bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polymorphism in the tumour necrosis factor receptor II gene is associated with circulating levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptors in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Glossop John R , Dawes Peter T , Nixon Nicola B , Mattey Derek L 
Published: September 2005

AbstractLevels of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptors (sTNFRs) are elevated in the circulation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although these receptors can act as natural inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor-α, levels of sTNFRs in RA appear to be insufficient to prevent tumour necrosis factor-α induced inflammation. The factors that regulate circulating levels of sTNFRs are unclear, but polymorphisms in the tumour necrosis factor receptor genes may play a role. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the tumour necrosis factor receptor I (TNF-RI) and II (TNF-RII) genes and levels of sTNFRs in two groups of Caucasian RA patients: one with early (disease duration ≤2 years; n = 103) and one with established disease (disease duration ≥5 years; n = 151). PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to genotype patients for the A36G polymorphism in the TNF-RI gene and the T676G polymorphism in TNF-RII. Levels of sTNFRs were measured using ELISA. We also isolated T cells from peripheral blood of 58 patients with established RA with known TNF-R genotypes, and release of sTNFRs into the culture medium was measured in cells incubated with or without phytohaemagglutinin. Serum levels of the two sTNFRs (sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII) were positively correlated in both populations, and the level of each sTNFR was significantly higher in the patients with established disease (P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analyses corrected for age, sex and disease duration revealed a significant trend toward decreasing sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII levels across the TNF-RII genotypes (TT > TG > GG) of patients with established disease (P for trend = 0.01 and P for trend = 0.03, respectively). A similar nonsignificant trend was seen for early disease. No relationship with the TNF-RI A36G polymorphism was observed. sTNFRs released by isolated T cells exhibited a similar trend toward decreasing levels according to TNF-RII genotype, although only the association with levels of sTNF-RII was significant. Strong correlations were found between levels of circulating sTNFRs and levels released by T cells in vitro. Our data indicate that the T676G polymorphism in TNF-RII is associated with levels of sTNFRs released from peripheral blood T cells, and with circulating levels of sTNFR in patients with RA.
Determinants of serum lipoprotein(a) concentration in normolipidaemic individuals without clinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Dalpino F , Sodré FL , Castilho LN , de Faria EC 
Published: September 2005

Background: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent risk factor for coronary artery diseases. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the determinants of plasma Lp(a) concentrations in normolipidaemic individuals. Methods: Immunonephelometric quantification of Lp(a) was made in 177 volunteers. A multivariate analysis was employed to verify the influence of clinical and biochemical parameters on plasma Lp(a) concentration. Results: The serum Lp(a) concentration in this population ranged from 0.7 to 40 nmol/L. The Lp(a) predictors were: sex (female), HDL2 triglyceride (negative) and LDL-cholesterol (positive). Conclusions: The modulation of plasma Lp(a) concentration in this study points to pro-atherogenic lipoprotein associations.
Impact of haemodialysis on individual endogenous plasma acylcarnitine concentrations in end-stage renal disease
Authors: Reuter Stephanie E , Evans Allan M , Faull Randall J , Chace Donald H , Fornasini Gianfranco 
Published: September 2005

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing long-term haemodialysis exhibit low L-carnitine and elevated acylcarnitine concentrations. This study evaluated endogenous concentrations of an array of acylcarnitines (carbon chain length up to 18) in healthy individuals and ESRD patients receiving haemodialysis, and examined the impact of a single haemodialysis session on acylcarnitine concentrations. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 60 healthy subjects and 50 ESRD patients undergoing haemodialysis (pre- and post-dialysis samples). Plasma samples were analysed for individual acylcarnitine concentrations by electrospray MS/MS. Results: Of the 31 acylcarnitines, 29 were significantly ( P<0.05) elevated in ESRD patients compared with healthy controls; in particular, C5 and C8:1 concentrations were substantially elevated. For acylcarnitines with a carbon chain length less than eight, plasma acylcarnitine concentrations decreased significantly over the course of a single dialysis session; however, post-dialysis concentrations invariably remained significantly higher than those in healthy subjects. Dialytic removal of acylcarnitines diminished once the acyl chain length exceeded eight carbons. Conclusions: The accumulation of acylcarnitines during long-term haemodialysis suggests that removal by haemodialysis is less efficient than removal from the body by the healthy kidney. Removal is significantly correlated to acyl chain length, most likely due to the increased molecular weight and lipophilicity that accompanies increased chain length.
Measurement of citrate in urine using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry: comparison with an enzymatic method
Authors: Keevil BG , Owen L , Thornton S , Kavanagh J 
Published: September 2005

