bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thigh intermuscular fat is inversely associated with spontaneous GH release in post-menopausal women with abdominal obesity
Authors: Franco Celina , Veldhuis Johannes D , Iranmanesh Ali , Brandberg John , Lönn Lars , Andersson Björn , Bengtsson Bengt-Åke , Svensson Johan , Johannsson Gudmundur 
Published: July 2006

Context: The metabolic syndrome is characterized by an increased accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and blunted GH secretion. There are, however, no data on the association between GH secretion and other fat depots (in liver and muscle).
Objective/design: The aim of this cross-sectional study, which included 20 post-menopausal women with abdominal obesity, was to determine the association between GH secretion and regional adipose tissue (AT) distribution. Twelve-hour GH profiles (2000–0800 h) were performed by blood sampling every 20 min. GH was analyzed using an ultra-sensitive assay followed by approximate entropy (ApEn) and deconvolution analysis.
Results: In simple regression analyses, both basal and pulsatile GH secretions correlated negatively with VAT and thigh intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), but not with hepatic fat content. There was no correlation between ApEn and the AT depots studied. In multiple regression analysis, pulsatile GH secretion correlated inversely with thigh IMAT (B-coefficient = −0.67; P < 0.01), whereas the correlation with VAT became non-significant. Furthermore, in multiple regression analysis, basal GH secretion correlated negatively with VAT (B-coefficient = −0.77; P = 0.001), but not significantly with thigh IMAT.
Conclusion: In post-menopausal women with abdominal obesity, pulsatile GH secretion demonstrated an independent, negative association with thigh IMAT, whereas basal GH secretion showed an independent, negative association with VAT. These findings suggest that the neuroendocrine association between fat mass and somatotropic axis is depot-dependent. We have identified thigh IMAT to be important in this interplay.
Validity and clinical applicability of the acromegaly quality of life questionnaire, AcroQoL: a 6-month prospective study
Authors: Webb Susan M , Badia Xavier , _ _ 
Published: July 2006

Objective: Validate the acromegaly quality of life (AcroQoL) questionnaire as a disease-generated questionnaire, which analyses physical and psychological domains, the latter subdivided into appearance and personal relationship sub-scales, to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in acromegaly.
Design: Prospective, observational multicenter study.
Methods: One hundred and six patients with acromegaly, 42 with active disease studied basally and 6 months after treatment (‘sensitivity to change’ group), and 64 with treated, stable disease, studied twice within 1 month (‘reliability’ group) were included. As controls, a reference Spanish population (n = 12 245 for the EuroQoL questionnaire) and 157 obese patients (body mass index > 30 kg/m2) were studied basally. Socio-demographic data, clinical activity, co-morbidity, GH, IGF-I, and HRQoL (overall perception of health state, EuroQoL and AcroQoL in the obese controls and acromegalic patients) were evaluated.
Results: Globally, AcroQoL scored worse in the ‘sensitivity to change’ group than in the ‘reliability’ group (56 ± 20 vs 65 ± 18, P < 0.05), but did not discriminate between patients and obese controls. The psychological domain was worse in the ‘sensitivity to change’ group than obese controls (P < 0.05). Appearance was the most affected sub-scale in acromegaly and significantly worse than in obese controls. The sub-scale personal relationships of AcroQoL were less affected in the ‘reliability’ group than in obese controls (P < 0.05). Patients with acromegaly and obese controls showed more problems on the EuroQoL than general Spanish population. Significant correlations were observed globally and for each dimension between AcroQoL and the generic questionnaires. On re-testing, no change was observed in the ‘reliability’ group in any questionnaire, demonstrating good test–re-test reliability. In the ‘sensitivity to change’ group after 6 months of treatment, there was improvement in the generic questionnaires and in AcroQoL score (P < 0.01). Internal consistency of AcroQoL was good (Cronbach’s α > 0.7). No correlation between AcroQoL and GH or IGF-I was observed.
Conclusion: AcroQoL questionnaire is a valid tool for the assessment of HRQoL in clinical practice in patients with acromegaly.
Pregnancy in acromegaly: a one-center experience
Authors: Cozzi Renato , Attanasio Roberto , Barausse Michela 
Published: July 2006

Objective and design: The aim of the study was the retrospective evaluation of pregnancy in acromegalic women attending our center.
