bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High leptin levels in women developing postpartum thyroiditis
Authors: Mazziotti G. , Parkes A. B. , Lage M. , Premawardhana L. D. K. E. , Casanueva F. F. , Lazarus J. H. 
Published: December 2004

Summarybackground  There is experimental evidence that leptin is required for the development of T helper 1 (Th1)‐mediated autoimmune diseases. However, to our knowledge, there are no studies demonstrating such a role in human autoimmune thyroid disease.objective  In the present study we have retrospectively examined patients developing postpartum thyroiditis (PPT), as a model of autoimmune disease, for changes in serum leptin levels during the postpartum period.materials and methods  The study group included 61 women in the first month postpartum who were positive for thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb+ve). Twenty TPOAb‐negative (–ve), age and body mass index (BMI)‐matched, postpartum women were enrolled as the control group. All subjects were evaluated for BMI, serum leptin values, thyroid function [serum free‐triiodiothyronine (FT3), free‐thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH)] and autoimmunity [TPOAb levels and complement activity index (C3 index)] at 4, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks’ postpartum. During the postpartum period, 32 of 61 TPOAb+ve women (52·4%) showed one or more episodes of thyroid dysfunction (PPTD group), whereas the remaining 29 TPOAb+ve women remained euthyroid throughout the study period (PPTE group). None of the control group developed thyroid dysfunction.results  Four weeks postpartum, TPOAb+ve women showed higher serum leptin values than TPOAb–ve women, despite comparable BMI. At this time, PPTE and PPTD patients showed no significant differences in leptin levels or leptin/BMI ratio. Throughout the postpartum period, PPTD patients maintained significantly higher leptin values and leptin/BMI ratio compared to the healthy women. In PPTE women, however, a significant reduction in leptin levels and leptin/BMI ratio was seen at 12 weeks’ postpartum. This decrease was transient and correlated negatively with the variation in C3 index at the same time. No significant correlation was found between serum leptin variations and FT4 or TSH levels.conclusions  This study has demonstrated that women developing postpartum thyroiditis have higher leptin values compared to the healthy women. The higher levels were maintained for 6 months postpartum. This result would suggest an involvement of leptin in the pathogenesis of postpartum thyroid disease, although further studies are needed to characterize the reciprocal effects of leptin, immune system and thyroid hormones during the course of this disease.
Standard and low‐dose IGF‐I generation tests and spontaneous growth hormone secretion in children with idiopathic short stature
Authors: Blair J. C. , Camacho‐Hübner C. , Miraki Moud F. , Rosberg S. , Burren C. , Lim S. , Clayton P. E. , Bjarnason R. , Albertsson‐Wikland K. , Savage M. O. 
Published: December 2004

Summaryobjective  Abnormalities in the GH–IGF‐I axis, consistent with GH insensitivity (GHI), have been reported in some patients with idiopathic short stature (ISS). The standard IGF‐I generation test (IGFGT) has not demonstrated mild GHI in subjects with ISS. The aim of this study was to investigate the GH–IGF‐I axis in ISS by performing standard and novel low‐dose IGFGTs together with determination of spontaneous GH secretion.patients and methods  Twenty‐one (17 male) prepubertal children with ISS, mean age 8·3 years (4·5–12·2), mean height −3·48 SD (−5·40 to −1·79), mean peak GH to provocation with glucagon/clonidine 32·3 mU/l (14·1–66·0) were studied. Serum IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 levels were measured during standard (GH 0·033 mg/kg/day × 4) and low (GH 0·011 mg/kg/day × 4) dose IGFGTs at 0, 12, 36 and 84 h. The low‐dose IGFGT was performed in seven naive GH‐deficient patients (4 male), mean age 8·5 years (range 4·1–11·1). Determination of spontaneous 24‐h GH secretion was performed in the 21 ISS patients.results  Basal IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 standard deviation scores (SDS) in ISS patients were −1·39 (−2·4–1·16) and −0·45 (−1·13–0·38), respectively, IGF‐I being lower than IGFBP‐3 (P < 0·0001). IGF‐I increased in the standard IGFGT at 12 h (P < 0·005), 36 h (P < 0·001) and 84 h (P < 0·001); maximal increment 1·54 (−0·32–3·48), and in the low‐dose test at 12 h (P < 0·005), 36 h (P < 0·001) and 84 h (P < 0·005); maximal increment 0·53 (0·08 to −1·23). IGFBP‐3 SDS increased in the standard IGFGT at 36 h (P < 0·01) and 84 h (P < 0·001); maximal increment 0·72 (−0·44–1·96), and in the low‐dose test at 84 h (P < 0·005); maximal increment 0·33 (−0·08–0·87). Five/19 patients with an IGF‐I response > 2 × coefficient of variation (CV) of assay in the standard test failed to respond in the low‐dose test, suggestive of mild GHI. In GH‐deficient patients, IGF‐I increased at each time point (P < 0·05) and IGFBP‐3 at 36 h (P < 0·05). Mean GH secretion, expressed in SDS, compared with 66 normal stature controls was: basal GH −0·48 (−0·84–0·93), height of GH peaks compared with zero −0·36 (−1·26–1·51) (both P < 0·05), total GH secretion −0·76 (−1·22–0·42), total GH secretion above baseline −0·67 (−1·21–0·94) (both P < 0·01).conclusions  In children with ISS, basal IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 SDS values were below the mean, IGF‐I showing a greater response in both IGFGTs. In the standard IGFGT, the IGF‐I increase at 36 h was equal to that at 84 h. The low‐dose IGFGT, in combination with the standard test, may identify patients with mild GHI.
Predictors of intellectual outcome in a cohort of brazilian children with congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Kreisner E. , Schermann L. , Camargo‐Neto E. , Gross J. L. 
Published: December 2004

