bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac involvement in HIV infected people in Yaounde, Cameroon
Authors: Nzuobontane D , Blackett K N , Kuaban C 
Published: December 2002

Abstract

Objective
To study the cardiac abnormalities in HIV infected patients in relation to the clinical stage of the disease and the immunological status of the patients.

Methods
A total 75 consecutive patients tested for HIV on the basis of clinical suspicion of the disease from July to September 1996 at the University Hospital Centre, Yaounde, Cameroon were recruited. The patients were classified into AIDS, HIV positive non-AIDS, and HIV negative according to clinical findings and outcome of ELISA and western blot testing. Every patient underwent a clinical examination, two dimensional and M-mode echocardiography, and blood lymphocyte typing.

Results
Dilated cardiomyopathy occurred in 7/30 (23.33%) AIDS patients, 1/24 (4.17%) HIV positive non-AIDS patient, but in none of the HIV negative patients. Other echocardiographic abnormalities included pericardial separation, effusion, thickening, and mitral valve prolapse. Although these abnormalities were more frequent in HIV infected patients, the differences did not reach levels of statistical significance. Dilated cardiomyopathy occurred in six (31.58%) of the patients with a CD4 cell count ≤100/mm3 and two (6.06%) in those with absolute CD4 counts &gt;100/mm3 (χ2 = 4.02, p = 0.03).

Conclusions
Cardiovascular abnormalities are frequent in African HIV infected patients but clinically discrete. Low CD4 cell counts are associated with dilated cardiomyopathy. These abnormalities should be expected with greater frequency in cardiological clinical practice as management of opportunistic infections improves in a situation of continued high disease prevalence in Africa.
Thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar hyperhidrosis and Raynaud’s phenomenon of the upper limb and excessive facial blushing: a five year experience
Authors: Rajesh Y S , Pratap C P , Woodyer A B 
Published: December 2002

Abstract
Primary hyperhidrosis of the palms, face, and axillae has a strong negative impact on social and professional life. A retrospective analysis of 40 laparoscopic transaxillary thoracic sympathectomies performed in a district general hospital over a five year period was undertaken in order to determine the effectiveness of this procedure. A postal questionnaire was sent to all patients to assess the benefit from the operation; postoperative pain and time off work were collated. Immediate failure was noted in three patients, of whom two later underwent successful reoperation. Recurrence was noted in three patients (8%). Though immediate complications were minimal, the major long term postoperative morbidity was compensatory hyperhidrosis on the back, chest, and thigh (77%) along with gustatory sweating over the face (22%). Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive surgical treatment for hyperhidrosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon of the upper limb, and excessive facial blushing; however, the chance of long term compensatory hyperhidrosis is high.
Polyarteritis nodosa presenting as a pyrexia of unknown origin
Authors: Henderson J , Cohen J , Jackson J , Wiselka M 
Published: December 2002

Abstract
A case of an 18 year old woman is reported who presented with a pyrexia of unknown origin having returned from a trip to India. She initially had constitutional symptoms only, which rapidly progressed to a multisystem disorder. The difficulty in making the diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa, especially with the possible differential diagnosis of infection after her recent travel, is discussed. The discussion reviews the condition of polyarteritis nodosa and analyses the diagnostic difficulties in this case.
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a white woman
Authors: Dixon A N , Jones R 
Published: December 2002

Abstract
A 24 year old white woman presented with sudden onset of flaccid quadriparesis and hypokalaemia. She was later found to be thyrotoxic. Paralysis resolved with potassium supplements, and after initiation of antithyroid medication she had no further episodes of hypokalaemic paralysis. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, and after a Medline search, thyrotoxic periodic paralysis has not been described previously in a white woman.
TWO GROUPS ASSOCIATED WITH QUADRATIC PISOT UNITS
Authors: FROUGNY CHRISTIANE , SAKAROVITCH JACQUES 
Published: December 2002