Patients and methods: Six active acromegalic women (30–35-years old, disease duration 5–17 years) underwent seven pregnancies. Four patients had macroadenoma and two microadenoma; four had surgery; and two had been treated primarily with drugs. Before conception, GH and IGF-I were 5.4 ± 0.8 and 430 ± 58 μg/l respectively. GH (by an assay unable to distinguish pituitary hormone from placental variant), IGF-I, and prolactin (PRL) levels were assessed before conception, every 3 months, and after delivery; visual field and magnetic resonance imaging were performed before delivery in the only patient with macroadenoma not previously operated on and after delivery in all.
Results: All the women conceived normally, after discontinuation of medications in five cases and, while on treatment with depot somatostatin analogs in two (discontinued after confirmation of pregnancy). All patients remained off-treatment throughout pregnancy, had uneventful pregnancies, and term delivery. The babies were healthy and normal in length and weight. Breast-feeding was allowed in four cases. During pregnancy, GH levels showed variable changes; IGF-I, notwithstanding the withdrawal of any GH hypersecretion-suppressive treatment, remained close to normal limits in all subjects and returned to pathological levels after delivery; PRL increased physiologically, returning to baseline level after delivery. In one of the two patients primarily treated with drugs, GH levels increased and the tumor regrew throughout pregnancy, although without visual impairment.
Conclusions: Pregnancy in acromegalic women has a normal course leading to a normal delivery, and produces normal babies. GH levels show variable changes, but decrease in most patients. IGF-I levels remain normal without medical treatment.
Prophylaxis Against Venous Thromboembolism in Acutely Ill Medical Patients: An Observational Study
Authors: Peterman Carla M. , Kolansky Daniel M. , Spinler Sarah A. 
Published: July 2006

Study Objectives. To determine the risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the rates of prophylactic measures used in acutely ill medical patients.Design. Prospective observational study.Setting. Academic tertiary care medical center.Patients. One hundred seventy‐nine patients admitted to three general medical units over 30 consecutive days and hospitalized for at least 3 days.Measurements and Main Results. On concurrent review of the patients' medical records, 138 (77.1%) of 179 patients received one or more forms of VTE prophylaxis during their hospital stay. Of 41 (22.9%) patients receiving no VTE prophylaxis, 22 (53.7%) had and 19 (46.3%, or 10.6% of the total population) did not have a documented contraindication to anticoagulation. One hundred ten patients (61.5%) had three or more documented VTE risk factors for VTE. The most common prophylaxis was unfractionated heparin 5000 U injected subcutaneously twice/day. Therapeutic anticoagulation was given to 51 patients (28.5%) at some time during their hospitalization for indications other than VTE treatment. Two developed symptomatic VTE (1.1%) while hospitalized. Four patients (2.2%) receiving anticoagulants had adverse outcomes. One patient had minor bleeding, and one developed heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia without thrombosis.Conclusion. Rates of VTE prophylaxis were higher than previously reported rates, although no formalized guidelines, standardized order sets, alerting programs, training, or risk‐stratification tools were used during the study period. Rates of adverse events were low.
Site of pheromone biosynthesis and isolation of HMG‐CoA reductase cDNA in the cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis
Authors: Taban A. Huma , Fu Jessica , Blake Jacob , Awano Ami , Tittiger Claus , Blomquist Gary J. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractIsolated gut tissue from male cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), incorporated radiolabeled acetate into components that co‐eluted with monoterpenoid pheromone components on HPLC. This demonstrates that pheromone components of male A. grandis are produced de novo and strongly suggests that pheromone biosynthesis occurs in gut tissue. A central enzyme in isoprenoid biosynthesis is 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMG‐R), and a full‐length HMG‐R cDNA was isolated from A. grandis. The predicted translation product was 54 and 45% identical to HMG‐R from Ips paraconfusus and Drosophila melanogaster, respectively. HMG‐R gene expression gradually increased with age in male A. grandis, which correlates with pheromone production. However, topical application of JH III did not significantly increase HMG‐R mRNA levels. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 62:153–163, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A randomized controlled trial with an anti‐CCL2 (anti–monocyte chemotactic protein 1) monoclonal antibody in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Haringman Jasper J. , Gerlag Danielle M. , Smeets Tom J. M. , Baeten Dominique , van den Bosch Filip , Bresnihan Barry , Breedveld Ferdinand C. , Dinant Huib J. , Legay Francois , Gram Hermann , Loetscher Pius , Schmouder Robert , Woodworth Thasia , Tak Paul P. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjectiveChemokines such as CCL2/monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1) play a key role in leukocyte migration and are potential targets in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of human anti–CCL2/MCP‐1 monoclonal antibody (ABN912) treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsPatients with active RA were enrolled in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, dose‐escalation study of ABN912. Infusions were administered on day 1 and day 15. In the dose‐escalation phase, 4 cohorts of 8 patients each underwent serial arthroscopic biopsy of synovial tissue. Immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis were used to characterize biomarkers in synovial tissue. Laboratory evaluation included pharmacokinetic analysis and immunotypic studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. To assess the clinical effects of treatment with ABN912, an additional 21 patients were treated with the highest dose tolerated.ResultsThe total study population comprised 45 patients: 33 patients received ABN912, and 12 patients received placebo. ABN912 treatment was well tolerated. Unexpectedly, there was a dose‐related increase in ABN912‐complexed total CCL2/MCP‐1 levels in peripheral blood, up to 2,000‐fold. There was no detectable clinical benefit of ABN912 compared with placebo, nor did treatment with the study drug result in a significant change in the levels of biomarkers in synovial tissue and peripheral blood.ConclusionABN912 treatment did not result in clinical or immunohistologic improvement and may have been associated with worsening of RA in patients treated with the highest dose. The results might be related to the greatly increased level of total CCL2/MCP‐1 in serum that was observed following treatment with ABN912. This observation may be relevant for a variety of antibody‐based therapies.
