bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic Feature Analysis of Facial Perception of Emotions
Authors: Meulders Michel , De Boeck Paul , Van Mechelen Iven , Gelman Andrew 
Published: July 2005

SummaryAccording to the hypothesis of configural encoding, the spatial relationships between the parts of the face function as an additional source of information in the facial perception of emotions. The paper analyses experimental data on the perception of emotion to investigate whether there is evidence for configural encoding in the processing of facial expressions. It is argued that analysis with a probabilistic feature model has several advantages that are not implied by, for example, a generalized linear modelling approach. First, the probabilistic feature model allows us to extract empirically the facial features that are relevant in processing the face, rather than focusing on the features that were manipulated in the experiment. Second, the probabilistic feature model allows a direct test of the hypothesis of configural encoding as it explicitly formalizes a mechanism for the way in which information about separate facial features is combined in processing the face. Third, the model allows us to account for a complex data structure while still yielding parameters that have a straightforward interpretation.
Radiocarbon Peat Chronologies and Environmental Change
Authors: Blaauw Maarten , Christen J. Andrés 
Published: July 2005

Summary
Raised bog peat deposits form important archives for reconstructing past changes in climate. Precise and reliable age models are of vital importance for interpreting such archives. We propose enhanced, Markov chain Monte Carlo based methods for obtaining age models from radiocarbon-dated peat cores, based on the assumption of piecewise linear accumulation. Included are automatic choice of sections, a measure of the goodness of fit and outlier downweighting. The approach is illustrated by using a peat core from the Netherlands.
Nonparametric Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Population Size Based on the Counting Distribution
Authors: Böhning Dankmar , Schön Dieter 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe paper discusses the estimation of an unknown population size n. Suppose that an identification mechanism can identify nobs cases. The Horvitz–Thompson estimator of n adjusts this number by the inverse of 1−p0, where the latter is the probability of not identifying a case. When repeated counts of identifying the same case are available, we can use the counting distribution for estimating p0 to solve the problem. Frequently, the Poisson distribution is used and, more recently, mixtures of Poisson distributions. Maximum likelihood estimation is discussed by means of the EM algorithm. For truncated Poisson mixtures, a nested EM algorithm is suggested and illustrated for several application cases. The algorithmic principles are used to show an inequality, stating that the Horvitz–Thompson estimator of n by using the mixed Poisson model is always at least as large as the estimator by using a homogeneous Poisson model. In turn, if the homogeneous Poisson model is misspecified it will, potentially strongly, underestimate the true population size. Examples from various areas illustrate this finding.
Multivariate Tests Comparing Binomial Probabilities, with Application to Safety Studies for Drugs
Authors: Agresti Alan , Klingenberg Bernhard 
Published: July 2005

SummaryIn magazine advertisements for new drugs, it is common to see summary tables that compare the relative frequency of several side-effects for the drug and for a placebo, based on results from placebo-controlled clinical trials. The paper summarizes ways to conduct a global test of equality of the population proportions for the drug and the vector of population proportions for the placebo. For multivariate normal responses, the Hotelling T2-test is a well-known method for testing equality of a vector of means for two independent samples. The tests in the paper are analogues of this test for vectors of binary responses. The likelihood ratio tests can be computationally intensive or have poor asymptotic performance. Simple quadratic forms comparing the two vectors provide alternative tests. Much better performance results from using a score-type version with a null-estimated covariance matrix than from the sample covariance matrix that applies with an ordinary Wald test. For either type of statistic, asymptotic inference is often inadequate, so we also present alternative, exact permutation tests. Follow-up inferences are also discussed, and our methods are applied to safety data from a phase II clinical trial.
A Robust Regression Model for a First-Order Autoregressive Time Series with Unequal Spacing: Application to Water Monitoring
Authors: Andrés Houseman E. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryTime series arise often in environmental monitoring settings, which typically involve measuring processes repeatedly over time. In many such applications, observations are irregularly spaced and, additionally, are not distributed normally. An example is water monitoring data collected in Boston Harbor by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. We describe a simple robust approach for estimating regression parameters and a first-order autocorrelation parameter in a time series where the observations are irregularly spaced. Estimates are obtained from an estimating equation that is constructed as a linear combination of estimated innovation errors, suitably made robust by symmetric and possibly bounded functions. Under an assumption of data missing completely at random and mild regularity conditions, the proposed estimating equation yields consistent and asymptotically normal estimates. Simulations suggest that our estimator performs well in moderate sample sizes. We demonstrate our method on Secchi depth data collected from Boston Harbor.
Modelling Longitudinal Semicontinuous Emesis Volume Data with Serial Correlation in an Acupuncture Clinical Trial
Authors: Albert Paul S. , Shen Joannie 
Published: July 2005