Summaryobjective  To identify predictors of intellectual development in a cohort of children with permanent primary congenital hypothyroidism.design  Cohort study with intellectual development as the outcome.patients and measurements  Thirty‐one consecutive newborns with permanent primary congenital hypothyroidism diagnosed by a screening programme were recruited from the outpatient clinic of a district hospital and underwent psychometric evaluation with the Wechsler Intelligence Scales after a minimum follow‐up of 4 years.results  Eight of the 31 patients (25·8%) presented impaired intellectual development (full‐scale intellectual quotient < 85), and one of them presented mental deficiency (full‐scale intellectual quotient ≤ 69). The following were associated with worse prognosis: initial serum T4 levels ≤ 32·18 nmol/l, treatment beginning after 30 days of age, fewer than seven clinic visits during the first year of life, living in rural areas, nonintellectual parental occupation and little parental schooling. In a multiple regression analysis, only maternal schooling (B = 0·401; β coefficient = 13·053, P = 0·063), number of clinic visits during the first year of life (B = 0·382; β coefficient = 4·145, P = 0·047) and initial serum T4 (B = 0·287; β coefficient = 1·336, P = 0·089) remained significantly associated with full‐scale intelligence quotient scores.conclusion  Maternal schooling, number of visits during the first year of life and baseline T4 levels were the main predictors of cognitive outcome in this cohort of patients.
Adiponectin, hepatocellular dysfunction and insulin sensitivity
Authors: López‐Bermejo Abel , Botas Patricia , Funahashi Tohru , Delgado Elías , Kihara Shinji , Ricart Wifredo , Fernández‐Real José Manuel 
Published: December 2004

Summaryobjective  Insulin resistance plays a major aetiological role in the development of fatty liver disease. Because adiponectin is a hepatic insulin sensitizer and also an inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor, a cytokine known to induce insulin resistance and liver damage, we wished to study whether low circulating adiponectin would be associated with higher serum concentrations of liver enzymes in healthy subjects.design  Cross‐sectional, population‐based study dealing with diabetes prevalence in northern Spain.patients  Two hundred and fifty‐seven apparently healthy Caucasian subjects consecutively enrolled in the study.measurements  Adiponectin serum levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), liver function tests (LFTs) by colourimetry and insulin resistance by the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA value).results  Adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and γ‐glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), before and after adjustment for sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance (ALT; r = −0·32, P < 0·001; adjusted: r = −0·13, P = 0·033; GGT; r = −0·31, P < 0·001; adjusted: r = −0·16, P = 0·011). Additionally, adiponectin correlated with alkaline phosphate (ALKP) only after adjusting for the same confounding variables (r =−0·10, P = 0·098; adjusted: r = −0·14, P = 0·031). A general linear model, adjusting for age, sex and BMI, was constructed to predict the decrease in circulating adiponectin for each LFT value (i.e. ALT, GGT and ALKP) above the median. Beyond one LFT value above the median, serum adiponectin decreased by –0·97 mg/l (95% CI −1·46 to −0·48). In multiple regression analysis, sex, BMI and adiponectin, but not insulin resistance, predicted serum concentrations of both ALT and GGT, explaining 19% and 14% of their variance, respectively. Age, BMI and adiponectin, but not sex or insulin resistance, explained 20% of ALKP variance.conclusions  Adiponectin levels are associated in healthy humans with plasma concentrations of various liver function tests. The contributions of adiponectin to maintaining liver integrity through the regulation of both insulin sensitivity and/or the inflammatory response merit further studies.
Einflußfaktoren auf die Mikromorphologie von melanozytären Nävi
Authors: Tronnier Michael 
Published: December 2004

