bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of cigarette smoking on serum fluoride concentrations and renal function integrity after 1 MAC‐h sevoflurane anaesthesia
Authors: Laisalmi M. , Kokki H. , Soikkeli A. , Markkanen H. , Yli‐Hankala A. , Rosenberg P. , Lindgren L. 
Published: July 2006

Background:  Tobacco smoke contains various chemicals which may affect drug metabolism. Sevoflurane is metabolized to inorganic fluoride, and elevated serum fluoride concentrations (S‐F−) may cause deterioration of renal function. Whether smokers develop high S‐F− and associated disturbances in renal function is not known.Methods:  We investigated sevoflurane metabolism in 25 non‐smoking and 25 smoking (> 10 cigarettes/day) generally healthy women, aged 19–68 years, undergoing gynaecological elective surgery under one minimum alveolar concentration‐hour (1 MAC‐h) standardized sevoflurane anaesthesia. S‐F− was measured for 24 h. Glomerular and tubular function was assessed by measuring serum and urine tumour‐associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), β2‐microglobulin and serum creatinine for 48 h after sevoflurane inhalation.Results:  There were no differences between the two study groups with regard to S‐F−. It increased significantly in both groups: in non‐smokers, from a baseline between 1.0 and 11 μmol/l (median, 1.6 μmol/l) to a maximum between 8.2 and 40 μmol/l (26 μmol/l) (P < 0.001) and, in smokers, from a baseline between 0.5 and 5.2 μmol/l (1.7 μmol/l) to a maximum between 19 and 71 μmol/l (25 μmol/l) (P < 0.001). In both groups, S‐F− remained elevated for the entire sampling period (P < 0.001). In all five women (one non‐smoker and four smokers) with a maximum S‐F− of 40 μmol/l or higher and an area under the serum fluoride concentration–time curve (AUCF0–24) of 500 μmol/h/l or higher, serum TATI increased above the pathological concentration of 3.0 nmol/l, whereas only six of the 45 patients with S‐F− below 40 μmol/l had serum TATI above 3.0 nmol/l (P < 0.001). β2‐Microglobulin increased significantly (> 1 mg/l) in two patients with high S‐F− relative to two of the 45 patients with S‐F− below 40 μmol/l (P= 0.005). None of the patients developed clinically detectable renal dysfunction.Conclusion:  Smoking did not affect S‐F− after sevoflurane anaesthesia. Glomerular dysfunction, seen as increased serum TATI, was noted in five women with S‐F− above 40 μmol/l. Our results suggest that the renal toxic threshold of S‐F− seems to be lower than the earlier reported value of 50 μmol/l.
Expression of cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 in gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors
Authors: Mizuno Shigeaki , Kato Kimitoshi , Hashimoto Akemi , Sugitani Masahiko , Sheikh Aleemuzzaman , Komuro Sachiko , Jike Toyoharu , Iwasaki Ariyoshi , Arakawa Yasuyuki , Nemoto Norimichi 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  Cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2 overexpression is observed in various neoplasms and COX‐2 inhibition has been attempted as prevention and/or therapy in these neoplasms. Carcinoid tumors are thought to arise from neuroendocrine cells and originate mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 is reportedly expressed in neuroendocrine cells of normal colorectal mucosa. The role of COX in carcinoids has not previously been investigated. The aim of the present paper was to clarify the expression of COX‐1 and ‐2, and their role in human gastrointestinal carcinoids.Methods:  Expression of COX‐1 and ‐2 was studied immunohistochemically in 38 gastrointestinal carcinoids. Five bronchopulmonary and seven metastatic carcinoids were also examined, for comparison with gastrointestinal carcinoids. The immunohistochemical score (IHS) was calculated from staining intensity and immunoreactive cell population, and ranked according to four grades (negative to strong).Results:  Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 was expressed in all gastrointestinal carcinoids (weak, 1; moderate, 13; strong, 24) and bronchopulmonary carcinoids (weak, 1; moderate, 4), as well as their metastases (moderate, 3; strong, 4). The IHS of COX‐2 in larger tumors was significantly lower than that in smaller tumors. However, the IHS of COX‐2 at the advancing tumor edge was significantly higher than that at the centers of tumors ≥10 mm in size. Faint COX‐1 expression was detected in only one duodenal, one rectal and four bronchopulmonary carcinoids.Conclusions:  Enhanced COX‐2 expression was observed in gastrointestinal as well as bronchopulmonary carcinoids and their metastases, especially at the advancing edges of the tumors. Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 may play a role in carcinoid progression.
