bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of the Visual Environment on the Postural Stability in Healthy Older Women
Authors: Brooke-Wavell K. , Perrett L.K. , Howarth P.A. , Haslam R.A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> A poor postural stability in older people is associated with an increased risk of falling. It is recognized that visual environment factors (such as poor lighting and repeating patterns on escalators) may contribute to falls, but little is known about the effects of the visual environment on postural stability in the elderly. <i>Objective:</i> To determine whether the postural stability of older women (using body sway as a measure) differed under five different visual environment conditions. <i>Methods:</i> Subjects were 33 healthy women aged 65–76 years. Body sway was measured using an electronic force platform which identified the location of their centre of gravity every 0.05 s. Maximal lateral sway and anteroposterior sway were determined and the sway velocity calculated over 1-min trial periods. Body sway was measured under each of the following conditions: (1) normal laboratory lighting (186 lx); (2) moderate lighting (10 lx); (3) dim lighting (1 lx); (4) eyes closed, and (5) repeating pattern projected onto a wall. <i>Results:</i> Each measure of the postural stability was significantly poorer in condition 4 (eyes closed) than in all other conditions. Anteroposterior sway was greater in condition 3 than in conditions 1 and 2, whilst the sway velocity was greater in condition 3 than in condition 2. Lateral sway did not differ significantly between different lighting levels (conditions 1–3). A projected repeating pattern (condition 5) did not significantly influence the postural stability relative to condition 1. <i>Conclusions:</i> The substantially greater body sway with eyes closed than with eyes open confirms the importance of vision in maintaining the postural stability. At the lowest light level, the body sway was significantly increased as compared with the other light levels, but was still substantially smaller than on closing the eyes. A projected repeating pattern did not influence the postural stability. Dim lighting levels and removing visual input appear to be associated with a poorer postural stability in older people and hence might be associated with an increased risk of falls.
Aggressive Antihypertensive Treatment and Serum Lipid Lowering Therapy Are Necessary to Prevent Deterioration of the Renal Function Even in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Persistent Albuminuria
Authors: Narita Takuma , Kakei Masafumi , Ito Seiki 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> In elderly patients with diabetic nephropathy, clinical information aiming at preventing a decline of the renal function is limited. <i>Objective:</i> To clarify factors that could be related to changes in renal function in elderly diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria. <i>Methods:</i> We studied the relationships between the declining rate of creatinine clearance (Ccr) and other clinical features – glycemic control, blood pressure (BP), the degree of albuminuria, and other confounding factors – retrospectively in elderly diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria. <i>Results:</i> We analyzed 17 elderly diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria (4 men and 13 women, mean age 68.0 ± 5.7 years at the beginning of the observation period) for 3.7 ± 1.5 (SD) years. We found that the last value of the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) of the observation period and the individual mean values of systolic BP, mean BP, and serum cholesterol closely correlated with the rate of decline in Ccr estimated by Cockcroft’s formula. The last UAE closely correlated with the individual mean values of systolic BP and mean BP. For patients such as the present subjects, adequate retardation of decline in renal function requires that the estimated goal of antihypertensive treatment should be a BP below 130/70 mm Hg. The level of glycemic control and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors did not correlate with the rate of decline in Ccr. <i>Conclusion:</i> Aggressive antihypertensive treatment and serum lipid lowering therapy may be necessary to prevent deterioration of the renal function in elderly type 2 diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria.
The Mechanisms of Peroxynitrite-Induced Relaxations in Isolated Rat Anococcygeus Muscle
Authors: Ademoğlu Feyza , Başgut Bilgen , Abacioğlu Nurettin , Çakıcı Iclal 
Published: April 2003

We have previously reported that peroxynitrite (ONOO<sup>–</sup>) caused relaxations on isolated rat anococcygeus muscle and in the present study the possible mechanisms of the relaxant effect were investigated. ONOO<sup>–</sup> (0.03– 1.0 mmol/l)-induced relaxations were reduced significantly by the presence of an ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K<sup>+</sup><sub>ATP</sub> channel) blocker, glibenclamide (0.3 µmol/l), or 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-α)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (30.0 µmol/l), a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. However, 3-aminobenzamide (3.0 mmol/l), an inhibitor of poly(ADP- ribose)synthase, did not influence the relaxant effect of ONOO<sup>–</sup> (1.0 mmol/l). Results of the present study implicate that activation of K<sup>+</sup><sub>ATP</sub> channels and/or cGMP/K<sup>+</sup><sub>ATP</sub> channel interaction might play a role in the relaxant responses to ONOO<sup>–</sup> in isolated rat anococcygeus muscle.
