bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Myocardial Bundles with Slow Conduction Properties are Present on the Left Interventricular Septal Surface of Normal Human Hearts
Authors: KANEKO YOSHIAKI , TANIGUCHI YASUHIRO , NAKAJIMA TADASHI , MANITA MAMORU , ITO TOSHIO , AKIYAMA MASAHIRO , KURABAYASHI MASAHIKO 
Published: September 2004

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the electrophysiologic characteristics of the normal left interventricular septum (LIVS). Methods and Results: We explored the LIVS in search of endocardial potentials following ventricular electrograms during sinus rhythm in 28 patients without structural heart disease. In all patients, low‐frequency (mean amplitude: 0.81 ± 0.33 mV) systolic potentials (LA1) were detected in a basal‐to‐apical activation sequence (earliest to latest QRS‐LA1 interval: 93.3 ± 10.8 ms to 127.1 ± 16.6 ms). Programmed stimulation demonstrated decremental conduction properties, and the effective refractory period of the tissue between the ventricular electrogram and LA1 at baseline (376.7 ± 48.8 ms) was significantly prolonged by disopyramide (421.3 ± 54.1 ms, P < 0.05 vs baseline). In 21 patients (75%), diastolic potentials (LA2) morphologically similar to LA1 (mean amplitude: 0.52 ± 0.17 mV) were detected in an apical‐to‐basal activation sequence (earliest to latest QRS‐LA2 interval: 368.9 ± 32.4 ms to 440.7 ± 45.8 ms). Para‐Hisian pacing with capture of the His bundle showed shorter S‐LA1 and S‐LA2 intervals compared to the beats without His‐bundle capture but with ventricular capture (156.3 ± 11.2 ms vs 183.2 ± 12.3 ms, and 385.7 ± 21.6 ms vs 397.4 ± 23.4 ms, respectively, P < 0.0001). At the same rate, the LA1‐LA2 interval was significantly shorter during right ventricular apical than atrial overdrive pacing (220.4 ± 23.1 ms vs 261.4 ± 30.7 ms, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Unique myocardial bundles with slow conduction properties and various electrical connections with the specialized conduction system may exist in the LIVS of normal human hearts.
Localizing and Quantifying Ablation Lesions in the Left Ventricle by Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography
Authors: KHOURY DIRAR S. , RAO LIYUN , DING CHUXIONG , SUN HUABIN , YOUKER KEITH A. , PANESCU DORIN , NAGUEH SHERIF F. 
Published: September 2004

Introduction: The inability to determine the extent and intramural depth of ablation lesions can hamper the success of catheter ablation. The study tested the feasibility of differentiating radiofrequency ablation lesions from normal myocardium and quantifying their dimensions by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). Methods and Results: In 11 normal dogs, we created 14 focal and 4 linear lesions at different left ventricular sites. MCE was performed both before and after ablation by using an intracardiac echocardiography catheter (9 MHz) and infusing contrast microbubbles through the left coronary artery. We initially used two‐dimensional MCE to image focal lesions and subsequently three‐dimensional MCE to image linear lesions. An independent observer examined the lesion pathology. We found that intracardiac echocardiography alone could not delineate lesion dimensions. However, after ablation, MCE localized the lesions as well‐defined, low‐contrast areas within the normally opacified myocardium. Lesion dimensions by MCE immediately after ablation and 30 minutes later were similar. In 12 focal lesions, the average maximum depth (5.55 ± 1.38 mm) and average maximum diameter (10.38 ± 2.09 mm) by MCE were in excellent agreement with the pathologic depth (5.20 ± 1.45 mm) and diameter (10.61 ± 1.67 mm). Two focal lesions could not be detected by MCE and later were found to be superficial. Three‐dimensional MCE correctly reconstructed the extent and shape of linear lesions compared to pathology (length: 18.7 ± 5.7 vs 18.5 ± 5.6 mm; maximum longitudinal cross‐sectional area: 81.2 ± 9.6 vs 76.0 ± 10.3 mm2). Conclusion: MCE accurately localized and quantified radiofrequency ablation lesions in the normal left ventricle. This new application of MCE may advance ablation for managing ventricular arrhythmias that involve intramural or epicardial regions by providing instantaneous anatomic feedback on the effects of ablation during catheterization.
