Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Decrease
Kinds of Decrease Terms modified by Decrease Selected AbstractsDECREASE IN DYNAMIC VISCOSITY AND AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF ALGINATE FROM LAMINARIA DIGITATA DURING ALKALINE EXTRACTION,JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Peggy Vauchel Alginates are natural polysaccharides that are extracted from brown seaweeds and widely used for their rheological properties. The central step in the extraction protocol used in the alginate industry is the alkaline extraction, which requires several hours. In this study, a significant decrease in alginate dynamic viscosity was observed after 2 h of alkaline treatment. Intrinsic viscosity and average molecular weight of alginates from alkaline extractions 1,4 h in duration were determined, indicating depolymerization of alginates: average molecular weight decreased significantly during the extraction, falling by a factor of 5 between 1 and 4 h of extraction. These results suggested that reducing extraction time could enable preserving the rheological properties of the extracted alginates. [source] GINKGO BILOBA EXTRACT CAUSES DECREASE IN HEART RATE IN AGED SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATSCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2007Y Kubota SUMMARY 1We previously reported that Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) improves cardiovascular function in young spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the present study, changes in the cardiovascular parameters of aged SHR were examined following a 4-week diet of GBE. 2Feeding with GBE significantly decreased the heart rate and blood flow velocity in the tails of aged SHR. The contractile and relaxation responses were unchanged in isolated aortas and mesenteric arteries of aged SHR fed the GBE diet. The GBE diet did not influence the protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase or soluble guanylyl cyclase in the aortas. 3These findings indicate that in aged SHR, the ingestion of GBE may cause bradycardia without a beneficial effect on the vascular relaxation response. Intake of GBE as a supplement in elderly hypertensive patients should be carefully monitored. [source] Decrease in cerebral oxygenation influences central motor output in humansACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009S. Perrey No abstract is available for this article. [source] Human soleus muscle protein synthesis following resistance exerciseACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2004T. A. Trappe Abstract Aim:, It is generally believed the calf muscles in humans are relatively unresponsive to resistance training when compared with other muscles of the body. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the muscle protein synthesis response of the soleus muscle following a standard high intensity bout of resistance exercise. Methods:, Eight recreationally active males (27 ± 4 years) completed three unilateral calf muscle exercises: standing calf press/heel raise, bent-knee calf press/heel raise, and seated calf press/heel raise. Each exercise consisted of four sets of 15 repetitions (,15 repetition maximum, RM, or ,70% 1RM). Fractional rate of muscle protein synthesis (FSR) was determined with a primed constant infusion of [2H5]phenylalanine coupled with muscle biopsies immediately and 3 h following the exercise in both the exercise and non-exercise (resting control) leg. Results:, FSR was elevated (P < 0.05) in the exercise (0.069 ± 0.010) vs. the control (0.051 ± 0.012) leg. Muscle glycogen concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in the exercise compared with the control leg (Decrease from control; immediate post-exercise: 54 ± 5; 3 h post-exercise: 36 ±4 mmol kg,1 wet wt.). This relatively high amount of glycogen use is comparable with previous studies of resistance exercise of the thigh (i.e. vastus lateralis; ,41,49 mmol kg,1 wet wt.). However, the exercise-induced increase in FSR that has been consistently reported for the vastus lateralis (,0.045,0.060% h,1) is on average ,200% higher than reported here for the soleus (0.019 ± 0.003% h,1). Conclusions:, These results suggest the relatively poor response of soleus muscle protein synthesis to an acute bout of resistance exercise may be the basis for the relative inability of the calf muscles to respond to resistance training programs. [source] No effect of venoconstrictive thigh cuffs on orthostatic hypotension induced by head-down bed restACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2000M.-A. Custaud Orthostatic intolerance (OI) is the most serious symptom of cardiovascular deconditioning induced by head-down bed rest or weightlessness. Wearing venoconstrictive thigh cuffs is an empirical countermeasure used by Russian cosmonauts to limit the shift of fluid from the lower part of the body to the cardio-cephalic region. Our aim was to determine whether or not thigh cuffs help to prevent orthostatic hypotension induced by head-down bed rest. We studied the effect of thigh cuffs on eight healthy men. The cuffs were worn during the day for 7 days of head-down bed rest. We measured: orthostatic tolerance (stand tests and lower body negative pressure tests), plasma volume (Evans blue dilution), autonomic influences (plasma noradrenaline) and baroreflex sensitivity (spontaneous baroreflex slope). Thigh cuffs limited the loss of plasma volume (thigh cuffs: ,201 ± 37 mL vs. control: ,345 ± 42 mL, P < 0.05), the degree of tachycardia and reduction in the spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity induced by head-down bed rest. However, the impact of thigh cuffs was not sufficient to prevent OI (thigh cuffs: 7.0 min of standing time vs. control: 7.1 min). Decrease in absolute plasma volume and in baroreflex sensitivity are known to be important factors in the aetiology of OI induced by head-down bed rest. However, dealing with these factors, using thigh cuffs for example, is not sufficient to prevent OI. Other factors such as venous compliance, microcirculatory changes, peripheral arterial vasoconstriction and vestibular afferents must also be considered. [source] Energy