bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of renal tubular damage in liver cirrhosis by urinary enzymes and beta‐2‐microglobulin excretions
Authors: GATTA A. , AMODIO P. , FRIGO A. , MERKEL C. , MILANI L. , ZUIN R. , RUOL A. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To assess the renal tubular damage in liver cirrhosis the fractional clearances of beta‐2‐micro‐globulin (B2m‐fr. cl) and malate‐dehydrogenase (MDH‐fr. cl) were measured respectively in sixty‐four and in forty‐six out of seventy‐nine patients with liver cirrhosis of different aetiology; furthermore the fractional excretions of gammaglutamyl‐transpeptidase (fr‐GGT) and of alpha‐glucosidase (fr‐AGL) were determined in fifty‐three and in forty of them respectively. In all patients glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) were also measured. Twenty‐five subjects were studied as a control group for the enzyme excretions, sixteen for B2m‐fr. cl.B2m‐fr. cl and MDH‐fr. cl—indexes of tubular functions—on the average were normal and only slightly increased respectively in cirrhotics compared to controls. Nevertheless fr‐GGT and fr‐AGL—indexes of cytolysis of tubular cells—on the average were massively increased in cirrhotics compared to controls, particularly in those with reduced RPF and/or GFR.No clear relationship between the indexes of tubular damage studied and the indexes of liver function was found.Our results show that: (1) A renal tubular anatomical damage was found by means of an increase in the release of enzyme from tubular cells in patients with liver cirrhosis, particularly in those with a significant reduction of RPF and/or GFR; even so renal reab‐sorbtion of low molecular weight proteins is generally maintained. (2) The tubular damage does not seem to be related to the degree of liver impairment.
The effect of antipyrine, phenobarbitol and rifampicin on thyroid hormone metabolism in man
Authors: OHNHAUS E. E. , BÜRGI H. , BURGER A. , STUDER H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The effect of three different liver microsomal enzyme inducing drugs on thyroid hormone metabolism was investigated. Seven volunteers were randomly allocated in a crossover design to either antipyrine (1200 mg), phenobarbital (100 mg) or rifampicin (1200 mg) daily for 14 days. Before and after each treatment the following parameters of enzyme induction were measured: antipyrine clearance, y‐glutamyltranspepti‐dase, d‐glucaric acid and 6‐β‐hydroxycortisol urinary excretion. In addition, thyroxine‐binding globulin (TBG), T3‐resin uptake (RT3U), thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine (FT4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse T3 (rT3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were estimated. Following antipyrine and phenobarbital antipyrine clearance increased by about 45%, while with rifampicin an increase of 125% was observed. The indices of thyroid function did not change following phenobarbital and antipyrine, but after rifampicin T4, FT4 and rT3 decreased by about 14%, and T3 increased by 25%.In addition, the impact of rifampicin on the clearance of injected 125I‐T4 was investigated in six additional volunteers by blocking thyroid iodine uptake. The 125I‐T4 halflife decreased from 155 to 106 h and its clearance increased from 35 to 50 ml/h, while a fall in T4, FT4 and rT3 by about 40% and no rise but a decrease in T3by 25% occurred. Therefore an increased clearance of T4 and rT3 but not of T3 seems likely following rifampicin, which might be due to enhanced hepatic metabolism and biliary excretion.
Age dependent differences in human bile acid metabolism and 7α‐dehydroxylation
Authors: van der WERF S. D. J. , HUIJBREGTS A. W. M. , LAMERS H. L. M. , HENEGOUWEN G. P. van BERGE , van TONGEREN J. H. M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. It has been suggested that transformation of secondary bile acids into (co)carcinogenic compounds may have a role in the development of cancer of the large bowel. Because of age dependent differences of this disease we undertook a study of cholic and deoxycholic acid metabolism of eleven young adults (group A, 20–30 years old) and eleven elderly persons (group B, 55–75 years old) with a double isotope dilution method. Daily food intake was standardized individually and gut transit time measured with radio‐opaque pellets and labelled chromium chloride.The 7α‐dehydroxylation fractions (the ratio of deoxycholic acid input rate from the large bowel to cholic acid synthesis rate) were higher in group B (P < 0.01) due to higher deoxycholic acid input rates (P < 0.005), especially when individuals from both groups with rapid gut transit were compared. As contributory factor was recognized the higher fractional turnover rate of cholic acid in group B. Pool sizes and synthesis rates of cholic acid and gut transit times were similar. In group A, but not in B, gut transit times correlated with deoxycholic acid input rates (P <0.01).The differences in bile acid metabolism may be related to a more effective colonic absorption of deoxycholic acid in the elderly persons with a concomitant decrease of active ileal absorption of cholic acid in the elderly persons. Differences in diet or gut transit time between both groups do not seem to be the underlying mechanism.
