bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Posture on Cardiac Repolarization: More Than Heart Rate?
Authors: WILLIAMS GREGORY C. , DUNNINGTON KATHERINE M. , HU MING‐YI , ZIMMERMAN THOMAS R. , WANG ZHIMING , HAFNER KERRY B. , STOLTZ MAXINE , HILL EDWARD K. , BARBEY JEAN T. 
Published: February 2006

Introduction: The effect of standing on heart rate and QT is well known but its impact on QTc is less clear. Methods: Serial supine and standing 12‐lead ECGs (seven pairs each day) were recorded from 54 healthy volunteers each day of a three‐day period. ECGs were captured digitally and over‐read by a cardiologist. Results: A statistically significant shortening of RR (216 ms), QT (40 ms), and decreases in QTc‐F (Fridericia) and QTc‐LR (Framingham) were demonstrated on standing (8.3 and 6.9 ms, respectively). In contrast, QTc‐B (Bazett's) significantly increased by 9.6 ms. Two subject‐individualized correction methods were derived using each subject's supine measurements. Both showed significant decreases in QTc of approximately 13–14 ms upon standing. Using the bin analysis method, comparisons between positions using 25 ms interval RR bins revealed significant QT shortening of up to 15 ms upon standing. Conclusion: We have demonstrated a postural effect on cardiac repolarization independent of heart rate using two individualized correction methods, as well as QTc‐F and QTc‐LR, and the bin method. Characterization of postural differences in QT/QTc (other than QTc‐B) may provide a safe and inexpensive physiological control to validate the ECG methodology used in clinical trials to assess potential drug‐induced QT interval changes.
INSTRUMENTAL MEASURES OF BITE FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH CRISP PRODUCTS
Authors: DUIZER L.M. , WINGER R.J. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT The usefulness of a bite force apparatus for measuring bite forces generated while biting extruded crisp snacks was assessed. Snacks were produced using a twin‐screw extruder, and their textural properties were modified by equilibrating to water activities ranging from 0.11 to 0.44. Maximum force to bite, stress, duration and area under the bite force curve were analyzed and compared to perceived sensory crispness, hardness, brittleness and sound duration evaluated by eight individuals. Maximum bite force and stress were significantly related to hardness, brittleness and crispness showing for the first time, and the relationship between sensory crispness of extruded crisp products and hardness was measured intraorally.
SOME TEXTURAL, SENSORY AND NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF EXPANDED SNACK FOOD WAFERS MADE FROM CORN, LENTIL AND OTHER INGREDIENTS
Authors: HARDACRE A.K. , CLARK S.M. , RIVIERE S. , MONRO J.A. , HAWKINS A.J. 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACT Crisp expanded wafers were produced from extruded pellets containing specialty starches and flours derived from peas, lentils, corn and blends of lentils and corn. The density, hardness and consumer acceptability of the wafers varied with the different ingredients. The most acceptable products were produced from corn, lentils and blends of these two ingredients. The weight, density, stiffness and hardness of the wafers increased with the proportion of lentil flour used to make them. Sensory analysis suggested that consumer acceptability was optimal for blends containing between 40 and 80% of lentil flour. Stiffness and fracture force measured by texture profile analysis were correlated with the sensory attributes of hardness and toughness. The glycemic potential measured by in vitro digestion of the wafers was lower for the 100% lentil wafers compared with the 100% corn wafers because of the amount of starch in the grain. For combinations of corn and lentils, the carbohydrate digestion rate, and hence the glycemic potential, was lower than for either 100% corn or 100% lentil wafers. Blending of selected cereal flour ingredients should be a useful method for reducing the glycemic impact of cooked starchy snacks.