Polymorphisms in the promoter region of the angiotensinogen gene are associated with liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Xiao Fan , Wei Hongshan , Song Shujing , Li Guoli , Song Chuan 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aims:  It is known that the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) regulates fibrosis. Polymorphisms in the genes of the RAS may contribute to the outcome of liver cirrhosis. Angiotensinogen (AGT), mainly produced in the liver, is the substrate of renin. The aim of this study was to determine whether polymorphisms in the promoter region of the AGT gene are associated with liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:  Restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR was used to study polymorphisms in the promoter region of the AGT gene in patients with liver cirrhosis and in a control population. Four polymorphisms were assayed: G‐217A, G‐152A, A‐20C and A‐6G.Results:  A statistically significant relationship was seen between polymorphisms of the AGT core promoter region and liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (A‐20C, P = 0.007; A‐6G, P = 0.042). However, the distributions of the AGT‐217 and AGT‐152 genotypes were not significantly different from the control population (P = 0.615 and P = 0.170, respectively).Conclusions:  Polymorphisms of the core promoter region of the AGT gene (AGT‐20 and AGT‐6) were associated with liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
East Asian‐type Helicobacter pylori cytotoxin‐associated gene A protein has a more significant effect on growth of rat gastric mucosal cells than the Western type
Authors: Fu Hai Ying , Asahi Kayoko , Hayashi Yujiro , Eguchi Hiroshi , Murata Hiroaki , Tsujii Masahiko , Tsuji Shingo , Azuma Takeshi , Kawano Sunao 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Cytotoxin‐associated gene A (CagA) protein from H. pylori was reported to be injected into host gastric epithelial cells via a bacterial type IV secretion system, thereby modifying signal transduction. It is classified into two major subtypes, Western and East Asian. The present study aimed to compare the effects of East Asian‐type and Western‐type CagA on host cell growth.Methods:  A tetracycline (tet)‐off system and cagA genes from Western and East Asian‐type H. pylori (NCTC 11637 and F32) were transfected into untransformed rat gastric mucosal (RGM1) cells to establish RGM1‐CagA cell lines in which CagA expression could be controlled by tetracycline. These cell lines were used to investigate the effect of CagA protein expression on cell growth with BrdU and water‐soluble tetrazolium reagent (WST‐8) assays. CagA expression, phosphorylation and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation were examined with immunoprecipitation and Western blotting analysis.Results:  5‐Bromo‐2′deoxyuridine (BrdU) and WST‐8 assays demonstrated significant increases in DNA replication and RGM1 cell growth after CagA protein expression. ERK phosphorylation was enhanced when CagA protein was expressed in RGM1‐CagA cells. Moreover, the East Asian‐type CagA showed a significantly greater effect on ERK activation and host cell growth than the Western type. PD98059, a mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, suppressed ERK phosphorylation and the CagA protein‐induced increase in RGM1‐CagA cell growth.Conclusions:  CagA protein expression induces an increase in RGM1‐CagA cell proliferation via the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway. The East Asian‐type CagA showed a significantly greater effect on cell growth than the Western type, suggesting that the East Asian CagA‐positive strain may have an important role in pathogenesis.
