bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic and hormonal changes during the refeeding period of prolonged fasting
Authors: Korbonits Márta , Blaine David , Elia Marinos , Powell-Tuck Jeremy 
Published: July 2007

Objective: The discovery of leptin, a hormone primarily involved in adaptation to fasting, led to an increased interest in appetite regulation and appetite-modulating hormones. Here, we present unique data from a case of extreme starvation and refeeding, showing changes in plasma concentrations of appetite-modulating and metabolic hormones as well as biochemical changes, and draw attention to the dangers of the refeeding syndrome.
Patients and methods: We studied the refeeding period of a 44-day voluntary fast uncomplicated by underlying disease. Biochemical and hormonal variables were compared with 16 matched subjects such that the BMI range of the controls covered the entire spectrum for the index subject’s recovering BMI.
Results: Lack of calorie intake with free access to water resulted in 25% loss of body weight. Haemoconcentration was observed and feeding was started with a low sodium, hypocaloric liquid formulation. During early refeeding, marked hypophosphataemia, haemodilution and slight oedema developed. Vitamins B1, B12 and B6 were depleted while serum free fatty acids, ketone bodies and zinc levels were abnormally high; abnormal liver function developed over the first week. The hormonal profile showed low IGF-I and insulin levels, and elevated IGF-binding protein-1 concentrations. Appetite-regulating hormones were either very low (leptin and ghrelin) or showed no marked difference from the control group (peptide YY, agouti-related peptide, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, neuropeptide Y and pro-opiomelanocortin). Appetite was low at the beginning of refeeding and a transient increase in orexin and resistin was observed coincidently with an increase in subjective hunger.
Conclusions: Our study illustrates the potential dangers of refeeding and provides a comprehensive insight into the endocrinology of prolonged fasting and the refeeding process.
Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein is associated with markers of obesity, but is an unlikely link between obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome women
Authors: Möhlig Matthias , Weickert Martin O , Ghadamgadai Elham , Machlitt Andrea , Pfüller Bettina , Arafat Ayman M , Pfeiffer Andreas F H , Schöfl Christof 
Published: July 2007

Objective: Many polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women suffer from adiposity and insulin resistance (IR), which play an important role in the development and maintenance of PCOS. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is mainly expressed in adipocytes, and circulating A-FABP has been associated with markers of obesity and IR. Thus, as observed with other adipose tissue derived factors, secreted A-FABP might be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated disorders such as PCOS.
Design: Plasma A-FABP concentrations were measured in 102 non-diabetic PCOS women, and associations with markers of obesity, IR, inflammation, and hyperandrogenism were investigated by correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. The effect of lifestyle intervention on A-FABP was studied in a second cohort of 17 obese PCOS women.
Results: A-FABP correlated with body mass index (BMI; R = 0.694, P < 0.001), dual-energy X-ray-absorptiometry (DEXA) fat mass (R = 0.729, P < 0.001), DEXA lean body mass (R = 0.399, P = 0.001), HOMA %S (R = −0.435, P < 0.001), hsCRP (R = 0.355, P = 0.001), and free testosterone (fT; R = 0.230, P = 0.02). Adjusted for age, smoking, and glucose metabolism the association of A-FABP with HOMA %S was still significant (P < 0.001), whereas the associations with fT (P = 0.09) and hsCRP (P = 0.25) were not. Inclusion of BMI into the model abolished the impact of A-FABP on HOMA %S. In BMI-matched PCOS women (n = 20 pairs), neither HOMA %S (P = 0.3) nor fT (P = 0.6) were different despite different A-FABP levels (P < 0.001), and in 17 obese PCOS women undergoing a lifestyle intervention, changes in IR were not paralleled by changes in A-FABP.
Conclusions: Circulating A-FABP was correlated with markers of obesity, but had no major impact on IR, inflammation, or hyperandrogenemia in PCOS women.
