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Significant Acceleration (significant + acceleration)
Selected AbstractsFinancial integration, capital mobility, and income convergenceECONOMIC POLICY, Issue 58 2009Abdul Abiad Summary Recent studies have found that capital moves ,uphill' from poor to rich countries, and brings little or no growth dividend when it does flow into poor economies. We show that Europe does not conform to this paradigm. In the European experience of financial integration, capital has flown from rich to poor countries, and such inflows have been associated with significant acceleration of income convergence. Analysing broader samples of countries, we find that ,downhill' capital flows tend to be observed above certain thresholds in institutional quality and financial integration. But Europe remains different even when allowing for such threshold effects, and its experience is similar to that of interstate flows within the United States. Our findings are consistent with the notion that financial diversification reduces countries' incentives to save in order to self-insure against specific shocks. ,Abdul Abiad, Daniel Leigh and Ashoka Mody [source] Open-tubular capillary columns with a porous layer of monolithic polymer for highly efficient and fast separations in electrochromatographyELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 21 2006Sebastiaan Eeltink Abstract Open-tubular columns for CEC separations having inner-wall coated with a thin layer of porous monolithic polymer have been studied. A two-step process including (i),UV-initiated polymerization leading to a layer of porous poly(butyl methacrylate- co -ethylene dimethacrylate), and (ii),UV-initiated grafting of ionizable monomers appear to be well suited for the preparation of these columns. The thickness of the porous polymer layer is controlled by the percentage of monomers in the polymerization mixture and/or length of the irradiation time. The layer thickness significantly affects retention, efficiency, and resolution in open-tubular CEC. Under optimized conditions, column efficiencies up to 400,000 plates/m can be achieved. Use of higher temperature and application of pressure enables a significant acceleration of the open-tubular CEC separations. [source] RAPID SPECIATION AND ECOLOGICAL DIVERGENCE IN THE AMERICAN SEVEN-SPINED GOBIES (GOBIIDAE, GOBIOSOMATINI) INFERRED FROM A MOLECULAR PHYLOGENYEVOLUTION, Issue 7 2003Lukas Rüber Abstract., The American seven-spined gobies (Gobiidae, Gobiosomatini) are highly diverse both in morphology and ecology with many endemics in the Caribbean region. We have reconstructed a molecular phylogeny of 54 Gobio-somatini taxa (65 individuals) based on a 1646-bp region that includes the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, tRNA-Val, and 16S rRNA genes. Our results support the monophyly of the seven-spined gobies and are in agreement with the existence of two major groups within the tribe, the Gobiosoma group and the Microgobius group. However, they reject the monophyly of some of the Gobiosomatini genera. We use the molecular phylogeny to study the dynamics of speciation in the Gobiosomatini by testing for departures from the constant speciation rate model. We observe a burst of speciation in the early evolutionary history of the group and a subsequent slowdown. Our results show a split among clades into coastal-estuarian, deep ocean, and tropical reef habitats. Major habitat shifts account for the early significant acceleration in lineage splitting and speciation rate and the initial divergence of the main Gobiosomatini clades. We found that subsequent diversification is triggered by behavior and niche specializations at least in the reef-associated clades. Overall, our results confirm that the diversity of Gobiosomatini has arisen during episodes of adaptive radiation, and emphasize the importance of ecology in marine speciation. [source] The impact of publishing medical specialty society guidelines on subsequent adoption of best practices: a case study with type 2 diabetesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 5 2010E. A. Huang Summary Aims:, Our goal was to determine the effect of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) consensus algorithm for the initiation and adjustment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) therapy, published in 2006, on the incidence of early metformin monotherapy (EMM), defined as the prescription of metformin and no other antidiabetic medications within 30 days of initial T2D diagnosis. Methods:, The incidence