SummaryIn longitudinal studies, we are often interested in modelling repeated assessments of volume over time. Our motivating example is an acupuncture clinical trial in which we compare the effects of active acupuncture, sham acupuncture and standard medical care on chemotherapy-induced nausea in patients being treated for advanced stage breast cancer. An important end point for this study was the daily measurement of the volume of emesis over a 14-day follow-up period. The repeated volume data contained many 0s, had apparent serial correlation and had missing observations, making analysis challenging. The paper proposes a two-part latent process model for analysing the emesis volume data which addresses these challenges. We propose a Monte Carlo EM algorithm for parameter estimation and we use this methodology to show the beneficial effects of acupuncture on reducing the volume of emesis in women being treated for breast cancer with chemotherapy. Through simulations, we demonstrate the importance of correctly modelling the serial correlation for making conditional inference. Further, we show that the correct model for the correlation structure is less important for making correct inference on marginal means.
Analysing the Independence Hypothesis in Models for Rare Errors: An Application to Auditing
Authors: Martel-Escobar M. , Vázquez-Polo F. J. , Hernández-Bastida A. 
Published: July 2005

Summary
Populations where items are error free are found in many areas of applied statistics, such as auditing and actuarial science. Decisions are then made by inferring the total error in a population. This parameter is usually modelled by two parametric structures under the assumption of prior independence. This paper explores the usefulness of robust Bayesian techniques in the setting of an applied problem. The results reveal a dramatic lack of robustness with regard to the independence hypothesis.
Ferulic acid, a natural protector against carbon tetrachloride‐induced toxicity
Authors: Srinivasan M. , Rukkumani R. , Ram Sudheer A. , Menon Venugopal P. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe present work is aimed at evaluating the protective effect of ferulic acid (FA), a naturally occurring phenolic compound on CCl4 induced toxicity. The activities of liver markers (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyl transferase), lipid peroxidative index (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, hydroperoxides, nitric oxide, protein carbonyl content), the antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) were used as biomarkers to monitor the protective role of FA. The liver marker enzymes in plasma and lipid peroxidative index in liver and kidney were increased in CCl4‐treated groups, which were decreased significantly on treatment with FA. The antioxidants, which were depleted in CCl4‐treated groups, were improved significantly by FA treatment. Administration of FA to normal rats did not produce any harmful effects. Thus our results show that FA is an effective antioxidant without any side‐effects and may be a great gain in the current search for natural therapy.
The efficacy of herbal medicine – an overview
Authors: Ernst Edzard 
Published: July 2005

AbstractHerbal medicine has become a popular form of healthcare. Even though several differences exist between herbal and conventional pharmacological treatments, herbal medicine can be tested for efficacy using conventional trial methodology. Several specific herbal extracts have been demonstrated to be efficacious for specific conditions. Even though the public is often misled to believe that all natural treatments are inherently safe, herbal medicines do carry risks. Ultimately, we need to know which herbal remedies do more harm than good for which condition. Because of the current popularity of herbal medicine, research in this area should be intensified.
Vascular and renal actions of brain natriuretic peptide in man: physiology and pharmacology
Authors: Houben Alphons J.H.M. , van der Zander Kim , de Leeuw Peter W. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractDuring the last decade brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has received increasing attention as a potential marker of cardiovascular disease. BNP may act as a compensating mechanism in cardiovascular diseases in order to reduce preload. However, the increase in endogenous BNP is often not sufficient to compensate for volume overload in diseases like established hypertension and heart failure. The reported hemodynamic and renal effects of BNP in man differ largely between studies, because of differences in design and doses of BNP employed. In the pharmacological range, BNP has clear blood pressure and afterload lowering effects, and in the kidney blood flow and filtration is increased with concomitant natriuresis and diuresis. While in the physiological range BNP does not affect blood pressure and reduces preload only, and induces natriuresis/diuresis without changes in renal blood flow and filtration. There is increasing evidence from vascular studies that BNP preferentially acts on the venous system resulting in preload reduction, in contrast to atrial natriuretic peptide which acts preferentially on the arterial system to reduce afterload. This review summarizes our current understanding of BNP, and discuss its regulation and mechanisms of action on the vasculature and the kidneys.
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: recent advances in treatment
Authors: McLoughlin Ramona M. , O'Morain Colm A. , O'Connor Humphrey J. 
Published: July 2005

