bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma noradrenaline and dopamine in renin‐mediated hypertension
Authors: Herlitz H. , Hjemdahl P. , Delin K. , Granerus G. , Aurell M. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) have opposite effects on the kidney; NA causes vasoconstriction and increased sodium reabsorption while DA promotes vasodilation and natriuresis.In 15 patients investigated for renin‐mediated hypertension measurements of plasma renin activity (PRA), NA and DA concentrations were made in arterial and renal venous blood from both kidneys before and after acute stimulation of renin release by i.v. dihydralazine.Nine patients had unilateral renin secretion and were classified as renin‐positive, while the remaining six patients were renin‐negative. Renin‐positive patients had higher arterial and renal venous PRA, NA and DA levels than the negative ones. In the renin‐positive group V‐A differences for NA and DA were present on both sides despite unilateral secretion of renin. NA but not DA levels were higher in the renin‐secreting kidney, which can partly be explained by the reduced plasma flow to the involved kidney.After dihydralazine the arterial NA and DA rose similarly in renin‐positive and renin‐negative patients, while PRA rose only in the renin‐positive cases. In the renin‐positive patients where stimulation of renin secretion caused a marked increase of the PRA gradient on the affected side only, renal gradients for NA and DA increased bilaterally. The increase in DA was more pronounced than that of NA yielding a rise in DA/NA ratio on the affected side. Arterial PRA was positively correlated to the plasma concentrations of NA and DA. V‐A differences for PRA and NA or DA were positively correlated on the involved renin‐secreting side.In summary, patients with renin‐dependent hypertension have elevated plasma NA and DA concentrations. Stimulation of renin release by dihydralazine increases the DA/NA ratio in arterial and renal venous blood indicating release of ‘precursor dopamine’ from noradrenergic fibres and/or activation of dopaminergic nerves. There seems to be a relationship between renal nerve activity and renin release in renin‐dependent hypertension.
Cardiac output determined by ultrasound‐Doppler: clinical applications
Authors: Sjöberg B. Janerot , Wranne B. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. A non‐invasive method for cardiac output determination (COD) based on ultrasound‐Doppler technique was evaluated in patients with cardiac disease at rest and during exercise, including patients with heart transplants. The aortic blood flow velocity was measured with pulsed Doppler technique from the jugulum, placing the sample volume just above the aortic valve, and the area from a parasternal 2‐D echocardiographic measurement of the aortic annulus diameter assuming a circular area. Cardiac output was calculated as the product of the systolic velocity integral, the aortic annulus area and the heart rate. A high correlation was found between this method and a simultaneously performed invasive cardiac output (COF) and stroke volume (SVF) determination by the direct Fick method (COD = 0.3+0.9 x COF, r= 0.96, SDres= 0.5 1 min‐1 and SVD = 3.9+0.92 × SVF, r= 0.94, SDres= 6.9 ml). However, looking just at the systolic velocity integral compared to stroke index determined with the Fick method we found a low correlation, especially in patients with heart transplants.We conclude that cardiac output can reliably be measured non‐invasively with this method—also in patients with heart transplants. The systolic velocity integral alone can be used for assessing changes in stroke volume but for absolute values of stroke volume and stroke index flow area should also be determined.
Histochemical demonstration of skeletal muscle fibre types and capillaries on the same transverse section
Authors: Hather B. M. , Mason C. E. , Dudley G. A. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Serial transverse sections of m. vastus lateralis biopsies from six healthy men were reacted:

for myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase (mATPase) to identify fibre types;
with α‐amylase, periodic acid‐Schiff (αPAS) to visualize capillaries. Sections were also processed with a new histochemical method for identification of fibre types and capillaries on the same skeletal muscle slice (mATPase/αPAS). Fibre type composition using either method was 41% type I, 37% type IIA and 22% type IIB. Types I, HA and IIB least diameter areas (mean±SE, μm2) were similar in sections processed for mATPase/αPAS or mATPase (3976±338, 5187±373 and 4389±514 vs. 4092±345, 5100±360 and 4289±474, respectively). The number of capillaries per mm2 and per fibre did not differ in sections processed using the αPAS (315±29 and 1·48 ±0·12) or mATPase/αPAS (317±25 and 1·43±0·10) method. The number of capillaries was greater (P<0·05) around types I or IIA than type IIB fibres whether a section was processed for mATPase/αPAS (4·5±0·2 or 4·6±0·2 vs. 3·4±0·3) or when fibre profiles of serial sections reacted for mATPase or αPAS were ‘matched’ (4·5±0·2 or 4·4±0·2 vs. 3·4±0·3). The results indicate that histochemical and morphometric measures can be made on the same transverse section using the new method with substantial savings of time, cost and energy.
