bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of the Dilator Action of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on Rat Isolated Femoral Artery
Authors: Lam Francis Fu Yuen , Yeung John Hok Keung , Cheung Jessica Ho Yan 
Published: August 2005

Abstract:

This study investigates the actions of Danshen crude extract (Salvia miltiorrhiza) on rat isolated femoral artery rings precontracted with phenylephrine. Low concentrations of Danshen (10 to 30 μg/mL) enhanced the phenylephrine-precontracted tone by a maximum of 31.20 ± 2.71%. At concentrations 100 μg/mL or above, Danshen relaxed the precontracted tone, with full relaxation obtained at 1 mg/mL. Involvement of endothelium-dependant mechanisms in the dilator effect of Danshen was investigated by pretreatment of the artery rings with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor flurbiprofen (10 μM), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 100 μM), a muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (100 nM), and by mechanical removal of the endothelium; none of these procedures produced a significant change on the Danshen-induced effect. Involvement of endothelium-independent mechanisms was investigated in endothelium-denuded artery rings pretreated with a histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine (10 μM), a β-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (100 nM), an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-9H-purine-6-amine (SQ22536, 100 μM), a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 10 μM), and a potassium channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium (TEA, 10 and 100 mM); only TEA was effective in partially inhibiting the Danshen-induced effect. These findings suggest the dilator action of Danshen on rat femoral artery was mediated in part by the opening of TEA-sensitive K+ channels in the smooth muscle cells. Muscarinic receptors, histamine receptors, β-adrenoceptors, endothelium-derived relaxant factors, adenylyl cyclase, and guanylyl cyclase-dependent pathways did not play a role in its vasodilatory effect.
Two Inotropes With Different Mechanisms of Action: Contractile, PDE-Inhibitory and Direct Myofibrillar Effects of Levosimendan and Enoximone
Authors: Szilágyi Szabolcs , Pollesello Piero , Levijoki Jouko , Haikala Heimo , Bak István , Tósaki Árpád , Borbély Attila , Édes István , Papp Zoltán 
Published: August 2005

Abstract:

We characterized the Ca2+-sensitizing and phosphodiesterase (PDE)-inhibitory potentials of levosimendan and enoximone to assess their contributions to the positive inotropic effects of these drugs. In guinea pig hearts perfused in the working-heart mode, the maximal increase in cardiac output (55%, P < 0.05) was attained at 50 nM levosimendan. The corresponding value for enoximone (36%) was significantly smaller (P < 0.05) and was observed at a higher concentration (500 nM). In permeabilized myocyte-sized preparations levosimendan evoked a maximal increase of 55.8 ± 8% (mean ± SEM) in isometric force production via Ca2+ sensitization (pCa 6.2, EC50 8.4 nM). Enoximone up to a concentration of 10 μM failed to influence the isometric force. The PDE-inhibitory effects were probed on the PDE III and PDE IV isoforms. Levosimendan proved to be a 1300-fold more potent and a 90-fold more selective PDE III inhibitor (IC50 for PDE III 1.4 nM, and IC50 for PDE IV 11 μM, selectivity factor ∼8000) than enoximone (IC50 for PDE III 1.8 μM, and IC50 for PDE IV 160 μM, selectivity factor ∼90). Hence, our data support the hypothesis that levosimendan exerts positive inotropy via a Ca2+-sensitizing mechanism, whereas enoximone does so via PDE inhibition with a limited PDE III versus PDE IV selectivity.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition Does Not Alter Endothelial Progenitor Cell Colony Forming Capacity or Migratory Activity
Authors: Hoetzer Greta L , Irmiger Heather M , Keith Rebecca S , Westbrook Kimber M , DeSouza Christopher A 
Published: August 2005

Abstract:

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity has been shown to play a pivotal role in the mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) into the circulation from bone marrow. Indeed, in eNOS-deficient mice, exercise-induced EPC mobilization is severely diminished. We determined ex vivo whether circulating EPC colony-forming capacity and migratory activity are influenced by eNOS activity. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 20 healthy adults and preplated for 2 days, and nonadherent cells were further cultured for 7 days in the presence and absence of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 300 μM, an eNOS antagonist) to determine EPC colony-forming units. Migratory activity of EPCs, cultured with and without L-NAME (300 μM) was determined by utilizing a modified Boyden chamber. The number of EPC colony-forming units was not significantly different when cultured in the absence or presence of L-NAME (21 ± 5 vs 18 ± 5). Moreover, eNOS inhibition did not alter EPC migratory activity; mean fluorescence was similar in samples cultured with (983 ± 126 RFUs) and without (962 ± 105 RFUs) L-NAME. These in vitro results suggest that, in contrast to EPC mobilization from the bone marrow, eNOS does not exert a modulatory influence on the functional capacity of circulating EPCs to either form colonies or migrate.
