bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative hepatic venous embolization for partial hepatectomy combined with segmental resection of major hepatic vein
Authors: Ku Y , Tominaga M , Sugimoto T , Iwasaki T , Fukumoto T , Takahashi T , Suzuki Y , Kuroda Y 
Published: March 2003

Abstract

Background
Liver resection of segments VII and/or VIII sometimes requires segmental resection of the right hepatic vein in patients with liver tumours invading or located close to the hepatic vein. In this situation, hepatic vein reconstruction is thought to have an important role in the postoperative function of segment VI. This study investigated whether preoperative embolization of the major hepatic vein could obviate the need for hepatic vein reconstruction after cranial partial resection of the liver including the major hepatic vein trunk in a preclinical model.

Methods
Sixteen beagles were divided into two groups of eight: control group (hepatectomy alone) and hepatic venous embolization (HVE) group (hepatectomy after HVE). HVE was performed 2 weeks before hepatectomy. All dogs underwent resection of the cranial third of the left lateral liver lobe together with the major trunk of the left hepatic vein. Following hepatectomy, survival, histological features, portal venous pressure and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined.

Results
Six control animals and seven in the HVE group were alive 1 week after hepatectomy. Immediately after hepatectomy, portal venous pressure was significantly higher in the control group compared with the HVE group (mean(s.d.) 14·0(1·1) versus 8·1(1·0) mmHg; P &lt; 0·01). Histological examination of the remnant left lateral lobe demonstrated patchy parenchymal haemorrhage in the control group and normal parenchymal architecture in the HVE group. Peak AST levels were observed on day 1 in both groups and were significantly higher in the control group (mean(s.d.) 182(42) versus 67(40) units/l; P &lt; 0·01).

Conclusion
In this model, preoperative HVE facilitated interlobar venous collateral formation and minimized the untoward effects of segmental hepatic vein resection. This procedure may obviate the need for hepatic vein reconstruction after cranial partial liver resection including the major hepatic vein.
Increased serum interferon alpha in HIV–1 associated lipodystrophy syndrome
Authors: Christeff N. , Melchior J.‐C. , De Truchis P. , Perronne C. , Gougeon M.‐L. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract Background  A syndrome of lipodystrophy (LD) associated with peripheral lipoatrophy and central/visceral adiposity has been reported in HIV‐1‐infected patients treated by combined antiretroviral therapy (ART). Lipid metabolism is partly regulated by both steroid hormones and cytokines and we have previously reported that dyslipidaemia in LD‐positive men is correlated to an increase in cortisol : DHEA ratio (Christeff et al., AIDS 1999;13:2251). In this study we questioned whether it is also related to cytokine perturbations.Materials and Methods  A cross‐sectional study was performed on 42 HIV‐1‐positive men on ART, 27 of whom had symptoms of LD, defined by computed tomography scan. Serum cytokines (IFN‐α, TNF‐α, sTNF‐RI, sTNF‐RII, IL‐6, IL‐1β and IL‐2) and lipids [cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and their subclasses], and apolipoproteins (Apo), were determined.Results  Serum IFN‐α was markedly increased in LD‐positive compared with LD‐negative men and controls. IL‐6 and TNF‐α concentrations were also significantly elevated in HIV‐positive men compared to controls but the levels of these cytokines did not differ between the two groups of patients. A significant positive correlation was found between accumulation of IFN‐α and increased levels of cholesterol, TG, VLDL cholesterol, VLDL TG, ApoB and ApoB–ApoA1 ratio. A multivariate forward‐performed analysis revealed that IFN‐α is the best marker for lipid perturbations associated to LD, followed by insulin and cortisol : DHEA ratio.Conclusions  This study demonstrates an association between serum IFN‐α and lipid alterations in LD‐positive men. The concomittant action of IFN‐α and cortisol : DHEA ratio is probably one of the mechanisms responsible for hyperlipidaemia in LD syndrome.
Antenatal determinants of neonatal immune responses to allergens
Authors: Devereux G. , Barker R. N. , Seaton A. 
Published: March 2003

