bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison between renal denervation and metoprolol on the susceptibility of ventricular arrhythmias in rats with myocardial infarction
Authors: Jiang Wanying , Chen Chu , Huo Junyu , Lu Dasheng , Jiang Zhixin , Geng Jie , Xu Hai , Shan Qijun 
Published: June 2018

AbstractVentricular arrhythmias (VAs) are the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). We sought to compare effects of renal denervation (RDN) and metoprolol on VAs after MI. Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery to induce MI, while 6 rats served as Control. Metoprolol was given 20 mg/kg/day for 5 weeks after MI surgery. RDN/Sham-RDN procedure was performed at 1 week after MI. At 5 weeks after MI, electrical programmed stimulation (EPS) was performed in all groups for evaluation of VAs. After EPS, heart and kidneys were harvested. Compared with MI group, RDN and metoprolol significantly decreased the incidence of VAs, and RDN is superior to metoprolol. Compared with metoprolol group, Masson staining showed that RDN significantly reduced the myocardial fibrosis. Both RDN and metoprolol decreased the protein expression of connexin43 (Cx43) compared with MI group, while only RDN lighted this decrease remarkably. Immunohistochemical staining of Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) revealed that RDN and metoprolol had similar effect on reducing densities of sympathetic nerve in infarction border zone. According to this study, RDN is more effective in reducing VAs than metoprolol in ischemic cardiomyopathy model.
Quantification of radioactivity by planar gamma-camera images, a promoted method of absorbed dose in the thyroid after iodine-131 treatment
Authors: Li Yuhao , Cai Huawei , Shen Guohua , Pang Fuwen , Dong Ping , Li Lin 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIodine-131 (131I) is an essential and widely used radioisotope in thyroid diseases and animal experiments. Planar imaging has been considered the most popular method for 131I thyroid uptake radioactive activity quantification. The ROI defining section is essential and can affect the accuracy of quantitative results. However, a consistent method has not been proposed. In this study, a UC-ROI defining method based on ULWL setting and colour display grade was applied. Three steps were performed: image acquisition of five standard activity models and obtaining the exact value that the counts per radioactive activity contributes to the ROI; image acquisition of 20 rat thyroids and obtaining the counts of the ROI (thyroid); and calculating the rat thyroid radioactive activity and comparing these values with the true values. The accuracy of quantification activity of 131I in rat thyroid reached 2.62% ± 0.41%. The mean quantification within 5% could be achieved in 19 of 20 rat thyroids. No significant difference existed between calculated thyroid 131I activity and true values with a paired matched-test (t = −0.384, P = 0.706 > 0.05). The results indicated that with the UC-ROI defining method, more accurate thyroid uptake 131I radioactive activity quantification by SPECT planar imaging can be achieved in vivo rat study.
Anticoagulants impact on innate immune responses and bacterial survival in whole blood models of Neisseria meningitidis infection
Authors: Strobel Lea , Johswich Kay O. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractNeisseria meningitidis(meningococcus) causes invasive diseases such as meningitis or septicaemia.Ex vivoinfection of human whole blood is a valuable tool to study meningococcal virulence factors and the host innate immune responses. In order to consider effects of cellular mediators, the coagulation cascade must be inhibited to avoid clotting. There is considerable variation in the anticoagulants used among studies ofN.meningitidiswhole blood infections, featuring citrate, heparin or derivatives of hirudin, a polypeptide from leech saliva. Here, we compare the influence of these three different anticoagulants, and additionally Mg/EGTA, on host innate immune responses as well as on viability ofN.meningitidisstrains isolated from healthy carriers and disease cases, reflecting different sequence types and capsule phenotypes. We found that the anticoagulants significantly impact on cellular responses and, strain-dependently, also on bacterial survival. Hirudin does not inhibit complement and is therefore superior over the other anticoagulants; indeed hirudin-plasma most closely reflects the characteristics of serum duringN.meningitidisinfection. We further demonstrate the impact of heparin on complement activation onN.meningitidisand its consequences on meningococcal survival in immune sera, which appears to be independent of the heparin binding antigens Opc and NHBA.
Increased risk for inflammatory bowel disease in congenital hypothyroidism supports the existence of a shared susceptibility factor
Authors: Grasberger Helmut , Noureldin Mohamed , Kao Timothy D. , Adler Jeremy , Lee Joyce M. , Bishu Shrinivas , El-Zaatari Mohamad , Kao John Y. , Waljee Akbar K. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractLoss-of-function mutations in dual oxidase (DUOX) 2 are the most common genetic variants found in congenital hypothyroidism (CH), and similar mutations have been recently reported in few very-early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients without CH. If DUOX2 variants indeed increase susceptibility for IBD, the enrichment of DUOX2 mutation carriers among CH patients should be reflected in higher risk for developing IBD. Using a database containing health insurance claims data for over 230 million patients in the United States, 42,922 subjects with CH were identified based on strict inclusion criteria using diagnostic codes. For subgroup analysis, CH patients with pharmacy records were stratified as transient or permanent CH based on the absence or presence of levothyroxine treatment, respectively. Patients were matched to an equal-sized, age- and gender-matched non-CH group. Compared to controls, CH patients had a 73% higher overall IBD prevalence (0.52% vs 0.30%; P < 0.0001). The CH-associated relative risk was higher for indeterminate or ulcerative colitis than Crohn’s disease. Patients with transient CH had higher odds for IBD (OR 2.39 (95% CI 1.77–3.23) than those with permanent CH (1.69 (95% CI 1.31–2.18). We conclude that patients with CH are at an increased risk of developing IBD. The risk was highest for patients with transient CH, for which partial defects in the DUOX2 system are a particularly common finding.
Approach to Topographic Map, Hydrogeological and Environmental Isotopes Analysis to Delineation of Watersheds in Drought-prone Areas
Authors: Budhie Wijatna Agus , Aris Sunantyo Tarsisius 
Published: June 2018

