bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of blood pressure lowering and metabolic control on systolic left ventricular function in Type II diabetes mellitus
Authors: Andersen Niels H. , Poulsen Steen H. , Poulsen Per L. , Knudsen Søren T. , Helleberg Kjeld , Hansen Klavs W. , Dinesen Dines S. , Eiskjær Hans , Flyvbjerg Allan , Mogensen Carl E. 
Published: June 2006

Decreased left ventricular long-axis function may be the earliest stage in subclinical heart failure in Type II diabetes. To assess whether a decrease in SBP (systolic blood pressure) or a change in metabolic control would improve the long-axis function, 48 Type II diabetic patients participating in the CALM II (Candesartan and Lisinopril Microalbuminuria II) study were included in the present study. Patients were examined with tissue Doppler echocardiography at baseline and after 3 and 12 months of follow-up. Corresponding blood pressure, fructosamine and HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) values were obtained. During the follow-up period, a decrease in SBP of 8 mmHg was seen (from 141±11 mmHg at baseline to 133±12 mmHg; P&lt;0.001) and the peak systolic strain rate was significantly improved (from −1.10±0.25 at baseline to −1.25±0.22; P&lt;0.01). There was a highly significant relationship between the changes in systolic strain rate, HbA1c (P&lt;0.001) and fructosamine (P&lt;0.05), and similarly to changes in left ventricular mass (P&lt;0.05), whereas the correlation to the SBP reduction was not significant. Patients with improved glycaemic control, defined as a reduced HbA1c value after 12 months of follow-up, had a significantly improved strain rate (from −1.07±0.3 s−1 at baseline to −1.32±0.25 s−1; P&lt;0.01) compared with patients with increases in HbA1c (from −1.14±0.25 s−1 at baseline to −1.16±0.27 s−1; P=not significant). The two groups had comparable baseline values of SBP, left ventricular mass, age and disease duration. In conclusion, changes in left ventricular systolic long-axis function are significantly correlated with changes in left ventricular mass, as well as metabolic control, in hypertensive patients with Type II diabetes mellitus.
Tissue expression and plasma levels of adrenomedullin in renal cancer patients
Authors: Michelsen Jens , Thiesson Helle , Walter Steen , Ottosen Peter D. , Skøtt Ole , Jensen Boye L. 
Published: June 2006

The peptide AM (adrenomedullin) is stimulated by hypoxia through HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1). The majority of human CC-RCCs (clear cell renal cell carcinomas) display mutations in the tumour suppressor protein von Hippel–Lindau, which leads to constitutively elevated HIF-1. We hypothesized that AM is increased in CC-RCC tumours and that AM is a plasma biomarker for CC-RCC. Tumours and non-malignant kidney tissue were obtained from patients that underwent unilateral nephrectomy. Blood samples were drawn at the day of surgery, 3–6 days after surgery and 4–5 weeks after surgery. AM mRNA and peptide expression in tissue and AM plasma concentration were determined. HIF-1α was localized in tissue by immunohistochemistry. AM mRNA was elevated in CC-RCC compared with adjacent renal cortex (6-fold, n=18; P&lt;0.02). There was no difference in AM mRNA between cortex and non-CC-RCC tissue (n=7). AM peptide concentration was elevated in CC-RCC tissue compared with adjacent cortex (4-fold, n=6; P&lt;0.02), whereas there was no difference between cortex and non-CC-RCC tissue (n=5). HIF-1α immunoreactivity was detected in the majority of cell nuclei in 76% of CC-RCC, consistent with constitutive stabilization. In non-CC-RCC, HIF-1α staining was focal. Before surgery there was no difference in plasma AM concentration between tumour types. Nephrectomy increased plasma AM significantly after 3–6 days and a similar pre-surgery level was observed after 4–5 weeks in both groups of tumour patients. We conclude that elevated tissue AM is a distinguishing feature of CC-RCC compared with other kidney tumours. Plasma AM is not suited as a tumour marker for this disease.
