bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mast cell tryptase may modulate endothelial cell phenotype in healing myocardial infarcts
Authors: Somasundaram Porur , Ren Guofeng , Nagar Himanshu , Kraemer Daniela , Mendoza Leonardo , Michael Lloyd H , Caughey George H , Entman Mark L , Frangogiannis Nikolaos G 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMast cells and macrophages infiltrate healing myocardial infarcts and may play an important role in regulating fibrous tissue deposition and extracellular matrix remodelling. This study examined the time‐course of macrophage and mast cell accumulation in healing infarcts and studied the histological characteristics and protease expression profile of mast cells in a canine model of experimental infarction. Although macrophages were more numerous than mast cells in infarct granulation tissue, macrophage density decreased during maturation of the scar, whereas mast cell numbers remained persistently elevated. During the inflammatory phase of infarction, newly recruited leucocytes infiltrated the injured myocardium and appeared to be clustered in close proximity to degranulating cardiac mast cells. During the proliferative phase of healing, mast cells had decreased granular content and were localized close to infarct neovessels. In contrast, macrophages showed no selective localization. Mast cells in healing canine infarcts were alcian blue/safranin‐positive cells that expressed both tryptase and chymase. In order to explain the pro‐inflammatory and angiogenic actions of tryptase—the major secretory protein of mast cells—its effects on endothelial chemokine expression were examined. Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that play an important role in leucocyte trafficking and angiogenesis and are highly induced in infarcts. Tryptase, a proteinase‐activated receptor (PAR)‐2 agonist, induced endothelial expression of the angiogenic chemokines CCL2/MCP‐1 and CXCL8/IL‐8, but not the angiostatic chemokine CXCL10/IP‐10. Endothelial PAR‐2 stimulation with the agonist peptide SLIGKV induced a similar chemokine expression profile. Mast cell tryptase may exert its angiogenic effects in part through selective stimulation of angiogenic chemokines. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved methodology for modeling neurobehavioral late‐effects of radiotherapy in pediatric brain tumors
Authors: Ris M. Douglas , Ryan Patricia McDonough , Lamba Michael , Brenemen John , Cecil Kim , Succop Paul , Ball William 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackgroundTechnical advances in radiation oncology provide new opportunities to study neurobehavioral outcomes of radiation therapy (RT) in children treated for brain tumors.MethodsIn this study, we describe an approach to modeling late‐effects using integral biologically effective dose (IBED) combined with improved measurement of critical neuropsychological functions.ResultsIBED was found to provide more differentiated information about dose distribution than prescribed dose in five subjects treated for brain tumors. Furthermore, IBED was more closely related than was prescribed dose to specific changes in Attention 2–3 years post‐RT.ConclusionsResults support the feasibility of this methodology as well as promising preliminary evidence of the relationship of IBED to the construct of Attention. Improved modeling could lead to more refined radiation therapy protocols that preserve critical neuropsychological functions and also provide new insights into the treatment of neurobehavioral sequelae. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Renal impairment and hypertension in brain tumor patients treated in childhood are mainly associated with cisplatin treatment
Authors: Pietilä Sari , Ala‐Houhala Marja , Lenko Hanna L. , Harmoinen Aimo P.T. , Turjanmaa Väinö , Mäkipernaa Anne 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackgroundThis study was designed to evaluate the renal consequences of the treatment of brain tumor patients diagnosed in childhood.ProcedureOne hundred four primary brain tumor patients diagnosed before 17 years of age from 1983 to 1997 had been treated in Tampere University Hospital, Finland. Of the 80 survivors 52 (65.0%) were examined at a median age of 14.4 years (range 3.8–28.7) and median 6.0 years (range 1.2–14.8) after the last treatment. The main outcome measures were blood pressure (BP), renal function, and calcium metabolism.ResultsEight patients (15.4%) were hypertensive. Elevated BP was observed especially after exposure both to cisplatin and cranial irradiation. Spinal radiation did not increase the risk of elevated BP. Other adverse effects were observed only in patients treated with cisplatin. Five out of 14 patients treated with cisplatin evinced renal glomerular dysfunction (GFR < 87 mL/min/1.73 m2) immediately after treatment. They had a high cumulative dose of cisplatin (490–880 mg/m2). Recovery from renal glomerular dysfunction was observed in one patient. Nine of 14 patients were hypomagnesemic at the close of cisplatin treatment. Thereafter the magnesium level decreased in 10/14 cases (P = 0.006). During the study 10/14 were hypomagnesemic (P < 0.001); one evinced severe symptomatic hypomagnesemia. Low plasma phosphate (P = 0.016) and potassium levels (P = 0.026), tubular proteinuria (P = 0.055), metabolic alkalosis (P = 0.071), and hyperuricemia (P = 0.114) were also more common in patients on cisplatin treatment.ConclusionsElevated BP is common among brain tumor patients treated in childhood. After cisplatin treatment renal glomerular dysfunction appears mostly to be permanent. Persistent and even progressive changes in renal tubular function are seen. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
What characteristics are associated with screening positive for microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes in the community?