Proinflammatory high‐density lipoprotein as a biomarker for atherosclerosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: McMahon Maureen , Grossman Jennifer , FitzGerald John , Dahlin‐Lee Erika , Wallace Daniel J. , Thong Bernard Y. , Badsha Humeira , Kalunian Kenneth , Charles Christina , Navab Mohamad , Fogelman Alan M. , Hahn Bevra H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjectiveWomen with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a 7–50‐fold increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). In the general population, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) increases the risk for CAD. Normal high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) protect LDL from oxidation; proinflammatory HDLs do not. This study was undertaken to determine whether patients with SLE, who have chronic inflammation that causes oxidative damage, have more proinflammatory HDL and higher levels of ox‐LDL, thus predisposing them to atherosclerosis.MethodsOne hundred fifty‐four women with SLE, 48 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 72 healthy controls were studied. The ability of the patients' HDL to prevent oxidation of normal LDL was measured. Values >1.0 (the value assigned for LDL oxidation in the absence of HDL) after the addition of HDL indicated proinflammatory HDL. Plasma ox‐LDL levels were measured as the amount of oxidation produced by the patient's LDL after the removal of HDL.ResultsSLE patients had more proinflammatory HDL (mean ± SD score 1.02 ± 0.57, versus 0.68 ± 0.28 in controls [P < 0.0001] and 0.81 ± 0.22 in RA patients [P = 0.001 versus SLE patients]). A higher proportion of SLE patients had proinflammatory HDL: 44.7% of SLE patients versus 4.1% of controls and 20.1% of RA patients had scores >1.0 (P < 0.006 between all groups). Levels of ox‐LDL correlated with levels of proinflammatory HDL (r = 0.37, P < 0.001). SLE patients with CAD had significantly higher proinflammatory HDL scores than patients without CAD (P < 0.001).ConclusionHDLs are proinflammatory in a significant proportion of SLE patients and are associated with elevated levels of ox‐LDL. Abnormal HDLs impair the ability to prevent LDL oxidation and may predispose to atherosclerosis.
Increased arthritis susceptibility in cartilage proteoglycan–specific T cell receptor–transgenic mice
Authors: Berlo Suzanne E. , Guichelaar Teun , ten Brink Corlinda B. , van Kooten Peter J. , Hauet‐Broeren Femke , Ludanyi Katalin , van Eden Willem , Broeren Chris P. , Glant Tibor T. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo better understand the role of antigen (arthritogenic epitope)–specific T cells in the development of autoimmune arthritis.MethodsA transgenic (Tg) mouse expressing the T cell receptor (TCR) Vα1.1 and Vβ4 chains specific for a dominant arthritogenic epitope (designated 5/4E8) of human cartilage proteoglycan (HuPG) aggrecan was generated. This TCR‐Tg mouse strain was backcrossed into the PG‐induced arthritis (PGIA)–susceptible BALB/c strain and tested for arthritis incidence and severity.ResultsCD4+ TCR‐Tg T cells carried functionally active TCR specific for a dominant arthritogenic epitope of HuPG (5/4E8). T cells of naive TCR‐Tg mice were in an activated stage, since the in vitro response to HuPG or to peptide stimulation induced interferon‐γ and interleukin‐4 production. TCR‐Tg mice uniformly, without exception, developed severe and progressive polyarthritis, even without adjuvant. Inflamed joints showed extensive cartilage degradation and bone erosions, similar to that seen in the arthritic joints of wild‐type BALB/c mice with PGIA. Spleen cells from both naive and HuPG‐immunized arthritic TCR‐Tg mice could adoptively transfer arthritis when injected into syngeneic BALB/c.SCID recipient mice.ConclusionTCR‐Tg BALB/c mice display increased arthritis susceptibility and develop aggravated disease upon in vivo antigen stimulation. This model using TCR‐Tg mice is a novel and valuable research tool for studying mechanisms of antigen (arthritogenic epitope)–driven regulation of arthritis and understanding how T cells recognize autoantigen in the joints. This type of mouse could also be used to develop new immunomodulatory strategies in T cell–mediated autoimmune diseases.
