bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implications of Urinary Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Excretion in Patients with Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Chow Nan-Haw , Chang Chih-Jen , Yeh Trai-Ming , Chan Shih-Huang , Tzai Tzong-Shin , Lin Johnny Shinn-Nan 
Published: August 2015

1. Angiogenesis occurs in response to wounding, and is of vital importance for tumour growth and metastasis. Basic fibroblast growth factor, a well-known angiogenic factor, has been suggested to be a urine marker for urothelial carcinoma. However, the relevance of its detection has not been evaluated in a large number of patients.
2. Immunoassay of basic fibroblast growth factor was performed on urine samples from different aetiologies of urothelial disorder. Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in the corresponding tumour was correlated with the urine level.
3. The excretion of basic fibroblast growth factor (ng/g creatinine) was significantly elevated in both inflammatory and neoplastic urological diseases compared with normal individuals (P &lt; 0.05), while it was normalized in tumour-free subjects (P &lt; 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic plotting revealed a sensitivity of 40% for tumour diagnosis at the cut-off point of 3.29 ng/g creatinine. The sensitivity of the test in predicting tumour recurrence was only 14%. The basic fibroblast growth factor level in urine showed a positive association with increasing age of cancer patients (P = 0.02) and with tumour grading (P = 0.05). However, no important relationship was observed regarding tumour stage, size, number, shape or degree of local inflammatory reaction (P &gt; 0.01). Pairwise analysis of the basic fibroblast growth factor level in urine and its expression in corresponding tumours did not reveal a conspicuous correlation (r = −0.097, P = 0.43).
4. Our results suggested that estimation of urinary basic fibroblast growth factor cannot be satisfactory as a tumour marker. The measurement may represent one of the tissue responses to injury or the host—tumour interactions. A longitudinal study is required to elucidate the role of basic fibroblast growth factor in order to select the appropriate treatment strategy for urothelial carcinoma.
Effect of Hyperglycaemia on Arterial Pressure, Plasma Renin Activity and Renal Function in Early Diabetes
Authors: Miller Judith A. , Floras John S. , Zinman Bernard , Skorecki Karl L. , Logan Alexander G. 
Published: August 2015

1. In insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, hyperglycaemia has a profound effect on renal and systemic haemodynamic function. The mechanism for this is unknown.
2. We conducted a study in 11 males with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, within 6 years of diagnosis. We examined the neurohumoral, haemodynamic and renal variables during euglycaemia (4.0–6.0 mmol/l) and after a 12 h period of hyperglycaemia (8.5–10.5 mmol/l). Subjects were examined in a sodium-replete state during supine rest and during simulated orthostatic stress induced by lower body negative pressure at –15 mmHg.
3. Variations in glycaemia markedly influenced plasma renin activity, which was increased at baseline during hyperglycaemia (3.82 ± 0.66 pmol of angiotensin I h−1 ml−1 compared with 2.13 ± 033 pmol of angiotensin I h−1 ml−1 during euglycaemia, P = 0.009), and rose further during simulated orthostatic stress. Mean arterial pressure was also elevated during hyperglycaemia (89 ± 2 mmHg compared with 81 ± 3 mmHg during euglycaemia, P = 0.03), both at rest and during orthostatic stress.
4. The renal haemodynamic effects of hyperglycaemia included maintenance of glomerular filtration rate in the face of significant declines in renal blood flow, and a probable increase in filtration fraction (0.21 ± 0.01 compared with 0.18 ± 0.01 during euglycaemia, P = 0.06). The responses of mean arterial pressure and renal blood flow to simulated orthostatic stress were not affected by hyperglycaemia, but the forearm vascular response was significantly augmented.
5. These data suggest that sustained hyperglycaemia activates the renin—angiotensin system, thereby increasing systemic and renal vasomotor tone. Over time such changes may have deleterious microvascular consequences.
Plasma Lathosterol as a Screening Test for Bile Acid Malabsorption Due to Ileal Resection: Correlation with 75SeHCAT Test and Faecal Bile Acid Excretion
Authors: Färkkilä M. A. , Kairemo K. J. , Taavitsainen M. J. , Strandberg T. A. , Miettinen T. A. 
Published: August 2015