The effect of cooling on toe systolic pressures in subjects with and without Raynaud's syndrome in the lower extremities
Authors: Carter S. A. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The effect of changes in local and body temperature on the toe systolic pressures was studied in 20 subjects with and 30 without Raynaud's syndrome in the toes. The pressures were significantly lower in the group with Raynaud's syndrome under all experimental conditions (P < 0·01). The pressures were significantly lower during body cooling than during body warming in both groups (P < 0·01). The mean decrease with body cooling was 58 mmHg in the group with Raynaud's syndrome and 24 mmHg in the control subjects (P < 0·01). During body cooling pressures fell to less than 30 mmHg in 70% of subjects with Raynaud's syndrome and in 3% of the controls. Local cooling from 30 to 10°C during body cooling resulted in a significant mean decrease in pressure of over 40 mmHg in both groups (P < 0·01) and the pressure fell below 30 mmHg in over 90% of the group with and in 26% of those without Raynaud's attacks.The results indicate the importance of body cooling and local temperature in the mechanism of vasospasm in the toes. They are also relevant to the diagnosis of Raynaud's syndrome in the lower limbs and have implications for the testing of patients with arteriosclerotic occlusion since erroneously low pressure values could be obtained in tests when the feet are cold.
Effects of Vacusac in intermittent claudication: a controlled cross‐over study
Authors: Himmelstrup H. , Himmelstrup B. , Mehlsen J. , Trap‐Jensen J. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The effect of a new physical treatment modality, Vacusac, was tested on a group of patients with stable intermittent claudication.Twenty‐two patients with a median age of 65 years and a median duration of intermittent claudication of 5 years were randomized to either active or placebo treatments. Seventeen patients completed the study. The effect of treatment was quantified by measurements of systemic ‐and peripheral systolic blood pressures and by measurements of the pain‐free and the maximal walking distance on a treadmill. The ankle pressure index (ankle systolic pressure/arm systolic pressure) and toe pressure index (toe systolic pressure/arm systolic pressure) were calculated.After 25 active treatments, administered over a period of 2 months, the patients allocated to this group attained a significant increase in the pain‐free walking distance from 54 m (24–107 m) to 99 m (30–420 m) (P < 0·05) and in the maximal walking distance from 99 m (36–182 m) to 185 m (68–591 m) (P < 0·05). The patient group receiving 25 placebo treatments did not show any significant changes in either the pain‐free or the maximal walking distance. This group then received 25 active treatments over a period of 2 months. This active treatment resulted in a significant increase in the pain‐free walking distance from 51 m (14–100 m) to 86 m (18–1000 m) (P < 0·05) and in the maximal walking distance from 98 m (40–199 m) to 175 m (51–1000 m) (P < 0·05). Ten out of the 17 patients who completed the study achieved a doubling of their maximal walking distance. The patients randomized to active treatment attained a significant increase in the ankle pressure index from 0–46 (0–39‐0·67) to 0·58 (0·46‐0·94) (P < 0·05) while the toe pressure index was unchanged. The patients randomized to placebo treatment did not show any significant changes in these ratios, either during the period of placebo treatment, or during the period of active treatment.In conclusion, our study has shown that physical treatment with the Vacusac equipment significantly increases the walking distance in patients with stable, intermittent claudication of long duration.
Serum creatine kinase activity and its changes after a muscle biopsy
Authors: Hikida R. S. , Staron R. S. , Hagerman F. C. , Leonardi M. , Gilders R. , Falkel J. , Murray T. , Appell K. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The significance of the absolute elevations of serum creatine kinase (CK) levels after intense exercise and injuries was studied by measuring CK activities from seven healthy active males during a 2‐week period, with a muscle biopsy taken between the first and second week. Most of the subjects (three lifters and two runners) carried on their normal exercise activities, while two lifters stopped training during the 2 weeks. The weight of the biopsy, number of fibres, percentage of fibre types, and cross‐sectional areas of the muscle fibres were measured. The CK levels of the nonactive subjects and runners remained consistently low during the control week, whereas those of the lifters were usually 500% greater than those of the other two groups, and fluctuated with the intensity of their workouts. A muscle biopsy, having a mean weight of 71.3 mg and containing 1800 fibres, increased the CK values by approximately 100 units litre‐1 (U1‐1) in most of the subjects. One runner injured his right hamstring muscles 2 days prior to the biopsy, and his CK values rose from 50 to 4400 U I‐1. The increases in CK after the biopsy were not related to fibre type, activity, weight of the biopsy, or number or size of fibres removed. These results indicate that:

CK values are consistently lower in normal subjects and runners than in lifters.
