bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Prognostic Role of Brain Natriuretic Peptides in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Naganuma Toshihide , Sugimura Kazunobu , Wada Seiji , Yasumoto Ryoji , Sugimura Takeshi , Masuda Chikayoshi , Uchida Junji , Nakatani Tatuya 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Although plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptides (BNP) increase in hemodialysis (HD) patients as well as patients with cardiovascular diseases (CD), the clinical significance of BNP in HD patients has yet to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological significance of BNP in HD patients. <i>Methods:</i> Plasma BNP concentrations were measured in 164 HD patients after HD and 14 healthy volunteers. In 12 patients without CD, BNP was also measured before HD. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the important factors causing increased plasma BNP concentrations. Cardiac mortality was monitored for 36 months after baseline analysis, and the prognostic role of BNP was examined by Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. <i>Results:</i> Plasma BNP concentrations of HD patients without CD decreased significantly during HD session (124.5 ± 90.7 vs. 91.4 ± 67.6 pg/ml, mean ± SD, p = 0.004), but were still significantly higher than those of the healthy subjects (9.7 ± 9.2 pg/ml, p = 0.0002). Plasma BNP concentrations of patients with CD were significantly higher than of those without CD (579.6 ± 564.3 vs. 204.0 ± 241.5 pg/ml, p < 0.0001). Plasma BNP concentrations were also significantly higher in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients than in non-DM patients (514.1 ± 585.4 vs. 296.0 ± 347.0 pg/ml, p = 0.0031). Multiple regression analysis showed that left ventricular mass index (LVMI), CD and DM were independent factors for the elevated BNP (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.303, p < 0.0001). During a 36-month follow-up period, cardiac death occurred in 13 patients. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates of patients from varying plasma BNP quartiles (<200, 200–450, 450–700 and >700 pg/ml) differed between the four groups (p < 0.0001). The group with the highest BNP level (>700 pg/ml) had the lowest survival. When compared with patients with BNP <200, the hazard ratios for cardiac death of patients with BNP of 200–450, 450–700 and >700 pg/ml were 2.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14–36.7], 18.7 (1.9–183.4) and 51.9 (6.5–416.3), respectively. The univariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that BNP, left ventricular ejection fraction, LVMI, age, DM, serum albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly associated with the risk of cardiac mortality. By stepwise multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, only BNP, LVMI and CRP remained powerful independent predictors of cardiac death. The relative risk ratios were 1.002 (95% CI 1.001–1.002) for BNP, 2.192 (1.532–3.135) for CRP and 1.027 (1.013–1.042) for LVMI. <i>Conclusion:</i> High plasma BNP concentrations in HD patients were associated with volume overload, left ventricular hypertrophy, CD and DM. Plasma BNP concentration may be a useful parameter for assessing the risk of cardiac death in HD patients by providing prognostic information independently of other variables previously reported.
Idiopathic IgA Nephropathy with Diffuse Crescent Formation
Authors: Tang Zheng , Wu Yan , Wang Qing-wen , Yu Yu-sheng , Hu Wei-xing , Yao Xiao-dan , Chen Hui-ping , Liu Zhi-hong , Li Lei-shi 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To investigate the clinicopathological features and outcome of idiopathic IgA nephropathy with diffuse crescent formation in Chinese patients. <i>Methods:</i> Twenty-five patients with diffuse crescentic IgA nephropathy (DCIgAN), 15 males and 10 females with median age of 28.5, and median disease duration of 5.1 months, were studied. Their clinical, laboratory and pathological features and outcome were investigated. Twenty-one were administered pulse immunosuppressive therapy, and 15 were followed up for more than 6 months. <i>Results:</i> 1.14% had total IgA nephropathy, and 16.4% total diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis. Clinically, most of patients (88%) showed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis associated with a high level of serum creatinine (418 ± 264 µmol/l). Gross hematuria was noted in 72%, hypertension in 64%, and nephrotic syndrome in 48%. Pathologically, except for diffuse crescent formation (a median 65% and range 50–95%), we observed segmental necrosis of glomerular capillaries in 60%, glomerular infiltrating cells in 48%, endothelial cells proliferation in 32%, and rupture of Bowmans’ capsule in 24%. Severe tubular interstitial damage was also found, tubular atrophy in 64%, interstitial fibrosis in 60%, diffuse interstitial infiltrating cells in 74%, and interstitial vasculitis in 40%. Immunopathologically, four phenotypes were observed; however, IgA associated with IgM deposition was higher than that in patients with general IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In addition, the infiltrating CD4+, CD8+, CD68+ and PCNA+ cells in renal tissue were significantly high compared with that in controls. In a follow-up study, 66.7% of patients had life-sustaining renal function, 4 of them had normal range of serum creatinine (<124 µmol/l), and only 5 were dialysis-dependent. <i>Conclusions:</i> The patients with crescentic IgA nephropathy mostly show rapidly progressive nephritis associated with more severe pathological changes including glomerular, tubular interstitial and vascular lesions than in patients with general IgAN. The infiltrates in glomeruli may contribute to the crescentic formation, and the intensive immune suppressing treatment is useful to improve renal damage in patients with DCIgAN.
