bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The acute phase response and its relation to amyloid A degrading activity in serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing arthroplasty
Authors: MAURY C. P. J. , TEPPO A‐M. , RAUNIO P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The sequential changes in the concentration of specific serum proteins and their relation to amyloid A degrading activity were studied in ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing arthroplasty of the knee or hip. Serum amyloid A protein increased from a preoperative level of 78 ± 20 gm/1 (mean ± SEM) to a peak level of 623 ± 93 mg/1 on the third postoperative day (P<0.001). The serum amyloid A protein response was greater than that of any other protein including C‐reactive protein, to which it was closely related (r= 0.84, P<0.001). The concentrations of α1‐antitrypsin and α1antichymotrypsin were highest on the fourth postoperative day (mean changes 35%, P<0.01, and +44%, P<0.05, respectively). Serum albumin, pre‐albumin and α2‐macroglobulin behaved like negative acute phase reactants; the concentrations of albumin and α2‐macroglobulin were significantly decreased from the second to sixth and seventh postoperative days, respectively, and the concentration of pre‐albumin was significantly decreased on the third and fourth postoperative days. A significant fall in the amyloid A degrading activity of serum occurred during the acute phase reaction. The degradative activity was lowest on the third and fourth postoperative days (P<0.001).The results show that the acute phase state in patients with rheumatoid arthritis induces a rise in the concentration of serum amyloid A protein, the putative serum precursor of tissue amyloid A fibrils, and a concomitant reduction in the ability of serum to degrade these fibrils. These factors together may be important in the development of inflammation‐associated amyloidosis.
Modes of action of lipid‐lowering diets in man: studies of apolipoprotein B kinetics in relation to fat consumption and dietary fatty acid composition
Authors: CORTESE C. , LEVY Y. , JANUS E. D. , TURNER P. R. , RAO S. N. , MILLER N. E. , LEWIS B. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The mechanisms by which dietary fat influences fasting plasma lipid concentrations have been investigated in hyperlipidaemic subjects. The synthetic and fractional catabolic (FCR) rates of the apoprotein B (apo B) of very‐low density (VLDL) and low‐density (LDL) lipoproteins were measured using radioiodinated autologous lipoproteins.Reductions of LDL concentration in eight subjects during low‐fat(25% of energy) diets were largely explained by diminished synthesis(‐20%, P<0.02), and possibly also by an increased FCR +15%, P= 0.05) of LDL, compared with observations made during a high‐fat (45% of energy) diet of similar fatty acid composition. VLDL apo B synthesis and FCR were not significantly altered.When a diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids was exchanged for one high in saturated fatty acids (fat providing 45% of energy on both occasions) in four subjects, the synthetic rates of both VLDL apo B (‐31%, P<0.02) and LDL apo B (‐23%, P<0.10) were reduced while their FCRs were unchanged.
Determination of cardiac and plasma drug levels during long‐term amiodarone therapy
Authors: DEBBAS NADIA M. G. , CAILAR CLAUDE DU , SASSINE ANTOINE , DERANCOURT JEAN , DEMAILLE JACQUES G. , PUECH PAUL 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. A study of plasma and cardiac concentrations of amiodarone during the course of long‐term oral therapy was made possible by the improvement of analytical high performance liquid chromatography of plasma and tissue extracts.The plasma level was found to increase linearly with the daily dose of the drug, above a threshold value of c. 1.9 mg kg‐1 day‐1. Similarly, the cardiac content increased linearly with the daily dose, with no threshold, showing that the drug is taken up and accumulated in the cardiac tissue, with no obvious difference between atrial and ventricular samples (P > 0.05). Both plasma and heart showed no saturation at high drug intake, a justification for increasing the oral intake in severe cases. The linear relationship between tissue and blood concentrations allows a prediction of the cardiac level from a simple and routine blood analysis.