ZusammenfassungDie zahlreichen Faktoren, die das morphologische Erscheinungsbild von melanozytären Nävi beeinflussen können, müssen gleichermaßen den klinisch‐praktisch tätigen Dermatologen zur Indikationsstellung und Befundinterpretation wie auch dem Histopathologen bekannt sein, um eine Fehlinterpretation der Dignität von melanozytären Nävi zu vermeiden.
Lebensqualität und Berufsdermatosen – Entwicklung und Überprüfung eines Fragebogens zur Lebensqualität bei Berufsdermatosen (LIOD – Life Quality Index Occupational Dermatoses)
Authors: Batzdorfer Ludger , Klippel Ulrike , Sörensen Tanja , † Hans Joachim Schwanitz 
Published: December 2004

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Die Berücksichtigung der Lebensqualität ist in der Dermatologie langjährig etabliert und es konnten Einschränkungen durch Hauterkrankungen nachgewiesen werden. Spezifische Instrumente, die zur Selektion den auslösenden Sachverhalt, wie z. B. die Berufsbedingtheit nutzen, existieren bislang nicht, obwohl ein solches spezifisches Inventar den Vorteil besitzen kann, die Lebensqualität gezielt mit der beruflichen Situation in Verbindung zu bringen. Patienten und Methodik: Mit dem Fragebogen zur Lebensqualität bei Berufsdermatosen (LIOD – Life Quality Index Occupational Dermatoses) wurde nach einer Literaturrecherche und der Analyse bestehender Erhebungsinstrumente sowie einer Itemreduktion ein standardisierter, valider Fragebogen entwickelt, der vier unterschiedlichen Personengruppen (N = 228) vorgelegt wurde. Ergebnisse: In Orientierung an der Leitlinie zur Erfassung von Lebensqualität in dermatologischen Studien ergab sich im Paralleltest ein Reliabilitätswert von 0,804. Cronbachs‐Alpha betrug 0,898. Die logische und diskriminante Validität wurden überprüft und führten zu signifikanten Ergebnissen. Die im Zuge der Entwicklung formulierten Hypothesen konnten bestätigt werden. Schlußfolgerung: Mit dem validierten LIOD steht ein Instrument zur Verfügung, mit dem ergänzend zu bereits existierenden Instrumenten Ergebnisse gewonnen werden können, die sich u. U. wie medizinische Daten zur Beurteilung eines Behandlungsergebnisses eignen.
Photodynamische Therapie mit Methylaminooxopentanoat (Metvix®) und einer Breitbandlichtquelle (PhotoDyn 501): Praktische Erfahrungen bei Problem‐Patienten mit Aktinischen Keratosen und Basalzellkarzinomen
Authors: Kreutzer Katharina , Bonnekoh Bernd , Franke Ingolf , Gollnick Harald 
Published: December 2004