Abstract Helicobacter pylori plays a key role in dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric neoplasia and eradication of the infection has become an important treatment goal in clinical practice. Seven‐day proton‐pump inhibitor–amoxicillin–clarithromycin triple therapy is the current first‐line therapy for H. pylori but eradication rates are compromised by poor compliance and antibiotic resistance. Ten‐day sequential treatment may emerge as an alternative first‐line therapy. Bismuth‐based quadruple therapy is the second‐line regimen of choice. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing is not recommended in the routine management of H. pylori infection. Novel triple‐therapy regimens containing rifabutin, levofloxacin, or furazolidone may be useful alternatives as second‐ or third‐line therapy.
Cytotoxicity of Abnormal Savda Munziq aqueous extract in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells
Authors: Yusup Abdiryim , Upur Halmurat , Baudrimont Isabelle , Umar Anwar , Kader Turghun , Begaud Bernard , Creppy Edmond E. , Moore Nicholas 
Published: July 2005

AbstractAbnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) is a traditional Uighur medicinal herbal preparation commonly used to treat diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic asthma and especially digestive cancer. Earlier studies have shown that ASMq is a free radical scavenger and could prevent mitochondrial and DNA oxidative damage. In this study, we tested the effects of aqueous extract of ASMq on human hepatoma cells (HepG2) to explore the possible mechanism of its putative anticancer properties. Aqueous extract of ASMq was tested on HepG2 proliferation (MTT assay) at 72 h, cell viability at 48 h (neutral red assay), lactate dehydrogenase release over 48 or 72 h as a measure of cytoplasmic leakage, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde–thiobarbituric acid adducts) at 48 h, and incorporation of [3H]‐leucine, [3H]‐thymidine and [3H]‐uridine into cellular protein, DNA and RNA, respectively, at 24 or 48 h to assess the inhibition effects to cellular macromolecule synthesis. Our results showed a significant (P < 0.05) time‐ and concentration‐dependent inhibition of HepG2 proliferation and viability, with increased cytoplasmic leakage, and time‐ and concentration‐dependent inhibition of protein, DNA and RNA synthesis. No lipid peroxidation was found at these concentrations. The results of the present study suggest that the putative anticancer mechanisms of ASMq may at least involve cytotoxicity.
Curcumin has a palliative action on gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Ali B.H. , Al‐Wabel N. , Mahmoud O. , Mousa H.M. , Hashad M. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractGeneration of free radicals in kidney cortex plays an important role in the pathogenesis of gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity, and curcumin, the yellow curry pigment isolated from turmeric, has been confirmed to have a strong antioxidant action. Therefore, in the present work, we aimed at testing the possible protective or palliative effect of curcumin on GM nephrotoxicity. Curcumin was given to rats at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 10 days, and in some of these rats GM was also injected intramuscularly at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day during the last 6 days of the treatment. Nephrotoxicity was evaluated histopathologically by light microscopy, and biochemically by measuring the concentrations of creatinine and urea in serum, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in renal cortex. The concentration of GM in renal cortex was measured microbiologically. GM significantly increased the concentrations of urea and creatinine (P < 0.05) by about 111 and 97%, respectively. GM treatment reduced cortical GSH concentration by about 31% (P < 0.05), and the activity of SOD by about 27% (P < 0.05). Curcumin significantly mitigated these effects. Sections from saline and curcumin‐treated rats showed apparently normal proximal tubules. However, kidneys of GM‐treated rats had a moderate degree of necrosis. The degree of necrosis appeared lessened when GM was given simultaneously with curcumin. The concentration of GM in the renal cortex of the rats given GM + curcumin was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that found in rats treated with GM alone by about 39%. The results suggested that curcumin had ameliorated the histopathological and biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in rats. Pending further studies, curcumin may potentially be useful as a nephroprotectant agent.
Effect of sildenafil on the isolated rat aortic rings
Authors: Sharabi F.M. , Daabees T.T. , El‐Metwally M.A. , Senbel A.M. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractSildenafil, a highly selective inhibitor of PDE 5, is effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Penile erection involves relaxation of smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum and its associated arterioles. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sildenafil on nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP)‐dependent relaxation of rat aortic rings. The contribution of sildenafil to the vasorelaxation of rat aortic rings was also investigated. Sildenafil produced significant potentiation of acetylcholine (ACh, 2 × 10−6 m)‐induced relaxation at concentration ≥1 × 10−8 m. Addition of sildenafil (1 × 10−7 m) to aortic rings failed to alter the effect ofNG‐nitro‐l‐arginine (l‐NNA, 3 × 10−5 m) or methylene blue (MB, 3 × 10−5 m) on ACh response. Similarly, sildenafil (1 × 10−7 m) augmented significantly the vasorelaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside over the range of 1 × 10−9–1 × 10−8 m. When added to phenylephrine (3 × 10−6 m)‐precontracted rat aortic rings, sildenafil (1 × 10−9–1 × 10−4 m) induced concentration‐dependent relaxation reaching a maximum of 96.48 ± 1.44%. These relaxations were not significantly attenuated by previous incubation withl‐NNA (3 × 10−5 m) or MB (3 × 10−5 m). Denudation did not significantly affect the vasorelaxant effect of sildenafil. Sildenafil may act in the rat aortic rings through the amplification of NO/cGMP pathway. It may augment both basal endothelial NO function and exogenous NO‐dependent vasodilatation. However, sildenafil may act by a mechanism independent of NO/cGMP pathway and this mechanism contributes to its smooth muscle relaxant effect.
Erythropoietin and myocardial protection: what's new?
Authors: Joyeux‐Faure M. , Godin‐Ribuot D. , Ribuot C. 
Published: July 2005

