bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Renal damage in rats induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion: Role of nitric oxide
Authors: PARLAKPINAR HAKAN , OZER MEHMET KAYA , CICEK EKRERM , CIGREMIS YILMAZ , VARDI NIGAR , ACET AHMET 
Published: September 2006

Background: It has been demonstrated that myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) causes renal damage. However, the mechanism underlying this damage in kidneys during revascularization of myocardium is unclear. Direct renal ischemia/reperfusion has been implicated in the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) that leads to increase production of nitric oxide (NO). Recently, excessive production of NO has been found to be involved in causing renal injury by formatting peroxinitrite (ONOO–). The aim of this study was to investigate whether NO has a role in this damage, using aminoguanidine (AMG), a known iNOS inhibitor and an antioxidant, in rats undergoing MI/R.Methods: Male Wistar rats were used for the experiments (n = 7 each group). In the MI/R group, the left coronary artery was occluded for 30 min and then reperfused for 120 min; the same procedure was used for the AMG group, with the additional step of AMG (200 mg/kg) administered 10 min prior to ischemia. A control group underwent sham operation. At the end of the reperfusion period, all rats were killed and their kidneys removed for biochemical determination and histopathological analysis.Results: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in the rat kidney was accompanied by a significant increase in malondialdehyde and NO production, and a decrease in glutathione content. Administration of AMG reduced malondialdehyde and NO production and prevented depletion of glutathione content. These beneficial changes in the biochemical parameters were also associated with parallel changes in histopathological appearance.Conclusion: These findings suggest that MI/R plays a causal role in kidney injury and AMG exerts renal‐protective effects, probably by inhibiting NO production and antioxidant activities.
EDTA‐induced urothelial cell shedding for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer in the mouse
Authors: NATIV OFER , DALAL EILATA , HIDAS GUY , ARONSON MOSHE 
Published: September 2006

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of intravesical EDTA instillation on the development of intravesically implanted tumor cells in normal mice.Methods: The mouse bladder tumor (MBT‐2) model was used in female C3H/eb mice to evaluate the amount of normal urothelial cell shedding, and the degree of tumor growth inhibition following intravesical EDTA instillation in comparison with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) instillation.Results: At 1 h after instillation, the number of urothelial cells aspirated was 500–1000 per PBS‐treated mouse and 10 000–20 000 per EDTA‐treated mouse (P < 0.00001). The bladder weight, which reflected the effect of the agent on the tumor, was similar in the untreated and PBS‐treated mice (105.46 ± 46 mg and 106.2 ± 50 mg, respectively). It was significantly lower in the EDTA‐treated mice (80.4 ± 42 mg) (P = 0.0045).Conclusions: Intravesical administration of EDTA results in significant normal and neoplastic urothelial cell shedding. Intravesical irrigation with EDTA may prevent adherence of the malignant cells to the bladder wall following tumor resection.
Posterior urethral valve: Outcome of antenatal intervention
Authors: SALAM MAMDOUH A 
Published: September 2006

