bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urine fetuin‐A values in relation to the presence of urolithiasis
Authors: Stejskal David , Karpisek Michal , Vrtal Radovan , Student Vladimir , Solichova Pavlina , Fiala Richard , Stejskal Pavel 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of urine fetuin‐A and other promotors and inhibitors of urine crystalization with urolithiasis, as fetuin‐A inhibits the precipitation of hydroxyapatite from supersaturated solutions of calcium and phosphate in vitro but no information on urine fetuin‐A in patients with urolithiasis is available.PATIENTS AND METHODSIn all, 39 patients with urolithiasis and 22 individuals with no urolithiasis or probands with undetected stones were involved. All patients underwent kidney ultrasonography and X‐ray examination, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Serum creatinine, parathyroid hormone, calcium, magnesium, anorganic phosphate, uric acid and urine creatinine, albumin, α1‐microglobulin, sulphate, oxalate, citrate and fetuin‐A (ELISA) were determined.RESULTSThe patients with urolithiasis had lower urine fetuin‐A levels (median 4.9 vs 0.77 mg/day; P < 0.01) and citraturia levels (1.7 vs 5.1 mmol/day; P = 0.02); and higher calciuria (6.5 vs 5.2 mmol/day) and oxaluria (0.47 vs 0.25; P = 0.04). Patients with fetuin‐A levels in the lowest quartile had an odds ratio of 36 compared with individuals in the highest quartile. The sensitivity of the urine fetuin‐A level for urolithiasis was 97.4% and specificity was 100% (area under the curve 0.99; 95% confidence interval 0.94–1.0) using a urine fetuin‐A threshold of ≤2.1 mg/day. Values of urine fetuin‐A did not correlate with gender, age or BMI.CONCLUSIONSOur study indicates, for the first time, that patients with documented urolithiasis had lower fetuin‐A concentrations independent of other conventional promotors and inhibitors of urine crystallization.
A novel murine model of allogeneic vaccination against renal cancer
Authors: Havranek Erik G. , Labarthe Marie‐Christine , Ward Stephen , Anderson Christopher J. , Whelan Michael A. , Pandha Hardev 
Published: April 2008

OBJECTIVESTo develop a murine model for whole‐cell allogeneic vaccination in renal cancer, as such vaccines aim to direct immune responses against patient tumour cells, due to shared antigens between the vaccine and tumour cells.MATERIALS AND METHODSA novel murine renal cell line, allogeneic to BALB/c, was developed from a C57BL/6 mouse by primary cell culture (RVIK). It was immortalized by HPV16 E6/E7 and transfected with ras in an attempt to improve its immunogenicity. The cell line was characterized and tested as a vaccine in a BALB/c tumour‐protection model after subsequent tumour challenge with autologous RenCa tumour cells.RESULTSRVIK alone, with no ras induced cross‐reactive immunity, providing a valid non‐tumorigenic allogeneic whole‐cell vaccine model for renal cancer. Ras transfection per se did not improve RVIK immunity.CONCLUSIONSRVIK is a novel immunogenic murine renal epithelial cell line, which confers protection when used as an allogeneic vaccine. It provides proof of principle for the effectiveness of allogeneic whole‐cell vaccines and may therefore form the basis of a useful model of allogeneic vaccination to further optimize vaccination schedules, formulation and adjuvants for a clinical setting.
The Secret Life of Emotions [retracted]
Authors: Ruys Kirsten I. , Stapel Diederik A. 
Published: April 2008

The following articles have been retracted from publication in Psychological Science: Ruys, K. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2008). The secret life of emotions. Psychological Science, 19, 385–391. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02097.x Ruys, K. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2008). Emotion elicitor or emotion messenger? Subliminal priming reveals two faces of facial expressions. Psychological Science, 19, 593–603. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02128.x The editors and publishers of Psychological Science have made the retractions following the results of an investigation into the work of Diederik A. Stapel ( https://www.commissielevelt.nl/ ). The Levelt Committee has determined that these articles contained data that were fabricated by author Stapel. His coauthor was unaware of his actions, was not in any way involved in the generation of the data, and agrees to the retraction of the articles. The following Psychological Science articles coauthored by Stapel have been cleared by the Levelt Committee, whose investigation into these articles found no evidence of fraudulent data or practices: Lammers, J., Stapel, D. A., & Galinsky, A. D. (2010). Power increases hypocrisy: Moralizing in reasoning, immorality in behavior. Psychological Science, 21, 737–744. doi:10.1177/0956797610368810 Lammers, J., Stoker, J. I., Jordan, J., Pollmann, M., & Stapel, D. A. (2011). Power increases infidelity among men and women. Psychological Science, 22, 1191–1197. doi:10.1177/0956797611416252 Lammers, J., Stoker, J. I., & Stapel, D. A. (2009). Differentiating social and personal power: Opposite effects on stereotyping, but parallel effects on behavioral approach tendencies. Psychological Science, 20, 1543–1549. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02479.x The five articles noted above are the only ones published in Psychological Science on which Stapel is listed as an author.