Weight training results in chronic elevations of CK.
Compared to a muscle biopsy, muscular injury dramatically increases CK levels.
Elevation of serum CK is observed as early as 1 h after an intense weight‐lifting session.
The elevation of serum CK by 100 U 1‐1 is associated with damage to approximately 2000 fibres.
Skin perfusion patterns (fluorescein perfusography) during reactive hyperaemia in peripheral arterial occlusive disease
Authors: Scheffler A. , Bold M. , Lienke U. , Rieger H. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYFrom the pathophysiological point of view the regional distribution of blood flow is of special importance in ischaemic tissues. Within this study foot sole skin perfusion was investigated by means of fluorescein perfusography at rest and during reactive hyperaemia in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease confined to one limb (Fontaine stage 11). Ambient temperatures were maintained around 21°C. Mean fluorescein appearance times on the one side and their standard deviations (SD) and coefficients of variation (CV) on the other side were taken as measures of overall blood supply and homogeneity of flow, respectively. At rest no differences in these parameters could be detected between diseased legs and controls. After a 3‐min supra‐systolic circulatory arrest at the thigh, a significant reduction of fluorescein appearance times was observed for both groups but was statistically more pronounced in the controls. Furthermore, during reactive hyperaemia standard deviations as well as coefficients of variation decreased significantly only in normal limbs whereas they either remained constant (SD) or even increased (CV) in those with arterial obstructions. All effects associated with reactive hyperaemia showed statistically significant correlations with systolic ankle pressure indices. From these results it is concluded that haemodynamically effective arterial obstructions are followed by not only a restriction of overall hyperaemic blood supply but also a failure to homogenize microcirculatory perfusion in the case of increased flow requirements.
Plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile in elderly female runners
Authors: Higuchi M. , Oishi K. , Ishii K. , Iwaoka K. , Matsuo S. , Kobayashi S. , Tamai T. , Takai H. , Nakai T. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYPlasma lipid and lipoprotein profiles were compared in elderly female runners (RU: n= 15, aged 66 ± 5 years, body fat 20 ± 4%, training distance 35 ± 15 km week1, V̇O2max 36 ± 4 ml kg1 min1, mean ± SD) and age‐matched untrained women (UT: n= 28, 66 ± 4 years, body fat 26 ± 6%, V̇O2max 26 ± 3 ml kg1 min1). There were insignificant differences in total cholesterol (RU: 5·04 ± 0·60 vs. UT: 5·48 ± 0·85 mmol 11), HDL‐cholesterol (RU: 1·97 ± 0·41 vs. UT: 1·91 ± 0·36 mmol 11) and LDL‐cholesterol (RU: 2·72 ± 0·59 vs. UT: 3·03 ± 0·80 mmol 11) between the two groups. Plasma triglyceride concentration of the runners was significantly lower than that of the untrained women (RU: 0·80 ± 0·27 vs UT: 1·14 ± 0·36 mmol 11, P < 0·01). No difference was observed in the LDL‐cholesterol/HDL‐cholesterol ratio between the two groups (RU: 1·45 ± 0·51 vs UT: 1·64 ± 0·53 units). These results suggest that regularly performed running of 35 km week1 in elderly women does not further elevate their HDL‐cholesterol level which is already high compared to the levels found in elderly men. However, elderly female runners appear to be protected against age‐related increases in the levels of triglyceride and LDL‐cholesterol.