In a previous work, we have investigated an automata-theoretic property of numeration systems associated with quadratic Pisot units that yields, for every such number θ, a certain group Gθ. In this paper, we characterize a cross-section of a congruence γθ of ℤ4 that had arisen when constructing Gθ. This allows us to completely describe the quotient Hθ of ℤ4 by γθ, that becomes then a second group associated with θ. Moreover, the cross-section thus described is very similar to the symbolic dynamical system associated, by a theorem of Parry, with the two numeration systems attached to θ. The proof is combinatorial, and based upon rewriting techniques. Résumé: Dans un article précédent, nous avions associé à chaque nombre de Pisot quadratique unitaire θ un certain groupe Gθ par le biais de la construction d'un automate qui réalise le passage entre les représentations des entiers dans deux systèmes de numération naturellement attachés à θ. Dans cet article, nous donnons une caractérisation d'un ensemble de représentants pour une congruence γθ de ℤ4 qui avait été utilisée pour la définition de Gθ. Cette caractérisation permet la description complète du quotient Hθ de ℤ4 par γθ, autre groupe associé à θ. Elle est d'autre part remarquablement similaire à la description, donnée par un théorème de Parry, du système dynamique symbolique associé aux deux systèmes de numération attachés à θ. La preuve est combinatoire et utilise les techniques des systèmes de réécriture.
p53 Is Required for 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-Induced G0 Arrest But Is Not Required for G1 Accumulation or Apoptosis of LNCaP Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Polek Tara C. , Stewart LaMonica V. , Ryu Elizabeth J. , Cohen Michael B. , Allegretto Elizabeth A. , Weigel Nancy L. 
Published: December 2002

Abstract1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] is an effective agent for inhibiting the growth of prostate cancer cells including LNCaP and PC-3 cell lines. However, the extent of growth inhibition in these cell lines differs because LNCaP cells are much more responsive than PC-3 cells. Previous studies in LNCaP cells have shown that 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment results in G0/G1 cell cycle accumulation, loss of Ki67 expression, and induction of apoptosis. One difference between the two cell lines is that PC-3 cells lack functional p53, a protein that plays roles both in cell cycle regulation and induction of apoptosis. In this study, the role of p53 in 1,25-(OH)2D3 action was examined using the p53-negative PC-3 cells and a line of LNCaP cells, called LN-56, in which p53 function was shut off using a dominant negative p53 fragment. We found that treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3 extensively inhibits growth of LN-56 prostate cancer cells lacking p53, but in contrast to the parental LNCaP cells, the LN-56 cells recover rapidly. Moreover, in prostate cancer cells, the synergism between 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 9-cis retinoic acid appears to be dependent on the presence of functional p53; however, 1,25-(OH)2D3-mediated induction of G1 cell cycle accumulation and induction of apoptosis is not.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is Involved in Apoptosis Induced by Serum Withdrawal and Fatty Acids in the β-Cell Line Ins-1
Authors: Maestre Isabel , Jordán Joaquín , Calvo Soledad , Reig Juan Antonio , Ceña Valentín , Soria Bernat , Prentki Marc , Roche Enrique 
Published: December 2002

Abstract
The potential toxic effects of high extracellular concentrations of fatty acids were tested in β(INS-1)-cells cultured in the absence of serum, a condition known to alter cell survival in various systems. This may in part mimic the situation in type 1 or 2 diabetes where β-cells are already insulted by various stressful conditions, such as cytokines and oxidative stress. Serum removal caused, over a 36-h period, oxidative stress and an early impairment of mitochondrial function, as revealed by increased superoxide production and markedly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, but a lack of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor release in the cytosol. The fatty acids palmitate and oleate considerably accelerated the apoptosis process in serum-starved cells, as revealed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, morphological changes, chromatin condensation, DNA laddering, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor release, and increased levels of Bax and cytosolic caspase-2. The fatty acids also increased nitric oxide production, apparently independently of inducible nitric oxide synthase induction. Under the same experimental conditions, elevated glucose alone had only a marginal effect on β-cell apoptosis. Together the results indicate that elevated concentrations of fatty acids are particularly efficient in accelerating the rate of apoptosis of already stressed β(INS-1)-cells displaying altered mitochondrial function, and that the mitochondrial arm of the apoptosis process is involved in β-cell lipotoxicity.
Temporally Sensitive Trophic Responsiveness of the Adrenalectomized Rat Anterior Pituitary to Dexamethasone Challenge: Relationship between Mitotic Activity and Apoptotic Sensitivity
Authors: Nolan L. A. , Levy A. 
Published: December 2002

