bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cervical myelopathy and rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective analysis of management
Authors: Falope Z F , Griffiths I D , Platt P N , Todd N V 
Published: January 2003

Background: Although a number of recent studies have described the outcome of surgical treatment of patients with rheumatoid cervical myelopathy, few have reported outcome in those unable to have surgery. We sought to examine the outcome in this group of patients regardless of surgical intervention. Design: Retrospective and descriptive. Setting: Department of Rheumatology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Methods: Retrospective review of case notes of 40 patients (31 females, 9 males) with rheumatoid cervical myelopathy diagnosed 1988–1997. Results: The mean age was 64 years (range 36–80 years). The mean duration of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) before the development of myelopathy was 21 years (range 5–44 years). The common impairments were paraesthesia in the arms, neck pain and weakness. Twenty-five patients (60%) were deemed fit for surgery (group I). Twenty-two patients successfully had operative treatment and the others refused. Twelve of the 15 patients who reported pain preoperatively obtained pain relief. Six of the 11 patients who were nonambulant (Ranawat class IIIB) were able to walk postoperatively. There were two deaths within six months (9% mortality) after primary surgery due to pneumonia and sepsis. Seven of the 15 patients managed conservatively (group II) because of coexisting medical complications died within six months of presentation (47% mortality). Conclusions: The study confirms the overall benefit of surgical intervention in those who are medically stable. Following surgery some functional improvement may occur even in patients with severe myelopathy.
Improving the Action Research Arm test: a unidimensional hierarchical scale
Authors: van der Lee Johanna H , Roorda Leo D , Beckerman Heleen , Lankhorst Gustaaf J , Bouter Lex M 
Published: January 2003

Background: The Action Research Arm (ARA) test is a performance test of upper extremity motor function which consists of 19 items divided into four hierarchical subtests. This multidimensionality has not yet been tested empirically. Objective: To investigate the dimensionality of the ARA test. Design: Cross-sectional study involving a sample of 63 chronic stroke patients. Methods: A Mokken scale analysis was performed. Results: The Mokken scale analysis revealed one strong unidimensional scale containing all 19 items, of which the scalability coefficient H was 0.79, while H per item ranged from 0.69 to 0.86. The reliability coefficient rho equalled 0.98, indicating a very high internal consistency. A subset of 15 out of 19 items showed an invariant hierarchical item-ordering. Conclusion: The ARA test is a unidimensional scale. The use of subtests, as proposed in the original description of the instrument, is not supported by the present findings. The 15-item scale presented here can be used for adaptive testing, i.e. using only a selected subset of items based on prior knowledge about the patient's abilities, thus minimizing testing time.
Subjective quality of life, health, I-ADL ability and adaptation strategies in fibromyalgia
Authors: Lindberg Lorry , Iwarsson Susanne 
Published: January 2003

Objectives: To describe subjective quality of life and health, self-perceived instrumental activities of daily living (I-ADL) ability and adaptation strategies, and to explore possible relationships between these variables in fibromyalgia patients. Design: Two instruments were used with fibromyalgia patients: the Fibrositis Impact Questionnaire and ‘Living with fibromyalgia – adaptation to chronic disease and handicap’, and correlative analyses were performed. Subjects: A sample of 34 patients undergoing rehabilitation (in a specific programme). Results: The majority of the patients used many adaptation strategies, demonstrating some significant relationships with perceived I-ADL ability and subjective quality of life and health. Different symptoms correlated highly significantly with self-perceived ability in I-ADL. Conclusion: The significant relationships between adaptation strategies and I-ADL ability and health demonstrated deserve clinical awareness and further research efforts.
The role of matrix metalloproteinases in vascular disease
Authors: Loftus IM , Thompson MM 
Published: January 2003