Dose-Response Effect of Egg-Phosphatidylcholine on Maze-Learning Ability and Fatty Acid Composition of Plasma and Brain in Aged Mice Fed an n–3 Fatty Acid-Deficient Diet
Authors: Lim Sun-Young , Suzuki Hiramitsu 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> We investigated the dose-response effect of egg-phosphatidylcholine (PC) on the maze-learning ability and brain fatty acid composition in aged mice. <i>Method:</i> Male Crj:CD-1 mice aged 18 months were fed the following diets for 4 months: (i) 5 g palm oil/100 g diet (n–3-deficient control group); (ii) 1 g egg-PC/100 g diet plus 4 g palm oil/100 g diet (egg-PC 1% group); (iii) 2.5 g egg-PC/100 g diet plus 2.5 g palm oil/100 g diet (egg-PC 2.5% group), and (iv) 5 g egg-PC/100 g diet (egg-PC 5% group). Maze-learning ability was assessed 3 months after the start of the experiment. All animals were maintained on the n–3 fatty acid-deficient diets to examine the direct effect of egg-PC on maze behavior. The time required to reach the maze exit and the number of times that a mouse strayed into blind alleys in the maze were measured in 3 trials every 4 days. <i>Results:</i> Our results showed that the 2.5 and 5% egg-PC groups needed less (p < 0.05) time to find the exit and strayed into blind alleys fewer times (p < 0.05) than the control group. In order to determine the relationship between maze-behavior and brain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) levels in aged mice fed various doses of egg-PC, the plasma and brain fatty acid composition was examined. Dose-response increases in the percentage of DHA were found in plasma lipids. However, based on our data on the brain fatty acid composition of mice fed various doses of egg-PC, no significant differences in the percentages of DHA and AA among the dietary groups were observed. <i>Conclusion:</i> These results suggest that the intake of egg-PC improves maze-learning ability in aged mice fed n–3 fatty acid-deficient diets but it does not influence the percentage of brain DHA and AA.
Cyclosporine or FK506 Decrease Mature Epidermal Growth Factor Protein Expression and Renal Tubular Regeneration in Rat Kidneys with Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Yang Chul Woo , Lee Seung Hun , Lim Sun Woo , Jung Ju Young , Kim Wan Young , Kim Hyung Wook , Choi Bum Soon , Li Can , Cha Jung Ho , Kim Yong Soo , Kim Jin , Bang Byung Kee 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in tubular regeneration in kidneys with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of cyclosporine A (CsA) or FK506 on mature EGF expression and tubular regeneration in rat kidneys with I/R injury. <i>Methods:</i> Two separate studies were performed. First, the expression of EGF and tubular regeneration was observed in rat kidneys with I/R injury on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Second, the dose-dependent response of EGF expression and tubular regeneration to CsA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) or FK506 (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) was observed in rat kidneys with I/R injury. I/R injury was induced by clamping both renal arteries for 45 min, and CsA or FK506 was injected just after release of vascular clamps. Rats were sacrificed on day 1 for evaluation of EGF expression, and on day 2 for evaluation of BudU-positive cells. Renal function, tubular injury score, EGF expression assessed by immunoblotting, levels of CsA and FK506 in whole blood, and immunostaining for BrdU was studied. <i>Results:</i> EGF expression was maximal on day 1 (cortex, 29-fold; medulla, 31-fold compared with sham-operated controls), and renal tubular regeneration measured with the number of BrdU-positive cells was maximal on days 2 and 3 in kidney with I/R injury, and thereafter the level of EGF and the number of BrdU-positive cells decreased progressively. CsA or FK506 treatment to ischemic rat kidneys reduced the expression of EGF and the number of BrdU-positive cells in a dose-dependent manner. <i>Conclusions:</i> CsA or FK506 treatment delays recovery from acute tubular necrosis, and this may be associated with decreased EGF expression by CsA or FK506.