requirements of spasticityDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2001Cheryl Hemingway MBCh B Direct measurement of energy expended by spasticity in children with severe spastic quadriparesis is difficult. Insertion of an intrathecal baclofen pump in a 13-year-old boy with severe spasticity and profound mental retardation* resulted in an estimated 30 to 40% decrease in his spasticity. As he had been on a carefully calculated ketogenic diet and fed by gastrostomy, his precise caloric intake was known. Decrease in spasticity, on the same caloric intake, led to marked weight gain. Reduction of 100 calories intake resulted in new weight stability. It was possible therefore, to estimate indirectly energy used by his spasticity. This 100 calories, representing 34% of calories above his resting energy requirement, corresponded to an independently estimated 30 to 40% of caloric expenditure of his spasticity. It was concluded that when calculation of calories is critical, energy utilization by spasticity must be taken into consideration. [source] Viable Myocardium: How Much Is Enough?ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2005A Comparison of Viability by Comparative Imaging Techniques to Assess the Quantity, Functionality of Ischemic Myocardium Left ventricular systolic dysfunction is mainly a result of coronary artery disease (CAD). Decrease in myocardial contractility results as a response to a chronic hypoperfusion state that produces a change in cardiac myocyte metabolism, resulting in a perfusion-contraction mismatch in which function is sacrificed for survival. If revascularization is performed in a timely fashion, metabolism can be restored leading to recovery of function. Through the use of noninvasive imaging modalities, assessing myocardial viability can be easily performed and will aid in selecting those patients who will benefit from revascularization. Viable myocardium can be identified by nuclear modalities that have a high sensitivity but a lower specificity, such as thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography (PET); or by the use of dobutamine stress echocardiogram (DSE), which has a decreased sensitivity but a better specificity. A modality that is increasingly being used with an overall good sensitivity and specificity is contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The purpose of this review is to explore the amount of myocardial viability that is relevant to pursue revascularization, since as myocardial function improves there is a decrease in morbidity and mortality from heart failure and arrhythmias. [source] Predation risk allocation or direct vigilance response in the predator interaction between perch (Perca fluviatilis L.) and pike (Esox lucius L.)?ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 3 2005A. Vainikka Abstract , Predation risk allocation hypothesis predicts that a prey's response to predator depends on prey's previous experience on predator. Here we tested whether the group of three perch respond differentially to pike, predator of perch, depending on the timing of high constant (HC) and high unpredictable (HU) risk periods within low constant risk periods in short-term (10 h) experiments, and whether the response is stronger during a HU risk period than during a HC risk period. Perch clearly erected the dorsal fin in response to predation risk treatments (pike odour only, odour and visible pike). Decrease in activity and increase in shoaling behaviour were observed mainly during high risk periods. However, the perch's responses to pike did not differ statistically between periods of various levels of predation risk or depending on the timing of high risk situations within constant low risk periods, and thus, suggesting that perch respond mainly to changes in the current predation risk. Resumen 1. La hipótesis de la asignación de riesgo a la predación predice que la respuesta a un predador depende de la experiencia previa de la presa al predador. En este trabajo analizamos si un grupo de tres individuos de Perca fluviatilis respondían de forma distinta a la presencia de Esox lucius, (un predador común de esta especie) y si éstas dependían del momento en el que se producen periodos de alto riesgo constante y de alto riesgo impredecible, en experimentos de corto plazo (10 horas) de riesgo bajo y constante y si la respuesta era mayor durante perí odos de riesgo impredecible y alto que durante períodos de riesgo constante alto. 2. Claramente P. fluviatilis respondió levantando la aleta dorsal en respuesta a los tratamientos de riesgo a la predación (solamente olor y olor + visibilidad de E. lucius). Una menor actividad y una mayor tendencia a la formación de bancos fueron observados durante períodos de alto riesgo. Sin embargo, las respuesta de P. fluviatilis a E. lucius no difirieron estadísticamente entre períodos de varios niveles de riesgo a la predación o entre aquellos que dependieron del momento en el que se produjeron situaciones de alto riesgo dentro de períodos de bajo riesgo constante. 3. Concluimos que P. fluviatilis puede utilizar señales olfatorias como determinantes de respuestas al riesgo a la predación y responder a aumentos de riesgo, sin excluir la posibilidad de que amenazas repetidas decrezcan la intensidad de la respuesta. Nuestros resultados, obtenidos en experimentos realizados a pequeña escala temporal, no niegan la posibilidad de la P. fluviatilis y otras especies puedan balancear la alimentación con actividades anti-predación, de acuerdo a cambios en el riesgo de predación a lo largo de escalas temporales de varios días. [source] Production of a Laccase and Decrease of the Phenolic Content in Canola Meal during the Growth of the Fungus Pleurotus ostreatus in Solid State Fermentation ProcessesENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2004J. Hu Abstract Solid state fermentation of canola meal was carried out with the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus DAOM 197961, which is a producer of laccase. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of moisture content, inoculum size, homogenisation of inoculum and particle size of canola meal on the growth of the fungus, the production of a laccase and the decrease of the content of sinapic acid esters (SAE) in a solid state process. The results showed that the optimum moisture content, which was varied in the media between 50% and 75%, for the growth and enzyme production was 60%. The initial rate of SAE content decrease was faster in the media with 70% and 75% moisture than in those with lower moisture levels. In the study of the effects of inoculum concentration in the range of 1.1 mg to 5.5 mg/g of the medium, it was found that larger amounts of biomass and enzyme were produced in the media with inoculum concentrations from 1.1 mg to 3.3 mg/g of the medium than in the media with a higher inoculum concentration. The final and approximately the same concentrations of SAE were reached at the same time regardless of the inoculum concentration. Considering that the fungus formed pellets under the conditions at which it was grown during the inoculum preparation, it was necessary to break them by homogenisation prior to their utilisation as an inoculum. The homogenisation was carried out during a period between 15s and 200s. Although higher biomass concentrations and enzyme activities were obtained in the media which were inoculated with the inoculum homogenised for 15s and 30s, the maximum enzyme activities and biomass concentrations were reached in the media inoculated with the inoculum, which was homogenised for 120s and 200s. The time of inoculum homogenisation did not influence the kinetics of the SAE decrease. When the effects of the particle size of canola meal on the process were studied, it was found that larger particles of the meal in the solid media were more favourable for the production of the biomass and enzyme, and for a faster decrease of the SAE content than those of smaller sizes. From the obtained results it can be concluded that the tested variables have a significant influence on the growth of the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus DAOM 197961, the production of laccase and the decrease of the SAE content in canola meal. The data could be useful for the development of a solid state process for the production of laccase and for the decrease of the phenolics content in canola meal. [source] Effect of Decrease of Hydride-Induced Embrittlement in Nanocrystalline Titanium,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 8 2010M.A. Murzinova Abstract The room-temperature impact toughness, strength and ductility of nanocrystalline (NC) and microcrystalline (MC) titanium with hydrogen content ranging from 0.1 to 16,at.-% (0.002 to 0.450,wt.-%) are studied. NC titanium has higher strength and lower sensitivity to hydride-induced brittle fracture than the MC material. In contrast to MC titanium, the elongation and impact toughness in the NC material does not decrease dramatically with increasing hydrogen content. Moreover, the fracture toughness in hydrogenated NC condition is found to be higher than that in MC titanium. This unusual result may be associated with the precipitation of equiaxial nanoscale hydrides in the interior of ,-grains in the NC material, while platelet hydrides are formed in MC titanium. One can expect that the risk of hydride-induced embrittlement is lower in NC than in MC titanium, making the NC material attractive for potential application under conditions that may cause hydrogen saturation above the permissible level for MC titanium. [source] Decrease of D2 receptor binding but increase in D2 -stimulated G-protein activation, dopamine transporter binding and behavioural sensitization in brains of mice treated with a chronic escalating dose ,binge' cocaine administration paradigmEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 4 2008A. Bailey Abstract Understanding the neurobiology of the transition from initial drug use to excessive drug use has been a challenge in drug addiction. We examined the effect of chronic ,binge' escalating dose cocaine administration, which mimics human compulsive drug use, on behavioural responses and the dopaminergic system of mice and compared it with a chronic steady dose (3 × 15 mg/kg/day) ,binge' cocaine administration paradigm. Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with saline or cocaine in an escalating dose paradigm for 14 days. Locomotor and stereotypy activity were measured and quantitative autoradiographic mapping of D1 and D2 receptors, dopamine transporters and D2 -stimulated [35S]GTP,S binding was performed in the brains of mice treated with this escalating and steady dose paradigm. An initial sensitization to the locomotor effects of cocaine followed by a dose-dependent increase in the duration of the locomotor effect of cocaine was observed in the escalating but not the steady dose paradigm. Sensitization to the stereotypy effect of cocaine and an increase in cocaine-induced stereotypy score was observed from 3 × 20 to 3 × 25 mg/kg/day cocaine. There was a significant decrease in D2 receptor density, but an increase in D2 -stimulated G-protein activity and dopamine transporter density in the striatum of cocaine-treated mice, which was not observed in our steady dose paradigm. Our results document that chronic ,binge' escalating dose cocaine treatment triggers profound behavioural and neurochemical changes in the dopaminergic system, which might underlie the transition from drug use to compulsive drug use associated with addiction, which is a process of escalation. [source] Decrease of Hsp25 protein expression precedes degeneration of motoneurons in ALS-SOD1 miceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 1 2004Arjen Maatkamp Abstract We have investigated the expression of Hsp25, a heat shock protein constitutively expressed in motoneurons, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mice that express G93A mutant SOD1 (G93A mice). Immunocytochemistry and Western blotting showed that a decrease of Hsp25 protein expression occurred in motoneurons of G93A mice prior to the onset of motoneuron death and muscle weakness. This decrease in Hsp25 expression also preceded the appearance of SOD1 aggregates as identified by cellulose acetate filtration and Western blot analysis. In contrast to Hsp25 protein levels, Hsp25 