bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sigmoid Volvulus in the Middle East
Authors: Heis Hussein A. , Bani‐Hani Kamal E. , Rabadi Daher K. , Elheis Mwaffaq A. , Bani‐Hani Bayan K. , Mazahreh Tagleb S. , Bataineh Ziyad A. , Al‐Zoubi Nabeil A. , Obeidallah Mohammed S. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractLittle is known about sigmoid volvulus in the Middle East despite textbooks referring to the region as part of the “volvulus belt.” Our objectives were to assess the prevalence, clinical presentations, radiological findings, operative treatments, and postoperative outcomes of patients managed for sigmoid volvulus in Jordan as a model for the region. The medical records of patients with large bowel obstruction who were managed at King Abdullah University Hospital and its affiliated institutes, northern Jordan, over a 6‐year period between January 2001 and January 2007 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with a confirmed diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus. Sigmoid volvulus was responsible for 9.2% of all cases of large bowel obstruction seen during the study period. There were 32 patients with sigmoid volvulus, 24 (75%) of whom were men. The median age of the patients was 59 years (range 21–83 years). Abdominal pain and distention were the main presentations. Colonoscopic detorsion was applied in 25 patients, which was achieved in 17 (68%) of them after the first attempt. Six patients had a gangrenous sigmoid colon, four of which required resection and a Hartmann procedure. Sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis was performed in 28 patients, including 2 with a gangrenous colon. Postoperative complications were observed in five patients, including one patient with viable colon who develop an anastomotic leak. Two patients died, making the mortality rate 6%. Sigmoid volvulus is uncommon in Jordan. Resection of the sigmoid colon with primary anastomosis appears to be the preferred procedure.
Carotenoid‐based plumage coloration is not affected by vitamin E supplementation in male greenfinches
Authors: Karu Ulvi , Saks Lauri , Hõrak Peeter 
Published: January 2008

AbstractCarotenoid‐based colours have become an important model of honest signalling as carotenoids are suggested to play vital roles in several physiological functions including antioxidants and immunostimulators, while they are also required for sexual displays. However, it has been recently suggested that carotenoid‐based signals may be used mainly as reflectors of the systems that prevent their oxidation (mainly the amount of other non‐pigmented antioxidants) rather than the antioxidative properties of carotenoids themselves. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effect of simultaneous supplementation of carotenoids and an uncoloured antioxidant—vitamin E—on the coloration of growing tail feathers in captive male greenfinches (Carduelis chloris chloris L.). While carotenoid supplementation enhanced the coloration of the feathers, manipulation of dietary vitamin E had no effect. Thus, our results do not support the idea that carotenoids are mainly used as indicators of the abundance of other antioxidants.
Cerebral O2 consumption in young Eker rats, effects of GABA blockade: implications for autism
Authors: Weiss Harvey R. , Liu Xia , Chi Oak Z. 
Published: January 2008

AbstractSince there is a strong correlation between tuberous sclerosis and autism, we used a tuberous sclerosis model (Eker rat) to test the hypothesis that the increased regional cerebral O2 consumption in the Eker rat might be associated with autism. We also examined whether this increased cerebral O2 consumption was related to changes in the activity of the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory system. Young (4 weeks) male control Long Evans (n = 14) and Eker (n = 14) rats (70–100 g) were divided into control and bicuculline (1 mg/kg/min for 2 min then 0.1 mg/kg/min for 13 min, GABAA receptor antagonist) treated animals. Cerebral regional blood flow (14C‐iodoantipyrine) and O2 consumption (cryomicrospectrophotometry) were determined in isoflurane anesthetized rats. We found significantly increased basal O2 consumption in the cortex (6.3 ± 0.7 ml O2/min/100 g Eker vs. 5.1 ± 0.2 ml O2/min/100 g control), hippocampus and cerebellum, but not the pons. Regional cerebral blood flow was also elevated in the cortex and hippocampus in Eker rats at baseline, but cerebral O2 extractions were similar. Bicuculline significantly increased O2 consumption in the cortex (6.5 ± 0.3) and all other regions of the control rats, but had no effect on cortex (5.9 ± 1.5) or other regions of the Eker rats. Cerebral blood flow followed a similar pattern. In conclusion, Eker rats had significantly elevated cerebral O2 consumption and blood flow, but this was not affected by GABA receptor blockade. This suggested a reduced activity of the GABAA receptor in the brains of Eker rats. This may have important implications in the treatment of autism.
An isoenergetic high-protein, moderate-fat diet does not compromise strength and fatigue during resistance exercise in women
Authors: Dipla Konstantina , Makri Maria , Zafeiridis Andreas , Soulas Dimitrios , Tsalouhidou Sofia , Mougios Vassilis , Kellis Spyros 
Published: January 2008