Introduction and Aim: Antenatal treatment of obstructive uropathy, although widely performed, remains controversial. This study evaluated the long‐term outcome of managing patients with posterior urethral valves (PUV), highlighting the effect of antenatal vesicoamniotic shunt placement for patients who underwent fetal surgery.Methods: The medical records of 58 patients with PUV were retrospectively reviewed from June 1998 to June 2004. On the basis of prenatal assessment of sonographic findings and serial urinary electrolytes and protein measurements, patients were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised patients who had antenatal vesicoamniotic shunt placement whereas group 2 comprised patients who underwent postnatal surgical correction of PUV. Their outcomes and long‐term results were evaluated.Results: Patients were followed up from 6 months to 6½ years (mean 3.9 years). Group 1 included 12 patients who had vesicoamniotic shunt placement and were confirmed postnatally to have PUV. Four patients out of 12 died (33.3%); three out of the eight living patients had perinatal complications. Of the eight living patients, three (37.5%) underwent valve ablation and five (62.5%) underwent urinary diversion (three vesicostomies and two cutaneous ureterostomies). Renal function returned to normal in only four patients (50%). Radiological abnormalities (hydronephrosis and/or reflux) resolved in three (37.5%) patients, was downgraded in one (12.5%) patient and persisted in four patients (50%). Group 2 included 46 patients who were treated postnatally. Thirty‐five patients (76%) underwent primary valve ablation, while 11 (24%) underwent urinary diversion (seven vesicostomies, four cutaneous ureterostomy and one pyelostomy). Renal function returned to normal in all patients who underwent valve ablation, except in three, while renal function returned to normal in only three of 11 patients who underwent urinary diversion. Radiological hydronephrosis and/or reflux resolved in 28 patients (60.9%), was downgraded in six patients (13%) and persisted in 12 patients (26.1%).Conclusions: Antenatal vesicoamniotic shunt placement makes no difference to the outcome and long‐term results of patients with PUV and debate about its efficacy on renal outcome remains. Primary valve ablation is the keystone of treatment for patients with PUV that might achieve the primary goal of nephron preservation. The lowest creatinine concentration in the first year of life is the most appropriate predictor of future renal function.
Depression and lower urinary tract symptoms: Two important correlates of erectile dysfunction in middle‐aged men in Hong Kong, China
Authors: WONG SAMUEL YEUNG SHAN , CHAN DICKEN , HONG ATHENA , LEUNG PING CHUNG , WOO JEAN 
Published: September 2006

