bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Degradation of amyloid A and serum amyloid A by red blood cell haemolysate in patients with familial mediterranean fever
Authors: SHAINKIN‐KESTENBAUM RUTH , WINIKOFF YEHUDIT , ZIMLICHMAN SHULAMIT , GORODISCHER RAFAEL , PRAS MORDECHAI 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Enzymatic activity for the degradation of serum amyloid A (SAA) and amyloid A (AA) was detected in erythrolysates of normal subjects and patients with familial mediterranean fever. A significant difference between the activity of normal subjects and patients was not found. Serum inhibited the SAA (but not the AA) haemolysate proteolytic activity. Interindividual variation in the susceptibility of SAA to degradation by RBC haemolysates was shown. The original digestible fraction of SAA became gradually resistant to proteolytic cleavage over a 9 month period while the susceptibility of AA to degradation remained unchanged in this time period.These findings suggest that enzymatic degradation of SAA depends on the source of SAA, as well as inhibitory activity in serum.
Dissociation of the factor‐VIII complex during clotting: role of thrombin and phospholipids
Authors: MUNTEAN W. , ROTHWANGL H. J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. To study the dissociation of the two moieties of the factor‐VIII complex during clotting, plasma, concentrate and serum were chromatographed on 4% agarose. In plasma and concentrate factor‐VIII coagulant activity (VIII C), factor‐VIII coagulant antigen (VIII C:Ag), and factor‐VIII‐related antigen (VIII R:Ag) eluted together in the void volume, but some VIII C: Ag eluted after the void volume. The amount of VIII C:Ag eluting after the void volume was made smaller by adding proteinase inhibitors. In serum nearly all VIII C:Ag eluted after the void volume.From factor‐VIII complex immunoadsorbed by means of an antibody against VIII R:Ag no VIII C:Ag was dissociated by thrombin or by thrombin and physiologic CaCl2 concentrations. Radiolabelled human thrombin did not bind to the VIII C:Ag of immunoadsorbed factor‐VIII complex. VIII C:Ag displaying VIII C was dissociated from immunoadsorbed factor‐VIII complex by human brain thromboplastin or by phosphatidyl‐serine.Our results suggest that VIII C:Ag and VIII R:Ag dissociate during clotting. This dissociation seems not to be mediated by thrombin, but may be mediated by phospholipids.
Thyroid‐stimulating immunoglobulins in insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus
Authors: BLIDDAL HENNING , BECH KARINE , JOHANSEN KLAUS , NERUP JØRN 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Increased frequencies of thyroid diseases and thyroid microsomal antibodies have been observed in insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus. However, the exact prevalence of thyroid‐stimulating immunoglobulins has not been established. In the present study these antibodies were measured by both a radioreceptor and an adenylate‐cyclase stimulation assay.In forty‐six patients with insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus without endogeneous insulin production (C‐peptide concentration ≤ 0·06 nmol l‐1) the receptor assay was positive in ten and the stimulation assay in fifteen patients. The immunoglobulins of four patients inhibited the adenylate cyclase, and one of these was positive in the receptor assay. In nine patients with post‐prandial C‐peptide 0·07–0·19 nmol l‐1, five had adenylate‐cyclase‐stimulating antibodies, while none were positive in the receptor assay. Thyroid hormones and thyrotropin concentrations were not different in the forty‐six patients without endogenous insulin production with thyroid‐stimulating immunoglobulins compared with patients without these antibodies. Patients with thyroid‐stimulating immunoglobulins required a daily median amount of 0·71 IE of insulin kg‐1 compared to median of 0·57 IE kg‐1 in patients without these antibodies (P < 0·03), despite a similar degree of diabetic regulation.The level of tri‐iodothyronine was correlated to the antibody level in patients with adenylate‐cyclase‐stimulating antibodies. While the prognostic and possibly pathogenetic importance of these antibodies in Graves' disease have been established, their significance in insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus remains to be demonstrated.