of EMM in the United States (US) from January 2005 to December 2007 was estimated using data from the i3 InVisionÔ Data Mart, an integrated database of enrolment dates, inpatient and outpatient medical claims, pharmaceutical claims, and laboratory results from a diverse group of US health plans. The trend in the incidence of EMM was analysed using joinpoint regression modelling. Results:, A statistically significant joinpoint was found in July 2006 (p < 0.05). From January 2005 to July 2006, EMM increased at an annualised rate of 15.6%. From July 2006 to December 2007, EMM increased at an annualised rate of 66.0%. Conclusions:, Our findings suggest that publication of the ADA/EASD algorithm caused a significant acceleration in the incidence of EMM. [source] Pimecrolimus versus placebo in genital aphthous ulcers of Behcet's disease: a randomized double-blind controlled trialINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 3 2010Cheyda CHAMS-DAVATCHI Abstract Background:, Genital aphthous ulcers of Behcet's disease (BD) are painful and usually resistant to local treatments. Pimecrolimus is an ascomycin macrolactam, used in inflammatory skin diseases. Objective:, To discover if pimecrolimus can accelerate the healing of BD genital aphthous ulcers. Methods:, Ninety patients with genital aphthous ulcers were enrolled. Only patients treated with colchicine alone were selected. All patients signed a written consent form. Patients were randomly assigned to pimecrolimus or placebo cream, applied twice daily for 1 week. The primary outcome was the healing period. Up to 7 days, it was considered as a positive result. Results were compared by chi-square test. The mean healing time was compared by analysis of variance. Analyses were done both by the ,intention-to-treat' and ,treatment-completed' methods. Results:, Both groups were similar at the entry (gender, age, ulcer size, pain intensity and treatment delay). By intention-to-treat analysis, in the pimecrolimus group, 18 patients had positive and 27 negative results. In the control group, four had positive and 41 negative results. The difference was significant (,2 = 10.167, P = 0.001). By treatment-completed analysis, with pimecrolimus, 18 patients had positive and 22 negative results. With placebo, four had positive, and 41 negative results. The difference was significant (,2 = 12.574, P = 0.0004). Comparison of mean healing time in the pimecrolimus versus placebo group, demonstrated a significant acceleration both in intention-to-treat analysis (10.7 vs. 20.7 days, F = 17.466, P < 0.0001) and treatment-completed analysis (8.3 vs. 20.7 days, F = 29.289, P < 0.0001). Conclusion:, Pimecrolimus is safe and efficient in the treatment of BD genital ulcers, by accelerating the healing process. [source] Anatomy and Physiology of the Right Interganglionic Nerve: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Inappropriate Sinus TachycardiaJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2008JING ZHOU M.D. Objective: To simulate inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) in experimental animals. Background: We recently found that epinephrine injected into the anterior right ganglionated plexi (ARGP) adjacent to the sinoatrial (SA) node induced an arrhythmia simulating IST. Methods: In 19 anesthetized dogs, via a right thoracotomy, the course of the interganglionic nerve (IGN) from the right stellate ganglion along the superior vena cava to the heart was delineated. High-frequency stimulation (HFS; 0.1 msec duration, 20 Hz, 4.5,9.3 V) was applied to IGN at the junction of innominate vein and SVC. Results: HFS of the IGN significantly increased the sinus rate (SR) (baseline: 156 ± 19 beats/minutes [bpm], 4.5 V: 191 ± 28 bpm*, 8.0 V: 207 ± 23 bpm*, 9.3 V: 216 ± 18 bpm*; *P < 0.01 compared to baseline) without significant changes in A-H interval or blood pressure. P-wave morphology, ice mapping, and noncontact mapping indicated that this tachycardia was sinus tachycardia. In 8 of 19 dogs, injecting hexamethonium (5 mg), a ganglionic blocker, into the ARGP attenuated the response elicited by IGN stimulation (baseline: 160 ± 21 bpm, 4.5 V: 172 ± 32 bpm, 8.0 V: 197 ± 32 bpm*, 9.3 V: 206 ± 26 bpm*; *P < 0.05 compared to baseline). In 19 of 19 animals, after formaldehyde injection into the ARGP, SR acceleration induced by IGN stimulation was markedly attenuated (baseline: 149 ± 17 bpm, 4.5 V: 151 ± 21 bpm, 8.0 V: 155 ± 23 bpm, 9.3 V: 167 ± 24 bpm*; *P < 0.05 compared to baseline). Conclusions: HFS of the IGN caused a selective and significant acceleration of the SR. A