bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in age development of a mouse inbred strain: body composition, adipocyte size and organ weights of liver, heart and muscles
Authors: Bergmann P. , Militzer K. , Schmidt P. , Büttner D. 
Published: May 2007

The mouse inbred strain HLG has only recently been submitted for international registration. It has been widely used in radiological studies. Since these mice tend to become obese, they may be of interest for studies concerning fat metabolism. Therefore, the present ageing study examines the sex-specific development of body weight, body composition, adipocyte size as well as the organ weight of liver, heart and thigh muscles of the inbred strain HLG (54 males/53 virgin females) between day 40 and 360 of life. The body weight development showed a distinct sexual dimorphism, quickly increasing in the case of males but comparatively protracted in females until maturity. Significantly higher values for body and fat-free dry weight as well as body water were found in males of all ages. Body fat and adipocyte diameter were only higher in the 80 and 120 day-old males. Thus, the increase in female body weight resulted largely through a rise in body fat as additionally evidenced by the sex-specific correlation of characteristics. A 2-fold analysis of variance showed sex differences in the relative weights of liver and muscle, but not of the heart. A sex-specific close correlation was observed between body and liver weights in males until day 180. Correlations between body fat and other characteristics were only rarely found. Differences in coefficients of variation largely depended on the characteristics. A higher variability was also found for some characteristics in the youngest groups (40 days). A sex-specific difference was only seen in the case of body fat content for 60 day-old mice (female>male).
Mutual viral and bacterial infections after housing rats of various breeders within an experimental unit
Authors: Boot R. , van Herck H. , van der Logt J. 
Published: May 2007

Fifteen athymic rat strains from 11 breeding colonies were housed within an experimental facility for an immunological study. Health status records supplied with 14 of the strains listed infections by Kilham's rat virus (KRV), Clostridium piliforme ( Bacillus piliformis) and Pasteurella pneumotropica for 2, 2 and 1 colonies respectively. In sera taken previous to the study from euthymic rats of 10 strains, antibodies to KRV were detected in 3 strains, to Pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), Rat corona virus (RCV) and Sendai virus in one strain each and to P. pneumotropica in 2 strains. Only 2 of the KRV infections had been reported by the supplier. During the study rats of all 10 strains developed antibodies to 2-4 of viral antigens. Eight out of 10 rat strains seroconverted to 1-5 of the antigens C. piliforme (B. piliformisl, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Haemophilus spp., P. pneumotropica and Streptobacillus moniliformis. Two rat strains housed in filtertop cages did not develop antibodies to bacterial antigens. The potential detrimental effects of intercurrent infections on the outcome of the comparative immunological study are discussed.
Optimal Markers for Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells from Melanoma, Breast, Colon, Esophageal, Head and Neck, and Lung Cancers
Authors: Xi Liqiang , Nicastri Daniel G , El-Hefnawy Talal , Hughes Steven J , Luketich James D , Godfrey Tony E 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground: The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) may prove useful for screening, prognostication, and monitoring of response to therapy. However, given the large background of circulating cells, it is probably necessary to detect 1 cancer cell in &gt;106 leukocytes. Although reverse transcription (RT)-PCR is potentially sensitive and specific enough to achieve this goal, success will require the use of appropriate mRNA markers. The goal of this study was to identify optimal marker combinations for detection of CTCs.Methods: An extensive literature and internet database survey was conducted to identify potential markers. We then used real-time quantitative RT-PCR to test for expression of selected potential markers in tissue samples from primary tumors of breast, colon, esophagus, head and neck, lung, and melanoma and normal blood samples. Markers with high expression in tumors and a median 1000-fold lower expression in normal blood were considered potentially useful for CTC detection and were tested further in an expanded sample set.Results: A total of 52 potential markers were screened, and 3–8 potentially useful markers were identified for each tumor type. The mRNAs for all but 2 markers were found in normal blood. Marker combinations were identified for each tumor type that had a minimum 1000-fold higher expression in tumors than in normal blood.Conclusions: Several mRNA markers may be useful for RT-PCR–based detection of CTCs from each of 6 cancer types. Quantification of these mRNAs is essential to distinguish normal expression in blood from that due to the presence of CTCs. Few markers provide adequate sensitivity individually, but combinations of markers may produce good sensitivity for detection of the presence of these 6 neoplasms.
Association of A1C With Cardiovascular Disease and Metabolic Syndrome in Asian Indians With Normal Glucose Tolerance
Authors: Dilley James , Ganesan Anbazhagan , Deepa Raj , Deepa Mohan , Sharada Gopalakrishnan , Williams O. Dale , Mohan Viswanathan 
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE—This study examines the association of A1C with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, coronary artery disease (CAD), and metabolic syndrome in Asian Indians with normal glucose tolerance (NGT).
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This cross-sectional study recruited subjects from phase III of the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), an epidemiological study in a representative population of Chennai (formerly Madras) in South India, conducted between January 2003 and June 2004. Included were 1,644 subjects with NGT, i.e., fasting plasma glucose &lt;100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l) and 2-h postload plasma glucose &lt;140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/l). A1C was measured using the Biorad Variant machine. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on modified Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines.
RESULTS—The mean ± SD A1C value in the study cohort was 5.5 ± 0.4%. A1C showed a significant association with BMI (β = 0.017, P &lt; 0.001), systolic (β = 0.002, P = 0.028) and diastolic (β = 0.202, P = 0.017) blood pressure, waist circumference (β = 0.007, P &lt; 0.001), serum cholesterol (β = 0.002, P &lt; 0.001), triglycerides (β = 0.001, P &lt; 0.001), LDL cholesterol (β = 0.002, P &lt; 0.001), fasting insulin (β = 0.009, P &lt; 0.001), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (β = 0.047, P &lt; 0.001) after adjusting for age and sex. Regression analysis showed that A1C had a strong association with metabolic syndrome that persisted after adjusting for age and sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.9 [95% CI 2.08–4.00]; P &lt; 0.001). A1C also had a strong association with CAD (2.6 [1.23–5.63]; P = 0.01), but the significance was lost when adjusted for age and sex.
CONCLUSIONS—There is a strong association of A1C with prevalent CVD risk factors in Asian-Indian subjects with NGT.
Zur Waldinventur gehört die Überwachung der Vitalität | Monitoring vitality is an important task for forest inventories
Authors: Schmid-Haas Paul 
Published: May 2007

