bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methylglyoxal administration induces diabetes-like microvascular changes and perturbs the healing process of cutaneous wounds
Authors: BERLANGA Jorge , CIBRIAN Danay , GUILLÉN Isabel , FREYRE Freya , ALBA José S. , LOPEZ-SAURA Pedro , MERINO Nelson , ALDAMA Alfredo , QUINTELA Ana M. , TRIANA Maria E. , MONTEQUIN Jose F. , AJAMIEH Hussam , URQUIZA Dioslaida , AHMED Naila , THORNALLEY Paul J. 
Published: November 2007

Increased formation of MG (methylglyoxal) and related protein glycation in diabetes has been linked to the development of diabetic vascular complications. Diabetes is also associated with impaired wound healing. In the present study, we investigated if prolonged exposure of rats to MG (50–75 mg/kg of body weight) induced impairment of wound healing and diabetes-like vascular damage. MG treatment arrested growth, increased serum creatinine, induced hypercholesterolaemia (all P&lt;0.05) and impaired vasodilation (P&lt;0.01) compared with saline controls. Degenerative changes in cutaneous microvessels with loss of endothelial cells, basement membrane thickening and luminal occlusion were also detected. Acute granulation appeared immature (P&lt;0.01) and was associated with an impaired infiltration of regenerative cells with reduced proliferative rates (P&lt;0.01). Immunohistochemical staining indicated the presence of AGEs (advanced glycation end-products) in vascular structures, cutaneous tissue and peripheral nerve fibres. Expression of RAGE (receptor for AGEs) appeared to be increased in the cutaneous vasculature. There were also pro-inflammatory and profibrotic responses, including increased IL-1β (interleukin-1β) expression in intact epidermis, TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α) in regions of angiogenesis, CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) in medial layers of arteries, and TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) in glomerular tufts, tubular epithelial cells and interstitial endothelial cells. We conclude that exposure to increased MG in vivo is associated with the onset of microvascular damage and other diabetes-like complications within a normoglycaemic context.
Size of myocardial infarction induced by ischaemia/reperfusion is unaltered in rats with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Thim Troels , Bentzon Jacob F. , Kristiansen Steen B. , Simonsen Ulf , Andersen Heidi L. , Wassermann Karsten , Falk Erling 
Published: November 2007

Obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome and increased incidence of and mortality from myocardial infarction. The aim of the present study was to develop an animal model with metabolic syndrome and examine how that influences size of myocardial infarcts induced by occlusion and reperfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Sprague–Dawley rats (n=105) were fed either LF (low-fat) or MHF (moderately high-fat) diets for 13 weeks before coronary occlusion for 45 min, followed by reperfusion for 60 min. Compared with LF-fed and lean MHF-fed rats, obese MHF-fed rats developed metabolic disturbances similar to those seen in the metabolic syndrome, including being overweight by 24% (compared with lean MHF-fed rats), having 74% more visceral fat (compared with LF-fed rats), 15% higher blood pressure (compared with LF-fed rats), 116% higher plasma insulin (compared with lean MHF-fed rats), 10% higher fasting plasma glucose (compared with LF-fed rats), 35% higher non-fasting plasma glucose (compared with lean MHF-fed rats), 36% higher plasma leptin (compared with lean MHF-fed rats) and a tendency to lower plasma adiponectin and higher plasma non-esterified fatty acids. Infarct size was similar in the three groups of rats (36±14, 42±18 and 41±14% in obese MHF-fed, lean MHF-fed and LF-fed rats respectively). In conclusion, rats fed a MHF diet developed metabolic syndrome, but this did not influence myocardial infarct size.
Alveolar recruitment during prone position: time matters
Authors: Reutershan Jörg , Schmitt Andre , Dietz Klaus , Unertl Klaus , Fretschner Reinhold 
Published: November 2007