Abstract
Depending on timing and dose, exogenous glucocorticoids induce a wave of apoptosis in the adult rat anterior pituitary, a response that is enhanced by adrenalectomy. In this study, we show that the size of the glucocorticoid-sensitive apoptotic population progressively increases during the week following surgical adrenalectomy, plateaus for a further week, then spontaneously declines to levels seen in intact animals by 4 wk. Mitotic activity, in contrast, rises rapidly post adrenalectomy but returns to baseline within 2 wk. Increased mitotic activity precedes the increase in the population of cells that undergo glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis and the subsequent decline in mitotic activity precedes the decline in apoptotic sensitivity despite persistent elevation of hypothalamic CRH and pituitary proopiomelanocortin transcripts. If glucocorticoid exposure is delayed until 4 wk post adrenalectomy when the apoptotic response has returned to baseline, glucocorticoid withdrawal, by transiently increasing mitotic activity, again primes the formation of an expanded glucocorticoid-sensitive apoptotic cell population. These data suggest that apoptotic sensitivity is largely confined to cells that have recently entered the cell cycle. This observation is further corroborated by demonstrating an abrupt glucocorticoid-induced step-down in the bromodeoxyuridine-labeling index to basal levels in rats given daily injections of bromodeoxyuridine during the week following adrenalectomy.
pp60c-Src Kinase Mediates Growth Effects of the Full-Length Precursor Progastrin1–80 Peptide on Rat Intestinal Epithelial Cells, in Vitro
Authors: Brown D. , Yallampalli U. , Owlia A. , Singh P. 
Published: December 2002

Abstract
Growth factor effects of precursor forms of gastrins have become evident in recent years. However, intracellular pathways that mediate growth effects of the precursor molecules are not known. In previous studies, we reported an increase in Tyr phosphorylation of pp60c-Src in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) in response to the fully processed form of gastrin [gastrin1–17 (G17)]. We have now examined whether c-Src kinase is similarly phosphorylated and activated in response to the full-length precursor molecule, progastrin (PG)1–80, (recombinant human PG) in IEC cells. We found a significant increase in pp60c-Src kinase activity in response to both G17 and PG (0.1–1.0 nm), suggesting that growth effects of both the precursor and fully processed gastrin molecules may be mediated via similar pathways. On the other hand, pp62c-Yes was not phosphorylated or activated in response to either G17 or PG. To examine whether c-Src kinase mediates proliferative effects of PG, IEC cells were microinjected with anti-Src-IgG and 3H-thymidine (3H-Tdr) uptake of the cells measured. Control cells received nonimmune IgG. The 3H-Tdr uptake of cells stimulated with 1.0 nm PG was significantly reduced in cells microinjected with anti-c-Src-IgG; control IgG had no effect. In cells stimulated with 1.0% fetal calf serum, microinjection with c-Src-IgG had no effect on 3H-Tdr uptake. The specificity of the effect was further confirmed by blocking the inhibitory effect of anti-c-Src-IgG with antigenic Src peptide. These results suggest that activation of c-Src kinase likely represents a critical step in mediating proliferative effects of both the precursor and fully processed forms of gastrins on IEC.
Estrogen Increases Locomotor Activity in Mice through Estrogen Receptor α: Specificity for the Type of Activity
Authors: Ogawa Sonoko , Chan Johnny , Gustafsson Jan-Åke , Korach Kenneth S. , Pfaff Donald W. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractEstrogens are known to increase running wheel activity of rodents primarily by acting on the medial preoptic area (mPOA). The mechanisms of this estrogenic regulation of running wheel activity are not completely understood. In particular, little is known about the separate roles of two types of estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, both of which are expressed in mPOA neurons. In the present study the effects of continuous estrogen treatment on running wheel activity were examined in male and female mice specifically lacking either the ERα (αERKO) or the ERβ (βERKO) gene. Mice were gonadectomized and 1 wk later implanted with either a low dose (16 ng/d) or a high dose (160 ng/d) of estradiol benzoate (EB) or with a placebo control pellet. Home cage running wheel activity was recorded for 9 d starting 10 d after EB implants. The same mice were also tested for open field activity before and after EB implants. In both female and male αERKO mice, running wheel activity was not different from that in corresponding wild-type (αWT) mice in placebo control groups. In both females and males it was increased by EB only in αWT, not αERKO, mice. In βERKO mice, on the other hand, both doses of EB equally increased running wheel activity in both sexes just as they did in βWT mice. Absolute numbers of daily revolutions of EB-treated groups, however, were significantly lower in βERKO females compared with βWT females. Before EB treatment, gonadectomized αERKO female were significantly less active than αWT mice in open field tests, whereas βERKO females tended to be more active than βWT mice. In male mice there were no effect of ERα or ERβ gene knockout on open field activity. Unlike its effect on running wheel activity, EB treatment induced only a small increase in open field activity in female, but not male, mice. These findings indicate that 1) in both sexes estrogenic regulation of running wheel activity is primarily mediated through the ERα, not the ERβ; and 2) hormone/genotype effects are specific to the type of locomotor activity (i.e. home cage running wheel activity and open field activity) measured.
Anandamide Activity and Degradation Are Regulated by Early Postnatal Aging and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone in Mouse Sertoli Cells
Authors: Maccarrone Mauro , Cecconi Sandra , Rossi Gianna , Battista Natalia , Pauselli Riccardo , Finazzi-Agrò Alessandro 
Published: December 2002

