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Lesser Effect (lesser + effect)
Selected AbstractsDopamine's role in social modulation of infant isolation-induced vocalization: I. Reunion responses to the dam, but not littermates, are dopamine dependentDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Harry N. Shair Abstract Rat pups' vocalization during social separation and the cessation of vocalization upon social reunion (contact quieting) model early life affiliative relationships. The present study examined the roles of dopamine (DA) receptors in regulating contact quieting. Contact quieting to the dam, but not to littermates, was disrupted by either blockade or exogenous stimulation of DA D1-like receptors. The D2 antagonist raclopride also prevented the quieting effect of reunion with the dam and had a lesser effect on the quieting properties of littermates. In contrast, the D2 agonist quinpirole permitted or enhanced contact quieting. Combined systemic and local striatal administration of D2 ligands showed that stimulation of striatal D2 receptors can enhance, but is not necessary for, contact quieting to the dam. These results are consistent with the literature linking the neural mechanisms of affiliation and reinforcement. This is also the first demonstration that the neurochemical substrates of an infant comfort response to dams differ from a behaviorally similar response to siblings. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 131,146, 2009 [source] Comparative Effects of NaCl and Polyethylene Glycol on Germination, Emergence and Seedling Growth of CowpeaJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 4 2002B. Murillo-Amador Abstract Seeds of Paceño and Cuarenteño cultivars of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) were tested for salt and drought tolerance at germination, seedling emergence and early seedling growth in NaCl and PEG-8000 solutions of different osmotic potentials (0, ,0.2, ,0.4, ,0.6, and ,0.8 MPa). Daily and final germination and emergence percentage, as well as germination and seedling emergence rate, and seedling growth were recorded under controlled conditions. Results showed that germination and emergence rate were delayed by both solutions in both cultivars, with differences between cultivars among growth stages, given that cultivar Cuarenteño, showed a higher germination rate than Paceño in NaCl, but Paceño was less affected by NaCl and PEG solutions at the emergence stage. Sodium chloride had a lesser effect on both cultivars in terms of germination rate, emergence rate and the final germination and emergence percentage than did PEG-8000. This conclusively proves that the adverse effect of PEG-8000 on germination, emergence and early seedling growth was due to the osmotic effect rather than the specific ion. Seedling growth was reduced by both stresses, but NaCl usually caused less damage than PEG to cowpea seedlings, suggesting that NaCl and PEG acted through different mechanisms. Zusammenfassung Vergleich der Wirkungen von NaCl und Polyethylenglykol auf die Keimung, das Auflaufen und das Sämlingswachstum von Kuhbohne Samen von Paceño- und Cuarenteño-Kultivaren von Kuhbohne (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) wurden hinsichtlich Salz- und Dürretoleranz zum Zeitpunkt der Keimung, des Sämlingsauflaufens und des frühen Sämlingswachstums in NaCl- und PEG-8000-Lösungen mit unterschiedlichem osmotischen Potential (0, ,0.2, ,0.4, ,0.6 und ,0.8 MPa) untersucht. Tägliche und abschließende Keimungs- und Auflaufprozente sowie Keimung und Sämlingsauflaufrate und Sämlingswachstum wurden unter kontrollierten Bedingungen bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Keimung und die Auflaufrate durch beide Lösungen verzögert wurden bei beiden Kultivaren, wobei Unterschiede zwischen den Kultivaren hinsichtlich der Wachstumsstadien auftraten; der Kultivar Cuarenteño zeigte eine höhere Keimungsrate als Paceño in NaCl, während Paceño weniger beeinflusst wurde durch NaCl und PEG-Lösungen im Auflaufstadium. Natriumchlorid hatte einen geringeren Einfluss bei beiden Kultivaren hinsichtlich der Keimungsrate, der Auflaufrate und der abschließenden Keimungs- und Auflaufprozente als PEG-8000. Dies bestätigt, dass der ungünstige Einfluss von PEG-8000 auf die Keimung, das Auflaufen und das frühe Sämlingswachstum eine Folge des osmotischen Einflusses und nicht einer spezifischen Ionenwirkung ist. Sämlingswachstum war durch beide Behandlungen beeinträchtigt, aber NaCl zeigte meist eine geringere Schädigung als PEG bei Kuhbohnensämlingen; das lässt vermuten, dass NaCl und PEG durch unterschiedliche Mechanismen einwirken. [source] Methotrexate induction of human sulfotransferases in Hep G2 and Caco-2 cellsJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Xinrong Chen Abstract Methotrexate (MTX) was the first antifolate drug developed for the treatment of cancer. It is also effective in treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Sulfotransferases are phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes and their induction by hormones and endogenous molecules is relatively well known, although xenobiotic drug induction of sulfotransferases has not been well studied. In the present investigation, MTX is shown to be a xenobiotic inducer of human sulfotransferases in transformed