bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered expression of aquaporin 4 and H+/K+‐ATPase in the stomachs of peptide YY (PYY) transgenic mice
Authors: Carmosino M. , Mazzone A. , Laforenza U. , Gastaldi G. , Svelto M. , Valenti G. 
Published: August 2005

Background information. The hormone PYY (peptide YY), synthesized by endocrine cells in the pancreas, ileum, colon and stomach has widespread inhibitory effects on gastrointestinal and pancreatic fluid secretion. Transgenic mice expressing a viral oncoprotein under the control of the PYY gene 5′‐flanking region develop well‐differentiated colonic endocrine tumours producing mainly PYY and enteroglucagon. In the present study, we investigated the expression of AQP4 (aquaporin 4) water channel and H+/K+‐ATPase in stomachs from both control and transgenic mice.Results. Semi‐quantitative RT (reverse transcriptase)–PCR showed an increase in the AQP4 transcript compared with control mice. Quantitative Western‐blot analysis of stomachs from control and transgenic mice confirmed a significant increase in the 30 kDa AQP4 protein in transgenic mice. In control mice, AQP4 is specifically expressed in the basolateral membrane of gastric parietal cells, located in the basal region of the fundic glands. This particular location suggests that parietal cells in the base region of gastric pits might have a major role in water transport when compared with the more superficial parietal cells. Interestingly, immunofluorescence studies on transgenic mice revealed that the quantitative increase of AQP4 expression was actually due to an increase in the number of AQP4‐expressing epithelial cells rather than to a higher expression of AQP4 in parietal cells. In fact, immunofluorescence experiments using the specific antibody raised against the AE2 isoform of Cl−/HCO3− exchanger specifically expressed in parietal cells confirmed that the number of parietal cells was comparable in both PYY and control stomachs. Moreover, in transgenic mice, a parallel significant decrease in the expression of H+/K+‐ATPase was observed, as revealed by RT—PCR, quantitative immunoblotting and immunofluorescence.Conclusions. In the present study, we demonstrate that the sustained inhibition of gastric secretion due to tumours producing PYY/enteroglucagon in transgenic mice is associated with an increase in AQP4 expression and a down‐regulation of H+/K+‐ATPase in parietal cells that acquire the characteristics of basal parietal cells. The absence of H2 receptors‐mediated signalling due to the inhibition of histamine release from ECL (enterochromaffin‐like) cells by PYY may be in part responsible for the observed increase in the number of parietal cells expressing AQP4.
EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF ORAL MAGNESIUM ON PLASMA GLUCOSE AND PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE AORTA AND PANCREAS OF DIABETIC RATS
Authors: Soltani Nepton , Keshavarz Mansoor , Minaii Bagher , Mirershadi Fatemeh , Asl Saleh Zahedi , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARY1. Magnesium deficiency has recently been proposed as a novel factor implicated in the pathogenesis of the complications of diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between oral Mg supplementation and changes in plasma glucose, calcium, haemogolobin, Ca/Mg ratio, blood pressure and the histology of the pancreas and vascular system in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats.2. Ten days after the induction of diabetes in male Wistar rats, half the diabetic animals were divided into six groups, receiving 0, 1, 3, 10, 30 or 50 g/L MgSO4 added into the drinking water for 8 weeks. Plasma glucose and Mg were measured at days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 to find the optimum dose of Mg and the time‐course of its effect. In addition, histological observations were undertaken. Eight weeks later, all animals were decapitated, the pancreas and thoracic aorta were removed carefully and immersed immediately in 10% formaldehyde for histological study.3. To evaluate the effects of Mg on plasma glucose, calcium, haemoglobin, Mg and blood pressure, another group of animals was divided into four experimental groups, as follows: (i) non‐diabetic controls received tap water for 8 weeks; (ii) acute diabetics received tap water for 10 days; (iii) chronic diabetic controls received tap water for 8 weeks; and (iv) Mg‐treated chronic diabetic rats received 10 g/L MgSO4 added into the drinking water 10 days after the induction of diabetes for 8 weeks.4. Magnesium dose dependently affects plasma glucose levels. The peak effect was reached during the first 24 h following oral administration. Administration of 10 g/L MgSO4 results in the return of normal structure in the diabetic pancreas and aorta. Moreover, this concentration of MgSO4 causes glucose, haemoglobin, calcium, the Ca/Mg ratio and blood pressure to reach normal levels. Although the Mg level increases slightly following the administration of 10 g/L MgSO4 to diabetic rats, it never reaches control levels.5. On the basis of the results of the present study, it may be concluded that chronic Mg administration may have beneficial effects on diabetes.
The effect of tadalafil on the time to exercise‐induced myocardial ischaemia in subjects with coronary artery disease
Authors: Patterson Dean , Kloner Robert , Effron Mark , Emmick Jeffrey , Bedding Alun , Warner Margaret , Mitchell Malcolm , Braat Simon , MacDonald Thomas 
Published: August 2005

