bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of Hyperglycemia on the Renin Angiotensin System in Early Human Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: MILLER JUDITH A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
It has been demonstrated previously that moderate hyperglycemia without glucosuria can increase plasma renin activity and mean arterial pressure in young healthy males with early uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus. This study was conducted to extend these observations by testing the hypothesis that mild to moderate hyperglycemia can affect renal function by increasing renin angiotensin system (RAS) activity in diabetic humans. The study included 10 men and women with early, uncomplicated type 1 diabetes (duration <5 yr), all ingesting a controlled sodium and protein diet. They were studied on four separate occasions, during a subdepressor dose of the angiotensin II (AngII) receptor blocker losartan, and during graded AngII infusion, 1.5 and 2.5 ng/kg per min, while euglycemic (blood glucose 4 to 6 mmol/L) and again while hyperglycemic without glucosuria (blood glucose 9 to 11 mmol/L), according to a randomized crossover design. Outcome measures included mean arterial pressure (MAP), GFR, effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), renal vascular resistance (RVR), filtration fraction (FF), and urine sodium excretion (UNaV) at baseline and in response to the above maneuvers. During hyperglycemic conditions, MAP was significantly higher compared with euglycemia, as were RVR and FF. After the administration of losartan, a significant renal and peripheral depressor effect was noted, with decreases in MAP, RVR, and FF, whereas during euglycemia the responses to losartan were minimal. AngII infusion resulted in elevations in MAP, RVR, and FF and a decline in UNaV during both glycemic phases, but the responses during hyperglycemia, most significantly at the 1.5 ng/kg per min infusion rate, were blunted. These data support the hypothesis that hyperglycemia affects renal function by activating the RAS. The mechanism remains obscure, but these contrasting responses may provide a link between the observations that maintenance of euglycemia and blockade of the RAS prevent or delay diabetic kidney disease, and furthermore, may clarify the mechanism whereby high glucose promotes renal disease progression in diabetes.
Urinary Aquaporin 2 and Calciuria Correlate with the Severity of Enuresis in Children
Authors: VALENTI GIOVANNA , LAERA ANTONIA , PACE GIUSEPPE , ACETO GABRIELLA , LOSPALLUTI MARIA L. , PENZA ROSA , SELVAGGI FRANCESCO P. , CHIOZZA MARIA L. , SVELTO MARIA 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
This study examined the hypothesis that nocturnal enuresis might be paralleled by aquaporin 2 (AQP2) urinary excretion. Eighty children who experienced nocturnal enuresis were studied and compared with 9 healthy children. The 24-h urine samples were divided into two portions: night collections and day collections. Creatinine equivalents of urine samples from each patient were analyzed by Western blotting. AQP2 levels were semiquantified by densitometric scanning and reported as a ratio between the intensity of the signal in the day urine sample versus the night urine sample (D/N AQP2 ratio). The D/N AQP2 ratio was 0.59 ± 0.11 (n = 9) in healthy children and increased to 1.27 ± 0.24 (n = 10) in a subpopulation of enuretic children who had low nocturnal vasopressin levels. In enuretic children who displayed hypercalciuria and had normal vasopressin levels, the D/N AQP2 ratio was 1.05 ± 0.27 (n = 8). These data indicate that reduced secretion of vasopressin and absorptive hypercalciuria are independently associated with an approximately twofold increase in the urinary D/N AQP2 ratio. When low nocturnal vasopressin levels were associated with hypercalciuria, a nearly threefold increase in the D/N AQP2 ratio was observed (1.67 ± 0.41, n = 11). In addition, in all enuretic patients tested, the urinary D/N AQP2 ratio correlates perfectly with the severity of the disorder (nocturnal polyuria). The findings reported in this article indicate that urinary AQP2 correlates with the severity of enuresis in children.
