bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Osteoprotegerin is associated with cardiovascular risk in hypertension and/or diabetes
Authors: Blázquez‐Medela Ana M. , García‐Ortiz Luis , Gómez‐Marcos Manuel A. , Recio‐Rodriguez José I. , Sánchez‐Rodríguez Angel , López‐Novoa José M. , Martínez‐Salgado Carlos 
Published: October 2011

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (5): 548–556AbstractBackground  Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a secreted member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily of cytokines, has been associated with endothelial dysfunction. We studied in type 2 diabetic and/or hypertensive patients the relationship between serum OPG and vascular alterations associated with these pathologies.Materials and methods  We analysed 191 consecutive patients (52 with type 2 diabetes and 139 hypertensive nondiabetic patients) and 54 healthy controls. We assessed the relationship of OPG serum levels measured by ELISA with basal glycaemia, glycosylated haemoglobin, blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction (assessed by pulse wave velocity), retinopathy (by Keith‐Wagener classification), left ventricular hypertrophy (by Cornell index), cardiovascular risk and target organs (heart, vascular, kidney) damage.Results  Serum OPG levels were higher in either hypertensive or diabetic patients and in patients with non‐dipper and riser circadian blood pressure patterns. We found significant correlations between OPG levels and age, height, glycaemia, systolic, diastolic and pulse blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and left ventricular hypertrophy in both hypertensive and diabetic patients. OPG levels were also higher in hypertensive patients with retinopathy, patients with high probability of 10‐year cardiovascular risk, patients with three or more damaged target organs (heart, vessels, kidneys) and patients with previous episodes of ischaemic cardiopathy or hypercholesterolaemia.Conclusions  Osteoprotegerin is an indicator of diabetes‐ and hypertension‐associated vascular pathologies as endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk.
Rosiglitazone reverses increased duodenal inhibitory response in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: De Benedictis L. , Potenza M. A. , Gagliardi S. , Zigrino A. , Montagnani M. , De Salvia M. A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractBackground  Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) including rosiglitazone (ROSI) are insulin sensitizing agents with beneficial gastrointestinal effects. However, no studies are available on TZDs effect in gastrointestinal motility. We evaluated the effects of ROSI on gastrointestinal inhibitory neurotransmission focusing on the modulatory roles of nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (NOS/NO) and heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide (HO/CO) pathways.Methods  Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used as model of insulin resistance. Duodenal strips were obtained from vehicle‐treated SHR, ROSI‐treated SHR (5 mg kg−1 by gavage daily per 6 weeks), and Wistar Kyoto (WKY). Inhibitory responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were evaluated in the presence of HO inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX, 10 μmol L−1) or NOS inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine (L‐NNA, 100 μmol L−1), alone and in combination. Protein levels of HO and NOS isoforms were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis.Key Results  Basal responses to EFS were significantly increased in duodenum strips from vehicle‐treated SHR vs WKY. This effect was reversed in ROSI‐treated SHR. The EFS‐mediated relaxation was comparably reduced by ZnPPIX in WKY and SHR, but not in ROSI‐treated SHR animals. The L‐NNA reduced EFS response to a similar extent in WKY and ROSI ‐treated SHR, but its effect was significantly higher in vehicle‐treated SHR. Expression of HO‐1 protein was significantly lower, whereas HO‐2 protein levels were unchanged in ROSI‐treated SHR with respect to vehicle‐treated SHR. Finally, increased levels of nNOS in vehicle‐treated SHR were reduced in ROSI‐treated SHR.Conclusions & Inferences  Chronic ROSI treatment reverses increased SHR duodenal inhibitory response acting on CO and NO components.
DTC genetic testing: pendulum swings and policy paradoxes
Authors: Caulfield T 
Published: October 2011