Differential Expression of Mcp-1 and Its Receptor CCR2 in Glucose Primed Human Mesangial Cells
Authors: Janssen Ulf , Sowa Eveline , Marchand Petra , Floege Jürgen , Phillips Aled O. , Radeke Heinfried H. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Glomerular mononuclear cell infiltration is associated with the development of a diffuse glomerulosclerosis in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in the recruitment and accumulation of monocytes and lymphocytes within the glomerulus. In the present study, we examined whether the ambient glucose concentration alters the expression of MCP-1 and its receptor CCR2 in primary human mesangial cells (HMC). <i>Methods:</i> MCP-1 mRNA expression was assessed by Northern blot and CCR2 mRNA expression by RT-PCR analysis. MCP-1 protein production was determined by ELISA. Migration studies were performed to assess functional MCP-1 receptor expression. <i>Results:</i> Exposure of HMC to 30 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose led to a 30% increase in MCP-1 mRNA expression as compared to 5 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose and osmotic controls while there was no difference in MCP-1 protein production. Simultaneously, CCR2 mRNA expression was down-regulated in HMC exposed to 30 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose. 5 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose primed HMC showed a dose-dependent migration towards MCP-1 that was dose-dependently inhibited by pertussis toxin, the broad-spectrum chemokine antagonist vMIP-II as well as the CCR2 receptor antagonist (1–8del)MCP-1 – demonstrating functional activity of MCP-1 receptor expression in primary HMC. In accordance with the downregulatory effects of 30 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose on CCR2 mRNA expression no migratory response towards MCP-1 was observed under these conditions. The additional proinflammatory stimulus TNFα increased MCP-1 protein production in 30 as compared to 5 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose primed HMC (2,194 ± 568 vs. 1,422 ± 379 pg MCP-1/10<sup>4</sup> cells × ml in 30 vs. 5 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose primed HMC +24 h TNFα 500 U/ml, p = 0.002). However, this was not associated with an increased MCP-1 mRNA transcription. The 30 m<i>M</i><i>D</i>-glucose induced downregulation of CCR2 mRNA expression was prevented in the presence of TNFα. <i>Conclusion:</i> High ambient glucose does not affect mesangial MCP-1 release and decreases its CCR2 receptor expression. However, in the presence of an inflammatory stimulus these effects of high glucose are reversed and an autocrine pathway of MCP-1 develops in mesangial cells.
Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy with Low-Dose Cisplatin plus 5-Fluorouracil for the Treatment of Patients with Unresectable Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Kohno Naoyuki , Kitahara Satoshi , Tamura Etsuyo , Tanabe Tetsuya 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy using conventional radiotherapy combined with low-dose daily 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) for the locally unresectable head and neck cancer patients. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> From September 1996 through December 2000, we carried out a phase II study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with low-dose CDDP plus 5FU for the treatment of patients with unresectable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Chemoradiotherapy consisted of irradiation with 1.6–2.0 Gy/day for 5 days per week up to a total dose 68 Gy and CDDP 3 mg/m<sup>2</sup> by intravenous infusion over 1 h plus 5FU 150 mg/m<sup>2</sup> by intravenous infusion over 24 h per day for 5 days per week. <i>Results:</i> Ninety percent of the patients had stage IV disease, including 65% of patients with T4 disease. Thirty-three patients (83%) received the full treatment as planned; 39 (98%) received full-dose radiotherapy and 33 (83%) full-dose chemotherapy. Of the 40 patients evaluable for response, 20 (50%) achieved complete response (CR) and 12 (30%) partial response with an overall response rate of 80%. Among the 20 CR patients, 15 underwent endoscopic blind biopsies and 4 had positive lesions. The most frequently observed toxicity was mucositis. Ten patients developed grade III mucositis, and 3 patients required enteral nutritional support through a feeding tube. Grade III leukopenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were observed in 28, 25 and 20% of the patients, respectively. The median duration of follow-up at the time of analysis was 18 months. The median survival time was 23 months. The responders survived longer (34 months) than the nonresponders (4 months; p < 0.05). <i>Conclusion:</i> This regimen is safe and efficacious in the treatment of patients with advanced unresectable head and neck cancer.