Direct Sequencing of SARS-Coronavirus S and N Genes from Clinical Specimens Shows Limited Variation
Authors: Tong Suxiang , Lingappa Jairam R. , Chen Qi , Shu Bo , LaMonte Ashley C. , Cook Byron T. , Birge Charryse , Wang Chern Shur-wern , Liu Xin , Galloway Renee , Le Quynh Mai , Wai Fu Ng , Yang Jyh-Yuan , Butany Jagdish , Comer James A. , Monroe Stephan S. , Beard Suzanne R. , Ksiazek Thomas G. , Erdman Dean , Rota Paul A. , Pallansch Mark A. , Anderson Larry J. 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) emerged, in November 2002, as a novel agent causing severe respiratory illness. To study sequence variation in the SARS-CoV genome, we determined the nucleic acid sequence of the S and N genes directly from clinical specimens from 10 patients—1 specimen with no matched SARS-CoV isolate, from 2 patients; multiple specimens from 3 patients; and matched clinical-specimen/ cell-culture-isolate pairs from 6 patients. We identified 3 nucleotide substitutions that were most likely due to natural variation and 2 substitutions that arose after cell-culture passage of the virus. These data demonstrate the overall stability of the S and N genes of SARS-CoV over 3 months during which a minimum of 4 generations for transmission events occurred. These findings are a part of the expanding investigation of the evolution of how this virus adapts to a new host.
Neutralizing Antibodies in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Associated Coronavirus Infection
Authors: Yuchun Nie , Guangwen Wang , Xuanling Shi , Hong Zhang , Yan Qiu , Zhongping He , Wei Wang , Gewei Lian , Xiaolei Yin , Liying Du , Lili Ren , Jianwei Wang , Xiong He , Taisheng Li , Hongkui Deng , Mingxiao Ding 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background . Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is the principal etiologic agent of SARS. We analyzed serum samples obtained from 623 patients with SARS in Beijing, to determine whether infection with SARS-CoV can elicit neutralizing antibodies (NAbs).
Methods . We developed a highly sensitive and safe neutralization assay using the SARS-CoV pseudotyped virus and used this assay to determine the titers of the NAbs in serum samples from patients with SARS.
Results . We found that 85.9% of serum samples contained NAbs against SARS-CoV and that most of the NAb activities could be attributed to immunoglobulin G. The NAbs became detectable first at 5–10 days after the onset of symptoms, and their levels peaked at 20–30 days and then were sustained for &gt;150 days. The serum samples could neutralize the pseudotype particles bearing the spike glycoproteins from different SARS-CoV strains, suggesting that the NAbs to SARS-CoV were broadly reactive.
Conclusions . NAbs to SARS-CoV are broadly elicited in patients with SARS and, according to their kinetics, may correlate with viral load during the early stages of the disease. These results suggest that it is possible to develop effective vaccines against SARS and that NAbs provide a potential strategy for treating patients with SARS.
On the Choice of Appropriate Development
Strategy: Insights Gained from CGE Modelling of
the Mozambican Economy
Authors: Jensen Henning Tarp , Tarp Finn 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
This paper uses a 1997 Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to analyse three strategies which Mozambique can pursue in furthering a sustainable development process. They include (i) agriculture-first, (ii) agricultural-development-led-industrialisation (ADLI) and (iii) a primary-sector export-oriented strategy. ADLI dominates the two other approaches and the distributional implications of ADLI are attractive. We also find that there are important synergy effects to be reaped from balanced agricultural and agro-industrial development, and the primarysector export-oriented strategy represents a potentially significant set of complementary policies. Finally, the importance of taking structural differences among household groupings into account when formulating comprehensive pro-equity and anti-poverty development strategies is prominent.
Vascular endothelial growth factor‐C gene therapy restores lymphatic flow across incision wounds
Authors: Saaristo Anne , Tammela Tuomas , Timonen Jari , Yla-Herttuala Seppo , Tukiainen Erkki , Asko-Seljavaara Sirpa , Alitalo Kari 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACTEdema and insufficient blood perfusion are common problems in reconstructive surgery. The blood vasculature is reconstructed in microvascular flaps, whereas lymphatic vessel function is lost after surgical incision. Here, we demonstrate that vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) gene transfer can be used to reconstruct a lymphatic vessel network severed by incision of skin flaps. We used adenoviral VEGF‐C gene transfer at the edges of epigastric skin flaps in mice. Our results show that VEGF‐C gene expression results in the formation of anastomoses between the lymphatic vessels of the skin flap and the surrounding lymphatic vasculature. Some spontaneous lymphangiogenesis also took place in the control mice, but the lymphatic vessels generated remained nonfunctional even 2 months postoperatively. In contrast, the VEGF‐C treated mice demonstrated persistent lymphatic vessel function during the 2 month follow‐up despite the transient nature of the adenoviral VEGF‐C gene expression. The restoration of lymphatic function by VEGF‐C in skin flaps provides new tools to promote vascular perfusion and to reduce tissue edema in skin and muscle flaps. These results have important implications for the prevention and treatment of surgically induced secondary lymphedema.