AbstractAnandamide (AEA), a prominent member of the endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors (endocannabinoids), is known to adversely affect female fertility. However, a potential role of AEA in male reproductive functions is unknown. Here we report evidence that immature mouse Sertoli cells have the biochemical tools to bind and inactivate AEA, i.e. a functional type-2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2R), a selective AEA membrane transporter, and an AEA-degrading enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase. We show that, unlike CB2R, the activity of AEA membrane transporter and the activity and expression of FAAH decrease, whereas the apoptosis-inducing activity of AEA increases with age during the neonatal period. We also show that FSH reduces the apoptotic potential of AEA, but not that of its nonhydrolyzable analog methanandamide. Concomitantly, FSH enhances FAAH activity in a manner dependent on mRNA transcription and protein synthesis and apparently involving cAMP. These data demonstrate that Sertoli cells partake in the peripheral endocannabinoid system, and that FSH reduces the apoptotic potential of AEA by activating FAAH. Taken together, it can be suggested that the endocannabinoid network plays a role in the hormonal regulation of male fertility.
Trafficking of Mutant Carboxypeptidase E to Secretory Granules in a β-Cell Line Derived from Cpefat/Cpefat Mice
Authors: Cawley Niamh X. , Rodriguez Yazmin M. , Maldonado Alex , Loh Y. Peng 
Published: December 2002

