bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of coffee on endothelial function in healthy subjects: the role of caffeine
Authors: PAPAMICHAEL Chris M. , AZNAOURIDIS Konstantinos A. , KARATZIS Emmanouil N. , KARATZI Kalliopi N. , STAMATELOPOULOS Kimon S. , VAMVAKOU Georgia , LEKAKIS John P. , MAVRIKAKIS Myron E. 
Published: November 2007

Coffee is one of the most widely used pharmacologically active beverages. The present study was designed to evaluate the acute effect of coffee ingestion on endothelial function in healthy individuals, and the potential role of caffeine. We studied 17 healthy young adults (28.9±3.0 years old; nine men), who were regular non-heavy coffee drinkers. The endothelial performance was estimated by endothelium-dependent FMD (flow-mediated dilatation) of the brachial artery before and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after ingestion of a cup of caffeinated coffee (80 mg of caffeine) or the corresponding decaffeinated beverage (&lt;2 mg of caffeine) in two separate sessions, following a randomized single-blind cross-over design. There was no difference in baseline FMD values between the two sessions [7.78 compared with 7.07% after caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee respectively; P=NS (not significant)]. Caffeinated coffee led to a decline of FMD (7.78, 2.86, 2.12, 4.44 and 4.57% at baseline, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min respectively; P&lt;0.001). This adverse effect was focused at 30 (P=0.004) and 60 min (P&lt;0.001). No significant effect on FMD was found with the decaffeinated coffee session (7.07, 6.24, 5.21, 7.41 and 5.20%; P=NS). The composite effect of the type of coffee consumed over time on FMD was significantly different (P=0.021). In conclusion, coffee exerts an acute unfavourable effect on the endothelial function in healthy adults, lasting for at least 1 h after intake. This effect might be attributed to caffeine, given that decaffeinated coffee was not associated with any change in the endothelial performance.
Fetal and perinatal programming of appetite
Authors: CRIPPS Roselle L. , MARTIN-GRONERT Malgorzata S. , OZANNE Susan E. 
Published: November 2007

There is increasing concern about the rapidly rising incidence of obesity worldwide and its impact both on mortality, morbidity and the cost of healthcare. In the last 15 years, a large volume of research has linked low birth weight to many adult diseases in humans, such as Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome. Obesity is a causal factor in all these conditions. There are epidemiological studies linking low birth weight to increased adiposity, but the timing of the insult during gestation seems crucial, as reducing maternal nutrition in late gestation and during lactation causes a reduction in later obesity. Recent studies in animal models have provided clues towards mechanisms of altered appetite regulation following alterations in fetal and neonatal growth. The outcome of these and future studies could prove clinically crucial, particularly in the debate over the benefits of breast feeding, which provides a lower plane of nutrition compared with formula feeding.
Effect of parathyroid-hormone-related protein on human platelet activation
Authors: Ortega Arantxa , Pérez de Prada Ma Teresa , Mateos-Cáceres Petra J. , Ramos Mozo Priscila , González-Armengol Juan J. , González del Castillo Juan M. , Martín Sánchez Javier , Villarroel Pedro , Santiago José L. , Bosch Ricardo J. , Macaya Carlos , Esbrit Pedro , López-Farré Antonio J. 
Published: November 2007

Evidence suggests that PTHrP [PTH (parathyroid hormone)-related protein] can act as an inflammatory mediator in several pathological settings including cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to determine whether PTHrP might be involved in human platelet activation. We used a turbidimetric method to determine platelet aggregation. The expression of PTH1R (PTH type 1 receptor) in human platelets was analysed by Western blot and flow cytometry analyses. PTHrP-(1–36) (10−7 mol/l) by itself failed to modify the activation of platelets. However, it significantly enhanced ADP-induced platelet activation, and also increased the ability of other agonists (thrombin, collagen and arachidonic acid) to induce platelet aggregation. H89 (10−6 mol/l) and 25×10−6 mol/l Rp-cAMPS (adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothioate Rp-isomer), two protein kinase A inhibitors, and 25×10−9 mol/l bisindolylmaleimide I, a protein kinase C inhibitor, partially decreased the enhancing effect of PTHrP-(1–36) on ADP-induced platelet activation. Meanwhile, 10−6 mol/l PTHrP-(7–34), a PTH1R antagonist, as well as 10−5 mol/l PD098059, a MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibitor, or a farnesyltransferase inhibitor abolished this effect of PTHrP-(1–36). Moreover, 10−7 mol/l PTHrP-(1–36) increased (2-fold over control) MAPK activation in human platelets. PTH1R was detected in platelets, and the number of platelets expressing it on their surface in patients during AMI (acute myocardial infarction) was not different from that in a group of patients with similar cardiovascular risk factors without AMI. Western blot analysis showed that total PTH1R protein levels were markedly higher in platelets from control than those from AMI patients. PTH1R was found in plasma, where its levels were increased in AMI patients compared with controls. In conclusion, human platelets express the PTH1R. PTHrP can interact with this receptor to enhance human platelet activation induced by several agonists through a MAPK-dependent mechanism.