1. Plasma lathosterol concentration, known to reflect cholesterol and bile acid synthesis, was evaluated as a screening test for bile acid malabsorption, comparing it with faecal bile acid measurements, SeHCAT test and Schilling test in 22 subjects of whom six were healthy controls and 16 had Crohn's disease with ileal resections of varying length.
2. Plasma lathosterols and other non-cholesterol sterols were determined by GLC. Faecal bile acids were measured by GLC, and SeHCAT retention times by gamma camera. The study subjects were divided into two groups according to the degree of bile acid malabsorption: controls (faecal bile acids&lt;10 mg day−1 kg−1, n = 9) and bile acid malabsorption (faecal bile acids &gt; 10 mg day−1 kg−1, n = 13).
3. Faecal bile acid excretion was 5.9 ± 1.0 mg day−1 kg−1 in control subjects and 45.7 ± 6.1 mg day−1 kg−1 in the bile acid malabsorption group. The biological half-life of 75SeHCAT (T½) was 95.6 ± 16.3 h and 14.1 ± 4.1 h, respectively. Plasma lathosterol levels were significantly elevated in patients with bile acid malabsorption (742 ± 84 μg/ml compared with 400 ± 59 μg/ml in control subjects) and correlated closely with faecal bile acid levels (r = 0.779, P&lt;0.001), with 75SeHCAT T½ (r = −0.524, P&lt;0.05) and with Schilling test (r = −0.591, P&lt;0.05). Significant correlations were also obtained for Δ8-cholestenol with faecal bile acids (r = 0.784, P&lt;0.001) and 75SeHCAT (r = −0.505, P&lt;0.05). The biological half-life of SeHCAT correlated with faecal bile acid excretion (r = −0.702, P&lt;0.01). Using mean + 2 SD of lathosterol (In μg/ml cholesterol) as a cut-off value and 10 mg day−1 kg−1 as the upper limit for faecal bile acid excretion, the test gives 100% sensitivity and 82% specificity for plasma lathosterol determination to detect bile acid malabsorption.
4. The results indicate that both the 75SeHCAT test and plasma lathosterol detect bile acid malabsorption in patients with ileal resections for Crohn's disease. However, plasma lathosterol is a simpler and less expensive method.
Spiral Laminar Flow in Vivo
Authors: Stonebridge P. A. , Hoskins P. R. , Allan P.L. , Belch J. F. F. 
Published: August 2015

1. Blood flow patterns are poorly understood despite their impact on arterial disease. There have been few measurements in vivo of the three-dimensional blood flow patterns; we present the results of such studies using a new non-invasive in-vivo method of examining biplanar arterial blood flow patterns.
2. Multiple colour Doppler ultrasound directional velocity images were obtained at two different beam target angles from the artery in the plane perpendicular to its axis. Ensemble average images were constructed; the absolute velocity and direction were calculated by compounding the left and right averaged images. Simple directional, non-directional velocity and vector maps were constructed.
3. Flow patterns were sampled in 11 healthy male volunteers at four points of the pulse cycle; peak systole, systolic downswing, diastolic reverse flow and diastolic forward flow and at three sites; the right common and distal superficial femoral and the left common femoral arteries.
4. Stable rotational flow was observed in all subjects, the direction of rotation varying between sides and individuals.
5. There are theoretical advantages to spiral laminar blood flow; the forward-directed, rotationally induced stability and reduction of laterally directed forces may reduce turbulence in the tapering branching arterial tree and at stenoses and have a beneficial effect on mechanisms of endothelial damage and repair.
Assessment of Gentamicin—Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats Treated with Low Doses of Ibuprofen and Diclofenac Sodium
Authors: Farag M. M. , Mikhail M. , Shehata R. , Abdel-Meguid E. , Abdel-Tawab S. 
Published: August 2015

1. The effects of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen (20 mg day−1 kg−1) and diclofenac sodium (2.5 mg day−1 kg−1), on the severity of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity were evaluated in rats.
2. Administration of gentamicin (100 mg day−1 kg−1) for 5 days resulted in a significant increase in renal cortical total phospholipids accompanied by a significant decrease in cortical Na+, K+-ATPase activity. These changes were associated with a significant decrease in body weight and increases in kidney weight, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen.
3. In rats treated simultaneously with both gentamicin and either ibuprofen or diclofenac sodium for 5 days, all the measured parameters of renal dysfunction were similar in magnitude to those observed in rats treated with gentamicin alone.
4. In contrast, rats treated with either ibuprofen or diclofenac sodium for 27 days and injected concurrently with gentamicin during the last 5 days of the treatment period had significantly higher kidney weight, lower renal cortical Na+, K+-ATPase activity and higher cortical phospholipid content, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen than did rats treated with gentamicin alone. A 27-day treatment with ibuprofen or diclofenac sodium alone resulted in no change in renal function.
5. These results demonstrate that gentamicin nephrotoxicity was potentiated after the long (27 days) but not after the short (5 days) period of treatment with ibuprofen and diclofenac sodium. Thus, prolonged administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be considered as a risk factor that may increase the nephrotoxic potential of gentamicin.
Finger Arterial versus Intrabrachial Pressure and Continuous Cardiac output during Head-up Tilt Testing in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Jellema Wilbert T. , Imholz Ben P. M. , Van Goudoever Jeroen , Wesseling Karel H. , Van Lieshout Johannes J. 
Published: August 2015