Gunung Kidul regency is one of the regencies in Indonesia that almost every year (often) is susceptible to drought, there is an even in term of synonymous with a drought in the province. Water is the essential lifeblood on Earth, with the power to generate, sustain, receive, and ultimately to unify life. Water is also one of the most important resources that need to be protected, conserved, and maintained to support humanity and all life on earth. Drought is a state of shortage of water supply in an area in which a prolonged period (several months to years). Usually, these events appear if a region is continuously subjected to rainfall below the average. Dry season long will cause drought. Drought is also a lack of water for human life and other living things in an area that is usually not a lack of water.
The environmental isotopes most widely used as a tracer in the study of hydrology cycle are the stable isotopes deuterium (2H), oxygen-18 (18O) and carbon-13 and the radioisotopes tritium (3H) and carbon-14 (14C). The use of environmental isotopes as a tracer in groundwater studies are usually complementary to approach topography, hydro geology, and geology which has been frequently used.
The result of this research show that elevation as an orthometric height of the 15 wells water in the research has a variation elevation which spread at most of the district in The from -18.390 m at Girisubo district up to 238.599 at Nglipar district m. Concerning with elevation of the water table at several geological cross section (East - West) are close to orthometric height.
Safety of a novel modular cage for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion − clinical cohort study in 20 patients with degenerative disc disease
Authors: Elmekaty Mohamed , ElMehy Emad , Försth Peter , MacDowall Anna , Elemi Ahmed El , Hosni Mohamed , Robinson Yohan 
Published: June 2018

Introduction: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is used to reconstruct disc height and reduce degenerative deformity in spinal fusion. Patients with osteoporosis are at high risk of TLIF cage subsidence; possibly due to the relatively small footprint compared to anterior interbody devices. Recently, modular TLIF cage with an integral rail and slot system was developed to reduce cage subsidence and allow early rehabilitation.
Objective: To study the safety of a modular TLIF device in patients with degenerative disc disorders (DDD) with regard to surgical complications, non-union, and subsidence.
Methods: Patients with DDD treated with a modular TLIF cage (Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), VTI interfuse S) were analysed retrospectively with one-year follow-up. Lumbar sagittal parameters were collected preoperatively, postoperatively and at one year follow-up. Cage subsidence, fusion rate, screw loosening and proportion of endplate coverage were assessed in computed tomography scan.
Results: 20 patients (age 66 ± 10 years, 65% female, BMI 28 ± 5 kg/m2) with a total of 37 fusion levels were included. 15 patients had degenerative spondylosis and 5 patients had degenerative scoliosis. The cages covered >60% of the vertebral body diameters. Lumbar lordosis angle and segmental disc angle increased from 45.2 ± 14.5 and 7.3 ± 3.6 to 52.7 ± 9.1 and 10.5 ± 3.5 (p =  0.029 and 0.0002) postoperatively for each parameter respectively without loss of correction at one year follow up. One case of deep postoperative infection occurred (5%). No cage subsidence occurred. No non-union or screw loosening occurred.
Conclusions: The modular TLIF cage was safe with regard to subsidence and union-rate. It restored and maintained lumbar lordosis angle, segmental disc angle and disc height, which can be attributed to the large footprint of this modular cage.
Purification of Human Brain Tissue Factor
Authors: Kang Sungzong , Niemetz Julian 
Published: June 2018