mRNA as determined by in situ hybridization and RT-PCR, remained unchanged. This suggests that the decrease in Hsp25 protein levels occurs post-transcriptionally. In view of the cytoprotective properties of Hsp25 and the temporal relationship between decreased Hsp25 expression and the onset of motoneuron death, it is feasible that reduced Hsp25 concentration contributes to the degeneration of motoneurons in G93A mice. These data are consistent with the idea that mutant SOD1 may reduce the availability of the protein quality control machinery in motoneurons. [source] Accruals quality and corporate cash holdingsACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 1 2009Pedro J. García-Teruel G31; G32 Abstract This Work Uses Panel Data For Firms Listed In The Spanish Stock Exchange Over The Period From 1995 To 2001 To Analyse The Effect Of Accounting Quality On Cash Holdings. The Results Show That Firms With Good Accruals Quality Hold Lower Cash Levels Than Firms With Poor Accruals Quality. This Finding Suggests That The Quality Of Accounting Information May Reduce The Negative Effects Of Information Asymmetries And Adverse Selection Costs, Allowing Firms To Reduce Their Level Of Corporate Cash Holdings. The Results Also Show That Cash Holdings Decrease When Firms Increase Their Use Of Bank Debt And In The Presence Of Cash Substitutes. In Contrast With This, Firms With Higher Cash Flow Hold Higher Levels Of Cash. [source] Prediagnostic levels of C-peptide, IGF-I, IGFBP -1, -2 and -3 and risk of endometrial cancer,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 2 2004Annekatrin Lukanova Abstract Conditions related to chronic hyperinsulinemia, such as obesity, noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus and polycystic ovary syndrome, are associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Elevated plasma IGF-I and decreased levels of IGF-binding proteins have been shown to be associated with increased risk of several cancer types that are frequent in affluent societies. We investigated for the first time in a prospective study the association of pre-diagnostic blood concentrations of C-peptide (a marker of pancreatic insulin production), IGF-I, IGFBP-1, -2 and -3 with endometrial cancer risk. A case-control study was nested within 3 cohorts in New York (USA), Umeå (Sweden) and Milan (Italy). It included 166 women with primary invasive endometrial cancer and 315 matched controls, of which 44 case and 78 control subjects were premenopausal at recruitment. Endometrial cancer risk increased with increasing levels of C-peptide (ptrend = 0.0002), up to an odds ratio (OR) of 4.76 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.91,11.8] for the highest quintile. This association remained after adjustment for BMI and other confounders [OR for the top quintile = 4.40 (1.65,11.7)]. IGFBP-1 levels were inversely related to endometrial cancer [ptrend = 0.002; OR in the upper quintile = 0.30 (0.15,0.62)], but the association was weakened and lost statistical significance after adjustment for confounders [ptrend = 0.06; OR in the upper quintile = 0.49 (0.22,1.07)]. Risk was unrelated to levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3. Chronic hyperinsulinemia, as reflected by increased circulating C-peptide, is associated with increased endometrial cancer risk. Decrease in the prevalence of chronic hyperinsulinemia, through changes in lifestyle or medication, is expected to prevent endometrial cancer. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Decrease in urethral pressure following repeated cough efforts: A new concept for pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinenceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 11 2007Xavier Deffieux Aims: To describe the decrease in maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) following repeated coughs in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods: MUCP was recorded at rest and after seven cough efforts in 70 women under age 40 referred for urodynamic investigation (47 women with SUI and 23 women without SUI). Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient for repeatability was very good at 400 mL filling volume: 0.94 (95%CI: 0.85,0.98), as compared to the mean and standard-deviations of the MUCP measurements. A decrease in MUCP >20% after seven cough efforts was observed in 18(38%) patients in the SUI group and in just 1(4%) woman in the non-SUI group (P = 0.0069). Conclusions: Many women with SUI exhibit a sharp decrease in MUCP after repeated coughs. Many hypotheses may explain this phenomenon, including increased fatigue of the periurethral muscles. [source] Pulsed resources affect the timing of first breeding and lifetime reproductive success of tawny owlsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2010A. Millon Summary 1.,According to life-history theory, environmental variability and costs of reproduction account for the prevalence of delayed reproduction in many taxa. Empirical estimates of the fitness consequences of different ages at first breeding in a variable environment are few however such that the contributions of environmental and individual variability remains poorly known. 2.,Our objectives were to elucidate processes that underpin variation in delayed reproduction and to assess lifetime consequences of the age of first breeding in a site-faithful predator, the tawny owl Strix aluco L. subjected to fluctuating selection linked to cyclical variation in vole density (typically 3-year cycles with low, increasing and decreasing vole densities in successive years). 3.,A multistate capture,recapture model revealed that owl cohorts had strikingly different juvenile survival prospects, with estimates ranging from 0·08 to 0·33 respectively for birds born in Decrease and Increase phases of the vole cycle. This resulted in a highly skewed population structure with >75% of local recruits being reared during Increase years. In contrast, adult survival remained constant throughout a vole cycle. The probability of commencing reproduction was lower at age 1 than at older ages, and especially so for females. From age 2 onwards, pre-breeders had high probabilities of entering the breeding population. 