Authors: Levene LS , McNally PG , Fraser RC , Lowy AGJ 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe community prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the community prevalence of microalbuminuria and to identify associated characteristics with particular reference to ethnicity.The study was undertaken in 18 Leicestershire general practices. Subjects were recruited either by a written invitation to the entire diabetic register over 16 years of age or by personal invitation to all those attending a practice diabetic clinic. Microalbuminuria status was determined from three first morning urine specimens, using the albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR), microalbuminuria being defined as at least 2.5 mg/mmol in males and 3.5 mg/mmol in females in two or more samples. Nine patient covariates were recorded for each subject.In all, 1860 patients (an estimated overall response rate of 67%) consented to participate (1373 white, 451 Indo‐Asian, 36 other ethnic groups); 1362 (73.2%) completed screening. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes recruited to the study was 19.3%. The characteristics independently associated with a higher prevalence of microalbuminuria were current insulin use, current smoking, older age, higher systolic blood pressure and poorer metabolic control, but there was no significant association with duration of diabetes, gender or ethnicity.Screening for microalbuminuria using ACR is feasible in the community. Our estimate of the community‐wide prevalence of microalbuminuria (19.3%) is lower than some earlier population‐ and many hospital‐based estimates. Due to difficulties in recruiting, in particular Indo‐Asian subjects, the precise community prevalence of microalbuminuria could only be estimated, although some characteristics of the screened population were representative of the larger unscreened Leicestershire diabetic population. The factors shown to be associated with microalbuminuria were current insulin use, current smoking, older age, higher systolic blood pressure and poorer metabolic control. If Indo‐Asian ethnicity is associated with microalbuminuria, then this association is not as strong as other characteristics. These findings suggest that interventions to delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy support smoking cessation, and better glycaemic and blood pressure control—areas that require sustained action. Copyright ©2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational study of alkyllithium/pyridine derivative systems as initiators for the living anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylates
Authors: Catak S. , Aviyente V. , Nugay T. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe reactivity of n‐butyllithium (n‐BuLi) toward pyridine derivatives (pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, and 1,3,5‐triazine) was subjected to a computational study to determine the most suitable n‐BuLi/heterocyclic ring system as an initiator for the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). These systems were suggested to prevent side reactions occurring through n‐BuLi attack on the carbonyl carbon of MMA by sterically blocking the initiator. The initiation reaction was modeled with the B3LYP methodology 6‐31+G*. Activation barriers were used to analyze the reactivity of each n‐BuLi/heterocyclic ring system. Computational results showed that n‐BuLi/triazine had a significantly lower activation barrier. Therefore, n‐BuLi/triazine was the suggested initiator system for the anionic polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 455–467, 2005
Cathodoluminescent characteristics of Sm‐doped ZnAl2O4 nanostructured powders