The 20-kD Human Growth Hormone Reduces Body Fat by Increasing Lipolysis and Decreasing Lipoprotein Lipase Activity
Authors: Takahashi Shunichi , Satozawa Noboru 
Published: April 2003

<i>Aim: </i>The aim of this study was to estimate the lipolytic activity of the human growth hormone variant, 20-kD human growth hormone (20K-hGH). <i>Methods:</i> Obese KV-A<sup><i>y</i></sup> mice were given daily subcutaneous injections of 20K-hGH (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg), 22K-hGH (0.25 mg/kg) or saline as a control for 2 weeks. Body composition (fat, water and protein), lipolysis and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were measured 24 h after the final injection. <i>Results:</i> Both growth hormone isoforms significantly reduced relative fat pad and whole body lipids. In addition, 20K-hGH produced an inhibition of LPL activity in adipose tissue and stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes. <i>Conclusion:</i> These data strongly suggest that inhibition of LPL activity in adipose tissue and stimulation of lipolysis in adipocytes by 20K-hGH treatment reduce adipose tissue mass, resulting in body fat reduction.
Chromosomal Aberrations in Transitional Cell Carcinoma: Its Correlation with Tumor Behavior
Authors: Yu Dah-Shyong , Chen Hong-I , Chang Sun-Yran 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to study numerical aberrations of chromosomes 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, X and Y in interphase nuclei of 16 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines of the urinary tract. The number of chromosomal signal copies was compared with the DNA ploidy and correlated with the cellular grading and original tumor staging. <i>Methods:</i> The single-target FISH with the repetitive DNA probes for chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, X and Y were performed in 16 human TCC cell lines. For each test specimen, a minimum of 200 nuclei were analyzed. The number of fluorescent signals per nucleus was recorded. Tumor ploidy was analyzed using the DNA propidium iodide flow cytometric method. These results were correlated with tumor grade and stage. <i>Results:</i> In two diploid TCC cell lines, on average 67% of detected chromosomes were di-(i)somic. In 14 aneuploid TCC cell lines, on average only 10% (0–44%) of detected chromosomes were di-(i)somic. Chromosome X was completely changed into polysomism in 16 TCC cell lines (native male:female ratio = 12:4) but was unrelated to tumor grade or stage. Chromosome Y was lost in 10 out of 12 (83%) TCC cell lines which originated from male patients but was unrelated to tumor grade or stage too. 31% of chromosomes 11 and 15 were disomic in 16 TCC cell lines, 38% of chromosome 3 was monosomic, and 81–88% (83 in average) of chromosomes 1, 7, 9, 17 were polysomic. Disomic chromosome 11 associated with lower grade TCC and disomic chromosome 15 associated with higher grade TCC were noted (p < 0.01). Higher incidence of low stage tumors was observed in TCC cell lines with disomic chromosome 11 or chromosome 15 (p < 0.01). There was no correlation in somatic status of chromosomes 1, 7, 9, 17 with tumor grade and stage. <i>Conclusions:</i> The results of the study demonstrate that polysomism of chromosomes 1, 7, 9, 17 and X occurs in most of the TCC cells with aneuploidy. The stability of chromosomes 11 and 15 is closely related to tumor grade and stage. The role of chromosome Y loss and monosomism of chromosome 3 in oncogenic relevant of bladder cancer is still unclear.
Smooth Muscle, Neurons and Interstitial Cells of Guinea Pig Ileum: Are There Tachykinin Neurokinin 1 Receptor Subtypes?
