Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Smaller Decreases (smaller + decrease)
Selected AbstractsMODELED REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE HYDROLOGIC REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA: A CO2 SENSITIVITY STUDY,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 3 2004Mark A. Snyder ABSTRACT: Using a regional climate model (RegCM2.5), the potential impacts on the climate of California of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations were explored from the perspective of the state's 10 hydrologic regions. Relative to preindustrial CO2 conditions (280 ppm), doubled preindustrial CO2 conditions (560 ppm) produced increased temperatures of up to 4°C on an annual average basis and of up to 5°C on a monthly basis. Temperature increases were greatest in the central and northern regions. On a monthly basis, the temperature response was greatest in February, March, and May for nearly all regions. Snow accumulation was significantly decreased in all months and regions, with the greatest reduction occurring in the Sacramento River region. Precipitation results indicate drier winters for all regions, with a large reduction in precipitation from December to April and a smaller decrease from May to November. The result is a wet season that is slightly reduced in length. Findings suggest that the total amount of water in the state will decrease, water needs will increase, and the timing of water availability will be greatly perturbed. [source] In vitro starch digestibility of fresh and sun-dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.)JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 8 2007Luis A Bello-Pérez Abstract Fresh and sun-dried faba beans (Vicia faba L.) were cooked, stored for various times at 4 °C and analysed for available starch (AS), resistant starch (RS) and fibre-associated resistant starch (FARS) contents as well as ,-amylolysis. Fresh beans required a shorter cooking time (25 min) than dried beans (158 min). Cooked fresh faba beans had a higher AS content than cooked dried faba beans. The AS content in both decreased during cold storage, with fresh beans showing a smaller decrease than dried beans with increasing storage time. Cooked fresh faba beans also had a higher total RS content than cooked dried faba beans, although a greater increase in RS content was recorded in the latter upon storage. Starch retrogradation was more prominent in cooked dried faba beans than in cooked fresh faba beans, as indicated by the consistently higher FARS content. The ,-amylolysis rate decreased with increasing storage time, i.e. long-stored (72 h) cooked faba beans exhibited slower starch digestion, and differences were recorded between fresh and dried beans. The predicted glycaemic index ranged between 60.9 and 58.0% for cooked fresh faba beans and between 57.9 and 55.8% for cooked dried faba beans, which is suggestive of slow glucose release from starch in faba beans. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] AMPA receptor antibodies in limbic encephalitis alter synaptic receptor location,ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2009Meizan Lai MD Objective To report the clinical and immunological features of a novel autoantigen related to limbic encephalitis (LE) and the effect of patients' antibodies on neuronal cultures. Methods We conducted clinical analyses of 10 patients with LE. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry were used to identify the antigens. Human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing the antigens were used in immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunoabsorption assay. The effect of patients' antibodies on cultures of live rat hippocampal neurons was determined with confocal microscopy. Results Median age was 60 (38,87) years; 9 were women. Seven had tumors of the lung, breast, or thymus. Nine patients responded to immunotherapy or oncological therapy, but neurological relapses, without tumor recurrence, were frequent and influenced the long-term outcome. One untreated patient died of LE. All patients had antibodies against neuronal cell surface antigens that by immunoprecipitation were found to be the glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) and GluR2 subunits of the ,-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR). Human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing GluR1/2 reacted with all patients' sera or cerebrospinal fluid, providing a diagnostic test for the disorder. Application of antibodies to cultures of neurons significantly decreased the number of GluR2-containing AMPAR clusters at synapses with a smaller decrease in overall AMPAR cluster density; these effects were reversed after antibody removal. Interpretation Antibodies to GluR1/2 associate with LE that is often paraneoplastic, treatment responsive, and has a tendency to relapse. Our findings support an antibody-mediated pathogenesis in which patients' antibodies alter the synaptic localization and number of AMPARs. Ann Neurol 2009;65:424,434 [source] Lack of tacrolimus circadian pharmacokinetics and CYP3A5 pharmacogenetics in the early and maintenance stages in Japanese renal transplant recipientsBRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Shigeru Satoh WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT , Circadian variations of tacrolimus pharmacokinetics are controversial. , Also, the pharmacokinetics has time-dependent variability, such as a decrease in oral clearance and increase in the dose-adjusted AUC after transplantation. , Although the CYP3A5 polymorphism is associated with tacrolimus pharmacokinetics, differences in the influence of this gene on the pharmacokinetics between the early and maintenance stages have not yet been clarified. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS , Tacrolimus pharmacokinetics did not show circadian variation in either the early or maintenance stage with our designated-time administration strategy. , Based on previous results and our own findings, the interval between food consumption and tacrolimus administration might influence the interindividual and interinstitutional variability of tacrolimus chronopharmacokinetics. , The CYP3A5 polymorphism may be associated with the time-dependent changes in tacrolimus oral clearance. AIMS We investigated whether tacrolimus pharmacokinetics shows circadian variation and the influence of the CYP3A5 A6986G polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics in both the early and maintenance stages after renal transplantation. METHODS Tacrolimus was administered twice daily at specified times (09.00 and 21.00 h) throughout the pre- and post-transplant period according to the trough-targeting strategy. Fifty recipients with stable graft function were studied on day 28 and beyond 1-year post transplantation. Whole blood samples were collected prior to and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 and 12 h after both the morning and evening doses during hospitalization. RESULTS Tacrolimus pharmacokinetics did not show circadian variation in either the early or maintenance stage [AUC0,12 197.1 (95% confidence interval 182.9, 212.3) in daytime vs. 203.6 ng h ml,1 (189.8, 217.4) in the night-time at day 28, 102.0 (92.1, 111.9) vs. 107.7 (97.9, 117.5) at 1 year, respectively]. In CYP3A5 *1 allele carriers (CYP3A5 expressers), body weight-adjusted oral clearance was markedly decreased from the early stage to the maintenance stage [0.622 (0.534, 0.709) to 0.369 l h,1 kg,1 (0.314, 0425)] compared with a smaller decrease [0.368 (0.305, 0.430) to 0.305 (0.217, 0.393)] in CYP3A5 non-expressers; however, the CYP3A5 genetic variation did not influence tacrolimus chronopharmacokinetics. CONCLUSION Equivalent daytime and night-time tacrolimus pharmacokinetics were achieved during both the early and maintenance stages with our specified-time administration strategy. The CYP3A5 polymorphism may be associated with the time-dependent changes in the oral clearance of tacrolimus, suggesting that genotyping of this polymorphism is useful for determining the appropriate dose of tacrolimus in both the early and maintenance stages after renal transplantation. [source] Electromyographic and kinematic indicators of fatigue in horses: a pilot studyEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S33 2001G. R. COLBORNE Summary Muscle fatigue can be quantified using Fourier analysis of the recorded EMG signal. Median frequency is the frequency at which the Fourier profile is bisected, and this measure typically shifts to smaller values during fatigue. This technique was combined with kinematic analysis to describe the time course of fatigue in horses galloping on an inclined treadmill. It was hypothesised that EMG median frequency would decrease in tandem with changes in kinematic variables through the exercise test. Three fit Thoroughbred horses had retroreflective markers placed on their hooves and withers. Surface electrodes were attached to the skin over the forelimb deltoid muscle. After warm-up at walk and trot, each horse galloped at 110% VO2max on a treadmill inclined to 7.5% until fatigue onset. Kinematic data were recorded at 200 Hz for 5 s at 30s intervals, and raw EMG data were recorded at 1024 Hz for 3 s at 15 s intervals. Fatigue onset was the point in time when the horse could not keep up with the treadmill speed with minimal encouragement. One horse performed the entire exercise test on the same lead, while the other 2 horses changed leads periodically, interrupting the changes in both the EMG and kinematic measurements. Overall, through the course of the trials, mean stride length increased by 0.34 m and stride duration increased by 0.03 s. Vertical excursion of the trunk marker increased by 0.03 m. For the horse that did not change lead, median frequency of the EMG signal decreased by 36%. In the other 2 horses, lead changes were interspersed between smaller decreases in median frequency, whereupon median frequency recovered to starting levels immediately following a lead change. The median frequency decreased by 12-20% between lead changes. Kinematic changes are more global indictors of fatigue, while the EMG indicators are dependent upon lead changes. [source] Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation and South Pacific climateINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 14 2001M.J. Salinger Abstract The Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) has been shown to be associated with decadal climate variability over parts of the Pacific Basin, and to modulate interannual El Niño,Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-related climate variability over Australia. Three phases of the IPO have been identified during the 20th century: a positive phase (1922,1944), a negative phase (1946,1977) and another positive phase (1978,1998). Climate data are analysed for the two most recent periods to describe the influence of the IPO on decadal climate trends and interannual modulation of ENSO teleconnections throughout the South West Pacific region (from the equator to 55°S, and 150°E to 140°W). Data coverage was insufficient to include the earliest period in the analysis. Mean sea level pressure (SLP) in the region west of 170°W increased for the most recent positive IPO period, compared with the previous negative phase. SLP decreased to the east of 170°W, with generally more southerly quarter geostrophic flow over the region. Annual surface temperature increased significantly southwest of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) at a rate similar to the average Southern Hemisphere warming. Northwest of the SPCZ temperature increases were less, and northeast of the SPCZ more than the hemispheric warming in surface temperature. Increases of annual precipitation of 30% or more occurred northeast of the SPCZ, with smaller decreases to the southwest, associated with a movement in the mean location of the SPCZ northeastwards. The IPO modulates teleconnections with ENSO in a complex way, strengthening relationships in some areas and weakening them in others. For New Zealand, there is a consistent bias towards stronger teleconnections for the positive IPO period. These results demonstrate that the IPO is a significant source of climate variation on decadal time scales throughout the South West Pacific region, on a background which includes global mean surface temperature increases. The IPO also modulates interannual ENSO climate variability over the region. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Gene Expression in the Neuropeptide Y System During Ethanol Withdrawal Kindling in RatsALCOHOLISM, Issue 3 2010Janne D. Olling Background:, Multiple episodes of ethanol intoxication and withdrawal result in progressive, irreversible intensification of the withdrawal reaction, a process termed "ethanol withdrawal kindling." Previous studies show that a single episode of chronic ethanol intoxication and withdrawal causes prominent changes in neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its receptors that have been implicated in regulating withdrawal hyperexcitability. This study for the first time examined the NPY system during ethanol withdrawal kindling. Methods:, Ethanol withdrawal kindling was studied in rats receiving 16 episodes of 2 days of chronic ethanol intoxication by intragastric intubations followed by 5 days withdrawal. The study included 6 groups: 4 multiple withdrawal episode (MW) groups [peak withdrawal plus (MW+)/minus (MW,) seizures, 3-day (MW3d), and 1-month (MW1mth) withdrawal], a single withdrawal episode group (SW), and an isocalorically fed control group. Gene expression of NPY and its receptors Y1, Y2, and Y5 was studied in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) and CA3/CA1, as well as piriform cortex (PirCx), and neocortex (NeoCx). Results:, MW+/, as well as SW groups showed decreased NPY gene expression in all hippocampal areas compared with controls, but, in the DG and CA3, decreases were significantly smaller in the MW, group compared with the SW group. In the MW+/, and SW groups, Y1, Y2, and Y5 mRNA levels were decreased in most brain areas compared with controls; however, decreases in Y1 and Y5 mRNA were augmented in the MW+/, groups compared with the SW group. The MW+ group differed from the MW, group in the PirCx, where Y2 gene expression was significantly higher. Conclusion:, Multiple withdrawal episodes reversibly decreased NPY and NPY receptor mRNA levels at peak withdrawal, with smaller decreases in NPY mRNA levels and augmented decreases in Y1/Y5 mRNA levels compared with a SW episode. Multiple withdrawal-induced seizures increased the Y2 mRNA levels in PirCx. These complex changes in NPY system gene expression could play a role in the ethanol withdrawal kindling process. [source] Red ,Anjou' pear has a higher photoprotective capacity than green ,Anjou'PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 3 2008Pengmin Li Photoprotective function of anthocyanins along with xanthophyll cycle and antioxidant system in fruit peel was investigated in red ,Anjou' vs green ,Anjou' pear (Pyrus communis) during fruit development and in response to short-term exposure to high light. The sun-exposed peel of red ,Anjou' had higher maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (FV/FM) than that of green ,Anjou' and both the sun-exposed peel and the shaded peel of red ,Anjou' had smaller decreases in FV/FM after 2-h high light (photon flux density of 1500 ,mol m,2 s,1) treatment than those of green ,Anjou'. At the middle and late developmental stages, the xanthophyll cycle pool size on a chlorophyll basis, the activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) and the level of reduced ascorbate and total ascorbate pool in the sun-exposed peel were either the same or lower in red ,Anjou' than in green ,Anjou', whereas the xanthophyll cycle pool size on a chlorophyll basis and the activity of APX, catalase, MDAR, DHAR and GR in the shaded peel were higher in red ,Anjou' than in green ,Anjou'. It is concluded that red ,Anjou' has a higher photoprotective capacity in both the sun-exposed peel and the shaded peel than green ,Anjou'. While the higher anthocyanin concentration along with the larger xanthophyll cycle pool size and the higher activity of some antioxidant enzymes may collectively contribute to the higher photoprotective capacity in the shaded peel of red ,Anjou', the higher photoprotective capacity in the sun-exposed peel of red ,Anjou' is mainly attributed to its higher anthocyanin concentration. [source] Baseline Leptin Levels Predict Change in Leptin Levels During Weight Loss in Obese Breast Cancer SurvivorsTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 2 2007Ananda Sen PhD Abstract:, Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone involved in regulation of satiety, and it also appears to have a role in breast cancer risk. Leptin therefore might be a useful indicator of the potential preventive effects of weight loss in breast cancer survivors. In this study we examined whether the change in leptin levels could be predicted by weight loss in obese breast cancer survivors. The subjects in this study were participating in a randomized trial of an individualized approach towards weight loss in Detroit, MI. Breast cancer survivors (body mass index of 30,44 kg/m2) were enrolled and fasting blood samples were obtained for leptin analysis over 1 year of study. Leptin levels were available from at least two time points for 36 women, and weight change ranged from a gain of 11% to a loss of 25% of baseline weight. Using a repeated-measures regression model, both baseline leptin level and concurrent percent body fat were found to synergistically predict leptin levels. Thus, for women with the same body fat, those with higher baseline leptin levels are predicted to exhibit smaller decreases in leptin with weight loss. Similar results were obtained for body weight and body weight change, but the associations with body fat were stronger. Breast cancer survivors with initially higher leptin levels may differ with regard to regulation of change in leptin during weight loss resulting in relatively smaller changes in leptin with equivalent amounts of weight loss. [source] | ||||||||||