Kidney function and size in normal subjects before and during growth hormone administration for one week
Authors: CHRISTIANSEN J. SANDAHL , GAMMELGAARD J. , ØRSKOV H. , ANDERSEN A. R. , TELMER S. , PARVING H.‐H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Kidney function and size were studied in seven normal male subjects before and after administration of highly purified human growth hormone for 1 week. Glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow (steady‐state infusion technique with urinary collections using 125I‐iothalamate and 131I‐hippuran) kidney size (ultrasonic scanning) and urinary excretion rates of albumin and β2‐microglobulin (radioimmunoas‐says) were measured. Highly purified growth hormone was injected subcutaneously, 2 IU in the morning and 4 IU in the evening. Glomerular filtration rate increased from (mean ± SEM) 114 ± 5 to 125±4ml/min x 1.73 m2 (P <0.01) and renal plasma flow increased from 554 ±30 to 601 ±36 ml/min ×1.73 m2(P < 0.01). Kidney size and urinary excretion rates of albumin and β2‐microglobulin did not change significantly.Our results show that raising plasma growth hormone into a range similar to that found in insulin‐dependent diabetics enhances glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, while kidney size remains unchanged. Increased renal plasma flow is the major determinant of growth hormone induced elevation in glomerular filtration rate. Growth hormone may thus contribute to the enhancement of glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow typically found in insulin‐dependent diabetics.
Activation of the glycogenolytic cascade in human polymorphonuclear leucocytes by different phagocytic stimuli
Authors: BORREGAARD NIELS , JUHL HENNING 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Human polymorphonuclear leucocytes were found to respond to activation by immunoglobulin opsonized latex particles and to complement opsonized zymosan particles with a rapid transient increase in cAMP concentration, dissociation of the cAMP dependent protein kinase, activation of gly‐cogen phosphorylase and glycogen break down. However, since phosphorylase kinase was not activated, the activation of phosphorylase is believed to be secondary to non‐covalent activation of phosphorylase kinase by Ca2+.Activation by the soluble stimulator phorbol myri‐state acetate resulted in activation of phosphorylase and glycogen break down, whereas no changes in cAMP concentration, protein kinase activity, or phosphorylase kinase activity were observed. The activation of phosphorylase is ascribed to an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration.The response to stimulation by zymosan was strongly inhibited by ethylene glycol‐bis‐(b‐aminoethyl ether)‐N,N'‐tetraacetic acid, which did not affect stimulation by either latex particles or phorbol myristate acetate. The same differential effect of ethylene glycol‐bis‐(8‐aminoethyl ether)‐N,N'‐tetra‐acetic acid was observed when the response of the cells was measured as increase in oxygen consumption and activation of the hexose monophosphate shunt.
Relationships between the metabolism of high‐density and very‐low‐density lipoproteins in man: studies of apolipoprotein kinetics and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity
Authors: MAGILL P. , RAO S. N. , MILLER N. E. , NICOLL A. , BRUNZELL J. , HILAIRE J. ST. , LEWIS B. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In order to gain further insight into the relationship between high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism and plasma triglyceride transport, measurements were made of HDL cholesterol concentration, apoprotein (apo) AI and AII metabolism, very‐low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) apo B metabolism, and heparin‐elutable adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in seventeen subjects with a wide range of plasma triglyceride concentrations (0.8–25 mmol/l).The fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of VLDL apo B was directly related to LPL activity (r=+ 0.80), providing evidence that the activity of the enzyme in adipose tissue is a determinant of the rate of lipolysis of VLDL in man. HDL cholesterol concentration was a positive function of both VLDL apo B FCR (r=+ 0.74) and LPL activity, a finding consistent with previous evidence for the origin of a proportion of HDL cholesterol from ‘surface remnants’ liberated during VLDL catabolism. The FCRs of both apo AI and apo AII were inversely related to VLDL apo B FCR (AI, r= ‐ 0.52; AII, r= ‐ 0.69) and to LPL activity. The synthetic rate of apo AII, but not that of apo AI, was positively correlated with VLDL apo B synthesis (r=+ 0.71). Thus, the metabolism of the major proteins of HDL in man appears to be closely associated with VLDL metabolism.