High dose probiotic and prebiotic cotherapy for remission induction of active Crohn’s disease
Authors: Fujimori Shunji , Tatsuguchi Atsushi , Gudis Katya , Kishida Teruyuki , Mitsui Keigo , Ehara Akihito , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Sekita Yoshihisa , Seo Tsuguhiko , Sakamoto Choitsu 
Published: July 2006

AbstractBackground:  Clinical trials of probiotic treatment for Crohn’s disease (CD) have yielded conflicting results. This study assessed the clinical usefulness of combined probiotic and prebiotic therapy in the treatment of active CD.Method:  Ten active CD outpatients without history of operation for CD were enrolled. Their mean (±SD) age was 27 ± 7 years and the main symptoms presented were diarrhea and abdominal pain. Patients’ initial therapeutic regimen of aminosalicylates and prednisolone failed to achieve remission. Patients were thus initiated on a synbiotic therapy, consisting of both probiotics (75 billion colony forming units [CFU] daily) and prebiotics (psyllium 9.9 g daily). Probiotics mainly comprised Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Patients were free to adjust their intake of probiotics or prebiotics throughout the trial. Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI), International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) score and blood sample variables were evaluated and compared before and after the trial.Results:  The duration of the trial was 13.0 ± 4.5 months. By the end of therapy, each patient had taken a 45 ± 24 billion CFU daily probiotic dose, with six patients taking an additional 7.9 ± 3.6 g daily psyllium dose. Seven patients had improved clinical symptoms following combined probiotic and prebiotic therapy. Both CDAI and IOIBD scores were significantly reduced after therapy (255–136, P = 0.009; 3.5–2.1, P = 0.03, respectively). Six patients had a complete response, one had a partial response, and three were non‐responders. Two patients were able to discontinue their prednisolone therapy, while four patients decreased their intake. There were no adverse events.Conclusion:  High‐dose probiotic and prebiotic cotherapy can be safely and effectively used for the treatment of active CD.
Recovery of temperate Desulfovibrio vulgaris bacteriophage using a novel host strain
Authors: Walker Christopher B. , Stolyar Sergey S. , Pinel Nic , Yen Huei‐Che B. , He Zhili , Zhou Jizhong , Wall Judy D. , Stahl David A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryA novel sulfate‐reducing bacterium (strain DePue) closely related to Desulfovibrio vulgaris ssp. vulgaris strain Hildenborough was isolated from the sediment of a heavy‐metal impacted lake using established techniques. Although few physiological differences between strains DePue and Hildenborough were observed, pulse‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed a significant genome reduction in strain DePue. Comparative whole‐genome microarray and polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated that the absence of genes annotated in the Hildenborough genome as phage or phage‐related contributed to the significant genome reduction in strain DePue. Two morphotypically distinct temperate bacteriophage from strain Hildenborough were recovered using strain DePue as a host for plaque isolation.
MICROETHICS IN ACTION1
Authors: NIKKU NINA , ERIKSSON BENGT ERIK 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThe future development of bioethics has been discussed in a number of articles in recent years, principally with regard to the trend towards empirical studies. However, what is meant by empirical studies in this context and how it is to be used concretely have been subject to varying interpretations. The purpose of this article is to develop what we term the microethical approach as a concrete method for an empirically driven bioethics. By adopting a microethical perspective, we will illustrate an analytical concept for describing and demonstrating how, as a result of contextual circumstances and forms of understanding, different individuals in their everyday life adopt different coping strategies and behavior patterns in relation to ethical values. From a deepened perspective, the complexity of human behavior becomes apparent, and knowledge is gained about how moral problems are perceived and construed by those whom they in fact affect.We intend first and foremost to develop the microethical methodology by elucidating the methods and approaches that can help in clarifying moral dilemmas on a microethical level, and how the relationship between the empirical material and the ethical analysis evolves over the course of the analysis. This is exemplified by a study of caregivers’ entrance into patients’ private lives through the provision of care and assistance in the home.
