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Kinds of Rate Terms modified by Rate Selected AbstractsCOMPARISON OF ENDOSCOPIC DETECTION RATE OF EARLY GASTRIC CANCER AND GASTRIC ADENOMA USING TRANSNASAL EGD WITH THAT OF TRANSORAL EGDDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 4 2008Yukiya Yoshida Background:, To investigate the influence of the reduced image quality of transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with the ultrathin endoscope (transnasal EGD) on endoscopic diagnoses, we compared the detection rate (DR) of early gastric cancer and gastric adenoma by transnasal EGD with that of transoral EGD using a standard endoscope. Methods:, Transnasal EGD was carried out in 2791 examinations for the purposes of screening or other reasons. Controls were examined by transoral EGD and numbered 3591 examinations. The transnasal endoscope used was an EG530N. Lesions graded C-3 or higher by Kimura-Takemoto's classification were regarded as endoscopic atrophy. Results:, (i) DR in all subjects and those with atrophy were not different between transnasal and transoral EGD. (ii) Multivariate analysis of DR in subjects with atrophy was carried out using five variables: gender, age, purposes of endoscopy, endoscopic insertion route and the four endoscopists. DR was significantly higher in males or subjects ,60 years. No difference was noted between the endoscopic insertion routes (transnasal vs transoral). (iii) The subjects analyzed in (ii) were divided into the transnasal and transoral groups, and multivariate analysis of DR was carried out using four variables. DR was not different among the endoscopists in the transoral group. However, in the transnasal group, DR increased as the years of endoscopic experience was prolonged. Conclusions:, Multivariate analysis detected no significant difference in DR between transnasal and transoral EGD. However, a significant difference in DR by transnasal EGD among the endoscopists is detected. Transnasal EGD should be carefully carried out by experienced endoscopists. [source] PROMISCUITY AND THE RATE OF MOLECULAR EVOLUTION AT PRIMATE IMMUNITY GENESEVOLUTION, Issue 8 2010Gabriela Wlasiuk Recently, a positive correlation between basal leukocyte counts and mating system across primates suggested that sexual promiscuity could be an important determinant of the evolution of the immune system. Motivated by this idea, we examined the patterns of molecular evolution of 15 immune defense genes in primates in relation to promiscuity and other variables expected to affect disease risk. We obtained maximum likelihood estimates of the rate of protein evolution for terminal branches of the primate phylogeny at these genes. Using phylogenetically independent contrasts, we found that immunity genes evolve faster in more promiscuous species, but only for a subset of genes that interact closely with pathogens. We also observed a significantly greater proportion of branches under positive selection in the more promiscuous species. Analyses of independent contrasts also showed a positive effect of group size. However, this effect was not restricted to genes that interact closely with pathogens, and no differences were observed in the proportion of branches under positive selection in species with small and large groups. Together, these results suggest that mating system has influenced the evolution of some immunity genes in primates, possibly due to increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases in species with higher levels of promiscuity. [source] QUANTITATIVE GENETIC VARIATION IN POPULATIONS OF AMSINCKIA SPECTABILIS THAT DIFFER IN RATE OF SELF-FERTILIZATIONEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2009Magdalena P. Bartkowska Self-fertilization is expected to reduce genetic diversity within populations and consequently to limit adaptability to changing environments. Little is known, however, about the way the evolution of self-fertilization changes the amount or pattern of the components of genetic variation in natural populations. In this study, a reciprocal North Carolina II design and maximum-likelihood methods were implemented to investigate the genetic basis of variation for 15 floral and vegetative traits in four populations of the annual plant Amsinckia spectabilis (Boraginaceae) differing in mating system. Six variance components were estimated according to Cockerham and Weir's "bio" model c. Compared to the three partially selfing populations, we found significantly lower levels of nuclear variance for several traits in the nearly completely self-fertilizing population. Furthermore, for 11 of 15 traits we did not detect nuclear variation to be significantly greater than zero. We also found high maternal variance in one of the partially selfing populations for several traits, and little dominance variance in any population. These results are in agreement with the evolutionary dead-end hypothesis for