bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The process of recovery from bipolar I disorder: A qualitative analysis of personal accounts in relation to an integrative cognitive model
Authors: Mansell Warren , Powell Seth , Pedley Rebecca , Thomas Nia , Jones Sarah Amelia 
Published: June 2009

Objectives. This study explored the process of recovery from bipolar I disorder from a phenomenological and cognitive perspective.Design. A semi‐structured interview was coded and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.Methods. Eleven individuals over the age of 30 with a history of bipolar disorder were selected on the basis of having remained free from relapse, and without hospitalization for at least 2 years, as confirmed by a diagnostic interview (Standardised Interview for DSM‐IV; SCID‐I). This arbitrary and equivocal criterion for ‘recovery’ provided an objective method of defining the sample for the study.Results. The analysis revealed two overarching themes formed from four themes each. Ambivalent approaches referred to approaches that participants felt had both positive and negative consequences: avoidance of mania, taking medication, prior illness versus current wellness, and sense of identity following diagnosis. Helpful approaches referred to approaches that were seen as universally helpful: understanding, life‐style fundamentals, social support and companionship, and social change.Conclusions. These themes were then interpreted in the light of the existing literature and an integrative cognitive model of bipolar disorder. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Serum Free Light Chain Ratio, Total κ/λ Ratio, and Immunofixation Results Are Not Prognostic Factors after Stem Cell Transplantation for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Giarin Manuela M , Giaccone Luisa , Sorasio Roberto , Sfiligoi Christian , Amoroso Barbara , Cavallo Federica , Cipriani Alessia , Palumbo Antonio , Boccadoro Mario 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground: The prognostic value of changes in paraprotein markers after stem cell transplantation is unknown. We evaluated disease response using serum immunofixation (s-IFIX), total κ and λ ratio (KLR), and free light chain (FLC) ratio in myeloma patients who underwent autologous or autologous plus allogeneic stem cell transplantation.Methods: We studied s-IFIX, KLR, and FLC ratio in sera from 203 patients, 3 months after transplantation. We evaluated overall and event-free survival (OS and EFS, interval between date of study enrollment and date of death from any cause or date of progression, relapse, or death from any cause, respectively) by the Kaplan–Meier method.Results: Of the 203 patients, 51 were negative by s-IFIX, 99 reached a normal KLR, and 92 had a normal FLC ratio. Of the 51 patients with negative s-IFIX, 40 (78%) also had a normal FLC ratio. The median duration of OS was 54.3 months, and the median EFS was 19.5 months. None of the measured paraprotein parameters showed an association with OS. Only a normal KLR was associated with prolonged EFS (P = 0.016). Even a negative s-IFIX associated with a normal FLC ratio did not show a significant difference in terms of EFS and OS.Conclusions: Our analysis with a small cohort of patients did not show a significant impact of achieving complete response (CR) or stringent CR on patient survival.
Quantitation of Serum Monoclonal Proteins: Relationship between Agarose Gel Electrophoresis and Immunonephelometry
Authors: Murray David L , Ryu Euijung , Snyder Melissa R , Katzmann Jerry A 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Background: Previous comparisons of monoclonal protein quantification identified a bias between serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunonephelometry (NEPH).
Methods: We reviewed data from 2845 patients in whom a single sample provided a γ fraction M-spike by SPEP, a heavy chain isotype by immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), and an Ig quantification by NEPH. We examined the relationship between SPEP and NEPH. Selected sera with high monoclonal protein concentrations were diluted and reassessed.
Results: For all isotypes, the relationship between SPEP and NEPH was best fitted with cubic curves. We determined the concentrations of each isotype that fitted a linear relationship. IgA had the best correspondence (slope 0.92, 95% CI 0.87–1.02), whereas IgM demonstrated a systematic bias of higher values by NEPH (slope 1.80, 95% CI 1.68–1.92). IgG demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between SPEP and NEPH, with a linear region &lt;19.2 g/L having a slope of 0.83 (95% CI 0.79–0.89) and a second linear region having a slope of 1.47 (95% CI 1.39–1.53) at higher concentrations. Dilutions of high-concentration IgG monoclonal proteins were linear by NEPH and nonlinear by SPEP.