Mechanistic Investigation of the Oxygen‐Atom‐Transfer Reactivity of Dioxo‐molybdenum(VI) Complexes
Authors: Kail Brian W. , Pérez Lisa M. , Zarić Snežana D. , Millar Andrew J. , Young Charles G. , Hall Michael B. , Basu Partha 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe oxygen‐atom‐transfer (OAT) reactivity of [LiPrMoO2(OPh)] (1, LiPr=hydrotris(3‐isopropylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate) with the tertiary phosphines PEt3 and PPh2Me in acetonitrile was investigated. The first step, [LiPrMoO2(OPh)]+PR3→[LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPR3)], follows a second‐order rate law with an associative transition state (PEt3, ΔH ≠=48.4 (±1.9) kJ mol−1, ΔS ≠=−149.2 (±6.4) J mol−1 K−1, ΔG ≠=92.9 kJ mol−1; PPh2Me, ΔH ≠=73.4 (±3.7) kJ mol−1, ΔS ≠=−71.9 (±2.3) J mol−1 K−1, ΔG ≠=94.8 kJ mol−1). With PMe3 as a model substrate, the geometry and the free energy of the transition state (TS) for the formation of the phosphine oxide‐coordinated intermediate were calculated. The latter, 95 kJ mol−1, is in good agreement with the experimental values. An unexpectedly large O‐P‐C angle calculated for the TS suggests that there is significant O‐nucleophilic attack on the PC σ* in addition to the expected nucleophilic attack of the P on the MoO π*. The second step of the reaction, that is, the exchange of the coordinated phosphine oxide with acetonitrile, [LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPR3)] + MeCN → [LiPrMoO(OPh)(MeCN)] + OPR3, follows a first‐order rate law in MeCN. A dissociative interchange (Id) mechanism, with activation parameters of ΔH ≠=93.5 (±0.9) kJ mol−1, ΔS ≠=18.2 (±3.3) J mol−1 K−1, ΔG ≠=88.1 kJ mol−1 and ΔH ≠=97.9 (±3.4) kJ mol−1, ΔS ≠=47.3 (±11.8) J mol−1 K−1, ΔG ≠=83.8 kJ mol−1, for [LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPEt3)] (2 a) and [LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPPh2Me)] (2 b), respectively, is consistent with the experimental data. Although gas‐phase calculations indicate that the MoOPMe3 bond is stronger than the MoNCMe bond, solvation provides the driving force for the release of the phosphine oxide and formation of [LiPrMoO(OPh)(MeCN)] (3).
Apoptolidin A: Total Synthesis and Partially Glycosylated Analogues
Authors: Wehlan Hermut , Dauber Mario , Fernaud M. Teresa Mujica , Schuppan Julia , Keiper Sonja , Mahrwald Rainer , Garcia M.‐Elisa Juarez , Koert Ulrich 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe total synthesis of apoptolidin A is described employing an early glycosylation strategy. Strategic disconnections were chosen between C11–C12 (cross‐coupling) and C19O–C1 (macrocyclization). The cis‐selective glycosylation at C9‐OH was achieved with the new SIBA protective group at O2/O3 of the L‐glucose residue. Auxiliary substitutents at the 2‐position of the 2‐deoxy sugars were applied to form selectively the glycosidic linkages of the C27 disaccharide. The cross‐coupling of the glycosylated northern half with the glycosylated southern half was achieved with CuI‐thiophene carboxylate. The macrocyclization of a trihydroxy carboxylic acid produced the 20‐membered macrolide selectively. H2SiF6 was suitable for the final deprotection of the silyl ethers and the conversion of the C21 methylketal into the hemiketal. The synthetic flexibility of the approach was proven by the synthesis of some glycovariants.