Resistance exercise is recommended to individuals following high-protein diets in order to augment changes in body composition. However, alterations in macronutrient composition may compromise physical performance. The present study investigated the effects of an isoenergetic high-protein diet on upper and lower limb strength and fatigue during high-intensity resistance exercise. Ten recreationally active women, aged 25–40 years, followed a control diet (55, 15 and 30 % of energy from carbohydrate, protein and fat, respectively) and a high-protein diet (respective values, 30, 40 and 30) for 7 d each in a random counterbalanced design. Each participant underwent strength testing of upper limb (isometric handgrip strength and endurance) and lower limb (four sets of sixteen maximal knee flexions and extensions on an isokinetic dynamometer) before and after applying each diet. Body weight, body fat and RER were significantly reduced following the high-protein diet (P < 0·05). No differences were found between diets in any of the strength performance parameters (handgrip strength, handgrip endurance, peak torque, total work and fatigue) or the responses of heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure, blood lactate and blood glucose to exercise. Women on a short-term isoenergetic high-protein, moderate-fat diet maintained muscular strength and endurance of upper and lower limbs during high-intensity resistance exercise without experiencing fatigue earlier compared with a control diet.
Ctr2 is partially localized to the plasma membrane and stimulates copper uptake in COS-7 cells
Authors: Bertinato Jesse , Swist Eleonora , Plouffe Louise J. , Brooks Stephen P. J. , L'Abbé Mary R. 
Published: January 2008

Ctr1 (copper transporter 1) mediates high-affinity copper uptake. Ctr2 (copper transporter 2) shares sequence similarity with Ctr1, yet its function in mammalian cells is poorly understood. In African green monkey kidney COS-7 cells and rat tissues, Ctr2 migrated as a predominant band of ∼70 kDa and was most abundantly expressed in placenta and heart. A transiently expressed hCtr2–GFP (human Ctr2–green fluorescent protein) fusion protein and the endogenous Ctr2 in COS-7 cells were mainly localized to the outer membrane of cytoplasmic vesicles, but were also detected at the plasma membrane. Biotinylation of Ctr2 with the membrane-impermeant reagent sulfo-NHS-SS-biotin [sulfosuccinimidyl-2-(biotinamido)ethyl-1,3-dithiopropionate] confirmed localization at the cell surface. Cells expressing hCtr2–GFP hyperaccumulated copper when incubated in medium supplemented with 10 μM CuSO4, whereas cells depleted of endogenous Ctr2 by siRNAs (small interfering RNAs) accumulated lower levels of copper. hCtr2–GFP expression did not affect copper efflux, suggesting that hCtr2–GFP increased cellular copper concentrations by promoting uptake at the cell surface. Kinetic analyses showed that hCtr2–GFP stimulated saturable copper uptake with a Km of 11.0±2.5 μM and a K0.5 of 6.9±0.7 μM when data were fitted to a rectangular hyperbola or Hill equation respectively. Competition experiments revealed that silver completely inhibited hCtr2–GFP-dependent copper uptake, whereas zinc, iron and manganese had no effect on uptake. Furthermore, increased copper concentrations in hCtr2–GFP-expressing cells were inversely correlated with copper chaperone for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase protein expression. Collectively, these results suggest that Ctr2 promotes copper uptake at the plasma membrane and plays a role in regulating copper levels in COS-7 cells.
Post-translational modifications of adiponectin: mechanisms and functional implications
Authors: Wang Yu , Lam Karen S. L. , Yau Ming-hon , Xu Aimin 
Published: January 2008