Conclusions: There are systematic differences in the quantification of monoclonal IgM and IgG by SPEP and NEPH. The bias in IgM is from NEPH overestimation. The nonlinearity of SPEP at high monoclonal IgG concentrations may obscure changes in plasma cell populations. Clinicians should be made aware of the biases and nonlinearity in these tests to make proper conclusions regarding treatment response.
Evidence of changes in the immunophenotype and metabolic characteristics (intracellular reactive oxygen radicals) of fetal, but not maternal, monocytes and granulocytes in the fetal inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Kim Sun Kwon , Romero Roberto , Chaiworapongsa Tinnakorn , Kusanovic Juan Pedro , Mazaki-Tovi Shali , Mittal Pooja , Erez Offer , Vaisbuch Edi , Gotsch Francesca , Pacora Percy , Yeo Lami , Gervasi Maria Teresa , Lamont Ronald F. , Yoon Bo Hyun , Hassan Sonia S. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractObjective: The fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS) is present in a fraction of fetuses exposed to intra-amniotic infection and is associated with the impending onset of labor and multisystem organ involvement. Neonates born with funisitis, the histologic counterpart of fetal systemic inflammation, are at increased risk for cerebral palsy and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal and maternal granulocytes and monocytes have the phenotypic and metabolic characteristics of activation in cases with FIRS.Study design: A case-control study was conducted with umbilical cord and maternal blood samples obtained from patients who delivered preterm with (n=30) and without funisitis (n=15). The phenotypic characteristics of granulocytes and monocytes were examined using flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies including CD11b, CD14, CD15, CD16, CD18, CD49d, CD62L, CD64, CD66b, and HLA-DR. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) were measured at the basal state and after stimulation (oxidative burst). A P<0.01 was considered statistically significant.Results: (1) Funisitis was associated with a significant increase in the median mean channel brightness (MCB) of CD14, CD64, and CD66b on granulocytes and the MCB of CD64 on monocytes collected from umbilical cord blood. (2) The basal iROS production and oxidative burst were higher in the umbilical cord monocytes of neonates with funisitis than in those without funisitis. (3) There were no differences in the immunophenotype, basal iROS production, and oxidative burst in maternal granulocytes or monocytes between the study groups.Conclusion: Fetal systemic inflammation is associated with phenotypic and metabolic changes consistent with activation in fetal immune cells but not in maternal blood.
Research on Relationship between Aging State and Low-Temperature Performance of Asphalt Mixture
Authors: Lin Qi , Zheng-qi Zhang , Ai-min Sha , Hui-jun Yang 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Aging phenomenon of asphalt material exists in the course of mixing, spreading, and rolling of asphalt mixture, as well as the use in the asphalt pavement. The indirect tensile strength test was used to evaluate the performance of asphalt mixtures at low-temperature under different aging conditions. As compared with the results from the original short-term aging and the long-term aging asphalt mixtures, the results show that the original asphalt mixture cannot reflect the real performance of the asphalt mixture in the field. The short-term aging specimens are more sensitive than long-term aging specimens in evaluating the performance of the asphalt mixture at low temperature. Tests results also indicate that the consideration of aging during the evaluation of asphalt pavement performance is necessary.
Factors Influencing the Leaching of Asphalt Components
Authors: Hongmei Cai , Xiaosheng Huang , Peng Wang , Yuzhen Zhang 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
The main applications of asphalt involve the coating of surfaces, e.g., in roads, roofs, pipes, and linings of water basins. In all of these applications, asphalt has the possibility of coming in contact with water. Such contact can lead to the leaching of components from the asphalt into the environment. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) is a method useful in evaluating the leachability of asphalt components. The leaching conditions (leaching time and temperature) and leaching medium (content of chloride and pH value) influence the COD of leachate. These were studied using the COD leaching test. For the five asphalt binders, the COD of the leachate increased with an increase in leaching time. The COD data also showed that the concentrations of components leached from styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt and oxidized asphalt were more than from neat asphalt binders. The influencing data showed that the COD of leachate increased with the increasing of temperature, but the temperature had less influence on the leachability of lower penetration grade asphalt than higher penetration grade asphalt. The leaching of asphalt binders coming from different oil sources was influenced differently by chloride. The amounts of components leached from SBS modified asphalt and oxidized asphalt were less than from neat asphalt. The influence of chloride is attributed to the salting out effect. By investigating the influence of the leachate pH on COD, it was proven that acidic conditions had the most influence on asphalt leachability, and the COD of leachate from oxidized asphalt decreased comparing to the neat asphalt. SBS modified asphalt, was best for resisting leachability by strong acid compared with neat asphalt neat asphalt.
Insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins
Authors: Rutanen Eeva-Marja , Pekonen Fredrika 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Insulin-like growth factors are important multifunctional polypeptides interacting with cell membrane receptors and soluble binding proteins. With expanding knowledge on IGF binding proteins, it is becoming evident that the IGF actions are diverse, and depend on the context set by local binding proteins. In this minireview we attempt to provide a brief summary of the recent development in this field.
Effects of one-year hormone replacement therapy on peripheral bone mineral content in patients with osteoporotic spine fractures
Authors: Resch H. , Pietschmann P. , Krexner E. , Woloszczuk W. , Willvonseder R. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 31 patients with osteoporotic spine fractures was performed in order to assess the effects of one-year cyclical estrogen/gestagen replacement therapy (Trisequens, Novo) on peripheral bone mineral content and bone turnover. Bone mineral content was measured by single-photon absorptiometry with 125I before, and 6 and 12 months after start of therapy. Calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, calcidiol, calcitonin and 2-hour urinary hydroxyproline excretion were measured to evaluate bone turnover. After 12 months, forearm bone mineral content showed a significant increase (p<0.02) in the treatment group, whereas in the control group no statistically significant change in peripheral bone mass was observed. Parameters of bone metabolism showed a decrease in hydroxyproline excretion (p<0.02) as well as alkaline phosphatase (p<0.01) and no changes in parathyroid hormone, calcidiol, and calcitonin. These results demonstrate that one-year cyclical estrogen/gestagen replacement therapy improves peripheral bone mineral content measured by single-photon absorptiometry. This effect appears to be induced by an inhibition of bone resorption.
Circadian pattern of circulating plasma ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone in patients with β-thalassemia
Authors: Pasqualetti Paolo , Colantonio Domenico , Collacciani Antonio , Casale Raffaele , Natali Gianfranco 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Plasma levels of ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone were measured for an entire day every 2 h, starting from midnight, in 4 healthy subjects, and in 4 patients with β-thalassemia, without evidence for any endocrine disease. The subjects, after synchronized standard life conditions for 10 days, were held in constant supine position during the study. The data were analysed by the "cosinor" method. The results show significant circadian rhythms for the three biological variables in healthy subjects. In the thalassemic patients a significant circadian rhythm was detected only for cortisol and aldosterone. No rhythm was demonstrated for ACTH in the patient group. While no differences were found in mesors and acrophases for the three hormones between the two groups, a significant difference was observed regarding amplitudes. These data suggest that in β-thalassemia, the secretion rhythmicity of ACTH is modified, whereas the adrenal cortex maintains its own physiologic rhythmicity in hormone secretion.
Turnover of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in patients with chronic renal failure and chronic alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Iversen Eigil , Schmitz Ole , Laurberg Peter 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.