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of tadalafil on the time to exercise‐induced myocardial ischaemia in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD).BackgroundCAD and erectile dysfunction (ED) share similar risk factors. It is important to know the cardiovascular effects of tadalafil in patients with CAD during physical exertion that is comparable with sexual activity.MethodsA randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, two‐period, crossover study comparing the effects of tadalafil 10 mg and placebo on the time to exercise treadmill test (ETT)‐induced myocardial ischaemia in subjects with stable CAD (n = 23; age range: 53–75 years, all exhibited ST‐segment depression >1.5 mm at screening ETT at > 5METS). Haemodynamic responses to sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) were assessed before and after ETT.ResultsCompared with placebo, tadalafil did not significantly affect the time to ETT‐induced ischaemia (13 min/31 s vs. 13 min/36 s, respectively). Before exercise, NTG evoked decreases in sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) that were significantly greater when subjects received tadalafil compared with placebo, and after exercise, more subjects experienced a decrease in SBP <85 mmHg in response to NTG after taking tadalafil vs. placebo. When subjects received tadalafil compared with placebo, SBP was lower at rest (−7 mmHg; −12,‐2), during ETT (−10 mmHg; −16, −3), and after ETT (−13 mmHg; −19, −7).ConclusionTadalafil did not significantly alter the time to ETT‐induced ischaemia compared with placebo in subjects with CAD. Tadalafil reduced resting and exercise SBP. Due  to the potential for hypotension, the concomitant use of nitrates and tadalafil is contraindicated.
Frequency of inhibitors of daphnid trypsin in the widely distributed cyanobacterial genus Planktothrix
Authors: Rohrlack Thomas , Christoffersen Kirsten , Friberg‐Jensen Ursula 
Published: August 2005