Adiponectin is an insulin-sensitizing adipokine with anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. This adipokine is secreted from adipocytes into the circulation as three oligomeric isoforms, including trimeric, hexameric and the HMW (high-molecular-mass) oligomeric complex consisting of at least 18 protomers. Each oligomeric isoform of adiponectin exerts distinct biological properties in its various target tissues. The HMW oligomer is the major active form mediating the insulin-sensitizing effects of adiponectin, whereas the central actions of this adipokine are attributed primarily to the hexameric and trimeric oligomers. In patients with Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, circulating levels of HMW adiponectin are selectively decreased due to an impaired secretion of this oligomer from adipocytes. The biosynthesis of the adiponectin oligomers is a complex process involving extensive post-translational modifications. Hydroxylation and glycosylation of several conserved lysine residues in the collagenous domain of adiponectin are necessary for the intracellular assembly and stabilization of its high-order oligomeric structures. Secretion of the adiponectin oligomers is tightly controlled by a pair of molecular chaperones in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum), including ERp44 (ER protein of 44 kDa) and Ero1-Lα (ER oxidoreductase 1-Lα). ERp44 inhibits the secretion of adiponectin oligomers through a thiol-mediated retention. In contrast, Ero1-Lα releases HMW adiponectin trapped by ERp44. The PPARγ (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ) agonists thiazolidinediones selectively enhance the secretion of HMW adiponectin through up-regulation of Ero1-Lα. In the present review, we discuss the recent advances in our understanding of the structural and biological properties of the adiponectin oligomeric isoforms and highlight the role of post-translational modifications in regulating the biosynthesis of HMW adiponectin.
Combined anticoagulants ameliorate acute lung injury in sheep after burn and smoke inhalation
Authors: Enkhbaatar Perenlei , Esechie Aimalohi , Wang Jianpu , Cox Robert A. , Nakano Yoshimitsu , Hamahata Atsumori , Lange Matthias , Traber Lillian D. , Prough Donald S. , Herndon David N. , Traber Daniel L. 
Published: January 2008

Burn and smoke inhalation-related multiple organ dysfunction is associated with a severe fall in the plasma concentration of antithrombin. Therefore the aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that intravenous administration of recombinant human antithrombin in combination with aerosolized heparin will ameliorate acute lung injury in sheep exposed to cutaneous burn and smoke inhalation. Sheep were prepared operatively for study and, 7 days post-surgery, sheep were given a cutaneous burn (40% of total body surface area, third-degree burn) and insufflated with cotton smoke (48 breaths, &lt;40 °C) under halothane anaesthesia. After injury, sheep were placed on a ventilator and resuscitated with Ringer's lactate solution. The animals were divided into three groups: sham group (non-injured and non-treated; n=6), saline group (injured and received saline; n=6) and rhAT.iv.+Hep group [injured and treated with rhAT (recombinant human antithrombin) and heparin; n=6]. In the rhAT.iv.+Hep group, rhAT was infused continuously for 48 h starting 1 h post-injury with a dose of 0.34 mg·h−1·kg−1 of body weight and heparin (10000 units) was aerosolized every 4 h starting at 1 h post-injury. The experiment lasted 48 h. Haemodynamics were stable in sham group, whereas the saline-treated sheep developed multiple signs of acute lung injury, including decreased pulmonary gas exchange, increased inspiratory pressures, extensive airway obstruction and increased pulmonary oedema. These pathological changes were associated with a severe fall in plasma antithrombin concentration, lung tissue accumulation of leucocytes and excessive production of NO. Treatment of injured sheep with anticoagulants attenuated all of the pulmonary pathophysiology observed. In conclusion, the results provide definitive evidence that anticoagulant therapy may be a novel and effective treatment tool in the management of burn patients with concomitant smoke inhalation injury.
Mechanism of the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by a grape seed extract
Authors: Edirisinghe Indika , Burton-Freeman Britt , Tissa Kappagoda C. 
Published: January 2008