Caulfield T. DTC genetic testing: pendulum swings and policy paradoxes.After decades of optimistic portrayals, there has been a shift in the way that the popular press represents genomic research. A skeptical view has become more common. The central reason for this pendulum swing away from popular support is the harsh truth that most genetic risk information just isn't that predictive. This reality has created a fascinating policy paradox. If, as many in the scientific community are now saying, genetic information is not the oracle of our future health as we were once led to believe, and if access does not, for most, cause harm, why regulate the area? Why worry about shoddy direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) genetic testing companies? One primary justification, and one endorsed by the recent Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG) Policy Statement on DTC Genetics Testing, is that information that is conveyed to the public about genetics via marketing and to those who access DTC tests should, at a minimum, be accurate.
Lymphopenia in patients with chronic idiopathic neutropenia is associated with decreased number of T‐lymphocytes containing T‐cell receptor excision circles
Authors: Gemetzi Claudia , Mavroudi Irene , Koutala Helen , Velegraki Maria , Choulaki Christiana , Damianaki Athena , Pontikoglou Charalampos , Papadaki Helen A. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractObjectives:  Chronic idiopathic neutropenia (CIN) is a disorder of granulopoiesis characterized by the presence of activated T‐lymphocytes that induce/sustain apoptosis of bone marrow (BM) granulocytic progenitors. T‐cell lymphopenia is commonly found in CIN. The aim of the study is to probe the mechanisms underlying T‐cell lymphopenia in CIN.Methods:  We investigated parameters of T‐cell homeostasis namely the proliferation/apoptotic rate of naïve and memory T cells, the T‐cell senescence by telomere measurement, the recent thymic T‐cell production through quantification of T‐cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TRECs), and the production of interleukin (IL)‐7.Results:  Patients with CIN (n = 44) displayed lower proportion of naïve CD45RA+ cells within the CD4+ and CD8+ cells compared with controls (n = 15). The proportion of apoptotic cells within the CD8+ fraction was higher in patients compared with controls and was correlated with the percentage of Ki‐67+ cells, indicating an activation‐induced accelerated CD8+ cell death. The TREC content of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was lower in patients compared with controls and was correlated with the proportion of CD45RA+ CD4+ and CD8+ cells and with the levels of serum and BM IL‐7, which were significantly decreased in the patients. The mean relative telomere length of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was significantly lower in patients with CIN compared with age‐matched controls.Conclusions:  The aberrant T‐cell expansions associated with the pathogenesis of CIN result in increased proliferation/apoptosis and possibly exhaustion of peripheral blood T cells which, in association with the inadequate compensatory thymic export of new TREC expressing T cells partially because of IL‐7 deficiency, may contribute to lymphopenia in CIN.
Stocked trout do not significantly affect wood frog populations in boreal foothills lakes
Authors: Schank C.M.M. , Paszkowski C.A. , Tonn W.M. , Scrimgeour G.J. 
Published: October 2011

Stocking salmonids into lakes can have negative consequences for some ecosystem components, including amphibians. In the boreal foothills of Alberta, Canada, we compared populations of wood frog ( Lithobates sylvaticus ) at lakes with (n = 5) and without (n = 6) stocked trout over 3 years; all 11 lakes also supported native populations of forage fishes. Abundance and size of adult and young-of-year (YOY) frogs did not differ significantly between stocked and unstocked lakes. We also compared the wood frog population from a twelfth, fishless lake with populations from the 11 fish-bearing lakes (with or without trout); abundance and size of adults and YOY were greater, and YOY emerged earlier in the absence of fish. Based on patterns compiled from a literature review of effects of stocked trout on anuran amphibians, we suggest that characteristics of our study systems, including the presence of native fish, the length of the anuran larval period, lake trophic status, and the existence of complex, littoral habitats, contributed to the lack of major impacts of stocked trout on wood frog populations.
First and second meal effects of pulses on blood glucose, appetite, and food intake at a later meal
Authors: Mollard Rebecca C. , Wong Christina L. , Luhovyy Bohdan L. , Anderson G. Harvey 
Published: October 2011