significant portion of IGN traverses the ARGP or synapses with the autonomic ganglia in the ARGP before en route to the SA node. Dysautonomia involving the IGN and/or ARGP may play an important role in IST. [source] Effect of inoculation dosing on the composting of source-selected organic fraction of municipal solid wastesJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Raquel Barrena Abstract The effects of a commercial inoculum (MicroGest 10X, Brookside Agra L.C.) on the field-scale composting of the source-selected organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW) have been studied by following routine parameters of the composting process (temperature, oxygen content and moisture) and biologically-related tests such as the respirometric index and the maturity grade. The inoculum was added to composting piles of OFMSW at different levels: control (no added inoculum), treatment A (105 CFU g,1 of OFMSW), treatment B (106 CFU g,1 of OFMSW) and treatment C (107 CFU g,1 of OFMSW). The inoculum selected produced a significant acceleration of the composting process with high levels of biological activity in the thermophilic phase. In terms of the acceleration of composting and economy the optimal treatment was B, which produced a reduction of approximately half of the total composting time. Treatment C did not improve significantly the results obtained with treatment B, whereas treatment A has little effect on the composting of OFMSW when compared with the control experiment. Respirometric index (determined at 55 °C) and maturity grade appeared to be the most reliable tests to follow the biological activity of the composting of OFMSW. On the other hand, routine parameters such as temperature, oxygen content and moisture showed no significant differences among the different inoculation levels tested in the composting process. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Cocaine and Amphetamine-Regulated-Transcript Peptide Mediation of Leptin Stimulatory Effect on the Rat Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Pulse Generator In VitroJOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY, Issue 5 2000Lebrethon Pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion was studied in vitro using explants of the retrochiasmatic hypothalamus from prepubertal male and female rats. Leptin caused a dose-dependent reduction of the GnRH interpulse interval in both sexes. We studied the effects of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) since this peptide was shown recently to mediate the anorectic effects of leptin in the hypothalamus. CART caused a reduction of the GnRH interpulse interval. This effect was prevented using an anti-CART antiserum which could partially overcome leptin stimulatory effects as well. Using hypothalamic explants from Zucker rats homozygous for the leptin receptor mutation ( fa/fa), GnRH pulse frequency was not affected by leptin, while a significant acceleration was caused by the CART-peptide. In conclusion, leptin involves the hypothalamic CART-peptide to stimulate the prepubertal GnRH pulse generator in vitro. [source] Influence of Moisture on Ultra-High-Temperature Tensile Creep Behavior of in Situ Single-Crystal Oxide Ceramic Alumina/Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Eutectic CompositeJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 6 2003Yoshihisa Harada Tensile creep tests were conducted for an in situ single-crystal alumina/yttrium aluminum garnet (Al2O3/Y3Al5O12 (YAG)) binary system eutectic composite at temperatures between 1773 and 1873 K in air and in a moist environment having a water-vapor pressure range of 0.06,0.6 MPa, under a constant tensile stress range of 100,160 MPa. The Al2O3/YAG eutectic composite exhibited a stress exponent of 8,13, indicative of tensile creep behavior characterized by a dislocation back-stress mechanism. Water-vapor pressures ,0.4 MPa led to a significant acceleration of creep rates as a result of enhanced dislocation mobility in the Al2O3 and YAG phases. [source] Breakdown of adenine nucleotide pool in fatiguing skeletal muscle in McArdle's disease: A noninvasive 31P-MRS and EMG studyMUSCLE AND NERVE, Issue 6 2003Jochen Zange PhD Abstract Energy metabolism and electrical muscle activity were studied in the calf muscles of 19 patients with proven McArdle's disease and in 25 healthy subjects. Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy and surface electromyography (S-EMG) were performed during two isometric muscle contractions of 3 min at 30% maximum voluntary contraction, one performed during normal perfusion and the other during applied ischemia. After about 1 min of ischemic muscle contraction in diseased muscle a significant acceleration in phosphocreatine breakdown was observed, along with a significant decrease in adenosine triphosphate. During both contractions the absence of glycolysis was shown by a significant alkalinization. Furthermore, in patients we observed a greater increase in the S-EMG amplitude than in control subjects. We conclude that early on during moderate exercise, a small number of muscle fibers reach metabolic depletion, indicated by a reduction in the adenine nucleotide pool. An increasing number of motor units, which are still in a high-energy state, are continuously recruited to compensate for muscle fatigue. This functional compartmentation may contribute to the pathophysiology of exercise intolerance in McArdle's disease. Muscle Nerve 27: 728,736, 2003 [source] Acotiamide hydrochloride (Z-338), a novel prokinetic agent, restores delayed gastric emptying and feeding inhibition induced by restraint stress in ratsNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 9 2008K. Seto Abstract, Acotiamide hydrochloride (Z-338) is a member of new class prokinetic agents currently being developed for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD). DNA microarray analysis showed that acotiamide altered the expressions of stress-related genes such as , -aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, GABA transporters and neuromedin U (NmU) in the medulla oblongata or hypothalamus after administration of acotiamide. Therefore, effects of acotiamide on stress-related symptoms, delayed gastric emptying and feeding inhibition, in rats were examined. Acotiamide significantly improved both delayed gastric emptying and feeding inhibition in restraint stress-induced model, but did not affect both basal gastric emptying and feeding in intact rats, indicating that acotiamide exerted effects only on gastric emptying and feeding impaired by the stress. On the other hand, mosapride showed significant acceleration of gastric emptying in intact and restraint stress-induced model, and itopride showed no effect on restraint stress-induced delayed gastric emptying. In addition, gene expression of NmU increased by restraint stress was suppressed by administration of acotiamide, while acotiamide had no effect on delayed gastric emptying induced by an intracerebroventricular administration of NmU, suggesting that the suppressive effect of acotiamide on gene expression of NmU might be important to restore delayed gastric emptying or feeding inhibition induced by restraint stress. These findings suggest that acotiamide might play an important role in regulation of stress response. As stress is considered to be a major contributing factor in the development of FD, the observed effects may be relevant for symptom improvement in FD. [source] Bone Morphogenetic Protein-6-loaded Chitosan Scaffolds Enhance the Osteoblastic Characteristics of MC3T3-E1 CellsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 1 2010Abdullah C. Akman Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the convenience of bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6)-loaded chitosan scaffolds with preosteoblastic cells for bone tissue engineering. MC3T3-E1 cells were seeded into three different groups: chitosan scaffolds, BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffolds, and chitosan scaffolds with free BMP-6 in culture medium. Tissue-engineered constructs were characterized by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mineralization assay (von Kossa), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and osteocalcin (OCN) assays. BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffolds supported proliferation of the MC3T3-E1 mouse osteogenic cells in a similar pattern as the unloaded chitosan scaffolds group and as the chitosan scaffolds with free BMP-6 group. SEM images of the cell-seeded scaffolds revealed significant acceleration of extracellular matrix synthesis in BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffolds. Both levels of ALP and OCN were higher in BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffold group compared with the other two groups. In addition, BMP-6-loaded scaffolds showed strong staining in mineralization assays. These findings suggest that BMP-6-loaded chitosan scaffold supports cellular functions of the osteoblastic cells; therefore, this scaffold is considered as a new promising vehicle for bone tissue engineering applications. [source] PERIPHERAL AND CENTRALLY MEDIATED EFFECTS OF INSULIN ON SMALL INTESTINAL TRANSIT IN HEALTHY MICECLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2006MK Peddyreddy SUMMARY 1Insulin is the drug of choice in the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Approximately 76% of diabetic patients suffer from gastrointestinal disorders. An important area of investigating the inherent effect of insulin on small intestinal transit (SIT) remains unexplored. Hence, the present study was planned to investigate the effects of insulin (2 × 10,6, 2 × 10,3 and 2 U/kg) on small intestinal transit following two different routes of administration in healthy animals. 