GSEs (grape seed extracts) which contain polyphenolic compounds cause an endothelium-dependent relaxation of blood vessels. The aim of the present study was to examine the mechanisms involved in this response. A well-characterized GSE was applied to rabbit aortic rings suspended in organ baths containing Krebs–Henseleit buffer maintained at 37 °C. In aortic rings pre-contacted with noradrenaline (norepinephrine), the extract produced a dose-dependent relaxation. The maximum relaxations elicited by the extract (71.9±1.0%) were similar to those elicited by acetylcholine (64.2±1.5%) (n=12 for each). As expected, the relaxations were abolished by removal of the endothelium and by prior incubation with L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), confirming the essential role of eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) in the response. The responses to the GSE were also abolished by incubation with wortmannin and LY294002, which are inhibitors of PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase). These compounds had no effect on the responses to acetylcholine. Using immunoblotting, we also demonstrated that the GSE induced the phosphorylation of both Akt and eNOS in HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). Finally, the extract was modified by methylation of the hydroxy groups in the polyphenolic groups and was applied to the aortic rings. The modified extract failed to cause a relaxation. Taken together, these findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by the GSE was mediated by activation of the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway through a redox-sensitive mechanism, resulting in phosphorylation of eNOS.
Altered protein metabolism following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
Authors: Caso Giuseppe , Vosswinkel James A. , Garlick Peter J. , Barry Mohamed K. , Bilfinger Thomas V. , Mcnurlan Margaret A. 
Published: January 2008

The aim of the present study was to investigate the acute effect of CABG (coronary artery bypass graft) surgery on the rates of synthesis of muscle protein, the positive acute-phase protein fibrinogen and the negative acute-phase protein albumin. Synthesis rates of muscle protein, fibrinogen and albumin were measured simultaneously before and 4 h after the end of surgery from the incorporation of L-[2H5]phenylalanine (given at 43 mg/kg of body weight) in 12 patients undergoing CABG surgery. Surgery was performed either with the use of extracorporeal circulation with cardiopulmonary bypass (on-pump; n=5) or with the beating heart procedure without cardiopulmonary bypass (off-pump; n=7). Post-surgical muscle protein fractional synthesis rates were decreased by 36±6.5% compared with pre-surgical values (1.59±0.10 compared with 0.97±0.08%/day respectively; P&lt;0.001). In contrast, the synthesis rates of both fibrinogen (36±4 compared with 100±11 mg·day−1·kg−1 of body weight; P&lt;0.0001) and albumin (123±12 compared with 178±19 mg·day−1·kg−1 of body weight; P&lt;0.001) were both significantly increased after surgery. No significant differences were found between surgery performed with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that CABG surgery has a profound effect on protein metabolism, with a differential response of protein synthesis in muscle and liver.
Protective effect of female gender on the development of albuminuria in a polygenetic rat model is enhanced further by replacement of a major autosomal QTL
Authors: Schulz Angela , Schlesener Maria , Weiss Judith , Hänsch Jonna , Wendt Norbert , Kossmehl Peter , Grimm Daniela , Vetter Roland , Kreutz Reinhold 
Published: January 2008

Clinical and experimental studies indicate that the progression of renal disease is faster in males than females. These observations are corroborated by a sexual dimorphism observed in the polygenetic MWF (Munich Wistar Frömter) rat model. The age-dependent spontaneous progression of increased UAE (urinary albumin excretion) in male MWF rats is influenced by multiple QTLs (quantitative trait loci). In contrast, female MWF rats only develop a slight increase in UAE, while the role of genetic factors for this phenotype is unknown. In the present study, we show that, compared with resistant SHRs (spontaneously hypertensive rats), both male and female MWF rats develop a significant increase in UAE at 24 weeks of age (P&lt;0.0001), although blood pressures were lower compared with SHRs (P&lt;0.0001). UAE was significantly higher in male (7-fold) compared with female MWF rats (162.6±15.9 compared with 24.0±5.5 mg/24 h respectively; P&lt;0.0001), and only male MWF rats developed significant glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial damage in the kidney (P&lt;0.0001). To test the role of genetic factors in the development of low grade albuminuria in female MWF rats, we analysed the role of a major UAE QTL on rat chromosome 6. To this end, we analysed a consomic MWF-6SHR strain in which chromosome 6 from SHRs was introgressed into the MWF rat background. Time course analysis of UAE in females indicated that the small increase in UAE in MWF rats was fully suppressed by exchange of rat chromosome 6. Thus, taken together with previous studies in males, we show that RNO6 protects against the increase in albuminuria with age in both female and male MWF rats.
Electron mobility of 4,7-diphyenyl-1,10-phenanthroline estimated by using space-charge-limited currents
Authors: Khan M. A. , Xu Wei , Khizar-ul-Haq  , Bai Yu , Jiang X. Y. , Zhang Z. L. , Zhu W. Q. , Zhang Z. L. , Zhu W. Q. 
Published: January 2008