AbstractErythropoietin (EPO), the principal hematopoietic cytokine produced by the kidney and the liver in fetuses, regulates mammalian erythropoiesis and exhibits diverse cellular effects in non‐hematopoietic tissues. The introduction of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) has marked a significant advance in the management of anemia associated with chronic renal failure. At the same time, experimental studies have unveiled its potential cardioprotective actions. As with other preconditioning agents, administration of exogenous rhEPO can confer myocardial protection against ischemia–reperfusion injury, in terms of reduction in cellular apoptosis and necrosis as well as improvement in myocardial functional recovery. The purpose of this study is to review current information regarding the various protocols used to investigate the effects of rhEPO administration as well as its cardioprotective properties. We also address the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of EPO. A better understanding of these mechanisms is essential for the development of clinical applications and the design of novel therapeutical strategies.
Influence of antisecretory treatment with proton pump inhibitors on serum pepsinogen I levels
Authors: Mario Francesco Di , Ingegnoli Anna , Altavilla Nadia , Cavallaro Lucas Giovanni , Bertolini Simone , Merli Roberta , Cavestro Giulia Martina , Iori Veronica , Maino Marta , Leandro Gioacchino , Franzè Angelo 
Published: July 2005

AbstractIt has been reported in literature that serum pepsinogen levels rise during omeprazole and lansoprazole administration. However, the influence of pantoprazole and esomeprazole on serum pepsinogens levels is still to be assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy on pepsinogen I (PGI) levels. PGI and gastrin (G17) levels (EIA; Biohit, Helsinki, Finland) in 126 consecutive patients (M 57; F 69, mean age 53, range 15–91), with upper gastrointestinal symptoms at baseline condition and after 2 months of PPI treatment, were evaluated. Patients underwent a therapy schedule based on: omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. (20 patients), pantoprazole 40 mg b.i.d. (27 patients), esomeprazole 40 mg b.i.d. (29 patients), lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d. (21 patients) and rabeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. (26 patients) for 2 months. A significant increase in serum PGI (sPGI) levels was found after a 2‐month treatment for all five different PPIs: omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole and rabeprazole (P < 0.05). The effect of rabeprazole on sPGI was less pronounced as compared with other PPIs, whereas esomeprazole achieved superior sPGI levels, with no overall statistically significant difference among the five groups (P > 0.05). However, a comparison within a single group of PPIs showed a statistical significance when the esomeprazole group was compared with the rabeprazole group (P = 0.007). sPGI levels are significantly influenced by antisecretory therapy, rising under PPI treatment. Moreover, a statistically significant difference in sPGI levels between the rabeprazole and esomeprazole groups has been demonstrated.
Captopril–furosemide survival study in experimental heart failure
Authors: Mougenot Nathalie , Bos Romain , Médiani Odile , Lechat Philippe 
Published: July 2005

AbstractThe strategy of diuretic drug administration remains to be defined in heart failure as experimental and clinical evidence have clearly established the benefit of neurohormonal blockade. The impact of addition of diuretic treatment to angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition on survival remains to be demonstrated. The objectives of the study were to evaluate cardiovascular and renal effects of addition of diuretic treatment to captopril (2 g/L, in drinking water), on survival, on the experimental model of heart failure. Rats were followed for 10 months after coronary ligation. Echocardiographic, hemodynamic, morphometry and renal function investigations were then performed on surviving rats. Survival (from 34 to 61%), diuresis and natriuresis were significantly improved compared to control group only in animals treated with a combination of captopril + furosemide. In treated group: cardiac dimensions were reduced with left ventricular fractional shortening significantly increased in combination group (from 22.4 to 28%); captopril + furosemide animals had highest heart rate and lowest systolic and diastolic blood pressures; body and heart weight were reduced, but kidney weight was significantly increased with furosemide (1.7 g in control vs. 2 g in capto + furo); plasma renin activity and angiotensin 1 were greatly increased, and moderately stimulated in control. In conclusion, this combination of drugs significantly improved cardiac remodeling and survival of animals, increased diuresis and natriuresis despite stimulation of plasma renin activity and kidney hypertrophy.