4.,Variation in lifetime reproductive success was driven by the phase of the vole cycle in which female owls started their breeding career (26,47% of variance explained, whether based on the number of local recruits or fledglings), more than by age at first breeding or by conditions experienced at birth. Females who postponed reproduction to breed for the first time at age 3 during an Increase phase, produced more recruits, even when accounting for birds that may have died before reproduction. No such effects were detected for males. 5.,Sex-specific costs of early reproduction may have accounted for females being more prone to delay reproduction. Contrary to expectations from a best-of-a-bad job strategy, early-hatched, hence potentially higher-quality females were more likely to breed at age 1, but then experienced rapidly declining food resources and so seemed caught in a life-history trap set by the multiannual vole cycle. [source] Dynamics of black spot sea bream (Pagellus bogaraveo) mean length: evaluating the influence of life history parameters, recruitment, size selectivity and exploitation ratesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY, Issue 3 2006K. Erzini Summary Stochastic simulations were used to evaluate the influence of recruitment pattern (log-normal, decreasing), size selectivity (normal, logistic model) and fishing mortality pattern (abrupt, continuous increase in fishing mortality) on the evolution of mean length and the dispersion of mean length for a relatively long-lived deep-water species, the black spot sea bream (Pagellus bogaraveo). An abrupt increase in fishing mortality resulted in mean size decreasing and stabilizing at a lower level while a steady increase in fishing mortality caused the continuous decrease in mean size that has been reported for many long-lived species. Decrease in mean size was greatest for logistic model simulations and for cases where fish were susceptible to capture at a small size. Logistic selectivity, with decreasing recruitment and increasing fishing mortality over time, resulted in mean length and variability in mean length trends similar to that observed for the Strait of Gibraltar fishery. Furthermore, it was found with the declining recruitment that moderate increases in fishing mortality can result in significant decreases in mean length. Given the importance of mean size as an indicator of the state of a resource, these simulations are a useful alternative or complement to standard fisheries assessment methods, helping to provide information on exploitation patterns and rates that can be used for conservation and management. [source] Decrease of enteric micro-organisms from rural sewage sludge during their composting in straw mixtureJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2005A.-M. Pourcher Abstract Aims:, To study the decrease of enteric micro-organisms including viable nematode eggs, enteroviruses, faecal indicators (Escherichia coli and enterococci) and pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella sp. and Clostridium perfringens) of a rural sewage sludge when it is composted for 7 months in mixture with straw. Methods and Results:, Numbers of the test organisms and the physico-chemical parameters were measured on a monthly basis on the mixture, on the compost after being turned, and on the pile in three positions representing the part by which air is incoming, the bottom of the pile and the part through which air is outgoing. The lowest temperature in the pile was observed at the bottom, where it did not exceed 50°C against 66°C in the two other areas. There were no significant differences between the three areas in terms of micro-organism survival. Infectious enteroviruses were inactivated rapidly and were not found after the first turning whereas some genomes were detected until after the third turning. Escherichia coli and enterococci presented a similar survival rate and their number decreased by 4 log10 whereas Salmonella decayed at a greater rate than L. monocytogenes. The numbers of C. perfringens decreased gradually to reach a final concentration in the mature compost of about 102 CFU g,1 dry matter (d.m.), which was similar to that of the faecal indicators. Conclusions:, The hygienic effect of sludge composting in mixture with straw results in a significant reduction of enteric micro-organisms, the concentration of the faecal indicators in the final product being <64 most probable number g,1 d.m. The concentrations of Salmonella, enteroviruses and viable nematode eggs in the final product were not detectable which is in accordance with the French legislation. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The results which pointed out the different behaviour of the test micro-organisms reflect the difficulty to propose a relevant indicator of hygienization. Otherwise, they show that composting is an efficient means for hygienization of sludge of rural wastewater treatment, where the straw is available close to their place of production. [source] Genetic Hypercalciuric Stone-Forming Rats Have a Primary Decrease in BMD and Strength,,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 8 2009Marc Grynpas Abstract Kidney stone patients often have a decrease in BMD. It is unclear if reduced BMD is caused by a primary disorder of bone or dietary factors. To study the independent effects of hypercalciuria on bone, we used genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats. GHS and control (Ctl) rats were fed a low Ca (0.02% Ca, LCD) or a high Ca (1.2% Ca, HCD) diet for 6 wk in metabolic cages. All comparisons are to Ctl rats. Urine Ca was greater in the GHS rats on both diets. GHS fed HCD had reduced cortical (humerus) and trabecular (L1,L5 vertebrae) BMD, whereas GHS rats fed LCD had a reduction in BMD similar to Ctl. GHS rats fed HCD had a decrease in trabecular volume and thickness, whereas LCD led to a ,20-fold increase in both osteoid surface and volume. GHS rats fed HCD had no change in vertebral strength (failure stress), ductibility (failure strain), stiffness (modulus), or toughness, whereas in the humerus, there was reduced ductibility and toughness and an increase in