Atorvastatin normalizes endothelial function in healthy smokers
Authors: Agewall Stefan , Hernberg Åsa 
Published: June 2006

Endothelial function is known to predict cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to examine whether endothelial function in smokers with normal cholesterol levels could be normalized by treatment with 80 mg of atorvastatin in comparison with a control group. Healthy smokers (n=20) and non-smokers (n=20) were randomized to receive 80 mg of atorvastatin or placebo in an open randomized cross-over study, followed by measurement of endothelial functional [FMD (flow-mediated dilation)]. At baseline, smokers had a lower FMD compared with the non-smoking group (2.2±0.5 and 4.5±0.8% respectively; P&lt;0.05). In the smoking group, FMD increased significantly (P&lt;0.05) to 4.0±0.8% during treatment with atorvastatin and returned to basal levels during placebo (2.3±0.6%). In the non-smoking group, FMD was unaffected by both atorvastatin and placebo. The net change of total cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol was not associated with the net change in FMD when the study group was considered as a whole or the smoking group was considered separately. In conclusion, improved endothelial function was observed in a group of smokers when they were received 80 mg of atorvastatin, whereas atorvastatin had no effect on endothelial function in the non-smoking group. The improved FMD among smokers was independent of the decrease in LDL-cholesterol during atorvastatin treatment. The results show that poor endothelial function in smokers with normal lipid levels can be improved by a statin treatment.
Acute and chronic effects of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in subjects with coronary artery disease: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
Authors: Farouque H. M. Omar , Leung Michael , Hope Sarah A. , Baldi Mauro , Schechter Clyde , Cameron James D. , Meredith Ian T. 
Published: June 2006

Evidence suggests that flavonoid-containing diets reduce cardiovascular risk, but the mechanisms responsible are unclear. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of flavanol-rich cocoa on vascular function in individuals with CAD (coronary artery disease). Forty subjects (61±8 years; 30 male) with CAD were recruited to a 6-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Subjects consumed either a flavanol-rich chocolate bar and cocoa beverage daily (total flavanols, 444 mg/day) or matching isocaloric placebos daily (total flavanols, 19.6 mg/day) for 6 weeks. Brachial artery FMD (flow-mediated dilation) and SAC (systemic arterial compliance) were assessed at baseline, 90 min following the first beverage and after 3 and 6 weeks of daily consumption. Soluble cellular adhesion molecules and FBF (forearm blood flow) responses to ACh (acetylcholine chloride; 3–30 μg/min) and SNP (sodium nitroprusside; 0.3–3 μg/min) infusions, forearm ischaemia and isotonic forearm exercise were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks. FMD, SAC and FBF responses did not differ between groups at baseline. No acute or chronic changes in FMD or SAC were seen in either group. No difference in soluble cellular adhesion molecules, FBF responses to ischaemia, exercise, SNP or ACh was seen in the group receiving flavanol-rich cocoa between baseline and 6 weeks. These data suggest that over a 6-week period, flavanolrich cocoa does not modify vascular function in patients with established CAD.
Heterologous Expression and Biochemical Characterization of a Polyamine Oxidase from Arabidopsis Involved in Polyamine Back Conversion
Authors: Tavladoraki Paraskevi , Rossi Marianna Nicoletta , Saccuti Giuseppe , Perez-Amador Miguel Angel , Polticelli Fabio , Angelini Riccardo , Federico Rodolfo 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
Polyamine oxidase (PAO) is a flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent enzyme involved in polyamine catabolism. Animal PAOs oxidize spermine (Spm), spermidine (Spd), and/or their acetyl derivatives to produce H2O2, an aminoaldehyde, and Spd or putrescine, respectively, thus being involved in a polyamine back-conversion pathway. On the contrary, plant PAOs that have been characterized to date oxidize Spm and Spd to produce 1,3-diaminopropane, H2O2, and an aminoaldehyde and are therefore involved in the terminal catabolism of polyamines. A database search within the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genome sequence showed the presence of a gene (AtPAO1) encoding for a putative PAO with 45% amino acid sequence identity with maize (Zea mays) PAO. The AtPAO1 cDNA was isolated and cloned in a vector for heterologous expression in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography on guazatine-Sepharose 4B and was shown to be a flavoprotein able to oxidize Spm, norspermine, and N1-acetylspermine with a pH optimum at 8.0. Analysis of the reaction products showed that AtPAO1 produces Spd from Spm and norspermidine from norspermine, demonstrating a substrate oxidation mode similar to that of animal PAOs. To our knowledge, AtPAO1 is the first plant PAO reported to be involved in a polyamine back-conversion pathway.