human liver (Hep G2) and intestinal (Caco-2) cells. Following MTX treatment, various sulfotransferases were induced in both cell lines. Enzyme assay, Western blot and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results demonstrated that protein and mRNA expressions of human simple phenol sulfotransferase (P-PST), human monoamine sulfotransferase (M-PST), human dehydroepiandrosterone sulfotransferase (DHEA-ST) and human estrogen sulfotransferase (EST) were induced in Hep G2 cells; M-PST and DHEA-ST were induced in Caco-2 cells. Inductions in both cell lines were dose dependent. Enzyme activity and Western blot results were in good agreement with RT-PCR results, suggesting that the induction is at the gene transcription level. Folic acid had a significantly lesser effect on sulfotransferases compared with MTX. Interestingly, the induction of different sulfotransferases by MTX was inhibited by high doses of folic acid at both protein and mRNA levels in Hep G2 cells. Methotrexate is the first antifolate and apoptosis-inducing drug to show induction of sulfotransferases in Hep G2 cells and Caco-2 cells. The inhibition by folic acid suggests a possible mechanism for MTX induction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Craniosynostosis-Associated Gene Nell-1 Is Regulated by Runx2,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2007Thien Truong Abstract We studied the transcriptional regulation of NELL-1, a craniosynostosis-related gene. We identitifed three OSE2 elements in the NELL-1 promoter that are directly bound and transactivated by Runx2. Forced expression of Runx2 induces NELL-1 expression in rat calvarial cells. Introduction: We previously reported the upregulation of NELL-1 in human craniosynostosis and the overexpression of Nell-1 in transgenic animals that induced premature suture closure associated with increased osteoblast differentiation. To study the transcriptional regulation of NELL-1, we analyzed the 5, flanking region of the human NELL-1 gene. We identified three osteoblast specific binding elements 2 (OSE2) sites (A, B, and C) within 2.2 kb upstream of the transcription start site and further studied the functionality of these sites. Materials and Methods: An area of 2.2 kb and a truncated 325 bp, which lacked the three OSE sites, were cloned into a luciferase reporter gene, and co-transfected with Runx2 expression plasmid. The three OSE2 sites were individually mutated and co-transfected with Runx2 expression plasmid into Saos2 cells. Gel shifts and supershifts with Runx2 antibodies were used to determine specific binding to OSE2 sites. CHIP assays were used to study in vivo binding of Runx2 to the Nell-1 promoter. Runx2 expression plasmid was transfected into wildtype and Runx2,/, calvarial cells. Nell-1, osteocalcin, and Runx2 expression levels were measured using RT-PCR. Results: Addition of Runx2 dose-dependently increased the luciferase activity in the human NELL-1 promoter-luciferase p2213. The p325 truncated NELL-1 construct showed significantly lower basal level of activity. Nuclear extract from Saos2 cells formed complexes with site A, B, and C probes and were supershifted with Runx2 antibody. Mutation of sites A, B, and C significantly decreased basal promoter activity. Furthermore, mutation of sites B and C had a blunted response to Runx2, whereas mutation of site A had a lesser effect. Runx2 bound to NELL-1 promoter in vivo. Transfection of Runx2 in rat osteoblasts upregulated Nell-1 and Ocn expression, and in Runx2 null calvarial cells, both Nell-1 and Ocn expression were rescued. Conclusions: Runx2 directly binds to the OSE2 elements and transactivates the human NELL-1 promoter. These results suggest that Nell-1 is likely a downstream target of Runx2. These findings may also extend our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis. [source] INACTIVATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS EXPOSED TO DENSE-PHASE CARBON DIOXIDE IN A BATCH SYSTEMJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2009HUACHUN HUANG ABSTRACT The inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus exposed to dense-phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) was investigated, and the kinetics of come-up time (CUT) in pressurization was monitored with come-down time (CDT) and temperature fluctuation in depressurization. CUT was about 2.5, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.0 min; CDT was 3.4, 3.7, 4.5 and 4.5 min; lowest temperature of samples in depressurization was 4, ,1, ,15 and ,22C, corresponding to 10, 20, 30 and 40 MPa at 37C. The inactivation behavior of S. aureus was closely related to the variables of process pressure, holding-pressure time (HPT), process temperature and process cycling. The log reduction of S. aureus at 40 MPa for 30-min HPT was significantly greater (P < 0.05), but the inactivation effect at 10, 20 and 30 MPa was similar. The log reduction of S. aureus at 30 and 40 MPa for 60-min HPT was similar and significantly greater (P < 0.05), while the inactivation effect at 10 and 20 MPa was similar. The inactivation of S. aureus against HPT conformed to a fast,slow biphase kinetics; the two stages were well fitted to a first-order model with higher regression coefficients R2 = 1.000 and 0.9238; their respective D values (decimal reduction time) were 16.52 