible method
Authors: Strupler M , Mueller G , Perret C 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To find the individual intensity for aerobic endurance training, the lactate minimum test (LMT) seems to be a promising method. LMTs described in the literature consist of speed or work rate-based protocols, but for training prescription in daily practice mostly heart rate is used. The aim of the present study was to investigate the reproducibility of a new heart rate-based LMT protocol.Design:20 subjects each underwent four LMTs on a cycle ergometer. The LMT consisted of a first part (Conconi test) to induce lactate accumulation and a second part (incremental protocol) with stages of 5 min starting beyond the aerobic threshold. During these stages work rate was adjusted to reach predetermined heart rates, which were calculated for every single test from heart rate (HR) at rest and maximum HR. Lactate was measured after each stage to define the lactate minimum (LM) and the corresponding HR.Setting:Institute of Sports Medicine.Participants:20 healthy and endurance-trained individuals (13 men, seven women).Main outcome measures:Reproducibility of heart rate at LM.Results:The reproducibility of heart rate at LM was high (coefficient of variation (CV) = 2.1%). The reproducibility of work rate at LM was good (CV = 6.7%). CV for lactate concentrations at LM was 17.4%. High interindividual differences at LM were found in heart rate (range 149–178 beats/min) and lactate levels (range 1.2–6.8 mmol/l).Conclusion:The LMT using a heart rate-based protocol is a reproducible method of assessing HR at an exercise intensity where an equilibrium exists between blood lactate accumulation and elimination.
Effects of an automated stride assistance system on walking parameters and muscular glucose metabolism in elderly adults
Authors: Shimada H , Suzuki T , Kimura Y , Hirata T , Sugiura M , Endo Y , Yasuhara K , Shimada K , Kikuchi K , Oda K , Ishii K , Ishiwata K 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To identify the effects of an automated stride assistance system (SAS) on walking scores and muscle activities in the lower extremities of elderly people.Methods:Seven healthy elderly men (73–81 years) participated in this study. Subjects walked continuously at a constant speed for 50 min on a treadmill with and without the SAS, which is a device to control the walk ratio (step length/cadence) and to add support power to the thigh during walking. A step counter equipped with an infrared device was used to record walking data. The average speeds during treadmill walking were 2.89–3.82 km/h without the SAS and 3.03–4.03 km/h with the SAS. Positron emission tomography (PET) and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) evaluation of glucose metabolism were conducted on each subject twice after walking with and without the SAS.Results:Walk ratio, walking speed and step length were significantly improved in all subjects by the SAS, while cadence was significantly decreased by the SAS in all subjects except one. The SAS did not have a significant effect on glucose metabolism of the muscles of the lower extremities. There were no significant correlations between change in walking speed and change in glucose metabolism in each muscle without the SAS and with the SAS. In contrast, significant correlations between walking speed and glucose metabolism were shown in gluteus minimus (r = −0.929), hip-related muscles (r = −0.862), soleus (r = −0.907), and medial gastrocnemius (r = −0.952) without the SAS. With the SAS, there were significant correlations in gluteus medius (r = −0.899), hip-related muscles (r = −0.819), and medial gastrocnemius (r = −0.817) in the elderly subjects.Conclusions:The SAS increases walking scores in elderly people without increasing energy consumption of lower-extremity muscles. The elderly subjects with low walking speed showed higher glucose metabolism in hip-related muscles and triceps surae. Thus, this association suggested that decreased walking speed in elderly adults has a higher metabolic cost in these muscle regions.
Circulating substance P levels and shoulder joint contracture after arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff: Table 1
Authors: Franceschi F , Longo U G , Ruzzini L , Morini S , Battistoni F , Dicuonzo G , Maffulli N , Denaro V 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To determine the plasma levels of substance P (SP) in patients with postoperative stiffness after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Design:Plasma samples were obtained at 15 months from surgery from two groups of patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of a rotator cuff tear. In group 1, 30 subjects (14 men, 16 women; mean age 64.6 years, range 47 to 78) with shoulder stiffness 15 months after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were recruited. In group 2, 30 patients (11 men, 19 women; mean age 57.8 years, range 45 to 77) were evaluated 15 months after successful arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Immunoassays were performed with commercially available assay kits to measure the plasma levels of SP.Results:Plasma levels of SP in patients with postoperative stiffness were significantly greater than those in the control group (mean 81.06 (SD 27.76) versus 23.49 (5.64), p<0.05).Conclusions:The plasma concentrations of substance P in patients with shoulder stiffness after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair are higher compared with plasma levels of SP in patients with a good postoperative outcome. The neuronal upregulation of SP shown in the plasma of patients with postoperative shoulder stiffness may underlie not only the symptoms but also its development of adhesive capsulitis.
The effect of exercise on motor performance tasks used in the neurological assessment of sports-related concussion
Authors: Schneiders A G , Sullivan S J , McCrory P R , Gray A , Maruthayanar S , Singh P , Ranhotigammage P , Van der Salm R 
Published: February 2008