Erythrocyte deformability in dialysed and non‐dialysed uraemic patients
Authors: INAUEN W. , STÄUBLI M. , DESCOEUDRES C. , GALEAZZI R. L. , STRAUB P. W. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In thirty‐one uraemic patients, fourteen on conservative treatment and seventeen on long‐term haemodialysis, erythrocyte deformability, measured as filtration half‐time in a paper filtration experiment, was studied. The two groups were comparable concerning age, sex and kidney disease.Although the mean filtration half‐time for erythrocyte suspensions was normal in non‐dialysed patients there was a positive linear correlation (P<0.01) between serum creatinine and filtration half‐time in this group. Filtration half‐time was increased in dialysed patients, indicating impaired deformability in the latter (P<0.001). Filtration half‐time showed a good inverse correlation with the packed red cell volume in the non‐dialysed (P<0.001) and in the dialysed group (P<0.01).As pre‐ and post‐dialysis filtration half‐times were the same, it appeared that the more severe uraemic state of dialysed patients was responsible for the impairment of erythrocyte deformability and not the dialysis procedure itself.
Analytical subcellular fractionation of normal human skeletal muscle by sucrose density gradient centrifugation
Authors: MARTIN F. C. , LEVI A. J. , SLAVIN G. , PETERS T. J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The principle organelle marker enzymes and various adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities were studied in human skeletal muscle. The reproducibility of each assay was established under optimal and linear assay conditions.Whole homogenates of normal human quadriceps muscle were fractionated by centrifugation on a continuous sucrose density gradient. Gradient fractions were assayed for organelle marker enzymes and frequency‐density histograms were constructed for each enzyme. Good resolution of the principal organelles was obtained.Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) was assayed under conditions of maximal stimulation by Ca2+, or Mg2+ or Na2+, K++ Mg2+. The distribution of these activities was compared with those of the organelle marker enzymes. Both Ca2+‐ATPase and Mg2+‐ATPase were distributed to both the mitochondrial and myofibrillar fractions but could be distinguished by the inhibition of mitochondrial ATPase with sodium azide. The distribution of Na+, K+‐activated, Mg2+‐dependent ATPase (Na+, K+ ATPase) activity suggested a sarcolemmal localization.The results of electron microscopy of gradient fractions were consistent with the organelle content of the fractions as determined by enzymic analyses. These studies provide reference information for the subsequent investigation of organelle pathology of human muscle disorders.
Comparison of large‐pore membrane haemodialysis and cross‐dialysis in acute hepatic insufficiency in pigs
Authors: GROOT GERRIT H. DE , SCHALM SOLKO W. , SCHICHT IKE , BATAVIER PATRICIA , JONGE MINUS DE , LENS JAAP , TERPSTRA JOHANNES L. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. We studied the duration of survival and the removal of putative toxins in forty pigs with ischaemic hepatic necrosis, undergoing haemodialysis or cross‐dialysis with a large‐pore membrane. Ischaemic hepatic necrosis was induced in conscious animals by tightening a loop around the hepatic artery 3 days after construction of a portocaval shunt. Pigs treated by a dialysis procedure survived significantly longer (45.2 ± 11.9 h) than controls (26.3 ± 5.4 h). There was no difference between haemodialysis and cross‐dialysis.Blood ammonia initially dropped significantly (P<0.05) more during haemodialysis (560.107±210.51 μmol/1) than during cross‐dialysis (596.131±398.81 μmol/1) but it subsequently increased beyond initial values despite efficient removal during continuous dialysis. Removal of ammonia was greater during cross‐dialysis than during haemodialysis, but haemodialysis was more effective in the removal of the ammonia precursors glutamine and urea.We conclude that dialysis procedures can prolong survival in pigs with ischaemic hepatic necrosis. The removal of ammonia‐precursors is more effective in the prevention of hyperammonaemia than the removal of ammonia itself. Since dialysis cannot prevent progressive hyperammonaemia, control of excessive toxin production seems mandatory for effective hepatic support.