Knee replacement surgery as a human clinical model of the effects of ischaemia/reperfusion upon skeletal muscle
Authors: Westman Bo , Weidenhielm Lars , Rooyackers Olav , Fredriksson Katarina , Wernerman Jan , Hammarqvist Folke 
Published: November 2007

The temporal pattern of metabolic alterations in muscle tissue during total ischaemia and reperfusion are not well-characterized in humans with respect to glutathione, amino acids and energy-rich compounds. In the present study, knee replacement surgery was used as a clinical model to elucidate this pattern of metabolic alterations. Patients (n=15) undergoing elective knee replacement surgery employing tourniquet ischaemia were studied. Muscle biopsies were taken from the quadriceps femoris muscle on the operated side preoperatively, at maximal ischaemia and after 24 h of reperfusion. The biopsies were analysed for glutathione, amino acids and energy-rich compounds. In addition the patients were randomized to receive either glucose or a mannitol infusion in the 24 h following tourniquet ischaemia. During ischaemia, muscle lactate increased by 400% (P&lt;0.05) and phosphocreatine decreased by 70% (P&lt;0.05). During the subsequent 24 h of reperfusion, muscle-reduced glutathione and total glutathione decreased by 27% and 22% (P&lt;0.05) respectively. The muscle amino acid pattern changed during ischaemia with an increase in alanine by 65% (P&lt;0.001) and a decrease in glutamate by 29% (P&lt;0.001). During the reperfusion part of the study, no differences attributable to the infusion of mannitol or glucose were observed. During tourniquet ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion, changes in glutathione metabolism developed, indicating oxidative stress. Knee replacement surgery as a clinical model was useful during the ischaemia period, whereas the reperfusion period was dominated by the general changes seen postoperatively.
Effects of species’ ecology on the accuracy of distribution models
Authors: M. McPherson Jana , Jetz Walter 
Published: November 2007

In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss and limited data, species distribution models – which statistically capture and predict species’ occurrences based on environmental correlates – are increasingly used to inform conservation strategies. Additionally, distribution models and their fit provide insights on the broad‐scale environmental niche of species. To investigate whether the performance of such models varies with species’ ecological characteristics, we examined distribution models for 1329 bird species in southern and eastern Africa. The models were constructed at two spatial resolutions with both logistic and autologistic regression. Satellite‐derived environmental indices served as predictors, and model accuracy was assessed with three metrics: sensitivity, specificity and the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics plots. We then determined the relationship between each measure of accuracy and ten ecological species characteristics using generalised linear models.Among the ecological traits tested, species’ range size, migratory status, affinity for wetlands and endemism proved most influential on the performance of distribution models. The number of habitat types frequented (habitat tolerance), trophic rank, body mass, preferred habitat structure and association with sub‐resolution habitats also showed some effect. In contrast, conservation status made no significant impact. These findings did not differ from one spatial resolution to the next. Our analyses thus provide conservation scientists and resource managers with a rule of thumb that helps distinguish, on the basis of ecological traits, between species whose occurrence is reliably or less reliably predicted by distribution models. Reasonably accurate distribution models should, however, be attainable for most species, because the influence ecological traits bore on model performance was only limited. These results suggest that none of the ecological traits tested provides an obvious correlate for environmental niche breadth or intra‐specific niche differentiation.