Background The environmental factors responsible for recent increases in the prevalence of asthma and atopic disease have been assumed to act after birth. Their possible effects on fetal immune development in utero have not been investigated systematically, although sensitization to allergens may occur before birth.Objective This prospective study determined whether the risk factors for asthma and atopic disease, namely family history of atopic disease, maternal smoking, birth order, or maternal dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins, exert antenatal effects on the fetal immune system that may predispose to childhood atopy.Methods The T helper (Th) cell proliferative responses of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC) from a sample of 223 neonates, representative of children born to a cohort of 2000 pregnant women, were measured and related to family, maternal and environmental factors associated with the pregnancy.Results The magnitude of CBMC‐proliferative responses to allergens increased significantly in association with a family history of atopic disease or maternal smoking, and decreased significantly with increasing birth order and high maternal dietary intake of vitamin E. The epidemiological association between birth order and atopy may therefore be a consequence of antenatal influences rather than of protective effects of childhood infections. The association between maternal intake of vitamin E and CBMC responsiveness suggests that diet during pregnancy may influence the fetal immune system in such a way as to modulate the risk of childhood atopy.Conclusion These results provide a new insight into the aetiology of atopic disease by demonstrating that the maternal environmental risk factors for atopy, diet, birth order and smoking, influence the development of the fetal immune system. This raises the prospect of preventative public health interventions during pregnancy.
Between‐year variation in determinants of offspring survival in the Sand Lizard,Lacerta agilis
Authors: Olsson M. , Madsen T. 
Published: March 2003

Summary Life‐history theory predicts that clutch size and offspring size should evolve to an optimal offspring sizevsnumber (OSN) equilibrium. Offspring size in Swedish Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis) decreases up to 60% during a female’s life with a concomitant increase in clutch size; why do female Sand Lizards not produce an offspring of approximately equal size through life, while adjusting clutch size in accordance with available resources? Our results show that there is year‐to‐year variation in what factors determine female reproductive success, estimated by the number or proportion of recruits into the second year cohort. In a year with relatively poor female growth rate, poor female condition and probably relatively low potential for resource acquisition, females mating with many partners did relatively better than females mating with fewer partners. In the poor year, relatively larger offspring survived better than smaller ones. In a year with relatively high resource levels, females producing both relatively large young and large clutches were favoured by selection. Depending on environmental conditions, female ‘optimal tactics’ may differ between episodes of selection.
Optimal leaf display and biomass partitioning for efficient light capture in an understorey palm, Licuala arbuscula
Authors: Takenaka A. , Takahashi K. , Kohyama T. 
Published: March 2003

Summary

The effects of leaf display and biomass partitioning on light capture efficiency were examined in a non‐branching understorey palm, Licuala arbuscula, by using a three‐dimensional geometric simulation model. This species has several fan‐shaped laminae, attached on long petioles at a mostly constant deflection angle (DP). The petiole of the youngest leaf was almost vertical, and slanted downwards as it aged.
The combination of large DP and small Zmax (zenith angle of the oldest leaf’s petiole) maximized light capture for a plant with few leaves; this combination kept the lamina facing in the approximate direction of the zenith with high light intensity. For a plant with many leaves, the combination of large Zmax and small DP increased light capture because it reduced self‐shading.
For a given total leaf biomass, the plant increased its total leaf area by producing many small leaves. This occurred because the leaf area per unit biomass decreased with increasing biomass per individual leaf. This effect was most pronounced in larger plants. However, an increasing number of leaves intensified self‐shading among leaves. Allocation of biomass to the petioles reduced self‐shading, but decreased leaf area.
There was an optimal allocation of biomass to petioles and an optimal number of leaves that maximized the crown’s light capture. Greater investment in petioles as the number of leaves increased was the favoured strategy for larger plants.
In most cases, the leaf geometry and biomass partitioning in the plants were close to the optima predicted by a simulation model developed in this study. There were noticeable differences in a few cases, but the reduction in the crown’s light capture due to these differences was small.
Drought prolongs leaf life span in the herbaceous desert perennial Cryptantha flava
Authors: CASPER B. B. , FORSETH I. N. , KEMPENICH H. , SELTZER S. , XAVIER K. 
Published: March 2003