We are interested in a continuous and healthy forest cover. Therefore vitality and stability of trees should be taken into account in most inventories. These factors influence the future development of the forest and are indispensable for economical as well as ecological planning. Forecasts on the basis of models that do not make use of this information are not always reliable.
Increment is one of the best indicators of vitality. In addition,crown defoliation should be estimated, even though this estimator has a large random error and it is well known that only heavy crown defoliations cause an essential loss of productivity. On the other hand, it has also been known for some time that even small crown defoliation rates are correlated with subsequent mortality. Moreover, for Norway spruce and silver fir in the range 0–25% crown defoliation is strongly correlated with diameter increment, if trees are compared strictly within sample plots. Surprisingly, crown defoliation is also an indicator of diminished storm stability. No other quantitative estimator for crowns is as reliable and, despite the initial difficulties in its estimation,crown defoliation is an important indicator for vitality. Changes over time are even more valuable than the absolute value. It is alarming that the number of trees with crown defoliation of more than 25% tripled in Switzerland between 1985 and 2000 – a statistically highly significant increase.
Storm damage analysis has shown that infections in butt and roots considerably increase future storm risk. A relatively simple examination of the supporting roots for infections now turns out to be an efficient method to assess tree stability. Further investigation shows strong correlations between infections in the supporting roots of Norway spruce and silver fir and increment and crown defoliation. Evidently, infections in the roots may show the cause of the correlations of crown defoliation and the rate of mortality, increment and storm stability.
It is, of course, not possible to monitor vitality and stability in a comprehensive way. However, decisive information on the sustainability of the growing stock can be gained with clearly justifiable costs. These possibilities have not been fully exploited.
Will more complete inhibition of the RAAS with angiotensin receptor blockade improve survival following myocardial infarction?
Authors: Pfeffer Marc A 
Published: May 2007

Summary Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have a well-established role in the management of patients with hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and myocardial infarction (MI). ACE inhibitors have been particularly well studied in acute and chronic MI with consistent and substantial survival benefits demonstrated, particularly in the higher risk groups. The recent development of angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor blockers (ARBs) as a well tolerated pharmacological therapy to more completely inhibit the actions of Ang II at the AT1-receptor level raises questions concerning comparative efficacy with the proven ACE inhibitor experience. Two major trials will provide a direct comparison of ARBs with an ACE inhibitor. The Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction (VALIANT) trial is specifically designed to compare and contrast the ARB, valsartan, used both alone as well as in combination with a proven ACE inhibitor regimen, in a high risk MI population. VALIANT, with its three arms targetting 14,500 patients, is uniquely poised to determine whether the pharmacological advance in the development of ARBs confers additional clinical (survival) value in high risk MI patients.
Discordant responses to two classes of drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system
Authors: Sever Peter S , Limmie Chang C. 
Published: May 2007