Gene expression profiling for the prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Kim Tae‐Joong , Choi Jung‐Joo , Kim Woo Young , Choi Chel Hun , Lee Jeong‐Won , Bae Duk‐Soo , Son Dae‐Soon , Kim Jhingook , Park Byung Kwan , Ahn Geunghwan , Cho Eun Yoon , Kim Byoung‐Gie 
Published: November 2007

We investigated whether gene expression profiling of primary cervical tumor tissue could be used to predict lymph node (LN) metastasis and compared this with conventional magnetic resonance imaging. We obtained 43 primary cervical cancer samples (16 with LN metastasis and 27 without LN metastasis) for microarray analysis. A prediction model for LN metastasis from the training set was developed by support vector machine methods using a 10‐fold cross‐validation. The ‘LN prediction model’ derived from the signature of 156 distinctive genes (P < 0.01) had a prediction accuracy of 77%. Correlation between mRNA expressions measured by microarray and semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was ascertained in four (RBM8A, SDHB, SERPINB13, and γ‐interferon) out of 10 genes. Magnetic resonance imaging showed accuracy (69%) for the prediction of LN metastasis. These results suggest that gene expression profiling allows reliable prediction of LN metastasis in cervical cancer. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 31–38)
High‐throughput in planta expression screening identifies an ADP‐ribosylation factor (ARF1) involved in non‐host resistance and R gene‐mediated resistance
Authors: COEMANS BERT , TAKAHASHI YOSHIHIRO , BERBERICH THOMAS , ITO AKIKO , KANZAKI HIROYUKI , MATSUMURA HIDEO , SAITOH HIROMASA , TSUDA SHINYA , KAMOUN SOPHIEN , SÁGI LÁSZLÓ , SWENNEN RONY , TERAUCHI RYOHEI 
Published: November 2007

SUMMARYTo identify positive regulators of cell death in plants, we performed a high‐throughput screening, employing potato virus X‐based overexpression in planta of a cDNA library derived from paraquat‐treated Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The screening of 30 000 cDNA clones enabled the identification of an ADP‐ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) that induces cell death when overexpressed in N. benthamiana. Overexpression of the guanosine diphosphate (GDP)‐locked mutant of ARF1 did not trigger cell death, suggesting that ARF1 guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity is necessary for the observed cell death‐inducing activity. The ARF1 transcript level increased strongly following treatment with Phytophthora infestans elicitor INF1, as well as inoculation with a non‐host pathogen Pseudomonas cichorii in N. benthamiana. In addition, ARF1 was induced in the interaction between the N gene and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in Nicotiana tabacum. By contrast, inoculation with the virulent pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci did not affect ARF1 expression in N. benthamiana. Virus‐induced gene silencing of ARF1 in N. benthamiana resulted in a stunted phenotype, and severely hampered non‐host resistance towards P. cichorii. In addition, ARF1 silencing partially compromised resistance towards TMV in N. benthamiana containing the N resistance gene. By contrast, and in accordance with the ARF1 gene expression profile, silencing of ARF1 transcription did not alter the susceptibility of N. benthamiana towards the pathogen P. syringae pv. tabaci. These results strongly implicate ARF1 in the non‐host resistance to bacteria and N gene‐mediated resistance in N. benthamiana.
Fatal errors in nitrous oxide delivery
Authors: Herff H. , Paal P. , Von Goedecke A. , Lindner K. H. , Keller C. , Wenzel V. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryNitrous oxide continues to be used frequently and the possibility of inadvertent fatal hypoxaemia resulting from technical errors with its administration still exists. A Medline analysis revealed only a few case reports over the last 30 years, and a closed claim analysis only reported ‘claims involving oxygen supply lines’ predating 1990. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of nitrous oxide‐related catastrophes during general anaesthesia in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. As nitrous oxide‐related anaesthesia casualties are rare but generally prosecuted, they almost invariably attract significant media attention. We scanned mass media archives from April 2004 until October 2006 for nitrous oxide‐related disasters during general anaesthesia. This approach detected six incidents which were almost certainly nitrous oxide ventilation‐related deaths. Searching non‐scientific data bases demonstrates that severe incidents involving oxygen supply lines occurred after 1990, and may be much more frequent than previously thought.