highly self-fertilizing taxa. [source] FASTER FERTILIZATION RATE IN CONSPECIFIC VERSUS HETEROSPECIFIC MATINGS IN HOUSE MICEEVOLUTION, Issue 1 2009Matthew D. Dean Barriers to gene flow can arise at any stage in the reproductive sequence. Most studies of reproductive isolation focus on premating or postzygotic phenotypes, leaving the importance of differences in fertilization rate overlooked. Two closely related species of house mice, Mus domesticus and M. musculus, form a narrow hybrid zone in Europe, suggesting that one or more isolating factors operate in the face of ongoing gene flow. Here, we test for differences in fertilization rate using laboratory matings as well as in vitro sperm competition assays. In noncompetitive matings, we show that fertilization occurs significantly faster in conspecific versus heterospecific matings and that this difference arises after mating and before zygotes form. To further explore the mechanisms underlying this conspecific advantage, we used competitive in vitro assays to isolate gamete interactions. Surprisingly, we discovered that M. musculus sperm consistently outcompeted M. domesticus sperm regardless of which species donated ova. These results suggest that in vivo fertilization rate is mediated by interactions between sperm, the internal female environment, and/or contributions from male seminal fluid. We discuss the implications of faster conspecific fertilization in terms of reproductive isolation among these two naturally hybridizing species. [source] THE RATE OF GENOME STABILIZATION IN HOMOPLOID HYBRID SPECIESEVOLUTION, Issue 2 2008C. Alex Buerkle Homoploid hybrid speciation has been recognized for its potential rapid completion, an idea that has received support from experimental and modeling studies. Following initial hybridization, the genomes of parental species recombine and junctions between chromosomal blocks of different parental origin leave a record of recombination and the time period before homogenization of the derived genome. We use detailed genetic maps of three hybrid species of sunflowers and models to estimate the time required for the stabilization of the new hybrid genome. In contrast to previous estimates of 60 or fewer generations, we find that the genomes of three hybrid sunflower species were not stabilized for hundreds of generations. These results are reconciled with previous research by recognizing that the stabilization of a hybrid species' genome is not synonymous with hybrid speciation. Segregating factors that contribute to initial ecological or intrinsic genetic isolation may become stabilized quickly. The remainder of the genome likely becomes stabilized over a longer time interval, with recombination and drift dictating the contributions of the parental genomes. Our modeling of genome stabilization provides an upper bound for the time interval for reproductive isolation to be established and confirms the rapid nature of homoploid hybrid speciation. [source] EVOLUTION OF INTRINSIC GROWTH RATE: METABOLIC COSTS DRIVE TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN GROWTH AND SWIMMING PERFORMANCE IN MENIDIA MENIDIAEVOLUTION, Issue 6 2006Stephen A. Arnott Abstract There is strong evidence that genetic capacity for growth evolves toward an optimum rather than an absolute maximum. This implies that fast growth has a cost and that trade-offs occur between growth and other life-history traits, but the fundamental mechanisms are poorly understood. Previous work on the Atlantic silverside fish Menidia menidia has demonstrated a trade-off between growth and swimming performance. We hypothesize that the trade-off derives from the competing metabolic demands associated with growth and swimming activity. We tested this by measuring standard metabolic rate (MSTD), maximum sustainable metabolic rate (MACT) and metabolic scope of laboratory-reared silversides originating from two geographically distinct populations with well-documented differences in genetic capacity for growth. The fast-growth genotype had a significantly greater MSTD than the slow-growth genotype, but a similar MACT when swum to near exhaustion. The scope for activity of the fast-growth genotype was lower than that of the slow-growth genotype. Furthermore, the fast-growth genotype eats larger meals, thereby incurring a greater postprandial oxygen demand. We conclude that a metabolic trade-off occurs between growth and other metabolic demands and that this trade-off provides a general mechanism underlying the evolution of growth rate. [source] ESTIMATING GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE MIGHT HELP TO AVOID HYPOGLYCEMIAJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 9 2006Andrea Corsonello MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] PECAN TEXTURE AS AFFECTED BY MOISTURE CONTENT BEFORE FREEZING AND THAWING RATEJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2001B.B. SURJADINATA ABSTRACT The texture