Pulses are low-glycemic appetite-suppressing foods, but it is not known whether these properties persist after being consumed as part of a meal and after a second meal. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a fixed-size pulse meal on appetite and blood glucose (BG) before and after an ad libitum test meal (pizza) and on food intake (FI) at the test meal. Males (n = 25; 21.3 ± 0.5 years; 21.6 ± 0.3 kg·m–2) randomly consumed 4 isocaloric meals: chickpea; lentil; yellow split pea; and macaroni and cheese (control). Commercially available canned pulses provided 250 kcal, and were consumed with macaroni and tomato sauce. FI was measured at a pizza meal 260 min after consumption of the isocaloric meal. BG and appetite were measured from 0 to 340 min. The lentil and yellow pea, but not chickpea, treatments led to lower appetite ratings during the 260 min prepizza meal period, and less FI at the pizza meal, compared with macaroni and cheese (p < 0.05). All pulse treatments lowered BG immediately following consumption (at 20 min) (p < 0.05), but there was no effect of treatment on prepizza meal BG AUC (p = 0.07). Immediately after the pizza meal, BG was lower following the chickpea and lentil treatments, but not the yellow pea treatment (p < 0.05). Postpizza meal BG AUC was lower following the chickpea and lentil treatments than in the yellow pea treatment (p < 0.05). The beneficial effects of consuming a pulse meal on appetite, FI at a later meal, and the BG response to a later meal are dependent on pulse type.
Effects of high-dose large neutral amino acid supplementation on exercise, motor skill, and mental performance in Australian Rules Football players
Authors: Stepto Nigel K. , Shipperd Benjamin B. , Hyman Graeme , McInerney Bernie , Pyne David B. 
Published: October 2011

This study investigated the effects of high-dose large neutral amino acid (LNAA) supplementation on attenuating fatigue-induced decrements in exercise and motor skill performance in Australian Rules Football (ARF) players. Fifteen subelite ARF players participated in 3 testing sessions separated by 7 days. Players completed an initial control trial involving a reactive motor skills test (RMST) and a reactive agility test (RAT) carried out before and after fatiguing exercise. In the subsequent experimental trials, players ingested a serotonin-depleting or protein control (PC) LNAA mixture 3 h before testing, allocated in a double-blind randomized cross-over design. Blood samples were taken at presupplementation and pre- and postexercise for analysis of plasma amino acid, insulin, and metabolite concentrations. The effect of the LNAA was established as the difference in the change in the mean RMST and RAT test scores among the depleting, PC, and baseline (BL) trials. Mean overall repetition time of the RAT was moderately improved by –5.2% ± 3.4% (mean ± 90% confidence limits; effect size –0.45 ± 0.28) after ingestion of the serotonin-depleting mixture compared with the BL trial. Serotonin-depleting and PC supplements had a divergent effect on mean repetition time after fatiguing exercise in RMST: depleting serotonin elicited a small improvement (–3.0% ± 2.7%) in motor skill performance in contrast to a small decrement (2.4% ± 2.7%) after ingestion of the PC mixture, when compared to the BL. High-dose serotonin-“depleting” LNAA supplementation given 3 h prior to intermittent high-intensity exercise improved reactive motor skill and agility performance in ARF players.
Creatine supplementation does not augment muscle carnosine content in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Gualano Bruno , Lugaresi Rebeca , Painelli de Salles Vitor , Queiroz Andréia Cristina Carrenho , Artioli Guilherme , Roschel Hamilton , Otaduy Maria Concepción , Leite Cláudia da Costa , Lancha Antonio Herbert 
Published: October 2011

We examined whether creatine supplementation affects muscle carnosine content in type 2 diabetic patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either creatine (5 g·day–1) or placebo in a double-blind fashion. At baseline and after 12 weeks, carnosine content was evaluated in gastrocnemius and soleus muscles by using a 1H-MRS technique. No changes were found in gastrocnemius (p = 0.81) and soleus (p = 0.85). We concluded that creatine supplementation does not augment muscle carnosine content in type 2 diabetic patients.
Crucial Role of CD40 Signaling in Vascular Wall Cells in Neointimal Formation and Vascular Remodeling After Vascular Interventions
Authors: Song Zifang , Jin Rong , Yu Shiyong , Nanda Anil , Granger D. Neil , Li Guohong 
Published: October 2011

Objective—
It has been shown that CD40-TRAF6 axis in leukocytes plays a significant role in neointimal formation after carotid ligation. Because CD40 and TRAF6 are expressed not only in leukocytes but also in vascular cells, we examined the role of CD40 contributed by vascular wall cells in neointimal formation after carotid ligation in an atherogenic environment.