Prognosis of Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Antibody-Positive Patients on Regular Hemodialysis Therapy
Authors: NAKAYAMA EIJUN , AKIBA TAKASHI , MARUMO FUMIAKI , SATO CHIFUMI 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is high in patients who are on chronic hemodialysis, but the role of HCV infection and HCV-related liver disease in the mortality of these patients has not been shown. Therefore, we conducted a prospective cohort study of 1470 patients who were on chronic hemodialysis (17 to 89 yr old) from 16 dialysis centers in Japan. Among them, 276 patients (18.8%) were positive for anti-HCV antibodies and 1194 patients were negative. The patients were followed for 6 yr from 1993 to 1999. Only one case, a patient from the anti-HCV-antibody-positive group, was lost to the follow-up during this period. The mortality was higher in the anti-HCV-antibody-positive group (91 of 276 patients died) than in the anti-HCV-antibody-negative group (277 of 1193 died) (33.0% versus 23.2%, P < 0.01). A Cox proportional hazard examination showed that positivity for anti-HCV antibodies was one of the risk factors for death with an adjusted relative risk of 1.57 (95% confidence interval, 1.23 to 2.00). As a cause of death, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis were significantly more frequent in the anti-HCV-antibody-positive patients than in the anti-HCV-antibody-negative patients (5.5% versus 0.0%, P < 0.001; 8.8% versus 0.4%, P < 0.001, respectively). These findings show that the mortality is increased in anti-HCV-antibody-positive patients who are on chronic hemodialysis. Hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis are factors that may influence the mortality.
Avoidance of Cyclosporine in Renal Transplantation
Authors: TRAN HUONG T. B. , ACHARYA MURALIDHAR K. , MCKAY DIANNE B. , SAYEGH MOHAMED H. , CARPENTER CHARLES B. , AUCHINCLOSS HUGH , KIRKMAN ROBERT L. , MILFORD EDGAR L. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Cyclosporine (CsA) has been implicated in both acute and chronic graft dysfunction. The addition of humanized IL-2 receptor antibody daclizumab (DZB) to CsA-based immunosuppression decreases the rate of acute renal transplant rejection. Therefore, 45 patients were evaluated in an immunosuppressive protocol that included DZB, mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), and steroids without CsA. This was a prospective, nonrandomized, open-label trial of the efficacy and safety of the treatment. DZB was given intravenously at 2 mg/kg before transplantation and then at 1 mg/kg every 2 wk for four doses, MMF was given orally at 3 g/d, and methylprednisolone/prednisone was given at 7 mg/kg per day and tapered to 15 mg/d at 6 mo. CsA was added to the regimen when patients developed acute rejection episodes or adverse effects to steroids or MMF; 49% of patients were spared CsA maintenance. Patients without CsA had lower serum creatinine at 6 mo and needed fewer medications to control BP. Incidence of biopsyproven rejections was 31% and occurred early (median, 10 d). These rejection episodes occurred earlier in cadaver transplants (median, 7 d) and later in living donor transplants (median, 62 days). Acute rejections occurred at a higher frequency (46% versus 34%) and earlier (6.5 versus 15 d) in patients with delayed graft function compared with patients without delayed graft function. Most of the rejections were moderate and easily reversible. The actuarial 1-yr graft survival was 95% with 100% patient survival.
Effect of Glucose on Intercellular Junctions of Cultured Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells
Authors: ITO TAKAFUMI , YORIOKA NORIAKI , YAMAMOTO MASAO , KATAOKA KATSUKO , YAMAKIDO MICHIO 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
During continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneum is directly and continuously exposed to unphysiologic peritoneal dialysis fluid; the resulting mesothelial damage has been suggested to cause loss of ultrafiltration and dialysis efficacy. The present study investigated the effect of a high glucose concentration on cultured human peritoneal mesothelial cells to clarify the cause of decreased dialysis efficacy during prolonged peritoneal dialysis. High glucose caused a concentration-dependent decrease in cell proliferation, damage to the intercellular junctions, and excess production of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The levels of intercellular junctional proteins (ZO-1, E-cadherin, and β-catenin) were decreased, and immuno-staining by anti—ZO-1 and anti— β-catenin antibodies became weaker and often discontinuous along the cell contour. Mannitol had similar but weaker effects at the same osmolality, and an anti—TGF-β neutralizing antibody reduced the effects of high glucose. Therefore, these effects were induced not only by glucose itself but also by hyperosmolality and by a glucose-induced increase of TGF-β. These findings suggest that the peritoneal mesothelium is damaged by prolonged peritoneal dialysis using high glucose dialysate and that impairment of the intercellular junctions of peritoneal mesothelial cells by high glucose dialysate induces peritoneal hyperpermeability and a progressive reduction in dialysis efficacy.