Retinol-binding protein 4 levels are elevated in polycystic ovary syndrome women with obesity and impaired glucose metabolism
Authors: Hahn Susanne , Backhaus Manuel , Broecker-Preuss Martina , Tan Susanne , Dietz Tiina , Kimmig Rainer , Schmidt Markus , Mann Klaus , Janssen Onno E 
Published: July 2007

Objective: Insulin resistance and obesity are common features of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), a new fat-derived adipokine, has been described to be elevated in obesity and type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether serum RBP4 levels are correlated with metabolic parameters, indices of insulin resistance, and endocrine variables in German PCOS women.
Design: We assessed the correlation between metabolic and endocrine parameters with RBP4 levels in 200 PCOS patients and 64 healthy controls.
Methods: Serum RBP4 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany). In addition, anthropometric variables, clinical signs of hyperandrogenism, and body fat were evaluated, and a glucose tolerance test was performed to assess parameters of insulin resistance and glucose metabolism.
Results: Taking the entire PCOS cohort, RBP4 levels were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), body fat, waist circumference, fasting glucose, and area under the curve for glucose (all P<0.05), but not with indices of insulin resistance. On the other hand, PCOS women with impaired glucose metabolism had higher RBP4 levels than PCOS women with normal glucose metabolism (median 30.6, range 23.3–73.9 versus median 26.3, range 6.4–61.4, P<0.05). Furthermore, no differences were found in RBP4 levels between lean PCOS women and BMI-matched healthy controls.
Conclusion: In German PCOS women, serum RBP4 levels are associated with obesity and parameters of glucose metabolism but not with PCOS per se.
Vitamin D status and parathyroid hormone in obese children before and after weight loss
Authors: Reinehr Thomas , de Sousa Gideon , Alexy Ute , Kersting M , Andler Werner 
Published: July 2007

Objective: The roles of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) are discussed controversially in obesity, and studies of these hormones in obese children are limited. Therefore, we studied the relationships between PTH, 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D (1,25-OH Vit D), 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH Vit D), weight status, and insulin sensitivity before and after weight loss in obese children.
Methods: Fasting serum PTH, 1,25-OH Vit D, 25-OH Vit D, inorganic phosphate, calcium, alkaline phosphatase (AP), insulin, glucose, and weight status (SDS–BMI and percentage body fat) were determined in 133 obese children (median age 12.1 years) and compared with 23 non-obese children. Furthermore, these parameters were analyzed in 67 obese children before and after participating in a 1-year obesity intervention program.
Results: Obese children had significantly (P < 0.001) higher PTH and lower 25-OH Vit D concentrations compared with non-obese children, while calcium, phosphate, AP, and 1,25-OH Vit D did not differ significantly. Changes of PTH (r = 0.23, P = 0.031) and 25-OH Vit D (r = −0.27, P = 0.013) correlated significantly with changes of SDS–BMI, but not with changes of insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment; HOMA-B%). Reduction of overweight in 35 children led to a significant (P < 0.01) decrease of PTH concentrations and an increase in 25-OH Vit D levels.
Conclusions: PTH levels were positively and 25-OH Vit D concentrations were negatively related to weight status. Since these alterations normalized after weight loss, these changes are consequences rather than causes of overweight. A relationship between PTH, vitamin D, and insulin sensitivity based on the HOMA index was not found in obese children. Further longitudinal clamp studies are neccessary to study the relationship between vitamin D and insulin sensitivity.
Quality of life is decreased in female patients treated for microprolactinoma
Authors: Kars M , van der Klaauw A A , Onstein C S , Pereira A M , Romijn J A 
Published: July 2007

Objective: Most studies on treatment of microprolactinoma have focused on clinical and biochemical outcome rather than on functional and mental well-being. We evaluated this topic in female patients with microprolactinoma, because other pituitary adenomas are associated with decreased quality of life.
Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study.
Patients and methods: To assess the impact of treatment for microprolactinoma on subjective well-being, quality of life was investigated in 55 female patients (mean age 45 ± 10 years), treated for microprolactinoma in our center, using four validated, health-related questionnaires: Short-Form-36 (SF-36), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Patient outcomes were compared with those of 183 female controls with equal age distributions.