Salicylic Acid, an Ambimobile Molecule Exhibiting a High Ability to Accumulate in the Phloem
Authors: Rocher Françoise , Chollet Jean-François , Jousse Cyril , Bonnemain Jean-Louis 
Published: June 2006

Abstract
The ability of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) to accumulate in castor bean (Ricinus communis) phloem was evaluated by HPLC and liquid scintillation spectrometry analyses of phloem sap collected from the severed apical part of seedlings. Time-course experiments indicated that SA was transported to the root system via the phloem and redistributed upward in small amounts via the xylem. This helps to explain the peculiarities of SA distribution within the plant in response to biotic stress and exogenous SA application. Phloem loading of SA at 1, 10, or 100 μm was dependent on the pH of the cotyledon incubating solution, and accumulation in the phloem sap was the highest (about 10-fold) at the most acidic pH values tested (pH 4.6 and 5.0). As in animal cells, SA uptake still occurred at pH values close to neutrality (i.e. when SA is only in its dissociated form according to the calculations made by ACD LogD suite software). The analog 3,5-dichlorosalicylic acid, which is predicted to be nonmobile according to the models of Bromilow and Kleier, also moved in the sieve tubes. These discrepancies and other data may give rise to the hypothesis of a possible involvement of a pH-dependent carrier system translocating aromatic monocarboxylic acids in addition to the ion-trap mechanism.
‘Romantisch‐komisch’: zu einem literarischen Modus in der deutschen Literatur zwischen Frühaufklärung und Klassik (Jacobi – Michaelis – Wieland)
Authors: Gelzer Florian 
Published: June 2006

AbstractDer Beitrag möchte den Begriff des ‘Romantisch‐Komischen’ als Bezeichnung für einen bestimmten Schreibmodus des 18. Jahrhunderts einführen. Er soll es ermöglichen, üblicherweise getrennt behandelte Texte aus dem Gebiet des Singspiels und der Verserzählung als unmittelbar zusammengehörig zu verstehen: als einen Versuch der damaligen Autoren, das Stoffreservoir des ‘Roman(t)ischen’ für eine anspruchsvolle Form von Unterhaltungsliteratur fruchtbar zu machen. Als Beispiele dienen eine Reihe von weitgehend unbekannten Texten aus dem Umfeld des Halberstädter Freundschaftskreises von Johann Wilhelm Ludwig Gleim. Die Untersuchung dieser Versdichtungen, poetischen Briefe und Singspiele von Johann Georg Jacobi, Johann Benjamin Michaelis und Christoph Martin Wieland soll aufzeigen, wie auch bedeutende ‘klassische’ Werke wie Wielands Oberon oder Alceste auf der hier umrissenen Tradition des ‘Romantisch‐Komischen’ beruhen.
Newer cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 selective inhibitors, other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and the risk of acute pancreatitis
Authors: SØRENSEN H. T. , JACOBSEN J. , NØRGAARD M. , PEDERSEN L. , JOHNSEN S. P. , BARON J. A. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackgroundCase reports have suggested that the use of newer cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 selective inhibitors may cause acute pancreatitis, but there has been no formal study of the association.AimTo assess the relationship between the use of cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 inhibitors and other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, and risk of acute pancreatitis.MethodsA population‐based case–control study was conducted using hospital discharge and prescription data from Denmark. Using conditional logistic regression with adjustment for multiple covariates, we estimated the relative risk of acute pancreatitis for use of the cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 inhibitors celecoxib and rofecoxib and for other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.ResultsA total of 3083 cases of acute pancreatitis and 30 830 population controls were identified. For current use the relative risk estimate for celecoxib was 1.4 (95% CI: 0.8–2.3) and for rofecoxib was 1.3 (95% CI: 0.7–2.3). The overall relative risk for other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs was 2.7 (95% CI: 2.4–3.0) with a substantial variation in risk between the individual drugs. The highest relative risk was for diclofenac (odds ratio 5.0, 95% CI: 4.2–5.9) and the lowest for naproxen (odds ratio 1.1, 95% CI: 0.7–1.7).ConclusionCyclo‐oxygenase‐2 selective inhibitors are associated with a lower risk of acute pancreatitis than most other non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs.