Effects of cold pressor test on circulating atrial natriuretic peptide 99–126 (ANP) in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon and influence of treatment with magnesium sulphate and nifedipine
Authors: Ringqvist I. , Hedner T. , Leppert J. , Niklasson U. , Edvinsson L. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The effect of a standardized cold pressure test (CPT) on the venous concentration of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide (ir ANP) was studied in 12 females with primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) and 12 female age‐matched controls. The test was performed at the end of three stages. During the first stage no medication was given. During the second stage a magnesium infusion was given. After fourteen days of medication with a calcium antagonist (Nifedipine) the third stage of the study was performed.The venous irANP increased significantly (P < 0.05) 10 min after the start of the CPT both in the PRP group and in the control group (136±39 to 159±54 and 153±45 to 179±40 pg ml‐1, given as mean and SD). Baseline irANP did not change in the PRP group after treatment with magnesium or nifedipine. In the control group nifedipine treatment significantly (P < 0 01) lowered venous irANP compared to the no treatment or magnesium sulphate infusion stages (128±31 vs. 153±45 and 160±41 pg ml‐1). After the CPT in both PRP group and control group the venous irANP did not increase either during magnesium sulphate infusion or nifedipine treatment.In conclusion the study has demonstrated that a standardized CPT results in a delayed increase in irANP in venous plasma and that magnesium sulphate infusion and nifedipine treatment prevent this increase. Furthermore, our data do not suggest a role for irANP in the symptomatology of primary Raynaud's phenomenon.
Chloroquine reduces blood pressure and forearm vascular resistance and increases forearm blood flow in healthy young adults
Authors: Anigbogu C. N. , Adigun S. A. , Inyang I. , Adegunloye B. J. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. The effects of chloroquine on resting blood pressure, forearm blood flow (FBF), and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) and on the responses to cold stimulation were studied in healthy young adults. Chloroquine sulphate (800 mg) reduced systolic pressure and increased FBF (P<0.05) but had no effect on resting FVR. Cold immersion increased systolic pressure (from 108.8 ±1.7 mmHg to 127.8 ± 6.9 mmHg; P<0.05) diastolic pressure (from 73.4 ±2.7 to 95.2 ±6.2 mmHg; P<0.01) and FVR (from 5.9±0.9 to 13.0±l.9 a.u.; P<0.001) but reduced FBF (from 14.3±1.64 to 101 ± 1.29 ml min‐1; P<0.05). Chloroquine reduced the increase in FVR reduced by cold stimulation (P<0.01), but had little effect on the BF and FBF responses to cold stimulation.The hypotensive effect of chloroquine could be attributed, at least in part, to the observed fall in vascular resistance.
Cytoplasmic calcium regulation and the electrocardiogram in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Lind L. , Ridefelt P. , Rastad J. , Åkerström G. , Ljunghall S. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) is a disease caused by an abnormal cytosolic regulation of calcium concentration [Ca++]i leading to an increased secretion of parathyroid hormone and thereby increased levels of extracellular calcium. It is well known that the QT‐interval measured at electrocardiography (ECG) is shortened in HPT subjects. Whether this is due to an abnormal intracellular handling of calcium also in the heart or to the raised extracellular calcium levels is not known.In order to study the extent to which the deranged extra‐ and intracellular levels of calcium in HPT patients were related to ECG characteristics, [Ca++]i was determined in vitro by microfluorometry in surgery‐removed parathyroid cells at extracellular calcium concentrations of 0–5 mM and 30‐0 mM and ECG was recorded preoperatively in 42 HPT patients and in 15 subjects operated on for atoxic goitre. Serum calcium and plasma‐ionized calcium also were measured preoperatively.The QT‐interval and ST‐segment duration were both shortened in the HPT patients compared to controls (P < 0–001).[Ca++]i at 3‐0 mM extracellular calcium divided by that at 0–5 mM was correlated to the QT‐interval, when measured at the onset of the T‐wave (QoT, r= 0–39, P < 0–03) and early diastolic phase (end of T‐wave to onset of p‐wave, r= ‐0–34, P= 0–05). Plasma ionized calcium was related inversely to the QT‐interval, when measured to the apex of the T‐wave (QaT, r= ‐0–48, P < 0–04), while the non‐ionized form of calcium in serum was correlated to the length of the PQ‐interval (r= 0–53, P< 002).The study described here showed the altered cytosolic calcium levels in the HPT subjects to be related to QoT‐interval and early diastolic phase implying that a defect intracellular handling of calcium could be present also in the heart to cause these ECG changes. On the other hand, the levels of plasma ionized and serum non‐ionized calcium were related to ECG characteristics suggesting that the extracellular levels of this ion are important.,
Biochemical changes in relation to a maximal exercise test in patients with fibromyalgia