AQP1 in Red Blood Cells of Uremic Patients during Hemodialytic Treatment
Authors: Buemi M. , Floccari F. , Di Pasquale G. , Cutroneo G. , Sturiale A. , Aloisi C. , Ruello A. , Romeo A. , Favaloro A. , Corica F. , Frisina N. , Anastasi G. 
Published: April 2003

Hemodialysis influences the transport of water through the erythrocytic membrane, and induces morphologic and functional modifications. Recently water channels, called aquaporins (AQP), have been identified on the membrane of red blood cells. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate any relationships between volumetric changes in erythrocytes (MCV), plasma osmolarity and membrane expression of AQP1 in 22 uremic patients during a hemodialysis session, and compare value with those in a control group of 22 healthy volunteers. Membranal AQP1 expression was evaluated using three methods: indirect immunofluorescence under confocal microscopy, immunoenzymatic method after membrane extraction, and immunoblotting. In uremic subjects, at baseline membrane AQP1 expression was significantly lower, whereas plasma osmolality was higher than in controls. At 1 and 2 h of replacement therapy, a progressive increase was observed in erythrocytic AQP1, values similar to those in controls being attained after 3.5 h. During the session osmolality values reduced progressively, becoming significantly lower than basal values. The mean erythrocytic corpuscular volume in patients with ESRD was significantly lower than in cntrols at baseline. This value increased during hemodialysis, attaining statistical significance with respect to the basal value at 3.5 h of dialysis. Close correlations were found between plasma osmolality and AQP1 values (r = –0.930; p < 0.05), and also between MCV and plasma osmolality trend (r = –0.909; p < 0.05). There was a linear correlation (r = 0.63, p < 0.05) between plasma AVP concentrations and plasma osmolality. The variations found in plasma osmolarity during hemodialysis, may induce AQP1 expression on the membrane of intact red blood cells.
A 72-bp Internal Deletion in the Left Inverted Terminal Repeat of the Bovine Adenovirus Type 3 Genome Does Not Affect Virus Replication
Authors: van Olphen Alberto L. , Mittal Suresh K. 
Published: April 2003

The genome of bovine adenovirus type 3 (BAV3) is flanked by 195-base pair (bp) inverted terminal repeats (ITR). We isolated a BAV3 mutant (BAV3c29) having an internal deletion within the left ITR. The deletion eliminated 72 bp between nucleotides (nt) 89 and 162, including most of the GC-rich sequences located close to the end of the ITR sequences. This deletion did not seem to have any affect on the virus plaque size or morphology and the kinetics of viral replication compared to wild-type (wt) BAV3. The nt sequence of the right ITR of BAV3c29 remained identical to the right or left ITR of wt BAV3. These results indicate that the <i>cis</i>-acting sequences present within the 72 bp between nt 89 and 162 of the left ITR are not essential for BAV3 DNA replication in cultured cells.
Explaining Attitudinal Ratings of Dutch Rising Contours: Morphological Structure vs. the Frequency Code
Authors: Rietveld Toni , Haan Judith , Heijmans Linda , Gussenhoven Carlos 
Published: April 2003

AbstractIn this article, two hypotheses were tested to explain attitudinal ratings like SURPRISE, SUGGESTION, REMINDER etc. of four rising nuclear contours observed in a Dutch question corpus and described as (a) H*L H%, (b) H* H%, (c) L*H H% and (d) L* H%. According to one hypothesis, the middle tones in (a) and (c) should be parcelled out, such that their absence produces contours (b) and (d), respectively, predicting communality of meaning within (a, c) that excludes (b, d). That is, (b, d) could be viewed as undershot variants of (a, c), with undershoot expressing a shade of meaning different from that of the fully realised pitch accents. This hypothesis was not confirmed by the data, though. The other hypothesis was based on the concept of the ‘frequency code’, which associ ates high/rising F₀ values with non-assertive behaviour and appeared to provide a much better model to predict listeners’ ratings.
Anaerobic Threshold and Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Stable Angina before and after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
Authors: Barmeyer A. , Meinertz T. 