of pecans was determined as affected by initial moisture content before freezing (3 vs 5%), thawing rate (IX, 1.2X, 2.7X, 5.6X), and multiple freeze-thaw cycles (0, 1X, 3X, 6X, 9X, 12X). Texture was determined by instrumental Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) and sensory evaluation. Initial moisture content before freezing had a significant effect on all of the sensory evaluation parameters (hardness, fracturability, cohesiveness, and denseness) and most of the instrumental TPA texture parameters (hardness, fracturability, springiness, resilience, and chewiness). Thawing rate only affected TPA hardness and resilience. TPA fracturability correlated best with sensory fracturability. The sensory panel could not detect any differences between the different thawing rates. The slowest thawing rate affected more parameters than the medium and faster rates. More freeze/thaw cycles significantly decreased most TPA texture values, especially for pecans at higher moisture content. [source] OXYGEN TRANSMISSION RATE THROUGH MICRO-PERFORATED FILMS: MEASUREMENT AND MODEL COMPARISONJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2001V. GHOSH ABSTRACT Static and flow-through techniques were used to experimentally measure the oxygen transmission rate of micro-perforated films. The static method simulates the actual package conditions but is very time consuming. Whereas, the flow-through method is relatively simple and takes less time to give the results, but it gave higher values than that obtained by the static method. A regression equation was developed to correlate the data obtained by these two methods. Published models for predicting gas exchange through micro-perforations were evaluated. The predicted data by these models were compared with the experimental data obtained by the static method and the flow-through method for six different films. The model proposed by Fishman et al. (1996) (J=-D(c-cA)/Lh; Lh= thickness of the film + radius of the perforation) had very good agreement with the experimental data from the static method. [source] EFFECTS OF THERMAL AND ELECTROTHERMAL PRETREATMENTS ON HOT AIR DRYING RATE OF VEGETABLE TISSUEJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2000WEI-CHI WANG ABSTRACT Cylindrical samples of carrot, potato and yam were dried in a hot-air dehydrator after preheating to 50C or 80C by three different heating methods (conventional, microwave and ohmic). The results showed that enhancement of drying rate increased with pretreatment temperature. Ohmic pretreatment increased the drying rate more than conventional and microwave heating. Desorption isotherms showed that in the low aw range, desorption data of preheated and raw materials were similar. However, the isotherms of preheated samples shifted when aw was high, which indicated that thermal pretreatments altered the structure, and apparently, the water distribution within these materials. For all samples, ohmic pretreatment showed stronger influences on isotherms than microwave heating, while the pretreatment effect of conventional heating was only observed for potato tissue. [source] VARIATION OF LAG TIME AND SPECIFIC GROWTH RATE AMONG 11 STRAINS OF SALMONELLA INOCULATED ONTO STERILE GROUND CHICKEN BREAST BURGERS AND INCUBATED AT 25C,JOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 4 2000THOMAS P. OSCAR ABSTRACT One strain of 11 serotypes or 11 strains of Salmonella, which were isolated from the ceca of broilers, were surveyed for their growth kinetics on sterile ground chicken breast burgers incubated at 25C to determine the variation of lag time and specific growth rate. Growth curves, four per strain, were fit to a two-phase linear model to determine lag time (h) and specific growth rate (log10/h). Repeatability of growth kinetics measurements for individual strains had a mean coefficient of variation of 11.7% for lag time (range: 5.8 to 17.3%) and a mean coefficient of variation of 6.7% for specific growth rate (range: 2.7 to 13.3%). Lag time among strains ranged from 2.2 to 3.1 h with a mean of 2.8 h for all strains, whereas specific growth rate among strains ranged from 0.3 to 0.38 log10 per h with a mean of 0.35 log10per h for all strains. One-way analysis of variance indicated that lag time (P =0.029) and specific growth rate (P =0.025) differed slightly among strains. S. Haardt had a shorter (P < 0.05) lag time than S. Agona and S. Brandenburg, whereas the specific growth rate of S. Enteritidis was less than (P < 0.05) the specific growth rates of S. Typhimurium and S. Brandenburg. All other strains had similar lag times and specific growth rates. The coefficient of variation among strains was 9.4% for lag time and 5.7% for specific growth rate. These results indicate that there were only minor differences in the lag times and specific growth rates among the strains of Salmonella surveyed. Thus, the growth kinetic values obtained with one strain of Salmonella