The Heterologous Siderophores Ferrioxamine B and Ferrichrome Activate Signaling Pathways inPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Llamas María A. , Sparrius Marion , Kloet Roy , Jiménez Connie R. , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina , Bitter Wilbert 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosasecretes two siderophores, pyoverdine and pyochelin, under iron-limiting conditions. These siderophores are recognized at the cell surface by specific outer membrane receptors, also known as TonB-dependent receptors. In addition, this bacterium is also able to incorporate many heterologous siderophores of bacterial or fungal origin, which is reflected by the presence of 32 additional genes encoding putative TonB-dependent receptors. In this work, we have used a proteomic approach to identify the inducing conditions forP. aeruginosaTonB-dependent receptors. In total, 11 of these receptors could be discerned under various conditions. Two of them are only produced in the presence of the hydroxamate siderophores ferrioxamine B and ferrichrome. Regulation of their synthesis is affected by both iron and the presence of a cognate siderophore. Analysis of theP. aeruginosagenome showed that both receptor genes are located next to a regulatory locus encoding an extracytoplasmic function sigma factor and a transmembrane sensor. The involvement of this putative regulatory locus in the specific induction of the ferrioxamine B and ferrichrome receptors has been demonstrated. These results show thatP. aeruginosahas evolved multiple specific regulatory systems to allow the regulation of TonB-dependent receptors.
COMPLEXITY OF BIO-COMPUTATION: SYMBOLIC DYNAMICS IN MEMBRANE SYSTEMS
Authors: MUSKULUS MICHAEL , BRIJDER ROBERT 
Published: February 2006

We discuss aspects of biological relevance to the modelling of bio-computation in a multiset rewriting system context: turnover, robustness against perturbations, and the dataflow programming paradigm. The systems under consideration are maximally parallel and asynchronous parallel membrane systems, the latter corresponding to computation in which the notion of time is operationally meaningless. A natural geometrical setting which seems promising for the study of computational processes in general multiset rewriting systems is presented. Configuration space corresponds to a subset of the lattice [Formula: see text], d ∈ N, and state transitions correspond to vector addition. The similarities and differences with Vector Addition Systems and Petri nets are discussed. Symbolic dynamics are introduced on special partitions of configuration space and we indicate different notions of complexity for membrane systems based on this and related concepts such as graph complexity and minimal automata. Some examples of synchronized, pipelined dataflow computations are given and decompositions into functional subunits are briefly commented on.
Is Japan's Cultural Experience Relevant for Africa's Development?
Authors: Adem Seifudein 
Published: February 2006

AbstractJapan broke a new path of modernization when it became the first successfully-industrialized nation in the non-Western world. Therefore Japan's modernization experience has a wider relevance for Africa and beyond. The objective of this paper is, however, to single out and discuss only the role of cultural factors in the process and then consider the implications for Africa's development. A conclusion is then drawn – that is, Japan's historical experience strongly suggests that Africa's own cultures have a greater relevance for Africa's development. What does this mean, and why is it so? The paper addresses these questions.
"Perversion de l'Histoire": George Balandier, his disciples, and African History in Japan
Authors: Philips John Edward 
Published: February 2006

AbstractJapan's quest for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat could be expected to lead to an increased importance for foreign language and area studies in Japan, as it did in the United States. This is particularly the case with Japan, an insular nation proud of its homogeneity with little history of immigration. Despite the inherently greater difficulties for Japan in trying to understand the outside world, there has been little increase in attempts to understand the outside world when compared to the efforts made by the United States, which started with several advantages over Japan. The example of African history is a case study of Japan's failure to interact with the wider world of international scholarship and its perpetuation of discredited ideas.
Plasminogen inhibits TNFα-induced apoptosis in monocytes
Authors: Mitchell Jennifer W. , Baik Nagyung , Castellino Francis J. , Miles Lindsey A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractMonocytes are major mediators of inflammation, and apoptosis provides a mechanism for regulating the inflammatory response by eliminating activated macrophages. Furthermore, as a consequence of apoptosis, plasminogen binding is markedly increased on monocytoid cells. Therefore, we investigated the ability of plasminogen to modulate monocyte apoptosis. Apoptosis of monocytoid cells (human monocytes and U937 cells) was induced with either TNFα or cycloheximide. When apoptosis was induced in the presence of increasing concentrations of plasminogen, apoptosis was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner with full inhibition achieved at 2 μM plasminogen. Plasminogen treatment also markedly reduced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and reduced levels of active caspase 3, caspase 8, and caspase 9 induced by TNFα or by cycloheximide. We examined the requirement for plasmin proteolytic activity in the cytoprotective function of plasminogen. A plasminogen active site mutant, [D(646)E]-Plg, failed to recapitulate the cytoprotective effect of wild-type plasminogen. Furthermore, antibodies against PAR1 blocked the antiapoptotic effect of plasminogen. Our results suggest that plasminogen inhibits monocyte apoptosis. The cytoprotective effect of plasminogen requires plasmin proteolytic activity and requires PAR1. Because apoptosis of monocytes plays a key role in inflammation and atherosclerosis, these results provide insight into a novel role of plasminogen in these processes.