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund: Aktinische Keratosen (AK) und Basalzellkarzinome (BCC) können aufgrund von Besonderheiten des Typs, der Lokalisation und therapeutischen Vorgeschichte wie auch von Begleiterkrankungen eine Herausforderung darstellen. Die photodynamische Therapie (PDT) bietet für ausgewählte Indikationen eine wichtige semi‐konservative Therapieoption. Patienten und Methode: n = 28 Patienten unserer dermatoonkologischen Spezialambulanz mit entsprechender Problemfall‐Zuweisung wurden wegen AK (n = 22) oder BCC mit Methylaminooxopentanoat (MAOP, Methyl‐Ala, Metvix®) und einer Breitbandlichtquelle (PhotoDyn 501) behandelt. Der Therapieerfolg und die subjektive Verträglichkeit (Schmerzempfinden unter PDT) wurden evaluiert. Ergebnisse: Bei AK und BCC konnte in 11/22 (50 %) bzw. 4/6 (67 %) Fällen eine Vollremission (VR) erzielt werden, wobei eine solche in allen 3 Fällen eines superfiziellen BCC‐Subtyps zu verzeichnen war. Eine gute Verträglichkeit zeigte sich bei diesen Respondern in 12/15 Fällen (80 %), hingegen nur in 4/13 Fällen (31 %) bei den Non‐Respondern. Bei Betrachtung der insgesamt 16/28 Patienten mit guter Verträglichkeit (57 %) kam es in 12 Fällen zu einer VR (75 % Rate), während bei den 12/28 Patienten mit mäßiger bzw. schlechter Verträglichkeit nur in 3 Fällen eine VR (25 %) zu beobachten war. Bei einem Subkollektiv von n = 8 Patienten mit einer teilweise durch Zweitkrankheiten bedingten, begleitenden Retinoid‐ oder immunsuppressiv‐zytostatischen Systemmedikation zeigte sich eine VR in 3/8 (38 %) und eine gute Verträglichkeit in lediglich 1/8 Fällen (13 %). Schlußfolgerung: Diese Beobachtungen bestätigen eine gute Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit der PDT bei ≥ 50 % in einem AK/BCC Problempatienten‐Kollektiv. Dabei ergeben sich Hinweise für 1) eine positive Korrelation zwischen Wirksamkeit und subjektiver Verträglichkeit sowie 2) die präsumptive Existenz einer Retinoid‐abhängigen kutanen PDT‐Hyperalgesie. Insgesamt scheint eine optimale Schmerztherapie während der PDT für einen Behandlungserfolg mitentscheidend zu sein.
Role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum in altered action potential and contraction of myopathic human and hamster ventricle
Authors: Wei Jeng , Liu Hsiang‐Cheng , Lee Fan‐Yen , Lee Meei‐Shyuan , Huang Chan‐Yao , Pan Hsin‐Pao , Lin Cheng‐I 
Published: December 2004

Summary1. The present experiments were performed in order to study the role of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in the altered action potential and contraction of ventricular myocardium obtained from myopathic Syrian hamster and explanted human hearts (n = 8). The hamsters included age‐matched healthy hamsters (F1B; n = 18), young myopathic hamsters (Bio 14.6; n = 8; aged 17–27 weeks) and older myopathic hamsters (n = 10; aged 39–43 weeks).2. Action potentials were recorded by means of a microelectrode technique and force was recorded using a transducer. Post‐rest potentiation of contraction (PRPC), a measure of the SR Ca2+‐pumping activity, was determined after different rest intervals (2–60 s). Furthermore, cyclopiazonic acid (10 µmol/L), a specific blocker of SR Ca2+‐ATPase, was used to unmask abnormalities in the function of the SR.3. The relationship between PRPC and rest interval was similar in younger healthy and myopathic hamsters, but the curve of the older myopathic muscle was obviously shifted downwards. Cyclopiazonic acid decreased predominantly the ascending part of the curve in both the healthy and myopathic hamster myocardium and could induce spontaneous action potentials during drug exposure or after washout.4. In human myopathic myocardium, the curve of the PRPC–rest interval peaked at longer intervals (40–60 s) compared with that of the hamsters (10–20 s). Cyclopiazonic acid markedly depressed the relationship and increased the diastolic force (contracture) at high driving frequency, but did not induce action potentials during the rest interval.5. We conclude that an impaired function of the SR contributes to the progressive deterioration of ventricular function in dilated cardiomyopathy and that the electromechanical behaviour of the ventricular myocardium of patients affected by dilated cardiomyopathy shows similarity and differences with the myopathic Syrian hamster model.
Long‐term measurement of cerebral blood flow and metabolism in a rat chronic hypoperfusion model
Authors: Otori Tatsuo , Katsumata Toshiya , Muramatsu Hiromi , Kashiwagi Fumihiko , Katayama Yasuo , Terashi Akiro 
Published: December 2004