Methods and Results—

Both CD40 and TRAF6 in medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was upregulated significantly at 3 days and more prominently at 7 days after injury in wildtype mice, but the TRAF6 upregulation was abolished in CD40
−/−
mice. In vitro, TRAF6 expression was induced by cytokines (tumor necrosis factor -α, interleukin-1β) via a NF-κB–dependent manner in wildtype SMCs, but this induction was blocked in CD40-deficient SMCs. Bone marrow chimeras revealed a comparable reduction in neointimal formation and lumen stenosis in mice lacking either vascular wall- or bone marrow-associated CD40. Lacking vascular wall-associated CD40 resulted in a significant reduction in monocyte/macrophage accumulation, NF-κB activation, and multiple proinflammatory mediators (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, MCP-1, MMP-9, tissue factor). In vitro data confirmed that CD40 deficiency or TRAF6 knockdown suppressed CD40L-induced proinflammatory phenotype of SMCs by inhibition of NF-κB activation. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro data showed that CD40 deficiency prevented injury-induced SMC apoptosis but did not affect SMC proliferation and migration.

Conclusion—
CD40 signaling through TRAF6 in vascular SMCs seems to be centrally involved in neointimal formation in a NF-κB–dependent manner. Modulating CD40 signaling on local vascular wall may become a new therapeutic target against vascular restenosis.
Recombinant Activated Coagulation Factor VII and Prothrombin Complex Concentrates Are Equally Effective in Reducing Hematoma Volume in Experimental Warfarin-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Authors: Schlunk Frieder , Van Cott Elizabeth M. , Hayakawa Kazuhide , Pfeilschifter Waltraud , Lo Eng H. , Foerch Christian 
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—
Based on an experimental model of warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage, we investigated whether the rapid reversal of anticoagulation using prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC) or recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) reduces hematoma volume.

Methods—
Mice were orally pretreated with warfarin (2 mg/kg). Intracerebral hemorrhage was induced by collagenase injection into the right striatum. Forty-five minutes later, PCC (100 IE/kg), rFVIIa (1 mg/kg), or an equal volume of saline was administered intravenously. Hematoma volume after 24 hours was quantified using a photometric hemoglobin assay.

Results—

International normalized ratio was 4.3±0.4 in saline-treated mice, 0.9±0.1 in rFVIIa mice, and 1.4±0.2 in PCC mice. Intracerebral hemorrhage volume was 29.0±19.7 μL in the saline group (n=7), 8.6±4.3 μL in the rFVIIa group (n=6), and 6.1±1.8 μL in the PCC group (n=7; analysis of variance between-group differences
P
=0.004; post hoc rFVIIa versus saline
P
=0.021; PCC versus saline
P
=0.007). No significant difference was found between PCC- and rFVIIa-treated animals.

Conclusions—
Our results suggest that PCC and rFVIIa are equally effective in restoring coagulation and preventing excessive hematoma growth in acute warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage.
Impact of the Atmospheric Mean State on Tropical Instability Wave Activity
Authors: Imada Yukiko , Kimoto Masahide , Chen Xianyan 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
The features of simulated tropical instability waves (TIWs) in the Pacific Ocean are compared between atmospheric models of two different resolutions coupled with a uniform oceanic model. Results show that TIWs are more active in the high-resolution model, even though it includes atmospheric negative feedback. Such negative feedback is not identified in the low-resolution atmospheric model because of the absence of atmospheric responses. Comparison of the energetics between the two models shows that the large TIW activity in the higher-resolution model is due to the difference in barotropic energy sources near the surface. A high-resolution atmosphere results in a tighter intertropical convergence zone and associated stronger wind curl and shear. This causes a stronger surface current shear between the South Equatorial Current (SEC) and North Equatorial Counter Current (NECC), which is one of the main sources of TIW kinetic energy. These results indicate the important role of the atmospheric mean field on TIW activity and the advantage of using high-resolution models to represent coupling among multiscale phenomena.
FMO-based H.264 frame layer rate control for low bit rate video transmission
Authors: Cajote Rhandley D , Aramvith Supavadee , Miyanaga Yoshikazu 
Published: October 2011