SummaryRecent findings showed that inhibition of the digestive enzyme trypsin by cyanobacterial metabolites can result in the death of the microcrustacean Daphnia. Compounds that are active against daphnid trypsin can therefore be considered as potentially toxic to Daphnia. Here we reported on the frequency of such compounds in the widely distributed cyanobacterial genus Planktothrix. Of the 89 Planktothrix strains analysed, about 70% produced inhibitors of daphnid trypsin. The strains tested positive represented three common Planktothrix species and were isolated from diverse localities and geographical regions. Our findings suggest therefore that inhibitors of daphnid trypsin are common in Planktothrix and maybe other cyanobacterial genera. These compounds should therefore be considered in future studies on the chemical ecology of cyanobacteria.
The Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on People at Work: Existing Research and Issues
Authors: Cartwright Sue , Cooper Cary L. 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARYDespite the attention mergers and acquisition have received from financial and marketing strategists, the merger failure rate remains as high as ever. In light of the current wave of merger activity, it would seem an appropriate time to consider alternative explanations of merger failure, and assess the contribution which psychology can make to our understanding of mergers and acquisitions in addressing the essence of the activity; the positive combination of people and the fusion of organizational cultures.
Advertising and the Dynamics of Market Structure: The UK Car Industry, 1958–1983*
Authors: Geroski P. A. , Murfin A. 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARYThis paper looks at the effect of advertising on market share dynamics, developing a model that describes the mechanism by which advertising affects consumer choice and illustrating it with reference to the UK car market. Advertising shares are observed to be highly positively correlated with market shares, suggesting that advertising has both pro‐ and anti‐competitive effects. Advertising facilitates entry in as far as entrants can acquire market share through advertising, but it inhibits entry when an escalation in total industry advertising makes this acquisition prohibitively costly.
Causes of Disaster: Sloppy Management
Authors: Turner Barry A. 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARYThe loss of control associated with accidents and disasters can have severe negative consequences for the organizations involved. Some disasters are caused by inadequacies of management, or by unprofessional behaviour but others arise when disaster preconditions are generated as a result of the normal functioning of larger managerial and technical systems. During the incubation period preceding a major incident, therefore, two levels of correction need to be considered to avoid disasters. ‘Sloppy management’ of various kinds can be tackled by establishing, strengthening and asserting appropriate forms of management control. The system properties which constitute disaster preconditions are less immediately accessible to management control. At both levels managers in pursuit of high reliability should expect to have to make a range of trade‐offs.
Pharmacokinetics of acyclovir in adult horses
Authors: Wilkins Pamela A. , Papich Mark , Sweeney Raymond W. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractObjective:To determine the pharmacokinetics of acyclovir administered intravenously (IV) and orally to healthy adult horses.Design:Random cross‐over with an approximate 1‐week washout period between trials.Setting:University veterinary medical teaching hospital.Animals:Six healthy adult research herd horses.Interventions and main results:Acyclovir was administered IV (10 mg/kg in 1 L isotonic crystalloid solution over 60 minutes) and orally (20 mg/kg) to healthy adult horses. Plasma samples were obtained and acyclovir concentrations were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Peak concentration (mean±SD) for IV acyclovir was 13.74±5.88 μg/mL at the completion of the 1‐hour infusion. The half‐life of the distribution phase (α) was 0.16 hours while the half‐life of the elimination phase (β) was 9.6 hours. The steady‐state volume of distribution was 3.93±1.21 L/kg. We were unable to measure pharmacokinetics after PO acyclovir as plasma concentrations were below the lower limits of detection in all 6 horses.Conclusions:IV administration of acyclovir to healthy adult horses achieves concentrations within the sensitivity range described for equine herpes virus‐type 1. The oral bioavailability of acyclovir in horses is low and additional studies are required.
An exploratory open‐label trial of aripiprazole as an adjuvant to clozapine therapy in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Henderson D. C. , Kunkel L. , Nguyen D. D. , Borba C. P. , Daley T. B. , Louie P. M. , Freudenreich O. , Cather C. , Evins A. E. , Goff D. C. 
Published: August 2005

Objective:  We conducted this 6‐week open‐label trial to examine the effects of adjunctive aripiprazole in clozapine‐treated subjects on weight, lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.Method:  Ten clozapine‐treated subjects received aripiprazole augmentation; eight completed the 6‐week trial and two ended at week 4. Eighty percent were male, the mean age was 38.7 ± 8.9 years and the mean clozapine dose was 455 ± 83 mg daily.Results:  There was a significant decrease in weight (P = 0.003), body mass index (P = 0.004), fasting total serum cholesterol (P = 0.002) and total triglycerides (P = 0.04) comparing baseline to study endpoint. There was no significant change in total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores.Conclusion:  This combination may be useful for clozapine‐associated medical morbidity and must be studied in placebo‐controlled double‐blind randomized trials to determine efficacy and safety.
Anaerobic Biodegradation of MTBE at a Gasoline Spill Site
Authors: Wilson John T. , Adair Cherri , Kaiser Philip M. , Kolhatkar Ravi 
Published: August 2005