Background: Measurement of urine citrate is used to assess the risk of further urinary stone formation and to assess the benefit of treatment in affected individuals. We wanted to develop a simple and rapid liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the analysis of urinary citrate and to compare it with our current enzymatic assay. Methods: For the LC-MS/MS assay, samples were prepared in a deep-well block by adding 10 µL of urine and 20 µL of internal standard to 400 µL of water. After mixing, 3 µL of the diluted sample was injected into the LC-MS/MS system. An LC system was used to isocratically elute a C18 column (50 x 2.1 mm) with 0.4 mL/min water containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid. A step gradient of 100% methanol containing 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid was used to wash the column. The retention times were 1.4 min for citrate and 1.4 min for d4-citrate. Cycle time was 4.0 min, injection to injection. The analytes were monitored using a tandem mass spectrometer operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode using the following transitions, citrate m/ z 191.0> 111.0 and d4-citrate m/ z 195.0> 113.0. Results: Within and between-batch coefficients of variation were <3% over the range 480-3800 µmol/L. The lower limit of quantification was 24.0 µmol/L. Regression analysis showed LC-MS/MS = 0.8781 (enzymatic assay) + 102.5, r = 0.964, n = 73. Conclusions: We have developed a simple LC-MS/MS method for urinary citrate measurement that shows acceptable performance.
Determinants of serum copper, zinc and selenium in healthy subjects
Authors: Ghayour-Mobarhan M , Taylor A , New SA , Lamb DJ , Ferns GAA 
Published: September 2005

Background: We have investigated the association between serum copper, zinc and selenium concentrations, dietary intake, and demographic characteristics, including individual coronary risk factors, in healthy subjects. Methods: Serum copper, zinc and selenium were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in 189 healthy subjects. Serum glutathione peroxidase and caeruloplasmin were also determined for each subject. A previously validated food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate the dietary trace element intake. Results: Male subjects had significantly lower serum copper ( P<0.001) and caeruloplasmin ( P<0.001), and higher serum zinc ( P<0.05) and zinc:copper ratio ( P<0.001) than female subjects. Significant differences were observed in serum copper and caeruloplasmin concentrations ( P<0.01) with age. Weak but significant associations between dietary trace elements and their serum concentrations were observed for zinc ( r=0.18, P=0.02), copper ( r=0.17, P=0.03) and selenium ( r=0.19, P=0.02). Obese subjects had significantly lower serum concentrations of zinc ( P<0.05). In multifactorial analysis, dietary zinc ( P<0.05), serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ( P<0.05), diastolic blood pressure ( P<0.05) and age ( P=0.05) emerged as major predictors of serum zinc concentrations. The corresponding predictors for serum copper were C-reactive protein (CRP) ( P<0.001), serum HDL-C ( P<0.001), gender ( P=0.01), physical activity levels ( P<0.05) and dietary copper ( P<0.05). Serum selenium concentrations were predicted by serum total cholesterol ( P<0.01), serum CRP concentrations ( P<0.05) and dietary selenium ( P<0.03). Conclusion: Serum copper, zinc and selenium concentrations are influenced by physiological conditions such as age, diet and gender. Their serum concentrations are also associated with coronary risk factors, including body mass index, levels of physical activity, serum HDL-C and CRP.
The sweat test: effect of elution time on chloride and sodium concentrations
Authors: Gilbert Christopher J , Griffiths Melanie J , Holland Martin R , Gama Rousseau 
Published: September 2005

Background: The National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines and Guidelines for the Performance of the Sweat Test for the Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis in the United Kingdom recommend that sweat be eluted from filter paper for a minimum of 40 min. In the absence of published data, this recommendation is based on expert opinion. We therefore investigated the effect of elution time on chloride and sodium concentrations. Methods: The effect of elution time (up to three hours) on chloride and sodium concentrations was studied as recommended for measurement of quality control samples using external quality assessment solutions. Results: There were no significant differences in eluted chloride and sodium concentrations with time of elution up to 3 h. Conclusion: Elution time within 3 h had no effect on chloride and sodium concentrations when eluted from filter paper.
The glucose response to an oral fat tolerance test in young men with a paternal history of premature myocardial infarction: possible early indication of insulin resistance. The EARS 2 study
Authors: Murphy MJ , Nicaud V , Martin BC , O'Reilly DStJ ,   European Atherosclerosis Research Study (EARS) Group
Published: September 2005