The epidemiology of pancreatic cancer in the United States: changes below the surface
Authors: SHAIB Y. H. , DAVILA J. A. , EL‐SERAG H. B. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackgroundPancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States.AimTo examine temporal changes in the incidence and survival of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.MethodsUsing data from nine registries of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results programme, age‐adjusted incidence rates per 100 000 and survival rates were calculated for pancreatic cancer between 1977 and 2001.ResultsWe identified 58 655 cases of pancreatic cancer. The age‐adjusted incidence rate remained stable during the study period (11.3 in 1977–1981 and 10.9 in 1997–2001). Overall, men were 30% more affected than women (age‐adjusted incidence rate of 13.0 in men and 9.8 in women). The age‐adjusted incidence rates were almost 50% higher among Blacks (16.4) than Whites (10.8) and people of other races (9.8). Over time the proportions of patients with localized disease decreased from 12.3% to 7.4% and those with regional disease increased from 18.6% to 25.8%, while metastatic disease remained stable (52.5% vs. 49.8%). The 1‐year relative survival increased from 15.2% in 1977–1981 to 21.6% in 1997–2001.ConclusionsThe incidence of pancreatic cancer is stable. A shift from localized to regional disease was observed over time. The overall survival remains poor despite important improvements among patients with early stage disease.
Maternal cultural participation and child health status in a Middle Eastern context: evidence from an urban health study
Authors: Khawaja M. , Barazi R. , Linos N. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  The negative effect of poverty on child health has been well established. However, rapid urbanization in developing countries prompts new research questions relating to socio‐cultural practices and other related variables in these settings.Objective  To examine the association between maternal cultural participation and child health status in impoverished neighbourhoods of Beirut, Lebanon.Methods  A cross‐sectional survey of 1241 mothers with children aged less than 5 years was conducted from randomly selected households in three impoverished neighbourhoods of diverse ethnic and religious make‐up. The outcome variable was child health status (good/bad) as assessed by the mother. Maternal variables, including cultural participation, education, demographic and environmental/structural factors, were studied. Descriptive statistics and bivariate associations were provided using Pearson’s chi‐square tests. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were then obtained from binary logistic regression models.Results  Two indicators of maternal cultural participation, namely watching entertaining television and attending movies/art exhibitions, were found to be significantly associated with child health status after controlling for other risk factors. The quality of water, the quality of local health services and maternal education were also significantly associated with child health status. Household income, child gender and household dampness had no significant association with child health status in this context.Conclusion  Maternal cultural participation was a significant predictor of child health status in impoverished urban communities. Improving child health through culturally focused interventions for mothers, especially in deprived areas, may be greatly important.
Dendritic cells as potential adjuvant for immunotherapy in adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Papewalis Claudia , Fassnacht Martin , Willenberg Holger S. , Domberg Julia , Fenk Roland , Rohr Ulrich‐Peter , Schinner Sven , Bornstein Stefan R. , Scherbaum Werner A. , Schott Matthias 
Published: June 2006

SummaryObjective  Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy associated with a dismal prognosis. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen‐presenting cells leading to an antitumour immune response. The aim of this study was to elaborate two methods of antigen delivery to DCs and to evaluate an immunotherapy protocol in ACC patients.Design/patients  Autologous DCs were pulsed with autologous tumour lysate (TL). Fusion of DCs with tumour cells was based on a polyethylene glycol method. Two patients with metastasized hypersecretory ACC were vaccinated twice.Measurements  In vitro data were quantified by measurement of PBMC (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) responses and cytokine secretion and by flow cytometry analyses. Clinical response was monitored by CT scan of tumour mass and measurement of angiogenic factors.Results  The maximum loading of TL was obtained at 24 h as 48·2% (± 26·8%) of DCs were TL‐positive. The DC/tumour cell fusion efficacy was ∼45% as shown by double positive staining for ACTH receptor and DC‐specific CD83. In vivo DC vaccination resulted in positive delayed‐type hypersensitivity skin reactions reflecting specific memory T‐lymphocyte reaction. In vitro analyses revealed specific T‐cell proliferation in patient 1 (stimulation index: 5·7 compared to pretreatment) and induction of cytotoxic granzyme B secreting T cells in patient 2 (0·41% CD8 + cells vs. 0·06% pretreatment) as indicators of specific cytotoxic T cells. Although angiogenic serum markers could be stabilized, no impact on tumour growth could be observed.Conclusion  Our data demonstrate that autologous dendritic cells induce antigen‐specific Th1 immunity in adrenocortical carcinoma. The clinical outcome, however, was not improved in the patients studied here.