AbstractTo manage risk or to implement natural attenuation as a remedy, regulatory agencies must understand the processes that attenuate methyl‐tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) in ground water. Most case studies and laboratory studies in the literature indicate that natural biodegradation is not important; however, recent reports indicate that natural biodegradation of MTBE plays an important role under certain conditions. In an MTBE plume at a retail gasoline station in Parsippany, New Jersey, the long‐term monitoring data indicated that the concentration of MTBE was slowly declining over time in the wells that were within the footprint of the plume. The ratio of tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA) to MTBE increased with distance from the source area, and the ratio of TBA to MTBE in individual monitoring wells in the plume increased over time. This anecdotal evidence of natural biodegradation of MTBE to TBA at field scale was confirmed with a microcosm study. Core material from the interior of the plume was used to construct the microcosms. Following an initial lag period of 58 d, the concentration of MTBE decreased from more than 1460 μg/L to less than 10 μg/L within 199 d of incubation. As concentrations of MTBE declined in the microcosms, concentrations of TBA increased. The decrease in concentration of MTBE in the microcosms could be accounted for by an increase in the concentration of TBA.
Assessing health centre systems for guiding improvement in diabetes care
Authors: Si Damin , Bailie Ross , Connors Christine , Dowden Michelle , Stewart Allison , Robinson Gary , Cunningham Joan , Weeramanthri Tarun 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
Aboriginal people in Australia experience the highest prevalence of diabetes in the country, an excess of preventable complications and early death. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the importance of healthcare systems for improvement of chronic illness care. The aims of this study were to assess the status of systems for chronic illness care in Aboriginal community health centres, and to explore whether more developed systems were associated with better quality of diabetes care.

Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 Aboriginal community health centres in the Northern Territory of Australia. Assessment of Chronic Illness Care scale was adapted to measure system development in health centres, and administered by interview with health centre staff and managers. Based on a random sample of 295 clinical records from attending clients with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, processes of diabetes care were measured by rating of health service delivery against best-practice guidelines. Intermediate outcomes included the control of HbA1c, blood pressure, and total cholesterol.

Results
Health centre systems were in the low to mid-range of development and had distinct areas of strength and weakness. Four of the six system components were independently associated with quality of diabetes care: an increase of 1 unit of score for organisational influence, community linkages, and clinical information systems, respectively, was associated with 4.3%, 3.8%, and 4.5% improvement in adherence to process standards; likewise, organisational influence, delivery system design and clinical information systems were related to control of HbA1c, blood pressure, and total cholesterol.

Conclusion
The state of development of health centre systems is reflected in quality of care outcome measures for patients. The health centre systems assessment tool should be useful in assessing and guiding development of systems for improvement of diabetes care in similar settings in Australia and internationally.
Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study: baseline characteristics and short-term effects of fenofibrate [ISRCTN64783481]
Authors:   The FIELD Study Investigators
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Objective
The Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) Study is examining the effects of long-term fibrate therapy on coronary heart disease (CHD) event rates in patients with diabetes mellitus. This article describes the trial's run-in phase and patients' baseline characteristics.

Research design and methods
FIELD is a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 63 centres in 3 countries evaluating the effects of fenofibrate versus placebo on CHD morbidity and mortality in 9795 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients were to have no indication for lipid-lowering therapy on randomization, but could start these or other drugs at any time after randomization. Follow-up in the study was to be for a median duration of not less than 5 years and until 500 major coronary events (fatal coronary heart disease plus nonfatal myocardial infarction) had occurred.