AbstractWe have reinvestigated the stability and intracellular routing of mutant carboxypeptidase E in NIT3 cells, a pancreatic β-cell line derived from the Cpefat/Cpefat mouse. Pulse-chase experiments demonstrated that this protein has a half-life of approximately 3 h in these cells and that up to 45% of the proCPE(202) can escape degradation by the proteosome. In double-label immunofluorescence microscopy, a portion of the mutant CPE did not colocalize with calnexin, an endoplasmic reticulum marker, but was found in prohormone convertase 2-containing secretory granules, demonstrating that it had escaped degradation and arrived at a post-Golgi compartment. The mutant CPE as well as prohormone convertase 2 were secreted into the medium in a stimulated manner by treatment with the physiological secretagogue, glucagon-like peptide-1, consistent with its presence in granules of the regulated secretory pathway. The presence of mutant carboxypeptidase E in granules supports a potential role for its involvement as a sorting/retention receptor in the trafficking of proinsulin to the regulated secretory pathway.
Stimulation of Combinatorial Expression of Prolactin and Glycoprotein Hormone α-Subunit Genes by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Estradiol-17β in Single Rat Pituitary Cells during Aggregate Cell Culture
Authors: Hauspie A. , Seuntjens E. , Vankelecom H. , Denef C. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractPreviously we showed the existence of rat and mouse anterior pituitary cells coexpressing mRNA from two or more hormone genes in which production and/or storage of the corresponding hormones were not detectable. To substantiate a putative function for these cells, we investigated whether these phenotypes were retained during long-term reaggregate cell culture and whether protagonist regulatory factors could expand cell populations expressing particular hormone mRNA combinations. After 4-wk culture and treatments, aggregates were trypsinized and single cells collected by means of a fluo-rescence-activated cell sorter. Hormone mRNAs were detected by single-cell RT-PCR. Combinatorial hormone mRNA expression was retained in culture. Both estradiol (E2) and GnRH (1 nm) markedly augmented the proportion of cells expressing prolactin (PRL) mRNA together with other hormone mRNAs and cells expressing glycoprotein subunit (GSU)-α mRNA together with other hormone mRNAs. GnRH strongly increased the proportion of cells containing αGSU mRNA alone, but E2 did not. GnRH and (E2) affected the expansion of a population (∼20% of all cells) coexpressing PRL and αGSU mRNA without βGSUs. Immunostaining of stored hormone on tissue sections revealed colocalization of PRL and αGSU in the E2- but not in the GnRH-treated cells. The present findings suggest that cells coexpressing different pituitary hormone mRNAs form a distinct population that survives without extrapituitary factors. Their occurrence can be markedly modified by regulatory factors. Certain hormone regimens favor unique coexpressions distinctly at mRNA and protein level. These peculiar characteristics support the notion that combinatorial expression of hormone genes in the pituitary serves a biological role.
Growth Differentiation Factor-9 Stimulates Inhibin Production and Activates Smad2 in Cultured Rat Granulosa Cells
Authors: Roh Jae-Sook , Bondestam Jonas , Mazerbourg Sabine , Kaivo-Oja Noora , Groome Nigel , Ritvos Olli , Hsueh Aaron J. W. 
Published: December 2002

AbstractOvarian inhibin production is stimulated by FSH and several TGFβ family ligands including activins and bone morphogenetic proteins. Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) derived by the oocyte is a member of the TGFβ/activin family, and we have previously shown that GDF-9 treatment stimulates ovarian inhibin-α content in explants of neonatal ovaries. However, little is known about GDF-9 regulation of inhibin production in granulosa cells and downstream signaling proteins activated by GDF-9. Here, we used cultured rat granulosa cells to examine the influence of GDF-9 on basal and FSH-stimulated inhibin production, expression of inhibin subunit transcripts, and the GDF-9 activation of Smad phosphorylation. Granulosa cells from small antral follicles of diethylstilbestrol-primed immature rats were cultured with FSH in the presence or absence of increasing concentrations of GDF-9. Secreted dimeric inhibin A and inhibin B were quantified using specific ELISAs, whereas inhibin subunit RNAs were analyzed by Northern blotting using 32P-labeled inhibin subunit cDNA probes. Similar to FSH, treatment with GDF-9 stimulated dose- and time-dependent increases of both inhibin A and inhibin B production. Furthermore, coincubation of cells with GDF-9 and FSH led to a synergistic stimulation of both inhibin A and inhibin B production. GDF-9 treatment also increased mRNA expression for inhibin-α and inhibin-β subunits. To investigate Smad activation, granulosa cell lysates were analyzed in immunoblots using antiphosphoSmad1 and antiphosphoSmad2 antibodies. GDF-9 treatment increased Smad2, but not Smad1, phosphorylation with increasing doses of GDF-9 leading to a dose-dependent increase in phosphoSmad2 levels. To further investigate inhibin-α gene promoter activation by GDF-9, granulosa cells were transiently transfected with an inhibin-α promoter-luciferase reporter construct and cultured with different hormones before assaying for luciferase activity. Treatment with FSH or GDF-9 resulted in increased inhibin-α gene promoter activity, and combined treatment with both led to synergistic increases. The present data demonstrate that oocyte-derived GDF-9, alone or together with pituitary-derived FSH, stimulates inhibin production, inhibin subunit mRNA expression, and inhibin-α promoter activity by rat granulosa cells. The synergistic stimulation of inhibin secretion by the paracrine hormone GDF-9 and the endocrine hormone FSH could play an important role in the feedback regulation of FSH release, thus leading to the modulation of follicle maturation and ovulation.