Identification of insulin receptor substrate proteins as key molecules for the TβR‐V/LRP‐1‐mediated growth inhibitory signaling cascade in epithelial and myeloid cells
Authors: Shian Huang Shuan , M. Leal Sandra , Chen Chun-Lin , Liu I-Hua , San Huang Jung 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACTThe type V TGF‐β receptor (TβR‐V) mediates IGF‐independent growth inhibition by IGFBP‐3 and mediates growth inhibition by TGF‐β 1 in concert with the other TGF‐β receptor types. TβR‐V was recently found to be identical to LRP‐1. Here we find that insulin and (Q3A4Y15L16) IGF‐I (an IGF‐I analog that has a low affinity for IGFBP‐3) antagonize growth inhibition by IGFBP‐3 in mink lung epithelial cells (Mv1Lu cells) stimulated by serum. In these cells, IGFBP‐3 induces serine‐specific dephosphorylation of IRS‐1 and IRS‐2. The IGFBP‐3‐induced dephosphorylation of IRS‐2 is prevented by cotreatment of cells with insulin, (Q3A4Y15L16) IGF‐I, or TβR‐V/LRP‐1 antagonists. The magnitude of the IRS‐2 dephosphorylation induced by IGFBP‐3 positively correlates with the degree of growth inhibition by IGFBP‐3 in Mv1Lu cells and mutant cells derived from Mv1Lu cells. Stable transfection of murine 32D myeloid cells (which lack endogenous IRS proteins and are insensitive to growth inhibition by IGFBP‐3) with IRS‐1 or IRS‐2 cDNA confers sensitivity to growth inhibition by IGFBP‐3; this IRS‐mediated growth inhibition can be completely reversed by insulin in 32D cells stably expressing IRS‐2 and the insulin receptor. These results suggest that IRS‐1 and IRS‐2 are key molecules for the TβR‐V/LRP‐1‐mediated growth inhibitory signaling cascade.
Galectin‐3/AGE‐receptor 3 knockout mice show accelerated AGE‐induced glomerular injury: evidence for a protective role of galectin‐3 as an AGE receptor
Authors: Iacobini Carla , Menini Stefano , Oddi Giovanna , Ricci Carlo , Amadio Lorena , Pricci Flavia , Olivieri Antonella , Sorcini Mariella , Di Mario Umberto , Pesce Carlo , Pugliese Giuseppe 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACTWe previously showed that mice lacking galectin‐3/AGE‐receptor 3 develop accelerated diabetic glomerulopathy. To further investigate the role of galectin‐3/AGE‐receptor function in the pathogenesis of diabetic renal disease, galectin‐3 knockout (KO) and coeval wild‐type (WT) mice were injected for 3 months with 30 μg/day of Nε‐carboxymethyllysine (CML)‐modified or unmodified mouse serum albumin (MSA). Despite receiving equal doses of CML, KO had higher circulating and renal AGE levels and showed more marked renal functional and structural changes than WT mice, with significantly higher proteinuria, albuminuria, glomerular, and mesangial area and glomerular sclerosis index. Renal 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal content and NFκB activation were also more pronounced in KO‐CML vs. WT‐CML. Kidney mRNA levels of fibronectin, laminin, collagen IV, and TGF‐β were up‐regulated, whereas those of matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and ‐14 were down‐regulated, again more markedly in KO‐CML than WT‐CML mice. Basal and CML‐induced RAGE and 80K‐H mRNA levels were higher in KO vs. WT mice. MSA injection did not produce any significant effect in both genotypes. The association of galectin‐3 ablation with enhanced susceptibility to AGE‐induced renal disease, increased AGE levels and signaling, and altered AGE‐receptor pattern indicates that galectin‐3 is operating in vivo as an AGE receptor to afford protection toward AGE‐dependent tissue injury.
Sweet Liking, Novelty Seeking, and Gender Predict Alcoholic Status
Authors: Kampov‐Polevoy Alexey B. , Eick C , Boland G , Khalitov E , Crews F T. 