1. The aims of this study were to determine the clinical feasibility of continuous, non-invasive Finapres recordings as a replacement for intrabrachial pressure during a 30 min head-up tilt, and the reliability of continuous cardiac output computation by pulse contour analysis from the finger arterial versus the brachial waveform.
2. In eight healthy subjects a 30 min 70° passive head-up tilt was performed. Finger arterial (FINAP) and intrabrachial (IAP) pressures were measured simultaneously. Beat-to-beat changes in stroke volume were computed using a pulse contour algorithm.
3. Accuracy (the group-averaged FINAP—IAP difference) and precision (the SD of the difference) of Finapres measurements were 4 and 9 mmHg for systolic blood pressure, −5 and 9 mmHg for mean blood pressure and −5 and 9 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure.
4. The time course of the FINAP—IAP differences during head-up tilt showed a linear trend (P &lt; 0.001 for all pressure levels). Averaged for the group, the difference increased 7 mmHg for mean blood pressure. The difference in stroke volume computed from FINAP and IAP was 0.3 ± 5% (mean ± SD), and independent of the duration of the tilt (P &gt; 0.05). This difference did not change at low blood pressure levels (0.5 ± 6%).
5. The qualitative performance of the Finapres allows it to be used in the clinical setting as a monitor of sudden changes in blood pressure induced by a 30 min head-up tilt. Relative changes in stroke volume, as obtained by pulse contour analysis of the finger arterial waveform, closely follow intrabrachial values during long-duration head-up tilt and associated arterial hypotension.
Effects of Inhaled Nitric Oxide Compared with Aspirin on Platelet Function in Vivo in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Albert Johanna , Wallén N. Håkan , Bröijersén Anders , Frostell Claes , Hjemdahl Paul 
Published: August 2015

1. Nitric oxide has platelet-stabilizing effects. Inhaled nitric oxide is used to treat pulmonary disorders, and may prolong bleeding times, suggesting that it has effects on haemostasis. We therefore examined if inhaled nitric oxide influences platelet function in vivo in healthy subjects.
2. Platelet aggregability (filtragometry ex vivo, which reflects aggregability in vivo), bleeding time and platelet secretion products and cGMP in plasma were studied during inhalation of two different doses of nitric oxide (30 and 80 p.p.m.; 15 min at each dose level; n = 19) and during prolonged (55 min; n = 18) inhalation of 30p.p.m. nitric oxide. For comparison, studies were also performed before and after ingestion of 640 mg aspirin in 13 of the healthy subjects.
3. Plasma cGMP increased dose dependently during nitric oxide inhalation, suggesting guanylate cyclase activation in vivo. Platelet aggregability was, however, little affected and platelet secretion was not attenuated by nitric oxide inhalation. Bleeding time tended to increase (by 16–33%), but was significantly increased only after prolonged inhalation of nitric oxide at 30 p.p.m.
4. Aspirin (640 mg orally) caused pronounced and significant prolongations of filtragometry readings and bleeding time. Thus, the methods used were able to reveal platelet stabilization.
5. We conclude that nitric oxide inhalation causes only mild, if any, attenuation of platelet function in healthy subjects with a normal endogenous nitric oxide production. The effects may be different in disease states.
Mechanism of the Impaired Natriuretic Response to Frusemide during Sodium Depletion: A Micropuncture Study in Rats
Authors: Shirley D. G. , Walter S. J. , Unwin R. J. 
Published: August 2015