Alveolar recruitment is one of the beneficial effects of prone positioning in patients with ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome). However, responses vary among patients and, therefore, we hypothesized that alveolar recruitment is an individual time-dependent process and its measurement might be helpful to ‘dose’ prone positioning individually. In 13 patients diagnosed with ARDS, EELV (end-expiratory lung volume) was measured in the supine position, immediately after turning to the prone position, at 1, 2, 4 and 8 h in the prone position and after returning to the supine position. Responders were defined based on a 30% increase in oxygenation. EELV increased in responders, whereas it remained constant in non-responders. The time course was different in individual patients. In some responders, a plateau was reached as early as 2–4 h, whereas, in others, 8 h of prone positioning was not sufficient to allow complete recruitment. The increase in lung volume was associated with both an increase in arterial oxygenation and a decrease in venous admixture. Furthermore, responders had significantly lower baseline EELVs than non-responders. In conclusion, alveolar recruitment during prone positioning has been characterized as an individual time-dependent process. Its measurement might be useful to apply prone positioning more individually and might also help to identify responders.
Breeding phenology in relation to NDVI variability in free‐ranging African elephant
Authors: Wittemyer George , Barner Rasmussen Henrik , Douglas‐Hamilton Iain 
Published: November 2007

The phenology of reproduction is often correlated with resource availability and is hypothesized to be shaped by selective forces in order to maximize lifetime reproductive success. African elephants have the distinctive life history traits of a 22 month gestation and extended offspring investment, necessitating a long‐term strategy of energy acquisition and reproductive expenditure to ensure successful offspring recruitment.We investigated the relationship between the reproductive phenology of a wild elephant population and resource availability using remotely sensed Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) data as a measure of time‐specific primary productivity and hence forage quality.The initiation of female elephants’ 3+yr reproductive bout was dependent on conditions during the season of conception but timed so parturition occurred during the most likely periods of high primary productivity 22 months later. Thus, the probability of conception is linked to the stochastic variation in seasonal quality and the phenology of parturition is related to the predictable seasonality of primary productivity, indicating elephants integrate information on known current and expected future conditions when reproducing.Juvenile mortality was not correlated with ecological variability, hence female fecundity rather than calf mortality appears to drive demographic processes in the study population.Extreme climatic events, such as those associated with the El Niño‐Southern‐Oscillation (ENSO), acted to synchronize female fecundity in the population. This study suggests that the relationship between fecundity and ecological variability instigates the characteristic demographic fluctuations in elephant populations, rather than the mortality‐driven fluctuations observed in many ungulate populations.
Novel 5α‐steroid reductase (SRD5A3, type‐3) is overexpressed in hormone‐refractory prostate cancer
Authors: Uemura Motohide , Tamura Kenji , Chung Suyoun , Honma Seijiro , Okuyama Akihiko , Nakamura Yusuke , Nakagawa Hidewaki 
Published: November 2007

Prostate cancer often relapses during androgen‐depletion therapy, even under conditions in which a drastic reduction of circulating androgens is observed. There is some evidence that androgens remain present in the tissues of hormone‐refractory prostate cancers (HRPC), and enzymes involved in the androgen and steroid metabolic pathway are likely to be active in HRPC cells. We previously carried out a genome‐wide gene expression profile analysis of clinical HRPC cells by means of cDNA microarrays in combination with microdissection of cancer cells and found dozens of transactivated genes. Among them, we here report the identification of a novel gene, SRD5A2L, encoding a putative 5α‐steroid reductase that produces the most potent androgen, 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT), from testosterone. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry analysis following an in vitro 5α‐steroid reductase reaction validated its ability to produce DHT from testosterone, similar to type 1 5α‐steroid reductase. Because two types of 5α‐steroid reductase were previously reported, we termed this novel 5α‐steroid reductase ‘type 3 5α‐steroid reductase’ (SRD5A3). Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and northern blot analyses confirmed its overexpression in HRPC cells, and indicated no or little expression in normal adult organs. Knockdown of SRD5A3 expression by small interfering RNA in prostate cancer cells resulted in a significant decrease in DHT production and a drastic reduction in cell viability. These findings indicate that a novel type 3 5α‐steroid reductase, SRD5A3, is associated with DHT production and maintenance of androgen–androgen receptor‐pathway activation in HRPC cells, and that this enzymatic activity should be a promising molecular target for prostate cancer therapy. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 81–86)
Phase II study of a salvage regimen using cyclophosphamide, high‐dose cytarabine, dexamethasone, etoposide, and rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma
Authors: Oki Yasuhiro , Ogura Michinori , Kato Harumi , Kikuchi Ako , Taji Hirofumi , Kagami Yoshitoyo , Oshiro Aya , Tsujimura Akane , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Morishima Yasuo 
Published: November 2007

