bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recombinant Human Thyrotropin-Stimulated Radioiodine Therapy of Large Nodular Goiters Facilitates Tracheal Decompression and Improves Inspiration
Authors: Bonnema Steen J. , Nielsen Viveque E. , Boel-Jørgensen Henrik , Grupe Peter , Andersen Peter B. , Bastholt Lars , Hegedüs Laszlo 
Published: July 2008

Introduction: The impact on tracheal anatomy and respiratory function of recombinant human (rh)TSH-stimulated 131I therapy in patients with goiter is not clarified.
Methods: In a double-blinded design, patients (age 37–87 yr) with a large multinodular goiter (range, 99–440 ml) were randomized to placebo (n = 15) or 0.3 mg rhTSH (n = 14) 24 h before 131I therapy. The smallest cross-sectional area of the trachea (SCAT; assessed by magnetic resonance imaging) and the pulmonary function were determined before, 1 wk, and 12 months after therapy.
Results: Data on goiter reduction have been reported previously. In the placebo group, no significant changes in the lung function or SCAT were found throughout the study. In the rhTSH group, a slight decrease was observed in the forced vital capacity 1 wk after therapy, whereas the mean individual change in SCAT was significantly increased by 10.5% (95% confidence interval = 0.9–20.0%). A further increase in SCAT to 117 ± 36 mm2 (P = 0.005 compared with 92 ± 38 mm2 at baseline) was seen at 12 months, corresponding to a mean of 31.4% (95% confidence interval = 16.0–46.8%). The expiratory parameters did not change significantly, whereas forced inspiratory flow at 50% of the vital capacity (FIF50%) increased from initially 3.34 ± 1.33 liters/sec to ultimately 4.23 ± 1.88 liters/sec (P = 0.015) in the rhTSH group, corresponding to a median increase of 24.6%. By 12 months, the relative improvements in FIF50% and in SCAT were inversely correlated to the respective baseline values (FIF50%: r = −0.47, P = 0.012; SCAT: r = −0.57, P = 0.001).
Conclusion: On average, neither compression of the trachea nor deterioration of the pulmonary function was observed in the acute phase after rhTSH-augmented 131I therapy. In the long term, tracheal compression is diminished, and the inspiratory capacity improved, compared with 131I therapy alone.
Notch Signaling Is Involved in Expression of Thyrocyte Differentiation Markers and Is Down-Regulated in Thyroid Tumors
Authors: Ferretti E. , Tosi E. , Po A. , Scipioni A. , Morisi R. , Espinola M. S. , Russo D. , Durante C. , Schlumberger M. , Screpanti I. , Filetti S. , Gulino A. 
Published: July 2008

Context: Notch genes encode receptors for a signaling pathway that regulates cell growth and differentiation in various contexts, but the role of Notch signaling in thyroid follicular cells has never been fully published.
Objective: The objective of the study was to characterize the expression of Notch pathway components in thyroid follicular cells and Notch signaling activities in normal and transformed thyrocytes.
Design/Setting and Patients: Expression of Notch pathway components and key markers of thyrocyte differentiation was analyzed in murine and human thyroid tissues (normal and tumoral) by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The effects of Notch overexpression in human thyroid cancer cells and FTRL-5 cells were explored with analysis of gene expression, proliferation assays, and experiments involving transfection of a luciferase reporter construct containing human NIS promoter regions.
Results: Notch receptors are expressed during the development of murine thyrocytes, and their expression levels parallel those of thyroid differentiation markers. Notch signaling characterized also normal adult thyrocytes and is regulated by TSH. Notch pathway components are variably expressed in human normal thyroid tissue and thyroid tumors, but expression levels are clearly reduced in undifferentiated tumors. Overexpression of Notch-1 in thyroid cancer cells restores differentiation, reduces cell growth rates, and stimulates NIS expression via a direct action on the NIS promoter.
Conclusion: Notch signaling is involved in the determination of thyroid cell fate and is a direct regulator of thyroid-specific gene expression. Its deregulation may contribute to the loss of differentiation associated with thyroid tumorigenesis.
Intravenous Lipid and Heparin Infusion-Induced Elevation in Free Fatty Acids and Triglycerides Modifies Circulating Androgen Levels in Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Mai K. , Bobbert T. , Reinecke F. , Andres J. , Maser-Gluth C. , Wudy S. A. , Möhlig M. , Weickert M. O. , Hartmann M. F. , Schulte H. M. , Diederich S. , Pfeiffer A. F. H. , Spranger J. 
Published: July 2008