Permanent Land‐based Facilities for Tourism in Antarctica: The Need for Regulation
Authors: Bastmeijer Kees , Lamers Machiel , Harcha Juan 
Published: April 2008

Antarctica is often described as one of world's last wildernesses. For a very long time, its isolation from human settlements provided an effective protection from intensive human visitation; however, over the past two decades, human activities in Antarctica – in particular tourist activities – have grown and diversified rapidly. In view of environmental and other concerns, regulating Antarctic tourism has become one of the major issues of debate within the Antarctic Treaty System. One of the questions that has received much attention since 2004 is the question of whether additional measures are needed to regulate (e.g. prohibit) the future development of permanent land‐based facilities (such as hotels, visitor centres, logistic facilities) for tourism in Antarctica. A number of State governments involved in the Antarctic Treaty System have proposed to prohibit such developments; however, the question has not yet received a clear answer. After a brief introduction to the Antarctic Treaty System, this article provides a definition of permanent land‐based facilities for tourism and an overview of current and past land‐based tourism facilities in Antarctica. Next, the question of whether such facilities are likely to further develop in the near future is discussed and an inventory is made of arguments for and against such developments. Environmental issues will be discussed first, followed by other considerations. Based on this information, a number of regulatory options are described for consideration by policy makers. The authors argue that there is a need for regulating permanent land‐based tourist facilities in Antarctica and in the conclusion of this article they express their views in respect of the most favourable option.
Antiretroviral drug resistance among antiretroviral‐naïve persons with recent HIV infection in Thailand
Authors: Apisarnthanarak A , Jirayasethpong T , Sa‐nguansilp C , Thongprapai H , Kittihanukul C , Kamudamas A , Tungsathapornpong A , Mundy LM 
Published: April 2008

ObjectivesTo evaluate the prevalence and patterns of antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance (ARV‐DR) among ARV drug‐naïve, recently infected persons with HIV in the 4‐year interval (2003–2006) after the inception of the National Access to ARV Programme for People who have AIDS in Thailand.MethodsCross‐sectional study of patients with recent HIV infection for HIV risks, ARV‐DR risks and baseline ARV‐DR.ResultsSeven of the 305 patients (2%) had baseline ARV‐DR. Via contract tracing, all seven patients with transmitted ARV‐DR identified sexual partners with prior ARV treatment failure and had documented low (<75%) ARV adherence. Annual ARV‐DR increased from 0 to 5.2% (P=0.06) between 2003 and 2006.ConclusionsReport of sexual partners with potential HIV and ARV drug exposures can prompt baseline ARV‐DR testing of at‐risk individuals, while behavioural interventions for adherence and safer sex are refined to minimize the emergence of resistance to generic, fixed‐dose combination stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine (GPO‐VIR) therapy.
Exposure to grass pollen in Europe
Authors: Jaeger S. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryPooideae encompass both common wild and cultivated grasses, which are responsible for grass pollen exposure and sensitization in Europe. Across Europe, the pollination period of different members of this subfamily overlap and hayfever sufferers are therefore naturally exposed to a mixture of pollens from different grass species. Because of their morphological homology, Pooideae pollens are evaluated together in pollen counts and cannot be distinguished. Neither patients themselves, nor physicians can link the onset of hayfever symptoms to a specific grass species.