Effect of propranolol treatment on bone mass, bone mineral content, bone remodelling, parathyroid function and vitamin D metabolism in hyperthyroidism
Authors: MOSEKILDE L. , JASTRUP B. , MELSEN F. , LUND BI. , LUND BJ. , SØRENSEN O. H. , NIELSEN H. E. , YDE H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The effect of propranolol 160–640 mg/day for 3 months on the accelerated loss of bone matrix and mineral in hyperthyroidism was studied in seventeen patients. A rise in serum thyroxine (P < 0·01) during the first 3 weeks was followed by a fall (P < 0·02). Serum triiodothyronine declined during the study (P < 0·02). The enhanced bone mineral mobilization and collagen turnover continued during treatment and the bone mineral content decreased 3·2% (P < 0·01). The secondary adaptive changes in serum parathyroid hormone and vitamin‐D metabolites and in renal phosphate handling stayed unchanged. Iliac crest bone biopsies after tetracycline double‐labelling showed initially a high bone turnover (P < 0·01) with a reduced amount of cortical and trabecular bone (P < 0·05). Following treatment bone formation rate decreased at both cellular and tissue level (P < 0·01). No significant changes were observed in the amount of cortical and trabecular bone.The investigation shows that propranolol, in contrast to antithyroid medication, lacks any curative effect on the accelerated bone loss in hyperthyroidism.
Liver glycerokinase deficiency in man with hyperglycerolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia
Authors: POMETTA D. , SUENRAM A. , WEID N. VON DER , WIDMANN J. J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Hyperglycerolaemia and glyceroluria is described in a patient who presented transient dietary‐induced hypertriglyceridaemia. The increased glycerol in blood and urine was related to glycerokinase deficiency as evidenced by a hepatic tissue glycerokinase activity of one tenth (4·8 times 10‐5 mmol g‐1 min‐1) of that of normoglycerolaemic subjects (5·9 times 10‐4).As triglycerides are routinely determined by an enzymatic method after hydrolysis to glycerol, the differential diagnosis between true hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperglycerolaemia may prove difficult. Persisting ‘hypertriglyceridaemia’ despite adequate dietary and drug treatment should suggest the existence of undiagnosed hyperglycerolaemia.
Vagal influence on exocrine pancreas of alcohol‐fed and of normal dogs
Authors: SCHMIDT D. N. , JOHNSON C. D. , DEVAUX M.‐A. , SARLES H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. A histochemical study has indicated increased activity of acetylcholine in the pancreas of chronic alcoholic dogs, and we have recently reported decreased pancreatic responsiveness to cholinergic stimulation in such dogs. This prompted us to determine, in chronic alcoholic dogs, the net pancreatic response to stimulation mediated by cholinergic nerves. Therefore, the pancreatic response to vagal stimulation by intravenous 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2DG) infusion was examined in such dogs and in controls.After 2DG, 100 mg kg‐1, significant and similar increases in protein output up to maximally 2·7 ± 0·8 and 2·3 ± 0·5 mg kg‐1 (15 min)‐1 were observed in control and alcohol‐treated dogs. A significant rise in flow rate and HCO‐3 output up to maximally 0·26 ± 0·07 ml kg‐1 (15 min)‐1 and 43 ± 13 μmol kg‐1 (15 min)‐1, respectively, occurred in the controls but was delayed in the alcoholics.The finding in alcoholic dogs of no change in protein response to 2DG is not in favour of a primary increase of vagally mediated pancreatic protein secretion. It could, however, be compatible with a primary increase in cholinergic receptor resistance due to alcohol and secondary adaptive increase in cholinergic activities, which when combined, would yield no net change of the cholinergically mediated protein response.
Immunochemical studies on an IgG lambda cryoglobulin in cold‐induced urticaria
Authors: JØRGENSEN M. , CLEMMENSEN I. , WIIK A. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. A type I cryoglobulinaemia associated with cold‐induced urticaria was demonstrated in a 64‐year‐old woman without primary disease. The cryoglobulin contained only IgG lambda as disclosed by immuno‐fixation technique. Different physicochemical studies indicated that the IgG lambda component was monomeric at temperatures above 35°C, but became polymerized below 35°C. In addition crossed immunoelectrophoresis of plasma fibronectin from the patient showed a heterogeneous precipitate at low temperatures but a homogeneous precipitate at 25°C indicating a complex formation at low temperature between IgG lambda and fibronectin. Fibronectin, however, was not essential for the cold precipitation of the cryoglobulin. The precipitation phenomenon at low temperatures was found to be a result of the physicochemical properties of the cryoglobulin itself unrelated to the antibody specificities tested.The importance of performing the immunochemical and physicochemical techniques at low temperature (7°C) and at high temperature (35°C) to gain knowledge of the nature of the protein, is emphasized.We conclude that only results obtained by relevant laboratory procedures might lead to correct classification and understanding of cryoglobulinaemia.