SummaryTissue factor (thromboplastin or Factor III), a glycoprotein cofactor, is required for Factor VII to express its catalytic activity, thereby initiating the extrinsic as well as intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Human brain tissue factor was purified 2,500-fold to 98% homogeneity from 2% Tiiton X-100 extraction of acetone dried brain powder with an overall yield of 36%. The method was based upon affinity chromatography utilizing the high affinity binding of tissue factor to Factor VII noncovalently complexed to immobilized anti-Factor VII-agarose beads. The apparent molecular weight of the purified tissue factor is 45,000 as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and its isoelectric point is 4.8–5.1 by column chromatofocussing and flat bed agarose isoelectric focussing.
Antithrombin Oslo: Type Ib Classification of the First Reported Antithrombin-Deficient Family, with a Review of Hereditary Antithrombin Variants
Authors: Hultin Mae B , McKay John , Abildgaard Ulrich 
Published: June 2018

SummaryPatients with classical antithrombin deficiency (Type I) from seven unrelated kindreds were studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis of plasma in the presence and absence of heparin. The only abnormal pattern was found in the kindred first reported by Egeberg in 1965. An abnormal cathodal peak of antithrombin antigen was found in the presence, but not the absence, of heparin in the first dimension gel. We have named this variant antithrombin Oslo. Such evidence of an abnormal protein, despite equivalent low levels of antithrombin antigen and activity, has been denoted previously by Sas as Type Ib deficiency. In the context of this new report, we review the literature to date on 33 other variants of the Types Ib, II and III subclassifications with a discussion of the value of the classification scheme.
Plasma Collagen Cofactor Correlates with von Willebrand Factor Antigen and Ristocetin Cofactor but Not with Bleeding Time
Authors: Aihara Morio , Kimura Asano , Chiba Yoichi , Yoshida Yutaka 
Published: June 2018

SummaryCollagen cofactor (CCo), an activity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) which increases the rate of adhesion of human fixed washed platelets (FWP) to collagen, was measured in plasma from normal individuals and individuals with von Willebrand’s disease (vWD). CCo in vWD plasma was compared to vWF antigen (vWF:Ag), ristocetin cofactor (RCo), factor VIII (VIII) coagulant activity (VIII:C) and the quantitative bleeding time. There was close correlation between CCo and VIII:C (r = 0.909), vWF:Ag (r = 0.975), and RCo (r = 0.936). However, there was no correlation between CCo and the quantitative bleeding time. Plasma CCo in type IIA vWD was markedly lower than vWF: Ag and the ratio of CCo/vWF: Ag was 0.08, which was less than a mean value of 0.92 in type I vWD. CCo activity in normal plasma was completely inhibited by monoclonal antibody CLB-RAg 201, an antibody that inhibits the binding of vWF to collagen, suggesting that the binding of vWF to collagen is required for the expression of CCo. Furthermore, the partial inhibition of CCo by monoclonal antibody CLB-RAg 35 that inhibits the binding of vWF to platelet in the presence of ristocetin, suggests that CCo is partly mediated through platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib. Large multimers of vWF:Ag in normal plasma were preferentially absorbed by collagen. These studies demonstrate that CCo is another functional activity of vWF and the measurement of CCo may be useful for the detection of new variant forms of vWD.
Effect of a Moderate Fish lntake on Platelet Aggregation in Human Platelet-Rich Plasma
Authors: Houwelingen A C v , Hennissen A A H M , Verbeek-Schippersa F , Simonsen T , Kester A D M , Hornstra G 
Published: June 2018