Published: September 2004

Background:The relationship between a hedonic response to sweet taste and a propensity to excessive alcohol drinking is supported by both animal and human studies. There is evidence indicating that the tendency to rate more concentrated sweet solutions as the most pleasurable (i.e., sweet liking) is associated with the genetic vulnerability to alcoholism. However, sweet liking by itself is insufficient to predict the alcoholic status of the individual. Our previous study indicated that alcoholic status can be predicted by a combination of hedonic response to sweet taste and personality profile as measured by the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). This study was designed to further test this hypothesis.Methods:Participants were 165 patients admitted to a residential treatment program for the treatment of alcoholism, drug dependence and/or interpersonal problems secondary to substance‐abusing family members. In addition to a routine medical examination, on the 24th day after admission, patients completed the TPQ, the standard sweet taste test was conducted, and paternal family history of alcoholism was evaluated.Results:Sweet liking was strongly associated with a paternal history of alcoholism. The odds of receiving an alcohol dependence diagnosis were shown to increase, on the average, by 11% for every one‐point increase in the TPQ novelty‐seeking score in sweet‐liking but not in sweet‐disliking subjects. Gender contributed independently to the probability of alcohol dependence, with males exhibiting higher rates of alcoholism than females.Conclusions:These findings support the hypothesis that a hedonic response to sweet taste is associated with a genetic risk for alcoholism. Alcoholic status may be predicted by a combination of sweet liking, the TPQ novelty‐seeking score, and gender in a mixed group of alcoholic, polysubstance‐dependent, and psychiatric patients.
Effects of Naltrexone and Nalmefene on Subjective Response to Alcohol Among Non‐Treatment‐Seeking Alcoholics and Social Drinkers
Authors: Drobes David J. , Anton Raymond F. , Thomas Suzanne E. , Voronin Konstantin 
Published: September 2004

Background: Despite the relative success of opiate antagonist medication within controlled clinical trials for alcoholism, laboratory studies have not fully examined potential mechanisms for their efficacy in alcohol‐dependent persons. The present study evaluated the impact of naltrexone and nalmefene on craving and subjective effects after a moderate alcohol dose among non‐treatment‐seeking alcoholics (n = 125) and social drinkers (n = 90).Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to receive placebo, naltrexone (titrated to 50 mg/day), or nalmefene (titrated to 40 mg/day) for seven days before an alcohol challenge clinical laboratory session. During the clinical laboratory session, a drink of alcohol (0.4 mg/kg for men, 0.34 mg/kg for women) was provided in a bar‐like setting. The effects of the alcohol dose on subjective craving, stimulation, and sedation were measured before having free access to alcohol.Results: Alcoholics reported higher levels of craving than social drinkers before and after the drink as well as higher levels of alcohol‐induced stimulation. Both opiate antagonist medications suppressed initial increases in craving and stimulation.Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that both naltrexone and nalmefene are associated with reduced alcohol‐induced craving and stimulation among alcoholics who are not actively attempting to reduce drinking. These data provide insights into potential mechanisms that may underlie opiate antagonists’ effects in the context of treatment.
Ethanol Inhibits Gap‐Junctional Coupling Between P19 Cells
Authors: Wentlandt Kirsten , Kushnir Moshe , Naus Christian C. G. , Carlen Peter L. 
Published: September 2004

Background: Gap junctions are plaques of multiple intercellular channels that connect the cytoplasm of adjacent cells. They provide both electrical and metabolic coupling and are an essential element in normal growth, development, and physiology. Little research exists on the relationship between alcohol administration and gap‐junctional function or expression. This study looks at the function and expression of gap junctions after incubation and withdrawal of ethanol with P19 cell cultures.Methods: Gap‐junctional communication was assessed after 24 and 48 hr of exposure to 20 and 40 mM ethanol and after a 24‐hr withdrawal period. The seeding technique was used, and diacyl‐3,3′‐indocarbocyanine iodide/calcein–stained donor cells were seeded on an unstained monolayer and then reviewed by confocal microscope and counted by flow cytometry. Analysis of connexin (Cx) proteins was performed by Western blot, gel electrophoresis, and immunoblots with antibodies for Cx26 and Cx43.Results: All treatment regimens produced similar results, reducing dye coupling by more than 50% without recovery after a 24‐hr withdrawal period. Exposing the cells to 20 mM ethanol for 48 hr did not significantly change the levels of Cx26 protein, but ethanol significantly decreased the levels of Cx43 in cultured P19 cells.Conclusions: This study illustrates that ethanol can inhibit gap‐junction function in the P19 cell line. Chronic exposure to 20 mM ethanol selectively decreased the levels of Cx43 protein in the membrane fraction of the cell cultures.