Lipoprotein abnormalities in patients with early primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: ALY A. , CARLSON K. , JOHANSSON C. , KIRSTEIN P. , RÖSSNER S. , WALLENTIN L. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In twelve females with early forms of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) serum lipoproteins, the intravenous fat tolerance test (IVFTT) and the lecithin: cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) rate were determined and compared to healthy controls. The cholestatic LDL (LP‐X) test was negative in all cases. PBC patients had lower very low density lipoprotein TG concentrations than controls and had levels of (high‐density lipoprotein) HDL‐TG, ‐cholesterol and ‐phospholipids that were about 50% higher than in controls. In PBC the HDL2‐cholesterol concentration was double but the HDL3‐cholesterol concentration was 60% of control values (P < 0·001 for both). The LCAT rate and the IVFTT value did not differ between the groups. A typical finding on agarose gel electrophoresis was the appearance of a slow‐moving α‐band. Several interpretations of these results are possible.In PBC the hepatic lipase activity may be impaired leading to a shift of the HDL2/HDL3 relation. The transport of HDL2 to the liver lipase site may also be affected and HDL3 production reduced due to malabsorption in the intestine.
Plasma oxalate concentration and oxalate distribution volume in patients with normal and decreased renal function
Authors: PRENEN J. A. C. , MEES E. J. DORHOUT , BOER P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. In twenty‐one patients (sixteen male, five female) with various kidney diseases including primary hyperoxaluria type I (four patients), the plasma oxalate level was calculated from the isotopically determined oxalate clearance and the chemically determined urinary oxalate excretion. The apparent oxalate distribution volume was assessed as well.In patients with impaired kidney function (n= 12), the oxalate clearance was lower and the biological half‐life and plasma concentration were higher than in patients with normal kidney function (n= 10). No differences were found in the oxalate‐to‐creatinine clearance ratio (mean value 1·93), urinary oxalate excretion and apparent oxalate distribution volume. A linear relation was found between the oxalate and creatinine clearance, while the clearance ratio was independent of the degree of renal failure. The apparent oxalate distribution volume was 1·45 times the estimated extracellular fluid volume.Because the isotopically determined plasma oxalate levels are lower than chemically measured ones, a quick and better estimation of plasma oxalate can be made from the urinary oxalate excretion and the creatinine clearance.
Effects of dopamine and dobutamine on the distribution of pulmonary blood flow during lobar ventilation hypoxia and lobar collapse in dogs
Authors: McFARLANE P. A. , MORTIMER A. J. , RYDER W. A. , MADGWICK R. G. , GARDAZ J‐P. , HARRISON B. J. , SYKES M. K. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction was induced in the left lower lobe of fifteen dogs by ventilating the lobe with 7% O2 or by absorption collapse, and the distribution of flow between the lobe and the remainder of the lung was measured with electromagnetic flow probes. The lobar to total blood flow ratio was reduced by lobar ventilation hyoxia and decreased further during lobar collapse.In seven dogs, an infusion of 20 μg kg‐1 min‐1 of dopamine produced an increase in total blood flow, an increase in pulmonary artery pressure (P lt; 0·01), and an increase in lobar to total flow ratio (P lt; 0·05) during both hypoxic states. There was a significant fall in arterial PO2 (P < 0·01) during ventilation hypoxia. Similar changes in total and lobar to total flow ratio (P < 0·01) were observed in eight dogs given 20 μg kg‐1 min‐1 of dobutamine, but there were no changes in pulmonary artery pressure. The greater increase in total flow (+111%) resulted in a marked increase in mixed venous PO2 and no significant changes in arterial PO2 in this group of dogs. It is concluded that both drugs produce an increase in lobar to total blood flow ratio and shunt fraction, but that the mechanisms causing the redistribution of flow may differ.