Authors: Matuszek Maria A. , Burcher Elizabeth 
Published: April 2003

Binding and autoradiographic studies were carried out in guinea pig ileum to examine neurokinin (NK) 1 receptor location and subtypes using the NK-1-selective radioligand [<sup>125</sup>I]Bolton-Hunter[Sar<sup>9</sup>,Met(O<sub>2</sub>)<sup>11</sup>]SP. Two membrane preparations were made: (1) longitudinal muscle containing the myenteric plexus and (2) circular muscle containing the interstitial cells of Cajal. In saturation binding studies, the K<sub>D</sub> was estimated as 1.3 and 1.0 nmol/l in each preparation, respectively. In competition binding, the rank order of potency was similar in both membrane preparations: SR140333 &#8776; CP99994 ≧ [Sar<sup>9</sup>,Met(O<sub>2</sub>)<sup>11</sup>]SP &#8776; physalaemin &#8776; CP96345 (pIC<sub>50</sub> 9.5–8.7) >> neuropeptide γ ≧ septide (pIC<sub>50</sub> 7.8–7.4). Similarly, scyliorhinin I displayed equal affinity in both preparations, although binding was at two sites, of high affinity (pIC<sub>50</sub> 9.1, 30%) and low affinity (pIC<sub>50</sub> 7.2–6.6, 70%). The only competitor to bind differently in the two muscle preparations was scyliorhinin II, which bound to one site with low potency in the circular muscle (pIC<sub>50</sub> 6.9) but to high-affinity (pIC<sub>50</sub> 9.0, 17%) and low-affinity (pIC<sub>50</sub> 6.7, 83%) sites in the longitudinal muscle. In autoradiographic studies, dense specific binding was associated with the myenteric plexus and the inner circular muscle containing the interstitial cells of Cajal, with minimal specific binding to longitudinal and circular smooth muscle. These results suggest that the NK-1 receptor on the interstitial cells and the myenteric plexus is similar. The apparently low numbers of binding sites on intestinal smooth muscle may be due to a low expression of the NK-1 receptor. Alternatively, the radioligand may not recognize the guinea pig ileum muscle NK-1 receptors due to possible minor differences in their sequence or glycosylation.
Effect of Increasing Doses of Aspirin on Platelet Aggregation among Stroke Patients
Authors: Gan Robert , Teleg Rosalia A. , Florento Leila , Bitanga Ester S. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background and Purpose:</i> Aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Some investigators believe that low-dose aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation to the same degree as high-dose aspirin. Our study aimed to assess the effect of increasing doses of aspirin on the degree of platelet aggregation induced by collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) among stroke patients. <i>Methods:</i> Sixteen poststroke patients were prescribed aspirin at daily doses of 40, 80, 160, 325, 650, and 1,300 mg, each dose to be taken for 14 days (total duration 12 weeks). Platelet aggregation studies using 2 µg/ml collagen and 2 µ<i>M</i> ADP were performed on platelet-rich plasma at baseline and on the 14th day of each dose. <i>Results:</i> Platelet aggregation studies using 2 µg/ml collagen at the start of treatment and at the 14th day of each dose revealed dose-dependent inhibition by aspirin starting at 40 mg/day, but was optimal at 80– 160 mg/day. ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibition appears to be dose dependent up to 1,300 mg/day. <i>Conclusion:</i> Inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin appears to be optimal at 80–160 mg/day, while ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibition by aspirin appears to be dose dependent up to 1,300 mg/day in our poststroke patients, albeit to a less remarkable degree at higher doses.
Protein Oxidation and Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction in Porcine White Matter following Intracerebral Infusions of Whole Blood or Plasma
Authors: Wagner Kenneth R. , Packard Benjamin A. , Hall Cathy L. , Smulian A. George , Linke Michael J. , de Courten-Myers Gabrielle M. , Packard Lori M. , Hall Nathan C. 