Published: April 2003

In this study, we investigated the effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on functional exercise capacity, oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO<sub>2AT</sub>) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO<sub>2max</sub>) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Twenty-five patients with CAD and stable angina pectoris underwent spiroergometry before and after PTCA. All patients had reduced functional capacity with Weber class B in 5, class C in 16 and class D in 4 patients with mean VO<sub>2AT</sub> of 9.4 ± 1.5 ml·kg<sup>–1</sup>·min<sup>–1</sup> and mean VO<sub>2max</sub> of 13.3 ± 3.3 ml· kg<sup>–1</sup>·min<sup>–1</sup>. After PTCA, VO<sub>2max</sub> (15.8 ± 3.1 ml·kg<sup>–1</sup>· min<sup>–1</sup>) increased significantly (p < 0.001) compared to before PTCA. Subgroup analysis revealed that patients with low functional capacity before PTCA (VO<sub>2max</sub> <15 ml· kg<sup>–1</sup>· min<sup>–1</sup>) had the most benefit from PTCA with an increase in VO<sub>2AT</sub> from 8.7 ± 1.0 to 9.6 ± 1.4 ml·kg<sup>–1</sup>· min<sup>–1</sup> (p < 0.05) and of VO<sub>2max</sub> from 11.3 ± 2.2to 14.8 ± 3.5 ml·kg<sup>–1</sup>·min<sup>–1</sup> (p < 0.001) whereas in patients with VO<sub>2max</sub> >15 ml·kg<sup>–1</sup>·min<sup>–1</sup>, VO<sub>2AT</sub> (p = 0.9) and VO<sub>2max</sub> (p = 0.2) did not improve significantly. In conclusion, there is reduced functional capacity and VO<sub>2max</sub> which improved after PTCA in CAD patients. In patients with low VO<sub>2max</sub> before PTCA, functional capacity, VO<sub>2AT</sub> and VO<sub>2max</sub> significantly improved after PTCA, suggesting reversible myocardial impairment induced by intermittent myocardial ischemia. Patients with higher VO<sub>2max</sub> had no significant benefit from PTCA with respect to functional capacity, VO<sub>2max</sub> and VO<sub>2AT</sub>.
Collagenase-Induced Changes in Articular Cartilage as Detected by Electron-Microscopic Stereology, Quantitative Polarized Light Microscopy and Biochemical Assays
Authors: Långsjö Teemu K. , Rieppo Jarno , Pelttari Alpo , Oksala Niku , Kovanen Vuokko , Helminen Heikki J. 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of electron-microscopic (EM) stereology with quantitative polarized light microscopy (PLM) and biochemical collagen (hydroxyproline) and crosslink (pyridinoline) analyses to detect changes in the superficial collagen network of bovine articular cartilage after digestion in vitro with purified bacterial <i>(Clostridium histolyticum)</i> collagenase (30 U/ml) for 24 and 48 h. Collagen volume (V<sub>V</sub>) and surface (S<sub>V</sub>) densities of the uppermost third of the superficial zone were estimated indirectly from zonal isotropic uniform random sections using collagen length density (L<sub>V</sub>) and average collagen fibril diameter, or its average second power. Collagenase digestion caused a significant decrease in fibril diameter (64 to 62%), V<sub>V</sub> (89 to 95%) and S<sub>V</sub> (64 to 86%) after incubation for 24 and 48 h. Collagen L<sub>V</sub> remained unchanged after 24 h incubation but decreased 63% after 48 h. Collagen concentration per dry weight, assayed biochemically from the whole superficial zone, decreased also significantly (29 to 60%) after 24 and 48 h digestions, respectively. The pyridinoline concentration per dry weight of the superficial zone decreased (31 to 57%) whereas the pyridinoline concentration per collagen remained unchanged. PLM revealed that the birefringence of the uppermost third of the superficial zone was decreased by 36% after digestion for 24 h though the total birefringence of the whole zone was not reduced. However, after 48 h, the birefringence of the whole superficial zone was significantly reduced (76%). All of the techniques compared in this study could detect collagen network degradation in bovine articular cartilage but the EM stereological technique was more sensitive at detecting the changes than PLM or biochemical assays.
