bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Umbilical cord interleukin‐6 levels are elevated in term neonates with perinatal asphyxia
Authors: Chiesa C. , Pellegrini G. , Panero A. , De Luca T. , Assumma M. , Signore F. , Pacifico L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground A correlation between elevation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and white matter injury or abnormal neurologic outcome has been established in the preterm infant. In the full‐term neonate, few studies exist linking elevation of cytokines with encephalopathy and poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Our aims were to investigate if serum interleukin‐6 concentrations in delivering mothers and their offspring at birth are associated with perinatal asphyxia, and to examine the relation of interleukin‐6 levels to the severity of hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy and to the neurological outcome.Design and methods Serum interleukin‐6 levels were measured at birth, 24 and 48 h of life in 50 consecutive term uninfected newborns with perinatal asphyxia and 113 randomly selected healthy term newborns, and at delivery in their mothers.Results The median cord interleukin‐6 concentrations in the infants who developed hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy was 376‐fold as high as the values in the normal infants (P < 0·0001) and 5·5‐fold as high as those in the infants with asphyxia who did not develop hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (P < 0·05). There was also a significant relationship between interleukin‐6 and the degree of hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy, and between interleukin‐6 and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age. Regardless of outcome, in the asphyxiated infants the interleukin‐6 values were significantly lower at both 24 and 48 h of life than at birth, with a significant decline from 24 to 48 h of life. Among mothers of the asphyxiated neonates, there were no significant differences in interleukin‐6 concentrations between those delivering neonates with and without hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy.Conclusions Measurement of IL‐6 concentrations in the umbilical cord of neonates with perinatal asphyxia may be useful to identify early, and in a relatively simple way, those who are most likely to have subsequent brain injury and adverse outcome.
Immunomodulating effects of 3‐thia fatty acids in activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Aukrust P. , Wergedahl H. , Müller F. , Ueland T. , Dyrøy E. , Damås J. K. , Frøland S. S. , Berge R. K. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground 3‐thia fatty acids such as tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) are modified fatty acids that have been suggested to change the plasma profile from atherogenic to cardio protective. Because of its interaction with peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) we hypothesized that TTA also could have immunomodulatory properties. Based on the suggested role of inflammation in atherogenesis, any immunomodulating effects of TTA would be of particular interest for the potential use of this fatty acid in atherosclerotic disorders.Materials and methods We examined if TTA could modulate proliferation and the release of cytokines from peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) taken from five healthy blood donors.Results Our main findings were: (i) TTA had several effects on cytokine release from activated PBMCs with a marked increase in interleukin (IL)‐10 accompanied by a reduction in IL‐2 possibly favouring anti‐inflammatory net effects. (ii) These cytokine‐modifying effects were found in both T cells and monocytes when cultured separately. (iii) Tetradecylthioacetic acid increased the cytokine stimulating effects of tumour necrosis factor α with a particularly enhancing effect on IL‐10. (iv) Tetradecylthioacetic acid significantly suppressed PBMC proliferation, and this antiproliferative property did not involve enhanced apoptosis or necrosis. (v) These immunomodulatory effects of TTA were accompanied by a marked down‐regulation of PPARoad mRNA expression, the most abundant PPAR subtype in PBMCs.Conclusions Our findings show potent immunomodulatory effects of TTA in activated PBMCs, possibly involving PPAR‐related mechanisms.
Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms and mortality in Italian Type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Boemi M. , Sirolla C. , Testa R. , Gregorio F. , Brandoni G. , Fumelli P. , James R. W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAims To determine if apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with cardiovascular or all‐cause mortality in Italian Type 2 diabetic patients.Methods A prospective study of mortality in Type 2 diabetic patients (n = 433) as a function of apolipoprotein E phenotype, which was assessed at entry into the study. During follow up (10 years), 110 (25·4%) patients died of which 66 (15·2%) were the result of cardiovascular causes. Cause of death was established from death certificates and clinical records. The clinical status of the survivors was determined at the end of the study.Results Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms were not associated with excess cardiovascular or all‐cause mortality in the Italian Type 2 diabetic patients either in univariate or multivariate analyses. Age, duration of diabetes and glycated haemoglobin levels at entry were the primary determinants of premature mortality in the diabetic population.Conclusions Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms are not markers for premature mortality in Italian Type 2 diabetic patients. The impact of apolipoprotein E mutations may be attenuated by environmental factors, notably a healthier diet, in Italian patients.