Sports-related concussion is assessed using both cognitive and motor performance tasks. There is limited understanding of how exercise affects these measures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity exercise on three selected measures of motor performance.A repeated measures design was used to compare baseline motor performance scores with post-exercise scores with an exercise intervention modelled on the physiological demands of a team sport. 30 physically active subjects performed timed motor performance tasks: Finger-to-Nose (FTN), Tandem Gait (TG) and Single Leg Stance (SLS). The tasks were administered twice pre-exercise and twice post-exercise.FTN, TG and SLS demonstrated high test–retest reliability (ICC values >0.8). 15 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise caused a significant improvement in FTN (T2 = 2.66 (SD 0.38), T3 = 2.49 (0.32); p<0.001) and TG (T2 = 13.08 (2.84), T3 = 12.23 (2.22); p = 0.001), but not in SLS (T2 = 5.94 (4.99), T3 = 5.91 (5.54); p = 0.507).Improvement in the performance of motor tasks after exercise has implications for the immediate assessment of sports-related concussion, given that measures of motor performance are utilised in concussion assessment instruments.
Preventive effect of pre-dive hydration on bubble formation in divers
Authors: Gempp E , Blatteau J E , Pontier J-M , Balestra C , Louge P 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To investigate whether prehydration 90 min before a dive could decrease bubble formation, and to evaluate the consequent adjustments in plasma volume (PV), water balance and plasma surface tension (ST).Methods:Eight military divers participated in a crossover trial of pre-dive hydration using saline–glucose beverage (protocol 1) and a control dive with no prehydration (protocol 2). Drink volume was 1300 ml (osmolality 324 mOsm/l) and drinking time was 50–60 min. The diving protocol consisted of an open sea field air dive at 30 msw depth for 30 min followed by a 9 min stop at 3 msw. Haemodynamic parameters, body weight measurements, urine volume and blood samples were taken before/after fluid intake and after the dive. Decompression bubbles were examined by a precordial pulsed Doppler.Results:Bubble activity was significantly lower for protocol 1 than for protocol 2. PV increased after fluid ingestion by 3.5% and returned toward baseline after diving for protocol 1, whereas it decreased by 2.2% after diving for protocol 2. Differences in post-dive PV between the two conditions were highly significant. Body weight loss before/after diving and post-dive urine volume after diving were significant in both protocols, but the relative decline in weight remained lower for protocol 1 than for protocol 2, with reduction of negative water balance due to higher fluid retention. There were no differences in ST after fluid intake and after diving for the two protocols.Conclusion:Pre-dive oral hydration decreases circulatory bubbles, thus offering a relatively easy means of reducing decompression sickness risk. The prehydration condition allowed attenuation of dehydration and prevention of hypovolaemia induced by the diving session. Hydration and diving did not change plasma surface tension in this study.
Contrasting gender differences on two measures of exercise dependence: Table 1
Authors: Weik M , Hale B D 
Published: February 2008

Objective:Recent studies using multidimensional measures have shown that men (Exercise Dependence Scale; EDS-R) are more exercise-dependent than women, whereas others have found that women (Exercise Dependence Questionnaire; EDQ) are more exercise-dependent than men. This study investigated whether there may be sex differences in exercise dependence or whether the questionnaires may be measuring different dimensions of exercise dependence.Design:Regular exercisers voluntarily completed the EDS-R, EDQ and Drive for Thinness (DFT) subscale before or after a workout.Setting:A local health club in the eastern USA.Participants:Male (n = 102) and female (n = 102) exercisers completed the three questionnaires, but 11 participants (1 man, 10 women) were excluded from further analysis because scores indicated possible secondary exercise dependence (eating disorder).Primary outcome measures:Eight subscales of the EDQ, seven subscales of the EDS, the DFT subscale, and several demographic variables served as dependent measures.Results:A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) on the EDS-R showed that men were significantly higher than women on the Withdrawal, Continuance, Tolerance, Lack of Control, Time, and Intention Effect subscales. Another MANOVA on the EDQ indicated that women scored significantly higher than did men on the Interference, Positive Rewards, Withdrawal, and Social Reasons subscales. Statistical analysis usingttests revealed that men had significantly higher total EDS-R scores than women, but women had significantly higher EDQ and DFT scores.Conclusion:These results suggest that both questionnaires measure different aspects of exercise dependence that favour either gender. It remains for further research to determine whether these instruments are equally viable for measurement of ED in both men and women.
Response of growth and myogenic factors in human skeletal muscle to strength training
Authors: Liu Y , Heinichen M , Wirth K , Schmidtbleicher D , Steinacker J M 
Published: February 2008