Phenotypic correction of von Willebrand disease type 3 blood-derived endothelial cells with lentiviral vectors expressing von Willebrand factor
Authors: De Meyer Simon F. , Vanhoorelbeke Karen , Chuah Marinee K. , Pareyn Inge , Gillijns Veerle , Hebbel Robert P. , Collen Désiré , Deckmyn Hans , VandenDriessche Thierry 
Published: February 2006

AbstractVon Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited bleeding disorder, caused by quantitative (type 1 and 3) or qualitative (type 2) defects in von Willebrand factor (VWF). Gene therapy is an appealing strategy for treatment of VWD because it is caused by a single gene defect and because VWF is secreted into the circulation, obviating the need for targeting specific organs or tissues. However, development of gene therapy for VWD has been hampered by the considerable length of the VWF cDNA (8.4 kb [kilobase]) and the inherent complexity of the VWF protein that requires extensive posttranslational processing. In this study, a gene-based approach for VWD was developed using lentiviral transduction of blood-outgrowth endothelial cells (BOECs) to express functional VWF. A lentiviral vector encoding complete human VWF was used to transduce BOECs isolated from type 3 VWD dogs resulting in high-transduction efficiencies (95.6% ± 2.2%). Transduced VWD BOECs efficiently expressed functional vector-encoded VWF (4.6 ± 0.4 U/24 hour per 106 cells), with normal binding to GPIbα and collagen and synthesis of a broad range of multimers resulting in phenotypic correction of these cells. These results indicate for the first time that gene therapy of type 3 VWD is feasible and that BOECs are attractive target cells for this purpose.
Rho-mediated regulation of tight junctions during monocyte migration across the blood-brain barrier in HIV-1 encephalitis (HIVE)
Authors: Persidsky Yuri , Heilman David , Haorah James , Zelivyanskaya Marina , Persidsky Raisa , Weber Gregory A. , Shimokawa Hiroaki , Kaibuchi Kozo , Ikezu Tsuneya 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe blood-brain barrier (BBB) is compromised during progressive HIV-1 infection, but how this occurs is incompletely understood. We studied the integrity of tight junctions (TJs) of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) in an in vitro BBB system and in human brain tissues with HIV-1 encephalitis (HIVE). A downregulation of TJ proteins, claudin-5 and occludin, paralleled monocyte migration into the brain during HIVE. Because small G proteins (such as Rho) can play a role in BMVEC TJ assembly, an artificial BBB system explored the relationship among TJs, Rho/Rho kinase (RhoK) activation, and transendothelial monocyte migration. Coculture of monocytes with endothelial cells led to Rho activation and phosphorylation of TJ proteins. Rho and RhoK inhibitors blocked migration of infected and uninfected monocytes. The RhoK inhibitor protected BBB integrity and reversed occludin/claudin-5 phosphorylation associated with monocyte migration. BMVEC transfection with a constitutively active mutant of RhoK led to dislocation of occludin from the membrane and loss of BMVEC cell contacts. When dominant-negative RhoK-transfected BMVECs were used in BBB constructs, monocyte migration was reduced by 84%. Thus, loss of TJ integrity was associated with Rho activation caused by monocyte brain migration, suggesting that Rho/RhoK activation in BMVECs could be an underlying cause of BBB impairment during HIVE.
Regulation of phagocyte lifespan in the lung during bacterial infection
Authors: Dockrell David H , Whyte Moira K B 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
The innate-immune response to infection is critically dependent on the antimicrobial actions of macrophages and neutrophils. Host and pathogen have evolved strategies to regulate immune-cell antimicrobial functions via alterations in cell death. Modulation of phagocyte death by bacteria is an important pathogenic mechanism. Host benefits of phagocyte apoptosis also exist, and understanding the mechanisms and consequences of apoptosis is essential before we can devise strategies to modulate this element of the innate-immune response to the host's benefit. This is of particular importance in an organ such as the lung, in which the balance between the need to recruit phagocytes to maintain bacterial sterility and the requirement to clear recruited cells from the alveolar units to preserve physiologic gas exchange must be finely tuned to ensure survival during bacterial infection. Apoptosis clearly plays a critical role in reconciling these physiological requirements.