Effect of Transurethral Resection of the Prostate on Blood Coagulation Test Results
Authors: Özmen Sadık , Koşar Alim , Sayın Adnan , Aydın Cemalettin , Yavuz Lütfi 
Published: April 2003

<i>Aim:</i> To evaluate results of coagulation tests and serum sodium levels during the early postoperative period in patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate. <i>Patients and Methods:</i> In a prospective study, blood coagulation tests were performed and serum sodium levels measured in 27 patients before and at the end of transurethral resection of the prostate and 24 h later. The causes of the changes in coagulation test results were also investigated. <i>Results:</i> There were significant decreases in the platelet counts (p < 0.001) and fibrinogen (p < 0.001), hemoglobin (p < 0.05), and sodium (p < 0.0001) concentrations at the end of the operation. The prothrombin time was prolonged (p < 0.01). The activated partial thromboplastin time did not change. There was a statistically significant correlation between the changes in prothrombin time and fibrinogen concentration and the amount of irrigating solution used during the operation and the difference between the volume given and collected as irrigation. Coagulation test results, hemoglobin concentration, and serum sodium level returned to normal values 24 h after the operation. <i>Conclusion:</i> Our results show that there was a transient change in platelet count, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen and serum sodium concentrations during the early postoperative period which can be explained on the basis of dilution of the blood.
Metamodulation of the Biogenic Amines: Second-Order Modulation by Steroid Hormones and Amine Cocktails
Authors: Mesce Karen A. 
Published: April 2003

An evolutionarily conserved feature of neural systems is that they can be modified by neuromodulators. These modulatory chemical signals include the biogenic amines, octopamine (OA), serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA). Such modulation effectively broadens the operational range in which specific neural circuits can function adaptively. This report discusses how these amines are themselves modulated; for example, by the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E) or by the addition of a second biogenic amine. Such second-order neuromodulation, termed metamodulation, is discussed in the context of two well-studied invertebrate systems: the tobacco hornworm moth <i>Manduca sexta</i>, a model of neurodevelopment and plasticity, and the medicinal leech <i>Hirudo medicinalis</i>, a long-favored preparation used to study neural circuits at the level of identified neurons. A portion of this article reviews our previous research of <i>M. sexta</i> that shows that the ‘preadult’ rise in 20-E is both necessary and sufficient for the increased levels of octopamine observed in the adult. Such elevated levels likely play an important role in the production and modulation of adult behaviors. The somatic growth of median octopaminergic neurons and the late expression of OA-immunoreactivity by novel lateral neurons are also demonstrated to be dependent on 20-E. New immunocytochemical results of stained dopaminergic neurons in the larval and adult moth brain are provided as well, and the potential influence of 20-E on the developmental expression of this neuromodulator is presented. Turning attention to the leech, data indicate that the actions of OA are dramatically altered when 5-HT is combined with OA in the bath surrounding the isolated nervous system. Although either OA or 5-HT alone induces fictive swimming behavior, a cocktail of these two amines strongly inhibits the generation of swimming. Subsequent removal of such a mixture induces nearly continuous swimming and constitutes the best swim-inducing stimulus encountered to date. To understand better how these nonadditive effects are achieved, new results are discussed that indicate that the leech brain is the target of metamodulation by the two amines. Both the arthropod and annelid systems presented here highlight the multiple levels of metamodulation that can exist in nervous systems, and the diverse ways that a modulator’s actions can become altered over short or long time periods.
Severe Allergy in a Pregnant Woman after Vaginal Examination with a Latex Glove
Authors: Shingai Yuri , Nakagawa Koji , Kato Takeshi , Fujioka Toru , Matsumoto Takashi , Kihana Toshimasa , Noda Kiyofumi , Mori Takashi 
Published: April 2003

Recently case reports about latex allergy were increased. We have experienced severe latex allergy in a pregnant women after vaginal examination with a latex glove. A 33-year-old woman, 38 weeks pregenant, was hospitalized for management of fetal IUGR. She underwent a vaginal examination with a latex glove and soon developed severe anaphylactic reactions. Although two hours later her condition had remarkably improved, regular uterine contractions appeared, and fetal cardiotocogram showed late decelerations. So emergency cesarean section was performed under the situation without using any latex products. She delivered a male infant weighing 2,227 g (–2.21 SD) at 38 weeks gestation. His Apgar score was 5 points at 1 min and 8 points at 5 min. The latex-specific IgE of this patient was high and IgE for banana, avocado and kiwi were also positive. These foods showed cross-reactions with latex, but she had no history of allergic reactions against these foods. She had a history of atopic reactions and of atopic dermatitis while working as a nurse at the ICU. It is thought that this patient was in the high-risk group.