Aim: To evaluate the correlates of erectile dysfunction (ED) in Hong Kong middle‐aged Chinese men aged 45–64 years.Methods: A community‐based cross‐sectional household survey was performed in Hong Kong. The Chinese abridged version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5) was used to measure erectile function. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was used to measure lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and depressive symptoms were mesured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D). Demographic and lifestyle data were also collected. The association between ED and its correlates was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses.Results: Of the 545 subjects who agreed to participate in the survey, 75 refused to answer questions about their sexual activities and function. Out of those who responded, 118 (22%) subjects were not sexually active (not sexually active over the past 4 weeks). Out of 352 subjects, 60.3% suffered from some degree of ED. Age, presence of depression defined by CES‐D and moderate LUTS were associated with increased odds of having ED. In multivariate analysis, depressive symptoms identified by CES‐D (OR = 2.3, CI: 1.2–4.6) and moderate LUTS (OR = 3.7, CI: 1.6–8.3) were independently associated with increased odds of having ED.Conclusion: ED is an important public health problem in Chinese middle‐aged men, with more than half suffering from some degree of ED. Depression and LUTS were significant and important risk factors associated with ED.
Stoichiometry of consumer‐driven nutrient recycling across nutrient regimes in streams
Authors: Evans‐White Michelle A. , Lamberti Gary A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractStoichiometric constraints within ecological interactions and their ecosystem consequences may depend on characteristics of the abiotic environment such as background nutrient levels. We assessed whether consumer identity, via differing body stoichiometry, could regulate periphyton stoichiometry across nutrient regimes in open systems. In 60 flow‐through artificial streams, we factorially crossed dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels (elevated = 294 μg L−1, ambient = 26 μg L−1) with dissolved inorganic phosphorus levels (DIP: elevated = 15 μg L−1, ambient = 3 μg L−1) and consumer type [crayfish (body N : P = 18), snails (body N : P = 28) or a control]. At ambient DIP, periphyton in the crayfish treatment had a lower %P and a lower C : P than periphyton in the snail treatment suggesting that consumer identity, probably mediated by differing P‐excretion, regulated periphyton P content. At high DIP, consumer identity no longer affected periphyton elemental composition. Therefore, the stoichiometry of consumer‐driven nutrient recycling and consumer identity may be less important to ecosystem functioning in environments with elevated nutrient levels.
Invariant scaling of phytoplankton abundance and cell size in contrasting marine environments
Authors: Cermeño Pedro , Marañón Emilio , Harbour Derek , Harris Roger P. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractScaling relationships such as the variation of population abundance with body size provide links between individual organisms and ecosystem functioning. Previous work, in marine pelagic ecosystems, has focused on the relationship between total phytoplankton abundance and the assemblage mean cell size. However, the relationship between specific population abundance and cell size in marine phytoplankton has received little attention. Here, we show that cell size accounts for a significant amount of variability in the population abundance of phytoplankton species across a cell volume range spanning seven orders of magnitude. The interspecific scaling of population abundance and cell size takes a power exponent near −3/4. Unexpectedly, despite the constraints imposed on large phytoplankton by limited resource acquisition, the size scaling exponent does not differ between contrasting marine environments such as coastal and subtropical regions. These findings highlight the adaptive abilities of individual species to cope with different environmental conditions and suggest that a general rule such as the ‘energetic equivalence’ constrains the abundance of phytoplankton populations in marine pelagic ecosystems.
Weed evolution after crop gene introgression: greater survival and fecundity of hybrids in a new environment
Authors: Campbell Lesley G. , Snow Allison A. , Ridley Caroline E. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractCrop‐wild hybridization may produce offspring with lower fitness than their wild parents due to deleterious crop traits and outbreeding depression. Over time, however, selection for improved fitness could lead to greater invasiveness of hybrid taxa. To examine evolutionary change in crop‐wild hybrids, we established four wild (Raphanus raphanistrum) and four hybrid radish populations (R. raphanistrum × Raphanus sativus) in Michigan (MI), USA. Hybrid and wild populations had similar growth rates over four generations, and pollen fertility of hybrids improved. We then measured hybrid and wild fitness components in two common garden sites within the geographical range of wild radish [MI and California (CA)]. Advanced generation hybrids had slightly lower lifetime fecundity than wild plants in MI but exhibited c. 270% greater lifetime fecundity and c. 22% greater survival than wild plants in CA. Our results support the hypothesis that crop‐wild hybridization may create genotypes with the potential to displace parental taxa in new environments.
Microscopic and histological examination of the mouse hindpaw digit and flexor tendon arrangement with 3D reconstruction
Authors: Wong Jason , Bennett William , Ferguson Mark W. J. , McGrouther Duncan A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractMice are currently the species of choice for thein vivostudy of injury, but few detailed anatomical descriptions have been made of rodent digits, limiting their use for the investigation of intrasynovial tendon healing. In this study a detailed microscopic and histological investigation was performed using C57/BL6 and Tie2 LacZ reporter gene transgenic mice. Serial‐sectioned mouse hindpaw digits were characterized using haematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome (collagen), Alcian blue (fibrocartilage), Miller's stain (elastin) and TRITC‐phalloidin (cellular cytoskeleton) staining. Digital vasculature was demonstrated using FITC‐labelled dextran perfusion studies supplemented with LacZ expression in Tie2 LacZ transgenic mice digits. Imaging of the digit used a combination of brightfield and confocal microscopy with three‐dimensional reconstruction. Our findings demonstrated that the mouse hindpaw possesses deep and superficial flexor tendons within a synovial sheath comparable with that found in other mammalian species. The intrasynovial tendons were avascular and had regions of fibrocartilaginous specialization relating to areas of compression. Corresponding vascular networks were demonstrated around the sheath using Tie2 LacZ mice and FITC‐perfused hindpaws. Furthermore, there is an area of digit where both deep and superficial tendons reside between two pulleys, similar to zone 2 in the human hand where it would be possible to study intrasynovial tendon injury and adhesion formation. In conclusion, although the dimensions of the mouse digit pose technical challenges for surgical intervention, we have identified a model for the study of flexor tendon injury that will permit future genetic manipulation studies.
Plant CO2 responses: an issue of definition, time and resource supply
Authors: Körner Christian 
Published: September 2006

SummaryIn this review I am drawing attention to some constraints and biases in CO2 enrichment experiments and the analysis of data in the literature. Conclusions drawn from experimental works differ when the data are grouped in a way such that the relative frequency of test conditions does not determine the emerging trends, for instance unrealistically strong CO2–‘fertilization’ effects, which are in conflict with some basic ecological principles. I suggest separating three test conditions: uncoupled systems (plants not depending in a natural nutrient cycle) (I); expanding systems, in which plants are given ample space and time to explore otherwise limited resources (II); and fully coupled systems in which the natural nutrient cycling governs growth at steady‐state leaf area index (LAI) and fine root renewal (III). Data for 10 type III experiments yield rather moderate effects of elevated CO2 on plant biomass production, if any. In steady‐state grassland, the effects are water‐related; in closed tree stands, initial effects decline rapidly with time. Plant–soil coupling (soil conditions) deserves far greater attention than plant–atmosphere coupling (CO2 enrichment technology).

