bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fasting blood glucose in determining the prevalence of diabetes in a large, homogeneous population of Caucasian middle‐aged women
Authors: LARSSON H. , AHRÉN B. , LINDGÄRDE F. , BERGLUND G. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To determine the usefulness of a single, fasting blood glucose (FBG) value in measuring the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in a large, homogeneous population.Design. Fasting blood glucose and 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) values were determined. Based on the results of the OGTT, the sensitivity and specificity of different cut‐off levels of FBG for the diagnosis of diabetes were assessed. ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis was performed on the data.Setting. A health screening unit at the University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden.Subjects. A total of 1843 Caucasian women without known diabetes aged 55–57 years.Results. The prevalence of previously undiagnosed diabetes was 3.9% and the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was 27.9% using the WHO cut‐off values for 2‐h blood glucose values after an OGTT. With an FBG cut‐off value of 6.7 mmol IT−1, the sensitivity of a single FBG value was 36.6%. Reducing the cut‐off value to 6.0 mmol L−1 increased the sensitivity to 53.4%. At a cut‐off level of 4.8 mmol L−1, the sensitivity reached the high value of 85.9%, but the specificity was only 45% and the predictive value of a positive test as low as 5.9%. ROC analysis showed that the optimal cut‐off value for FBG in this population was 5.3 mmol L−1, giving a sensitivity and specificity of 77% but a positive predictive value of only 11.9%.Conclusions. This study has shown that in a large and homogeneous Caucasian population of women aged 55–57 years with a high prevalence of IGT, a single FBG value is not useful as a screening tool for diabetes mellitus.
Diterpene composition of oils from Arabica and Robusta coffee beans and their effects on serum lipids in man
Authors: MENSINK RONALD P. , LEBBINK W. JANET , LOBBEZOO IRENE E. , DER WOUW MARIANNE P. M. E. WEUSTEN‐VAN , ZOCK PETER L. , KATAN MARTIJN B. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. The cholesterol‐raising effect of boiled coffee is caused by diterpenes from coffee oil. In order to identify the diterpene responsible, we analysed the diterpene composition of oils from Arabica (Coffea arabica) and Robusta (Coffea canephora robusta) beans and their effects on serum lipids and thyroid function.Design, Subjects, and Intervention. During the first 3‐week period of a randomized, cross‐over trial, 11 healthy, normolipaemic volunteers received per day either 2 g of coffee oil (n = 5) or placebo oil (n = 6). After a 2‐week wash‐out, the reverse treatments were applied for another 3 weeks. Six subjects received Arabica oil, supplying 72 mg day−1 cafestol and 53 mg day−1 kahweol, and five received Robusta oil, which provided 40 mg of cafestol, 19 mg of 16‐O‐methyl‐cafestol, and 2 mg of kahweol per day. Background diets were constant.Results. The average serum cholesterol levels rose by 0.65 mmol L−1 (13%) on Arabica oil (P < 0.025; 95% CI, 0.21–1.09 mmol L−1) and by 0.53 mmol L−1 (13%) on Robusta oil (NS; 95% CI –0.36–1.42 mmol L−1). The triglycerides levels rose by 0.54 mmol L−1 (71%) on Arabica (P < 0.005; 95% CI, 0.22–0.76 mmol L−1) and 0.49 mmol L−1 (61%) on Robusta oil (P < 0.005; 95% CI, 0.30–0.68 mmol L−1). None of the effects on serum lipids or lipoprotein cholesterol levels was significantly different between Arabica and Robusta oil. Concentrations of serum total and free thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) were largely unaffected.Conclusions. Both Arabica and Robusta oil elevated serum lipid levels; therefore, cafestol must be involved and kahweol cannot be the sole cholesterol‐raising diterpene. The mode of action of coffee diterpenes does not involve induction of hypothyroidism.