Results: Anxiety and depression scores were increased when compared with controls for all subscales as measured by HADS, and fatigue for all but one subscale as measured by MFI-20. Patients treated for microprolactinoma had worse scores on social functioning, role limitations due to physical problems (SF-36), energy, emotional reaction, and social isolation (NHP) when compared with control subjects. Important independent predictors of quality of life were reproductive status and anxiety and depression scores according to the HADS.
Conclusion: Quality of life is impaired in female patients treated for microprolactinoma, especially due to increased anxiety and depression. These increased anxious and depressive feelings might be due to possible effects of hyperprolactinemia on the central nervous system. Failure to recognize this association may adversely affect patient–doctor relationships.
Sources of Nonnative Centrarchids in the Upper Colorado River Revealed by Stable Isotope and Microchemical Analyses of Otoliths
Authors: Whitledge Gregory W. , Johnson Brett M. , Martinez Patrick J. , Martinez Anita M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNonnative fishes represent a significant impediment to the recovery of imperiled fishes, including those endemic to the Colorado River in the southwestern United States. Efforts to control nonindigenous fish abundance in the upper Colorado River basin have been unsuccessful owing in part to lack of knowledge regarding nonnative fish recruitment sources. We determined the source habitat (floodplain pond versus riverine habitats) for nonnative centrarchid fishes (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus, bluegill L. macrochirus, and black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus) in the upper Colorado River using stable hydrogen isotopic composition (δD) and strontium: Calcium (Sr: Ca) ratios in fish otoliths as natural markers of environmental history. Stable hydrogen isotope analysis revealed that 59% of centrarchids exhibited the otolith core signatures expected for riverine‐origin fish, while 22% had emigrated from floodplain ponds and 19% were of uncertain origin. Strontium: Calcium ratio data were consistent with the δD assays and indicated that relatively few fish immigrated to the river from high‐salinity habitats. Black crappie was the only species that originated primarily from floodplain ponds. Efforts to control the abundance of most of the fishes included in this study should be concentrated in riverine habitats given the hydrologic conditions (below‐average river discharge) present during our study. However, the proportion of pond‐origin fish increased with fish age, which, coupled with historical river discharge data, suggested that floodplain pond contributions to riverine nonnative fish populations fluctuate with the interannual variations in flow regime and river‐pond connectivity. Our results are the first to demonstrate the utility of δD as a natural marker of fish environmental history that will probably provide valuable insights into the management of fish in other environments.
Preparation and Gas Sensing Characteristics of Nanoparticulate p‐Type Semiconducting LnFeO3 and LnCrO3 Materials
Authors: Siemons M. , Leifert A. , Simon U. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractNanoparticulate perovskite‐type LnBO3 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu; B = Cr, Fe) oxides are prepared by polyol‐mediated synthesis. X‐ray diffraction is used to confirm the structure of the materials, and scanning electron microscopy is applied to image the sample morphology. The powders are used for the preparation of suspensions that are deposited as thick films on comb‐type Pt electrodes on alumina substrates. Electrical characterization is performed by using high‐throughput impedance spectroscopy. The materials exhibit p‐type semiconductor behavior, and their sensitivity towards H2, CO, NO, NO2, and propylene in a temperature range from 200 to 500 °C is analyzed. In addition, the time‐resolved response of the LnFeO3 materials is investigated. A correlation between the Ln–O binding energy and the sensing properties is observed.