There is growing interest in the role of matrix metalloproteinasesin vascular diseases. These conditions are often characterized by excessive tissue remodelling, and increased matrix metalloproteinase activity has been demonstrated in aneurysms, intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerotic plaque disruption. These enzymes represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention to modify vascular pathology. The core of this review is derived from a MEDLINE database literature search. The review found that there is convincing evidence of increased matrix metalloproteinase activity in a spectrum of vascular disease. Evidence for an imbalance promoting increased matrix degradation is less well documented. However, studies of matrix metalloproteinase inhibition in vascular disease models suggest potential therapeutic benefit. In conclusion, in vivo studies of matrix metalloproteinase inhibition are required to further study the potential for reversal or deceleration of the excessive tissue remodelling that accompanies vascular disorders.
Alterations in endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis contribute to vascular remodeling following hind-limb ischemia in rabbits
Authors: Dai Qunsheng , Thompson Michael A , Pippen Anne M , Cherwek Hunter , Taylor Doris A , Annex Brian H 
Published: January 2003

Hind-limb ischemia is a potent stimulus for angiogenesis. However, capillary density does not change in tibialis anterior muscle (TA) following hind-limb ischemia, despite increases in angiogenic growth factors. The objective of this study was to determine whether changes in proliferation and apoptosis occurred in the same muscle. In total, 19 New Zealand white rabbits underwent femoral artery ligation and excision and the ischemic and contra-lateral (control) TA muscles were harvested after 1 (n = 7), 5 (n = 7) and 21 (n = 5). Terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect apoptosis and double staining was used to identify the apoptotic cell types. Proliferation was assessed by immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and [3H]thymidine incorporation, in vitro. TUNEL positive nuclei were greater in ischemic than control muscle at 1 day (1.83 0.70% vs 1.03 0.20%), 5 days (2.13 0.50% vs 1.21 0.42%) and at 21 days the difference was statistically significant (3.42 0.80% vs 0.96 0.40%, p 0.01). The majority of TUNEL positive nuclei were endothelial (Tie2 positive) cells. The number of PCNA positive cells in ischemic versus control muscle was similar at 1 day (0.71 0.20% vs 0.53 0.20%) and 5 days (1.28 0.30% vs 0.77 0.30%), but was significantly (p 0.05) reduced in ischemic muscle at 21 days (0.18 0.20% vs 1.35 0.30%) with no difference in [3H]thymidine incorporation. Directionally opposite changes in endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis occur in TA muscle following hind-limb ischemia. Modulating apoptosis in ischemic skeletal muscle may present a novel therapeutic target in peripheral arterial disease.
Vascular viewpoint
Authors: Anand Sonia S 
Published: January 2003

Question: Among high-risk patients with vascular disease treated with aspirin, is incomplete suppression of thromboxane generation associated with an increased risk of recurrent cardiovascular events? Population: Men and women 55 years of age who had a history of coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetes plus at least one other CV risk factor who participated in the HOPE trial which was a 2 2 factorial randomized controlled trial of ramipril and vitamin E.1 Design and methods: Nested case-control study of the 5529 patients from the HOPE trial participants from Canada in whom a urine sample was collected at baseline. All samples were sent to a central laboratory and stored at -80°C. Only those patients who were taking aspirin were included. Cases were defined as individuals who had a confirmed MI, stroke, or CV death after randomization. Control subjects were randomly selected from aspirin-treated patients who provided adequate urine samples but did not suffer MI, stroke or CV death after randomization. Cases and controls were matched according to sex and age (5 years) in a ratio of 1:1. Urine was thawed and assayed for 11-dehydro thromboxane B2 levels using the Caymann Chemical immunoassay. Results: Among 488 cases and 488 matched controls, the odds of an MI, stroke or CV death increased with each increasing quartile of 11-dehydro thromboxane B2, with patients in the upper quartile having a 1.8 times higher risk than those in the lower quartile (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.7, p = 0.009). Conclusion: Among aspirin-treated patents who have established vascular disease, urinary 11- dehydro thromboxane B2 predicts the future risk of MI and CV death, and may reflect ‘aspirin resistance’.
Human skin sandwich for assessing shunt route penetration during passive and iontophoretic drug and liposome delivery
Authors: Essa Ebtessam A , Bonner Michael C , Barry Brian W 
Published: January 2003