Opposing Effects of Angiotensin II on Muscle and Renal Blood Flow under Euglycemic Conditions
Authors: FLISER DANILO , DIKOW RALF , DEMUKAJ SADRI , RITZ EBERHARD 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Angiotensin II (Ang II) enhances insulin sensitivity in humans, and this is associated with a paradoxical increase in skeletal muscle blood flow. It is unclear whether these effects are mediated via subtype 1 receptors of Ang II, because these receptors are thought to mediate vasoconstriction. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (euglycemic clamp technique) and leg muscle blood flow (plethysmography) were measured in nine healthy male volunteers (mean age, 24 ± 2 yr) on three occasions using a double-blind, placebo-controlled study design. The subjects were allocated in random order to (1) placebo premedication per os plus placebo infusion, (2) placebo premedication per os plus infusion of 5 ng Ang II/kg per min, and (3) premedication with 300 mg of the angiotensin II-1-receptor antagonist irbesartan per os plus infusion of 5 ng Ang II/kg per min. In addition, GFR and effective renal plasma flow were assessed using the steady-state inulin- and paraaminohippurate clearance. Insulin sensitivity (i.e., M value) and muscle blood flow after infusion of Ang II (9.3 ± 1.8 mg/kg per min; 17.7 ± 2.1 ml/100 g per min) were significantly higher than after placebo infusion (7.2 ± 1.6 mg/kg per min, P < 0.02; 13.5 ± 1.8 ml/100 g per min, P < 0.01). In contrast, after premedication with irbesartan, they were not significantly different (7.5 ± 1.7 mg/kg per min; 14.3 ± 1.9 ml/100 g per min) as compared with placebo infusion. Mean GFR and effective renal plasma flow were significantly lower (P < 0.01), and renal vascular resistance was significantly higher (P < 0.01) with Ang II infusion as compared with the placebo infusion study. Premedication with irbesartan almost completely blocked the vasoconstrictive effect of Ang II on renal vasculature. Under hyperinsulinemic euglycemic conditions, infusion of Ang II has opposing effects on regional arterial blood flow, i.e., an increase in skeletal muscle blood flow, but vasoconstriction of renal vasculature. Both effects are antagonized by blockade of subtype 1 Ang II receptors.
Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Synthesis by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: BALAKRISHNAN VAIDYANATHAPURAM S. , SCHMID CHRISTOPHER H. , JABER BERTRAND L. , NATOV SVETLOZAR N. , KING ANDREW J. , PEREIRA BRIAN J. G. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Proinflammatory cytokines have been implicated in the short- and long-term morbidity experienced by hemodialysis (HD) patients. The present study, which is based on long-term follow-up of a cohort of 37 patients, relates peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) synthesis (a reliable marker of IL-1β synthesis in HD patients) and plasma levels of an acute phase reactant, lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), to clinical outcomes. In July 1993, predialysis blood samples from these patients were collected and IL-1Ra synthesis by PBMC and plasma LBP was measured. Hospital records were reviewed and patient follow-up data were obtained until December 1997 (54 mo) or death, whichever occurred earlier. The effect of age, diabetes, endotoxin- and IgG-stimulated IL-1Ra synthesis, and plasma LBP levels on mortality was assessed using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Poisson regression was used to determine potential relationships between the number of outcome events and each continuous risk factor. Twenty-two patients (59%) died during the follow-up period. Mortality was unrelated to IL-1Ra synthesis but did increase with age (relative risk, 1.05/yr; P = 0.01) and diabetes (relative risk, 3.00/yr; P = 0.03). Cardiovascular event rates were higher among older individuals and in those with higher endotoxin-stimulated PBMC IL-1Ra synthesis. Cardiovascular events increased with plasma LBP levels in the range of 9,000 to 12,000 pg/ml but then seemed to decrease. In contrast, older age and low IgG-stimulated IL-1Ra synthesis were associated with an increased risk of infectious events. The results of this study demonstrate an interesting link between stimulus-dependent variability in IL-1Ra synthesis by PBMC and clinical outcomes among patients on chronic HD and provide interesting targets for therapeutic interventions in this vulnerable patient population.