Summary

Drought‐deciduous leaves are common in habitats with predictable, seasonal drought, and a reduction in transpirational surface area is generally considered an important drought‐response strategy. Yet leaf demographic responses to unpredictable drought events that can occur at any time during the growing season have been little studied in ecological systems.
We created drought in a natural population of the herbaceous desert perennial Cryptantha flava (A. Nels.) Payson (Boraginaceae) in north‐eastern Utah, USA, by installing rainout shelters just before and during the early part of the growing season, from 1 March until mid‐June in 1998, and from 1 March until mid‐May in 1999.
Droughted plants exhibited water stress through lower rates of midday photosynthesis and conductance, and by producing leaves with a smaller surface area and greater specific mass than plants exposed to ambient precipitation.
Under drought, leaf life span increased on flowering stalks and vegetative rosettes and new leaf production decreased, reducing leaf turnover and increasing standing leaf crop in droughted plants.
A larger number of leaves under drought conditions compensated in area for their smaller size, which means that transpirational surface area was not reduced.
The reduction in photosynthetic rate and the increase in leaf life span are consistent with a more general pattern in response to other low resource conditions, paralleling leaf‐level responses to shortages of nutrients and light.
Plants in the drought and ambient precipitation treatments responded to late‐season rainfall with increased leaf production, providing an additional example of developmental plasticity in response to temporal heterogeneity in water availability.
Seed flotation and postflooding germination in tropical terra firme and seasonally flooded forest species
Authors: LOPEZ O. R. 
Published: March 2003

Summary

Seed flotation, postflooding germination and initial height and expansion rates of seedlings of six terra firme (upland forest) and six seasonally flooded forest (SFF) species from Panama were examined as indicators of their potential for dispersal by water.
Compared to terra firme species, SFF species had larger seeds with greater volumes and lower seed specific weights, resulting in greater buoyancy.
Across all species, seed specific weight was negatively correlated with initial flotation.
After 60 days in water, an average of 53% of the seeds of SFF species remained buoyant. In contrast, no seeds of the terra firme species remained buoyant after 15 days. On average more than half the seeds of SFF species germinated after 60 days, while for the terra firme species germination was reduced by 50% after 13 days.
Seedling expansion rates of SFF species were twice as fast as those of terra firme species. Three weeks after germination, seedlings of SFF species were twice the height of those of terra firme species, a trait which may minimize immersion of the photosynthetic tissue.
The superior flotation and postflooding germination of SFF relative to terra firme species suggests that dispersal by water is an important adaptation in habitats where flooding is common. Lack of hydrochory among terra firme species may be a key selective filter contributing to the poor species diversity found in SFFs even though saplings and adults may be flood‐tolerant.
The potential costs of flipper‐bands to penguins
Authors: Jackson S. , Wilson R. P. 
Published: March 2003

Summary

The published literature on the effects of flipper‐bands on penguin ecology is reviewed. Six published studies show the following.
In Adélie Penguins Pygoscelis adeliae, flipper‐bands directly damaged flippers, increased swimming costs by 24%, decreased survival in the first year after banding by 28%, and may have accelerated decline of a dwindling colony by 3%.
Adult return rates to colonies among flipper‐banded Adélie, Chinstrap P. antarctica and Gentoo P. papua Penguins decreased by 8%, 12% and 25%, respectively, between single‐ and double‐banded penguins. Juvenile return rates among Gentoo Penguins were reduced by 10·5%. Return rates to the colony among double‐banded King Penguins Aptenodytes patagonicus were 31·3% and 6·7% lower than among single‐banded birds in the first and second years after banding, respectively, and single flipper‐banded birds showed annual survival rates 21·1% lower than those of birds fitted with subcutaneous transponders.
Among Royal Penguins Eudyptes schlegeli, there were no differences between chick growth, adult over‐winter survival and fledging success between flipper‐banded birds and birds fitted with transponders.
Adélie Penguin adult annual survival rates were lower among flipper‐banded birds than among unbanded birds.
On the basis of dive profiles for Adélie Penguins, it is estimated that increased swimming costs of 5% reduce prey contact time by 10%, and of 24% reduce prey contact time by 48%. These estimated ‘knock‐on’ or cumulative costs coupled with the survival and breeding costs shown by the majority of published field studies suggest that data collected on some flipper‐banded populations are biased.
The advantages and disadvantages of an alternative long‐term marking technique, subcutaneously implanted passively interrogated transponder tags, are discussed. Research projects currently testing transponders and flipper‐bands worldwide are listed.
Weight loss increases circulating levels of ghrelin in human obesity
Authors: Hansen Troels Krarup , Dall Rolf , Hosoda Hiroshi , Kojima Masayasu , Kangawa Kenji , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde 
Published: March 2003