Background: The polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism and associated with obesity and impaired glucose metabolism. Despite the high prevalence of PCOS and the considerable clinical impact, the precise interplay between metabolism and hyperandrogenemia is not entirely clear.
Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the effects of iv lipid and heparin infusion on circulating androgen levels in healthy women.
Design: This was a randomized, controlled, crossover trial.
Setting: The study was conducted at an endocrinology center.
Patients: Patients included 12 healthy young women during the early follicular phase of two subsequent cycles.
Intervention: After an overnight fast, a 20% lipid/heparin or a saline/heparin infusion was administered in random order for 330 min.
Main Outcome Measures: A detailed characterization of androgen metabolism was performed.
Results: Elevations in free fatty acids and triglycerides, induced by lipid/heparin infusion, elevates the levels of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, estrone, and 17β-estradiol. Urinary excretion of DHEA, DHEAS, 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol, and the sum of urinary excreted DHEA and its 16-hydroxylated downstream metabolites, 16α-hydroxy-DHEA and 5-androstene-3β,16α,17β-triol, were reduced.
Conclusion: The mechanism of iv lipid and heparin infusion-induced elevation of circulating androgens described here might contribute to the development of hyperandrogenism in women with PCOS and suggests that lowering of hyperlipidemia might be a potential therapeutic target in patients with PCOS to treat hyperandrogenemia.
The Effect of Pregnancy on Subsequent Relapse from Graves’ Disease after a Successful Course of Antithyroid Drug Therapy
Authors: Rotondi Mario , Cappelli Carlo , Pirali Barbara , Pirola Ilenia , Magri Flavia , Fonte Rodolfo , Castellano Maurizio , Rosei Enrico Agabiti , Chiovato Luca 
Published: July 2008

Objective: Pregnancy and the postpartum (PP) period are associated with profound changes of the immune system, which largely influence the clinical activity of autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregnancy and/or the PP period in driving a clinical relapse of hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves’ disease (GD) who are in remission after antithyroid drug (ATD) treatment. Data were retrospectively collected from 150 female patients with GD, who were assigned to two groups according to the occurrence of a successful pregnancy after ATD withdrawal.
Results: Relapsing Graves’ hyperthyroidism was observed in 70 of 125 patients in group I (no pregnancy after ATD withdrawal) (56.0%) and 21 of 25 patients in group II (pregnancy after ATD withdrawal) (84.0%) (P &lt; 0.05). Logistic regression analysis (dependent variable: relapse/nonrelapse; covariates: age, positive family history for autoimmune thyroid disease, duration of treatment with ATD, number pregnancies at diagnosis, number of pregnancies after ATD withdrawal) showed a significant effect only for the number of pregnancies after ATD withdrawal [4.257 (1.315–13.782)]. The effect was ascribed to the PP period rather than to pregnancy itself because in 20 of 21 patients of group II (95.2%), the relapse of Graves’ hyperthyroidism occurred between 4 and 8 months after delivery.
Conclusions: The PP period is significantly associated with a relapse of hyperthyroidism in GD patients being in remission after ATD. We therefore recommend that patients with GD in remission after a course of ATD should have their thyroid function tested at 3 and 6 months after delivery.
Antipsychotics and Diabetes: An Age-Related Association
Authors: Hammerman Ariel , Dreiher Jacob , Klang Shmuel H , Munitz Hanan , Cohen Arnon D , Goldfracht Margalit 
Published: July 2008