Vitamin D3 uptake by the isolated perfused rat liver from lipoprotein fractions is separate from cholesterol and triglyceride uptake
Authors: ZIV EHUD , BAR‐ON HANOCH , SILVER JUSTIN 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Using the isolated perfused rat liver we examined the uptake of [14C] or [3H] vitamin D3 and [14C] triglyceries or [3H] cholesterol by the liver of normal rats, from different lipoprotein fractions, as measured by disappearance from the perfusate.When incorporated into chylomicrons only 43% of the vitamin D3 remained in the perfusate at 60 min (i.e. 57% uptake) as compared to 68% of the triglycerides (i.e. 32% uptake). When added on very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) at 60 min 37 ± 3% (n= 6) of the vitamin D3, 38 ± 2% of the cholesterol (n= 3) (P NS), and 83 plusmn;4% of the triglycerides (n= 3) remained in the perfusate (P < 0·0005 for cholesterol: triglycerides and vitamin D3: triglycerides). For high density lipoprotein fraction (HDL) isolated perfused livers were studied with and without albumin present in the perfusate. Without albumin 19 ± 8% (n= 3) of the vitamin D3 and 43 ± 8% (n= 3) of the cholesterol remained in the perfusate at 60 min. The results with albumin present were 40 ± 1% (n= 5) of the vitamin D3 and 63 ± 4% (n= 5) of the cholesterol at 60 min (P < 0·0005). The cholesterol:cholesterol ester ratio of the VLDL fraction was 8·8:1 and of the HDL fraction 1:1·4. There was no metabolism of vitamin D3 during the 1 h perfusion. These results suggest that vitamin D3 is in equilibrium with the lipoprotein surface, and the hepatic uptake of vitamin D is a surface phenomenon independent of lipoprotein metabolism.
Effect of in vitro non‐enzymatic glycosylation of human skin collagen on susceptibility to collagenase digestion
Authors: LYONS T. J. , KENNEDY L. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The effect of glycosylation on susceptibility of skin collagen to collagenase digestion was studied in a skin sample obtained at autopsy from the interscapular region of a 24 year old white male who had died of an acute illness and who had no history of diabetes. Homogenous suspensions of insoluble collagen were prepared, and were incubated in 50 mmol 1‐1 dextrose at pH 7·35 and 37°C for 7 days. Non‐enzymatic glycosylation measured by the weak acid hydrolysis/thiobarbituric acid method increased from 13·1 ± 1·0 (n= 5) to 45·2 ± 5·5 (n= 8) nmol fructose per 10 mg collagen (P < 0·001).Digestion of collagen using clostridial collagenase was monitored by measuring (a) hydroxyproline content and (b) absorption at 206 nm of the supernatant after centrifugation to remove substrate. The rate of digestion was similar in glycosylated and control collagen. We conclude that the ketoamine link formed in non‐enzymatic glycosylation does not increase the resistance of collagen to enzymatic digestion. The possibility remains that subsequent rearrangement of this link could be important in this respect.
Lipolytic and anticoagulant activities of a low molecular weight fragment of heparin
Authors: PERSSON E. , NORDENSTRÖM J. , NILSSON‐EHLE P. , HAGENFELDT L. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract.Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and standard heparin were given intravenously to six healthy subjects receiving a continuous infusion of Intralipid®. After infusion, antifactor Xa, antithrombin III and coagulation activity (Normotest) were the same for both heparins. Activated partial thromboplastin time increased significantly, but the increase was much higher after standard heparin (+473%) than after LMWH (+48%). The increase in lipoprotein lipase activity was less pronounced after LMWH infusion. This resulted in a smaller decrease in Intralipid‐triglyceride concentration and a smaller increase in both plasma FFA concentration and Intralipid fractional removal rate compared to standard heparin.This study shows that the plasma lipolytic potential of LMWH is weaker than that of standard heparin when given in doses with equipotent anticoagulation. LMWH may therefore be preferable to standard heparin as an antithrombotic agent in clinical situations where a high plasma lipolytic activity may be disadvantageous.
Direct determination of leucine metabolism and protein breakdown in humans using L‐[1‐13C, 15N]‐leucine and the forearm model
Authors: CHENG K. N. , DWORZAK F. , FORD G. C. , RENNIE M. J. , HALLIDAY D. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. We have used the forearm model to study protein metabolism in six normal healthy subjects in the fed state using L‐[1 –13C, 15N]‐leucine as the substrate tracer.Deep venous and arterialized venous blood samples from the forearm were collected at 10‐min intervals 2±5 h into a primed‐continuous infusion of the dilabelled tracer. Arterialized venous blood was obtained using a ‘hot‐box’ technique and forearm blood flow was measured by mercury strain‐gauge plethysmography.The concentration and isotope enrichment of leucine and its metabolites, α‐ketoisocaproic acid and CO2, in deep venous and arterialized venous blood were measured by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and isotope ratio‐mass spectrometry.The rates of leucine deamination and reamination were 388 ± 24 (mean ± SEM) and 330 ± 23 nmol (100 ml)‐1 min‐1 respectively, whilst protein synthesis and breakdown rates were 127 ± 11 and 87 ± 10 nmol (100 ml)‐1 min‐1 respectively across the forearm in the fed state. We have demonstrated that the use of doubly labelled leucine as tracer and application of the mathematical model developed in this study, permits the comprehensive quantification of leucine kinetics including protein breakdown.