Inverse relation between amylin and glucagon secretion in healthy and diabetic human subjects
Authors: Ludvik B. , Thomaseth K. , Nolan J. J. , Clodi M. , Prager R. , Pacini G. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground The role of amylin, which is cosecreted together with insulin by the pancreatic B‐cells, in the pathogenesis of type‐2 diabetes is still unclear. To elucidate a possible relation between amylin and glucagon we directly evaluated the respective prehepatic secretions following administration of a 75‐g oral glucose load (OGL) in humans.Materials and methods We studied six healthy controls (C), six obese, insulin resistant subjects (O) and six patients with type 2 diabetes (D). Catheters were placed in the femoral artery and hepatic vein according to the hepatic vein catheterization technique. Splanchnic blood flow was assessed by infusion of indocyanine‐green dye. The measured variables were analyzed by a general circulatory model for calculation of prehepatic secretion.Results The total amount of released glucagon was not different between the respective groups (20·5 ± 2·3 in C, 27·7 ± 5·1 in O and 27·9 ± 5·4 µg/4 h in D). When considered as the difference from the fasting profile, however, glucagon secretion was reduced by 3·5 ± 14% in C, 25 ± 12% in O and increased by 36 ± 21% in D (P = 0·051, D vs. C). Amylin secretion was increased in O (1·10 ± 0·15) vs. C (0·63 ± 0·05, P < 0·05) and D (0·24 ± 0·10 nmol, P < 0·01). Following glucose administration, glucagon secretion significantly inversely correlated with secretion of amylin (r = −0·6, P < 0·01), but not with that of insulin (r =−0·23, P = 0·36).Conclusions The inverse correlation between amylin and glucagon secretion suggests that amylin modulates glucagon secretion following oral glucose administration. This study proves for the first time a role of endogenous amylin in the regulation of glucose homeostasis.
Re‐adaptation of the colonic mucosa following protracted stress in rats
Authors: Rubio C. A. , Hellström P. , Sveander M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground We previously found that DNA synthesis of the colonic mucosa rises under protracted physical stress. At 8 stress weeks DNA values regained those of untreated animals, and was regarded as DNA adaptation to stress.Aims To assess whether the 8 weeks’ DNA adaptation to stress could be maintained following stress‐free intervals, ending with a stress stimulus.Methods Sixty rats were transported to the stress laboratory. Thirty were water plunged and 30 sham handled once a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks. After 8 stress weeks, groups of five animals were allowed to rest for 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, ending with single water plunging or sham handling. Five additional rats were untreated. All 65 animals received an i.p. injection of 3H‐thymidine before sacrifice. The ratio radioactive DNA/total DNA reflected the DNA synthesis of the colonic mucosa.Results Following DNA adaptation at 8 stress weeks, DNA replication in the right colon of the stressed rats significantly increased at 9, 10 and 11 weeks (P < 0·05), but at 12 weeks it had decreased to 8‐week values.Conclusions DNA replication in the right colon of the stressed rats did not prevail: it increased considerably in the following weeks, but at 12 weeks (only 4 weeks later), re‐adaptation to DNA synthesis had occurred. The review of the literature indicates that this is the first report in which, following adaptation to protracted stress, a re‐adaptation phase to DNA replication is demonstrated in the colonic mucosa of experimental animals.