Abstract
This work explored the role of skin appendages (shunt route) in passive and iontophoretic drug and liposome penetration. The technique used an epidermis and stratum corneum sandwich from the same skin donor with the additional stratum corneum forming the top layer of the sandwich. Penetration was monitored during occluded passive and iontophoretic (0.5 mA cm−2) delivery of mannitol and estradiol solutions, and ultradeformable liposomes containing estradiol. The shunt route had a significant role during passive penetration of mannitol (hydrophilic compound), but was negligible during penetration of estradiol (lipophilic drug) and liposomes. In iontophoresis, the shunt route significantly contributed to the overall flux of all preparations, being highest for mannitol. However, shunts were not the only pathway for iontophoretic drug delivery and evidence was observed for the creation of new aqueous pathways via disorganization of the intercellular lipid domain of stratum corneum. The skin sandwich technique should prove valuable for general studies on routes of skin penetration.
Participation of various kinases in staurosporine-induced apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells
Authors: Yamaki Kouya , Hong JangJa , Hiraizumi Kenji , Ahn Jong Woon , Zee OkPyo , Ohuchi Kazuo 
Published: January 2003

Abstract
Staurosporine induced apoptosis of RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage-like cell line, as determined by DNA fragmentation, the increase of annexin V-stained cells, and the cleavage of poly(ADP- ribose)polymerase (PARP), a substrate of caspase. Analysis of the increase in the percentage of sub-G1 cells revealed that the DNA fragmentation occurred in a time- and concentration-dependent manner at 0.021–2.1 μm of staurosporine. Staurosporine induced phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) but suppressed spontaneous phosphorylation of p44/42 MAPK. The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580, the MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor PD98059 and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P13K) inhibitor LY294002 potentiated the staurosporine-induced PARP cleavage and DNA fragmentation. The protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H-89 potentiated the staurosporine-induced DNA fragmentation without potentiating the PARP cleavage. In contrast, the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro-31–8425 suppressed the PARP cleavage and DNA fragmentation. These findings suggested that staurosporine induces apoptosis via the caspase cascade in RAW 264.7 cells. The staurosporine-induced apoptosis is positively regulated by PKC, negatively regulated by p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK and P13K via the caspase cascade, and negatively regulated by PKA without regulation of caspase activation.
Diazepam does not reduce infarct size in rats subjected to transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery when normothermia is maintained
Authors: Kuhmonen Johanna , Lukkarinen Jouko , Gröhn Olli , Jolkkonen Jukka , Sivenius Juhani 
Published: January 2003

Abstract
Activation of the γ-amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic system might protect against the damage that occurs after cerebral ischaemia. We examined this hypothesis by administering diazepam to rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using the intraluminal thread method. Diffusion MRI (DWI) and perfusion imaging (PI) were acquired during MCAO to assess brain tissue status and haemodynamics, respectively. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with either 10 mg kg−1 diazepam (n = 5) or vehicle (n = 5) both 30 min and 90 min after the onset of MCAO. To exclude the possibility that neuroprotection was due to the hypothermic action of the drug, body temperature was maintained at 37–38°C for up to 7 h postischaemia with a feed-back controlled thermoregulatory unit. Infarct volumes quantified 2 days after MCAO from T2-weighted images were similar in ischaemic control rats and in ischaemic rats treated with diazepam. We conclude that diazepam-induced enhancement of GABAA activity does not effectively protect against neuronal damage that occurs after transient MCAO in normothermic rats.
Covalent coupling of concanavalin A to a Carbopol 934P and 941P carrier in glucose-sensitive gels for delivery of insulin
Authors: Tanna S , Sahota T , Clark J , Taylor M J 
Published: January 2003