1. The nephron sites involved in the blunted natriuretic response to frusemide during sodium depletion were investigated using micropuncture techniques in anaesthetized rats.
2. Glomerular filtration rate was lower, and fractional sodium reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule higher, in sodium-depleted than in sodium-replete rats. Consequently, sodium delivery to the loop of Henle was reduced (by approximately 35%) in the sodium-depleted animals. Intravenous frusemide (2.5 mg h−1 kg−1; urinary water and electrolyte losses replaced) had no effect on glomerular filtration rate or proximal tubular sodium reabsorption in either group.
3. The inhibitory effect of intravenous frusemide on fractional sodium reabsorption in the nephron segments constituting the loop of Henle (measured by free-flow micropuncture) was attenuated during sodium depletion. However, when loops of Henle were microperfused at identical rates with artificial late proximal tubular fluid, no difference in the responses of sodium-depleted and sodium-replete rats to intraluminal frusemide (10−5 mol/l) could be detected.
4. In sodium-replete animals, the increased load of sodium delivered from the loop of Henle during frusemide administration resulted in a lowering of fractional sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule. In contrast, in sodium-depleted rats given frusemide, fractional distal sodium reabsorption tended to increase, so that values in the two groups of frusemide-treated animals were markedly different (0.30 ±0.04 versus 0.51 ±0.03).
5. It is concluded that the blunted natriuretic response to frusemide during sodium depletion results from at least three factors: a reduced sodium delivery to the loop of Henle; a reduced inhibitory effect of frusemide on fractional sodium reabsorption in the loop of Henle, which may be a consequence of the reduced sodium load; and enhanced fractional reabsorption of sodium in the distal tubule, which partially buffers the diuretic-induced increase in sodium delivery from the loop.
Relationship between Granulocyte Activation, Pulmonary Granulocyte Kinetics and Alveolar Permeability in Extrapulmonary Inflammatory Disease
Authors: Ussov W. Yu , Peters A. M. , Savill J. , Pusey C. D. , Gaskin G. , Hodgson H. J. , Goldman J. M. , Hughes J. M. B. 
Published: August 2015

1. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between granulocyte activation, pulmonary intravascular granulocyte transit, pulmonary extravascular granulocyte migration and lung injury in patients with systemic conditions (bone marrow transplant recipients, inflammatory bowel disease and systemic vasculitis) in which abnormalities of pulmonary granulocyte traffic have previously been reported.
2. A double 111In-99mTc granulocyte labelling technique was used for quantification of granulocyte kinetics in 23 patients, of whom five were control patients. The pulmonary vascular granulocyte pool was measured from dynamic data centred on the 99mTc signal and expressed as a percentage of the total blood granulocyte pool. Granulocyte migration was quantified on 24 h images using the 111In signal. Granulocyte activation was measured as the percentage of cells showing a change in shape. The clearance rate of an inhaled aerosol of 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (DTPA) was used as a marker of lung injury.
3. Pulmonary granulocyte pool, migration, activation and aerosol clearance, although highly variable in the patient groups, were, in general, elevated compared with the controls.
4. Granulocyte activation correlated with pulmonary granulocyte pool (Rs = 0.72, n = 22, P &lt;0.01), while the t1/2 of DTPA clearance correlated with migration (Rs = −0.84, n = 17, P &lt; 0.01). Fifteen patients had an expanded pulmonary granulocyte pool, of whom six with no evidence of migration, had a normal DTPA clearance, while nine, who had an abnormal migration signal, had an accelerated DTPA clearance. The pulmonary granulocyte pool in these nine was significantly higher than in the six without a migration signal.
5. Activation of granulocytes results in delayed transit through the lung vasculature. With increasing margination, granulocytes migrate into the lung interstitium and injure the lung. An increased intravascular pool does not by itself lead to lung injury.
Effect of Almitrine on Ventilation and on Diaphragm and Geniohyoid Muscle Activity in the Rat
Authors: O'halloran Ken D. , Curran Aidan K. , Bradford Aidan 
Published: August 2015

1. Ventilation was measured during normoxia, hypoxia and hypercapnia before and after administration of almitrine in conscious, unrestrained, tracheostomized rats with the superior laryngeal nerves intact or cut. In superior laryngeal nerve-intact animals breathing air, almitrine increased minute ventilation due to an increase in respiratory frequency with no change in tidal volume. In superior laryngeal nerve-sectioned animals, the minute ventilatory response to almitrine was reduced due to a reduced tidal volume component of the response. Almitrine increased the ventilatory response to hypercapnia in superior laryngeal nerve-intact but not in sectioned animals.
2. In anaesthetized, vagotomized rats breathing spontaneously through a low-cervical tracheostomy, diaphragm and geniohyoid electromyographic activities were recorded. Arterial blood pressure and rectal temperature were continuously monitored. A single dose of almitrine was administered intravenously. In all animals, the geniohyoid muscle had phasic inspiratory activity which slightly preceded diaphragm activity. Almitrine had no effect on respiratory frequency or inspiratory and expiratory duration but increased mean peak integrated diaphragm (+29.3 ±13.6%) and geniohyoid (+ 132.0 ±21.3%) muscle activity.
3. These results show that almitrine exerts part of its ventilatory effects through superior laryngeal nerve afferents. Almitrine preferentially excites upper airway compared with diaphragm muscle activity, suggesting a potential role in the alleviation of obstructive apnoea.
Effect of Treatment with Calcium Antagonists in Vitro and in Vivo on the Contractile Response of Isolated Rat and Human Detrusor Muscle
Authors: Elliott Ruth A. , Norman Robert I. , Parker Stuart G. , Whitaker R. Paul , Castleden C. Mark 
Published: August 2015