Effect of the Complexant Shape on the Large First Hyperpolarizability of Alkalides Li+(NH3)4M−
Authors: Jing Ying‐Qi , Li Zhi‐Ru , Wu Di , Li Ying , Wang Bing‐Qiang , Gu Feng Long , Aoki Yuriko 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe effect of complexant shape effect on the first hyperpolarizability β0 of alkalides Li+(NH3)4M− (M=Li, Na, K) was explored. At the MP2/6‐311++G level, Li+(NH3)4M− (M=Li, Na, K) have considerable β0 values due to excess electrons from chemical doping and charge transfer. By comparison with the alkalides Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)M−, a complexant shape effect in Li+(NH3)4M− is detected. The β0 values of Li+(NH3)4M− with the “smaller”, inorganic, Td‐symmetric (NH3)4 complexant are more than four times larger than those of Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)M− with the “larger”, organic C4v‐symmetric calix[4]pyrrole complexant. The ratios of the β0 values of Li+(NH3)4M− and Li+(calix[4]pyrrole)M− are 6.57 (M=Li ), 6.55 (M=Na), and 5.17 (M=K). In the Li+(NH3)4M− systems, the NBO charge and oscillator strength are found to monotonically depend on the atomic number of the alkali metal anion. The order of the NBO charges of the alkali anions M− is −0.667 (M=Li )>−0.644 (M=Na)>−0.514 (M=K), while the order of the oscillator strengths in the crucial transition is 0.351 (M=Li )<0.360 (M=Na)<0.467 (M=K). This indicates that complexant shape effects are strong, and consequently the β0 values of Li+(NH3)4M− are found to be β0=70 295 (M=Li )<96 780 (M=Na)<185 805 a.u. (M=K). This work reveals that the use of a high‐symmetry complexant is an important factor that should be taken into account when enhancing the first hyperpolarizability of alkalides by chemical doping.
Growing Graphene Sheets from Reactions with Methyl Radicals: A Quantum Chemical Study
Authors: Carissan Yannick , Klopper Wim 
Published: July 2006

AbstractHydrogen abstraction reactions by methyl radicals on the zigzag and armchair edges of perylene are studied by density functional theory (DFT) to explore various growth pathways that seem to be in line with experimental observations. The DFT approach is validated by comparing the results obtained from calculations with six different functionals with those obtained from correlated ab initio methods, thereby emphasizing the calculation of reaction barriers. A useful compromise between accuracy and computational cost is provided by DFT, and possible pathways are studied in detail at this level of calculation. Our computational study is carried out by ordering, as a first step, all of the isomers that arise from the abstraction of one or two H atoms from 1,12‐dimethyl‐1,12‐dihydroperylene and 3,4‐dimethyl‐3,4‐dihydroperylene with respect to their energies. Subsequently, only those pathways that connect low‐energy isomers are investigated. The calculations reveal that the selected pathways are favored thermodynamically, and also that the reaction barriers are somewhat higher than the energy locally available for the respective reaction. Notably, in the case of 3,4‐dimethyl‐3,4‐dihydroperylene, the first two reaction steps have no or only a very low reaction barrier. The final conclusion of our study is that a cascade of reactions is possible that leads to the growth of a graphene sheet on a graphite surface.
Fat‐body remodeling in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Nelliot Archana , Bond Nichole , Hoshizaki Deborah K. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractThe remodeling of the larval fat body is observed in many insects during metamorphosis, but little is known about the physiological importance or the regulation of this process. In Drosophila melanogaster, fat‐body remodeling involves the dissociation of the fat body into individual fat cells, which persist throughout pupal development but are later removed by cell death in the young adult. Inhibition of fat‐body dissociation is associated with pharate adult lethality and thus is likely to be an essential developmental event. As a start toward understanding the role of fat‐body remodeling in the life history of insects, we carried out a detailed study of fat‐body disassociation in D. melanogaster using fluorescent microscopy, and tested whether this process is mediated by hemocytes as proposed for fat‐body remodeling in Sarcophaga peregrina. We identified and correlated stereotypic events in fat‐body dissociation with developmental changes during metamorphosis, and have demonstrated by cell ablation studies that fat‐body remodeling in D. melanogaster is a hemocyte independent process. genesis 44:396–400, 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.