modulus, indicating that the defect in mechanical properties is mainly manifested in cortical, rather than trabecular, bone. GHS rat cortical bone is more mineralized than trabecular bone and LCD led to a decrease in the mineralization profile. Thus, the GHS rats, fed an ample Ca diet, have reduced BMD with reduced trabecular volume, mineralized volume, and thickness, and their bones are more brittle and fracture prone, indicating that GHS rats have an intrinsic disorder of bone that is not secondary to diet. [source] Decrease in stromal androgen receptor associates with androgen-independent disease and promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation and invasionJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 6b 2008Yirong Li Abstract Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in both stromal and epithelial cells of the prostate. The majority of studies on AR expression and function in prostate cancer is focused on malignant epithelial cells rather than stromal cells. In this study, we examined the levels of stromal AR in androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer and the function of stromal AR in prostate cancer growth and invasion. We showed that stromal AR levels were decreased in the areas surrounding cancerous tissue, especially in androgen-independent cancer. Using two telomerase-immortalized human stromal cell lines, one AR-positive and the other AR-negative, we demonstrated that stromal cells lacking AR stimulated cell proliferation of co-cultured prostate cancer cells in vitro and enhanced tumour growth in vivo when co-injected with PC3 epithelial cells in nude mice. In contrast, stromal cells expressing AR suppressed prostate cancer growth in vitro and in vivo. In parallel with cancer growth, in vitro invasion assays revealed that stromal cells lacking AR increased the invasion ability of PC3 cell by one order of magnitude, while stromal cells expressing AR reduced this effect. These results indicate a negative regulation of prostate cancer growth and invasion by stromal AR. This provides potentially new mechanistic insights into the failure of androgen ablation therapy, and the reactivation of stromal AR could be a novel therapeutic approach for treating hormone refractory prostate cancer. [source] Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors and lipopolysaccharide induced inducible NOS and cyclooxygenase-2 gene expressions by rutin, quercetin, and quercetin pentaacetate in RAW 264.7 macrophagesJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2001Yen-Chou Chen Abstract Several natural flavonoids have been demonstrated to perform some beneficial biological activities, however, higher-effective concentrations and poor-absorptive efficacy in body of flavonoids blocked their practical applications. In the present study, we provided evidences to demonstrate that flavonoids rutin, quercetin, and its acetylated product quercetin pentaacetate were able to be used with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors (N -nitro- L -arginine (NLA) or N -nitro- L -arginine methyl ester (L -NAME)) in treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) productions, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expressions in a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7). The results showed that rutin, quercetin, and quercetin pentaacetate-inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a concentration-dependent manner without obvious cytotoxic effect on cells by MTT assay using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide as an indicator. Decrease of NO production by flavonoids was consistent with the inhibition on LPS-induced iNOS gene expression by western blotting. However, these compounds were unable to block iNOS enzyme activity by direct and indirect measurement on iNOS enzyme activity. Quercetin pentaacetate showed the obvious inhibition on LPS-induced PGE2 production and COX-2 gene expression and the inhibition was not result of suppression on COX-2 enzyme activity. Previous study demonstrated that decrease of NO production by L -arginine analogs effectively stimulated LPS-induced iNOS gene expression, and proposed that stimulatory effects on iNOS protein by NOS inhibitors might be harmful in treating sepsis. In this study, NLA or L -NAME treatment stimulated significantly on LPS-induced iNOS (but not COX-2) protein in RAW 264.7 cells which was inhibited by these three compounds. Quercetin pentaacetate, but not quercetin and rutin, showed the strong inhibitory activity on PGE2 production and COX-2 protein expression in NLA/LPS or L -NAME/LPS co-treated RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicated that combinatorial treatment of L -arginine analogs and flavonoid derivates, such as quercetin pentaacetate, effectively inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE2 productions, at the same time, inhibited enhanced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 genes. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 537,548, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] miR-17, miR-19b, miR-20a, and miR-106a are down-regulated in human agingAGING CELL, Issue 2 2010Matthias Hackl Summary Aging is a multifactorial process where deterioration of body functions is driven by stochastic damage while counteracted by distinct genetically encoded repair systems. To better understand the genetic component of aging, many studies have addressed the gene and protein expression profiles of various aging model systems engaging different organisms from yeast to human. The recently identified small non-coding miRNAs are potent post-transcriptional regulators that can modify the expression of up to several hundred target genes per single miRNA, similar to transcription factors. Increasing evidence shows that miRNAs contribute to the regulation of most if not all important physiological processes, including aging. However, so far the contribution of miRNAs to age-related and senescence-related changes in gene expression remains elusive. To address this question, we have selected four replicative cell aging models including endothelial cells, replicated CD8+ T cells, renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, and