Homogenates of liver and kidney tissues are efficient in degrading TRH, but the liver contains only membrane-bound pyroglutamyl aminopeptidase, active in degrading TRH at the extracellular side of cell membranes. In the present study the effect of liver and kidney failure on the degradation of infused TRH was investigated in man. In 7 uremic patients (group I) and 7 patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease (group II) plasma clearance rate, half-time of disappearance (t½) and half time of disappearance of TRH in serum in vitro (t ½p) was determined. The plasma clearance rate, t½ and t½p were, respectively, 19.8±6.2 ml · kg−1 · min−1, 6.6±1.5 min and 16.4±6.2 min in group I versus 28.2±4.8 ml · kg−1 · min−1, 9.3±2.6 min and 25.3±15 min (mean ± sd) in group II. The volume of distribution of TRH was 19.3% of the body weight in group I and 36.5% in group II. The calculated half-time in the extravascular tissue compartment (t½t) was 5.4±1.4 min in group I and 9.2±2.7 min in group II patients (mean ± sd). TRH metabolism in the uremic patients was almost identical to that previously reported in normal subjects. In the patients with chronic liver disease plasma clearance rate was significantly greater than in normal subjects, indicating an increased TRH-degrading enzyme activity in the tissue compartment. However, owing to the very large expansion of this compartment, the t½ and t½t were significantly prolonged. Hence, half-time determination of TRH is no reliable indicator of overall TRH degradation in patients with liver disease.
Renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and sodium in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Kristiansen Jan H. , Brøchner-Mortensen Jens , Pedersen Kaj O. , Jensen Søren , Glud Torben 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.
Nine patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were studied to investigate the renal tubular reabsorption of calcium and sodium. Fasting serum and urine samples were analysed, and the glomerular filtration rate and the renal plasma clearance of lithium were determined simultaneously. Comparison was made with 9 ageand sex-matched normocalcemic controls. In the proximal tubule, there was a significantly higher absolute reabsorption of calcium in patients than in controls, whereas the fractional reabsorption rate of calcium did not differ between the two groups. In the distal tubule, the absolute calcium reabsorption rate was significantly higher in the patients, whereas the fractional reabsorption rate of calcium was significantly lower than in controls. In the patient group there was a significantly positive linear correlation between the increased tubular capacity for calsium reabsorption and the absolute proximal calcium reabsorption rate, but not between the increased capacity and the absolute distal calcium reabsorption rate. No significant differences were found in the renal tubular handling of sodium between patients and controls. Our results suggest that the increased capacity for tubular calcium reabsorption in primary hyperparathyroidism mainly is localized in the proximal tubule, and that the renal tubular handling of calcium and sodium in this disease differs from that in familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.
Role of extracellular calcium and calmodulin in prolactin secretion induced by hyposmolarity, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and high K+ in GH4C1 cells
Authors: Wang Xiangbing , Sato Noriyuki , Greer Monte A. , Greer Susan E. , McAdams Staci 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.
The mechanism by which 30% medium hyposmolarity induces PRL secretion by GH4C1 cells was compared with that induced by 100 nmol/l TRH or 30 mmol/l K+. Removing medium Ca2+, blocking Ca2+ channels with 50 μmol/l verapamil, or inhibiting calmodulin activation with 20 μmol/l trifluoperazine, 10 μmol/l chlorpromazine or 10 μmol/l pimozide almost completely blocked hyposmolarity-induced secretion. The smooth muscle relaxant, W-7, which is believed relatively specific in inhibiting the Ca2+-calmodulin interaction, depressed hyposmolarity-induced PRL secretion in a dose-dependent manner (r = −0.991, p<0.01 ). The above drugs also blocked or decreased high K+-induced secretion, but had much less effect on TRH-induced secretion. Secretion induced by TRH, hyposmolarity, or high K+ was optimal at pH 7.3-7.65 and was significantly depressed at pH 6.0 or 8.0, indicating that release of hormone induced by all 3 stimuli is due to an active cell process requiring a physiologic extracellular pH and is not produced by nonspecific cell toxicity. The data suggest hyposmolarity and high K+ may share some similarities in their mechanism of stimulating secretion, which is different from that of TRH.
Production of 21-deoxyaldosterone by rat adrenal tissue in vitro; evidence for an alternative biosynthetic pathway of aldosterone
Authors: Lewicka Sabina , Bige Katharina , Weindel Kurt , Winter Jeanette , Pies Wolfgang , Vecsei Paul 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.
