bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SKELETAL MUSCLE FUNCTION: ROLE OF IONIC CHANGES IN FATIGUE, DAMAGE AND DISEASE
Authors: Allen DG 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARY1. Repeated activity of skeletal muscle causes a variety of changes in its properties: muscles become weaker with intense use (fatigue), may feel sore and weak after repeated contractions involving stretch and can degenerate in some disease conditions. The present review considers the role of early ionic changes in the development of each of these conditions.2. Single fibre preparations of mouse muscle were used to measure ionic changes following activity induced changes in function. Single fibres were dissected with intact tendons and stimulated to produce force. Fluorescent indicators were microinjected into the fibres to allow simultaneous ionic measurements with determination of mechanical performance.3. One theory to explain muscle fatigue is that fatigue is caused by the accumulation of lactic acid, producing an intracellular acidosis that inhibits the myofibrillar proteins. In contrast, we found that during repeated tetani there was little or no pH change, but that failure of calcium release was a major contributor to fatigue. Currently, it is proposed that precipitation of calcium and phosphate in the sarcoplasmic reticulum contributes to the failure of calcium release.4. Muscles can be used to shorten and produce force or they can be used to de‐accelerate loads (stretched or eccentric contractions). One day after intense exercise involving stretched contractions, muscles are weak, sore and tender, and this damage can take a week to recover. In this condition, sarcomeres are disorganized and there are increases in resting intracellular Ca2+ and Na+. Recently, we demonstrated that the elevation of Na+ occurs through a stretch‐activated channel that can be blocked by either gadolinium or streptomycin. Preventing the increase in [Na+]i with gadolinium also prevented part of the muscle weakness after stretched contractions.5. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a lethal degenerative disease of muscles in which the protein dystrophin is absent. Dystrophic muscles are more susceptible to stretch‐induced muscle damage and the stretch‐activated channel seems to be one pathway for the increases in intracellular Ca2+ and Na+ that are a feature of this disease. We have shown recently that blockers of the stretch‐activated channel can minimize some of the short‐term damage in muscles from the mdx mouse, which also lacks dystrophin. Currently, we are testing whether blockers of the stretch‐activated channels given systemically to mdx mice can protect against some features of the disease.
EFFECT OF ENDOTHELIN‐1 ON REGIONAL KIDNEY BLOOD FLOW AND RENAL ARTERIOLE CALIBRE IN RABBITS
Authors: Denton Kate M , Shweta Amany , Finkelstein Leny , Flower Rebecca L , Evans Roger G 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARY1. Medullary blood flow (MBF) is important in the long‐term control of arterial pressure. However, it is unclear which vascular elements regulate MBF.2. Exogenous endothelin (ET)‐1 decreases cortical more than medullary blood flow. We hypothesized that ET‐1 would therefore constrict afferent (AA) and efferent arterioles (EA) of juxtamedullary glomeruli less than those of cortical glomeruli.3. Mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow and cortical (CBF) and medullary (MBF) blood flow, via laser‐Doppler flowmetry, were measured before and after intrarenal ET‐1 (2 ng/kg per min; n = 6) or vehicle (n = 6) in anaesthetized rabbits. Kidneys were perfusion fixed, vascular casts formed, lumen diameters measured via scanning electron microscopy and relative resistance calculated.4. Mean arterial pressure was not significantly affected by ET‐1 infusion. Cortical glomerular arteriole lumen diameters were significantly reduced in the ET‐1‐infused group (AA approximately 30%, EA approximately 18%; PA < 0.01), compatible with the decrease in CBF (42 ± 3%; PGT < 0.01). Juxtamedullary arteriole lumen diameters were also significantly reduced in the ET‐1‐infused group (AA approximately 34%, EA approximately 21%; PA < 0.01); however, MBF did not decrease.5. In conclusion, our data suggest that juxtamedullary arterioles are not of primary importance in the regulation of MBF because, despite reductions in juxtamedullary arteriole diameters in response to ET‐1, MBF was not decreased.