SummaryThis paper describes the results of an international study to investigate the effect of a reasonable amount of dietary fish on platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) induced by collagen and thrombin. In Maastricht, Tiomsø, and Zeist two groups of healthy male volunteers were given a daily dietary supplement consisting of 135 g of canned mackerel paste (experimental group, n = 40) or meat paste (control group, n = 42) for a 6-week period. Compliance, calculated on the basis of the urinary excretion of lithium, added to the supplements, was about 80%. Platelet number in PRP decreased significantly in the fish group. Collagen-induced platelet aggregation in PRP differed widely between the three centres despite the attempt to use exactly the same conditions. Nonetheless, aggregation decreased significantly in the fish group. The mackerel effect on thrombin-induced aggregation was inconsistent.
Heparin Potentiates Endothelial Gell Growth Factor Stimulation of Plasminogen Activator Synthesis by Diploid Human Lung Fibroblasts
Authors: Rappaport Ruth S , Ronchetti-Blume Marlene , Vogel Robert L , Hung Paul P 
Published: June 2018

SummaryEndothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) stimulates the synthesis of t-PA and u-PA by confluent, diploid human lung fibroblasts, and this activity is potentiated considerably by heparin. In contrast, the malignant cell lines, Bowes melonoma and CALU-3, producers of t-PA and u-PA, respectively, are insensitive to ECGF, Studies with metabolic inhibitors and direct measurements of PA-specific mRNAs show that EccF-mediated production of PA by human lung fibroblasts is dependent on de novo protein and RNA synthesis. The mechanism by which heparin potentiates this effect is thought to reside in its ability to prolong or strengthen the interaction of ECGF with cell surface receptors. The results raise the possibility that endogenous ECGF or related polypeptides (and heparin) may act to regulate PA synthesis by lung fibroblasts and possibly other responsive target cells in vivo.
Plasma Fibrinolytic Activity Associated with Flurothyl Induced Convulsion
Authors: Cooper Richard G. , Webb O. Lynn 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBlood drawn from rats following convulsion produced by inhalation of flurothyl appeared to be hypocoagulable. Prothrombin times and partial thromboplastin times on plasma tested soon after convulsion were significantly prolonged, but euglobulin lysis times were greatly shortened (controls mean = 174 minutes, convulsed mean = 35 minutes, P <0.005). Several additional experiments were performed in an attempt to determine what component of the convulsive experience was responsible for the increased fibrinolysis. Flurothyl vapors passed through citrated rat blood in vitro did not alter the euglobulin lysis time. Rats paralyzed with gallamine triethiodide and supported by artificial ventilation were subjected to flurothyl vapors and the convulsion monitored by electroencephalography. Post-convulsion plasma from these animals had euglobulin lysis times that did not differ significantly from suitable controls. Rats convulsed in convulsion chambers with increased ambient oxygen percentage had shortened euglobulin lysis times similar to those convulsed in chambers containing room air. We believe these data eliminate both direct action of the drug on blood and a direct action through the central nervous system. The enhanced fibrinolytic activity may be secondary to the muscular activity or asphyxia associated with the convulsion.
Effect of Plasma and Platelet Concentrate Infusions on Factor VIII, Platelet Adhesiveness, and Bleeding Time in Bleeder Swine
Authors: Cornell C. N , Cooper R. G , Muhrer M. E , Garb S 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBleeder swine are characterized by a prolonged bleeding time, decreased factor VIII levels or reduced platelet adhesiveness or both, and a factor VIII response to infusion of plasma or serum similar to that described in von Willebrand’s disease. In this study the factor VIII response of bleeder swine infused with fresh non-glass-contact pig plasma was similar to that reported in previous experiments after infusion of plasma that was frozen and stored for a variable period of time before use or was not free of glass contact. There was no beneficial effect on platelet adhesiveness. Following platelet concentrate infusion, there was no sustained normalization of platelet adhesiveness, although elevations into the normal range occurred at varying intervals after platelet infusion in two of three pigs investigated. Infusion of factor VIII-deficient plasma from a canine hemophiliac elicited a factor VIII response similar to that described in von Willebrand’s disease patients infused with plasma from factor VIII-deficient human hemophiliacs. In none of these experiments was there any apparent correction of the bleeding time.
Protein Synthesis by Human Blood Platelets after Accumulation of Leucine and Arginine
Authors: Boullin D.J , Votavova M , Green A.R 
Published: June 2018