and 70.42 min. As the process temperature increased, the log reduction of S. aureus increased significantly (P < 0.05); the inactivation kinetics of S. aureus versus process temperature was characterized with a fast inactivation rate from 32 to 45C and a slow inactivation rate from 45 to 55C. As compared to one-process cycling for a total of 60-min HPT, four-process cycling resulted in a significant reduction of S. aureus, and its maximal reduction was near to 5 log cycles, indicating that more process cycling caused more inactivation of S. aureus under identical pressure and temperature with equal HPT. However, the maximal reduction was 0.09 and 0.12 log cycles for two- and four-process cyclings with 0-min HPT, indicating that pressurization and depressurization had a lesser effect on the inactivation of S. aureus, while HPT was significant in DPCD to inactivate S. aureus. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Dense-phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) is a novel technology to achieve cold pasteurization and/or sterilization of liquid and solid materials, and is likely to replace or partially substitute currently and widely applied thermal processes. This study showed that DPCD effectively inactivated Staphylococcus aureus inoculated in 7.5% sodium chloride broth, and the inactivation behavior of S. aureus was closely related to the pressure, holding-pressure time, temperature and process cycling. Based on this observation, the technology of DPCD can be applied in the pasteurization of foods such as milk and various fruit juices, especially thermal-sensitive materials. [source] Species-Specific Effects of Sarcoplasmic Extracts on Lipid Oxidation in vitroJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 1 2009R. Ramanathan ABSTRACT:, The degree to which lipid and myoglobin (Mb) oxidation processes interact in meat can be species-specific. We investigated the effects of beef and pork sarcoplasmic extracts containing different Mb concentrations on lipid oxidation in a liposome system. Sarcoplasm was extracted from beef and pork longissimus dorsi and psoas major muscles. Beef sarcoplasm was diluted with 0.1 M phosphate buffer to obtain a Mb concentration equivalent to that in pork sarcoplasm. Conversely, equine heart Mb was added to pork sarcoplasm to match the myoglobin concentration of beef sarcoplasm. This resulted in beef and pork sarcoplasms, each with 2 different Mb concentrations for the longissimus (0.02 mM and 0.07 mM) and psoas (0.05 and 0.12 mM). Sarcoplasm (or phosphate buffer control) was incorporated within a phosphatidylcholine liposome preparation and incubated at 25°C. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min of incubation. Regardless of species, greater Mb concentration within the sarcoplasm increased lipid oxidation (P < 0.05). Across muscles, pork sarcoplasm had lower TBARS values than beef sarcoplasm (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that pork sarcoplasm has a lesser effect on lipid oxidation than beef sarcoplasm for a common Mb concentration. However, increased myoglobin concentration within sarcoplasm promotes lipid oxidation regardless of species. [source] Retrograde melt,residue interaction and the formation of near-anhydrous leucosomes in migmatitesJOURNAL OF METAMORPHIC GEOLOGY, Issue 6 2010R. W. WHITE Abstract Considering physical segregation of melt from its residue, the chemical potentials of the components (oxides) are the same in both when segregation occurs. Then, as P,T conditions change, gradients in chemical potential are established between the melt-rich domains and residue permitting diffusional interaction to occur. In particular, on cooling, the chemical potential of H2O becomes higher in the melt segregation than in the residue, particularly when biotite becomes stable in the residue assemblage. Diffusion of water from the melt to the residue promotes crystallization of anhydrous products from the melt and hydrous products in the residue. This diffusive process, when coupled with melt loss from the rocks subsequent to some degree of crystallization, can result in a significant degree of anhydrous leucosome being preserved in a migmatite with only minor retrogression of the residue. If H2O can diffuse between the melt segregation and all of the residue, then no apparent selvedge between the two will be observed. Alternatively, if H2O can diffuse between the melt segregation and only part of the residue, then a distinct selvedge may be produced. Diffusion of H2O into the residue may be in part responsible for the commonly anhydrous nature of leucosomes, especially in granulite facies migmatites. Diffusion of other relatively mobile species such as Na2O and K2O has a lesser effect on overall melt crystallization but can change the proportion of quartz, plagioclase and K-feldspar in the resultant leucosome. The diffusion of H2O out of the melt results in the enhanced crystallization of the melt in the segregation and increases the amount of resulting anhydrous leucosome relative to the amount produced if melt crystallized in chemical isolation from the residue. For high residue:melt ratios, the proportion of resulting near-anhydrous leucosome can approach that of the proportion of melt present at the onset of cooling with only minor loss of melt from a given