ARTERIAL STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN HYPERTENSIVE RATS INDUCED BY CAPSAICIN AND SALT LOADING
Authors: Zeng Zhao‐hua , Luo Bi‐hui , Gao Yu‐Jing , Su Cheng‐jian , He Chao‐chu , Li Nina , Lee Robert MKW 
Published: August 2004

SUMMARY1. The objective of the present study was to investigate the arterial structural changes in a salt‐sensitive hypertensive rat model induced by treatment with capsaicin.2. Newborn male Wistar rats were treated with 50 mg/kg capsaicin subcutaneously for 2 days. Control rats were treated with vehicle solution (5% ethanol and 5% Tween 80 in saline). After weaning at 3 weeks, rats were divided into four groups: (i) control with a normal salt diet (0.5% NaCl; CON + NS); (ii) control with a high‐salt diet (4% NaCl; CON + HS); (iii) capsaicin plus normal salt diet (CAP + NS); and (iv) capsaicin plus a high‐salt diet (CAP + HS). Treatment with different salt diets was initiated at 3 weeks of age and lasted for 18 weeks. Tail‐cuff systolic blood pressure (BP) and bodyweight were examined. At the end of the treatment period, blood vessels were prepared by perfusion fixation. Heart weight and vascular dimensions were measured in the thoracic (artery) aorta, renal artery and mesenteric artery.3. Two weeks after the initiation of the salt diet treatment, BP became significantly higher in the CAP + HS group than in any of the other groups and this difference was maintained until the end of the treatment period.4. Beginning at 8 weeks after the initiation of the salt diet treatment (11 weeks of age), BP became higher in the CON + HS group than in the CON + NS and CAP + NS groups. Blood pressure was not significantly different between the CON + NS and CAP + NS groups.5. Media thickness, media thickness to lumen ratio and cross‐sectional area of the aorta, renal artery and mesenteric artery were significantly increased in the CAP + HS group compared with the other groups. Heart weight was also increased in the CAP + HS and CON + HS groups compared with the other groups.6. Similar structural changes in the blood vessels and heart were also found in the CON + HS group compared with the CON + NS group. Lumen diameter was not altered by the treatments in any of the arteries studied.7. We conclude that treatment with capsaicin increased the sensitivity of the BP of these rats to salt and this increase in BP is correlated with hypertrophy of the arteries (vascular remodelling) with no change in lumen size. A long‐term high‐sodium load induced hypertension in normal Wistar rats, which was accompanied by cardiovascular hypertrophy.
Efficacy of mizoribine in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus in children
Authors: Yoshidome Kouichi , Takei Syuji , Imanaka Hiroyuki , Maeno Nobuaki , Ohkawa Toshiya , Kawano Yoshifumi 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: Mizoribine (MZR) is a novel immunosuppressant developed in Japan. As MZR is reported to be less toxic than other cytotoxic drugs, it is frequently used in Japan in the treatment of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus nephritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of MZR in children with SLE. Nine female children with lupus nephritis who had undergone renal biopsy before starting MZR, were involved in this study. Their mean disease duration was 4.8 years at the time MZR treatment was initiated. Patients who had received intensive medications, such as methyl‐prednisolone pulse therapy, intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, and/or other immunosuppressants, within the 4 months prior to the start of the study, were excluded.
Methods
: Patients treated with 3 mg/kg per day of MZR were monitored every month for up to 1 year. The efficacy of MZR was evaluated by the changes from baseline values of serum C3, serum C4, anti‐dsDNA antibody titer, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), urinary protein, dosage of prednisolone (PSL), and the sum of the scores defined by these parameters.
Results
: Favorable changes were observed in C3 and ESR after 2 months and 3 months of MZR therapy, respectively. At 3 months of MZR therapy, the sum of scores defined by the parameters for disease activity indicated that MZR was more effective in non‐class IV nephritis patients (n = 5) than in class IV nephritis patients (n = 4) (P = 0.0197). All nine children involved in the study tolerated the MZR therapy well during the study.
Conclusion
: MZR was safe in lupus children, but its efficacy was limited in patients with non‐class IV nephritis. Further study is necessary, in which higher dosages and/or earlier use of MZR is provided to a larger number of children.