Development of a new infrared device for monitoring the coefficient of variation in yarns
Authors: Huang Chang‐Chiun , Tang Tsann‐Tay 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe coefficient of variation (CV) in yarns is the most important evenness characteristic in textile processing and quality control. This article develops a new infrared device for monitoring the coefficient of variation in yarns, based on on‐line measurement of the yarn diameter, during the yarn manufacturing process. The device is composed of a 555 astable oscillator, four pairs of infrared emitters and receivers, a summing amplifier, an inverting amplifier, an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converter, a unity‐gain second‐order Sallen–Key low‐pass filter, and a data acquisition system. The optimum values of some factors with the circuit, including the oscillator frequency, amplified gain, cutoff frequency of the low‐pass filter, sampling time, and number of sampling data to be averaged in the moving average method, are systematically chosen by the Taguchi method to reduce the variance in the output voltage of the device. The CV based on measured yarn diameter data is transformed to that based on mass profiles. The experimental results reveal that the CVs evaluated by the infrared device are close to those by the Uster Evenness Tester, which is verified by the statistical analysis of variance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Selective chemical absorbance in electrospun nonwovens
Authors: Xiang Chunhui , Frey Margaret W. , Taylor Alan G. , Rebovich Mary E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe absorbance of liquids and compounds with various degrees of hydrophilicity into electrospun fabrics and conventional fabrics was measured. Electrospun cellulose and poly(lactic acid) fabrics had comparable fiber diameters and pore spacings between fibers. Woven cotton and polyester [poly(ethylene terephthalate)] fabrics had pore spacings between fibers 10–20 times larger than the electrospun fabrics. The absorbance of liquids and chemicals with various degrees of water/octanol solubility onto the hydrophobic [poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid)] and hydrophilic (cellulose and cotton) fabrics was compared. Both the surface chemistry of the fibers and the pore size in the fabrics were found to affect the liquid uptake, with smaller pores and similar chemistry resulting in the greatest liquid absorbance. The absorbance of chemical compounds also increased with decreasing fabric pore size, increasing surface‐to‐volume ratio, and compatible surface chemistry of the fabric. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Synthesis of hyperbranched aromatic polyamide–imide and its grafting onto multiwalled carbon nanotubes
Authors: Feng Qing‐Ping , Xie Xu‐Ming , Liu Yi‐Tao , Zhao Wei , Gao Yan‐Fang 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA flexible hyperbranched aromatic polyamide–imide (PAI) having an amine group in the center and carboxyl groups in the ends was synthesized from a AB2 type of monomer of 2‐(6‐aminohexylcarbomoyl) terephthalic acid that was prepared from trimellitic anhydride and 1,6‐diaminohexane. Fourier transformed infrared spectra (FTIR), NMR, and ES‐MS were used to characterize the structure of the monomer and the synthesized hyperbranched polymer. Then the hyperbranched PAI was grafted onto the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) that was first treated by acid and changed into MWNT‐COCl by SOCl2 in a tetrahydrofuran solution. By observation with transmission electron microscopy and characterization with FTIR and thermal gravity of analysis, the functionalized MWNTs were terminally enclosed with polymer; it was believed that the MWNTs were linked with a big carboxylic claw at the end and the adsorption ability of the MWNTs to NH2‐substrate was enhanced. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Effects of water deprivation on the pharmacokinetics of metformin in rats
Authors: Choi Young H. , Lee Inchul , Lee Myung G. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIt was reported that metformin was mainly metabolized via hepatic CYP2C11, 2D1 and 3A1/2 in rats, and in a rat model of dehydration, the expressions of hepatic CYP2C11 and 3A1/2 were not changed. Hence, it could be expected that the Clnr of metformin is comparable between two groups of rats if the contribution of CYP2D1 in the rat model of dehydration is not considerable. It was also reported that the timed‐interval renal clearance of metformin was dependent on the urine flow rate in rats. In the rat model of dehydration, the 24h urine output was significantly smaller than in the controls. Hence, the urinary excretion of metformin was expected to be smaller than the controls. The above expectations were proven as follows. After intravenous administration of metformin (100mg/kg) to the rat model of dehydration, the Clnr were comparable between the two groups of rats. After both intravenous and oral administration of metformin (both 100mg/kg) to the rat model of dehydration, the 24h urinary excretion of the drug was significantly smaller than in the controls. After oral administration of metformin to the rat model of dehydration, the AUC was significantly greater (99.2% increase) than the controls. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lagged association between geomagnetic activity and diminished nocturnal pain thresholds in mice