1. The effect of calcium antagonists on the contractile response of human and rat isolated detrusor muscle in vitro was investigated. The effect of treatment with nimodipine on rat detrusor muscle in vivo was also examined.
2. Nimodipine 0.1 μmol/l, nifedipine 0.1 μmol/l, nifedipine 0.25 μmol/l and verapamil 1.5 μmol/l reduced the maximum contractile response of isolated human detrusor muscle to carbachol by 42%, 35%, 41% and 28% respectively (P &lt; 0.01). Verapamil 0.1 μmol/l had no significant effect on contractile response.
3. Nimodipine 0.1 μmol/l reduced the maximum contractile response of isolated rat detrusor muscle in vitro to electrical field stimulation and carbachol by 53% and 84% respectively (P &lt; 0.01).
4. Rats were pretreated with nimodipine for 8 days (5 mg day−1 kg−1) or with a single dose. Serum nimodipine concentrations were higher in rats treated for 8 days. In rats treated with nimodipine for 8 days there was no significant difference in detrusor contractile response compared with controls. However, after one dose of nimodipine the maximum contractile response was significantly reduced compared with controls (P &lt; 0.05).
5. At the concentrations studied, nimodipine had a greater inhibitory effect on the contractile response of isolated human detrusor muscle. Nimodipine significantly reduced the contractile response of rat detrusor muscle in vitro and after a single dose in vivo, but had no significant effect after 8 days' treatment in vivo. It is possible that chronic oral treatment with nimodipine caused an up-regulation of 1,4-dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels, which may explain the lack of clinical effect of chronic treatment with calcium antagonists in patients with detrusor instability.
Renal Effects of Amino Acids and Dopamine in Renal Transplant Recipients Treated with or without Cyclosporin A
Authors: Hansen Jesper Melchior , Olsen Niels Vidiendal , Leyssac Paul Peter 
Published: August 2015

1. The nephrotoxic effects of cyclosporin A may diminish the ability of the transplanted kidney to increase the glomerular filtration rate and effective renal plasma flow during infusion of dopamine or amino acids.
2. The present study included 16 renal transplant recipients transplanted for more than 6 months. Eight of the patients were on immunosuppressive treatment including cyclosporin A [cyclosporin A group; cyclosporin A dose, 2.7 ± 0.4 mg/kg; S-creatinine, 105 ± 12 μmol/l (means ± SEM)], whereas eight patients had never received cyclosporin A (non-cyclosporin A group; S-creatinine, 89 ± 6 μmol/l). The renal response to infusion of dopamine and of amino acids was investigated on two separate days. All clearance measurements were carried out at nadir cyclosporin A blood levels.
3. Effective renal plasma flow increased significantly in the non-cyclosporin A group and cyclosporin A group by 31.0 ± 4.1% and 35.9 ± 6.6%, respectively, during infusion of dopamine, and by 18.7 ± 6.7% and 13.9 ± 5.3%, respectively, during infusion of amino acids. Glomerular filtration rate increased significantly in the non-cyclosporin A group and cyclosporin A group by 15.7 ± 3.3% and 18.3 ± 4.7%, respectively, during infusion of dopamine, and by 18.9 ± 4.5% and 15.0 ± 3.7%, respectively, during infusion of amino acids.
4. Furthermore, the amino acid- and dopamine-induced increases in proximal tubular outflow (renal clearance of lithium) and calculated changes in renal proximal and distal tubular handling of sodium (and water) were comparable between the two groups of patients. Dopamine caused significant natriuresis in both groups.
5. In conclusion, low-dose cyclosporin A seems not to attenuate the renal haemodynamic and tubular response to infusions of amino acids and of dopamine in renal transplant recipients with a good graft function.