Influence of perinatal risk factors on CD3+/TCR αβ and CD3+/TCR γδ lymphocytes in cord blood of preterm neonates
Authors: Królak‐Olejnik Barbara , Mazur Bogdan 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: The aim of the study was the evaluation of CD3+/TCR αβ and CD3+/TCR γδ lymphocytes in the cord blood of the preterm neonates.
Methods
: The study included 26 term neonates as a control group delivered both by spontaneous labor and by cesarean section and 41 preterm neonates: (i) by cesarean section due to abruptio placentae, (ii) by cesarean section due to the danger of intrauterine asphyxia, (iii) by cesarean section due to preterm rupture of membrane (PROM), and (iv) by spontaneous labor. Immunological analysis was performed in the flow cytometer FACScan, using anti‐CD3, anti‐TCR αβ and anti‐TCR γδ monoclonal antibodies from Becton Dickinson (San Jose, California USA).
Results
: It was shown that the way of delivery does not influence the value of CD3+/TCR αβ lymphocytes. A decrease of the percentage and number of CD3+/TCR γδ lymphocytes was found in neonates delivered by elective cesarean section. However, the danger of intrauterine fetal asphyxia, as a reason for preterm delivery, influenced a considerable increase of the number of CD3+/TCR αβ and CD3+/TCR γδ lymphocytes. Perinatal risk factors (abruptio placentae, PROM) were related to the lowest number of CD3+/TCR γδ lymphocytes in the blood of the preterm neonates.
Conclusion
: The obtained results suggest that in spite of considerable immaturity, both a term and preterm neonate is prepared for the immune response and is able to activate cell mechanisms. The precise mechanism that links CD3+/TCR αβ and CD3+/TCR γδ lymphocytes and pathological condition of preterm birth remains unclear.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of respiratory Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from pediatric respiratory tract infections
Authors: Dong Cao Luong , Naruhiko Ishiwada , Nobue Takeda , Yoichi Kohno 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is the most frequent bacterial pathogen of respiratory tract infections in children. Detection of antimicrobial susceptibility of H. influenzae is necessary for institution of appropriate antibiotic treatments.
Methods
: A total of 281 strains of H. influenzae isolated from sputum samples of 281 pediatric patients with respiratory tract infections were recruited for study. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by assessing minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobial agents. MIC were measured by utility of Agar dilution susceptibility test.
Results
: Of the total, 38 (13.5%) strains produced β‐lactamase (BLP), 56 (19.9%) strains were β‐lactamase non‐producing, ampicillin resistant (BLNAR). The overall resistant proportion to ampicillin was 33.4%. The data indicated that sulbactam/ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and cefditoren are effective against BLP strains. In addition, a high prevalence of BLNAR H. influenzae strains was identified, with an overall isolation rate of 19.9%. Those strains mainly demonstrated intermediate level to ampicillin (ampicillin‐MIC ≤ 3.13 µg/mL for most of BLNAR strains). However, antimicrobial activities of cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and cefditoren against those strains were slightly diminished. Recovery rate of BLP strains was varied by years, peaking at 19.5%. In particular, a trend of yearly increase in frequency of BLNAR strains was observed.
Conclusion
: Frequency of BLNAR strains causing respiratory infections has been dramatically increasing, which can diminish antibiotic activities of not only ampicillin but also of some cephems.
Value of limited hip abduction in developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Şenaran Hakan , Özdemir H Mustafa , Ögün Tunç Cevat , Kapicioglu M I Safa 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) continues to be missed by routine physical examination in up to 50% of cases. Ultrasound (US) supplementation is the best method of screening for DDH, but the resources required should not be underestimated. Limited abduction of the hip (LHA) in an infant triggers suspicion, and often an urge to treat, in most orthopaedic surgeons and pediatricians alike. This study aimed to document the value of unilateral LHA in the diagnosis and decision making of DDH, and the correlation between LHA and US.
Methods
: In total, 464 infants referred from the pediatrics clinic with LHA, aged between 30 and 120 days, were included in the study.
Results
: Physical examination revealed LHA in 186 (41%) infants, 26 of which were unilateral and 160 were bilateral. US examination showed that 13 (8.1%) patients in the bilateral LHA group and 18 (69.2) patients in the unilateral LHA group, had DDH (total number 31, 7%).