Smicl is a novel Smad interacting protein and cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor associated protein
Authors: Collart Clara , Remacle Jacques E. , Barabino Silvia , A. van Grunsven Leo , Nelles Luc , Schellens Ann , Van de Putte Tom , Pype Stefan , Huylebroeck Danny , Verschueren Kristin 
Published: August 2005

Ligand‐bound receptors of the Transforming Growth Factor‐β (TGF‐β) family promote the formation of complexes between Smad proteins that subsequently accumulate in the nucleus and interact there with other transcriptional regulators, leading to modulation of target gene expression. We identified a novel nuclear protein, Smicl, which binds to Smad proteins. Smicl and Smads cooperate and enhance TGF‐β mediated activation of a Smad‐responsive reporter gene. A domain with five CCCH‐type zinc fingers in Smicl is structurally and functionally, at least in vitro, similar to a domain in CPSF‐30, the 30 kDa subunit of Cleavage and Polyadenylation Specificity Factor (CPSF). Like CPSF‐30, Smicl can associate with some other CPSF subunits characterized previously. Its effect on the induction of a reporter gene for TGF‐β requires the cleavage/polyadenylation signal downstream of the coding sequence of that gene. Thus, Smicl is a novel protein that displays CPSF‐30‐like activities, interacts in the nucleus with activated Smads, and potentiates in TGF‐β stimulated cells Smad‐dependent transcriptional responses, possibly in conjunction with the activity of CPSF complexes.
Circulatory changes in the fetal aorta after maternal smoking
Authors: ERIKSEN POUL SINDBERG , MARŠÁL KAREL 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe acute cardiovascular responses of the human fetus to maternal smoking of one cigarette were studied in 10 healthy pregnant women. Following maternal smoking, a significant increase was found in the nicotine concentration in maternal plasma accompanied by a significant increase in the fetal heart rate. The flow velocity was recorded in the fetal descending aorta by combining real‐time ultrasonography and the 2 MHz pulsed Doppler technique and the waveform of the maximum blood velocity was analysed. The duration of the acceleration part of the pulse cycle (start‐to‐peak time) remained unchanged during the study period. The least diastolic blood velocity increased significantly after smoking. The pulsatility index fell significantly during the first 5 min after smoking, probably as the consequence of fetal tachycardia, but was normal again at 10 min. The rising slope rose significantly within the first 10 to 20 min after the onset of smoking. The results indicate, that, following maternal smoking of one cigarette, fetal central circulation increases but peripheral resistance is unchanged.
Wound pain may be reduced by prior infiltration of the episiotomy site after delivery under epidural analgesia
Authors: KHAN G. Q. , LILFORD R. J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryLocal infiltration is seldom used during episiotomy repairs in patients who have been delivered under an effective epidural block and increased post‐episiotomy pain has been found in association with epidural analgesia. The hypothesis that this leads to tight wound closure and thereby causes increased perineal pain was examined in a double‐blind randomized trial in patients who had normal deliveries and medio‐lateral episiotomies. Mean pain scores on the day after delivery were significantly reduced from 4·5 to 3·6 and analgesic requirements were also diminished by local infiltration with saline before the episiotomy repair. It is postulated that the oedema of inflammation can be accommodated under less pressure if ‘slack’is created by prior distension of the tissues.