Background Previous studies have reported an association between antipsychotic medications and diabetes. Objective To explore the association between antipsychotic medications and diabetes in patients of different ages. Methods A retrospective analysis of a large health maintenance organization's drug claim database (3.7 million members) was performed. All patients treated with antipsychotic drugs during 1998–2004 were identified. Patients with diabetes were defined by a record of antidiabetic drug uso during 2004. The prevalence of diabetes in different age groups treated with antipsychotics was compared with the prevalence of diabetes among enrollees in the same age groups not treated with antipsychotics. Results: Among 82,754 patients treated with antipsychotics, the association between diabetes and consumption of antipsychotics was strongest in the younger age groups and decreased with increasing age: for patients aged 0–24 years, OR 8.9 (95% CI 7.0 to 11.3); 25–44 years, OR 4.2 (95% CI 3,8 to 4.5); 45–54 years, OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.1); 55–64 years, OR 1.3 (95% CI 1.2 to 1.4); and 65 years or older, OR 0.93 (95% CI 0.9 to 1.0). However, the risk associated with atypical antipsychotics was lower than the risk associated with typical antipsychotics, with ORs ranging from 0.7 in patients 0–24 years old to 0.3 in those 65 years or older. Conclusions: Antipsychotic drug use was associated with diabetes mellitus. This association was stronger in younger patients. In older adults, the difference was much smaller and, in some cases, there was no association. A lowor risk was associated with atypical agents, as compared with typical antipsychotics. Clinicians should bo aware that young adults treated with antipsychotics are at increased risk for diabetes.
Quantification of Carnitine and Acylcarnitines in Biological Matrices by HPLC Electrospray Ionization– Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Minkler Paul E , Stoll Maria S K , Ingalls Stephen T , Yang Shuming , Kerner Janos , Hoppel Charles L 
Published: August 2008

AbstractBackground: Analysis of carnitine and acylcarnitines by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has limitations. First, preparation of butyl esters partially hydrolyzes acylcarnitines. Second, isobaric nonacylcarnitine compounds yield false-positive results in acylcarnitine tests. Third, acylcarnitine constitutional isomers cannot be distinguished.Methods: Carnitine and acylcarnitines were isolated by ion-exchange solid-phase extraction, derivatized with pentafluorophenacyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, separated by HPLC, and detected with an ion trap mass spectrometer. Carnitine was quantified with d3-carnitine as the internal standard. Acylcarnitines were quantified with 42 synthesized calibrators. The internal standards used were d6-acetyl-, d3-propionyl-, undecanoyl-, undecanedioyl-, and heptadecanoylcarnitine.Results: Example recoveries [mean (SD)] were 69.4% (3.9%) for total carnitine, 83.1% (5.9%) for free carnitine, 102.2% (9.8%) for acetylcarnitine, and 107.2% (8.9%) for palmitoylcarnitine. Example imprecision results [mean (SD)] within runs (n = 6) and between runs (n = 18) were, respectively: total carnitine, 58.0 (0.9) and 57.4 (1.7) μmol/L; free carnitine, 44.6 (1.5) and 44.3 (1.2) μmol/L; acetylcarnitine, 7.74 (0.51) and 7.85 (0.69) μmol/L; and palmitoylcarnitine, 0.12 (0.01) and 0.11 (0.02) μmol/L. Standard-addition slopes and linear regression coefficients were 1.00 and 0.9998, respectively, for total carnitine added to plasma, 0.99 and 0.9997 for free carnitine added to plasma, 1.04 and 0.9972 for octanoylcarnitine added to skeletal muscle, and 1.05 and 0.9913 for palmitoylcarnitine added to skeletal muscle. Reference intervals for plasma, urine, and skeletal muscle are provided.Conclusions: This method for analysis of carnitine and acylcarnitines overcomes the observed limitations of MS/MS methods.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation does not improve quality of muscle reinnervation or recovery of motor function after facial nerve transection in rats
Authors: Grosheva Maria , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando , Arnhold Stephan , Skouras Emmanouil , Kuerten Stefanie , Streppel Michael , Angelova Srebrina K. , Wewetzer Konstantin , Radtke Christine , Dunlop Sarah A. , Angelov Doychin N. 
Published: August 2008