The electron mobility of 4,7-diphyenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (BPhen) at various thicknesses (50–300nm) has been estimated by using space-charge-limited current measurements. The measured bulk mobility is in excellent agreement with results from time-of-flight method. It has been observed that the electron mobility of BPhen approaches its true value when the thickness is more than 150nm. The estimated electron mobility of BPhen at 300nm is found to be 3.4×10−4cm2∕Vs (at 0.3MV∕cm) with weak dependence on electric field. For thickness typical of organic light-emitting devices, the electron mobility of BPhen is also investigated.
At the request of the authors, this article is being retracted effective 31 May 2011.
Pinnacle: a fast, automatic and accurate method for detecting and quantifying protein spots in 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis data
Authors: Morris Jeffrey S. , Clark Brittan N. , Gutstein Howard B. 
Published: January 2008

Abstract
Motivation: One of the key limitations for proteomic studies using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) is the lack of rapid, robust and reproducible methods for detecting, matching and quantifying protein spots. The most commonly used approaches involve first detecting spots and drawing spot boundaries on individual gels, then matching spots across gels and finally quantifying each spot by calculating normalized spot volumes. This approach is time consuming, error-prone and frequently requires extensive manual editing, which can unintentionally introduce bias into the results.
Results: We introduce a new method for spot detection and quantification called Pinnacle that is automatic, quick, sensitive and specific and yields spot quantifications that are reliable and precise. This method incorporates a spot definition that is based on simple, straightforward criteria rather than complex arbitrary definitions, and results in no missing data. Using dilution series for validation, we demonstrate Pinnacle outperformed two well-established 2DE analysis packages, proving to be more accurate and yielding smaller coefficiant of variations (CVs). More accurate quantifications may lead to increased power for detecting differentially expressed spots, an idea supported by the results of our group comparison experiment. Our fast, automatic analysis method makes it feasible to conduct very large 2DE-based proteomic studies that are adequately powered to find important protein expression differences.
Availability: Matlab code to implement Pinnacle is available from the authors upon request for non-commercial use.
Contact: jefmorris@mdanderson.org
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
POSSIBLE ROLE OF METALLOTHIONEIN IN THE CELLULAR DEFENSE MECHANISM AGAINST UVB IRRADIATION IN NEONATAL HUMAN SKIN FIBROBLASTS
Authors: Kobayashi Shizuko , Hirota Yumiko , Sayato‐Suzuki Junko , Takehana Makoto , Nishimura Hisao , Nishimura Noriko , Tohyama Chiharu 
Published: January 2008

Abstract: The role of metallothionein (MT) in protecting skin cells against UVB irradiation was investigated. Fibroblast strains from normal adult (HS‐K) and neonatal (NB1RGB) human skins as well as keratinocyte strains from human skin (SV40‐HSK) and newborn Balb/c mouse skin (Pam 212) were exposed to UVB irradiation.The sensitivity of HS‐K and NB1RGB cells to UVB irradiation was similar; those of SV40‐HSK and Pam 212 cells were two‐ and six‐fold as sensitive to UVB irradiation as HS‐K cells, respectively. The HS‐K cells contained the greatest cellular reduced form of glutathione (GSH) levels compared to the three other skin cells: the levels were 13‐, 7‐ and 6‐fold of those in NB1RGB, SV40‐HSK and Pam 212 cells, respectively. These results indicated that the sensitivity of skin cells to UVB irradiation was not always associated with their endogenous GSH levels. In particular, despite the fact that NB1RGB cells contained a relatively small amount of GSH, they were less sensitive to UVB irradiation.NB1RGB cells contained 4–30 times more MT than those in other skin cells examined. The sulfhydryl residues of MT molecules in the NB1RGB cells were estimated to be mostly unoccupied by metals, suggesting they act in a similar way to those of GSH. Moreover, NB1RGB cells in which the MT content was elevated by dexamethasone (1 μM) or Zn2+ (7 μg/mL) treatment were more resistant to UVB irradiation than nontreated ones.These results suggest that, at least in neonatal human skin fibroblasts, MT may play a role in protection against UVB irradiation.