Substance P: Its Distribution, Pharmacological Actions And Possible Physiological Role In Sensory Neurons
Authors: Pernow Bengt 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The undecapeptide substance P (SP) is a normal constituent of most tissues, particularly the central and peripheral nervous system. SP‐immunoreactive cell bodies and terminal networks are distributed in most areas of the brain. Particular interest has been focused on the presence and function of SP in the primary sensory neuron. SP is released from both the central and peripheral part of the sensory neuron following stimulation of the dorsal roots and peripheral sensory nerves. Evidence is given for a transmitter role of SP in the sensory neurons and for the hypothesis that SP is involved in the vascular effects induced by sensory nerve stimulation, referred to as the axon reflex.SP is present in large amounts in the gastro‐intestinal tract. By immunohistochemistry SP is demonstrated within nerve cell bodies and terminals of the intramural plexuses but also in extrinsic neurons. It is released both from intrinsic sensory neurons of the gut and from the gastro‐intestinal lumen in response to vagal stimulation. SP stimulates motor activity and is ascribed a regulatory role for both the intestinal motility and blood flow.SP has numerous pharmacological effects, the most obvious being excitation of spinal motoneurons, vasodilation and stimulation of salivary and pancreatic secretion. It is a normal constituent of blood plasma but there is no evidence that SP acts as a circulating hormone.
Protein‐kinetic and haemodynamic studies in patients with liver cirrhosis. Evidence of a lymph‐imbalance theory of ascites formation
Authors: Henriksen Jens H. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Lymph drainage, splanchnic vascular pressures, plasma volume (PV), plasma renin (PRC) and aldosterone (PAC) concentrations were studied in different groups of patients with cirrhosis: I, patients who had never had ascites (n=17), II, patients with former but no actual ascites (n= 19), III, patients with slight or moderate ascites (n= 25), and IV, patients with tense ascites (n = 27).Lymph drainage, determined as TERalb (the fraction of intravascular albumin mass (IVMaib), which leaves/returns into the vascular space per hour) was significantly elevated in cirrhotic patients (11.5% IVMalb‐h‐1) as compared to normal controls (5.9,P<0.001). TERalb in patients with tense ascites (group IV) was on the average 8‐4% IVMaib‐h‐1, a value which is significantly above normal (P<0.05), but significantly below those of groups I, II and III (12.5,13.4,12.6,P<0.01). Wedged hepatic venous pressure increased from group I to IV: 16, 22, 25 and 34 mmHg, respectively (P<0.01). Inferior vena caval pressure in group IV (15 mmHg) was significantly above those of group III (8 mmHg) and group I+11 (6 mmHg), (P<0–01). From group I to III, PV increased significantly (3125, 3610, 3870 ml, P<0.01). In the ascitic patients PV was constant or fell slightly in patients with tense ascites (3730 ml). PRC in untreated patients with tense ascites (IV) was 287 mIU‐1‐1, as compared to group III, I and normal controls (94, 50, 15, P<0.01). A similar pattern was found with respect to PAC.The results suggest that an imbalance between enhanced protein and fluid filtration (consequent on portal hypertension) on one side, and a relatively insufficient lymphatic drainage on the other side plays a substantial role in the pathogenesis of ascites in cirrhosis. The results do not support a progressive plasma volume expansion as the main cause of cirrhotic ascites.
Optimal conditions for assay of cytochrome‐c‐oxidase activity in human skeletal muscle tissue
Authors: Bylund‐Fellenius A.‐C. , Davidsson M. , Arvidsson A. , Elander A. , Scherstén T. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Conditions for the assay of cytochrome‐c‐oxidase in human skeletal muscle tissue were studied, including an evaluation of the optimal conditions during the in vitro assay as well as the optimal conditions for storage and treatment of the tissue before the assay. The activity of cytochrome‐c‐oxidase was assayed polarographically with a Clark oxygen electrode. Optimal oxygen consumption rates were obtained at a cytochrome‐c‐concentration above 0·2 mmol/l, in the presence of TMPD, 2·2 mmol/l and ascorbic acid, 4.4 mmol/l as reducing agents. Enzyme proportionality was obtained after correction of the oxygen consumption rates for a blank reaction according to one of three alternatives presented. Variations in the homogenizing technique and the degree of dilution of the homogenate (1:11‐1:88) had only moderate effects on the enzyme activity. Optimal storage conditions were evaluated by comparing the enzyme activities measured in fresh muscles, frozen muscles and homogenates prepared from fresh muscles. During all storage conditions significantly higher activities were obtained when sucrose buffer (0·25 mol/l) was used as homogenizing medium as compared to phosphate buffer (0·1 mol/l). Freezing and thawing of the muscle tissue before the assay caused an average decrease in the enzyme activity of 50% (P <0·005) as compared to the activity obtained in fresh tissue. This untoward effect of the freezing and thawing was reduced when the enzyme activity was analysed in frozen homogenates prepared from fresh muscles. Thus, an average decrease in the enzyme activity of 15% (P <0·05) was found in frozen homogenates prepared in sucrose buffer as compared to the activity obtained in the fresh tissue.These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating the effects of the tissue treatment for comparative studies of maximum enzyme activities in vitro.