Objective investigation of the sleep–wake cycle in adults with intellectual disabilities and autistic spectrum disorders
Authors: Hare D. J. , Jones S. , Evershed K. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  Disturbances in circadian rhythm functioning, as manifest in abnormal sleep–wake cycles, have been postulated to be present in people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs). To date, research into the sleep–wake cycle in people with ASDs has been primarily dependant on third‐party data collection.Method  The utilization of non‐invasive objective recording technologies such as actigraphy permits investigation of both sleep and circadian rhythm functioning in people with ASDs, together with the collection of data on daytime activity.Results  Data were collected from 31 participants with intellectual disabilities living in supported community‐based residential provision aged between 20 and 58 years, of whom 14 had an ASD. Analysis indicated that there were no significant differences in sleep patterns and circadian rhythm function between those participants with an ASD and those without.Conclusions  The mean scores of the participants as a whole indicated abnormalities in the two key circadian rhythm parameters of interdaily stability and intradaily variability. The implications of these findings for both clinical practice and theory are discussed.
Characteristics and experiences of children and young people with severe intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour attending 52‐week residential special schools
Authors: Pilling N. , McGill P. , Cooper V. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBackground  This study sought to gather information about the characteristics and experiences of children and young people with severe intellectual disabilities and severe challenging behaviour attending 52‐week residential special schools.Method  Staff of nine schools completed postal questionnaires on the characteristics and experiences of 156 pupils.Results  Those attending residential schools are predominantly male, teenagers and in long‐term placements. Most have limited communication skills and autistic spectrum disorders. All display high numbers of challenging behaviours, many of them serious. Children have a greater range and complexity of needs than pupils at day severe learning difficulties (SLD) schools, albeit with some overlap.Conclusions  Children at 52‐week residential schools present needs that both families and local services struggle to meet. Residential placement may provide the intensity of educational input and social support that is required, but may increase the vulnerability of the children. Local alternatives to residential schools should be investigated.
Philopatry and reproductive success in Bornean orang‐utans (Pongo pygmaeus)
Authors: GOOSSENS B. , SETCHELL J. M. , JAMES S. S. , FUNK S. M. , CHIKHI L. , ABULANI A. , ANCRENAZ M. , LACKMAN‐ANCRENAZ I. , BRUFORD M. W. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBehavioural observations suggest that orang‐utans are semi‐solitary animals with females being philopatric and males roaming more widely in search of receptive partners, leading to the prediction that females are more closely related than males at any given site. In contrast, our study presents evidence for male and female philopatry in the orang‐utan. We examined patterns of relatedness and parentage in a wild orang‐utan population in Borneo using noninvasively collected DNA samples from animals observed to defecate, and microsatellite markers to assess dispersal and mating strategies. Surprisingly, resident females were equally as related to other resident females (mean rxy = 0.303) as resident males were to other resident males (mean rxy = 0.305). Moreover, resident females were more related to each other and to the resident males than they were to nonresident females, and resident males were more related to each other (and resident females) than they were to nonresident males. We assigned genetic mothers to 12 individuals in the population, while sires could be identified for eight. Both flanged males and unflanged males achieved paternity, similar to findings reported for Sumatran orang‐utans.