Objective:To investigate the response to different strength training techniques of growth and myogenic factors in human skeletal muscle, with particular emphasis on satellite cell (SC) activation.Methods:24 volunteers were divided into two groups and performed a 6-week strength training (group A trained with maximum contraction and group B had training combined with maximum contractions, ballistic movement and stretching–shortening cycles). Muscle biopsies were obtained from triceps brachii 3 days before and 7 days after training. For estimating gene expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), mechano growth factor (MGF), MyoD and myogenin, real-time RT-PCR was performed.Results:In group A, there was an increase in the 1 repeat maximum (1RM), but no change in Vmax(maximum movement velocity) and an increase in MHC (myosin heavy chain) IIa and a decrease in MHC IIx; in group B both 1RM and Vmaxincreased significantly along with an increase in MHC IIa and a decrease in MHC I. The MGF gene expression increased significantly in both groups (by 1160% and 59%, respectively), and IGF-1 increased only in group A (by 335%). MyoD and myogenin gene expression increased in group A (by 107% and 94%, respectively) but did not change in group B.Conclusions:Response of growth and myogenic factors occurs during muscular adaptation to a prolonged training, and strength training with different strategies caused different responses with respect to gene expression of these factors. These results suggest that SC activation is involved in the muscular adaptation process to training and might be attributed to MHC isoform transition.
A Markov Chain Framework for the Simple Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Davis Thomas E. , Principe Jose C. 
Published: February 2008

This paper develops a theoretical framework for the simple genetic algorithm (combinations of the reproduction, mutation, and crossover operators) based on the asymptotic state behavior of a nonstationary Markov chain algorithm model. The methodology borrows heavily from that of simulated annealing. We prove the existence of a unique asymptotic probability distribution (stationary distribution) for the Markov chain when the mutation probability is used with any constant nonzero probability value. We develop a Cramer's Rule representation of the stationary distribution components for all nonzero mutation probability values and then extend the representation to show that the stationary distribution possesses a zero mutation probability limit. Finally, we present a strong ergodicity bound on the mutation probability sequence that ensures that the nonstationary algorithm (which results from varying mutation probability during algorithm execution) achieves the limit distribution asymptotically. Although the focus of this work is on a nonstationary algorithm in which mutation probability is reduced asymptotically to zero via a schedule (in a fashion analogous to simulated annealing), the stationary distribution results (existence, Cramer's Rule representation, and zero mutation probability limit) are directly applicable to conventional, simple genetic algorithm implementations as well.
Toward a Theory of Evolution Strategies: On the Benefits of Sex— the (μ/μ, λ) Theory
Authors: Beyer Hans-Georg 
Published: February 2008

The multirecombinant (μ/μ, λ) evolution strategy (ES) is investigated for real-valued, N-dimensional parameter spaces. The analysis includes both intermediate recombination and dominant recombination, as well. These investigations are done for the spherical model first. The problem of the optimal population size depending on the parameter space dimension N is solved. A method extending the results obtained for the spherical model to nonspherical success domains is presented. The power of sexuality is discussed and it is shown that this power does not stem mainly from the “combination” of “good properties” of the mates (building block hypothesis) but rather from genetic repair diminishing the influence of harmful mutations. The dominant recombination is analyzed by introduction of surrogate mutations leading to the concept of species. Conclusions for evolutionary algorithms (EAs), including genetic algorithms (GAs), are drawn.
On the Futility of Blind Search: An Algorithmic View of “No Free Lunch”
Authors: Culberson Joseph C. 
Published: February 2008

The paper is in three parts. First, we use simple adversary arguments to redevelop and explore some of the no-free-lunch (NFL) theorems and perhaps extend them a little. Second, we clarify the relationship of NFL theorems to algorithm theory and complexity classes such as NP. We claim that NFL is weaker in the sense that the constraints implied by the conjectures of traditional algorithm theory on what an evolutionary algorithm may be expected to accomplish are far more severe than those implied by NFL. Third, we take a brief look at how natural evolution relates to computation and optimization. We suggest that the evolution of complex systems exhibiting high degrees of orderliness is not equivalent in difficulty to optimizing hard (in the complexity sense) problems, and that the optimism in genetic algorithms (GAs) as universal optimizers is not justified by natural evolution. This is an informal tutorial paper—most of the information presented is not formally proven, and is either “common knowledge” or formally proven elsewhere. Some of the claims are intuitions based on experience with algorithms, and in a more formal setting should be classified as conjectures.