Introduction Marked heterogeneity characterises blood pressure (BP) responses to antihypertensive drugs. The efficacy of drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is predicted (albeit weakly) by plasma renin activity (PRA) and it has been assumed that, within individuals, there would be concordance in efficacy between drugs acting at different sites to block the RAAS. Design The present study was a randomised, double-blind, two-way, crossover study designed to evaluate intra-individual BP responses to an angiotensin II AT1receptor blocker (ARB), candesartan cilexetil, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I), lisinopril, and to identify potential phenotypic characteristics of patients' responses to the drugs. Methods 92 patients with essential hypertension, (mean systolic/diastolic BP 160/101 mmHg) entered the trial, of whom 76 patients completed both treatments. Results There was marked heterogeneity in response to the two drugs. 50% of patients responded (fall in diastolic BP of >10 mmHg or achieved diastolic pressure <90 mmHg) to both drugs; 16% were non-responders to both drugs; 20% responded to the ACE-I but not the ARB and 15% responded to the ARB but not to the ACE-I. Individual responses to the two drugs were poorly correlated (for diastolic pressure: r=0.19, p=0.11; for systolic pressure: r=-0.01, p=0.92). For the ACE-I, the fall in both systolic and diastolic BP was related to pretreatment PRA (for diastolic pressure: r=0.31, p=0.008; for systolic pressure: r=0.24, p=0.04). In the case of the ARB, no relationship between the fall in BP and PRA was observed. These observations suggest that more complex mechanisms may be involved in BP reduction with ARBs than with ACE-I.
Nephrectomy and peritoneal dialysis eliminates circulating renin and controls uraemia in the rat
Authors: Pedersen Trine Fischer , Nielsen Arne Høj , Strandgaard Svend , Paulson Olaf B 
Published: May 2007

Objective The aim of the present study was to develop a rat model for in vivo studies of the local effects of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) following elimination of circulating renin. Methods Sprague Dawley rats were bilaterally nephrectomised and had a peritoneal dialysis catheter implanted. The rats were maintained on dialysis continuously for 48 hours, using Dianeal PD4 3.86% glucose dialysis solution. The peritoneal catheter and an automated system for dialysate exchange were made in our laboratory. A sham nephrectomised control group of rats was also dialysed. Results Nephrectomised and sham-operated rats remained active and in good general condition during peritoneal dialysis. At 48 hours, in nephrectomised, dialysed rats, peritoneal urea clearance was 4.14±0.52 ml/hour, plasma urea was 40.0±7.7 mmol/L, plasma creatinine was 0.423±0.070 mmol/L and plasma renin was below the limit of detection. Conclusions In conclusion, it was possible to sustain bilaterally-nephrectomised rats on continuous peritoneal dialysis for 48 hours, pending elimination of renin from the circulation. The nephrectomised dialysed rat model should be useful for investigation of the physiological effects of the circulating versus the local RAS.
Dual blockade with candesartan cilexetil and lisinopril in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus: rationale and design
Authors: Andersen Niels H , Knudsen Søren T , Poulsen Per L , Poulsen Steen H , Helleberg Kjeld , Eiskjær Hans , Hansen Klaus W , Bek Toke , Mogensen Carl E 
Published: May 2007

Background Blood pressure (BP) reduction is the key to risk reduction of cardiovascular disease or renal failure in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system by an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) provides efficient BP reduction and renal protection in hypertensive diabetes patients. But, despite this, the recommended BP levels can be difficult to achieve and dual blockade therapy might be a possible way of obtaining efficient BP reduction in hypertensive patients with diabetes. Dual blockade treatment is based on a principle of obtaining the broadest and most efficient blockade of angiotensin II, by using the combination of an ACE-inhibitor and an ARB. Methods The Candesartan And Lisinopril Microalbuminuria (CALM II) study is a one centre, one observer, double-blind, randomised, active-controlled, parallel-group study, investigating the efficacy and tolerability of candesartan cilexetil in combination with lisinopril, compared with the maximum recommended dose of lisinopril in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus. The study design consists of two treatment arms with either 16 mg candesartan cilexetil or 20 mg lisinopril added to concomitant treatment with 20 mg lisinopril. It comprises 80 patients with a minimum of 35 patients in each group and statistical power of 90% to detect a difference in systolic BP reduction of 6.5 mmHg. Conclusion The CALM II study aims to investigate the effects of dual blockade on systolic BP, albuminuria, left ventricular mass and function, and retinopathy in hypertensive patients with diabetes mellitus.
The role of Ang (1-7) in mediating the chronic hypotensive effects of losartan in normal rats
Authors: Collister John P , Hendel Michael D 
Published: May 2007