Authors: Galic M.A. , Persinger M.A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractA wide variety of behaviors in several species has been statistically associated with the natural variations in geomagnetism. To examine whether changes in geomagnetic activity are associated with pain thresholds, adult mice were exposed to a hotplate paradigm once weekly for 52 weeks during the dark cycle. Planetary A index values from the previous 6 days of a given hotplate session were correlated with the mean response latency for subjects to the thermal stimulus. We found that hotplate latency was significantly (P < 0.05) and inversely correlated (rho = −0.25) with the daily geomagnetic intensity 3 days prior to testing. Therefore, if the geomagnetic activity was greater 3 days before a given hotplate trial, subjects tended to exhibit shorter response latencies, suggesting lower pain thresholds or less analgesia. These results are supported by related experimental findings and suggest that natural variations in geomagnetic intensity may influence nociceptive behaviors in mice. Bioelectromagnetics 28:577–579, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Binding and enrichment of Escherichia coli spheroplasts expressing inner membrane tethered scFv antibodies on surface immobilized antigens
Authors: Jung Sang Taek , Jeong Ki Jun , Iverson Brent L. , Georgiou George 
Published: July 2007

AbstractAnchored periplasmic expression (APEx) is a new method for the isolation of high affinity ligand‐binding proteins from large combinatorial libraries (Harvey et al., 2004, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101(25): 9193–9198). In APEx, proteins are expressed as fusions to a membrane anchor that tethers them onto the periplasmic side of the Escherichia coli inner membrane. Conversion of the cells into spheroplasts and incubation with soluble fluorescently conjugated ligands results in the specific labeling of cells expressing ligand‐binding proteins and their subsequent isolation by flow cytometry. Here we show that scFv antibody fragments expressed in the APEx format allow the binding of spheroplasts to immobilized ligands. ScFv antibodies specific for the cardiac glycoside digoxin or for the protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis as a negative control were expressed in E. coli as fusions to either N‐terminal or C‐terminal membrane anchoring domains. Only the C‐terminally anchored fusions resulted in specific recognition and binding of spheroplasts onto TentaGel beads with immobilized antigen. Following three rounds of flow cytometric screening, spheroplasts expressing anti‐digoxin scFvs were enriched 950‐fold from a large excess (1,000×) of spheroplasts expressing anti‐PA antibodies. These results indicate that the APEx technology may be employed for the screening of libraries based on binding to insoluble antigens possibly including antigens on cell surfaces. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007; 98: 39–47. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shape‐ and Phase‐Controlled Synthesis of Monodisperse, Single‐Crystalline Ternary Chalcogenide Colloids through a Convenient Solution Synthesis Strategy
Authors: Du Weimin , Qian Xuefeng , Yin Jie , Gong Qiang 
Published: July 2007

AbstractColloidal, monodisperse, single‐crystalline pyramidal CuInS2 and rectangular AgInS2 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized through a convenient and improved solvothermal process that uses hexadecylamine as a capping reagent. The crystal phase, morphology, crystal lattice, and chemical composition of the as‐prepared products were characterized by using X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high‐resolution TEM, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. Results revealed that the as‐synthesized CuInS2 colloid is in the tetragonal phase (size: 13–17 nm) and the AgInS2 in the orthorhombic structure (size: 17±0.5 nm). A possible shape evolution and crystal growth mechanism has been suggested for the formation of pyramidal CuInS2 and rectangular AgInS2 colloids. Control experiments indicated that the morphology‐ and/or phase‐change of CuInS2 and orthorhombic AgInS2 colloids are temperature‐ and/or time‐dependent. CuInS2 colloids absorb well in the range of visible light at room‐temperature, indicating its potential application as a solar absorber. Two photoluminescence (PL) subbands at 1.938 and 2.384 eV in the PL spectra of CuInS2 colloids revealed that the recombination of the closest and the second closest donor–acceptor pairs within the CuInS2 lattice, in which the donor defect (Cui) occupies an interstitial position and the acceptor defect (VIn) resides at an adjacent cation site. In addition, the synthesis strategy developed in this study is convenient and inexpensive, and could also be used as a general process for the synthesis of other pure or doped ternary chalcogenides that require a controlled size (or shape). This process could be extended to the synthesis of other functional nanomaterials.
On Chebyshev‐type methods free from second derivative
Authors: Kou Jisheng , Li Yitian 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn this paper, we present a new Chebyshev‐type method free from second derivative. An analysis of convergence shows that the new method has fourth‐order convergence. Per iteration, the method requires one evaluation of the function and two of its first derivative and therefore this method has the efficiency index equal to 1.587. Numerical examples show that the method has definite practical utility. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.