Left ventricular thrombosis after anterior myocardial infarction with and without thrombolytic treatment
Authors: MOOE T. , TEIEN D. , KARP K. , ERIKSSON P. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. To examine the incidence of left ventricular thrombus in patients with anterior myocardial infarction, with and without streptokinase treatment. To identify predictors of thrombus development.Design. Consecutive patients prospectively studied during the hospitalized period. Echocardiography was performed within 3 days of admission and before discharge.Setting. Umeå University Hospital, a teaching hospital in Northern Sweden.Subjects. Ninety‐nine patients with anterior myocardial infarction of whom 74 were treated with streptokinase.Main outcome measures. Left ventricular thrombus and left ventricular segmental myocardial function.Results. During the hospital stay, a thrombus developed in 46% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35–57%) of the patients in the thrombolysis group and in 40% (95% CI, 21–59%) of the patients in the non‐thrombolysis group. No difference in left ventricular segmental myocardial function was found between the thrombolysis and non‐thrombolysis groups at hospital discharge. No embolic events were observed. The occurrence of a left ventricular thrombus at hospital discharge was significantly associated with previous myocardial infarction, peak enzyme levels, left ventricular global and segmental dysfunction and an increased dose of peroral diuretics or use of parenteral diuretics. In a multiple logistic regression model, left ventricular segmental dysfunction was the most important predictor of left ventricular thrombus.Conclusion. Thrombolytic treatment with streptokinase does not prevent the development of a left ventricular thrombus but the risk of embolic complications is low. The left ventricular segmental myocardial score can be used to assess the risk of thrombus development, also, after thrombolysis.
The cost‐effectiveness of a cardiovascular multiple‐risk‐factor intervention programme in treated hypertensive men
Authors: JOHANNESSON M. , AGEWALL S. , HARTFORD M. , HEDNER T. , FAGERBERG B. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. The aim of this study was to carry out a cost‐effectiveness analysis of a multifactorial intervention programme in treated hypertensive patients.Design. A cost‐effectiveness analysis based on 3 years of follow‐up in an open, randomized, parallel‐group study with allocation either to a comprehensive, multiple‐risk‐factor modification programme or to conventional treatment.Setting. An outpatient clinic of a city hospital.Subjects. Inclusion criteria were: male sex, age 50–72 (mean 66.4) years, treated hypertension and at least one of the following: serum cholesterol ≥ 6.5 mmol L‐1, and/or smoking and/or diabetes mellitus. A total of 508 patients were included in the study.Interventions. Advice given to individuals, and group meetings based on nutritional advice and behavioural treatment principles. If necessary, drug therapy could be instituted to achieve the treatment goals in the intervention group: serum total cholesterol of < 6.0 mmol L−1, no smoking, HbAlc < 6.0% and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg in both groups.Main outcome measure. Incremental cost per life‐year gained of the intervention programme.Results. The cost per life‐year gained was SEK 4000 in an estimation based on the observed risk reduction and ranged between SEK 62 000 and SEK 163 000 in three estimations based on the risk factor changes.Conclusions. The analysis indicates that the intervention programme is cost‐effective in the studied patient population.
Interventional neurovascular techniques in the treatment of stroke — state‐of‐the‐art therapy
Authors: HIGASHIDA R. T. , TSAI F. Y. , HALBACH V. V. , BARNWELL S. L. , DOWD C. F. , HIESHIMA G. B. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Interventional neurovascular techniques for the treatment of patients presenting with symptoms of acute or impending stroke, are now being utilized with increasing frequency in three major areas. (i) For patients presenting with cerebrovascular ischaemic symptoms due to haemodynamically significant stenosis from atherosclerosis, vasculitis, intimal hyperplasia, and dissection, cerebral percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has been shown to be beneficial for both extracranial and intracranial disease. (ii) Patients with acute, embolic occlusion of the internal carotid, middle cerebral, distal vertebral, and basilar arteries have been successfully treated by placement of microcatheters directly into the thrombus with successful thrombolysis, recanalization, and reperfusion to the distal ischemic brain. (iii) Acute arterial vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid haemorrhage is now being managed by balloon angioplasty in those instances where conventional medical therapy has failed.These techniques are altering our current management and broadening the therapeutic alternatives for patients who present with acute cerebrovascular insufficiency and stroke in evolution. As wider experience is gained in these techniques, the clinical indications for their use will also broaden.