Expression of Profilin, an Actin-Binding Protein, in Rat Experimental Glomerulonephritis and Its Upregulation by Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Cultured Rat Mesangial Cells
Authors: TAMURA MASAHITO , TANAKA HIROSHI , YASHIRO AKIRA , OSAJIMA AKIHIKO , OKAZAKI MASAHIRO , KUDO HIDEAKI , DOI YOSHIAKI , FUJIMOTO SUNAO , HIGASHI KEN , NAKASHIMA YASUHIDE , HIRANO HIDEYASU 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Profilin binds to actin monomer to regulate actin polymerization, and to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate to inhibit hydrolysis by phospholipase Cγ1. This study investigated the expression of profilin in rat anti-Thy-1.1 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) and examined the effect of growth factors on its expression in cultured rat mesangial cells. Profilin mRNA was constitutively expressed in isolated glomeruli of untreated rats. However, in glomeruli of anti-Thy-1.1 GN rats, its expression was upregulated beginning on day 1, reaching a peak level on day 4 (3.9-fold versus control glomeruli), and decreased on day 14, as determined by competitive reverse transcription-PCR. Increased expression of profilin protein was confirmed using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed the presence of profilin in plasma membrane and the rough endoplasmic reticulum of mesangial cells, indicating that profilin was produced in mesangial cells. In cultured rat mesangial cells, expression of profilin mRNA and protein was upregulated by basic fibroblast growth factor but not by platelet-derived growth factor or transforming growth factor-β. Suppression of profilin expression using an antisense oligonucleotide against profilin inhibited [3H]thymidine uptake. These findings indicated the involvement of profilin in anti-Thy-1.1 GN and suggest that the upregulation of profilin might be involved in the progression of anti-Thy-1.1 GN possibly by affecting cell growth.
Relationship between Expression of Bcl-2 Genes and Growth Factors in Ischemic Acute Renal Failure in the Rat
Authors: GOBÉ GLENDA , ZHANG XIAO-JU , WILLGOSS DESLEY A. , SCHOCH ESTELLE , HOGG NICOLE A. , ENDRE ZOLTÁN H. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
The promotion of cell survival and regeneration in acute renal failure (ARF) is important for restitution of renal function. This study analyzes the temporal and spatial relationship between expression of pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 gene family (Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bax) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), growth factors that are thought to be reparative in ARF. A rat model of ischemic ARF involving 30 min of bilateral renal artery occlusion followed by reperfusion for 0 to 14 d was used. Apoptosis and mitosis were quantified and qualitative assessment was made of other cellular damage including necrosis and loss of cellular adhesion. Locality and level of expression of the Bcl-2 and growth factor proteins were determined using immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis peaked between 4 and 14 d postischemia in both proximal and distal tubules. Mitosis peaked at 2 d in proximal tubules and 4 to 14 in the distal tubules. A spatio-temporal relationship was observed between anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene family members and growth factors after ischemia-reperfusion. In control kidneys, expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL was low in epithelium of distal tubules, Bax had low-to-moderate expression in the proximal tubule and had low expression in the distal tubule, EGF and IGF-1 had low-to-moderate expression in the distal tubule, and TGF-β had low expression in the proximal tubule. In contrast, within 24 h of reperfusion, distal tubules showed a marked increase in expression of Bcl-2 and a moderate increase in Bcl-XL and Bax. Proximal tubules showed a marked increase in Bax expression and a moderate increase in Bcl-XL. Twenty-four hours after expression of the Bcl-2 proteins was increased, IGF-1 and EGF protein levels were increased in the distal tubule, similar to the Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic proteins, and were also detected in the adjacent proximal tubules, suggestive of paracrine action in these tubules. TGF-β expression was moderately increased in regenerating proximal tubules, but no relationship was seen with the pattern of expression of the Bcl-2 genes. An explanation of these results is that the distal tubule is adaptively resistant to ischemic injury via promotion of survival by anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 genes, and its survival allows expression of growth factors critical not only to the maintenance and regeneration of its own cell population (autocrine action), but also to the adjacent ischemia-sensitive proximal tubular cells (paracrine action).
Hacia la construcción de un modelo de Liderazgo Intergeneracional
Authors: Moldes Farelo Rocío , Gómez Fátima 
Published: April 2021

Este artículo se inserta en el estudio de nuevos estilos de “liderazgo” contemporáneo, estrechamente vinculado a los planteamientos teóricos del compromiso. El objetivo es, en primer lugar, caracterizar a partir de diez categorías de análisis, las diferencias y similitudes en el estilo de dirección, según sea la generación del líder, percibidas por sus empleados[1]. Posteriormente y basándonos en el análisis de los discursos, (obtenidos mediante la técnica del grupo de discusión), proponemos la construcción del liderazgo intergeneracional, enmarcada en dos competencias transversales: inteligencia emocional y perspectiva generacional, como herramienta para aprovechar el talento intergeneracional.