may be useful for predicting the growth of other strains of Salmonella for which data do not currently exist. [source] EFFECT OF HEADSPACE OXYGEN AND FILMS OF DIFFERENT OXYGEN TRANSMISSION RATE ON TOXIN PRODUCTION BY CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM TYPE E IN RAINBOW TROUT FILLETS STORED UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERESJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 3 2000ISABELLE DUFRESNE ABSTRACT Studies were conducted to determine the effect of various levels of headspace oxygen (0,100%, balance CO2) or film oxygen transmission rate (OTR) on the time to toxicity in modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) fresh trout fillets challenged with C. botulinum type E (102 spore/g) and stored under moderate temperature abuse conditions (12C). In all cases, trout were toxic within 5 days, irrespective of the initial levels of oxygen in the package headspace. However, spoilage preceded toxigenesis. Packaging of trout fillets in low gas barrier films, with OTRs ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 cc/m2/day at 24C and 0% relative humidity, also had no effect on time to toxicity in all MAP trout fillets. All fillets were toxic within 4,5 days and spoilage again preceded toxigenesis. This study has shown that the addition of headspace O2, either directly to a package or indirectly by using a low gas barrier film, had no influence on the time to toxigenesis or spoilage. Additional barriers, other than headspace O2 or film transmission rate, need to be considered to ensure the safety of MAP trout fillets, particularty at moderate temperature abuse conditions. [source] FERRIC CHELATE REDUCTASE ACTIVITY AS AFFECTED BY THE IRON-LIMITED GROWTH RATE IN FOUR SPECIES OF UNICELLULAR GREEN ALGAE (CHLOROPHYTA)1JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 3 2002Harold G. Weger Four species of green algae (Chlorella kessleri Fott et Nováková, Chlorococcum macrostigmatum Starr, Haematococcus lacustris[Girod-Chantrans] Rostaf., Stichococcus bacillaris Näg.) were grown in iron-limited chemostats and under phosphate limitation and iron (nutrient) sufficiency. For all four species, steady-state culture density declined with decreasing degree of iron limitation (increasing iron-limited growth rate), whereas chl per cell or biovolume increased. Plasma membrane ferric chelate reductase activity was enhanced by iron limitation in all species and suppressed by phosphate limitation and iron sufficiency. These results confirm previous work that C. kessleri uses a reductive mechanism of iron acquisition and also suggest that the other three species use the same mechanism. Although imposition of iron limitation led to enhanced activities of ferric chelate reductase in all species, the relationship between ferric chelate reductase activity and degree of iron limitation varied. Ferric chelate reductase activity in C. macrostigmatum and S. bacillaris was an inverse function of the degree of iron limitation, with the most rapidly growing iron-limited cells exhibiting the highest ferric chelate reductase activity. In contrast, ferric chelate reductase activity was only weakly affected by the degree of iron limitation in C. kessleri and H. lacustris. Calculation of ferric reductase activity per unit chl allowed a clear differentiation between iron-limited and iron-sufficient cells. The possible extension of the ferric chelate reductase assay to investigate the absence or presence of iron limitation in natural waters may be feasible, but it is unlikely that the assay could be used to estimate the degree of iron limitation. [source] INFLUENCE OF UNIAXIAL COMPRESSION RATE ON RHEOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND SENSORY TEXTURE PREDICTION OF COOKED POTATOESJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 1 2000ANETTE KISTRUP THYBO ABSTRACT The effect of uniaxial compression rate (20,1000 mm/min) on the parameters: Stress (,ftrue), strain (,fHencky) and work to fracture (Wf), modulus of deformability (Ed), maximum slope before fracture (Emax) and work during 75% compression (Wtotal) was investigated for ten potato varieties. Multivariate data analysis was used to study the correlation between and within the sensory and nonsensory measurements by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) which showed ,ftrue, Emax, Wf, and Wtotal to explain the same type of information in the data, and ,fHencky versus Ed another type of information in the data. The deformation rate had a large effect on ,fHencky. Nine sensory texture attributes covering the mechanical, geometrical and moistness attributes were evaluated. Relationships between uniaxial compression data at various deformation rates and the sensory texture attributes were studied by Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR). A minor effect of deformation rate on the correlation with the sensory texture properties was