Toward the Attainment of Low‐Risk Drinking Goals: A 10‐Year Progress Report
Authors: Dawson Deborah A. , Grant Bridget F. , Stinson Frederick S. , Chou Patricia S. 
Published: September 2004

Background: The Healthy People 2010 goals include reducing the proportion of U.S. adults whose alcohol consumption exceeds recommended daily and weekly limits, relative to baseline levels observed in 1991–1992. To date, there has been no assessment of initial progress toward attaining these goals.Methods: Consumption data from the 1991–1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiology Survey (n= 42,862) and the 2001–2003 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n= 43,093) were used to evaluate the trend in the proportion of U.S. adults adhering to and exceeding recommended drinking limits. These included weekly limits of no more than 14 standard drinks for men and no more than 7 standard drinks for women and daily limits of no more than 4 standard drinks for men and 3 standard drinks for women. The percentages exceeding the limits are compared for the two time periods, for the total adult population and sociodemographic subgroups, and the association between risk drinking and sociodemographic characteristics is disaggregated into a series of conditional odds ratios.Results: The proportion of U.S. adults classified as regular drinkers whose intake exceeded recommended daily or weekly limits declined from 32.1% to 29.3% in the 10‐year period. The reduction in risk drinking occurred solely among persons who exceeded the daily drinking limits less than once a week but did not exceed the weekly limits. There was a very small but significant increase in the proportion of adults exceeding the weekly limits, from 9.4% to 10.3%. Reduction of sociodemographic disparities in adherence to drinking limits was limited.Conclusions: Progress to date is limited and may reflect changes in population composition rather than changes in drinking habits. Attainment of Healthy People goals and reduction of disparities in risk drinking will require sustained effort and more targeted prevention programs.
Association of Age at First Drink With Current Alcohol Drinking Variables in a National General Population Sample
Authors: York James L. , Welte John , Hirsch Judith , Hoffman Joseph H. , Barnes Grace 
Published: September 2004

Background: Age at first drink has been found to be associated with alcohol problems in adulthood, but little is known regarding the relationship of age at first drink and current alcohol intake variables. This study was designed to determine the relationship of age at first drink to traditional drinking variables as well as novel current drinking variables assessed for the first time in a national general population sample.Method: Data on age of first drink, pathological drinking (DSM‐IV alcohol abuse or dependence) and alcohol intake on typical drinking occasions were collected on a national general population sample of 2631 subjects by means of computerized telephone interviewing. Variables assessed for the first time in a national survey included the duration of the typical drinking episode and the predicted peak blood alcohol levels achieved during those episodes.Results: Data from 2276 subjects who reported an age at first drink were used in this study. Men and lifetime pathological drinkers reported an earlier age at first drink than did, respectively, women or lifetime nonpathological drinkers. There were significant regression coefficients between age at first drink and several current drinking measures. The largest coefficients were usually found within younger age groups.Conclusions: Age at first drink may be a useful predictive variable for some current drinking measures, including predicted peak blood alcohol levels as well as lifetime alcohol pathology. Further support was provided for the “convergence” hypothesis that the drinking habits of women have become more like those of men.
Multicenter Validation Study of the %CDT TIA Kit in Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Dependence
Authors: Schwan Raymund , Loiseaux Marie‐Nadia , Schellenberg François , Albuisson Eliane , Favre Jean‐Dominique , Rigaud Alain , Llorca Pierre‐Michel , Gillet Claudine , Reynaud Michel 
Published: September 2004

Background: Carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (CDT) and γ‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) are used as biomarkers of alcohol misuse. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in terms of sensitivity and specificity, the performance of the new Bio‐Rad %CDT TIA kit and GGT assay for identifying alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence (according to the DSM‐IV criteria).Methods: An open multicenter study (30 centers) over 3 months, including patient groups of “abusers,”“dependents,” and controls, was conducted in France.Results: In alcohol abuse, the sensitivity of GGT was 0.56, and that of CDT was 0.80; in alcohol dependence, the sensitivity of GGT was 0.86, and that of CDT was 0.91. The specificity of GGT was 0.77, and that of CDT was 0.83. The association of GGT with CDT increased sensitivity for alcohol abuse to 0.90 and for alcohol dependence to 0.99, but it appreciably decreased specificity (0.63).Conclusions: %CDT is the better screening marker for alcohol abuse and dependence, but GGT is still a useful marker for the detection of alcohol dependence. As an assay method, the second‐generation Bio‐Rad %CDT immunoassay can be recommended for routine CDT measurement.