Lowering of body iron stores by blood letting and oxidation resistance of serum lipoproteins: a randomized cross‐over trial in male smokers
Authors: SALONEN J. T. , KORPELA H. , NYYSSÖNEN K. , PORKKALA E. , TUOMAINEN T.‐P. , BELCHER J. D. , JACOBS D.R. , SALONEN R. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the reduction of body iron stores by venesection (blood letting) would reduce the susceptibility to oxidation of atherogenic serum lipoproteins.Design. This is a randomized, controlled cross‐over trial in 14 regularly smoking men with elevated serum ferritin concentration. The study design comprised two 14‐week study periods, with a 14‐week wash‐out period in between, with either blood donations or control.Setting. The study site was the Research Institute of Public Health, University of Kuopio. Investigators from the Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, participated in the planning of the study.Subjects. Fourteen volunteers who were heavy smokers and had previous experience in blood letting were recruited for the study.Interventions. During the intervention periods, the subjects donated 450 mg (500 mL) of blood three times in 14 weeks.Main outcome measurements. Oxidation resistance of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)/low density lipoprotein (LDL) was measured after inducing oxidation with haemin and H2O2.Results. Serum ferritin concentration was reduced by 44% [95% confidence interval (CI) 8–82%, P = 0.021] during the venesection periods, the maximal oxidation velocity was decreased by 20% (95% CI 3–30%, P = 0.032), and the lag time to start of oxidation was lengthened (oxidation resistance increased) by 33% (95% CI 1–64%, P = 0.036).Conclusions. These observations indicate that the reduction of body iron stores by venesection can increase the oxidation resistance of serum VLDL/LDL in regularly smoking men.
Rapid detection and prevalence of the variants of the angiotensinogen gene in patients with essential hypertension
Authors: MORISE T. , TAKEUCHI Y. , TAKEDA R. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objectives. The angiotensinogen (AGT) gene has been implicated as a candidate gene of high blood pressure. However, because the variants of the AGT gene are point mutations, it is difficult to detect them in large scale population studies. The aims of this study were to develop a rapid screening method for the point mutations and, using this method, to determine the possible role of the AGT gene variant in high blood pressure in the Japanese population.Design and subjects. A rapid screening method for the point mutations by means of primer‐specified restriction map modification is described here. Using this method, the distribution of two variants of the AGT gene, M235T and T174M, was determined in 80 patients with essential hypertension (EHT) and 100 normotensive controls (control).Result. The hypertensive group showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher frequency for the T174M variant but the same frequency for the M235T variant.Conclusion. These data provide evidence in favour of an association between hypertension and a genetic variant of AGT in human EHT, and a marked ethnic difference in the AGT gene.
Diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria in northern Sweden: an evaluation of mutation analysis and biochemical methods
Authors: ANDERSSON C. , THUNELL S. , FLODERUS Y. , FORSELL C. , LUNDIN G. , ANVRET M. , LANNFELT L. , WETTERBERG L. , LITHNER F. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract. Objective. To validate the use of a recently observed guanine to adenine mutation in exon 10 in the porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) gene as a diagnostic marker of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). To evaluate the efficiency of the traditional biochemical diagnostic methods.Design. Matched and blinded case–control study (1:4).Setting. A primary health care centre in Arjeplog, the National Porphyria Research Unit and a department of clinical genetics in Stockholm.Subjects. A total of 48/49 (98%) patients over the age of 15 years living in Arjeplog with AIP, diagnosed according to standard clinical and biochemical criteria. For each AIP patient, four controls were matched for age, sex and geographical area and 164/196 (86%) participated. In the validity study, 35 patients were selected as indisputable AIP gene carriers, according to strict biochemical criteria, and 92 matched controls were selected with strict exclusion criteria.Main outcome measures. Validity, specificity and sensitivity of DNA diagnosis for this AIP mutation. Specificity and sensitivity of traditional biochemical methods.Results. Validity study: the mutation was found in all 35 individuals classified as carriers of AIP. None of the 92 controls had the mutation. Evaluation study: all 48 AIP gene carriers, diagnosed by traditional methods, had the mutation, as had one of the control persons. In an inconclusive group of five persons with heredity for AIP, two had a positive DNA test.Conclusions. The PBGD mutation analysis was found to have full specificity and sensitivity and can be used as the sole diagnostic method in the family complex studied, representing the major AIP mutation in Sweden. The traditional diagnostic methods, used in optimal combinations, work in most cases, but they do not show high precision. However, they must be used when the specific mutation in the PBGD gene is not known.