Hydrocortisone decreases the internalization of low density lipoprotein in cultured human fibroblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells
Authors: HENZE K. , CHAIT A. , ALBER J. J. , BIERMAN E. L. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The effect of hydrocortisone on the cellular low density lipoprotein (LDL) pathway was studied in cultured human skin fibroblasts and arterial smooth muscle cells. Hydrocortisone decreased both uptake and degradation of 125I‐LDL. LDL binding, measured at 4°C, was not affected by the hormone. Physiological concentrations of hydrocortisone (4.1 ± 10‐8 mol/1) resulted in a 30% reduction of LDL uptake and degradation which could not be accounted for by an effect of the hormone on macromolecular synthesis, cell protein or cell number. To test whether the decrease in uptake and degradation of 125I‐LDL was due to reduced internalization, the effect of hydrocortisone on the internalization of prebound LDL was determined and found to be decreased. Also, preincubation with unlabelled LDL in the presence of hydrocortisone resulted in less down regulation of LDL receptor activity than when no hydrocortisone was present. An effect of the hormone on bulk phase endocytosis has been excluded, since hydrocortisone did not affect either LDL degradation by receptor negative cells or endocytosis of 14C‐sucrose by normal skin fibroblasts.Thus, hydrocortisone impairs LDL catabolism by decreasing the internalization of LDL normally bound to its cell surface receptor. These results may be relevant to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in conditions associated with reduced cellular LDL catabolism.
The influence of total hepatectomy on cerebral energy state, ammonia‐related amino acids of the brain and plasma amino acids in the rat
Authors: HOLMIN T. , AGARDH C.‐D. , ALINDER G. , HERLIN P. , HULTBERG B. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The influence of total hepatectomy on cerebral energy state, ammonia‐related amino acids of the brain tissue and plasma amino acids was studied in anaesthetized rats after total hepatectomy. The hepatectomy was performed with the aid of a microsurgical three‐stage procedure. In the first stage, division of the inferior vena cava was performed. In the second stage 4 weeks later a porta‐caval anastomosis was constructed, followed after 1 week by a total hepatectomy.The brain energy state, defined as the concentrations of phosphocreatine, ATP, ADP and AMP, was unchanged 4 h after the hepatectomy. Plasma amino acids did not differ significantly between hepatectomized and shunted control rats. On the other hand, clear‐cut increases in the concentrations of glutamine, and decreases in the concentrations of glutamate and aspartate, were observed in the fronto‐parietal part of the cerebral cortex and the brain stem. These changes might explain the minor manifestations of cerebral dysfunction in the early phase of the hepatectomized state.
Decreased serum concentration of ionized calcium in insulin‐dependent human diabetes mellitus
Authors: McNAIR P. , FOGH‐ANDERSEN N. , MADSBAD S. , CHRISTENSEN M. S. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Low serum ionized calcium concentrations were observed in twenty‐five insulin dependent diabetic outpatients compared with twenty‐three age‐matched normal subjects: mean 1.16 mmol/l (SEM 0.01) versus 1.20 mmol/l (0.01), P < 0.002. Despite this, there was no compensatory increase in serum concentrations of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone, nor was serum total calcium decreased in the diabetic patients. Serum magnesium was significantly decreased in the diabetics compared with normals: mean 0.75 mmol/l versus 0.83 mmol/l, P < 0.001. No significant correlation could be demonstrated between serum magnesium and serum ionized calcium or parathyroid hormone in the diabetic patients.Since no significant correlations were observable between serum ionized calcium and indices of diabetes control, the etiology and pathogenesis of decreased serum calcium ion in insulin‐dependent human diabetes mellitus remain unknown.
Diurnal changes in serum triglycerides as related to changes in lipolytic enzymes, (apo) lipoproteins and hormones in normal subjects on a carbohydrate‐rich diet
Authors: MIRANI‐OOSTDIJK C. PAGANO , HAVEKES L. , TERPSTRA J. , FRÖLICH M. , GENT C. M. VAN , JANSEN H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Normal subjects in steady state on a carbohydrate‐rich diet (three equivalent meals a day at 9.00, 13.00 and 17.00 h), show a wave‐like serum triglyceride (TG) pattern with a peak at 14.00 h. Post‐heparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity increased from a mean value of 49 mU/ml ± 13 (SD) in the fasting state to 127 mU/ml ± 18 in the fed state (P < 0±005). This was due to an increase in adipose tissue LPL activity which, at 16.30 and 21.30 h, was significantly higher than basal levels (12.3 ± 81.5 and 87.7 ± 23.2 v. 43.3 ± 9.3 mU/g, P < 005 and P < 001, respectively). Skeletal muscle LPL activity was low (5.8 mU/g ± 2.3, mean ± SD) and showed no diurnal change. The observed changes in TG‐hydrolysing capacity in the course of the day might explain the TG‐pattern.High density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions HDL2 and HDL3 were separated by density gradient ultra‐centrifugation and had mean hydrated densities of 1088 and 1135 g/ml, respectively. While HDL2 showed no diurnal change, HDL3‐cholesterol and ‐phospholipid significantly increased during the day (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001 respectively), reaching their highest levels in the evening. Since the rise in HDL3‐lipids follows the fall in serum TG, this provides further indication that the metabolism of these fractions is mutually related.