Published: April 2003

Spontaneous or traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the white matter of neonates, children and adults causes significant mortality and morbidity. The detailed biochemical mechanisms through which blood damages white matter are poorly defined. Presently, we tested the hypothesis that ICH induces rapid oxidative stress in white matter. Also, since clot-derived plasma proteins accumulate in white matter after ICH and these proteins can induce oxidative stress in microglia in vitro, we determined whether the blood’s plasma component alone induces oxidative stress. Lastly, since heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction is highly sensitive to oxidative stress, we also examined white matter HO-1 gene expression. We infused either whole blood or plasma (2.5 ml) into the frontal hemispheric white matter of pentobarbital-anesthetized pigs (∼1 kg) over 15 min. We monitored and controlled physiologic variables and froze brains in situ between 1 and 24 h after ICH. White matter oxidative stress was determined by measuring protein carbonyl formation and HO-1 gene expression by RT-PCR. Protein carbonyl formation occurred rapidly in the white matter adjacent to both blood and plasma clots with significant elevations (3- to 4-fold) already 1 h after infusion. This increase remained through the first 24 h. HO-1 mRNA was rapidly induced in white matter with either whole blood or plasma infusions. These results demonstrate that not only whole blood but also its plasma component are capable of rapidly inducing oxidative stress in white matter. This rapid response, possibly in microglial cells, may contribute to white matter damage not only following ICH, but also in pathophysiological states in which blood-brain-barrier permeability to plasma proteins is increased.
Ozone-Induced Release of Neuropeptides from Human Nasal Mucosa Cells
Authors: Schierhorn Katrin , Hanf Gerald , Fischer Axel , Umland Beate , Olze Heidi , Kunkel Gert 
Published: April 2003

Studies examining the effect of pharmacological agents on respiratory responses to ozone support the concept that the effects are mediated, at least in part, by neural mechanisms, including neuropeptide release. Using a special tissue culture system the influence of ozone (0.1 ppm/24 h) on nasal mucosa from allergic and nonallergic patients undergoing surgery for chronic nasal obstruction was examined. Substance P (SP)-immunoreactive nerves were found in air-exposed as well as in ozone-exposed tissue samples. The content of neurokinin A (NKA) and SP in the culture supernatants was significantly increased following ozone exposure compared to controls. Tissue of allergic patients showed an ozone-induced increase in the release of NKA and SP compared to tissue of nonallergic patients. These results suggest that the mode of action of ozone results in an increased activity of sensory nerves in the upper airways with a subsequent increased release of neuropeptides. In addition to the known ozone-induced release of proinflammatory mediators, these mechanisms may explain the increased responsiveness of patients with hypersensitive airways.
A Simple Technique for High-Throughput Screening of Drugs That Modulate Normal and Psoriasis-Like Differentiation in Cultured Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Pol Arno , Bergers Mieke , van Ruissen Fred , Pfundt Rolph , Schalkwijk Joost 
Published: April 2003

Established treatments for psoriasis act ei-ther on hyperproliferation, inflammation, aberrant epidermal differentiation or a combination of these aspects of the disease. Potential new drugs for treatment of psoriasis or other disorders with abnormalities in epidermal differentiation can be identified by high-throughput screening of large compound libraries using surrogate markers for the disease. Here we describe a screening model to detect pharmacologically active drugs in two keratinocyte-based, 96-well culture models that use expression of cytokeratin 10 (CK10) and skin-derived antileucoprotease (SKALP)/elafin as markers for normal and psoriatic differentiation, respectively, and allow multiple parameters to be determined from a single well. In this model we tested a number of compounds in a pharmacological range from 10<sup>–7</sup> to 10<sup>–5</sup> <i>M</i>, including known antipsoriatic drugs, and experimental drugs that are potentially useful in the treatment of psoriasis. All-<i>trans</i>-retinoic acid, dithranol and the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase inhibitor SB220025 displayed a strong inhibitory effect on SKALP expression while cyclosporin A, dexamethasone, the vitamin D<sub>3</sub> derivative calcipotriol and the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 showed only moderate inhibition. Methotrexate and dimethylfumarate did not affect the expression of SKALP. With respect to CK10 expression, all-<i>trans</i>-retinoic acid, calcipotriol, SB203580 and SB220025 exhibited strong inhibition while dithranol showed only moderate suppression of this normal differentiation marker. Expression levels of CK10 were not significantly affected by dexamethasone, methotrexate, cyclosporin A or dimethylfumarate. This model system parallels most, but not all, findings on the in vitro effect of known antipsoriatic drugs on keratinocytes. In addition, the model identifies p38 MAP kinase inhibitors as potent suppressors of differentiation-associated gene expression. Although further delineation and validation of this model is required, we conclude that the system is amenable to down-scaling and application as a high-throughput screen for differentiation-modifying compounds.