The short‐term effect of radical hysterectomy on urethral and bladder function
Authors: FARQUHARSON D. I. M. , SHINGLETON H. M. , ORR J. W. , HATCH K. D. , HESTER S. , SOONG S‐J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryTo investigate bladder neck and urethral function after radical hysterectomy, 21 patients were investigated before and 3 months after the operation. Each patient had an excretory urogram, CO2 cysto‐scopy, uroflowmetry, water cystometry and a urethral pressure profile, using a dual sensor microtransducer catheter, at rest and during stress. Postoperatively there was a significant reduction in urethral length and urethral closure pressure; however, pressure transmission ratios were maintained, indicating no loss of bladder neck support with stress. Of the six patients with pre‐operative bladder neck weakness, two (33%) had stress urinary incontinence at the 3 months assessment. No patient with a normal pre‐operative assessment developed this complication. Fifteen (71%) voided by abdominal straining and this manoeuvre emptied the bladder effectively. These data suggest that patients with pre‐operative evidence of an incompetent bladder neck may be predisposed to develop stress urinary incontinence after radical hysterectomy because of a reduction in the urethral closure pressure.
Treatment of hirsutism in polycystic ovary syndrome with bromocriptine
Authors: MURDOCH A. P. , MCCLEAN K. G. , WATSON M. J. , DUNLOP W. , TAYLOR P. KENDALL 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe value of bromocriptine in the treatment of hirsutism in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) was assessed subjectively and photographically in a double‐blind trial in 22 women studied for 1 year. Menstrual frequency was recorded. Circulating concentrations of oestradiol, oestrone, testosterone, androstenedione, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were determined before treatment and after 6 and 12 months therapy. On the same occasions gonadotrophin concentrations (mean of 24 samples) and their response to 100 μg LHRH were determined. No evidence was found to support a therapeutic role for bromocriptine in the treatment of hirsutism or menstrual regulation in PCO. No biochemical changes were seen specific to bromocriptine therapy.
Estimating a woman's risk of having a pregnancy associated with Down's syndrome using her age and serum alpha‐fetoprotein level
Authors: CUCKLE H. S. , WALD N. J. , THOMPSON S. G. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe risk of an individual woman having a pregnancy associated with Down's syndrome was estimated from her age and her serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) level at 14–20 weeks gestation. The estimates were made using published data on the risk of Down's syndrome in relation to maternal age from 4528 affected and over 5 million unaffected pregnancies, and on the risk in relation to serum AFP from 68 affected and 36 645 unaffected pregnancies. Separate estimates were derived for AFP levels using gestational age based (i) on the time since the first day of the last menstrual period and (ii) on an ultrasound biparietal diameter measurement. In each case this was done with and without adjusting AFP levels to take account of maternal weight. The same sources of data were also used to construct six Down's syndrome screening policies, each combining information on maternal age and serum AFP. For example with one policy the detection rate would be 28% and would involve selecting 2·8% of unaffected pregnancies for amniocentesis; using age alone the same detection rate could only be achieved by selecting 4·3% of unaffected pregnancies for amniocentesis—an increase of 50%. In general, screening for Down's syndrome using both maternal age and serum AFP is more efficient than either alone.
The urinary excretion of albumin in normal pregnancy
Authors: WRIGHT A. , STEELE P. , BENNETT J. R. , WATTS G. , POLAK A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe urinary excretion of albumin was measured in a group of normal pregnant women at 14, 28 and 36 weeks gestation and 6 weeks postpartum. Using 2‐h urine collections, the excretion rate was not found to increase during pregnancy or to differ from that in a group of non‐pregnant controls. The urinary albumin to creatinine concentration ratio was greater at all stages of pregnancy than in the non‐pregnant controls and greater at 36 weeks than at 14 weeks gestation. Correcting for the observed changes in serum albumin and creatinine clearance produced evidence consistent with the hypothesis that mean glomerular permeability to albumin rises progressively during pregnancy. Reasons are given why the measurement of urinary albumin excretion may be a useful screening test in some pregnant women, and may also yield useful information on the effect of multiple pregnancies on renal function. One grand multipara was studied and found to have an increased excretion of albumin at each stage of pregnancy.
Induction of labour, birthweight and perinatal mortality by day of the week
Authors: DOWDING V. M. , DUIGNAN N. M. , HENRY G. R. , MACDONALD D. W. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThere were 66 974 births at the three largest Dublin maternity hospitals in the years 1980–1982. Data on numbers of spontaneous and elective births, birthweight and perinatal mortality were analysed by day of the week. Perinatal mortality rates were highest on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The rate on Sunday was close to average. The largest number of perinatal deaths per day occurred on Wednesdays and the smallest on Sundays. Significant variations in mortality rates and percentage low birthweight were found among the 19% of infants who were born electively, but not among those born after a spontaneous onset of labour. High‐risk pregnancies, including many with intrauterine fetal death, were induced in large numbers from Tuesdays through Saturdays with a peak on Wednesdays. Low risk cases were induced mainly from Monday through Fridays with a peak on Fridays. The pattern of perinatal mortality through the week followed closely that of the risk status of pregnancies delivered electively. The results indicate that the pattern of perinatal mortality by day of the week of birth was determined by a highly organized weekly routine of selective elective delivery.