Authors: Nørregaard J. , Btilow P. M. , Mehlsen J. , Danneskiold‐Samsøe B. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Patients with fibromyalgia often complain of fatigue and pain during exercise and of worsening of pain days after exercise. The aim of the study described here was to determine if abnormal changes in potassium or lactate could be observed during an exercise test in fibromyalgia. Whether an abnormal incline in plasma creatine kinase or myoglobin could be observed days after the test was studied also.Fifteen female fibromyalgia patients and 15 age‐ and sex‐matched controls performed a stepwise incremental maximal bicycle‐ergometer test. Blood samples were collected from a catheter in a cubital vein. The changes in heart rate, potassium levels, and haematocrit during the exercise test were similar in the two groups. The maximal obtained lactate concentration was 4‐2 mmol 1‐1 (3–5‐5‐6) in the patients as compared to 4–9 mmol l‐1 (3–9‐5‐9) in the controls (NS). The estimated anaerobic threshold of 2 mmol 1‐1 was reached at a heart rate of 124 min‐1 in the patients with fibromyalgia as compared to 140 min‐1 in the controls (P= 0–02). In relation to workload, the patients scored higher on a Borg scale for perceived exertion during exercise, but if the Borg score was related to lactate no significant difference was found. The patients reported 86% and 79% of maximal pain in the thighs on the visual analogue scale 1 and 2 days after the test, but the creatine kinase and myoglobin concentrations were not increased.,
The influence of body composition on left ventricular mass and other echocardiographic and Doppler measurements in 70‐year‐old males
Authors: Andrén B. , Lind L. , Larsson K. , Hedenstierna G. , Ljunghall S. , Lithell H. 
Published: April 2008

Summary. Heart morphology and function are often related to body size. The most common way to standardize for body composition is to divide these measures by body surface area (BSA). It has, however, been suggested that left ventricular mass (LV mass) ought to be indexed for height and that cardiac output is influenced by the body fat distribution.As part of a health screening programme of 70‐year‐old males in Uppsala, Sweden, 100 consecutive men were investigated with echocardiography and Doppler with regard to cardiac morphology and function. These measures were related to an evaluation of body composition using an X‐ray method (dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry).Lean body mass was strongly related to BSA and body weight (r=0.90 and 0.89, respectively; P<0.001), and to a lesser degree to height (r=0.70, P<0.0001). In the healthy part of the population (n=39), relationships between LV mass on the one hand and lean body mass, BSA and height on the other were seen (r=0.51, 0.51 and 0.50, respectively; P<0.01). Stroke volume calculated according to Teichholtz (but not when calculated with Doppler) showed a significant correlation to lean body mass (r=0.38, P<0.05). Also, left ventricular diameter and the thickness of the free wall were related to lean body mass (r=0.40 and 0.39, respectively; P<0.05). All of the evaluated relationships were generally weaker and in most cases no longer significant when evaluated in the part of the population with diseases known to affect the heart.No significant correlations were seen between the size of the left atrium, septal thickness or indices of diastolic function (E/A‐ratio, isovolumic relaxation time, deceleration time) and the indices of body composition. No measures of cardiac morphology and function were significantly related to the amount of body fat or body bone.LV mass, stroke volume and left ventricular diameter were found to be correlated with lean body mass, but not with the amount of fat, in healthy 70‐year‐old males.
Em Sokha and Cambodian Satirical Cartoons
Authors: Marston John 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe article examines the work of one Cambodian satirical cartoonist, Em Sokha, in the context of the historical background of cartooning in Cambodia and the developments in Cambodian print media since 1979. In particular, it looks at how Em Sokha's work has evolved in relation to alternating periods of freedom and control over the press during times of dramatic political change. It explores the implications of Em Sokha's use of distortion and the grotesque to express the violence of relations of power.
The Revitalization of Eurasian Identity in Singapore
Authors: Pereira Alexius 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThis paper accounts for the revitalization of Eurasian identity in the 1990s. The revitalization was instrumental, as Eurasians had found themselves socially marginalized, particularly since the other ethnic groups were becoming more assertive about their respective ethnic identities since the 1980s. To counter this, the Eurasians selectively constructed a set of cultural practices and outlooks which were unique to the group, but not necessarily reviving practices that were "lost". The revitalization was therefore not a deep-seated emotional or primordial attachment to their identity; instead, it was used to improve the position of the community in Singapore.