EEG changes and serum anticholinergic activity measured in patients with delirium in the intensive care unit
Authors: Plaschke K. , Hill H. , Engelhardt R. , Thomas C. , Von Haken R. , Scholz M. , Kopitz J. , Bardenheuer H. J. , Weisbrod M. , Weigand M. A. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to examine whether serum anticholinergic activity (SAA) is a reliable indicator of delirium in the ICU, and whether there is a significant correlation between SAA and quantitative electroencephalographic (EEG) data in delirious patients. In a prospective cohort study, we assessed ICU patients diagnosed with delirium (n = 37). EEG measurements and blood analysis including SAA were performed 48 h following ICU admission. The presence of delirium was evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method for critically ill patients in ICU (CAM‐ICU). The SAA level was measured using a competitive radioreceptor binding assay for muscarinergic receptors and quantitative EEG was measured using the CATEEM® system. We found that, under comparable conditions, patients in the delirium group showed a higher relative EEG theta power and a reduced alpha power (n = 17) than did the non‐delirious patients (n = 20). No difference in measured SAA levels were seen; therefore, there was no correlation between SAA and EEG measurements in delirious patients. We conclude that, in contrast to the EEG, the SAA level cannot be proposed as a tool for diagnosing delirium in ICU patients.
Closed‐loop feedback computer‐controlled infusion of phenylephrine for maintaining blood pressure during spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section: a preliminary descriptive study*
Authors: Ngan Kee W. D. , Tam Y. H. , Khaw K. S. , Ng F. F. , Critchley L. A. , Karmakar M. K. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryWe describe the novel use of a closed‐loop feedback computer‐controlled infusion of phenylephrine for maintaining blood pressure in 53 patients having spinal anaesthesia for elective caesarean section. A simple on–off algorithm was used that activated an intravenous phenylephrine infusion at 100 μg.min−1 when systolic blood pressure was less than or equal to baseline and stopped the infusion when systolic blood pressure exceeded baseline. Up to uterine incision, 94.6% of all systolic blood pressure measurements were within the range (baseline ± 20%). Seven patients (13.2%) had one or more episodes of hypotension (systolic blood pressure < 80% of baseline) and 23 patients (37.7%) had one or more episodes of hypertension (systolic blood pressure > 120% of baseline). No patient had nausea or vomiting and in no case was umbilical arterial blood pH < 7.2. Calculated system performance parameters were comparable with those of previously published closed‐loop systems and provide a reference for the potential development and comparison of more advanced algorithms.
The use of intranasal midazolam in the treatment of paediatric dental patients*
Authors: Gilchrist F. , Cairns A. M. , Leitch J. A. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the use of intranasal midazolam in paediatric dental patients requiring extractions or simple surgical procedures who may otherwise have required a general anaesthetic. Twenty children aged between 2–9 years who required simple surgical procedures were given 0.25 mg.kg−1 midazolam, administered using a MAD® (Mucosal Atomization Device; Wolfe Tory Medical Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA). Compliance with the full dose was achieved in 14 patients, 13 of whom completed the treatment. One of two patients who allowed only partial administration completed the treatment and three patients did not comply. The mean time to starting treatment was 13 min (range 6–25 min) and patients were discharged after a mean of 46 min (range 25–67 min). Physiological parameters remained stable throughout with no clinically significant episodes of desaturation. One patient vomited at home postoperatively. Midazolam in a dose of 0.25 mg.kg−1 administered intranasally provided adequate anxiolysis for the majority of children, allowing them to complete their treatment.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene (VEGFA) polymorphism can predict the prognosis in acute myeloid leukaemia patients
Authors: Kim Dong Hwan , Lee Nan Young , Lee Myung‐Hoon , Sohn Sang Kyun , Do Young Rok , Park Jae Yong 
Published: November 2007

SummaryIncreased angiogenesis, mediated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), was associated with poor prognosis in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients. The current study investigated the impact of VEGF gene (VEGFA) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on treatment outcomes for AML. Four VEGFA SNPs were analysed for −2578C>A (rs699947), −460T>C (rs833061), +405G>C (rs2010963) and +936 C>T (rs3025039) loci in 138 AML patients. The +936 CC/CT genotype showed strong correlation with favourable leukaemia‐free survival (LFS) at 2 years (51·3%) versus with +936 CC genotype (33·6%, P = 0·03). Strong linkage disequilibrium was noted among loci −2578, −460 and +405, but not with +936. Accordingly, four haplotypes were generated based on the genotypes of −2578, −460 and +405 as follows: CTC (40·2%), CTG (35·0%), ACG (22·0%) and ATC (1·2%). The LFS and event‐free survival (EFS) inversely correlated with CTG haplotype (P = 0·03 for LFS; P = 0·05 for EFS). We scored the VEGFA polymorphism marker based on +936 C>T genotype and CTG haplotype for −2578, −460 and +405, which demonstrated a good correlation with the treatment outcomes: LFS (P = 0·01), EFS (P = 0·03) and overall survival (P = 0·01). The VEGFA +936 C>T genotype and CTG haplotype seemed to have an additive effect to predict the prognosis in AML patients.