Early changes in blood‐brain barrier permeability after porto‐caval shunt and liver ischaemia
Authors: Crinquette Jacques‐François , Boschat Michèle , Rapin Jean‐Robert , Delorme Marie‐Louise , Opolon Pierre 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The brain oedema, distribution space (DS) and brain uptake index (BUI), of l‐glucose, inulin, B12 vitamin and of three polypeptidic hormones of increasing molecular weight (angiotensin‐I, gastrin and insulin) were measured in the rat after sham operation, porto‐caval shunt (PCS) or liver ischaemia. At an early stage following PCS or liver ischaemia brain oedema was not constant, and was only demonstrable after liver ischaemia in a large number of animals. Substances without an active transport and with a low diffusion coefficient such as l‐glucose and inulin had a very low BUI, unchanged even if the 3H2O brain content or the DS were modified. B12 vitamin, DS and BUI were very high and did not change after liver ischaemia or PCS. Insulin DS and BUI were low in the three groups of animals, whereas it decreased after PCS for gastrin.A significant increase of BUI and DS (without any cerebral oedema) was demonstrated for angiotensin‐I, a polypeptidic hormone of molecular weight 1300. This polypeptidic marker is in the same range of MW as the preliminary recently recognized medium‐sized molecules which may be involved in the pathogenesis of encephalopathy during experimental acute liver failure. However, not only the MW, but the nature of such polypeptides may be of importance in the genesis of this limited impairment of BBB permeability.
Measurement of stroke volume with impedance cardiography
Authors: Milsom Ian , Sivertsson Ramon , Biber Björn , Olsson Torsten 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Simultaneous determination of stroke volume with impedance cardiography and the dye dilution technique was compared in 11 healthy men before and after exercise. The correlation coefficient for all measurements was 0·82. Mean stroke volume determined by impedance cardiography was significantly (P<0·001) lower than mean stroke volume calculated by the dye dilution technique. However, there was no significant difference in the mean change in stroke volume determined by the two techniques during serial measurements. The reproducability of single impedance‐determined stroke volumes (6·9 ml) was not significantly different from single values obtained by dye dilution (7·3 ml).Impedance cardiography was found to be a safe, reliable, non‐invasive method for the measurement of changes in stroke volume in healthy individuals before and after exercise. At present, direct estimation of absolute values of stroke volume is not recommended using impedance cardiography. Calibration of the impedance technique against other established techniques in a given application is necessary.
The effect of temperature, ischaemia and contractile activity on the relaxation rate of human muscle
Authors: Wiles C. M. , Edwards R. H. T. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The relaxation rate from electrically stimulated isometric contractions of human adductor pollicis has been measured during rewarming following cooling, during ischaemia and during ischaemic contractile activity. The Q10 for relaxation rate (25–37°C intramuscular temperature) was estimated as 2·3. Relaxation rate was found to decline at a rate of 1·5% initial value per minute of ischaemia. Relaxation rate declined more rapidly during ischaemic contractile activity than during ischaemia alone. The rate of decline was more closely related to the force × time performed than the number of excitatory impulses. During a supramaximal 20 Hz tetanus, relaxation rate declined markedly at a time when only slight force fatigue had occurred; hence the decline could not be explained by selective fast muscle fibre fatigue. No recovery occurred during ischaemic rest following ischaemic activity but, following restoration of the circulation, recovery occurred with a half time of one minute being virtually complete at 5–7 min.Changes in relaxation rate during fatiguing contractions and recovery from them follow different time courses from muscle excitability and force production. Change in relaxation rate cannot be simply related to changes in the concentration of major energy metabolites. It is proposed that relaxation rate is related to the rate of energy turnover in the contracting muscle.