Authors: Martinez‐Sanchez E. , Garcia‐Hipolito M. , Guzman J. , Ramos‐Brito F. , Santoyo‐Salazar J. , Martinez‐Martinez R. , Alvarez‐Fregoso O. , Ramos‐Cortes M. I. , Mendez‐Delgado J. J. , Falcony C. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractCathodoluminescent (CL) powders of zinc aluminate activated with samarium ions have been prepared by a co‐precipitation chemical process. Different doping concentrations in the start mixture and sintering temperatures for the precipitated powder were studied. It was observed that the crystalline characteristics of the powders depend upon the sintering temperature. For temperatures higher than 450 °C, the powders presented the cubic spinel phase with a lattice parameter value of 8.0756 Å, and grain sizes from 50 to 100 nm with semispherical shape. The CL emission spectra showed broad bands localized at 564, 602, 644, and 703 nm associated with 4G5/2 → 6H5/2, 4G5/2 → 6H7/2, 4G5/2 → 6H9/2, and 4G5/2 → 6H11/2 transitions in the Sm3+ ions, respectively. Concentration quenching of the cathodoluminescence occurred at about 4.26 at% of the activator (Sm) concentration inside the sintered powders. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Atomic force microscopy study of hexagonal boron nitride film growth on 6H‐SiC (0001)
Authors: Chen Wei , Loh Kian Ping , Lin Ming , Liu Rong , Wee Andrew T. S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe growth of hexagonal Boron Nitride films (h‐BN) on 6H‐SiC (0001) using plasma‐excited borazine has been studied. On 6H‐SiC (0001), the growth of pin‐hole free, compact h‐BN film is difficult due to poor wetting properties between h‐BN and 6H‐SiC. The strained BN layer releases its elastic energy by a morphological instability at the interface. This strain relief mechanism gives rise to a buckling of the film into longitudinal islands and round trenches between 500–700 °C. At 300 and 900 °C however, the strained islands can attain their minimum‐energy size to form homogeneously‐sized spherical islands with diameter of ∼500 nm. Compositional analysis of the BN films grown at 900 °C using XPS shows that these are actually BCxN film with x ∼ 0.15, whereas the films grown at 300 °C have less carbon incorporation but higher O content. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Diagnostic accuracy of fetal renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter as a predictor of uropathy: a prospective study
Authors: Bouzada M. C. F. , Oliveira E. A. , Pereira A. K. , Leite H. V. , Rodrigues A. M. , Fagundes L. A. , Gonçalves R. P. , Parreiras R. L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound measurement of anteroposterior renal pelvis diameter (APD) to discriminate between significant uropathy and idiopathic renal pelvis dilatation.MethodsOne‐hundred‐and‐three neonates who were found to have fetal renal pelvis dilatation, defined as presence of an APD ≥ 5 mm, underwent systematic investigation for uropathies and were prospectively followed. An ultrasound scan was performed after the first week of postnatal life and all infants underwent a voiding cystourethrogram. Neonates with an APD larger than 10 mm underwent renal scintigraphy. Ultrasound scans, clinical examination and laboratory reviews were scheduled at 6‐month intervals. Receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed to determine the best cut‐offs for APD to identify renal units with significant uropathy as well as those requiring surgical intervention. Significant uropathy was defined as the presence of well‐established urinary tract abnormalities or when there was abnormal renal scintigraphy.ResultsThe estimated area under the curve for APD was 0.900 (95% CI, 0.841–0.942) indicating excellent power to discriminate between idiopathic pelvis dilatation and significant uropathy. The sensitivity and specificity for the 7.5 mm cut‐off point were 97.9% and 40.6%, respectively. To identify infants who required surgical intervention, the calculated area under the curve was 0.953 (95% CI, 0.908–0.980).ConclusionOur results suggest that measurement of APD is an excellent test to identify fetuses with significant uropathy, as well as those requiring postnatal intervention. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variability in dilatation of the fetal renal pelvis during a bladder filling cycle