The management of relapsed or refractory B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (B‐NHL) remains challenging. We investigated the efficacy and safety of salvage chemoimmunotherapy (CHASER) in patients with relapsed or refractory B‐NHL who had radiographically measurable disease and adequate major organ function. The CHASER treatment consisted of: rituximab 375 mg/m2, day 1; cyclophosphamide 1200 mg/m2, day 3; cytarabine 2 g/m2, days 4 and 5; etoposide 100 mg/m2, days 3–5; and dexamethasone 40 mg, days 3–5. The treatment was repeated every 3 weeks up to a total of four courses in the absence of disease progression. Thirty‐two patients were enrolled and received a median of four courses of treatment (range 1–4 courses) per patient. Twenty patients (63%) were previously treated with rituximab‐containing regimens. The median age was 54 years (range 28–67 years). The treatment was generally well tolerated, with major toxicities being grade 4 neutropenia (n = 32), thrombocytopenia requiring transfusion (n = 28), and grade 3 transaminase elevation (n = 2). Overall response rates in the entire group, and in patients with indolent (n = 17) and aggressive (n = 15) diseases were 84%, 100% and 67%, respectively. Responses were observed similarly in patients with (n = 20) and without (n = 12) previous rituximab exposure (85% and 83%, respectively). Stem cell harvest was successful in 19 of 22 patients. The median time to treatment failure for the entire group was 24.5 months. This promising result of high activity and favorable toxicity profile warrants further investigation in large‐scale multicenter trials. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 179–184)
A randomised comparison of the single use LMA Flexible™ with the reusable LMA Flexible™ in paediatric dental day‐case patients
Authors: Flynn P. , Ahmed F. B. , Mitchell V. , Patel A. , Clarke S. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryIn this study we compared the performance of the single use flexible laryngeal mask airway (LMA Flexible™) with the original reusable LMA Flexible™ in paediatric dento‐alveolar day‐case surgery. The aim of the study was to determine whether these two supraglottic airway devices were clinically equivalent when used for simple dental extractions in children under general anaesthesia. This randomised comparative trial in 100 healthy children used first attempt airway insertion success as its primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes included the adequacy of ventilation, incidence of airway obstruction and the requirement for device manipulation and the incidence of adverse airway outcomes during recovery from anaesthesia. No difference was found between the devices in first attempt insertion success rate (94% with reusable LMA Flexible and 90% with single use LMA Flexible, p = 0.358), and ease of insertion was also similar (p = 0.5). Both devices performed equally well during surgery, with no significant differences in episodes of intra‐operative airway compromise (p = 0.387), and both the single use and reusable LMA Flexible displayed excellent recovery characteristics, with no occurrences of emergence airway obstruction. No blood was discovered within the inner LMA tube shaft in either device, implying that both protected against tracheobronchial soiling. We conclude therefore that the single use LMA Flexible is an acceptable alternative to the reusable LMA Flexible.
Comparison of the incidence and severity of cough induced by sufentanil and fentanyl: a prospective, randomised, double‐blind study
Authors: Agarwal A. , Gautam S. , Nath S. S. , Gupta D. , Singh U. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryWe compared the incidence and severity of cough following a bolus of sufentanil with that following fentanyl in 510 patients, randomly allocated to receive sufentanil 0.3 μg.kg−1, fentanyl 3 μg.kg−1 or 5 ml sterile water intravenously over 5 s. Coughing was graded depending on the number of coughs as mild (1–2), moderate (3–5) and severe (> 5). The incidence of coughing was higher after sufentanil (26/165; 15%) and fentanyl (54/169; 32%) than in the control group (0/168; p < 0.001). Sufentanil was also associated with a lesser severity (p = 0.039) of coughing compared with fentanyl. We conclude that equipotent boluses of sufentanil and fentanyl increase the incidence of cough, although the incidence and severity of coughing with sufentanil are less than those with fentanyl.
M‐Entropy guidance vs standard practice during propofol‐remifentanil anaesthesia: a randomised controlled trial*
Authors: Gruenewald M. , Zhou J. , Schloemerkemper N. , Meybohm P. , Weiler N. , Tonner P. H. , Scholz J. , Bein B. 
Published: November 2007