skin fibroblasts. Further included were three organismal aging models including foreskin, mesenchymal stem cells, and CD8+ T cell populations from old and young donors. Using locked nucleic acid-based miRNA microarrays, we identified four commonly regulated miRNAs, miR-17 down-regulated in all seven; miR-19b and miR-20a, down-regulated in six models; and miR-106a down-regulated in five models. Decrease in these miRNAs correlated with increased transcript levels of some established target genes, especially the cdk inhibitor p21/CDKN1A. These results establish miRNAs as novel markers of cell aging in humans. [source] Variation in the diet of the Patagonian toothfish with size, depth and season around the Falkland IslandsJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003A. Arkhipkin The ontogenetic and seasonal variations in the feeding spectrum were studied in 756 specimens of the Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides (16,159 cm total length, LT) collected on the shelf, continental slope and bathyal waters (67,1960 m, depth range) around the Falkland Islands between April 1999 and August 2002. On the shelf, small toothfish (<40 cm LT) were active predators taking mostly one relatively large prey item at a time (mainly near-bottom Patagonotothen ramsayi and Loligo gahi). Medium-size toothfish (40,60 cm LT) fed on the same prey, but the number of prey items increased to 1,2 items per fish. Large toothfish (>60 cm LT) switched their diet to other large pelagic fishes occurring near the bottom (Macruronus magellanicus and Micromesistius australis australis), again taking mostly one prey item at a time. The diet of medium-size D. eleginoides on the shelf varied seasonally depending on the abundance and migrations of the major prey species. Patagonotothen ramsayi was abundant in the diet throughout the year, whereas L. gahi appeared only from February to October during its offshore seasonal migrations to the depth range of D. eleginoides. During November to January, L. gahi migrated inshore to spawn and disappeared from the toothfish diet, being substituted by M. australis australis which dispersed on the shelf after spawning. After its ontogenetic descent to the lower part of the continental slope (500,1000 m depths), toothfish took less active (than on the shelf) fishes such as Antimora rostrata whilst also feeding on active near-bottom macrourids and skates. In their deepest habitat (>1000 m depths), toothfish became a typical opportunistic predator, feeding mainly on relatively small and inactive fishes, squids and prawn-like crustaceans Acanthephyra pelagica and Thymops birsteini. Decrease in hunting activity with depth could be related to a specific adaptation to keep neutral buoyancy by increase of lipid content in white muscles of D. eleginoides with size. [source] EXTRUSION COOKING OF BLENDS OF SOY FLOUR AND SWEET POTATO FLOUR ON SPECIFIC MECHANICAL ENERGY (SME), EXTRUDATE TEMPERATURE AND TORQUEJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 4 2001M. O. IWE Defatted soy flour and sweet potato flour containing 18% moisture were mixed in a pilot mixer, and extruded in an Almex-Bettenfeld single-screw extruder operated at varying rotational speed and die diameter. A central composite, rotatable nearly orthogonal design, which required 23 experiments for three factors (feed composition (fc), screw speed (ss) and die diameter (dd)) was developed and used for the generation of response surfaces. Effects of the extrusion variables on specific mechanical energy (SME), extrudate temperature (ET), and torque (T) were evaluated using response surface analysis. Results showed that product temperature increased with increases in die diameter, screw speed and feed composition. However, the effect of die diameter was greater than those of screw speed and feed composition. Decrease in die diameter with increase in sweet potato content increased torque. Screw speed exhibited a linear effect on torque. [source] EFFECT OF HIGH PRESSURE ON LACTOCOCCAL BACTERIOPHAGESJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2009M. DILEK ABSTRACT Four different host-specific lactococcal bacteriophages were subjected to high hydrostatic pressure and heat treatments. Pressure treatments were done at room temperature at 300 and 350 MPa for 5,40 min. Complete inactivation of bacteriophages was observed starting at 350 MPa for 20-min treatment at room temperature. The effect of heat on the bacteriophages was analyzed by heat treatment at 71.7C for predetermined lengths of time (1,5 min). Decrease in bacteriophage number was observed after 3 min of heat treatment at 71.7C. Pressure treatment at 350 MPa/5 min and heat treatment at 71.7C/3 min were both found to be effective for the inactivation of lactococcal bacteriophages. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that protein profiles of pressure-treated (350 MPa, 25 min) bacteriophages were altered. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Bacteriophages are still a problem for the production of fermented dairy products, as there has not been a process to eliminate them completely from the fermentation environment. Processes such as pasteurization are not adequate to eliminate bacteriophages. However, new food preservation methods have been developed, one of which is high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing. HHP has potential application for the inactivation of viruses. Here, we demonstrate the application of HHP to inactivate the bacteriophages of dairy starter culture Lactococcus in comparison with heat treatment. [source] Decrease in cancer incidence in the elderlyJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Davidovic Mladen [source] Deregulation of E-cadherin,catenin complex in precancerous lesions of gastric adenocarcinomaJOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2003ANNIE ON-ON CHAN Abstract Background and Aim: Decrease in expression of the E-cadherin,catenin complex is an important element in gastric carcinogenesis. However, the expression of the complex in gastric precancerous lesions has not been well studied. The present study aimed to examine the serial change in