Effect of electrical stimulation‐induced cycling on bone mineral density in spinal cord‐injured patients
Authors: Eser P. , De Bruin E. D. , Telley I. , Lechner H. E. , Knecht H. , Stüssi E. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground Bone atrophy in spinal cord‐injured people (SCI) is, among other factors, caused by immobilization and is initiated shortly after the injury. The present study measured the effect of an functional electrical stimulation (FES)‐cycling intervention on bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibia in recently injured SCI people.Methods As soon as possible after the injury (mean 4·5 weeks), para‐ and tetraplegic patients were recruited into an intervention and control group comparable with regard to gender, age, and lesion level. The intervention consisted of 30‐min functional electrical stimulation‐cycling three times a week for the duration of their primary rehabilitation (mean = 6 months). Computed tomography (CT) scans of the right tibia diaphysis were taken at the beginning and at the end of the intervention. Bone mineral density of cortical bone was calculated from the CT scans.Results A total of 38 subjects (19 in each group) were included in the study. Both groups showed a reduction in tibial cortical BMD of 0–10% of initial values within 3–10 months. The mean decrease in BMD was 0·3% (± 0·6) per month in the intervention group and 0·7% (± 0·8) in the control group. This difference did not reach statistical significance. Decrease of BMD was linearly correlated to initial BMD and age in the pooled data of both groups; subjects who had a high initial BMD and/or were older lost more bone. In neither group was bone loss associated with duration of immobilization nor lesion level.Conclusions Functional electrical stimulation‐cycling applied shortly after SCI did not significantly attenuate bone loss.
Enalaprilat, losartan and LU 135252 in coronary blood flow regulation
Authors: Rigol M. , Heras M. , Solanes N. , Epelde F. , Roig E. , Pérez‐Villa F. , Roqué M. , Sanz G. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground High plasma levels of angiotensin II are found in several pathologies such as hypertension, heart failure and myocardial infarction. The effect of high concentrations of angiotensin II on coronary circulation is not well defined. The aim of the present study was to assess coronary blood flow regulation during tachycardia in the presence of elevated coronary plasma levels of angiotensin II, and the changes induced by ACE inhibition and blockade of angiotensin II and endothelin‐A receptors.Design Left anterior coronary artery was catheterized in 38 pigs to infuse the study drugs. Saline was infused for 15 min. Then, the first atrial pacing was performed. The pigs were distributed to: Group 1 (n = 7) angiotensin II; Group 2 (n = 7) enalaprilat + angiotensin II; Group 3 (n = 9) the bradykinin B2 antagonist HOE 140 + enalaprilat + angiotensin II; Group 4 (n = 7) losartan + angiotensin II; and Group 5 (n = 8) endothelin‐A receptor antagonist LU 135252 + angiotensin II. After giving these infusions, a second pacing was repeated.Results The increase in coronary blood flow induced by pacing with angiotensin II was reduced from 181 ± 21% to 116 ± 37% (P = 0·006 vs. saline). Enalaprilat, losartan and LU 135252 restored the capacity of coronary blood flow to increase during pacing (151 ± 39%, 162 ± 35% and 161 ± 16%, respectively; P = NS, vs. saline), while HOE 140 abolished the effect of enalaprilat.Conclusions Moderately elevated coronary concentrations of angiotensin II reduced coronary blood flow during pacing. Enalaprilat, losartan and LU 135252 restored the hyperaemic coronary flow to similar values observed with saline. The beneficial effect of ACE inhibition is mediated through an increase in bradykinin.
Increased intestinal permeability as a cause of fluctuating postprandial blood glucose levels in Type 1 diabetic patients
Authors: Damci T. , Nuhoglu I. , Devranoglu G. , Osar Z. , Demir M. , Ilkova H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground In diabetic patients, postprandial glucose levels, which have a major impact on metabolic control, are determined by the rate of nutrient delivery into the intestine, absorption of nutrients from the small intestine, and the metabolism of the absorbed nutrients by the liver. The present study addresses whether Type 1 diabetic patients have increased intestinal permeability and intestinal permeability predicts postprandial glucose variability.Material and methods Thirty Type 1 diabetic patients together with 15 sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. After an overnight fasting all patients and controls received 100 µCi 51Cr of EDTA as a radioactive tracer and the percentage of the isotope excreted in a 24‐h urinary specimen was the permeability measure. Instant blood glucose was measured just before the test, and the patients performed and recorded self‐monitoring of fasting and 2nd‐hour postprandial blood glucose levels during the following week.Results We found that intestinal permeability is increased in Type 1 diabetic patients compared with age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Increased intestinal permeability is related at least in part to the instant blood glucose level and the presence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy.Conclusion Increased intestinal permeability leads to higher variation in postprandial blood glucose levels, thereby worsening metabolic control.