Summaryobjective Ghrelin, a novel endogenous ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor, has been reported to have adipogenic actions and induce weight gain in addition to its GH‐releasing properties. Interestingly, recent data indicate that ghrelin is downregulated in human obesity, which is also known to be accompanied by reduced GH levels.patients and methods To investigate the influence of weight loss on circulating levels of ghrelin we recruited eight obese women among patients attending a 6‐month weight‐loss course organized by The Danish Heart Association. We measured body composition including computerized tomography as well as fasting plasma ghrelin concentrations before and after weight loss.results Plasma ghrelin concentrations increased by 12% following weight loss (P < 0·01), and the increase in ghrelin levels was positively correlated with the extent of weight loss (r = 0·68, P < 0·05). Exposure to exogenous GH intravenously did not influence fasting ghrelin levels either before or after weight loss. Our data further suggest the existence of hyperghrelinaemia in a single subject with long‐standing obesity but no signs of GH excess.conclusions This study provides evidence of a reversible suppression of ghrelin associated with obesity. The feasibility of measuring ghrelin in the circulation provides a new tool for the investigation of the complex hormonal regulation of appetite and energy balance.
The effects of age and renal and hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil
Authors: Muirhead Gary J. , Wilner Keith , Colburn Wayne , Haug‐Pihale Gertrude , Rouviex Bernhard 
Published: March 2003

Aims  To investigate the effects of age and renal and hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics, tolerability and safety of sildenafil (single 50‐mg oral dose) and its major circulating N‐desmethyl metabolite, UK‐103,320.Methods  Three open‐label, parallel‐group studies were conducted. The first study compared sildenafil pharmacokinetics, safety and toleration in 15 healthy young male subjects (mean age 30 years; range 19–45 years) to 15 healthy elderly male subjects (mean age 70 years; range 65–81 years). The second study included eight male volunteers with normal renal function and 16 male volunteers with varying degrees of renal impairment as assessed by measurement of creatinine clearance (CLcr). The third study included 12 male volunteers with normal hepatic function and 12 male volunteers with chronic stable hepatic cirrhosis (Child‐Pugh A and B). For all three studies, blood and urine samples were collected predose and at specified intervals up to 48 h postdose for assays of sildenafil and UK‐103,320, and measurements of protein binding.Results  Significant differences in Cmax and AUC were observed between the young and the elderly subjects for both the parent drug and the metabolite. In the elderly, AUC values were approximately twice as high and Cmax values 60–70% higher than those for young men, while t1/2 values were approximately 1 h longer for sildenafil and 2 h longer for UK‐103,320. Due to a significantly smaller unbound fraction of drug in the elderly, free drug concentrations were only approximately 40% higher in the elderly group compared to the young group. In the renal impairment study, significant correlations with CLcr were demonstrated for sildenafil oral clearance (CL/F) and Cmax and UK‐103,320 Cmax and AUC. Pairwise comparisons between subjects with normal renal function and those with severe renal impairment (CLcr<30 ml min−1) supported these findings, showing significant increases in Cmax and AUC for both the parent drug and the metabolite in the severely impaired subjects. The hepatic impairment study demonstrated that the pharmacokinetics of sildenafil were altered in subjects with chronic stable cirrhosis, as shown by a 46% reduction in CL/F and a 47% increase in Cmax compared with subjects with normal hepatic function, suggesting a reduction in first‐pass metabolism as well as systemic clearance. The increase in systemic exposure for UK‐103,320 was approximately twice that seen for the parent drug. In all three studies, sildenafil was well tolerated, most adverse events were mild and no subjects discontinued treatment.Conclusions  Sildenafil pharmacokinetics were affected by age and by renal and hepatic impairment, suggesting that a lower starting dose of 25 mg should be considered for patients with severely compromised renal or hepatic function.
Effects of supratherapeutic doses of ebastine and terfenadine on the QT interval
Authors: Gillen Michael S. , Miller Barry , Chaikin Philip , Morganroth Joel 
Published: March 2003