The disappearance rate of Schwangerschaftsprotein 1 in normal and pathological pregnancies
Authors: HUTTENMOSER J. L. , WEIL‐FRANCK C. , BISCHOF P. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryIn six women with a normal vaginal delivery at term, in 12 women who had a suction curettage between 6 and 12 weeks gestation and in eight women with an ectopic pregnancy, the post‐partum or the post‐surgery decline in radioimmunoassayable SP1 was faster during the first 24 h after surgery or delivery than later, so that two half‐lives were calculated. The first‘half‐life’of about 20 h (0–24 h after delivery or surgery) was of the same order of magnitude in all groups studied and corresponded well to previously published values. The mean second‘half‐life’(<24 h after delivery or surgery) was significantly longer in term (72·2 h) and in ectopic pregnancies (64·1 h) than in first trimester pregnancies (45·5 h). These results might indicate that the metabolism of SP1 either changes during pregnancy or that the changing SPlβ/SPlα ratio during pregnancy markedly influences the levels of SP1 as measured by radioimmunoassay.
Two hundred out‐patient laparoscopic clip sterilizations using local anaesthesia
Authors: MACKENZIE I. Z. , TURNER EILEEN , O'SULLIVAN G. M. , GUILLEBAUD J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryFemale sterilization using clips applied laparoscopically under local anaesthesia was used in 200 women. Apart from two patients in whom there were technical difficulties, the operation was completed without complication and without immediate or delayed morbidity. The technique, which avoids the risks of general anaesthesia, is commended as a safe, simple method of sterilization suitable for, and acceptable to, the majority of women.
Mucin production in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and in stage 1b carcinoma of cervix with pelvic lymph node metastases
Authors: IRELAND DAVID , COLE SHIRLEY , KELLY PHILIP , MONAGHAN JOHN M. 
Published: August 2005

SummarySections from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 3) and stage 1b carcinoma of the cervix were stained with periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue to identify the presence of intracellular mucin. One out of seven specimens of CIN 3 demonstrated intracellular mucin. In a series of 33 patients with stage 1b carcinoma of the cervix with pelvic lymph node metastases, PAS demonstrated intracellular mucin staining patterns that were similar in both tumour and lymph node in most patients. In the subgroup of 23 patients classified as having squamous carcinoma, 8 (35%) demonstrated intracellular mucin to some degree and only 2 (25%) of those 8 were alive after 3 years compared with 13 of the other 15 (87%) who did not show any mucin staining (P>0·01).
Fertility after chemotherapy for ovarian germ cell tumours
Authors: PEKTASIDES D. , RUSTIN G. J. S. , NEWLANDS E. S. , BEGENT R. H. J. , BAGSHAWE K. D. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryGonadal function was assessed in 17 women who successfully completed chemotherapy with the POMB/ACE regimen (cisplatin, vincristine [Oncovin], methotrexate, bleomycin/ actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, etoposide) for ovarian germ cell tumours, and had a remaining ovary and uterus. A 20‐year‐old girl has not yet recovered menstruation 5 months off chemotherapy. All the remaining women whose mean age at start of chemotherapy was 21 (9–38) are now menstruating with a median time of recovery of 4½ months after completion of chemotherapy. Five women have so far conceived after chemotherapy resulting in three full term normal deliveries of healthy infants, one termination of pregnancy, two miscarriages and one continuing pregnancy. Gonadal function does not appear to be permanently impaired in the majority of patients receiving POMB/ACE chemotherapy for ovarian germ cell tumours.