Abstract
The use of flexible macroblock ordering (FMO) in H.264/AVC improves error resiliency at the expense of reduced coding efficiency with added overhead bits for slice headers and signalling. The trade-off is most severe at low bit rates, where header bits occupy a significant portion of the total bit budget. To better manage the rate and improve coding efficiency, we propose enhancements to the H.264/AVC frame layer rate control, which take into consideration the effects of using FMO for video transmission. In this article, we propose a new header bits model, an enhanced frame complexity measure, a bit allocation and a quantization parameter adjustment scheme. Simulation results show that the proposed improvements achieve better visual quality compared with the JM 9.2 frame layer rate control with FMO enabled using a different number of slice groups. Using FMO as an error resilient tool with better rate management is suitable in applications that have limited bandwidth and in error prone environments such as video transmission for mobile terminals.
Jelentős végbél- és gáttáji lágyrész-hiány fedése kétoldali musculus gluteus major és jobb oldali gracilis musculocutan lebenyplasztikával
Authors: Hamvas Balázs , Mucs Mihály , Varga István , Szilágyi Anna , Altorjay Áron 
Published: October 2011

Absztrakt
A szerzők egy elhanyagolt cc. planocellulare ani esetét ismertetik, amely környezetét beszűrve székletinkontinenciát, kifejezett végbéltáji fájdalmat, kifekélyesedést, vérzést okozott. Az elváltozás neoadjuváns radioterápia hatására vált operálhatóvá. Abdominoperinealis rectum exstirpatiót végeztünk, a jelentős méretű végbél- és gáttáji lágyrész-hiányt kétoldali m. gluteus maximus musculocutan lebenyplasztikával, a kismedence izomzatának hiányát és a megmaradt gáttáji bőrhiányt jobb oldali m. gracilis musculocutan lebenyplasztikával pótoltuk. A beteget 36 napos ápolás után bocsátottuk otthonába. Lebenyelhalás nem következett be. A műtét során kialakult proximalis húgycsősérülés direkt varrattal gyógyult. A beteg a posztoperatív második hónaptól kezdve fekhetett rövid ideig a lebenyre, három hónapos rehabilitáció után tudott ülni rajta. Hat hónappal a műtét után a jobb lágyéktájékon környezetével kapaszkodó, majd kifekélyesedő nyirokcsomó-metastasis jelent meg, amely már inoperábilis volt. A beteg a műtét után 10 hónappal exitált. Az eset kapcsán úgy gondoljuk, hogy az olyan analis tumorok esetében, amelyek eltávolítása után direkt varrattal nem zárható lágyrész-hiány keletkezik, a tumor eltávolításával és a hiány jó vérellátású musculocutan lebennyel való fedésével jelentős életminőségbeli javulást érhetünk el.
Toxic alveolitis after inhalation of a water repellent
Authors: Epping Guido , Baarlen Joop , Valk Paul 
Published: October 2011

AbstractInhalation of fluorocarbon polymers can cause pulmonary toxicity. Although multiple cases of lung injury have been reported, cellular characterization of the associated alveolitis occurring acutely after inhalation is limited. We report the case of apreviously healthy woman who presented at our Emergency Department with an acute pneumonitis following inhalation of afluorocarbon polymer-based rain-proofing spray. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed shortly after the presentation showed an elevated total cell count, with ahigh proportion of neutrophils (58%) and eosinophils (9%). Inaddition, alipid stain (Oil-Red-O-stain) showed ahigh level of lipid laden macrophages, amarker that could reflect adirect toxic effect of the spray on alveolar cells. The patient made afull recovery after four days of in-hospital observation with supportive care.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Panama: a cluster description.
Authors: Tribaldos Maribel , Zaldivar Yamitzel , Bermudez Sergio , Samudio Franklyn , Mendoza Yaxelis , Martinez Alexander A , Villalobos Rodrigo , Eremeeva Marina E , Paddock Christopher D , Page Kathleen , Smith Rebecca E , Pascale Juan Miguel 
Published: October 2011

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick-borne infection caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. We report a cluster of fatal cases of RMSF in 2007 in Panama, involving a pregnant woman and two children from the same family. The woman presented with a fever followed by respiratory distress, maculopapular rash, and an eschar at the site from which a tick had been removed. She died four days after disease onset. This is the second published report of an eschar in a patient confirmed by PCR to be infected with R. rickettsii. One month later, the children presented within days of one another with fever and rash and died three and four days after disease onset. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry, PCR and sequencing of the genes of R. rickettsii in tissues obtained at autopsy.