segregation required. Crystallization of melt segregations via the diffusion of H2O out of them into the host may also play a major role in driving melt-rich segregations across key rheological transitions that would allow the expulsion of remaining melt from the system. [source] Efficacy of Raloxifene for Treatment of Menopause: A Systematic ReviewJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NURSE PRACTITIONERS, Issue 4 2002Mark Boyack MSN Purpose To critically appraise recent randomized controlled trials (RCT) of raloxifene and its effects on the long-term consequences of menopause. Data Sources All RCTs of greater than six months duration in post-menopausal women found in MEDLINE through July 2000. Conclusions Raloxifene lowered lipids, but estrogen had a more beneficial effect on HDL and fibrinolytic markers. Raloxifene had a more beneficial effect on triglycerides, inflammatory and thrombogenic markers. Compared to placebo, raloxifene reduced vertebral fractures but had a similar although lesser effect on bone mineral density and markers of bone turnover than estrogen. Estrogen receptor positive breast cancer was reduced by 90% with no increase in the incidence of endometrial cancer with raloxifene. The most serious side effect of raloxifene was an increased incidence of deep vein thromboses and pulmonary emboli. Implications Raloxifene has been shown to be beneficial using cardiovascular and osteoporosis endpoints in studies of short duration. More RCTs of longer duration with comparisons to other traditional treatments are needed before raloxifene becomes the treatment of choice. [source] Effect of Yttria and Yttrium-Aluminum Garnet on Densification and Grain Growth of Alumina At 1200°,1300°CJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2004Michael K. Cinibulk Densification and grain growth of alumina were studied with yttria or yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) additives at the relatively low temperatures of 1200°,1300°C. Yttria doping was found to inhibit densification and grain growth of alumina at 1200°C and, depending on dopant level, had a lesser effect at 1300°C. At 1200°C, yttria inhibits densification more than it hinders grain growth. The rate of grain growth increases faster with temperature than the rate of densification. Alumina-YAG particulate composites were difficult to sinter, yielding relative densities of only 65% and 72% after 100 h at 1200° and 1300°C, respectively. Pure YAG compacts exhibited essentially no densification for times up to 100 h at 1300°C. [source] Effect of 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid, its formulation materials and benzothiadiazole on systemic resistance to alternaria leaf spot in cottonPLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2000E.S. Colson-Hanks A wettable powder (WP) formulation providing 5,25 ,g mL,1 of 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid (INA) and 15,75 ,g mL,1 of WP applied to cotton cotyledons significantly increased the resistance of the next two leaves to challenge inoculation by Alternaria macrospora. The wettable powder alone at 15,75 ,g mL,1 had a lesser effect. A wettable granule (WG) formulation supplying 35 ,g mL,1 of benzo-(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester (BTH) and 35 ,g mL,1 of WG, applied as a cotyledonary treatment, significantly reduced the formation of lesions on the subsequent two leaves when challenged with A. macrospora. The WG control had no effect. Each treatment except for the WG control also raised the activities of ,-1,3-glucanase in unchallenged leaf and stem tissue. Each of the components of the wettable powder without INA applied to cotyledons raised enzyme activities in the next leaves. Individual components, as suspensions of silicic acid and kaolin and solutions of the detergent Attisol II, the wetting agent Ultravon W300 and pure INA, applied to cotyledons increased the resistance of the next leaves to A. macrospora. The responsiveness of cotton to BTH and to each of the components of formulated INA is discussed in relation to knowledge of the effects of BTH and INA on other plants and to possible ways in which the other components of the wettable powder may affect the process of signalling for systemic resistance to disease. [source] Increased mammography use and its impact on earlier breast cancer detection in Vermont, 1975,1999CANCER, Issue 8 2002Pamela M. Vacek Ph.D. Abstract BACKGROUND A trend toward earlier breast carcinoma detection in the United States has been attributed to screening mammography, although direct evidence linking this trend to the increased use of mammography in a general population is lacking. This study examined the effects of mammography on tumor size and axillary lymph node metastasis in Vermont over 25 years. METHODS Pathology and mammography data from 3499 Vermont women who were diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma during 1975,1984, 1989,1990, and 1995,1999 were compared. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of age, mammography use, and period on the odds of a tumor , 2 cm and the odds of negative lymph nodes. RESULTS The proportion of breast tumors that were detected by screening mammography increased from 2% during 1974,1984 to 36% during 1995,1999 (P < 0.001), and these tumors were more likely to measure , 2 cm than tumors that were detected by other methods. Among women age > 50 years, the odds ratio (OR) was 4.5, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 3.5,6.4. The effect was smaller in younger women (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1,3.0). Mammographic detection increased the odds of negative lymph nodes by a similar amount in both age groups, although women age > 50 years were more likely to have negative lymph nodes than younger women (OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1,1.6). Tumor size and lymph node metastasis also were related to the number of mammograms and to the mammographic interval. CONCLUSIONS Most of the trend toward earlier detection in Vermont was due to mammography. Mammography had a lesser effect on tumor size among younger women, which may be related to less frequent screening, although its effect on lymph node metastasis was not age dependent. Women age < 50 years were more likely to have positive lymph nodes, independent of the method of detection or the frequency of mammography. Cancer 2002;94:2160,8. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10459 [source] The JAK kinase inhibitor CP-690,550 supresses the growth of human polycythemia vera cells carrying the JAK2V617F mutationCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Taghi Manshouri The somatic activating janus kinase 2 mutation (JAK2)V617F is detectable in most patients with polycythemia vera (PV). Here we report that CP-690,550 exerts greater antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity against cells harboring JAK2V617F compared with JAK2WT. CP-690,550 treatment of murine factor-dependent cell Patersen,erythropoietin receptor (FDCP-EpoR) cells harboring human wild-type or V617F JAK2 resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 2.1 µM and 0.25 µM, respectively. Moreover, CP-690,550 induced a significant pro-apoptotic effect on murine FDCP-EpoR cells carrying JAK2V617F, whereas a lesser effect was observed for cells carrying wild-type JAK2. This activity was coupled with inhibition of phosphorylation of the key JAK2V617F -dependent downstream signaling effectors signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3, STAT5, and v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (AKT). Furthermore, CP-690,550 treatment of ex-vivo -expanded erythroid progenitors from JAK2V617F -positive PV patients resulted in specific, antiproliferative (IC50 = 0.2 µM) and pro-apoptotic activity. In contrast, expanded progenitors from healthy controls were less sensitive to CP-690,550 in proliferation (IC50 > 1.0 µM), and apoptosis assays. The antiproliferative effect on expanded patient progenitors was paralleled by a decrease in JAK2V617F mutant allele frequency, particularly in a patient homozygous for JAK2V617F. Flow cytometric analysis of expanded PV progenitor cells treated with CP-690,550 suggests a possible transition towards a pattern of erythroid differentiation resembling expanded cells from normal healthy controls. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1265,1273) [source] Mitochondrial genome data alone are not enough to unambiguously resolve the relationships of Entognatha, Insecta and Crustacea sensu lato (Arthropoda)CLADISTICS, Issue 6 2004Stephen L. Cameron An analysis of the relationships of the major arthropod groups was undertaken using mitochondrial genome data to examine the hypotheses that Hexapoda is polyphyletic and that Collembola is more closely related to branchiopod crustaceans than insects. We sought to examine the sensitivity of this relationship to outgroup choice, data treatment, gene choice and optimality criteria used in the phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genome data. Additionally we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of an archaeognathan, Nesomachilis australica, to improve taxon selection in the apterygote insects, a group poorly represented in previous mitochondrial phylogenies. The sister group of the Collembola was rarely resolved in our analyses with a significant level of support. The use of different outgroups (myriapods, nematodes, or annelids + mollusks) resulted in many different placements of Collembola. The way in which the dataset was coded for analysis (DNA, DNA with the exclusion of third codon position and as amino acids) also had marked affects on tree topology. We found that nodal support was spread evenly throughout the 13 mitochondrial genes and the exclusion of genes resulted in significantly less resolution in the inferred trees. Optimality criteria had a much lesser effect on topology than the preceding factors; parsimony and Bayesian trees for a given data set and treatment were quite similar. We therefore conclude that the relationships of the extant arthropod groups as inferred by mitochondrial genomes are highly vulnerable to outgroup choice, data treatment and gene choice, and no consistent alternative hypothesis of Collembola's relationships is supported. Pending the resolution of these identified problems with the application of mitogenomic data to basal arthropod relationships, it is difficult to justify the rejection of hexapod monophyly, which is well supported on morphological grounds. © The Willi Hennig Society 2004. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||