Chemokines, chemokine receptors, and cancer metastasis
Authors: Kakinuma Takashi , Hwang Sam T 
Published: February 2006

Abstract
It is clear from large clinical studies that selected chemokine receptors are often up-regulated in a large number of common human cancers, including those of the breast, lung, prostate, colon, and melanoma. Chemokine receptors and their corresponding chemokine ligands have been demonstrated to play a number of nonredundant roles in cancer metastasis to vital organs as well as regional lymph nodes, the most frequent site of cancer metastasis. Chemokine receptors may potentially facilitate tumor dissemination at several key steps of metastasis, including adherence of tumor cells to endothelium, extravasation from blood vessels, metastatic colonization, angiogenesis, proliferation, and protection from the host response via activation of key survival pathways such as phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase and Akt. It is interesting that many of these roles are reminiscent of their functions in leukocyte and stem cell trafficking. Lastly, we discuss therapeutic applications for chemokine receptor antagonists in cancer therapy.
Second Primary Cancers in Thyroid Cancer Patients: A Multinational Record Linkage Study
Authors: Sandeep Thekkepat C. , Strachan Mark W. J. , Reynolds Rebecca M. , Brewster David H. , Scélo Ghislaine , Pukkala Eero , Hemminki Kari , Anderson Aage , Tracey Elizabeth , Friis Søren , McBride Mary L. , Kee-Seng Chia , Pompe-Kirn Vera , Kliewer Erich V. , Tonita Jon M. , Jonasson Jon G. , Martos Carmen , Boffetta Paolo , Brennan Paul 
Published: February 2006

Context: Increasing incidence and improved prognosis of thyroid cancer have led to concern about the development of second primary cancers, especially after radioiodine treatment. Thyroid cancer can also arise as a second primary neoplasm after other cancers.
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the risk of second primary cancer after thyroid cancer and vice versa.
Design: This was a multinational record linkage study.
Setting: The study was conducted at 13 population-based cancer registries in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Singapore.
Patients or Other Participants: A cohort of 39,002 people (356,035 person-yr of follow-up) with primary thyroid cancer were followed up for SPN for up to 25 yr, and 1,990 cases of thyroid cancer were diagnosed after another primary cancer.
Main Outcome Measures: To assess any possible excess of second primary neoplasms after thyroid cancer, the observed numbers of neoplasms were compared with expected numbers derived from age-, sex-, and calendar period-specific cancer incidence rates from each of the cancer registries, yielding standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). The SIR of second primary thyroid cancer after various types of cancer was also calculated.
Results: During the observation period, there were 2821 second primary cancers (all sites combined) after initial diagnosis of thyroid cancer, SIR of 1.31 (95% confidence interval 1.26–1.36) with significantly elevated risks for many specific cancers. Significantly elevated risks of second primary thyroid cancer were also seen after many types of cancer.
Conclusion: Pooled data from 13 cancer registries show a 30% increased risk of second primary cancer after thyroid cancer and increased risks of thyroid cancer after various primary cancers. Although bias (detection, surveillance, misclassification) and chance may contribute to some of these observations, it seems likely that shared risk factors and treatment effects are implicated in many. When following up patients who have been treated for primary thyroid cancer, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for second primary cancers.