Background: Concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose are higher in young men with a paternal history of premature myocardial infarction than in age- and sex-matched controls. Aim: To test the hypothesis that insulin resistance constitutes the biological expression of increased coronary risk in these subjects. Design: A total of 407 male university students with a paternal history of premature myocardial infarction (cases) and 415 age- and sex-matched controls were investigated for differences in insulin sensitivity. Methods: Four methods of assessing insulin sensitivity were used: (i) insulin and glucose responses to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT); (ii) insulin and glucose responses to an oral fat tolerance test (OFTT); (iii) minimal modelling of insulin and glucose data from a frequent sample intravenous glucose tolerance test performed on a subset of 55 cases and 50 controls and (iv) homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) of insulin resistance. Results: The OFTT glucose response discriminated between cases and controls, with a smaller fall in glucose in cases compared with controls. The negative area under the glucose curve (AUC) (mean [standard error of the mean (SEM)]) was -1.42 (0.09) mmol min/L in cases and -1.76 (0.09) in controls ( P = 0.004). Peak height (mean [SEM]) was -0.65 (0.02) mmol/L in cases and -0.73 (0.02) in controls ( P = 0.007). The insulin responses were similar in cases and controls. Insulin AUC (mean [SEM]) was 161 (10) mU min/L in cases and 148 (10) in controls ( P = 0.34). This combination of findings suggests that insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was reduced in the cases. These findings were consistent across European regions. None of the other methods revealed any differences between cases and controls. Conclusion: In young men with a paternal history of myocardial infarction, an OFTT detects altered insulin sensitivity that is not identified by an OGTT, minimal modelling or HOMA.
An evaluation of the Abbott IMx sirolimus assay in relation to a high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet method
Authors: Johnson Roger N , Sargon Russell , Woollard Gerald , Davidson James 
Published: September 2005

Background: Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive agent used after organ transplantation. Monitoring its concentration is clinically relevant, but current methods of measurement using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are demanding. An immunoassay that uses readily available equipment offers a more convenient alternative. Methods: Blood specimens from transplant patients were assayed for sirolimus by an existing HPLC method with ultraviolet (UV) detection and by the Abbott microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). Within-run and between-day precision was assessed with duplicate analyses. Accuracy was assessed by comparison of results from the MEIA and HPLC assays, and from recovery experiments. Specificity was tested in specimens from patients taking alternative immunosuppressants. Results: Using specimens with sirolimus concentrations between 3.3 and 39.3 µg/L, within-batch and between-batch coefficients of variation (CVs) were 6.8% and 6.3%, respectively. Using control specimens with mean concentrations of 4.1, 12.1 and 25.4 µg/L, the respective CVs were 8.6%, 3.1% and 3.8 %. Using a Passing-Bablok regression technique, the regression equation was MEIA = 14; 1.26 x HPLC-1.97; the mean bias was 0.96 µg/L. Specimens from patients on cyclosporin and tacrolimus as the sole immunosuppressant had apparent sirolimus concentrations of <1 µg/L. Conclusion: The MEIA assay for sirolimus provides clinically useful information within an accessible format.
Pathogen Control in Complex Fluids with Water‐coupled Excimer Lamps at 282 and 308 nm
Authors: Coogan John J. 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTWater‐coupled excimer lamp systems have been developed to inactivate microorganisms within complex, low–optical quality, fluids. Monochromatic lamps were selected to minimize UV‐B and UV‐C absorption within the carrier fluids while maximizing deposition within specific chemical targets. Fundamentals, system scaling and power supply design are discussed. This work used two large‐surface area excimer lamps as intense sources of near monochromatic radiation at 308 and 282 nm. Data are presented for two distinct fluid systems: flow‐through processing of large‐volume metalworking fluids used in heavy industry and batch irradiation of human blood plasma and platelet suspensions used in transfusion medicine. In the first, a 200–600 L/min reactor is used to control bacterial concentrations within metalworking fluids used in large‐scale metal machining processes. Control is defined as the maintenance of 103 to 104 CFU/mL in fluids that without treatment would have concentrations over 107 CFU/mL. The second is a batch process for viral inactivation in undiluted blood bank products. Samples of fresh frozen plasma and platelet suspensions were spiked with high titers of porcine parvovirus (PPV) and irradiated at 308 and 282 nm. Although both wavelengths were effective at reducing PPV levels, 308 nm light resulted in both higher rates of viral inactivation (greater than 6 log units) and lower rates of fluid degradation.
Audiological Profile in Older Children and Adolescents with Unrepaired Cleft Palate
Authors: Ramana Yamani Venkata , Nanda Vipul , Biswas Gautam , Chittoria Ravi , Ghosh Shakuntala , Sharma Ramesh K. 
Published: September 2005