The variability of liver graft function and urinary 6β‐hydroxycortisol to cortisol ratio during liver regeneration in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Kishino Satoshi , Ogawa Maki , Takekuma Yoh , Sugawara Mitsuru , Shimamura Tsuyoshi , Furukawa Hiroyuki , Todo Satoru , Miyazaki Katsumi 
Published: December 2004

Abstract:  The urinary ratio of 6β‐hydroxycortisol to cortisol (6β‐OHF/F) is considered to be the simplest and most practical method for estimation of hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) activity as a non‐invasive marker of human in vivo CYP3A4 activity. However, the inter‐ and intra‐individual variability of the urinary 6β‐OHF/F ratio during liver regeneration and the effect of variability on optimal dose of tacrolimus have not yet been clarified. The objective of this study was to clarify the change in the urinary 6β‐OHF/F ratio during liver regeneration and to determine the effect of the liver graft function on the optimal tacrolimus dose in liver transplant recipients. Two liver transplant recipients (one male and one female) and eight healthy volunteers (five males and three females) were enrolled in this study. Urine samples were collected from the recipients from 08.00 hours for 24 h on post‐transplant period, 1–10 and 21–30 days postoperatively. In the healthy volunteers, morning spot urine samples were collected at 08.00 hours. The mean urinary 6β‐OHF/F ratio in the immediate postoperative period was significantly low (p < 0.05). However, a marked difference in the regulation of CYP3A4 activity during liver regeneration was found in the two recipients. A significant correlation was found between the urinary 6β‐OHF/F ratio and the C/D ratio of tacrolimus (R = 0.658, p < 0.05). The urinary 6β‐OHF/F ratio is a useful probe for estimating the variability of CYP3A4 activity in liver transplant recipients in early postoperative phase. Future studies should evaluate the clinical usefulness of the urinary 6β‐OHF/F ratio as a predictor of tacrolimus pharmacokinetics in liver transplantation.
Relationship between endomyocardial biopsy score and cyclosporine 2‐h post‐dose levels (C2) in heart transplant patients receiving anti‐thymocyte globulin induction
Authors: Cantarovich Marcelo , Giannetti Nadia , Cecere Renzo 
Published: December 2004

Abstract: Background: Cyclosporine (CsA) 2‐h post‐dose levels (C2) correlate better with the area‐under‐the‐curve compared with trough levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between C2and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) score in heart transplant patients receiving anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG)‐induction.Methods: We reviewed 517 EMB performed during the first year in 39 adult heart transplant patients receiving ATG‐induction, corticosteroids, mycophenolate mofetil and CsA. C2obtained on the day of EMB was related to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation classification (score ≤2 or ≥3A). Furthermore, EMB were related to C2(ng/mL), sorted according to the lower recommended range in liver (0–3 months: 850; 4–6 months: 700; 7–12 months: 500) or renal transplantation (0–1 month: 1500; 2–3 months: 1200; 4–6 months: 1000; 7–12 months: 800).Results: Overall, C2did not significantly differ in patients with EMB ≤2 or ≥3A. However, during the first month, EMB ≤2 was associated with a trend towards a higher mean C2compared with EMB ≥3A (750 ng/mL vs. 530 ng/mL). When C2were sorted according to the lower recommended range in liver or renal transplantation, no significant difference was observed when EMB was ≤2 or ≥3A.Conclusion: In heart transplant patients receiving ATG‐induction, C2did not significantly differ according to EMB ≤2 or ≥3A. No significant relationship was found between EMB score and C2based on the lower recommended range in liver or renal transplantation. However, mean C2>750 ng/mL appears to be associated with a lower rejection score during the first month.