Aims  The objective of this study was to compare the effects of high doses of ebastine with terfenadine and placebo on QTc.Methods  Thirty‐two subjects were randomly assigned to four treatments (ebastine 60 mg day−1, ebastine 100 mg day−1, terfenadine 360 mg day−1, placebo) administered for 7 days. Serial ECGs were performed at baseline and day 7 of each period. QT interval was analysed using both Bazett (QTcB) and Fridericia (QTcF) corrections.Results  Ebastine 60 mg (+ 3.7 ms) did not cause a statistically significant change in QTcB compared with placebo (+ 1.4 ms). The mean QTcB for ebastine 100 mg was increased by + 10.3 ms which was significantly greater than placebo but was significantly less (P < 0.05) than with terfenadine 360 mg (+ 18.0 ms). There were no statistically significant differences in QTcF between ebastine 60 mg (−3.2 ms) or ebastine 100 mg (1.5 ms) and placebo (−2.1 ms); although terfenadine caused a 14.1 ms increase which was significantly different from the other three treatments. The increase in QTcB with ebastine most likely resulted from overcorrection of the small drug‐induced increase in heart rate.Conclusions  Ebastine at doses up to five times the recommended therapeutic dose did not cause clinically relevant changes in QTc interval.
Increased oral ganciclovir bioavailability in HIV‐infected patients with chronic diarrhoea and wasting syndrome—a population pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Mouly Stéphane , Aymard Guy , Tillement Jean‐Paul , Caulin Charles , Bergmann Jean‐Francois , Urien Saik 
Published: March 2003

Aims  Despite a lack of data, the antiviral agent ganciclovir is not indicated in AIDS patients with diarrhoea because of its presumed poor oral bioavailability. To assess the effect of diarrhoea on ganciclovir intestinal absorption, we conducted a pharmacokinetic study in 42 HIV‐infected patients categorized into three groups: A, HIV stage A and B (n = 15); B, AIDS stage C (n = 13); C, AIDS with chronic diarrhoea and wasting syndrome (n = 14).Methods  Each patient was evaluated for nutritional (body mass index, albumin, transferrin serum levels), inflammatory (haptoglobin, orosomucoid), immunological (CD4 count, plasma viral load) and intestinal (d‐xylose test, faecal fat and nitrogen output, intestinal permeability) status. Ganciclovir (1 g) was administered orally to fasted patients. Six blood samples were collected over 24 h. Serum was analysed for ganciclovir by h.p.l.c. Population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using a nonlinear mixed effects modelling program, MP2.Results  Mean intestinal permeability (lactulose/mannitol urinary ratio) was increased in group C (0.2) compared with group A (0.05) and B (0.1) patients. Drug concentration‐time profiles were best described by a two‐compartment model. Apparent oral clearance (CL/F) and central volume of distribution (V1/F) were influenced by clinical status (group). For groups A and B combined, final parameter estimates of CL/F and V1/F were 256 ± 98 l h−1 and 1320 ± 470 l, respectively. Final parameter estimates for group C were 118 ± 108 l h−1 and 652 ± 573 l for CL/F and V1/F, respectively. The 95% confidence intervals on differences between A and B combined and C were statistically significant ([ + 70, + 206] for CL/F, and [+ 314, + 1022] for V1/F). Compared with groups A and B, ganciclovir CL/F was significantly decreased in group C patients.Conclusions  AIDS patients with diarrhoea and severe disease may benefit from ganciclovir therapy, but a dose adjustment may be required according to their digestive and immunological status.