SummarySeventy‐two patients undergoing routine surgical procedures under propofol‐remifentanil anaesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either standard clinical practice (n = 35) or standard practice plus monitoring of depth of anaesthesia with M‐Entropy (n = 37). Patients in the standard practice group received more propofol than the entropy group (mean (SD) 95 (14) vs 81 (22) μg.kg−1.min−1, respectively; p < 0.01), and less remifentanil (0.39 (0.08) vs 0.46 (0.08) μg.kg−1.min−1, respectively; p < 0.001). Loss of consciousness was best predicted by BIS (prediction probability (PK) 0.96) and response entropy (PK 0.93), whereas emergence was best predicted by response entropy (PK 0.94). The frequency of unwanted patient responses was higher in the standard practice group than in the entropy group (47 vs 27 total events, respectively; p < 0.01). Both regimens resulted in fast recovery with no clinical advantage for either one. There were no significant differences in haemodynamic parameters, postoperative nausea and vomiting or satisfaction with the procedure.
The use of patient‐controlled epidural fentanyl in elderly patients*
Authors: Ishiyama T. , Iijima T. , Sugawara T. , Shibuya K. , Sato H. , Terada Y. , Ichikawa M. , Sessler D. I. , Matsukawa T. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryWe studied whether delivering postoperative analgesia, using a patient‐controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) device was effective and safe in elderly patients. We enrolled 40 patients aged > 65 years (elderly group) and 40 patients aged 20–64 years (young group) scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery. PCEA infusion was started following completion of surgery. Mean (SD) fentanyl consumption (10.7 (3.7) compared with 10.5 (2.7) μg.kg−1, p = 0.76) and number of times patients pressed the bolus switch (32 (36) compared with 44 (38), p = 0.16) during the first 24 h postoperatively were similar in the two groups. Pain scores, which were similar in both groups at rest, were significantly lower in the elderly on coughing (at 24 h, p < 0.05). In addition, average pain scores were similar at the time of PCEA bolus demands in the two groups. Elderly and young adult patients therefore required similar amounts of patient‐controlled epidural fentanyl to produce satisfactory pain relief.
The associations between birthweight and adult markers of liver damage and function
Authors: Fraser Abigail , Ebrahim Shah , Davey Smith George , Lawlor Debbie A. 
Published: November 2007

SummaryEvidence suggesting an effect of fetal growth on liver development and function stems from both animal and human studies. The association of birthweight with adult markers of liver damage and function was examined in a random sample of 2101 British women aged 60–79 years. Age‐adjusted natural logged levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) decreased linearly across increasing thirds of birthweight. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were higher in women of the lowest third of the birthweight distribution compared with other women. No evidence was found for associations of birthweight with aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin and albumin. After full adjustment for social class, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption, an increase in one standard deviation of birthweight (691 g) was associated with a 2% ([95% CI 0%, 4%],P = 0.021) decrease in the geometric mean of ALT, a 4% decrease in GGT ([95% CI 1%, 6%],P = 0.008) and a 2% decrease in ALP ([95% CI 0%, 3%],P = 0.001). Associations of birthweight with ALT and GGT, but not with ALP, were attenuated when adjusting for components of the metabolic syndrome. These findings suggest that factors affecting intrauterine growth may increase the propensity for adult liver damage. The attenuation of associations with adjustment for components of the metabolic syndrome is in line with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, indicated by elevated ALT and GGT, being the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome, and of the influence of perinatal factors on this syndrome.
Antibody Response to Long‐term and High‐dose Mould‐exposed Sawmill Workers
Authors: Rydjord B. , Eduard W. , Stensby B. , Sandven P. , Michaelsen T. E. , Wiker H. G. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractExposure to moulds is thought to cause adverse health effects ranging from vague subjective symptoms to allergy and respiratory diseases. Until now, most studies have been emphasizing low levels of exposure. In Norwegian sawmills during the 1980s, extensively high spore counts up to 107 spores/m3 air were reported. By using serum samples obtained from sawmill workers during that period, in addition to control sera, we studied the antibody response of all classes and IgG subclasses to Rhizopus microsporus at different levels of exposure. Antigen specificity was further studied by Western blotting. Exposure to R. microsporus was accompanied by R. microsporus‐specific antibody production against a wide range of antigenic components most likely of both protein and carbohydrate nature. Increasing levels of mould‐specific IgG1, IgG2, IgG4 and IgA antibodies were associated with increased exposure, while the highest levels of exposure were associated with a somewhat reduced level of mould‐specific IgE antibodies. In conclusion, the present study strongly suggests that high mould exposure can induce a strong IgG and IgA response in a dose‐dependent manner.
Anatomy of a submarine pyroclastic flow and associated turbidity current: July 2003 dome collapse, Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, West Indies
Authors: TROFIMOVS JESSICA , SPARKS R. STEPHEN JOHN , TALLING PETER J. 
Published: November 2007

