bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interferon Gamma-1b in the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Pacanowski Michael A , Amsden Guy W 
Published: September 2005

Objective: To examine the clinical aspects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the efficacy and safety of interferon gamma-1b (IFNγ−1b) in its treatment. Data Sources: Epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical studies published in the English language were identified by a MEDLINE search (1966–January 2005) using the search terms idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis, and interferon. Additional citations were identified from the reference lists of related publications. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Selected preclinical studies describing the pathophysiologic basis for IFNγ−1b therapy and all clinical studies were included. Additional trials describing other treatment modalities and the determinants of response to therapy in patients with IPF were also reviewed. Data Synthesis: IFNγ−1b targets the fibrotic rather than inflammatory processes of IPF. The efficacy of IFNγ−1b in patients with IPF is inconsistent with regard to changes in pulmonary function and mortality, although a modest survival benefit was observed in the largest clinical trial. Adverse events related to IFNγ−1b are frequent although transient. Several cases of respiratory failure occurring subsequent to the administration of IFNγ−1b are documented. CONCLUSIONS: To date, although trials suggest that earlier-stage IPF may be responsive to IFNγ−1b, study results overall are inconsistent; further investigation is needed.
Propylene Glycol–Induced Lactic Acidosis in a Patient with Normal Renal Function: A Proposed Mechanism and Monitoring Recommendations
Authors: Neale Bruce W , Mesler Eleanor L , Young Michael , Rebuck Jill A , Weise Wolfgang J 
Published: September 2005

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of severe propylene glycol–induced lactic acidosis not attributable to renal dysfunction that was secondary to administration of high-dose intravenous lorazepam. CASE SUMMARY: A 24-year-old female with community-acquired pneumonia presented with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. To maintain adequate sedation and ventilation and reduce airway pressure, several relaxation strategies were used including high-dose intravenous lorazepam, fentanyl, and cisatracurium. After 18 days of high-dose continuous infusion of lorazepam (maximum dose 50 mg/h), the patient developed severe lactic acidosis secondary to propylene glycol toxicity, the main diluent of lorazepam. The acidosis temporarily resolved with bicarbonate administration and discontinuation of lorazepam. Her renal function remained stable for a time (serum creatinine 0.5 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen 10 mg/dL, urine output 100–200 mL/h). However, after several more days, the patient's condition deteriorated, and she ultimately died. DISCUSSION: Previous cases of propylene glycol toxicity secondary to high-dose lorazepam infusion have occurred in patients with compromised renal function. Our patient's renal function remained stable throughout the hospital course, which caused us to look further for an explanation for the propylene glycol–induced lactic acidosis. Based on the Naranjo probability scale, propylene glycol was determined to be the probable cause of lactic acidosis. Since this case occurred, our intensive care unit has instituted recommendations for the prevention of lorazepam-associated propylene glycol toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Our case highlights the development of propylene glycol–induced lactic acidosis secondary to high-dose lorazepam infusion not associated with renal dysfunction.
Hashimoto Encephalopathy with Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2b and Ribavirin
Authors: Deutsch Melanie , Koskinas John , Tzannos Konstatinos , Vassilopoulos Dimitrios , Mailis Antonis , Tolis George , Hadziyannis Stephanos 
Published: September 2005

OBJECTIVE: To report an instance of Hashimoto encephalopathy probably resulting from pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. CASE SUMMARY: A 36-year-old woman with a 10-year history of autoimmune thyroiditis presented with symptoms and signs consistent with Hashimoto encephalopathy during therapy with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. DISCUSSION: Hashimoto encephalopathy is a rare autoimmune condition that occurs in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and high titers of antithyroid antibodies. It is characterized by a variety of nonspecific neuropsychiatric symptoms, increased cerebrospinal fluid protein level, and abnormal brain imaging and electroencephalogram. Prompt response to corticosteroids is observed in most cases. As of August 29, 2005, this is the first report of such an association. An objective causality assessment revealed that the Hashimoto encephalopathy was probably caused by the patient's medications. CONCLUSIONS: Hashimoto encephalopathy may rarely be triggered by interferon alfa therapy in susceptible patients.