LAY CONCEPTS IN INFORMED CONSENT TO BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH: THE CAPACITY TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE RISK
Authors: ILTIS ANA 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTPersons generally must give their informed consent to participate in research. To provide informed consent persons must be given information regarding the study in simple, lay language. Consent must be voluntary, and persons giving consent must be legally competent to consent and possess the capacity to understand and appreciate the information provided. This paper examines the relationship between the obligation to disclose information regarding risks and the requirement that persons have the capacity to understand and appreciate the information. There has been insufficient attention to the extent to which persons must be able to understand and appreciate study information in order to have their consent deemed valid when the information is provided in simple, lay language. This paper argues that (1) the capacity to understand and appreciate information that should be deemed necessary to give valid consent should be defined by the capacity of the typical, cognitively normal adult and (2) the capacity of the typical, cognitively normal adult to understand and appreciate the concept of risk is limited. Therefore, (3) all things being equal, potential subjects must possess a limited capacity to understand and appreciate risk to be deemed competent to consent to research participation. (4) In some cases investigators ought to require that persons possess a greater than typical capacity to understand and appreciate risk.
MAKING THE CASE FOR HUMAN LIFE EXTENSION: PERSONAL ARGUMENTS
Authors: SCHLOENDORN JOHN 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTIn the close to medium future, the life sciences might permit a vast extension of the human life span. I will argue that this is a very desirable development for the individual person. The question whether death is a harm to the dying is irrelevant here. All it takes is that being alive is good for the living person and not being alive is not good for anyone. Thus, living persons who expect to live on happily are rationally required to want to stay alive. Eventual uncertainty whether it will be possible to be happy in the future provides no objection, but rather an incentive to try. This view, however, may be naive in assuming that persons are unchanging entities that exist separately from their psychological information. Objections have been derived from reductionistic views that value our future experiences in a way that declines with time, so that there will be a future point beyond which only negligible value accrues. If we adopt such a view, then we cannot now be concerned to have experiences beyond that point. I argue that these arguments fail to take into account all the reasons we might have to be concerned for the future and all the kinds of such concern that come from them. The adoption of a plausible reductionistic account can arguably weaken our concern for the future and certainly change its quality in important ways. But this provides no objection to the desire to live forever, nor to live at all.
CHINESE CONCEPTS OF EUTHANASIA AND HEALTH CARE1
Authors: SLEEBOOM‐FAULKNER MARGARET 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThis article argues that taking concepts of euthanasia out of their political and economic contexts leads to violations of the premises on which the Stoic ideal of euthanasia is based: ‘a quick, gentle and honourable death’.2 For instance, the transplantation of the narrowly defined concept of euthanasia developed under the Dutch welfare system into a developing country, such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC), seems inadequate. For it cannot deal with questions of anxiety about degrading forms of dying and suffering without reference to its economic rationale, demanded by a scarcity (unequal distribution) of health care resources.The weakness of health care provisions for the terminally ill in Mainland China has become increasingly poignant since the collapse of collective health care institutions in the countryside since the reforms of the late‐1980s. As in most cases where health care facilities are wanting, it is difficult to apply the criteria of gentleness and dignity at reaching death. Its solution lies not in a faster relief from suffering by euthanasia, but in extending the quality of life through distributive justice within Chinese healthcare policy‐making.This paper begins with a brief description of the Dutch euthanasia law, after which it discusses Chinese conceptions of euthanasia in biomedical textbooks, the media and in surveys. It concludes by pointing out the need for a transnational framework in which both the specifics and generalities of euthanasia can be discussed.
STEINDLIAN MODELS OF GROWTH AND STAGNATION
Authors: Flaschel Peter , Skott Peter 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTFollowing an analysis of the relation between a standard Steindlian model of stagnation and Steindl’s own analysis, we modify the standard model by introducing endogenous changes in the mark‐up and a reformulation of the investment function. These extensions, which address significant weaknesses of the standard model, find support in Steindl’s writing and leave intact some of Steindl’s key results. In a further extension, we add a labour market and analyse the stabilizing influence of a Marxian reserve‐army mechanism. The implications of the extended model for the effects of increased oligopolization are largely in line with Steindl’s predictions.