AbstractThe 12 to 13 July 2003 andesite lava dome collapse at the Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, provides the first opportunity to document comprehensively both the sub‐aerial and submarine sequence of events for an eruption. Numerous pyroclastic flows entered the ocean during the collapse, depositing approximately 90% of the total material into the submarine environment. During peak collapse conditions, as the main flow penetrated the air–ocean interface, phreatic explosions were observed and a surge cloud decoupled from the main flow body to travel 2 to 3 km over the ocean surface before settling. The bulk of the flow was submerged and rapidly mixed with sea water forming a water‐saturated mass flow. Efficient sorting and physical differentiation occurred within the flow before initial deposition at 500 m water depth. The coarsest components (∼60% of the total volume) were deposited proximally from a dense granular flow, while the finer components (∼40%) were efficiently elutriated into the overlying part of the flow, which evolved into a far‐reaching turbidity current.
Molecular basis of multiple resistance to ACCase‐inhibiting and ALS‐inhibiting herbicides in Lolium rigidum
Authors: TAN M‐K , PRESTON C , WANG G‐X 
Published: November 2007

SummaryHerbicide resistance in Lolium rigidum is widespread across much of the agricultural land in Australia. As the incidence of herbicide resistance has increased, so has the incidence of multiple herbicide resistance. This reduces the herbicide options available for control of this weed. This study reports on the successful amplification and sequencing of the acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene of L. rigidum using primers designed from sequence information of related taxa. This enables, for the first time, the successful determination of a mutation in the ALS gene of this species that provides resistance to ALS‐inhibiting herbicides. This mutation causes amino acid substitution at Trp574 (numbering standardised to Arabidopsis thaliana) to Leu which had been reported to confer a high level of resistance against all classes of ALS inhibitor herbicides. In addition, multiple resistance to ALS‐inhibiting and acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase‐inhibiting herbicides is acquired through the independent accumulation of mutant alleles for the target sites. This may thus explain some of the irregular, mosaic resistance patterns that occur in this predominantly outcrossing species.
Comparison of three methodologies for efficient seed extraction in studies of soil weed seedbanks
Authors: MESGARAN M B , MASHHADI H R , ZAND E , ALIZADEH H M 
Published: November 2007

SummaryDetermination of weed seeds in the soil is tedious and time consuming. To evaluate the different seed extraction methods to improve seedbank estimations, three extraction methods (sieving, cloth bag and flotation) were compared, based on their accuracy and time needed for separation processes and enumeration. Seeds of Datura stramonium,Amaranthus retroflexus,Portulaca oleracea and Plantago major were used to artificially infest soil samples of four textures, namely clay, clay loam, loam and sandy loam containing 19%, 27%, 38% and 65.5% sand respectively. Soil textures had a significant effect on counting time in all extraction methods. In flotation, four submethods involving different solutions and centrifuge rotation speed were examined, but showed no differences, so data were pooled. Counting time in flotation, cloth bag and sieving methods was 9, 16 and 30 min respectively. However, when the time needed for other processes was taken into consideration, flotation and bag methods did not differ significantly. Species‐wise seed recovery was not affected by soil texture in the bag method, suggesting an advantage for this approach as its accuracy is not soil texture‐dependent. Total seed recovery for flotation, sieving and bag methods was 61%, 67% and 75%, respectively, and was not significantly different. Considering the efficiency of methods, the cloth bag technique could be recommended, because it was as time consuming as the flotation method, but required the same minimum equipments and costs as the sieving method.