Amino acids and lipoproteins in plasma of duodenopancreatectomized patients: effects of glucagon in physiological amounts
Authors: MÜLLER W. A. , CÜPPERS H. J. , ZIMMERMANN‐TELSCHOW H. , MICHELI H. , WYSS T. , RENOLD A. E. , BERGER M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Duodenopancreatectomy induces a severe glucagon deficiency and elevated plasma concentrations of alanine, aspartate, glycine, proline, serine, arginine, citrulline, ornithine, phenylalanine and tyrosine. Restoring high physiological plasma glucagon in six such patients by infusing 0.3 mg/24 h of exogenous glucagon reduced significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.001) the mentioned amino acids (except phenylalanine) and further asparagine, glutamine, methionine and threonine. In six normal subjects the same infusion reduced significantly (P < 0.05 to 0.001) plasma alanine, asparagine, glutamate, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, threonine, arginine, ornithine, lysine and tyrosine. However, the effect was significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.001) less marked for alanine, glutamine, glycine, methionine, serine, threonine and arginine. This particular glucagon sensitivity of duodenopancreatectomized patients suggests that glucagon deficiency is the cause of their hyperaminacidaemia. By co‐trust, lipoprotein concentrations were virtually unaffected by either glucagon deficiency or its replacement.In the light of the marked hypoaminacidaemia in glucagonoma patients these results attribute to glucagon a major role as a regulator of protein metabolism.
Digitoxin intoxication with severe thrombocytopenia: reversal by digoxin‐specific antibodies
Authors: HESS T. , RIESEN W. , SCHOLTYSIK G. , STUCKI P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. As a result of overdosage a 77‐year‐old patient with heart disease developed digitoxin intoxication, associated with arrhythmias, extracardiac symptoms of intoxication and severe thrombocytopenia. Treatment with digoxin‐specific antibody fragments relieved the signs and symptoms of intoxication within a few hours. The rise in platelet count from the pretreatment value of 26 000/mm3 to 47 000 within 12 h and to over 60 000/mm3 within 16 h of starting the antibody infusion may also be attributed to the treatment with antibodies. Such a rapid recovery from digitoxin‐induced thrombocytopenia has not hitherto been described.Digoxin‐specific antibodies, obtained by immunization of sheep with a digoxin‐albumin conjugate, were used to treat intoxication with digitoxin, since cross‐reaction had been demonstrated in vitro and in animal experiments. The present paper briefly discusses the mode of action and the general problems relating to the antibody therapy of digitalis poisoning.
Rabbit lung lipids in experimental fibrosis and emphysema: lipolytic activity and content and distribution of lipids
Authors: ROSARIO E. , GONZALEZ‐SANTOS P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. An in vitro study of lung lipolytic activity in rabbits was performed using tissue homogenates and perfusion methods.Thirty‐two animals were divided into three groups: (a) control; (b) lung fibrosis induced by talc‐powder and (c) lung emphysema group, induced by elastase.In minced lung tissue, incubated with lipid substrate, the release of free fatty acids (FFA) was, in the control group, 5.65 ± 1.12 μmol g wet tissue‐1 h‐1 and in the emphysema group 2.57 ± 0.56 μmol g wet tissue‐1 h‐1, (P < 0.02).Perfusion with lipid substrate did not reveal any significant differences between the three groups with respect to the total quantities of FFA released. It did, however, show that, in the emphysema group, the rate at which FFA were released during the perfusion was slower than in the control group.Moreover, in the emphysema group there was a significant decrease in phospholipid content (control 29.8 ± 1.48 mg/g wet tissue, emphysema 26.1 + 1.14 mg/g wet tissue; P < 0.05), and consequently in total lipids (control 47.1 ± 2.64 mg/g wet tissue, emphysema 38.6 ± 0.24 mg/g wet tissue; P < 0.05) in relation to the control group. The decrease in phospholipids is a consequence of the significant decrease in the lecithin (control 53.7 ± 2.02%, emphysema 43.7 ± 2.40%; P < 0.01) and lysolecithin fractions (control 10.5 ± 1±52%; emphysema 56 + 1.26%; P < 0.05).There were no differences between the control and the fibrotic groups. The lower rate of lung lipolytic activity in the emphysema group may be connected with a decrease in lung lipoprotein lipase (LPL).The low content of lung phospholipids in the cited group may be a result of damaged lung lipolytic activity.