Metabolic profile changes in the testes of mice with streptozotocin‐induced type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Mallidis C. , Green B. D. , Rogers D. , Agbaje I. M. , Hollis J. , Migaud M. , Amigues E. , McClure N. , Browne R. A. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryContrary to the traditional view, recent studies suggest that diabetes mellitus has an adverse influence on male reproductive function. Our aim was to determine the effect of diabetes on the testicular environment by identifying and then assessing perturbations in small molecule metabolites. Testes were obtained from control and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic C57BL/6 mice, 2, 4 and 8 weeks post‐treatment. Diabetic status was confirmed by glycated haemoglobin, non‐fasting blood glucose, physiological condition and body weight. A novel extraction procedure was utilized to obtain protein free, low‐molecular weight, water soluble extracts which were then assessed using1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Principal component analysis of the derived profiles was used to classify any variations, and specific metabolites were identified based on their spectral pattern. Characteristic metabolite profiles were identified for control and type 1 diabetic animals with the most distinctive being from mice with the largest physical deterioration and loss of body weight. Eight streptozotocin‐treated animals did not develop diabetes and displayed profiles similar to controls. Diabetic mice had decreases in creatine, choline and carnitine and increases in lactate, alanine and myo‐inositol. Betaine levels were found to be increased in the majority of diabetic mice but decreased in a few animals with severe loss of body weight and physical condition. The association between perturbations in a number of small molecule metabolites known to be influential in sperm function, with diabetic status and physiological condition, adds further impetus to the proposal that diabetes influences important spermatogenic pathways and mechanisms in a subtle and previously unrecognized manner.
Indigenous harvest, exotic pig predation and local persistence of a long‐lived vertebrate: managing a tropical freshwater turtle for sustainability and conservation
Authors: Fordham Damien A. , Georges Arthur , Brook Barry W. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryUntil recently, the northern snake‐necked turtle (Chelodina rugosaOgilby, 1890) provided a seasonal source of protein for indigenous communities in tropical northern Australia. Today, feral pigs (Sus scrofaLinnaeus, 1758) exert a heavy predation pressure onC. rugosa, compromising subsistence harvest rates and threatening local persistence.We investigated the influence of pig predation and harvest (subsistence and commercial) onC. rugosapersistence at discrete water holes using a stage‐based matrix population model. Vital rates varied with wet season rainfall, pig predation and harvest. In addition, hatchling survival was density‐dependent.We show that field‐based estimates of pig‐related turtle mortality exceed levels that can be offset by increased hatchling survival, leading to predictions of rapid population decline and certain elimination of affected populations within 50 years.Conversely, in the absence of pigs, compensatory increases in hatchling survival were sufficient to allow an annual harvest of up to 20% of subadult and adultC. rugosawithout causing extirpation or substantial population suppression.Synthesis and applications. This demographic modelling shows that periodic local culling of pigs, fencing of wetlands to exclude predators, and hatchling supplementation to offset losses from predation are all viable management strategies for ensuring ongoing turtle harvests. Such demonstrations of the potential resilience of long‐lived vertebrates under a properly managed harvest regime is important to convince natural resource agencies that conservation management for long‐term viability need not exclude some degree of consumptive use. These findings are broadly relevant to applied ecology, providing important implications for the management of wildlife species subject to competing ecological pressures, such as subsistence and commercial harvesting and predation by invasive species.