Contents

Summary
393

I.
A traditionally scarce resource becomes abundant
394

II.
Photosynthesis is not saturated at current CO2 concentrations
395

III.
The fate of extra carbon
396

IV.
Co drivers of plant growth responses to elevated CO2
397

V.
Plant CO2 responses as a function of time
399

VI.
Plant CO2 responses per unit land area, a matter of definition
401

VII.
CO2 effects on biomass carbon stores depend on tree demography
402

VIII.
Biomass responses to elevated CO2 in steady state  and expanding systems
403

IX.
Conclusions
405

Acknowledgements
406

References
406
Intravenous versus oral iron therapy for postpartum anaemia
Authors: Bhandal N , Russell R 
Published: September 2006

Objective Postpartum iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is common in women. Most women are treated with either oral iron supplementation or blood transfusion. Hence, the aim of our study was to compare the effect of treatment with either oral ferrous sulphate or intravenous ferrous sucrose on postpartum IDA.Design A single centre, prospective randomised controlled trial.Setting Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.Population Forty‐four women with haemoglobin (Hb) of <9 g/dl and ferritin of <15 microgram/l at 24–48 hours postdelivery.Methods Women were randomised to receive either oral ferrous sulphate 200 mg twice daily for 6 weeks (group O) or intravenous ferrous sucrose 200 mg (Venofer; Vifor International Ltd, St Gallen, Switzerland), two doses given on days 2 and 4 following recruitment (group I). Results were analysed by the Studentst‐test, chi‐square test and analysis of variance.Main outcome measures Hb, haematocrit, red cell indices, ferritin and serum iron levels were measured on days 0, 5, 14 and 40.Results By day 5, the Hb level in women treated with intravenous iron had risen from 7.3 ± 0.9 to 9.9 ± 0.7 g/dl, while there was no change in those treated with oral iron. Women treated with intravenous iron had significantly higher Hb levels on days 5 and 14 (P< 0.01) than those treated with oral iron; although by day 40, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Throughout the study, ferritin levels rose rapidly in those treated with intravenous iron and remained significantly higher than in those treated with oral iron (P< 0.01).Conclusions Intravenous iron sucrose increases the Hb level more rapidly than oral ferrous sulphate in women with postpartum IDA. It also appears to replenish iron stores more rapidly. However, this study was not large enough to address the safety of this strategy.
Combined effects of maternal smoking status and dietary intake related to weight gain and birth size parameters
Authors: Olafsdottir AS , Skuladottir GV , Thorsdottir I , Hauksson A , Steingrimsdottir L 
Published: September 2006

Objective  To investigate the interaction of smoking status and dietary intake during pregnancy and its relationship to maternal weight gain and birth size parameters.Design  An observational prospective study.Setting  Free‐living conditions.Population  Four hundred and eight healthy pregnant Icelandic women.Methods  Maternal smoking status, lifestyle factors and dietary habits were evaluated with questionnaires. Intake of foods and supplements was also estimated with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire for the previous 3 months. All questionnaires were filled out between 11 and 15 weeks and between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. Smoking status in relation to optimal and/or excessive weight gain during pregnancy was represented with logistic regression controlling for potential confounding factors.Main outcome measures  Maternal weight gain, smoking status, dietary intake and birthweight.Results  Women who smoked throughout pregnancy were unlikely to gain optimal weight or more (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.27–0.97), whereas smoking cessation in connection with pregnancy (‘former smokers’) doubled the risk of excessive weight gain (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.24–3.35). The latter association was no longer significant after adjustment for dietary factors and other confounding factors. Former smokers ate the least amount of fruit and vegetables (fruit: 129 versus 180 and 144 g/day (median), P= 0.038; vegetables: 53 versus 76 and 72 g/day, P= 0.026 for former smokers, nonsmokers and smokers, respectively). Birthweight was lowest among infants born to smokers, but birthweight was similar for former smokers and nonsmokers (3583 ± 491 g versus 3791 ± 461 g and 3826 ± 466 g, respectively; P= 0.003).Conclusions  Smoking cessation in early pregnancy or pre‐pregnancy is not associated with low birthweight. It is, however, associated with excessive maternal weight gain and a low fruit and vegetable intake.
Adiponectin and insulin resistance in early‐ and late‐onset pre‐eclampsia
Authors: D’Anna R , Baviera G , Corrado F , Giordano D , De Vivo A , Nicocia G , Di Benedetto A 
Published: September 2006