Abnormal Na+K+ cotransport function in a group of patients with essential hypertension
Authors: GARAY R. P. , NAZARET C. , HANNAERT P. , PRICE M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In 50 normotensive controls, the increase in erythrocyte Na+ concentration up to 12.4 ± 2.0 mmol/l cells (mean ± SD) ensures half‐maximal stimulation of outward Na+K+ cotransport fluxes. Forty‐six out of sixty‐five patients with essential hypertension required more than 16 mmol/l cells of internal Na+ concentration to obtain a similar effect, strongly suggesting an abnormal cotransport function.Seven out of fourteen hypertensive patients with normal Na, K cotransport function showed Na+Li+ countertransport fluxes higher than the normal upper limit of 220 μmol (1 cells h)‐1. Conversely, counter‐transport fluxes were normal in fourteen hypertensives with abnormal cotransport function.The above results indicate that the total population of patients with essential hypertension is heterogenous and includes one subgroup of subjects with abnormal Na+K+ cotransport function, and another with increased Na+Li+ countertransport fluxes.
Effect of carbenoxolone on gastric prostaglandin E2 levels in patients with peptic ulcer disease following vagal and pentagastrin stimulation
Authors: RASK‐MADSEN J. , BUKHAVE K. , MADSEN P. E. R. , BEKKER C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The influence of oral carbenoxolone sodium (50 mg × 3 daily) on prostaglandin E2 release into gastric juice has been examined in nine peptic ulcer patients (duodenal ulcer, n= 6; prepyloric ulcer, n= 1; gastric ulcer, n= 2) during modified sham feeding and following bolus stimulation of acid secretion by pentagastrin (6 μg/kg).Carbenoxolone increased the overall mean of prostaglandin E2 concentrations in gastric juice following modified sham feeding by 32 ± 9% (mean + SEM; P < 0.02) and decreased the acidity slightly but significantly (P < 0.05). A marked rise in prostaglandin E2 levels (46 ± 11%; n= 5; P < 0.02) was observed in four duodenal ulcer patients and the patient with a prepyloric ulcer responding to therapy (i.e., pain relief and ulcer healing within 4 weeks of treatment).A significant peak (P < 0.05) related to modified sham feeding was observed only during medication, while a late gradual increase in prostaglandin E2 levels—not associated with vagal stimulation—occurred both in control and carbenoxolone experiments. No significant differences were observed following pentagastrin stimulation.The initial peak in prostaglandin E2 levels observed during medication favours the notion that the mechanism of drug action relies on inhibition of enzymatic degradation while the late increase in prostaglandin E2 levels may be explained by artificial prostaglandin formation during the aspiration procedure.
Calcium malabsorption in the elderly: the effect of treatment with oral 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: FRANCIS R. M. , PEACOCK M. , STORER J. H. , DAVIES A. E. J. , BROWN W. B. , NORDIN B. E. C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Calcium malabsorption is common in the elderly and may contribute to the development of age‐related bone loss. To investigate its cause, we have measured radio‐calcium absorption, plasma 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone in forty‐eight elderly women with a normal plasma creatinine. Calcium malabsorption was associated with low 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and was corrected by increasing these into the normal range by treatment with oral 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3. Treatment also increased 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D, and decreased parathyroid hormone concentrations.Before treatment, plasma parathyroid hormone was related to plasma creatinine but not to 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, and the change in absorption on treatment correlated inversely with plasma creatinine. 51Cr EDTA clearance was measured in sixteen elderly women and confirmed that renal impairment was common even with a plasma creatinine in the normal range. Our results suggest that calcium malabsorption in the elderly is predominantly due to vitamin D deficiency; renal impairment is also common and contributes to the malabsorption by increasing the requirements for vitamin D.