expression of E-cadherin,catenin complex in the precancerous lesions of gastric cancer patients. Methods: Gastrectomy specimens of 40 patients with gastric cancer were retrieved. Areas with chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma were identified and immunostained for ,-catenin, ,-catenin and E-cadherin. The results were scored semiquantitatively by two independent pathologists using a validated scoring system. Results: A significant decrease in score was observed in 5% (1/22) of ,-catenin, 0% (0/22) of ,-catenin and 9% (2/22) of E-cadherin in chronic atrophic gastritis patients, and in 28% (5/18) of ,-catenin, 67% (10/15) of ,-catenin and 57% (8/14) of E-cadherin in intestinal metaplasia patients. The scoring of ,-catenin, ,-catenin and E-cadherin correlated with each other. Forty-three percent of patients had concordant changes of scores along the gastritis,adenocarcinoma sequence. There was no association between Helicobacter pylori status and E-cadherin,catenin complex expression. Conclusion: Deregulation of the E-cadherin,catenin complex was observed in the majority of precancerous lesions in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, which has potential diagnostic and therapeutic implications. © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd [source] The Inhibition of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Reverts Arthritic-Induced Decrease in Pituitary Growth Hormone mRNA But Not in Liver Insulin-Like Growth Factor I mRNA ExpressionJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 12 2003I. Ibáñez De Cáceres Abstract Experimental arthritis induced by Freund-adjuvant administration is a model of chronic inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis associated with a decrease in pituitary growth hormone (GH) and hepatic insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) gene expression. Excessive nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory illness. Moreover, NO participates in the regulation of GH secretion at both the hypothalamus and the pituitary. We have examined the role of iNOS activation in producing the changes in the GH-IGF-I axis in arthritic rats. Adult male Wistar rats received aminoguanidine or vehicle from day 20, after adjuvant or vehicle injection, until day 28. Two hours and 30 min after the last aminoguanidine injection, all rats were killed by decapitation. Arthritis increased hypothalamic expression of somatostatin mRNA while it decreased pituitary GH mRNA expression, and both effects were prevented by aminoguanidine administration. In arthritic rats, the parallel decrease in serum IGF-I, and in hepatic IGF-I content and mRNA expression, correlates with the decrease in circulating GH concentrations. Aminoguanidine administration to arthritic rats did not modify either serum GH or serum IGF-I concentrations, or hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression. However, aminoguanidine administration to control rats resulted in a decrease in serum GH concentrations and in a decrease in both hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression and serum IGF-I concentrations. These data suggest that NO mediates the arthritis-induced decrease in GH mRNA expression by acting at a hypothalamic level, but it is not involved in the decrease in hepatic IGF-I mRNA expression. [source] Selectivity for patch-distributed reactive spherical surfacesAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 2 2007Jui-Chuang Wu Abstract The selectivity of reactions on active patches over those on a partially active carrier surface is investigated for patch-covered spheres. The effects of relevant parameters including patch and carrier reactivities, patch coverage, patch size, and patch separation state are studied. The selectivity is found to increase with increasing relative dominance of the patch reactivity over the carrier reactivity and patch coverage, as expected. Interestingly, it also increases with decreasing patch size and increasing patch separations. Decrease in patch size creates more patch,carrier interfaces and thus enhances the competition effectiveness of the patches against the carrier surface. With respect to the patch separation state, more complete utilization of the patches is achieved for well-separated patches and thus enhances the selectivity toward the patches. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 2007 [source] Oral cancer over four decades: epidemiology, trends, histology, and survival by anatomical sitesJOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Avraham Zini J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39: 299,305 Background:, Oral cancer is one of the few life-threatening oral diseases. The subtypes and different sites of oral cancer has different etiology epidemiology and survival rate. Prevalence of the various anatomical oral sites provided potential baseline for improvement of clinical approach. Methods:, Incidence and survival rates were derived from the Israel National Cancer Registry and included all registered data between 1970 and 2006. Oral cancer included the lips, tongue, buccal mucosa, gums, vestibulum, floor of the mouth, and palate. Results:, Most prevalent oral cancer subtype was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among men above the age of 55 years. Females had a higher incidence of SCC in lateral border of tongue, gums and buccal mucosa. Lymphoma and sarcoma were the most prevalent under the age of 20. Melanomas and metastatic disease revealed the lowest survival rate, while invasive or infiltrating basal cell carcinoma in the lips had the highest rate. The highest oral survival rate was for the lip, and the lowest was for the tongue and gums. Conclusions:, Early detection of oral cancer is important for all the medical health team. Decrease in lip carcinoma may be a result of occupational or awareness changes and should be studied. Non-epithelial tumors under the age of 20 should be considered as a differential diagnosis. A basic oral examination should be included in all routine medical examinations, with emphasis on high-risk patients and high-risk oral sites. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||