Pre‐ and postoperative lung function in sitting and supine position related to postoperative chest X‐ray abnormalities and arterial hypoxaemia
Authors: Wirén J. E. , Lindell S. E. , Hellekant C. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Spirometry in both sitting and supine position was performed before and 3–5 days after elective upper abdominal surgery in 53 men, aged 41–72 years. The results were related to postoperative respiratory complications as defined by chest radiography and to measurements of the arterial oxygen tension. Preoperative total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC) and wash‐out volume (WOV) were lower in both positions among patients who were to develop major chest X‐ray abnormalities than among patients with normal chest radiographs postoperatively. All patients who developed major chest X‐ray abnormalities had a negative value for FRC ‐ closing capacity (CC) in the supine position preoperatively, indicating ‘airway closure’ during tidal breathing. Preoperative WOV and lung clearance index (LCI) were higher in both sitting and supine positions in patients who developed postoperative hypoxaemia than in patients who did not. The postoperative decrease in TLC, FRC and WOV in the sitting position was greater among patients with major X‐ray abnormalities and/or arterial hypoxemia postoperatively than among patients without these complications.According to our results, conventional spirometry in the supine position is not superior to conventional spirometry in the sitting position as part of pre‐ or postoperative assessment of patients. On the other hand, both preoperative ‘airway closure’ and arterial oxygen tension, measured in the supine position, showed a correlation with postoperative chest X‐ray abnormalities.
Heterogeneity of splanchnic vascular transit times in man
Authors: Winkler K. , Bass L. , Henriksen J. , Larsen O. Andree , Ring P. , Tygstrup N. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. A new method of quantifying the heterogeneity of transit times through vascular beds, free from corrections for effects of recirculation, is applied to data of splanchnic transit times in eight normal subjects and three patients with cirrhosis and end‐to‐side portocaval shunts, as obtained by Bradley's method.There is proportionality between the heterogeneity, expressed as standard deviation and the mean transit time in the eight normal subjects. The heterogeneity of plasma transit times is not appreciably larger than that of red blood cells, despite the larger volume of distribution of plasma. This may suggest that the large vessels contribute substantially to the dispersions of vascular transits in the entire splanchnic system. Pearson Type III distribution is proposed for the frequency function of the splanchnic transit times, and the power of the pre‐exponential factor is deduced for plasma and for red blood cells. It is found that the initial splanchnic transits are dominated by plasma, this may be due to sequestration of red cells in the spleen. The heterogeneity of transit times in normals is not appreciably different from that in patients with cirrhosis and portocaval shunt, which suggests that the extra heterogeneity of the cirrhotic liver is of the same order as the heterogeneity of the normal extrahepatic splanchnic organs. The method may be a useful tool to describe heterogeneity of vascular transits in other organs.
Myocardial glutamate and alanine exchanges related to carbohydrate metabolism in patients with normal and stenotic coronary arteries
Authors: Thomassen Anne , Nielsen Torsten Toftegaard , Bagger Jens Peder , Thuesen Leif 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Myocardial exchanges of glutamate, alanine, glucose, lactate, free fatty acids (FFA) and oxygen in resting state were determined in nine subjects (controls) without and in 28 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Patients with CAD showed increased myocardial glutamate uptake (2·51±0·60 μmol/min) and alanine release (1·25±0·60μmol/min) compared to controls (glutamate uptake: 1·66±0·79 μmol/min; alanine release: 0·63±0·41 μmol/min). Myocardial glucose and lactate uptake was augmented in CAD patients, whereas FFA arterio‐venous differences were decreased in patients with three‐vessel‐disease.The amount of glutamate taken up by the heart correlated positively to lactate uptake in all subjects (r= 0·84) and to external glucose utilization in patients with CAD (r= 0·72). Myocardial alanine release was positively related to glucose and lactate uptake in controls and in patients with only moderate CAD (one‐vessel‐disease). Glucose and FFA uptake correlated inversely in controls (r=0·84), but not in CAD patients.A tight relation between exchanges of glutamate/alanine and carbohydrate metabolism in human heart is demonstrated. The data suggest altered myocardial substrate exchange towards augmented carbohydrate utilization in CAD patients in resting state. The results agree with in vitro and animal studies suggesting extraction of glutamate from the circulation to be of importance for maintaining carbohydrate consumption in chronic ischaemic heart disease.