Objective  To evaluate the importance of adiponectin and insulin resistance in early‐ and late‐onset pre‐eclampsia.Design  A nested case–control study in 72 pregnant women who participated in the first‐trimester Down‐syndrome‐screening programme and who delivered at our hospital.Setting  University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.Population  Pregnant women: 36 women with pre‐eclampsia of which 20 late onset and 16 early onset were compared with 36 uncomplicated pregnancies who delivered at term.Methods  In all the women, insulin resistance was calculated by the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA‐IR) and plasma adiponectin was determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.Main outcome measures  Insulin resistance and adiponectin concentration.Results  First‐trimester plasma adiponectin mean levels in the whole pre‐eclampsia group were significantly lower than that in the control group (8.4 ± 3.3 versus 14.8 ± 4.6 microgram/ml; P < 0.001), whereas first‐trimester mean HOMA‐IR values were significantly higher in the pre‐eclampsia group than that in the control group (2.0 ± 1.1 versus 1.0 ± 0.4; P= 0.01). Plasma adiponectin concentrations at delivery in the pre‐eclampsia group were significantly higher than that in the control group (9.2 ± 3.7 versus 7.8 ± 2.6 microgram/ml; P= 0.04). First‐trimester plasma adiponectin mean concentrations in the late‐onset subgroup were significantly lower compared with the concentrations in early‐onset subgroup (6.2 ± 1.4 microgram/ml versus 11.1 ± 3.2 microgram/ml; P < 0.001), and there was a significant difference in adiponectin plasma values only between women in the late‐onset pre‐eclampsia group versus those in the control group (P < 0.001). First‐trimester mean HOMA‐IR values were significantly higher in the late‐onset subgroup compared with that of the early‐onset subgroup (2.5 ± 1.3 versus 1.3 ± 0.3; P= 0.02), and there was a significant difference only between the control group versus the late‐onset subgroup (P= 0.001).Conclusions  First‐trimester adiponectin and HOMA‐IR values seem to select two completely different populations: early‐ and late‐onset pre‐eclampsia, which might suggest a different pathogenesis.
Association between lactate in vaginal fluid and time to spontaneous onset of labour for women with suspected prelabour rupture of the membranes
Authors: Wiberg‐Itzel E , Pettersson H , Cnattingius S , Nordstrom L 
Published: September 2006

Objectives  To assess whether lactate determination in vaginal fluid is associated with, and can predict, onset of labour for women with suspected prelabour rupture of the membranes (PROM).Design  Prospective observational study.Setting  Labour ward at Soder Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.Population  Women with suspected PROM after 34 weeks of gestation, who later had spontaneous onset of labour (n= 179).Methods  All women underwent a speculum examination and a test for determining lactate concentration in vaginal fluid. We used logistic regression to estimate the association between lactate concentration in vaginal fluid and time to onset of labour.Main outcome measures  Time from examination to onset of labour (cervix ≥4 cm), within 24 hours and 48 hours.Results  The median time interval between examination and spontaneous onset of labour was 8.4 hours for women with ‘high’ lactate (≥4.5 mmol/l) and 54 hours for those with ‘low’ lactate concentrations (<4.5 mmol/l). Among 86 women with high lactate concentrations, 76 (88%) had started labour within 24 hours compared with 20 of 93 (22%) women with low lactate concentrations (OR 27.7, 95% CI 12.2–63.3). After checking for the effect of visible amniotic fluid, the corresponding odds were still substantially increased (OR 13.5, 95% CI 5.3–34.3).Conclusions  High lactate concentration (≥4.5 mmol/l) in vaginal fluid can be used to predict whether a woman with suspected PROM will commence spontaneous onset of labour within 24 or 48 hours.