Objective To study the audiological profile in the cleft population comprising older children and adolescents with unrepaired cleft palate and to arrive at a consensus regarding management of otitis media with effusion in this unique group. Setting Tertiary care institute in Chandigarh, Punjab, India. Design Prospective study based on all patients older than 7 years with unrepaired cleft palate, attending the plastic surgery outpatient department, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, Punjab, India, from January 2001 to December 2002. Patients with submucous cleft were excluded from the study. General characteristics, otoscopic findings, pure tone audiometry, and impedence audiometry of all patients were recorded. Results Patients’ ages ranged from 8 to 18 years, with a mean of 10.5 years. Regarding otological complaints, 86.7% were asymptomatic. Otoscopic findings revealed mild retraction as the most common finding in 50% of the ears. Type B curve was the most common tympanometric finding. The highest and lowest hearing thresholds recorded were 45 db and 15 db, respectively, with a mean of 27.11 db. Conclusion The audiological profile of this unique group, which neither had undergone palatoplasty nor had received treatment for the ear condition, demonstrates a mild to moderate hearing impairment. This definitely requires treatment, but owing to the lack of a prospective control group, it is difficult to conclude whether these patients are benefited by conservative treatment alone or by an early aggressive surgical treatment for otitis media with effusion (OME).
Perceptions, Expectations, and Reactions to Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery in Native Populations: A Pilot Study in Rural India
Authors: Weatherley-White R. C. A. , Eiserman William , Beddoe Marie , Vanderberg Richard 
Published: September 2005

Objective Many charitable organizations conduct overseas missions to correct cleft lip and palate where surgical care is unavailable. However, little is known about cultural and societal attitudes regarding the cleft deformity. Method A 15-item questionnaire was designed to elicit from parents general knowledge concerning cleft lip and palate, beliefs regarding its causation, and expectations of what surgery would accomplish. Shorter second and third questionnaires were administered after the screening process and after surgery. The initial phase of this project was undertaken in Deesa, a midsized rural town in India. Fifty-two families were selected randomly for the initial questionnaire. These interviews were conducted verbally, assisted by translators. Children in 25 of these 52 families subsequently underwent surgery. Results The results of the interviews indicated that 64% of parents did not limit their child's social interaction and were not ashamed to be seen in public. Twenty-six percent exercised some constraints, and 10% kept their children totally isolated, not permitting them to leave the house or attend school. Regarding causation, the vast majority (84%) ascribed the cleft to “God's will” and 10% to sins committed in past lives. Only one parent acknowledged the influence of genetics, although several had a positive family history. Environmental factors were not an issue. Most families expected their child's life to be better when the facial deformity was corrected. Marriage prospects were the main concern, more so for girls than boys. Educational opportunity was a second strong theme. Conclusions A greater understanding of the beliefs and expectations in this region was gained by means of this study.
Long-Term Effects of Lip Repair on Dentofacial Morphology in Patients with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Liao Yu-Fang , Mars Michael 
Published: September 2005

Objective Lateral cephalograms from the growth archive of the Sri Lankan Cleft Lip and Palate Project were analyzed in a cohort design to study the long-term effects of lip repair on dentofacial morphology in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Methods A total of 71 patients were recruited, including 23 adult patients with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate without surgical repair and 48 adult patients with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate who had lip repair, but without management of alveolus or anterior vomer. The design utilized exact matching on ethnicity and statistical control for gender and age. Results and Conclusions The data support the hypothesis that lip repair primarily produces a bone-bending effect on the anterior maxillary alveolus (alveolar molding), accompanied by controlled uprighting of maxillary incisors, and secondarily produces a bone-remodeling effect (bone resorption) in the base of the anterior maxillary alveolus. When analyzed by the age at lip repair and the surgeon who performed lip repair, early lip repair produced a greater bone-remodeling effect than did late lip repair, and variation in the surgeon who performed lip repair had an insignificant impact on dentofacial morphology after adjusting for covariates.
Changes of Vertical Skeletal Morphology in Patients with Complete Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Lisson Jörg A. , Hanke Ilka , Tränkmann Joachim 
Published: September 2005

Objective The aim of this retrospective investigation was to qualify and quantify changes of the vertical skeletal morphology during puberty in cleft patients compared with an age-matched noncleft control. Methods Patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP; n = 12) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP; n = 11) who fulfilled strict inclusion criteria according to the Hanover treatment protocol were evaluated by means of cephalometric analysis. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed for each cleft patient at age 10 and 15 and compared with corresponding data of a noncleft control (n = 20). Results and Conclusions It was concluded that a vertical growth impairment of the maxilla is found in patients with cleft lip and palate. The maxilla of cleft patients shows a significant clockwise rotation, whereas the inclination of the mandible shows little difference. Consequently, there is a skeletal superposition of the jaws. The posterior height of the maxilla is significantly shorter in patients both with UCLP and BCLP at T0 and T1. An increase of the anterior height of the mandible is found in the cleft groups.