Conclusion
: Unilateral limitation of hip abduction was found to be a sensitive sign for developmental hip dysplasia, but US could be defined once again as the best golden standard before initiating treatment.
Patterns of distribution and abundance of chitons of the genus Ischnochiton in intertidal boulder fields
Authors: GRAYSON J. E. , CHAPMAN M. G. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract  Chitons of the genus Ischnochiton are found predominantly on the undersurfaces of boulders, compared with other intertidal or subtidal habitats. They therefore appear to be habitat‐specialists at this scale. This, combined with the fact that boulder fields are relatively sparse compared with other intertidal habitats, makes these animals vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. In addition, many species of Ischnochiton are relatively rare and appear to have very patchy abundances, making them likely to have very specific requirements for habitat. We need to understand the habitat requirements in order to manage, conserve and restore disturbed habitats. The present study was carried out at three intertidal boulder fields separated along approximately 200 km of the coast of New South Wales, Australia, centred around Sydney. The boulder fields were representative of those found in this region. The boulders were made of different materials: shale in the north, sandstone in Sydney and quartzitic sandstone in the south. Some boulders in each boulder field were covered by up to 0.4 m of water during low tide. The study showed that the seven species examined were overdispersed among boulders in each of these three intertidal boulder fields. Most boulders did not have associated chitons, but there were very large abundances on a very small number of boulders. Chitons were also overdispersed among boulders that they occupied. These patterns were consistent among shores and among species, even though patterns of abundance were extremely different among different species. These species appear therefore to show specific requirements for habitat at a small spatial scale, using only a small proportion of potential patches of habitat (i.e. boulders) in any place. Extremely patchy patterns of dispersion can be caused by variation in patterns of recruitment, mortality or behavioural responses to habitat or other species. Before performing experiments to investigate such processes, it is useful to test hypotheses of association with habitat using mensurative experiments to identify environmental correlates that might explain the observed patterns. In the present study, sizes of boulders and the associated sessile and mobile assemblages were proposed as mechanisms that could affect dispersion of chitons among boulders. None of these factors, however, showed strong associations with abundances of chitons. The lack of support of these models rules out some features of habitat to which species of Ischnochiton might respond, thereby precluding manipulative experiments involving these features, which are unlikely to be involved in the very patchy patterns of dispersion of species of Ischnochiton.
Effect of oocyte transportation time on the clinical results of transport in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection‐embryo transfer
Authors: TAKANASHI YASUHIRO , ABE YUJI , SHIBUI YUKIHIRO , HANAOKA KANAKO , TAKESHITA NAOKI , MASAKI KAZUO , KUBO HARUMI 
Published: August 2004

Background and Aims:  In transport assisted reproductive technology (ART), the time taken to transport oocytes to the main center differs greatly among the satellite facilities and may influence the clinical results.Methods:  For the conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) groups in which oocytes were collected at the satellite facilities and transported to the main ART center for insemination and embryo transfer, there were 29 cycles in 27 patients with a transportation time within 60 min (short time transport IVF (ST‐IVF)), 78 cycles in 62 patients with a time between 60 and 120 min (long time transport IVF (LT‐IVF)), and there were 141 cycles in 110 patients at the main ART center (center IVF (C‐IVF)). For the intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) group, there were 65 ST‐ICSI cycles in 42 patients, 146 LT‐ICSI cycles in 97 patients, and 326 cycles in 238 patients at the main ART center (C‐ICSI).Results:  The morphologically favorable embryo rate was lower in the ST‐ICSI group (33.8%, P < 0.05) than in the C‐ICSI group (38.1%), and the morphologically poor embryo rate in the LT‐IVF group (38.6%, P < 0.0001) was higher than in the C‐IVF group (26.7%). The rate of embryo transfers resulting in pregnancies was 16.7% in the ST‐ICSI group (P < 0.01) and 17.3% in the LT‐ICSI group (P < 0.001), both less than that of 35.2% for the C‐ICSI group.Conclusions:  To improve both the morphologically favorable embryo rate and the pregnancy rate in transport ART, it is essential to improve the total quality control at the satellite facilities. (Reprod Med Biol 2004; 3: 123–131)
Lipids and lipoprotein(a) concentrations in Pakistani patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Habib S. S. , Aslam M. 