A Null Mutation for the α3 Nicotinic Acetylcholine (ACh) Receptor Gene Abolishes Fast Synaptic Activity in Sympathetic Ganglia and Reveals That ACh Output from Developing Preganglionic Terminals Is Regulated in an Activity-Dependent Retrograde Manner
Authors: Rassadi Siamak , Krishnaswamy Arjun , Pié Brigitte , McConnell Russell , Jacob Michele H. , Cooper Ellis 
Published: September 2005

In vertebrates, synaptic activity exerts an important influence on the formation of neural circuits, yet our understanding of its role in directing presynaptic and postsynaptic differentiation during synaptogenesis is incomplete. This study investigates how activity influences synaptic differentiation as synapses mature during early postnatal life. Specifically, we ask what happens to presynaptic terminals when synapses develop without functional postsynaptic receptors and without fast synaptic transmission.To address this issue, we investigated cholinergic nicotinic synapses in sympathetic ganglia of mice with a null mutation for the α3 nicotinic ACh receptor gene. Disrupting the α3 gene completely eliminates fast excitatory synaptic potentials on postganglionic sympathetic neurons, establishing a crucial role for α3-containing postsynaptic receptors in synaptic transmission. Interestingly, the preganglionic nerve terminals form morphologically normal synapses with sympathetic neurons, and these synapses persist without activity in postnatal animals. Surprisingly, when stimulating the preganglionic nerve at physiological rates, we discovered a significant decrease in ACh output from the presynaptic terminals in these α3–/–sympathetic ganglia. We show that this decrease in ACh output from the presynaptic terminals results, in part, from a lack of functional high-affinity choline transporters. We conclude the following: (1) fast synaptic transmission in mammalian SCG requires α3 expression; (2) in the absence of activity, the preganglionic nerve forms synapses that appear morphologically normal and persist for several weeks; and (3) to sustain transmitter release, developing presynaptic terminals require an activity-dependent retrograde signal.
The Vitamin D3 Pathway in Human Skin and its Role for Regulation of Biological Processes
Authors: Lehmann Bodo 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTThe skin is the only tissue yet known in which the complete ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B)‐induced pathway from 7‐dehydrocholesterol to hormonally active calcitriol (1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3) occurs under physiological conditions. Epidermal synthesis of calcitriol could be of fundamental relevance because calcitriol regulates important cellular functions in keratinocytes and immunocompetent cells. Because of their antiproliferative and prodifferentiating effects, calcitriol and other vitamin D analogs are highly efficient in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. The known antipsoriatic effect of UV‐B light could, at least in part, be mediated via UV‐B‐induced synthesis of calcitriol. In addition, mounting evidence indicates that cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis is of high importance for the prevention of a broad variety of diseases, including various malignancies. New but controversially discussed sun‐protection guidelines were established for the prevention of internal cancers. A better understanding of the metabolism of vitamin D in the skin opens new perspectives for therapeutic applications of vitamin D analogs.
Phase separation of liquid‐liquid two‐phase flow at a T‐junction
Authors: Yang L. , Azzopardi B. J. , Belghazi A. , Nakanishi S. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe phase separation of liquid‐liquid two‐phase flow at a T‐junction has been studied using kerosene and deionized water as working fluids and a T‐junction with a horizontal main pipe and a vertically upward side arm. Separation data are evaluated by a new criterion: separation efficiency. The results show that the T‐junction is highly efficient at separating two immiscible liquids when the flows approaching the T‐junction are stratified and when the fractional mass take offs close to the inlet kerosene mass fraction. A new model has been proposed for the phase separation. Comparison between the model and the experimental data shows that the data is well represented by the model. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
On a recent purported determination of individual ion activity coefficients
Authors: Malatesta Francesco 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIn a recent article “On the activity of ions and the junction potential: Revised values for all data,” G. Wilczek‐Vera, E. Rodil, and J. H. Vera proposed the amended version of a controversial method to derive ion activity coefficients from electromotive force data. Here we show that their method is incorrect. Using precise data available for HCl, we show that their approach does not identify an unequivocal single set of ion activity coefficients, but as many sets as those that are introduced as the input in the evaluation of the liquid junction potentials. That is, an infinite number of self‐consistent sets. Indeed, the “ion activity coefficients” found echo the starting assumptions, with no relationship to the actual, but unknown real values. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
The geometry of separation boundaries: I. Basic theory and numerical support
Authors: Lucia Angelo , Taylor Ross 
Published: September 2005