AbstractRecently, we devised and validated a novel strategy in rats to improve the outcome of facial nerve reconstruction by daily manual stimulation of the target muscles. The treatment resulted in full recovery of facial movements (whisking), which was achieved by reducing the proportion of pathologically polyinnervated motor endplates. Here, we posed whether manual stimulation could also be beneficial after a surgical procedure potentially useful for treatment of large peripheral nerve defects, i.e., entubulation of the transected facial nerve in a conduit filled with suspension of isogeneic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in collagen. Compared to control treatment with collagen only, entubulation with BM-MSCs failed to decrease the extent of collateral axonal branching at the lesion site and did not improve functional recovery. Post-operative manual stimulation of vibrissal muscles also failed to promote a better recovery following entubulation with BM-MSCs. We suggest that BM-MSCs promote excessive trophic support for regenerating axons which, in turn, results in excessive collateral branching at the lesion site and extensive polyinnervation of the motor endplates. Furthermore, such deleterious effects cannot be overridden by manual stimulation. We conclude that entubulation with BM-MSCs is not beneficial for facial nerve repair.
Lower Intrinsic ADP-Stimulated Mitochondrial Respiration Underlies In Vivo Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Muscle of Male Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Phielix Esther , Schrauwen-Hinderling Vera B. , Mensink Marco , Lenaers Ellen , Meex Ruth , Hoeks Joris , Kooi Marianne Eline , Moonen-Kornips Esther , Sels Jean-Pierre , Hesselink Matthijs K.C. , Schrauwen Patrick 
Published: August 2008

OBJECTIVE—A lower in vivo mitochondrial function has been reported in both type 2 diabetic patients and first-degree relatives of type 2 diabetic patients. The nature of this reduction is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a lower intrinsic mitochondrial respiratory capacity may underlie lower in vivo mitochondrial function observed in diabetic patients.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Ten overweight diabetic patients, 12 first-degree relatives, and 16 control subjects, all men, matched for age and BMI, participated in this study. Insulin sensitivity was measured with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Ex vivo intrinsic mitochondrial respiratory capacity was determined in permeabilized skinned muscle fibers using high-resolution respirometry and normalized for mitochondrial content. In vivo mitochondrial function was determined by measuring phosphocreatine recovery half-time after exercise using 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
RESULTS—Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal was lower in diabetic patients compared with control subjects (11.2 ± 2.8 vs. 28.9 ± 3.7 μmol · kg−1 fat-free mass · min−1, respectively; P = 0.003), with intermediate values for first-degree relatives (22.1 ± 3.4 μmol · kg−1 fat-free mass · min−1). In vivo mitochondrial function was 25% lower in diabetic patients (P = 0.034) and 23% lower in first-degree relatives, but the latter did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.08). Interestingly, ADP-stimulated basal respiration was 35% lower in diabetic patients (P = 0.031), and fluoro-carbonyl cyanide phenylhydrazone–driven maximal mitochondrial respiratory capacity was 31% lower in diabetic patients (P = 0.05) compared with control subjects with intermediate values for first-degree relatives.
CONCLUSIONS—A reduced basal ADP-stimulated and maximal mitochondrial respiratory capacity underlies the reduction in in vivo mitochondrial function, independent of mitochondrial content. A reduced capacity at both the level of the electron transport chain and phosphorylation system underlies this impaired mitochondrial capacity.
Background music as noise abatement in open‐plan offices: A laboratory study on performance effects and subjective preferences
Authors: Schlittmeier Sabine J. , Hellbrück Jürgen 
Published: July 2008

AbstractContinuous noise is played in many open‐plan offices to partially mask ambient sounds, in particular background speech. With this, the detrimental impact of background sounds on cognitive performance is intended to be reduced as well as subjectively perceived disturbance. Our experiments explored whether background music can achieve the same effects. Besides collecting subjective rating data, we tested cognitive performance using verbal serial recall. This is the standard task for exploring verbal short‐term memory, which is central to human information processing. Either staccato music, legato music or continuous noise was superimposed on office noise. In Experiment 1 (N = 30), only continuous noise reduced the detrimental impact of office noise significantly. Legato music did not qualify in this respect although it did not diminish cognitive performance when presented in isolation in Experiment 2 (N = 20). Subjective ratings in both experiments revealed that most participants would prefer legato music to continuous noise in office environments. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependence of Transformation Temperatures of NiTi‐based Shape‐Memory Alloys on the Number and Concentration of Valence Electrons
Authors: Zarinejad Mehrdad , Liu Yong 
Published: July 2008