obtained. Mechanical properties were predicted to a higher extent than the geometrical attributes and moistness. The prediction of the mechanical, geometrical and moistness attributes increased largely by using uniaxial compression supplemented by chemical measures such as dry matter and pectin methylesterase, but here no relevant effect of deformation rate was obtained. [source] CUMULATIVE SURVIVAL RATE BETWEEN ESRD PATIENTS UNDER TREATMENT HEMODIALYSIS AND KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATIONNEPHROLOGY, Issue 1 2002Aditiawardana [source] CHINA'S EQUILIBRIUM REAL EXCHANGE RATE: A COUNTERFACTUAL ANALYSISPACIFIC ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 1 2008Rod Tyers The absence of secondary indices of import and export prices necessitates their construction from trade data. Some undervaluation is suggested in the lead-up to and during the financial crisis, due in part to an extraordinary accumulation of foreign reserves following exchange rate integration in 1994. If, instead, China had run a more typical trade balance prior to the crisis its real effective exchange rate would have been higher by about a tenth. [source] THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE AND THE BALASSA,SAMUELSON EFFECT: THE ROLE OF THE DISTRIBUTION SECTORPACIFIC ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 1 2005Ronald MacDonald The main result is that an increase in the productivity and product market competition of the distribution sector with respect to foreign countries leads to an appreciation of the real exchange rate, similar to what a relative increase in the domestic productivity of tradables does. This contrasts with the result that one would expect by considering the distribution sector as belonging to the non-tradable sector. One explanation may lie in the use of the services from the distribution sector in the tradable sector. [source] SHORT-RUN AND LONG-RUN DETERMINANTS OF THE REAL EXCHANGE RATE IN MEXICOTHE DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, Issue 1 2008Antonia LÓPEZ VILLAVICENCIO C32; F31; F41; F49 This paper explores the real exchange rate behavior in Mexico from 1960 until 2005. Since the empirical analysis reveals that the real exchange rate is not mean reverting, we propose that economic fundamental variables affect its evolution in the long run. Therefore, based on equilibrium exchange rate paradigms, we propose a simple model of real exchange rate determination, which includes the relative GDP per capita, the real interest rates, and the net foreign assets over a long period of time. Our analysis also considers the dynamic adjustment in response to shocks through impulse response functions derived from the multivariate vector autoregressive (VAR) model. [source] THE YEN-DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE AND MALAYSIAN MACROECONOMIC DYNAMICSTHE DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, Issue 3 2007Mansor H. IBRAHIM E30; F33; F40 This paper empirically assesses the effect of the yen-dollar exchange rate on selected macroeconomic variables, namely, real output, price level, and money supply, for Malaysia. The results, which are based on a vector autoregressive framework, suggest that variations in the yen-dollar rate can have significant influences on Malaysia's macroeconomic variables. More specifically, the yen-dollar depreciation leads to contraction in real GDP and money supply. These results are fairly robust to alternative model specifications. We believe that, apart from providing important insights into the interactions between the yen-dollar rate and domestic macroeconomic variables, our results contribute to the debate on choice of exchange rate regimes for Malaysia. [source] COMMENT: THE DECLINE OF JAPAN'S SAVING RATE AND DEMOGRAPHIC EFFECTSTHE JAPANESE ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 2 2006ETSURO SHIOJI No abstract is available for this article. [source] COPING WITH UNCERTAINTY: HISTORICAL AND REAL-TIME ESTIMATES OF THE NATURAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UK MONETARY POLICY*THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL, Issue 4 2009GEORGE CHOULIARAKIS The paper derives and compares historical and real-time estimates of the UK natural unemployment rate and shows that real-time estimates are fraught with noise and should be treated with scepticism. A counterfactual exercise shows that, for most of the 1990s, the Bank of England tracked changes in the natural rate relatively successfully, albeit with some recognition lag which, at times, might have led to excessively cautious policy. A careful scrutiny of the minutes of the monetary policy committee meetings reveals that such ,cautiousness' should be taken as evidence of awareness of the real-time informational limitations that monetary policy is facing. [source] COMPARISON OF INFECTION RATE USING DIFFERENT METHODS OF ASSESSMENT FOR SURVEILLANCE OF TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONSANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 7 2007Yoke-Fong Chiew Background: The surveillance of surgical site infections (SSI) has been undertaken in many centres worldwide to ascertain the extent of the problem and where possible, to improve the incidence rates, thereby decreasing the undesirable outcomes. The study investigates the processes and outcomes of total hip replacement SSI surveillance carried out in Dunedin Public Hospital in 2004. Methods: Two hundred and six patients were enlisted in the study and 189 primary replacements and 22 revision replacements were carried out. Four methods of diagnosis of SSI were applied: (i) clinician diagnosis; (ii) ASEPSIS score; (iii) presence of pus cells; and (iv) assessment by a clinical microbiologist. Infection rates were calculated according to the risk indexes. Results: The incidence of infections varies considerably among these four methods. The infection rates for risk index 0 were 4.35% (method 1), 2.61% (method 2), 0.87% (methods 3 and 4); and for risk indexes 1 and 2 were 4.17% (method 1), 2.08% (method 2), 1.04% (methods 3 and 4). Conclusion: There is a need for accurate infection data so that the appropriate follow-up responses, including infection control measures for total hip replacement SSI can be carried out. The preponderance of elderly patients in the study who are frequently on ,polypharmacy' regimens adds pressure to the need to obtain true infection rates. This is because when antimicrobials are prescribed to them, drug interactions, adverse effects of the antimicrobials and the selective pressure of antimicrobials causing resistances may occur. More resources and a multidisciplinary approach are required for future studies of similar nature. [source] AN APPROXIMATION FOR THE OPTIMAL LINEAR INCOME TAX RATEAUSTRALIAN ECONOMIC PAPERS, Issue 3 2009JOHN CREEDY This paper derives a convenient method of calculating an approximation to the optimal tax rate in a linear income tax structure. Individuals are assumed to have Cobb-Douglas preferences and the wage rate distribution is lognormal. First, the optimal tax rate is shown, for a general form of social welfare function, to be the smallest root of a quadratic equation involving a welfare-weighted average wage rate. Second, an approximation to this average is derived for an isoelastic social welfare function. This average depends on the degree of inequality aversion of the welfare function and the coefficient on consumption in individuals' utility functions. Calculations show that the method performs well in comparison with standard simulation methods of computing the optimal tax rate. [source] JOHN MAYNARD KEYNES MEETS MILTON FRIEDMAN AND EDMOND PHELPS: THE RANGE VERSUS THE NATURAL RATE IN AUSTRALIA, 1965:4 TO 2003:3AUSTRALIAN ECONOMIC PAPERS, Issue 3 2006JENNY N. LYE In this paper we compare the estimates of the range model in Lye and McDonald (2005a) with estimates of a natural rate model. We find that the range model is superior to the natural rate model according to econometric criteria and economic plausibility. Our estimates of the range model suggest that a significantly lower rate of unemployment is obtainable at the current time by aggregate demand policy, indeed a rate of 3.1 per cent for 2003:3 compared with about 6.5 per cent for the natural rate model. Thus we conclude that basing macroeconomic policy on the natural rate model would underrate the possibilities for economic welfare in Australia. [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] A MOUSE MODEL FOR ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF INGESTED NUTRIENTS ON GASTRIC EMPTYING RATECLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2007Erin L Symonds SUMMARY 1The nutrient content of meals can affect the rate of gastric emptying. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the gastric emptying breath test could detect nutrient-induced delays in gastric emptying. 2Following ingestion of a non-nutrient, carbohydrate- or lipid-containing liquid, mice were placed into chambers and breath samples were collected at intervals. Analysis of the rate of 13CO2 excretion allowed the calculation of gastric half-excretion time. 3Gastric half-excretion time was significantly delayed by the incorporation of carbohydrate or lipid into the test liquid. 4The present study has shown that the breath test is sensitive enough to detect changes induced by altering the nutrient and caloric content of test meals. [source] RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION OF THE PRENATAL VERSUS POSTNATAL PERIOD ON DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERTENSION AND GROWTH RATE OF THE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 1-2 2006Robert Di Nicolantonio SUMMARY 1To determine the relative roles of the prenatal and postnatal (preweaning) environment on the development of blood pressure and growth rate in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) of the Okamoto strain, we used combined embryo transfer and cross-fostering techniques between SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats to produce offspring whose development was examined during the first 20 weeks of life. 2We measured litter sizes, bodyweights and tail-cuff blood pressures in offspring at 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks of age. We also recorded heart, kidney and adrenal weights at 20 weeks of age, when the study concluded. 