Gastrointestinal motility disorders and bacterial overgrowth
Authors: Husebye Einar 
Published: August 2009

Abstract.Data on the relationship between small intestinal motility, absorption, and nutrition are sparse and incomplete. Yet, impaired motility is considered to be a plausible cause of bacterial overgrowth, which may have deleterious effects on digestion and absorption. This review discusses the scientific validity and clinical relevance of the concept that intestinal motor abnormalities are responsible for enteric bacterial overgrowth.Disorders associated with intestinal dysmotility and bacterial overgrowth, are illuminated, and concurrent studies of intestinal motility and microflora are focused on in detail. Moreover, practical considerations are given with regard to the clinical management of patients with bacterial overgrowth.Available data allow the conclusion to be drawn that impaired intestinal motility, as evidenced by attenuated migrating motor complex activity, results in bacterial overgrowth. The criteria for an intestinal motility disorder likely to result in bacterial overgrowth have been determined in patients with late radiation enteropathy, but studies in other clinical conditions are needed to establish general guidelines.
Dynamic changes in the extracellular proteome caused by absence of a pleiotropic regulator AdpA in Streptomyces griseus
Authors: Akanuma Genki , Hara Hirofumi , Ohnishi Yasuo , Horinouchi Sueharu 
Published: August 2009

SummaryIn Streptomyces griseus, A‐factor (2‐isocapryloyl‐3R‐hydroxymethyl‐γ‐butyrolactone) triggers morphological development and secondary metabolism by inducing a pleiotropic transcriptional regulator AdpA. Extracellular proteome analysis of the wild‐type and ΔadpA strains grown to the end of the exponential phase in liquid minimal medium revealed that 38 secreted proteins, including many catabolic enzymes, such as protease, glycosyl hydrolase and esterase, were produced in an AdpA‐dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis showed that almost all of these AdpA‐dependent secreted proteins were regulated at the transcriptional level. In vitro AdpA‐binding assays and determination of transcriptional start sites led to identification of 11 promoters as novel targets of AdpA. Viability staining revealed that some hyphae lysed during the exponential growth phase, which could explain the detection of 3 and 23 cytoplasmic proteins in the culture media of the wild‐type and ΔadpA strains respectively. In the wild‐type strain, due to high protease activity in the culture medium, cytoplasmic proteins that leaked from dead cells seemed to be degraded and reused for the further growth. The existence of many AdpA‐dependent (i.e. A‐factor‐inducible) secreted catabolic enzymes, which are likely involved in the assimilation of material that leaked from dead cells, reemphasizes the importance of A‐factor in the morphological differentiation of S. griseus.
Enhancer of decapping proteins 1 and 2 are important for translation during heat stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Neef Daniel W. , Thiele Dennis J. 
Published: August 2009

SummaryIn mammalian and Drosophila cells, heat stress strongly reduces general protein translation while activating cap‐independent translation mechanisms to promote the expression of stress‐response proteins. In contrast, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae general translation is only mildly and transiently reduced by heat stress and cap‐independent translation mechanisms have not been correlated with the heat stress response. Recently we have identified direct target genes of the heat shock transcription factor (HSF), including genes encoding proteins thought to be important for general translation. One gene activated by HSF during heat stress encodes the enhancer of decapping protein, Edc2, previously shown to enhance mRNA decapping under conditions when the decapping machinery is limited. In this report we show that strains lacking Edc2, as well as the paralogous protein Edc1, are compromised for growth under persistent heat stress. This growth deficiency can be rescued by expression of a mutant Edc1 protein deficient in mRNA decapping indicative of a decapping independent function during heat stress. Yeast strains lacking Edc1 and Edc2 are also sensitive to the pharmacological inhibitor of translation paromomycin and exposure to heat stress and paromomycin functions synergistically to reduce yeast viability, suggesting that in the absence of Edc1 and Edc2 translation is compromised under heat stress conditions. Strains lacking Edc1 and Edc2 have significantly reduced rates of protein translation during growth under heat stress conditions, but not under normal growth conditions. We propose that Edc1 and the stress responsive isoform Edc2 play important roles in protein translation during stress.