AbstractDependence of transformation temperatures of ternary and quaternary NiTi‐based shape memory alloys on the number (ev/a) and concentration (cv) of valence electrons is investigated. Two distinct trends of transformation temperatures with respect to the number of valence electrons per atom are found depending on whether ev/a = 7 or ev/a ≠ 7. Clear correlations between transformation temperatures and cv exist. Ms and As decrease consistently from 900 to −100 °C, and 950 to −30 °C, respectively, with increasing cv from 0.145 to 0.296. The relationship of electron concentration on the elastic moduli of the NiTi‐based alloys is discussed. The possible influence of the atomic size of alloying elements on transformation hysteresis is introduced.
The Effect of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Molecular Weight on Charge Transport and the Performance of Polymer:Fullerene Solar Cells
Authors: Ballantyne Amy M. , Chen Lichun , Dane Justin , Hammant Thomas , Braun Felix M. , Heeney Martin , Duffy Warren , McCulloch Iain , Bradley Donal D. C. , Nelson Jenny 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe time‐of‐flight method has been used to study the effect of P3HT molecular weight (Mn = 13–121 kDa) on charge mobility in pristine and PCBM blend films using highly regioregular P3HT. Hole mobility was observed to remain constant at 10−4 cm2V−1s−1 as molecular weight was increased from 13–18 kDa, but then decreased by one order of magnitude as molecular weight was further increased from 34–121 kDa. The decrease in charge mobility observed in blend films is accompanied by a change in surface morphology, and leads to a decrease in the performance of photovoltaic devices made from these blend films.
Efficient Polythiophene/Polyfluorene Copolymer Bulk Heterojunction Photovoltaic Devices: Device Physics and Annealing Effects
Authors: McNeill Christopher R. , Halls Jonathan J. M. , Wilson Richard , Whiting Gregory L. , Berkebile Stephen , Ramsey Michael G. , Friend Richard H. , Greenham Neil C. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractHere the influence of annealing on the operational efficiency of all‐polymer solar cells based on blends of the polymers poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly((9,9‐dioctylfluorene)‐2,7‐diyl‐alt‐[4,7‐bis(3‐hexylthiophen‐5‐yl)‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole]‐2′,2″‐diyl) (F8TBT) is investigated. Annealing of completed devices is found to result in an increase in power conversion efficiency from 0.14 to 1.20%, while annealing of films prior to top electrode deposition increases device efficiency to only 0.19% due to a lowering of the open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current. By studying the dependence of photocurrent on intensity and effective applied bias, annealing is found to increase charge generation efficiency through an increase in the efficiency of the separation of bound electron‐hole pairs following charge transfer. However, unlike many other all‐polymer blends, this increase in charge separation efficiency is not only due to an increase in the degree of phase separation that assists in the spatial separation of electron‐hole pairs, but also due to an order of magnitude increase in the hole mobility of the P3HT phase. The increase in hole mobility with annealing is attributed to the ordering of P3HT chains evidenced by the red‐shifting of P3HT optical absorption in the blend. We also use X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to study the influence of annealing protocol on film interface composition. Surprisingly both top and bottom electrode/blend interfaces are enriched with P3HT, with the blend/top electrode interface consisting of more than 95% P3HT for as‐spun films and films annealed without a top electrode. Films annealed following top electrode deposition, however, show an increase in F8TBT composition to ∼15%. The implications of interfacial composition and the origin of open‐circuit voltage in these devices are also discussed.
A Fluorescent Cobalt Probe with a Large Ratiometric Fluorescence Response via Modulation of Energy Acceptor Molar Absorptivity on Metal Ion Binding
Authors: Lin Weiying , Yuan Lin , Long Lingliang , Guo Cancheng , Feng Jianbo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractProbe 1 has been synthesized as the first ratiometric fluorescent cobalt probe, and it exhibits several highly favorable features, in particular a remarkable ratiometric fluorescence response at two wavelengths. Importantly, the electronic energy transfer (EET) efficiency of the probe is modulated by the energy acceptor molar absorptivity variations on cobalt binding, which then transforms to a large ratiometric fluorescence response at two wavelengths. This signaling mechanism should open a new avenue for the development of powerful ratiometric probes with large emission signal ratios at two wavelengths for exciting applications in many fields.