MATURITY, STAGNATION AND CONSUMER DEBT: A STEINDLIAN APPROACH
Authors: Dutt Amitava Krishna 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper extends a Steindlian model of growth and income distribution to incorporate borrowing by consumers. It shows that borrowing by consumers can improve growth prospects in the short run by increasing consumer demand. However, in the longer run the effects of increasing consumer borrowing are ambiguous because, by increasing consumer debt, it redistributes income towards the rich who have a higher propensity to save, thereby possibly depressing aggregate demand and growth despite the borrowing‐induced expansion. The problem may be exacerbated by financial considerations involving the increase of the interest rate due to greater borrowing, but these considerations are not necessary for it. The problem is more likely to occur when autonomous investment demand is weak, i.e. when borrowing‐induced consumption increases are most required to counter tendencies towards stagnation.
A MODEL OF INTERACTION BETWEEN THE VIRTUAL AND THE REAL ECONOMY
Authors: Bhaduri Amit , Laski Kazimierz , Riese Martin 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThis paper demonstrates through a formal model how the wealth effect created by a stock market boom leads to the expansion of demand and output mostly through debt‐financed private consumption. However, inherent in this expansion is the threat of a subsequent contraction caused by the rising burden of servicing debt and falling creditworthiness. The formal analysis captures more precisely these conditions; it shows that, even in the medium run, the growth rates of the wealth in the stock market and of the real economy may move in opposite directions.
FINANCIAL FRAGILITY AND FINANCIAL CRISIS IN MEXICO
Authors: Gallardo Julio López , Moreno‐Brid Juan Carlos , Anyul Martín Puchet 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThe objective of this paper is to show how Mexico’s strategy of financial deregulation and liberalization set the stage for the crisis that the country suffered in December 1994. The theoretical underpinning is Post‐Keynesian, and more precisely, a Minsky‐inspired analytical perspective extended to the open economy. In the first section the authors carry out a theoretical discussion dealing with some Post‐Keynesian theories of the business cycle. A second section is devoted to examining and identifying the stylized facts in the evolution of the Mexican economy, with special emphasis on the interaction between the financial and real variables. In the last section the authors propose a simplified model which shows how and why a strategy of financial deregulation and liberalization may lead to financial fragility and to a crisis.
Brazil as a debtor, 1824–19311
Authors: De PAIVA ABREU MARCELO 
Published: July 2006

SUMMARYInternal rates of return of Brazilian loans floated between 1824 and 1931 fell below those of British and US government consols and bonds only for some of the loans floated after the beginning of the twentieth century. Higher volatility of yearly rates of return was rewarded by higher returns for all Brazilian Federal loans. Their spreads over consols in 1824–1943 are compared to those of Argentina and Chile and of Brazilian state and municipal loans for 1888–1930. In spite of some deterioration over time, Brazilian loans had a better performance than suggested by the literature, especially in the 1920s.
Am5‐HT7: molecular and pharmacological characterization of the first serotonin receptor of the honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Schlenstedt Jana , Balfanz Sabine , Baumann Arnd , Blenau Wolfgang 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe biogenic amine serotonin (5‐HT) plays a key role in the regulation and modulation of many physiological and behavioural processes in both vertebrates and invertebrates. These functions are mediated through the binding of serotonin to its receptors, of which 13 subtypes have been characterized in vertebrates. We have isolated a cDNA from the honeybeeApis mellifera(Am5‐ht7) sharing high similarity to members of the 5‐HT7receptor family. Expression of the Am5‐HT7receptor in HEK293 cells results in an increase in basal cAMP levels, suggesting that Am5‐HT7is expressed as a constitutively active receptor. Serotonin application to Am5‐ht7‐transfected cells elevates cyclic adenosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (cAMP) levels in a dose‐dependent manner (EC50 = 1.1–1.8 nm). The Am5‐HT7receptor is also activated by 5‐carboxamidotryptamine, whereas methiothepin acts as an inverse agonist. Receptor expression has been investigated by RT‐PCR,in situhybridization, and western blotting experiments. Receptor mRNA is expressed in the perikarya of various brain neuropils, including intrinsic mushroom body neurons, and in peripheral organs. This study marks the first comprehensive characterization of a serotonin receptor in the honeybee and should facilitate further analysis of the role(s) of the receptor in mediating the various central and peripheral effects of 5‐HT.