3We found that both the in utero and postnatal environments provided by the SHR mother could significantly affect WKY rat offspring growth rates, but blood pressure was unaffected in this strain. In SHR offspring, the SHR maternal in utero and suckling period both contributed to the rate of blood pressure development in the SHR, but not the final blood pressure of offspring at 20 weeks of age. This effect was greater for male than female offspring. Organ weights were largely unaffected by the perinatal environment in either strain. 4We conclude that although the SHR maternal in utero and immediate postnatal environment both contribute to the rate of blood pressure development in the SHR, they do not appear to contribute to the final blood pressure of offspring at maturity. The SHR maternal environment also alters growth rate that may, in turn, underlie these effects on SHR blood pressure development, particularly in males. [source] RESTING METABOLIC RATE AND POST-PRANDIAL THERMOGENESIS BY LEVEL OF AEROBIC POWER IN OLDER ATHLETESCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Alessio Sullo SUMMARY 1.,The aim of the present study was to evaluate the resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermogenic effect of a meal (TEM) in older athletes. 2.,Eighteen older male volunteers were divided into three groups according to their aerobic power related to fat-free mass (FFM) as follows: (i) group I, high aerobic power (Vo2max > 70 mL/kg FFM per min); (ii) group II, moderate aerobic power (Vo2max = 55,70 mL/kg FFM per min); and (iii) group III, low aerobic power (Vo2max < 55 mL/kg FFM per min). 3.,The RMR values, covariated for FFM using analysis of covariance (ancova), were higher in group I (mean (±SEM) 1.09 ± 0.04 kcal/min) than in groups II and III (0.99 ± 0.05 and 0.91 ± 0.03 kcal/min, respectively). Group I had a tendency for higher mean TEM values compared with the other groups, but the differences were not statistically significant for absolute or percentage values. 4.,Master endurance athletes with high aerobic power exhibit a higher RMR than master endurance athletes of similar age and body composition but with lower aerobic power. [source] MATERIAL DEPRIVATION, THE ,POVERTY RATE' AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE IN MODERN AMERICA1ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, Issue 3 2007Nicholas Eberstadt The official US ,poverty rate' appears to be a problematic descriptor of poverty trends and levels. Reported results from the ,poverty rate' do not track well with other indicators that would ordinarily be expected to bear directly on living conditions. Over the past 30 years, the relationship between the official poverty rate and these other indicators has been perversely discordant. This article outlines the basis of the poverty rate and the problems it now encounters as a reliable measure of material deprivation. [source] PROACTIVE POLICING AND ROBBERY RATES ACROSS U.S. CITIES,CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 1 2010CHARIS E. KUBRIN In recent years, criminologists, as well as journalists, have devoted considerable attention to the potential deterrent effect of what is sometimes referred to as "proactive" policing. This policing style entails the vigorous enforcement of laws against relatively minor offenses to prevent more serious crime. The current study examines the effect of proactive policing on robbery rates for a sample of large U.S. cities using an innovative measure developed by Sampson and Cohen (1988). We replicate their cross-sectional analyses using data from 2000 to 2003, which is a period that proactive policing is likely to have become more common than that of the original study,the early 1980s. We also extend their analyses by estimating a more comprehensive regression model that incorporates additional theoretically relevant predictors. Finally, we advance previous research in this area by using panel data, The cross-sectional analyses replicate prior findings of a negative relationship between proactive policing and robbery rates. In addition, our dynamic models suggest that proactive policing is endogenous to changes in robbery rates. When this feedback between robbery and proactive policing is eliminated, we find more evidence to support our finding that proactive policing reduces robbery rates. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||