Abstract
A novel glucose-sensitive gel formulation, containing concanavalin A and specific polysaccharides, was stabilised via covalent coupling to two structurally different carbomers. The bonding was done to minimise leaching of gel components thereby preventing toxicity and preserving the working mechanism of the gel. Increased gel stability was introduced by covalently bonding amine groups present on the lysine residues of concanavalin A to carboxylic moieties on Carbopol 934P NF and 941P NF using carbodiimide chemistry. The introduction of dextran then produced a glucose-sensitive formulation that transformed from gel to sol in the presence of free glucose. Rheological examination of glucose-sensitive gels stabilised in this way and containing varying concentrations of glucose was conducted with a cone and plate viscometer used in continual rotation mode. A decrease in viscosity over the chosen glucose concentration range was exhibited by both carbomer-stabilised formulations. The subsequent testing of such formulations in in-vitro diffusion experiments revealed that the leaching of concanavalin A from the covalently coupled gels is restricted significantly with respect to non-coupled formulations. In addition, insulin delivery in response to glucose in the physiologically relevant glucose concentration range has been demonstrated using the carbomer-stabilised gels at 37°C. The performance of this self-regulating drug delivery system has been improved in terms of increased gel stability with reduced component leaching.
Hypometabolism, antioxidant defenses and free radical metabolism in the pulmonate land snailHelix aspersa
Authors: Ramos-Vasconcelos Gabriella R. , Hermes-Lima Marcelo 
Published: January 2003

SUMMARYThe aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a cycle of estivation and awakening on free radical metabolism in selected organs of the land snail Helix aspersa. Estivation for 20 days induced a 4.9- and 1.8-fold increase in selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity (Se-GPX) and in total glutathione levels (GSH-eq), respectively, in hepatopancreas when compared to activity in active animals 24 h after awakening. Foot muscle Se-GPX activity was also increased 3.9-fold during estivation, whereas GSH-eq did not vary. The activities of other antioxidant enzymes (catalase,superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were unchanged in both organs. After 15 min of awakening, the glutathione disulphide (GSSG)/GSH-eq ratio increased significantly by 55% in hepatopancreas, slowly returning to the levels observed during estivation. The higher GSSG/GSH-eq ratio may be caused by increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during awakening. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) decreased from 49 to 30.7 nmol g-1 wet mass in hepatopancreas after 5 min arousal and,after 30 min, TBARS rose significantly to 39.6 nmol g-1 wet mass,gradually declining thereafter. The levels of lipid hydroperoxides in hepatopancreas and of carbonyl protein in foot muscle both decreased during awakening. The higher levels of products of free radical damage during estivation may have resulted from low levels of ROS formation associated with decreased rates of lipid hydroperoxide detoxification and oxidized protein turnover caused by metabolic depression. The regulation of the antioxidant system during hypometabolism may constitute a mechanism to minimize oxidative stress during cycles of estivation and awakening.
Hydrodynamic stability of swimming in ostraciid fishes: role of the carapace in the smooth trunkfishLactophrys triqueter(Teleostei:Ostraciidae)
Authors: Bartol Ian K. , Gharib Morteza , Weihs Daniel , Webb Paul W. , Hove Jay R. , Gordon Malcolm S. 
Published: January 2003

SUMMARYThe hydrodynamic bases for the stability of locomotory motions in fishes are poorly understood, even for those fishes, such as the rigid-bodied smooth trunkfish Lactophrys triqueter, that exhibit unusually small amplitude recoil movements during rectilinear swimming. We have studied the role played by the bony carapace of the smooth trunkfish in generating trimming forces that self-correct for instabilities. The flow patterns, forces and moments on and around anatomically exact, smooth trunkfish models positioned at both pitching and yawing angles of attack were investigated using three methods: digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV), pressure distribution measurements, and force balance measurements. Models positioned at various pitching angles of attack within a flow tunnel produced well-developed counter-rotating vortices along the ventro-lateral keels. The vortices developed first at the anterior edges of the ventro-lateral keels,grew posteriorly along the carapace, and reached maximum circulation at the posterior edge of the carapace. The vortical flow increased in strength as pitching angles of attack deviated from 0°, and was located above the keels at positive angles of attack and below them at negative angles of attack. Variation of yawing angles of attack resulted in prominent dorsal and ventral vortices developing at far-field locations of the carapace; far-field vortices intensified posteriorly and as angles of attack deviated from 0°. Pressure distribution results were consistent with the DPIV findings, with areas of low pressure correlating well with regions of attached, concentrated vorticity. Lift coefficients of boxfish models were similar to lift coefficients of delta wings, devices that also generate lift through vortex generation. Furthermore, nose-down and nose-up pitching moments about the center of mass were detected at positive and negative pitching angles of attack, respectively. The three complementary experimental approaches all indicate that the carapace of the smooth trunkfish effectively generates self-correcting forces for pitching and yawing motions — a characteristic that is advantageous for the highly variable velocity fields experienced by trunkfish in their complex aquatic environment. All important morphological features of the carapace contribute to producing the hydrodynamic stability of swimming trajectories in this species.
Characterisation of intestinal peptide transporter of the Antarctic haemoglobinless teleostChionodraco hamatus
Authors: Maffia M. , Rizzello A. , Acierno R. , Verri T. , Rollo M. , Danieli A. , Döring F. , Daniel H. , Storelli C. 
Published: January 2003