AbstractSeparation has always been an important task in the chemical industry. Even with the recent shift in emphasis and efforts to unify the physical and biological sciences, separation will remain an important workhorse in production and product/process design. The theory of simple distillation and residue curve maps has a long history—roughly 100 years—and has made a significant impact in the way many new separation processes are synthesized and designed. The key synthesis/design concept in this approach centers on understanding the ways in which constant boiling mixtures (or azeotropes) define separation boundaries. It is now well established that these azeotropes (or eutectics in melt or fractional crystallization and other solid–liquid separations) often define curved separation boundaries that place limitations on the degree of separation that can be achieved. Despite this, there remains no clear and exact understanding of separation boundaries and no straightforward way of accurately computing them in practice. A geometric methodology is presented that shows that exact separation boundaries can be defined through the use of differential geometry and dynamical systems theory and formulated as a constrained global optimization problem. Our novel approach is based on the observation that, for ternary homogeneous liquids, separation boundaries correspond to local maxima in the line integral within a given separation region. In addition, it is shown that these local maxima in the line integral correspond to one‐sided cusps and that global optimization is absolutely necessary, given that several local maxima can exist within any separation region. Several numerical examples are presented that show that the proposed geometric approach can accurately find separation boundaries for homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures. Finally, it is shown that our new methodology is very general and readily extends to mixtures with four or more components, reactive separations, nonequilibrium models, and other processes such as crystallization and vapor degreasing. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Advances in field‐based studies of primate behavioral endocrinology
Authors: Strier Karen B. , Ziegler Toni E. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe papers in this issue were inspired by a symposium we organized for the 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists, held in June 2004. The purpose of the symposium was to highlight some of the new ways in which noninvasive techniques for measuring steroids are being employed to investigate the relationships between hormones and behavior in wild primates. Endocrinological data from the field provide new insights and more precise interpretations of behavioral data on topics ranging from social and reproductive strategies to seasonality, reproductive suppression, concealed ovulation, and development. Advances in the development of methods for extracting steroids from urine and feces have increased the options available to field workers, who can now select the most appropriate methodology for their study subjects, field conditions, and specific research questions. Field‐based studies of behavioral endocrinology have spread to include a wide diversity of primate species. As the scope of these studies continues to grow, we anticipate the emergence of a dynamic new field in which comparative models of primate behavioral endocrinology contribute new perspectives on primates. Am. J. Primatol. 67:1–4, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of reproductive and social variables on fecal glucocorticoid levels in a sample of adult male ring‐tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) at the Beza Mahafaly Reserve, Madagascar
Authors: Gould Lisa , Ziegler Toni E. , Wittwer Daniel J. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractGlucocorticoids, a group of adrenal hormones, are secreted in response to stress. In male primates, variables such as breeding seasonality, dominance hierarchy stability, and aggressive and affiliative interactions can affect glucocorticoid levels. In this study, we examined interindividual differences in mean fecal glucocorticoid (fGC) levels among males in three groups of wild ring‐tailed lemurs to better understand the physiological costs of group living for males in a female‐dominant species that exhibits strict reproductive seasonality. Fecal and behavioral data samples were collected during one mating and two postmating seasons (2001 and 2003). The mean fGC levels were examined in relation to reproductive season, male rank, number of resident males, intermale and female–male agonism, and affiliative behavior with females. The mean fGC levels were not significantly elevated during mating season compared to the postmating period. During the mating season, male dominance hierarchies broke down and rank effects could not be tested; however, there was no relationship between male rank and fGC levels in the postmating periods. In 2001, males that resided in the group with the fewest males exhibited lower fGC levels during the postmating period. They also affiliated more with females than did males in the other groups. During the mating season of 2003, males engaged in more affiliative behaviors with females compared to the postmating season, but female–male agonism did not differ by season. However, rates of intermale agonism were significantly higher during mating compared to postmating periods, but such heightened agonism did not translate to a higher stress response. Thus, neither male–male competition for mates nor heightened agonism between males during the breeding season affected male fGC levels. Fewer males residing in a group, however, did have some effect on male–female affiliation and male fGC levels outside of the mating period. Males that live in a group with only a few (two or three) males may experience less physiological stress than those that live in groups with more males. Am. J. Primatol. 67:5–23, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variation in the resumption of cycling and conception by fecal androgen and estradiol levels in female Northern Muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus)