Sympathetic nervous activity, renin‐angiotensin system and renal excretion of prostaglandin E2 in cirrhosis. Relationship to functional renal failure and sodium and water excretion
Authors: ARROYO VICENTE , PLANAS RAMÓN , GAYA JOAN , DEULOFEU RAMÓN , RIMOLA ANTONIO , PÉREZ‐AYUSO OSA M. , RIVERA FRANCISCA , RODES JOAN 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To investigate if functional renal failure in cirrhosis could be related to disturbances of vasoactive systems, plasma renin activity, plasma catecholamines and urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were determined in twenty‐two normal subjects and sixty‐five cirrhotics. Furthermore, in thirty‐three of these subjects, the effect of lysine‐acetylsalicylate (450 mg i.v.) on renal function was studied.Patients with ascites without renal failure showed higher renin, noradrenalin and urinary PGE2 than normal subjects (5.9±0.8 v. 1.1±0.1 ng ml‐1 h‐1, P < 0.001; 512 ± 39 v. 224±17 pg/ml, P < 0.001; and 603 ± 71 v. 377±36 ng/day, P < 005, respectively). Patients with functional renal failure showed higher (P < 0001) renin (13.5±1.9) and noradrenalin (1114±134) and lower (P < 005) urinary PGE2 (199 ± 36) than normal subjects and cirrhotics without renal failure. On the whole, patients glomerular filtration rate correlated (P < 0001) with urinary PGE2 (r= 0.55), renin (r=‐0.52) and noradrenalin (r=‐0.52).Lysine‐acetylsalicylate did not alter renal function in normal subjects and cirrhotics without ascites. However, it reduced water diuresis (8.8 ± 0.9–2.7 ± 0.5 ml/min) and sodium excretion (from 57.1 ± 13.9 to 3.9 ± 11 μmol/min) in all the nineteen cirrhotics with ascites studied and the glomerular filtration rate (95.4 ± 11.8–46.7 ± 9.5 ml/min) in eleven of these patients. Urinary PGE2 decreased in all patients (3.13 ± 0.65–0.54 ± 0.11 ng/min).The study suggests that: (a) functional renal failure in cirrhosis with ascites may be a consequence of an imbalance between vasoactive systems, (b) renal prostaglandins are involved in the tubular handling of sodium and water in these patients.
Diabetes mellitus, glucose tolerance and insulin response to glucose in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism before and after parathyroidectomy
Authors: LJUNGHALL S. , PALMÉR M. , ÅKERSTRÖM G. , WIDE L. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In a retrospectively analyzed series of 441 patients operated for primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 8.2%, which was three times higher than in the unselected age‐matched population. Following parathyroid surgery, the need for antidiabetic treatment was unchanged. The insulin response to an intravenous glucose load was enhanced preoperatively [95 mU/l ± 41 (SD)] in twenty‐six prospectively studied patients compared to postoperative (65 ± 41 mU/l) investigations (P < 0.01). This response was inversely correlated (r= 2, P < 0.01) to the serum phosphate concentrations but not related to calcium or parathyroid hormone levels.Postoperatively, most HPT patients experienced a deterioration of their glucose tolerance (t for i.v. glucose 54 ± 12 and 64 ± 21 min, respectively, P < 0.05), and one‐third of them had pathological values at follow‐up. Despite this, neither the fasting blood glucose levels nor the values for haemoglobin A1c were significantly affected.
Defective neutrophil motility in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia
Authors: VALERIUS NIELS HENRIK , KNUDSEN BODIL BYGUM , PEDERSEN MOGENS 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Microtubules are important in the regulation of the motile functions of a variety of cells, including leukocytes, ciliated cells and spermatozoa. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte function was studied in ten patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia, an inherited disorder of microtubules in sperm tails and cilia.Neutrophil chemotaxis in Boyden chambers was slightly reduced, but only one patient showed a migration below normal values. In vivo mobilization of polymorphonuclear leukocytes into skin windows was also slightly decreased. In contrast, neutrophil polarization and orientation was normal. The bactericidal activity of neutrophils from patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia was normal, while the ingestion of bacteria was decreased.The abnormalities of neutrophil function in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia are related to motility. It is suggested that the microtubule defect responsible for the abnormal pattern of ciliary beating is a general abnormality also responsible for the depression of polymorphonuclear leukocyte motility.