SummaryHuman blood platelets resuspended in calcium-free Krebs solution accumulated radioactive L-leucine and L-arginine. The tissue/medium concentration ratio (Ci/Co) was greater than 10:1 when Co was 10–7 M or lower. Accumulation was inhibited by incubation at 4° C, the presence of metabolic inhibitors or platelet soniñcation at the beginning of the experiment. It is considered that these compounds are accumulated by energy-dependent processes against a concentration gradient.In the presence of 19 other amino acids accumulation of leucine or arginine was greatly reduced. Under these conditions some incorporation of radioactivity into proteins occurred. However, incorporation was small. Both compounds were incorporated similarly despite the fact that arginine is metabolized to ornithine, whilst leucine has no detectable metabolites. This fact is discussed in relation to the possible physiological significance of platelet protein synthesis.
Coagulation Changes Induced by Endotoxin and Purified Contact Activation Product
Authors: Barth P , Zimmermann R 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBy use of purified contact activation product (CAP) it was possible to show that activation of the contact phase of the coagulation system can lead to a state of hypo-coagulability very similar to that occurring in the experimental Sanarelli-Shwartz-man phenomenon (SSP). The coagulation changes which occurred suggested that the difference between the effects of CAP administration and the typical experimental SSP appeared to be merely quantitative in nature. However, the fact that in our experiments on the classical SSP no stasis thrombi developed as the most significant sign of increased coagulation activity, may suggest that pathogenetically important differences exist.
Immunological Studies on the Blood Coagulation Factor X and Its Warfarin-induced Precursor
Authors: Gaudernack Gustav , Gladhaug Berre Åse , Østerud Bjarne , Prydz Hans 
Published: June 2018

SummaryMonospecific antisera against the human coagulation factor X have been raised in rabbits by injections of purified antigen. Such antiserum was used to study the cross-reacting material without factor X activity which is present in the blood of warfarin-treated patients and animals as well as to study the changes in factor X during coagulation. One patient with congenital factor X deficiency was also studied.A complete identity was found between factor X in Macaca mulatta and human blood. During warfarin treatment antigenically cross-reacting material appeared in plasma. This was not adsorbed on BaSO4, and inhibited the coagulation activity of normal factor X.Both this material, normal factor X and the cross-reacting material in plasma from a patient congenitally deficient in factor X gave rise to split products during coagulation by the intrinsic pathway, i. e. all of them served as substrates for the intrinsic activator of factor X.
Thrombolysis with Streptokinase in Rabbits Dose Response, Fibrin-clot Specificity and Laboratory Evaluation of Fibrinolytic Effect
Authors: Nowak Andrzej , Gurewich Victor 
Published: June 2018

SummaryAn animal model was used in which venous thromboemboli of reproducible size could be formed. The effects of SK 500–50,000 units per hour were evaluated and compared to those of saline. Proportionately the greatest clot lysis occurred with the lowest doses of SK. In contrast to thrombolysis, significant fibrinogenolysis did not occur in any of the animals indicating a high degree of specificity of SK-induced activator for rabbit fibrin. An excellent correlation between the concentration of fibrin degradation products (fdp) measured by the serial dilution protamine sulfate test and the extent of clot lysis was found suggesting this to be a useful method for monitoring the effects of thrombolytic therapy. A method for the laboratory distinction of fdp from fibrin monomer was demonstrated.
Fibrinolysis and the Stomach: Biochemical Identification of the “Plasmin-like” Enzyme
Authors: Thomson J. M 
Published: June 2018

SummaryThe ‘plasmin-like’ enzyme previously demonstrated in gastric vein blood is studied further in a series of experiments using gel filtration chromatography. By comparison with purified enzymes it is identified as plasmin. Its non-identity to trypsin is also established. The ‘plasmin-like’ activity previously demonstrated in the peripheral blood, following gastric compression at laparotomy, is also studied in a similar way and shows the same characteristics. These results confirm the view that plasmin present in the peripheral veins of these patients has been released from the stomach.