Courtship Behavior in the Hawaiian Cricket Laupala cerasina: Males Provide Spermless Spermatophores as Nuptial Gifts
Authors: Shaw Kerry L. , Khine Albert H. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe role of sexual selection in the crickets (family Gryllidae) is well known but new forms of courtship behavior continue to be discovered. Here we describe the elaborate mating behavior of the Hawaiian endemic Laupala cerasina (subfamily Trigonidiinae) on the basis of both laboratory and field observations. We found that courtship and mating involve multiple copulations during which repeated spermatophores are transferred. Initial copulations involved the transfer of relatively small ‘microspermatophores’. The final copulation results in the transfer of a considerably larger ‘macrospermatophore’. We tested and rejected the hypothesis that the number of spermatophore transfers results in greater offspring sired by a given male. Matings involving only microspermatophores resulted in no offspring, whereas most matings involving micros and a macrospermatophore, or a macrospermatophore only, produced offspring. A direct examination of the contents of the microspermatophore revealed an absence of sperm, whereas examination of the macrospermatophore revealed the presence of sperm. Given that females consume the spermless microspermatophores, we conclude that the microspermatophores are a form of nuptial feeding of females by males. We discuss possible hypotheses to explain this unusual courtship system.
‘Defence lignin’ and hydroxycinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activities in wounded Eucalyptus gunnii
Authors: Hawkins S. , Boudet A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryTo learn more about lignin formation in response to wounding in trees, we adopted two complementary approaches: (1) microscopic and histochemical studies of the wound response in 3.5‐month‐old Eucalyptus gunnii plantlets and (2) biochemical investigations of hydroxycinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activities in wounded 6‐year‐old, field‐grown E. gunnii trees. The first approach revealed that a barrier zone was formed in response to wounding in both ground tissues (cortex barrier and pith reaction zone) and vascular tissues. The barrier zone was barely detectable after 24 h but well‐developed 7 days after wounding. Microscopic analyses indicated that the barrier zone was formed by the reinforcement of cell walls with ‘lignin‐like material’ in both ground tissues and vascular tissue, and that, in addition, the lumen of certain xylem cells (vessels and fibres) were blocked by the deposition of polymeric phenolic material. Histochemical characterization revealed that the lignin‐like material (‘defence lignin’) deposited in ground tissue cell walls and xylem cell blockages was poor in syringyl (S‐type) lignin units and therefore differed from the usual mixed guaiacyl–syringyl (G–S) lignin unit composition of E. gunnii developmental lignin. In contrast, S‐type lignin appeared to be deposited in the cell walls of immature developing secondary xylem cells at a stage when the cell walls of comparable cells from unwounded control stems contained lignin poor in syringyl units. The second approach indicated that two different types of cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity are induced, and apparently regulated differentially, in response to wounding in E. gunnii trees. Coniferyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity was induced immediately and continued to increase throughout the first 15 days of the 17‐day experimental period, while sinapyl alcohol dehydrogenase activity was first detected at 8 days after wounding and continued to increase throughout the experimental period. The biological roles of the two alcohol dehydrogenase activities are discussed in relation to the formation of defence lignin versus developmental lignin in trees.
Distribution of Heterobasidion annosum intersterility groups in Poland
Authors: Łakomy P. , Werner A. 
Published: December 2004

SummarySpecimens of Heterobasidion annosum were collected in 104 different stands in 43 regions of Poland. Pure cultures originating from 439 collections were identified in mating tests. Three intersterility groups, P, S and F, of H. annosum were found. Their occurrence in Poland was connected with the natural distribution of the main hosts: Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies and Abies alba, respectively. P was the most common intersterility group of H. annosum in Poland, causing mortality in Scots pine plantations and root rot in older stands. It was also isolated from Betula pendula, P. abies, Larix decidua, Fagus sylvatica and Carpinus betulus. The S group was present in the southern and north‐eastern parts of the country, causing root and butt rot mostly in spruce stands. The F group occurred in the south of Poland, in the mountains, highlands and lowland up to the northern border of the distribution of fir. It was found only on stumps, old dead trees and logs. There was no evidence of damage caused by the F group on A. alba trees.