Authors: Strier Karen B. , Ziegler Toni E. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe measured fecal androgen (T+DHT) and estradiol (E2) levels in female northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus) at the Estação Biológica de Caratinga/RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the hormonal bases underlying individual variation in the resumption of cycling and conception. We found that androgen levels were significantly lower in females than in males, and that there were no consistent patterns in female androgen levels across precycling or cycling conditions. Females that resumed cycling earlier in the study (weeks 4–8) had higher precycling E2 levels and correspondingly lower precycling androgen/E2 ratios than females that resumed cycling later (weeks 12–16). There were no differences in female precycling androgen levels, but cycling females that conceived during or immediately after the study period had lower androgen levels and threefold higher E2 peaks than the one cycling female that failed to conceive. These results suggest that minimum E2 thresholds are necessary for both the resumption of ovarian cycling and conception. Individual variation in these components of fertility may be regulated by differences in E2 levels, which affect androgen/E2 ratios, rather than by androgen levels per se. Further research into the relative concentrations of T vs. DHT will be necessary to fully evaluate whether androgens affect cycling and conception in this species. Am. J. Primatol. 67:69–81, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coming of age: steroid hormones of wild immature baboons (Papio cynocephalus)
Authors: Gesquiere Laurence R. , Altmann Jeanne , Khan Memuna Z. , Couret Jannelle , Yu Jennifer C. , Endres Courtney S. , Lynch Jessica W. , Ogola Patrick , Fox Elizabeth A. , Alberts Susan C. , Wango Emmanuel O. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractLarge gaps exist in our knowledge about common patterns and variability in the endocrinology of immature nonhuman primates, and even normal hormonal profiles during that life stage are lacking for wild populations. In the present study we present steroid profiles for a wild population of baboons (Papio cynocephalus) from infancy through reproductive maturation, obtained by noninvasive fecal analyses. Fecal concentrations of glucocorticoid (fGC) and testosterone (fT) metabolites for males, and of fGC, estrogen (fE), and progestin (fP) metabolites for females were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In males, infancy was characterized by high and declining levels of fGC and fT, whereas steroid concentrations were low during the juvenile years. During the months immediately prior to testicular enlargement, fT (but not fGC) concentration tended to increase. Males that matured early consistently had higher fT and fGC concentrations than those that matured late, but not significantly so at any age. Individual differences in fT concentrations were stable across ages, and average individual fT and fGC concentrations were positively correlated. For females, high and declining levels of fE characterized infancy, and values increased again after 3.5 years of age, as some females reached menarche by that age. Both fP and fGC were relatively low and constant throughout infancy and the juvenile period. During the months immediately prior to menarche, fGC concentration significantly decreased, while no changes were observed for fE levels. fP exhibited a complicated pattern of decrease that was subsequently followed by a more modest and nonsignificant increase as menarche approached. Early‐ (EM) and late‐maturing (LM) females differed only in fP concentration; the higher fP concentrations in EM females reached significance at 4–4.5 years of age. Maternal rank at offspring conception did not predict concentrations of any hormone for either sex. Our results demonstrate the presence of individual endocrine variability, which could have important consequences for the timing of sexual maturation and subsequently for individual reproductive success. Further evaluation of the factors that affect hormone concentrations during the juvenile and adolescent periods should lead to a better understanding of mechanisms of life‐history variability. Am. J. Primatol. 67:83–100, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radioimmunoassay of estrone conjugates from urine dried on filter paper
Authors: Knott Cheryl D. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractHormonal analysis of urine from free‐ranging primates has been limited due to the difficulty of preserving samples under field conditions. Drying urine on filter paper is an alternative for field preservation. This study describes a new laboratory method for eluting steroids from filter paper with methanol, along with a series of experiments used to develop and validate this method. The overall elution recovery of estrone sulfate (ES) from filter paper was 86.4%. Estrone conjugate (E1C) levels in humans and captive orangutans were analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Values from samples dried on filter paper were significantly correlated with values from matched frozen samples, with elution efficiencies ranging between 97.1% and 102.4%. Creatinine (Cr) measurements from frozen urine compared to urine dried on filter paper were also significantly correlated (r=0.96) with an elution efficiency of 101.7%. After the samples were stored for 2 years, the absolute values of E1C and Cr were significantly lower but were still significantly correlated with frozen urine values. These data demonstrate the effectiveness of filter paper as a medium for preserving urinary steroid samples, and the efficiency of methanol as a solvent for eluting E1C and Cr. This method thus provides a viable alternative to the traditional procedure of freezing urine for field studies, where freezers are not available. Am. J. Primatol. 67:121–135, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.