Authors: Damen‐Elias H. A. M. , Stigter R. H. , De Jong T. P. V. M. , Visser G. H. A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the variation in the dimensions of the fetal renal pelvis in relation to the degree of bladder filling in fetuses with mild pyelectasis.MethodsEighteen third‐trimester pregnant women with mild uni‐ or bilateral fetal pyelectasis, defined as an anteroposterior (A‐P) diameter of the renal pelvis between 5 and 10 mm, were recruited for the study. The women were examined for 2–3 h by ultrasound. The A‐P and transverse dilatation of the renal pelvis and the bladder dimensions (to calculate fetal bladder volume) were measured at 2–3‐min intervals. Postnatally, all infants were investigated by ultrasound at 3–4 months.ResultsIn 6/18 fetuses a consistent relationship between the size of the renal pelvis and bladder filling was found, with a mean difference in renal pelvic diameter before and after voiding of 6.7 mm and a largest observed difference of 14.3 mm. In 12/18 fetuses no such relationship was found. Postnatally, five infants were referred to a pediatric urologist. The investigations in these five infants could not confirm the hypothesis that variation in renal pelvic size in relation to bladder size may predict prenatal vesicoureteric reflux (VUR).ConclusionsIn mild pyelectasis the size of the renal pelvis is highly variable in one‐third of cases. The association with bladder volume and micturition suggests evidence of VUR, but this could not be proven. If cut‐off values are used to differentiate between normal and abnormal renal pelvic size then not only gestational age but also the degree of bladder filling at the time of measurement should be taken into account. Caution should be expressed when the diagnosis of a possible urological anomaly is based on a single measurement during just one investigation. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How early are fetal cerebral sulci visible at prenatal ultrasound and what is the normal pattern of early fetal sulcal development?
Authors: Toi A. , Lister W. S. , Fong K. W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the time of appearance and pattern of development of fetal cerebral sulci at prenatal ultrasound.MethodsWe studied 50 normal fetuses for visibility of cerebral sulci, especially sulci which appear early in anatomical studies, namely the parieto‐occipital fissure, calcarine sulcus, cingulate sulcus, convexity sulci and insula/Sylvian fissure. The gestational ages of the fetuses studied ranged from 15.6 to 29.6 weeks.ResultsSulci could be seen by transabdominal ultrasound as early as 18.5 weeks. Medial hemispheric sulci and the insula were visible earlier and more confidently than convexity sulci. The earliest gestational ages at which specific sulci could be seen in any fetus were as follows: parieto‐occipital fissure 18.5 weeks, calcarine sulcus 18.5 weeks, cingulate sulcus 23.2 weeks and convexity sulci 23.2 weeks. In the present series, the gestational ages at which these sulci were always visible were as follows: parieto‐occipital fissure >20.5 weeks, calcarine sulcus >21.9 weeks, cingulate sulcus >24.3 weeks and convexity sulci >27.9 weeks. The insula and its margin (the circular sulcus) and the overgrowing opercula undergo characteristic maturation. The circular sulcus at the margin of the insula was initially smooth but started becoming angular after about 17 weeks as it started to be overgrown by the parietal and temporal lobe opercula. Initially the insula/operculum angle was obtuse. An acute angle was first evident at 23.2 weeks and in all fetuses older than 24.5 weeks. Our ultrasound data were consistent with anatomical studies and fetal magnetic resonance imaging findings.ConclusionsSome cerebral sulci can be seen at prenatal ultrasound as early as 18.5 weeks. Familiarity with the normal pattern of sulcal development and the discriminating gestational ages for the appearance of different sulci may allow early suspicion of lissencephaly. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can proboscis monkeys be successfully maintained in captivity? A case of swings and roundabouts
Authors: Agoramoorthy G. , Alagappasamy C. , Hsu M.J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAlthough most western zoos have experienced difficulties in maintaining proboscis monkeys, the Singapore Zoo has managed to sustain a social group of proboscis monkeys housed in a large naturalistic exhibit since 1998. Within 3 years after the monkeys were brought to the zoo, five offspring were produced, all of which survived. Natural forest vegetation from 20 plant species was provided along with a staple diet of about seven different species on a daily basis. The calcium and sodium contents of the plant items consumed by monkeys in the Singapore Zoo were similar to those in the diet of wild proboscis monkeys in Borneo. However, the levels of other minerals, such as iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus, were significantly lower in the natural vegetation consumed by the monkeys compared to the wild diet. Food supplements such as primate biscuits, cod liver oil, boiled egg, multivitamins, and mineral syrup further ensured a more balanced diet for the captive monkeys. The data presented here show that zoos can maintain these rare Colobine monkeys successfully by provide them with a natural diet, along with appropriate husbandry and hygiene practices, minimal human interference, and applied nutritional science. The husbandry and nutritional management model presented in this paper could be of use to other institutions around the world. Zoo Biol 23:533–544, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computing biomass consumption from prey occurrences in Indian wolf scats
Authors: Jethva Bharat D. , Jhala Yadvendradev V. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe determined a relationship between biomass consumed per collectable scat and prey weight. We fed prey items (ranging from rodent (0.75 kg) to juvenile cattle (65 kg), covering the normal weight range for prey of the Indian wolf (Canis lupus papllipes)) to groups of two to five captive wolves in 13 feeding trials at Sakkarbaug Zoo, Junagadh, India. The prey biomass eaten per collectable scat (Y) increased as the live body weight of prey (X) increased (Y=0.0148X+0.135; R2=0.87; F=75.8; df=1,11; P<0.001). The slope of our regression (0.015; tropical domestic prey) did not differ from that reported by Floyd et al. [1978] (temperate wild prey, P=0.17); therefore, we pooled the data from both studies and derived a combined regression (Y=0.0182X+0.217; R2=0.77; df=1,20; P<0.001). In addition to the widely accepted explanation that the surface‐area‐to‐mass ratio is larger for small prey, we found that this relationship reflected the fact that percent utilization was greater, and digestibility was lower for smaller prey. Zoo Biol 23:513–520, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of SQ109, a new diamine‐based antitubercular drug
Authors: Jia Lee , Tomaszewski Joseph E , Hanrahan Colleen , Coward Lori , Noker Patricia , Gorman Gregory , Nikonenko Boris , Protopopova Marina 
Published: December 2004

SQ109 is a novel [1,2]‐diamine‐based ethambutol (EMB) analog developed from high‐throughput combinatorial screening. The present study aimed at characterizing its pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
The antimicrobial activity of SQ109 was confirmed in vitro (Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐infected murine macrophages) and in vivo (M. tuberculosis‐infected C57BL/6 mice) and compared to isoniazid (INH) and EMB. SQ109 showed potency and efficacy in inhibiting intracellular M. tuberculosis that was similar to INH, but superior to EMB. In vivo oral administration of SQ109 (0.1–25 mg kg−1 day−1) to the mice for 28 days resulted in dose‐dependent reductions of mycobacterial load in both spleen and lung comparable to that of EMB administered at 100 mg kg−1 day−1, but was less potent than INH at 25 mg kg−1 day−1. Monitoring of SQ109 levels in mouse tissues on days 1, 14 and 28 following 28‐day oral administration (10 mg kg−1 day−1) revealed that lungs and spleen contained the highest concentration of SQ109, at least 10 times above its MIC.
Pharmacokinetic profiles of SQ109 in mice following a single administration showed its Cmax as 1038 (intravenous (i.v.)) and 135 ng ml−1 (p.o.), with an oral Tmax of 0.31 h. The elimination t1/2 of SQ109 was 3.5 (i.v.) and 5.2 h (p.o.). The oral bioavailability was 4%. However, SQ109 displayed a large volume of distribution into various tissues. The highest concentration of SQ109 was present in lung (>MIC), which was at least 120‐fold (p.o.) and 180‐fold (i.v.) higher than that in plasma. The next ranked tissues were spleen and kidney. SQ109 levels in most tissues after a single administration were significantly higher than that in blood. High tissue concentrations of SQ109 persisted for the observation period (10 h).
This study demonstrated that SQ109 displays promising in vitro and in vivo antitubercular activity with favorable targeted tissue distribution properties.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2005) 144, 80–87. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705984