SUMMARYH+/peptide cotransport was studied in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from the intestine of the haemoglobinless Antarctic teleost Chionodraco hamatus by monitoring peptide-dependent intravesicular acidification with the pH-sensitive dye Acridine Orange. Diethylpyrocarbonate-inhibited intravesicular acidification was specifically achieved in the presence of extravesicular glycyl-L-proline (Gly-L-Pro) as well as of glycyl-L-alanine (Gly-L-Ala) and D-phenylalanyl-L-alanine(D-Phe-L-Ala). H+/Gly-L-Pro cotransport displayed saturable kinetics, involving a single carrier system with an apparent substrate affinity (Km,app) of 0.806±0.161 mmol l-1. Using degenerated primers from eel and human (PepT1)transporter sequence, a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) signal was detected in C. hamatus intestine. RT-PCR paralleled kinetic analysis, confirming the hypothesis of the existence of a PepT1-type transport system in the brush-border membranes of icefish intestine.Functional expression of H+/peptide cotransport was successfully performed in Xenopus laevis oocytes after injection of poly(A)+ RNA (mRNA) isolated from icefish intestinal mucosa. Injection of mRNA stimulated D-Phe-L-Ala uptake in a dose-dependent manner and an excess of glycyl-L-glutamine inhibited this transport. H+/peptide cotransport in the Antarctic teleost BBMV exhibited a marked difference in temperature optimum with respect to the temperate teleost Anguilla anguilla, the maximal activity rate occurring at approximately 0°C for the former and 25°C for the latter. Temperature dependence of icefish and eel intestinal mRNA-stimulated uptake in the heterologous system (oocytes) was comparable.
Modulation of ingested water absorption by Palestine sunbirds: evidence for adaptive regulation
Authors: McWhorter Todd J. , del Rio Carlos Martínez , Pinshow Berry 
Published: January 2003

SUMMARY
Nectarivorous birds feed on dilute sugar solutions containing trace amounts of amino acids and electrolytes. To meet their high mass-specific energy demands they must often deal with exceptionally high proportionate water fluxes. Despite nectar intake rates that may reach more than five times body mass per day, hummingbirds appear to absorb all ingested water. Here, we report the results of experiments designed to examine the relationship between nectar intake and water turnover in nectar-feeding Palestine sunbirds(Nectarinia osea). Like hummingbirds, sunbirds ingested large amounts of water. At the lowest sucrose concentration (292 mmol l-1), food intake rates reached 2.2 times body mass. Fractional and total water turnover increased linearly with water ingestion, but the fraction of ingested water absorbed by sunbirds decreased from 100% to 36% with increasing water intake rate. Palestine sunbirds may therefore avoid absorbing, and thus having to eliminate, up to 64% of their ingested water load when feeding on dilute nectars. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of regulation of water flux across the gastrointestinal tract to the body. Our data suggest that sunbirds regulate transepithelial water flux independently of sugar absorption. These intriguing results open the door to many questions about how water transport is regulated in the vertebrate gastrointestinal tract. We suggest that intestinal water and body water form two separate but interacting pools in nectar-feeding birds. Convergence in diet has led to the evolution of many similar traits in hummingbirds and sunbirds. The physiological traits of these two groups that allow the processing of a water and sugar diet, however,may be very different.