L‐norgestrel and progesterone have different influences on plasma lipoproteins
Authors: FÅHRAEUS LARS , LARSSON‐COHN ULF , WALLENTIN LARS 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Twenty‐six postmenopausal women wh had been on cutaneous oestradiol treatment for 3–6 months were given either 120 μg of l‐norgestrel (n= 13) or 300 mg of progesterone (n= 13) sequentially fc another 6 months. The concentrations of cholestero phospholipids and triglycerides were determined i plasma and in the HDL, HDL2, HDL3, LDL an VLDL fractions before and after one, three and si cycles of progestin treatment.Already after 11 days on l‐norgestrel, the mea HDL cholesterol and the mean HDL phospholipi concentrations were reduced by 15%. The reduction c the HDL‐lipids was mainly confined to the HDL fraction which was decreased by 25–30%. L‐norgestn also reduced the mean TG concentration both in the VLDL and the combined LDL + HDL fraction Progesterone gave only minor changes of the plasm lipids and lipoproteins.Reduced HDL, especially HDL2, concentration, a induced by l‐norgestrel, might increase the risk fc ischaemic heart disease. Therefore, it seems that, a regards the effects on the lipoproteins, progesteron might be more suitable than the 19‐nortestosteron derivated l‐norgestrel for postmenopausal sequenti; hormonal therapy.
Ultrasonic tissue characterisation of skeletal muscle
Authors: CADY E. B. , GARDENER J. E. , EDWARDS R. H. T. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Ultrasound techniques have been used for the non‐invasive, quantitative characterisation of muscle tissue in normal subjects and volunteer patients. Radio frequency (RF) echoes from a volume of tissue have been digitised and analysed using computer techniques.Attention has been given to the correct positioning and orientation of the transducer during examination due to the importance of the angle dependence of the interaction of ultrasound with muscle fasciculi. Several different muscles in the leg, arm and back of normal subjects have been examined, whereas patient studies have concentrated on the vastus intermedius. Ultrasonic data from patients with muscular dystrophy have been correlated with measurements of muscle tissue density obtained using X‐ray computerised tomography (X‐ray CT). The technique shows that ultrasound can be used to differentiate between normal and diseased muscle quantitatively. Results indicate that pathological change can be detected and monitored earlier with ultrasound than with X‐ray CT.These quantitative methods are now in use as a guide to the staging and monitoring of pathological change in muscle.
Regulation of calcium‐regulating hormones by exogenous sex steroids in early postmenopause
Authors: STEVENSON JOHN C. , ABEYASEKERA GAMINI , HILLYARD CARMEL J. , PHANG KHENG‐GUEK , MacINTYRE IAIN , CAMPBELL STUART , LANE GEOFF , TOWNSEND PETER T. , YOUNG OSYTH , WHITEHEAD MALCOLM I. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. A major function of calcitonin in humans appears to be maintenance of the skeleton. There is a marked sex difference in circulating calcitonin levels: women have much lower levels. This has led to speculation that calcitonin lack may be one factor involved in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal bone loss.We have measured levels of calcitonin and the other major calcium‐regulating hormones in healthy women during the early menopause, and studied the effects of reversing their oestrogen deficiency with natural and synthetic oestrogen. The major findings were that calcitonin levels were increased by oestrogen administration (P<0·02‐<0·001) and that the levels of the bone‐resorbing hormones, parathyroid hormone and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, were not higher in postmenopausal than in premenopausal women. We suggest that loss of oestrogen at the menopause accelerates the natural age‐related decline of calcitonin secretion, thus further decreasing the calcitonin levels. This leads to increased sensitivity of the skeleton to the actions of the bone‐resorbing hormones.It seems likely that the well‐known effect of oestrogen in preventing postmenopausal bone loss is achieved, at least in part, by enhancement of calcitonin secretion.
Heterogeneity of alveolar surfactant in the rabbit: composition, morphology, and labelling of subfractions isolated by centrifugation of lung lavage
Authors: BARITUSSIO A. , BELLINA L. , CARRARO R. , ROSSI A. , ENZI G. , MAGOON M. W. , MUSSINI I. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Rabbit alveolar saturated phosphatidylcholine (SPC) can be separated by differential and density gradient centrifugation of lung lavage into three fractions. One fraction (‘B’), which is analogous to conventionally prepared alveolar surfactant, contains 46·0±5·9% (SD) of lavage SPC, and is made of large multilamellar vesicles or sheet‐like structures. A second fraction (‘C’) does not sediment after centrifugation at 80000g for 90 min, contains 29·8±14·0% of lavage SPC, and a uniform population of small vesicles. This fraction incorporates 3H‐palmitate administered intravenously with a small delay with respect to fraction ‘B’. A third fraction (‘D’) contains almost all the cells of lavage and less than 5% of lavage SPC.We conclude that alveolar SPC consists of more than one compartment. The possible significance of isolated fractions is discussed.