Critical temperatures in the cephalopodSepia officinalisinvestigated usingin vivo31P NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Melzner Frank , Bock Christian , Pörtner Hans-O. 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYThe present study was designed to test the hypothesis of an oxygen limitation defining thermal tolerance in the European cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). Mantle muscle organ metabolic status and pHiwere monitored using in vivo31P NMR spectroscopy, while mantle muscle performance was determined by recording mantle cavity pressure oscillations during ventilation and spontaneous exercise.Under control conditions (15°C), changes in muscle phospho-l-arginine (PLA) and inorganic phosphate (Pi)levels could be linearly related to frequently occurring, high-pressure mantle contractions with pressure amplitudes (MMPA) of &gt;0.2 kPa. Accordingly,mainly MMPA of &gt;2 kPa affected muscle PLA reserves, indicating that contractions with MMPA of &lt;2 kPa only involve the thin layers of aerobic circular mantle musculature. On average, no more than 20% of muscle PLA was depleted during spontaneous exercise under control conditions.Subjecting animals to acute thermal change at an average rate of 1 deg. h–1 led to significant Pi accumulation (equivalent to PLA breakdown) and decrements in the free energy of ATP hydrolysis(dG/dζ) at both ends of the temperature window, starting at mean critical temperatures (Tc) of 7.0 and 26.8°C,respectively. Frequent groups of high-pressure mantle contractions could not(in the warm) or only partially (in the cold) be related to net PLA breakdown in mantle muscle, indicating an oxygen limitation of routine metabolism rather than exercise-related phosphagen use. We hypothesize that it is mainly the constantly working radial mantle muscles that become progressively devoid of oxygen. Estimates of very low dG/dζ values (–44 kJ mol–1) in this compartment, along with correlated stagnating ventilation pressures in the warm, support this hypothesis. In conclusion, we found evidence for an oxygen limitation of thermal tolerance in the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, as indicated by a progressive transition of routine mantle metabolism to an anaerobic mode of energy production.
Syringeal muscles fit the trill in ring doves (Streptopelia risoriaL.)
Authors: Elemans C. P. H. , Spierts I. L. Y. , Hendriks M. , Schipper H. , Müller U. K. , van Leeuwen J. L. 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYIn contrast to human phonation, the virtuoso vocalizations of most birds are modulated at the level of the sound generator, the syrinx. We address the hypothesis that syringeal muscles are physiologically capable of controlling the sound-generating syringeal membranes in the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria) syrinx. We establish the role of the tracheolateralis muscle and propose a new function for the sternotrachealis muscle. The tracheolateralis and sternotrachealis muscles have an antagonistic mechanical effect on the syringeal aperture. Here, we show that both syringeal muscles can dynamically control the full syringeal aperture. The tracheolateralis muscle is thought to directly alter position and tension of the vibrating syringeal membranes that determine the gating and the frequency of sound elements. Our measurements of the muscle's contractile properties, combined with existing electromyographic and endoscopic evidence, establish its modulating role during the dove's trill. The muscle delivers the highest power output at cycle frequencies that closely match the repetition rates of the fastest sound elements in the coo. We show that the two syringeal muscles share nearly identical contraction characteristics, and that sternotrachealis activity does not clearly modulate during the rapid trill. We propose that the sternotrachealis muscle acts as a damper that stabilizes longitudinal movements of the sound-generating system induced by tracheolateralis muscle contraction. The extreme performance of both syringeal muscles implies that they play an important role in fine-tuning membrane position and tension, which determines the quality of the sound for a conspecific mate.
Temperature resistance studies on the deep-sea vent shrimpMirocaris fortunata
Authors: Shillito Bruce , Le Bris Nadine , Hourdez Stéphane , Ravaux Juliette , Cottin Delphine , Caprais Jean-Claude , Jollivet Didier , Gaill Françoise 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARYThe shrimp Mirocaris fortunata is a hydrothermal vent species that is found at most vent-sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This endemic species is found across a hydrothermal gradient, with thermal conditions ranging from 2–9°C in ambient seawater to fairly warm values of about 25°C. We performed in vivo experiments on M. fortunata specimens originating from different sites and depths (850 m to 2300 m), both at atmospheric pressure and in pressurized aquaria, to characterise the upper thermal limits of this species. Atmospheric pressure results show that thermal physiology should be studied at each population's native pressure. At in situ pressure, shrimps from Menez Gwen (850 m depth) and Lucky Strike(1700 m depth) do not survive temperatures of 39°C, and the `loss of equilibrium' response suggests that their critical thermal maximum(Ctmax), is about 36±1°C for both sites. This value is similar to those found for another vent shrimp, Rimicaris exoculata, which is thought to be a more temperature-resistant organism,so temperature resistance does not appear to be a crucial factor for explaining differences in distribution of shrimp species in a given vent site. Finally, the data for both vent shrimps are also comparable to those of other non-vent tropical caridean species.