Hypothesis The following studies were designed to test the hypothesis that Ang (1-7) contributes to the chronic hypotensive effects of the angiotensin II AT1-receptor antagonist, losartan, in normal rats. Introduction We have previously shown a chronic, hypotensive response to the AT1-receptor antagonist, losartan, in normotensive rats. The mechanism of this response is not completely understood. Previous studies by others have demonstrated a role for Ang (1-7) in the beneficial antihypertensive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. This is thought to be due to vasodilatory effects of increased levels of Ang (1-7) during ACE inhibition. Since it has now been shown that Ang (1-7) levels are also increased during AT1 antagonism, we designed experiments to test the hypothesis above. Materials and methods Sprague-Dawley rats were instrumented with venous catheters and radiotelemetric pressure transducers and commenced on a normal (0.4%) NaCl diet. Arterial pressure responses were measured in rats treated with losartan (10 mg/kg/day) (LOS rats, n=8) and compared with those treated with losartan and the Ang (1-7) antagonist, A779 (24 µg/kg/hour) (A779/LOS rats, n=11) for 10 days. Results By day 7 of treatment, mean arterial pressure had dropped by 27±1 mmHg in LOS rats, in contrast with a decrease of only 21±2 mmHg in A779/LOS rats. This attenuated response in rats treated with A779 became more prominent and continued through day 10 of losartan treatment. Conclusion These results support the hypothesis that the chronic hypotensive effects of losartan in normal rats are mediated in part through the actions of Ang (1-7).
Haemodynamic and pulse wave responses to intravenous infusions of angiotensin II during chronic telmisartan therapy in normal volunteers
Authors: Vingerhoedt Noreen M , Gilles Rozemarie , Howes Jan B , Griffin Matthew , Howes Laurence Guy 
Published: May 2007

Introduction This study investigated the central haemodynamic, blood pressure (BP) and pulse wave responses to progressively increasing infusion rates of intravenous angiotensin II (Ang II) in normal volunteers during chronic therapy with telmisartan or placebo. Materials and methods Ten normal volunteers, aged 21—33 years, completed a ramdomised, double-blind crossover study. Ang II was infused intravenously at increasing infusion rates (0—512 ng/minute) at the end of one week of telmisartan therapy (40—80 mg/day) and one week of placebo therapy. BP, central haemodynamics and pulse wave parameters were monitored continuous using a CardioDynamics Recorder, a Pulse Tracer Recorder and a Finipress Recorder. Results Baseline diastolic BP (5712 v G s. 67±13 mmHg) and pulse wave reflection ndex (RI) (38.4±18.6 vs. 60.6±12.5%) were significantly lower U on telmisartan than on placebo therapy. Cardiac index (CI), systolic BP, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), RI and pulse wave stiffness index (SI) were all significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner by Ang II on placebo therapy. Telmisartan significantly (p<0.05) attenuated all of these responses to Ang II. Increases in BP during Ang II infusion were associated with increases in SVRI and CI. Conclusions Telmisartan effectively blocked the effects of intravenous Ang II on CI, BP, RI and SI in healthy volunteers. Changes in CI make a major contribution to increase in BP response to intravenous Ang II in normal volunteers.
Angiotensin inhibition in heart failure
Authors: Mcmurray John JV 
Published: May 2007

Survival in patients with heart failure remains very poor, and is worse than that for most common cancers, including bowel cancer in men and breast cancer in women. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is not completely blocked by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Blockade of the RAAS at the AT1-receptor has the theoretical benefit of more effective blockade of the actions of angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors (ACE-Is) prevent the breakdown of bradykinin: this has been blamed for some of the unwanted effects of ACE-Is although bradykinin may have advantageous effects in heart failure. Consequently, ACE-Is and ARBs might be complementary or even additive treatments; recent trials have tested these hypotheses. The Candesartan in Heart failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and morbidity (CHARM) programme compared the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) candesartan (target dose 32 mg once daily) to placebo in three distinct but complementary populations of patients with symptomatic heart failure. These were: patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) who were ACE-I-intolerant (CHARM-Alternative); patients with reduced LVEF who were being treated with ACE-Is (CHARM-Added); and patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function (CHARM-Preserved). There were substantial and statistically significant reductions in the primary composite end point (risk of cardiovascular death or hospital admission for heart failure) in CHARM-Alternative. This was also the case in CHARM-Added, supporting and extending the findings of Val-HeFT. In CHARM-Preserved, the effect of candesartan on the primary end point did not reach conventional statistical significance though hospital admission for heart failure was reduced significantly with candesartan. In the CHARM-Overall programme there was a statistically borderline reduction in all-cause mortality with a clear reduction in cardiovascular mortality. All-cause mortality was reduced by 12% in the two CHARM trials in patients with low LVEF. CHARM succeeded in answering a number of questions about the safety and efficacy of ARB use in heart failure. It showed evidence for a clinical benefit of candesartan both additive to and independent of ACE-I use. The benefits in terms of clinical outcomes were seen irrespective of β-blocker usage. Benefits in patients with preserved LVEF were shown in the proportion of patients hospitalised with worsening heart failure and in overall number of admissions for heart failure. Candesartan had expected effects on blood pressure and renal function, emphasising the need for careful patient monitoring.