Rapid proteolysis of puromycyl peptides in non‐thalassaemic and thalassaemic erythroid cells
Authors: CHALEVELAKIS GEORGE , LYBERATOS COSMAS , YALOURIS ATHANASIOS , VAIDAKIS EMMANUEL , PALLIKARIS GEORGE , RAPTIS SOTIRIOS 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The proteolytic degradation of labelled pyromycyl polypeptides was investigated in human intact erythroid cells derived from the bone marrow of eight non‐thalassaemic patients and the peripheral blood of eleven thalassaemics (eight splenectomized β thalassaemia heterozygotes and three sickle‐cell β thalassaemics). These abnormal polypeptides are rapidly degraded to soluble trichloroacetic‐acid (TCA) fragments with a half‐life of 12 min both in bone marrow and peripheral blood. This comes very close to the half‐life reported for the puromycyl peptide degradative system in rabbit reticulocytes (15 min).The relationship of the present proteolytic system to the ATP‐dependent one, described in rabbit reticulocytes, and to that responsible for the free α‐chain degradation in α thalassaemia is discussed.
Serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoprotein E phenotypes in relatives of patients with type III hyperlipoproteinaemia
Authors: STUYT P. M. J. , DEMACKER P. N. M. , LAAR A. VAN ‘T 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Eighty‐six relatives of nineteen probands with type III hyperlipoproteinaemia were studied to determine the occurrence of hyperlipidaemia and to investigate the relation between apo E phenotypes, the occurrence of hyperlipidaemia, and the composition of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction. Thirty‐nine relatives were hyperlipidaemic: four type IIa or IIb, nine type III and twenty‐six type IV. The predisposition for hyperlipidaemia was independent of the apo E phenotype.Hyperlipidaemic relatives with apo E phenotype E2/2 had a significantly (P < 0·01) higher VLDL‐cholesterol/VLDL‐triglycerides ratio (1·26 ± 0·35 n= 9) than those heterozygous for apo E allele ɛ2 (0·66 ± 0·12, n= 23) or without apo E allele ɛ2 (0·69 ± 0·11, n= 7). Normolipidaemic homozygous apo E‐2 relatives had also a significantly (P < 0·05) higher ratio (0.97 ± 0·19, n= 6) than those heterozygous for (0·77 ± 0·19, n= 31) or without the apo E allele ɛ2 (0·74 ± 0·13, n= 10). Thus, both hyper‐ and normolipidaemic apo E2 homozygotes have higher concentrations of VLDL remnants than the subjects heterozygous or without allele ɛ2.
Quantitation of bilirubin conjugates with high‐performance liquid chromatography in patients with low total serum bilirubin levels
Authors: JANSEN PETER L. M. , CUYPERS H. THEO , PETERS WILBERT H. M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Bilirubin mono‐ and diconjugates were determined by alkaline methanolysis and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in serum from patients with metastatic liver disease and liver cirrhosis. Conjugates could be detected and quantitated at normal or low total bilirubin levels. Comparison with serum alkaline phosphatase activity revealed that in cirrhosis bilirubin conjugates were sometimes detectable at normal or slightly elevated alkaline phosphatase activities. In patients with metastatic liver disease alkaline phosphatase activity was a more sensitive indicator.In normal controls and in patients with Gilbert's syndrome no bilirubin conjugates were detected whereas serum of patients with haemolysis contained conjugated bilirubin. Therefore HPLC appears to be an excellent method to diagnose Gilbert's syndrome. In liver cirrhosis HPLC is a useful liver function test.
Experimental skeletal muscle damage: the nature of the calcium‐activated degenerative processes
Authors: JACKSON M. J. , JONES D. A. , EDWARDS R. H. T. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The role of calcium‐activated degenerative processes in the efflux of enzyme from experimentally damaged mouse muscle has been studied using an isolated mouse soleus muscle preparation. Inhibition of mitochondrial activity with dinitrophenol or sodium cyanide was found to cause a large efflux of enzyme. This was largely prevented by withdrawal of the extracellular calcium suggesting that mitochondrial calcium overload does not play a major role in the damage leading to enzyme efflux.Treatment of the muscles with a variety of protease inhibitors had no effect on the enzyme efflux from muscles following exhaustive contractile activity indicating that activation of protease activity is not a major factor in the damaging process. Certain inhibitors of phospholipase‐A activity (i.e. dibucaine, chlorpromazine and mepacrine) have been found to significantly reduce the enzyme efflux following treatment of the muscles with dinitrophenol, although other phospholipase inhibitors were without effect.It is suggested that the changes in muscle membrane permeability leading to enzyme efflux following experimental muscle damage are probably the result of calcium‐mediated activation of phospholipase A leading to changes in membrane phospholipid metabolism.