Vital role for the Plasmodium actin capping protein (CP) beta‐subunit in motility of malaria sporozoites
Authors: Ganter Markus , Schüler Herwig , Matuschewski Kai 
Published: August 2009

SummarySuccessful malaria transmission from the mosquito vector to the mammalian host depends crucially on active sporozoite motility. Sporozoite locomotion and host cell invasion are driven by the parasite's own actin/myosin motor. A unique feature of this motor machinery is the presence of very short subpellicular actin filaments. Therefore, F‐actin stabilizing proteins likely play a central role in parasite locomotion. Here, we investigated the role of the Plasmodium berghei actin capping protein (PbCP), an orthologue of the heterodimeric regulator of filament barbed end growth, by reverse genetics. Parasites containing a deletion of the CP beta‐subunit developed normally during the pathogenic erythrocytic cycle. However, due to reduced ookinete motility, mutant parasites form fewer oocysts and sporozoites in the Anopheles vector. These sporozoites display a vital deficiency in forward gliding motility and fail to colonize the mosquito salivary glands, resulting in complete attenuation of life cycle progression. Together, our results show that the CP beta‐subunit exerts an essential role in the insect vector before malaria transmission to the mammalian host. The vital role is restricted to fast locomotion, as displayed by Plasmodium sporozoites.
Two‐enzyme systems for glycolipid and polyglycerolphosphate lipoteichoic acid synthesis in Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Webb Alexander J. , Karatsa‐Dodgson Maria , Gründling Angelika 
Published: August 2009

SummaryLipoteichoic acid (LTA) is an important cell wall polymer in Gram‐positive bacteria and often consists a polyglycerolphosphate backbone chain that is linked to the membrane by a glycolipid. In Listeria monocytogenes this glycolipid is Gal‐Glc‐DAG or Gal‐Ptd‐6Glc‐DAG. Using a bioinformatics approach, we have identified L. monocytogenes genes predicted to be involved in glycolipid (lmo2555 and lmo2554) and LTA backbone (lmo0644 and lmo0927) synthesis. LTA and glycolipid analysis of wild‐type and mutant strains confirmed the function of Lmo2555 and Lmo2554 as glycosyltransferases required for the formation of Glc‐DAG and Gal‐Glc‐DAG. Deletion of a third gene, lmo2553, located in the same operon resulted in the production of LTA with an altered structure. lmo0927 and lmo0644 encode proteins with high similarity to the staphylococcal LTA synthase LtaS, which is responsible for polyglycerolphosphate backbone synthesis. We show that both proteins are involved in LTA synthesis. Our data support a model whereby Lmo0644 acts as an LTA primase LtaP and transfers the initial glycerolphosphate onto the glycolipid anchor, and Lmo0927 functions as LTA synthase LtaS, which extends the glycerolphosphate backbone chain. Inactivation of LtaS leads to severe growth and cell division defects, underscoring the pivotal role of LTA in this Gram‐positive pathogen.
Quality of life of living kidney donors in Brazil: an evaluation by the short form‐36 and the WHOQOL‐bref questionnaires
Authors: Padrão Marta B. , Sens Yvoty A. S. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  There are few studies that evaluate donors’ quality of life (QOL) following renal transplant in developing countries. This study was conducted to evaluate post‐donation QOL of Brazilian living kidney donors using SF‐36 and WHOQOL‐bref questionnaires.Subjects and methods:  Demographic, socioeconomic and the QOL data were analyzed utilizing SF‐36 and WHOQOL‐bref questionnaires of 69 living kidney donors and compared with 68 non‐donor subjects from the same community.Results:  The donors and controls were similar as for gender and ethnicity, predominating the female. There was no difference in the educational level or socioeconomic class between the groups, the lower income being more prevalent. The evaluation of the donors’ QOL was not significantly different from that of the control group. In some domains of the SF‐36 and of the WHOQOL‐bref questionnaires, donors scored higher than controls. Even the evaluation of the QOL of donors whose recipients had suffered loss of the graft or death following renal transplantation, showed in a general manner a similar QOL to the controls.Conclusions:  Living kidney donors in a mainly low‐income segment of the Brazilian population present a post‐donation quality of life equal or superior to that of the non‐donor population with the same socioeconomic profile. The two generic instruments used to evaluate the quality of life presented similar results.