Published: August 2004

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to analyze serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in Pakistani patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to find correlations between clinical characteristics and dyslipidaemias in these patients.Methods:  Fasting blood samples were analyzed for Lp(a), total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐c), glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in 68 Pakistani patients with type 2 DM and 40 non‐diabetic healthy control subjects.Results:  Lp(a) levels were significantly raised in diabetics as compared to the control group. No correlation of Lp(a) was seen with age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting glucose. There was a positive correlation of BMI to SBP and DBP. There was a significant positive correlation between Lp(a) and total cholesterol and LDL‐c. No correlation of Lp(a) was observed with HDL‐c, triglycerides and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c).Conclusion:  The present study led us to conclude that serum Lp(a) levels are significantly raised in type 2 DM and have a positive correlation with serum total and LDL‐c levels.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of matched primary tumour and lymph‐node metastasis of D1 (pT2–3pN1M0) prostate cancer
Authors: Alcaraz Antonio , Corral Juan M. , Ribal María J. , Mallofré Carme , Mengual Lourdes , Carrió Ana , Gil‐Vernet sedó José maría , Villavicencio Humberto 
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVETo describe the chromosomal numerical changes present in primary prostate tumours and their matched lymph‐node metastases, to identify a clonal cell migration process which could account for the metastatic behaviour.MATERIALS AND METHODSTwenty‐eight cases of unsuspected stage D1 (pT2–3pN1M0) prostate cancer were detected among patients who had a radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using centromeric probes to enumerate chromosomes 7, 8, 10 and 12, was used to assess numerical chromosomal changes. FISH analysis was used on isolated nuclei obtained from matched primary tumours and their lymph node metastases.RESULTSOf the 28 suitable cases it was possible to complete the study in 18 pairs of matched tissues; the remainder were excluded because of insufficient tissue or poor preservation of at least one of the tissues. There was cytogenetic change (aneuploidy) in 16 of the 18 primary tumours, the most common being monosomy 8, detected in 14, followed by trisomy 7, in 13 aneuploid tumours. All lymph node metastases were aneuploid by FISH. As in the primary tumours, monosomy 8 and trisomy 7 were the most common cytogenetic alterations, in 13 and 15 of the lymph node tissues. FISH analysis showed a high correlation (83%) in the cytogenetic pattern of changes between the primary tumours and their lymph node metastases. Moreover, a similar number of cells had the most common aneusomies when comparing prostate and the lymph node tissues.CONCLUSIONSThese results show a similar pattern of cytogenetic alteration in the primary tumour and its lymph node metastasis, characterized by the frequent presence of trisomy 7 and monosomy 8, suggesting that clonal cell selection is not involved in the metastatic process.
Mitochondrial metabolism in the rat during bladder regeneration induced by small intestinal submucosa
Authors: Faramarzi‐Roques Rozbeh , Malgat Monique , Desgrandchamps François , Ballanger Phillipe , Mazat Jean‐Pierre 
Published: August 2004

OBJECTIVETo assess mitochondrial metabolism of bladder tissue induced by small‐intestinal submucosa (SIS), by comparing the mitochondrial enzyme metabolism in this tissue with that in normal bladder tissue and thus evaluate intracellular normality.MATERIAL AND METHODSIn all, 70 rats were grouped into healthy controls (10), surgical controls with a simple bladder incision (15) and rats treated by partial cystectomy with replacement by the SIS graft (45). At 1, 3 and 6 months the rats were killed, the enzymes of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes assayed, and the respiration of permeabilized bladder fibres assessed using polarographic analysis.RESULTSThe enzyme activities of control and treated rats at 3 months were identical. The results from the polarographic analysis of respiration were also similar to that in normal tissue apart from a decrease in the number of mitochondria. Histologically, there was complete regeneration at 6 months.CONCLUSIONAfter a phase of inflammation the bladder regenerates after a patch is placed. The new tissue has the same enzymatic and histological features as normal bladder tissue.