2Insulin or vehicle was administered subcutaneously or intracerebroventricularly in eight groups of healthy, overnight-fasted mice. Blood glucose (BG) levels were measured 2 min before insulin administration and at the time coinciding with SIT determination. Small intestinal transit was determined 50 min after insulin administration using the charcoal meal method. 3Following subcutaneous administration, the lowest dose of insulin (2 × 10,6 U/kg) produced a significant acceleration in SIT without altering BG levels. However, the highest dose of insulin (2 U/kg) produced an acceleration of SIT that was associated with a significant fall in BG levels. 4Following intracerebroventricular administration, the lowest dose of insulin (2 × 10,6 U/kg) attenuated SIT, without producing any alteration in BG levels, but the highest dose (2 U/kg) mimicked the effects seen following subcutaneous administration. Peripherally administered insulin produced significant acceleration of SIT at lower doses (2 × 10,6 or 2 × 10,3 mU/kg) compared with centrally administered insulin at similar doses. However, at the highest dose of insulin (2 U/kg), both routes (s.c. and i.c.v.) produced acceleration of SIT. 5In the present study, peripherally and centrally administered insulin at 2 × 10,6 U/kg produced contrasting effects on SIT, without any hypoglycaemia. However, 2 U/kg insulin accelerated SIT similarly following both s.c. and i.c.v. administration that was associated with hypoglycaemia in healthy animals. [source] Physiological costs of the hearing due to noise exposure, additional physical stress, and combined exposure to alcohol and cigarette smokeHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 3 2002H. Strasser In 2 studies, each with 5 test series, physiological costs of the hearing due to legally tolerable noise exposures of 94 dB (A) for 1 hr have been measured audiometrically. The temporary threshold shifts (TTS) and their restitution time, as well as cardiovascular responses in work-related heart rate increases, of 10 and 8 subjects (Ss), respectively, could be shown to be modulated by additional physical stress and combined exposure to alcohol (Study 1) and cigarette smoke (Study 2). Moderate dynamic muscle work (50 W) administered via a bicycle ergometer either immediately after noise, or simultaneous to the noise exposure, significantly reduced restitution time as well as the integrated restitution temporary threshold shift (IRTTS). A physical stress to 100 W,which exceeded the endurance level when demanded simultaneously to the noise exposure,did not show any favorable effects. However, if the same physical stress succeeded the noise exposure, and when it was interrupted several times for the audiometric measurements, it also brought about significant accelerations of the restitution processes. Some reductions in physiological costs of the hearing were found due to an intervening alcohol consumption (blood alcohol concentration , 0.08%) prior to the noise exposure and a simultaneous physical load of 50 W. Smoking 10 cigarettes instead of the consumption of alcohol was associated with a reduced TTS, but a prolonged restitution time. IRTTS as total physiological costs of the most unfavorable combination of noise, simultaneous high physical workload, and preceding smoke exposure was increased. The results of the test series with cigarette smoke,probably due to the small group of just 8 Ss and the counteracting effects of the agents carbon monoxide (CO) and nicotine,were not statistically significant, but these exposures were associated with a substantial activation of the cardiovascular system. Significant heart rate increases are evidence that CO and nicotine must not be neglected as influential factors in the context of physiological costs that the organism, and especially the hearing, has to pay for noise exposures. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | |||||||||||||