Results
About 2100 patients (22%) had some manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at baseline and thus high risk status. Less than 25% of patients without CVD had a (UKPDS determined) calculated 5-year CHD risk of <5%, but nearly all had a 5-year stroke risk of <10%. Despite this, half of the cohort were obese (BMI > 30), most were men, two-thirds were aged over 60 years, and substantial proportions had NCEP ATP III features of the metabolic syndrome independent of their diabetes, including low HDL (60%), high blood pressure measurement or treatment for hypertension (84%), high waist measurement (68%), and raised triglycerides (52%).
After a 6-week run-in period before randomisation with all participants receiving 200 mg comicronized fenofibrate, there were declines in total and LDL cholesterol (10%) and triglycerides (26%) and an increase in HDL cholesterol (6.5%).

Conclusion
The study will show the effect of PPAR-alpha agonist action on CHD and other vascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes including substantial numbers with low to moderate CVD risk but with the various components of the metabolic syndrome. The main results of the study will be reported in late 2005.
Monitoring protein stability in vivo
Authors: Ignatova Zoya 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Reduced protein stability in vivo is a prerequisite to aggregation. While this is merely a nuisance factor in recombinant protein production, it holds a serious impact for man. This review focuses on specific approaches to selectively determine the solubility and/or stability of a target protein within the complex cellular environment using different detection techniques. Noninvasive techniques mapping folding/misfolding events on a fast time scale can be used to unravel the complexity and dynamics of the protein aggregation process and factors altering protein solubility in vivo. The development of approaches to screen for folding and solubility in vivo should facilitate the identification of potential components that improve protein solubility and/or modulate misfolding and aggregation and may provide a therapeutic benefit.
On the number of founding germ cells in humans
Authors: Zheng Chang-Jiang , Luebeck E Georg , Byers Breck , Moolgavkar Suresh H 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
The number of founding germ cells (FGCs) in mammals is of fundamental significance to the fidelity of gene transmission between generations, but estimates from various methods vary widely. In this paper we obtain a new estimate for the value in humans by using a mathematical model of germ cell development that depends on available oocyte counts for adult women.

Results
The germline-development model derives from the assumption that oogonial proliferation in the embryonic stage starts with a founding cells at t = 0 and that the subsequent proliferation can be defined as a simple stochastic birth process. It follows that the population size X(t) at the end of germline expansion (around the 5th month of pregnancy in humans; t = 0.42 years) is a random variable with a negative binomial distribution. A formula based on the expectation and variance of this random variable yields a moment-based estimate of a that is insensitive to the progressive reduction in oocyte numbers due to their utilization and apoptosis at later stages of life. In addition, we describe an algorithm for computing the maximum likelihood estimation of the FGC population size (a), as well as the rates of oogonial division and loss to apoptosis. Utilizing both of these approaches to evaluate available oocyte-counting data, we have obtained an estimate of a = 2 – 3 for Homo sapiens.

Conclusion
The estimated number of founding germ cells in humans corresponds well with values previously derived from chimerical or mosaic mouse data. These findings suggest that the large variation in oocyte numbers between individual women is consistent with a smaller founding germ cell population size than has been estimated by cytological analyses.
Baculovirus-mediated promoter assay and transcriptional analysis of white spot syndrome virus orf427 gene
Authors: Lu Liqun , Wang Hai , Manopo Ivanus , Yu Li , Kwang Jimmy 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is an important pathogen of the penaeid shrimp with high mortalities. In previous reports, Orf427 of WSSV is characterized as one of the three major latency-associated genes of WSSV. Here, we were interested to analyze the promoter of orf427 and its expression during viral pathogenesis.

Results

in situ hybridization revealed that orf427 was transcribed in all the infected tissues during viral lytic infection and the translational product can be detected from the infected shrimp. A time-course RT-PCR analysis indicated that transcriptional products of orf427 could only be detected after 6 h post virus inoculation. Furthermore, a baculovirus-mediated promoter analysis indicated that the promoter of orf427 failed to express the EGFP reporter gene in both insect SF9 cells and primary shrimp cells.

Conclusion
Our data suggested that latency-related orf427 might not play an important role in activating virus replication from latent phase due to its late transcription during the lytic infection.