The effect of position and delay on stroke and minute distance in late pregnancy
Authors: RAWLES J. M. , SCHNEIDER K. T. M. , HUGH R. , HUCH A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryStroke and minute distance were measured in 12 women in late pregnancy using Doppler ultrasound. In each patient two sets of measurements were made every 2 min for 20 min in the supine and left lateral positions, the sequence of positions being reversed on the second occasion. Within each of the four 20 min measurement periods there were no significant changes with time in stroke distance, heart rate, or minute distance, or in their coefficients of variation. From this evidence there is no justification for delaying the measurement of cardiac output until a 'steady state’is reached. The measurements were influenced both by the sequence and the position in which they were taken, the effects being additive. Overall, stroke distance was 5·1% greater in the left lateral than in the supine position, heart rate was 3·7% less and minute distance not significantly different. Independent of posture, stroke distance was 6·5% greater in the second period of measurement than in the first, heart rate was 3% less and minute distance 2·8% more. In late pregnancy the relative magnitude of cardiac output in the left lateral and supine positions has to be interpreted in the light of a stepwise increase of aortic blood flow with change of posture.
Feto‐maternal haemorrhage associated with genetic amniocentesis: results of a randomized trial
Authors: TABOR ANN , BANG JENS , NØRGAARD‐PEDERSEN BENT 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMaternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels were determined before and after genetic amniocentesis (n=283) or ultrasound scan (n=268) in a group of women participating in a randomized trial of genetic amniocentesis. Increases in AFP levels were seen significantly more often after amniocentesis than after ultrasound scan (P<0·001) and 48 women in the amniocentesis group had increases in AFP (ΔAFP) that were larger than the maximum ΔAFP (±25 μg/1) seen in the ultrasound group. If a ΔAFP of <25 μg/1 represents a feto‐maternal haemorrhage (FMH) attributable to amniocentesis, the rate of amniocentesis‐induced FMH was 17%. Such FMH was seen significantly more often after transplacental amniocentesis or after amniocentesis performed by less experienced operators. No association was detected between birthweight and FMH attributable to amniocentesis.
'Unexplained infertility’results of secondary investigations in 95 couples
Authors: HAXTON M. J. , FLEMING R. , HAMILTON M. P. R. , YATES R. W. , BLACK W. P. , COUTTS J. R. T. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryAbnormalities of in‐vitro sperm‐mucus penetration, ovarian hormone deficiency, specifically poor progesterone surge, and luteal cyst formation were assessed prospectively in 95 couples with fully investigated primary infertility of 3·3 years duration. Abnormal spermmucus penetration was found in 22, half of whom could have been identified on semen assessment alone. Ten other males had recurrent oligospernia but with normal motility and mucus penetration. Twentyone patients had a poor progesterone surge and seven of them demonstrated retained luteal phase cysts. Endocrine and mucus penetration abnormalities did not coincide, demonstrating that they are distinct and unrelated phenomena. A significant number of couples were found for whom the term‘unexplained infertility’was no longer applicable and appropriate management could be considered.
Control of menorrhagia by the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitors naproxen sodium and mefenamic acid
Authors: HALL P. , MACLACHLAN N. , THORN N. , NUDD M. W. E. , TAYLOR C. G. , GARRIOCH D. B. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThirty‐five patients with menorrhagia were treated in a double‐blind crossover study with naproxen sodium and mefenamic acid after measurement of their blood loss during control menstrual cycles. Treatment with these compounds reduced the excessive bleeding by an average of 46 and 47% respectively. Drugs in the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor group are considered to have an important place in the treatment of menorrhagia.
Effects of seven low dose combined oral contraceptives on high density lipoprotein subfractions
Authors: VANGE N. VAN DER , KLOOSTERBOER H. J. , HASPELS A. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe effects on lipid metabolism of seven combined oral contraceptives were investigated, particularly the effects on high density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions, which were separated by density gradient ultracentrifugation. There were no differences between the preparations in the effects on the LDL fraction, the so‐called atherogenic particle, but there were marked differences in the effects on the anti‐atherogenic HDL fraction, of which the effects on HDL‐2 were most pronounced. After treatment with monophasic cyproterone acetate and biphasic desogestrel, the cholesterol and phospholipid contents of the HDL‐2 fraction were significantly higher than those found after treatment with the other preparations. The lowest values were found after treatment with monophasic levonorgestrel, whereas monophasic desogestrel, triphasic levonorgestrel, monophasic norethisterone and triphasic gestoden induced intermediate values for these variables. The levels of HDL‐2 reflect the intrinsic androgenicity of the various progestogens used in the preparations.