[1] El contenido del artículo se basa en los resultados obtenidos en el proyecto de investigación titulado: “Liderazgo intergeneracional: análisis de los comportamientos directivos según la generación de los managers y cómo desarrollar su liderazgo para la gestión de equipos intergeneracionales”, realizado por el Observatorio Generación y Talento en colaboración con la consultora Tatum y las profesoras Rocío Moldes y Fátima Gómez de la Universidad Europea. El trabajo de campo realizado entre septiembre de 2017 y marzo de 2018, consistió en la realización de ocho talleres con managers y profesionales de recursos humanos y seis grupos de discusión con empleados, miembros de todas las generaciones que hablaban sobre un jefe, perteneciente a una determinada generación.
Detections of Directional Dynamic Triggering in Intraplate Regions of the United States
Authors: Tang Vivian , Chao Kevin , van der Lee Suzan 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT
We report tremor or local earthquake signals that occurred during the propagation of Love and Rayleigh waves from the 2012 Mw 8.6 Sumatra earthquake in three intraplate regions: Yellowstone, central Utah, and Raton basin (Colorado). These surface waves likely also dynamically triggered seismic activity along the western boundary of the North American plate, and did not trigger seismic activity in the central and eastern United States. We report additional potential dynamic triggering in the three aforementioned intraplate regions by surface waves from 37 additional large earthquakes, recorded between 2004 and 2017. These surface waves’ transient stresses generally appear to trigger tremor in seismically, volcanically, and hydrothermally active regions, such as Yellowstone, if the waves also arrive from favorable directions. These stresses do not appear to be decisive factors for triggering local earthquakes reported for the Raton basin and central Utah, whereas, surface waves’ incidence angles do appear to be important there.
Can analysis of drain fluid biomarkers predict anastomotic leak?
Authors: Jaju Pradeep , Vallabha Tejaswini , Kulloli Girish , Sindagikar Vikram 
Published: April 2021

Background: Anastomotic leak is a major complication often leading to significant morbidity and mortality. A method to predict leaks in the early postoperative period will help in better management and outcome. Though serum biomarkers like C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels are often used to predict chances of developing complications, they are nonspecific and suggest mainly ongoing sepsis in general. Detection and assessment of the presence of these biomarkers at the local milieu is an alternate non-invasive option as they are produced at the injury site and increase in anastomotic leaks. If measured serially, can guide to a strong suspicion of a leak before the clinical signs are evident. Methods: Forty-eight patients who underwent intestinal anastomosis for various indications were included. Serial measurement of drain fluid C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were measured on postoperative days 3, 5 and 7.Results: 7 patients developed leaks with two deaths. CRP and procalcitonin levels were higher on all days in comparison with the no leak group. CRP had the highest sensitivity on day 5 with 85.71% and 97.56% specificity on day7. The sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin were 71.43% and 97.56% on day 5 and day 7. Accuracy was 93.7% for CRP and 87.5% for procalcitonin on the seventh day.Conclusions: Serial analysis of drain fluid CRP and procalcitonin showed persistently increased levels in patients with an anastomotic leak. Correlation of the levels in patients with anastomotic leak suggests the possibility of their utility in the early detection of leaks.
Eosinophilic cellulitis (wells syndrome): a case report
Authors: Baabdullah Ahmad Mohammad , Al Hawsawi Khalid Ali , Alhubayshi Bashayr Saad , Gammash Marwa Rashed 
Published: April 2021

<p class="abstract">Eosinophilic Cellulitis is also known as Wells syndrome is uncommon dermatitis, characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils in the dermis. The exact etiology of the disease is unknown. Clinically, it is highly varied but commonly the presentation is pruritic erythematous plaque. We report a case of one and half years old healthy boy who developed itchy bullae on the dorsum of his hand with multiple erythematous papules over his extremities that started immediately after his vaccines. Histopathological examination of the lesion showed infiltrate eosinophils with typical flame figures. The case was successfully treated with corticosteroid course. This report aims to present a case of eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells syndrome) triggered by the vaccine with a literature review of the disease. In conclusion, atypical presentation of any inflammatory disorder or that not responding to appropriate treatment should trigger suspicion of eosinophilic cellulitis. Up to now, systemic corticosteroids are the most successful treatment of eosinophilic cellulitis. </p>