Quartered rat adrenal glands transformed labelled 21-deoxyaldosterone into aldosterone in vitro. 21-deoxyaldosterone was released from the quartered rat adrenals in vitro in amounts 10 times lower than those of aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone. The production of all three steroids was qualitatively dependent on the same regulatory elements (electrolytes, ACTH, exogenous precursors, zonal specificity). However, quantitative differences could be observed. The results support a role for 21-deoxyaldosterone as a facultative precursor of aldosterone and indicate that the regulation of its production shows similarities to that of aldosterone.
Growth hormone secretion patterns in relation to LH and testosterone secretion throughout normal male puberty
Authors: Wennink Johanna M. B. , de Waal Henriette A. Delemarre-van , Schoemaker Rik , Blaauw Gert , van den Braken Caro , Schoemaker Joop 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.
Pulsatile growth hormone secretion patterns were studied in relation to LH and testosterone release in 30 healthy prepubertal boys and 2 adult men. Plasma GH was measured every 10 min, plasma LH and testosterone every hour. Night-time GH secretion parameters were 2-3 times higher than daytime values. During daytime, mean GH level and the fraction of GH in pulses increased from Tanner stage G2 to G4 (p=0.01); during night-time these parameters increased as well (p≤0. 1) and decreased from stage G5 to adulthood (p=0.05). GH pulse number did not increase; the number of high-amplitude (>8 μg/l pulses, however, increased from stage G2 to G4 (p=0.05) during the day. Height velocity correlated with the number of high pulses during day and night (τ=0.39, p<0.003). From stage G2 to G4 significant correlations were observed between nocturnal testosterone levels and GH secretion parameters (τ=0.53-0.57), in contrast to nocturnal LH levels. It is concluded that during puberty 1. GH secretion increases as a result of an increased pulse amplitude; 2. there is no consistent correlation between GH and LH levels; 3. increasing nocturnal testosterone levels are correlated with the increasing GH secretion; therefore GnRH does not seem to influence GH secretion directly, but an indirect effect via testosterone is more conceivable, and 4. height velocity is correlated with the number of high GH pulses.
Simultaneous measurement of TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulin and thyroid stimulating autoantibody activities using cultured FRTL-5 cells in patients with untreated Graves' disease
Authors: Lu Chao , Kasagi Kanji , Hidaka Akinari , Hatabu Hiroto , Iida Yasuhiro , Konishi Junji 
Published: June 2009

Abstract.
A new and practical assay was developed using cultured FRTL-5 cells for simultaneous assessment of TS-ab and TSH-binding inhibitor immunoglobulin, allowing direct comparison of these two activities under the same conditions. Subsequent to the TS-ab assay in which extracellular cAMP concentration in Hanks' medium without NaCl was determined, [125I]bTSH in this medium was added to observe the ability of serum Ig to inhibit the binding of [125I]bTSH to FRTL-5 cells. We found a much higher specific binding of [125I]bTSH to FRTL-5 cells and a much greater inhibition of [125I]bTSH binding to the cells exposed to Graves' Ig in hypotonic NaCl-free than in NaCl containing Hanks' medium, indicating that the binding of both TSH and Graves' Ig to the TSH receptor was salt-sensitive. The inhibitory activity of [125I]bTSH binding to the cells was 0.2±4.6% (mean ±sd) in 45 normals. Inter-assay coefficients of variation in two positive controls with the mean values of 18.0 and 65.8% were 15.8 and 16.5%, respectively. Among 46 patients with untreated hyperthyroidism owing to Graves' disease, 45 (97.8%) were positive for TS-ab; 35 (76.1%) and 40 (87.0%) were positive for TSH-binding inhibitor in Ig assays using FRTL-5 cells and solubilized porcine thyroid membranes, respectively. TS-ab activities correlated less closely with TSH-binding inhibitory activities determined using FRTL-5 cells (r=0.576, p<0.001) than with those determined using porcine thyroid membranes (r=0.745, p<0.001). The correlation between TSH-binding inhibitory activities determined by the two methods, although statistically significant (r=0.537, p<0.001) was rather rough. Some patients clearly demonstrated discrepant results, suggesting the existence of heterogeneous populations of TSH receptor antibodies.