Total and unbound Cortisol‐, progesterone‐, oestrone‐ and transcortin‐binding activities in sera from patients with myocardial infarction: evidence for differential responses of good and bad prognostic cases
Authors: ZOUAGHI HASSEN , SAVU LIA , GUEROT CLAUDE , GRYMAN RAYMOND , COULON ALINE , NUNEZ EMMANUEL A. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Day‐of‐admission sera from myocardial infarction patients (MI) and patients with cardiopathies other than MI (non‐MI) were analysed for total and unbound Cortisol (F), progesterone (P4), oestrone (E1), and corticosteroid binding activities (CBG).The MI who survived (n= 28) showed high increases of F, P4 and E1 compared to healthy controls. By contrast, the MI who died within 10 days of admission (n= 6) had unchanged F and less increased P4 and E1 than survivors. The non‐MI (n= 6) had higher F and E1 than controls but normal P4.The unbound steroids were increased in all patients: however, the MI who died showed much smaller rises than survivors (P< 0±001 for unbound F and E1 increases in survivors vs. deceased).The CBG activity was in all MI lower than in normals (P<0±001) but unchanged in non‐MI.These results are discussed in terms of the potential significance of unbound plasma steroids as predictors of MI severity.
Sulphur amino‐acid degradation in subjects with hereditary glutathione synthetase deficiency (5‐oxoprolinuria)
Authors: MÅRTENSSON JOHANNES , KÅGEDAL BERTIL , LARSSON AGNE 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. The role of a low intracellular glutathione concentration in sulphur amino‐acid degradation was investigated in two sisters (10 and 13 years old) with glutathione‐synthetase deficiency, by determination of the urinary excretion of sulphur amino‐acids and their main degradation products.The urinary excretion of total sulphur and inorganic sulphate was normal, indicating adequate dietary intake of sulphur amino‐acids and normal oxidation to inorganic sulfate. Decreased excretion of N‐acetylcysteine was found in the younger sister, which could be due to a reduced intracellular availability of cyst(e)ine. Increased excretion of mercaptolactate was found in the older sister, probably featuring a more catabolic condition in this subject. She also had an increased excretion of thiosulphate. Low excretion of thiocya‐nate was observed in both subjects, probably a consequence of a reduced dietary intake of thiocyanate or its precursors. Neither glutathione nor γ‐glutamylcysteine were detectable in urine. The excretion of cystei‐nylglycine was clearly reduced, reflecting that this dipeptide mainly is a degradation product of glutathione.
Angiogenic factor from human term placenta. Purification and partial characterization
Authors: BURGOS H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract. Angiogenic and growth promoting factors from human amniochorion and placenta at term were released mostly as high molecular weight components (factor‐carrier protein higher than 100 000 molecular weight) by extraction with 10% propan‐2‐ol, distilled water, and 50 mmol l‐1 Tris/HCl pH 7·2 containing 50–150 mmol l‐1 NaCl. They were isolated from the extracting media by adsorption on DEAE‐Sepharose CL6B, a chromatographic agar based anion exchanger, and fractionated by chromatographic permeation on dextran gel Sephacryl S‐300 yielding a low molecular weight component (between 400 and 1100 mol wt) with angiogenic and mitogenic capacities. Chromatographic behaviour and physico‐chemical characteristics suggest it may be a peptide.Presence of an angiogenic and mitogenic factor in human amniochorion may explain the profuse neovascular formation and increased rate of healing obtained in the treatment of chronic ulcers by application of amniochorionic membranes as biological dressings. Preparation of purified angiogenic factor, on the other hand, opens the possibility of its wider application in the treatment of burns, open wounds and denuded areas in general.