Summary1. Rat bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCAO) was used as a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model. We observed autoradiographically the long‐term changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and regional cerebral glucose utilization (rCGU) after 2 days and 1, 4 and 8 weeks of BCAO and in controls. Regions evaluated included the cerebral cortex, white matter and basal ganglia. Pathological changes were also observed with Klüver–Barrera and haematoxylin–eosin staining.2. After 2 days, rCBF was significantly reduced to 33–58% in the cortex, white matter and amygdala and similar reductions were observed after 1 week.3. After 4 weeks, rCBF recovered; however, rCBF remained significantly reduced in the occipital cortex, white matter, globus pallidus and substantia nigra.4. After 2 days, rCGU was mostly maintained but, after 1 week, rCGU was reduced significantly to 40–70% in the cortex, white matter, basal ganglia and thalamus. Four weeks later, these reductions were no longer seen.5. Rarefaction of the white matter was observed from 1 week.6. These results showed that the BCAO in rats is an appropriate model for chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and that uncoupling of rCBF and rCGU was observed from 2 days until 4 weeks in the white matter.
Effects of taurine on serum cholesterol levels and development of atherosclerosis in spontaneously hyperlipidaemic mice
Authors: Matsushima Yoshibumi , Sekine Takumi , Kondo Yukiko , Sakurai Takanobu , Kameo Kazuya , Tachibana Masayoshi , Murakami Shigeru 
Published: December 2004

Summary1. The effects of two naturally occurring substances, namely taurine and catechins, on serum cholesterol levels and on the progression of atherosclerotic lesions were evaluated using spontaneously hyperlipidaemic (SHL) mice as an animal model of atherogenesis.2. Twelve weeks treatment of SHL mice with taurine (1% in drinking water) significantly elevated serum high‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels without affecting levels of low‐density lipoprotein– and very low‐density lipoprotein–cholesterol. In addition, taurine suppressed the development of atherosclerotic lesions by 29%, as determined by oil red O‐stained areas in cross‐sections of the aorta.3. In contrast, 12 weeks treatment with a catechin mixture had no apparent effect on serum cholesterol levels and on the progression of atherosclerosis.4. Serum levels of thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, an index of oxidized substances, significantly decreased from 9.6 to 6.7 nmol/mL following taurine treatment.5. We suggest that retardation of atherosclerosis by taurine in SHL mice may be related to decreases in oxidized substances and increases in serum HDL‐C levels.
Endothelin ETA receptor antagonism does not attenuate angiotensin II‐induced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo in rats
Authors: De Smet HR , Menadue MF , Oliver JR , Phillips PA 
Published: December 2004

Summary1. Angiotensin (Ang) II causes cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo. It also stimulates the release of endothelin (ET)‐1. Endothelin‐1 induces hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in vitro.2. In the present study, we examined whether the cardiac hypertrophic action of AngII in vivo was mediated by ET‐1 via ETA receptors. We also determined whether arginine vasopressin (AVP), another ET‐1 stimulator, could cause cardiac hypertrophy in vivo through an ET‐1‐dependent pathway.3. In Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 8 per group), we determined whether the orally administered ETA receptor antagonist BMS 193884 could attenuate the cardiac hypertrophic effect of: (i) i.v. AngII infusion at either 100 or 200 ng/kg per min, i.v., for 1 week; (ii) AngII infusion at 100 ng/kg per min, i.v., for 2 weeks; and (iii) AVP infusion at either 2 or 10 ng/kg per min, i.v., for 1 week. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were also measured.4. Infusion with AngII for both 1 and 2 weeks increased left ventricular weight. Only AngII infusion at 200 ng/kg per min for 1 week increased blood pressure. Endothelin ETA receptor blockade did not attenuate the left ventricular hypertrophy, even though it reduced the hypertensive effect of AngII. Arginine vasopressin increased blood pressure, but did not cause cardiac hypertrophy.5. We showed that AngII can cause cardiac hypertrophy through a direct, blood pressure‐independent effect on the heart. Endothelin‐1 did not mediate the cardiac hypertrophic effect of AngII through ETA receptors. This may indicate the involvement of ETB receptors in this model of cardiac hypertrophy. Arginine vasopressin did not cause cardiac hypertrophy in vivo.
Pilot study examining the effect of cholesterol lowering on platelet nitric oxide responsiveness and arterial stiffness in subjects with isolated mild hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Stepien Jacqueline M , Prideaux Rhonda M , Willoughby Scott R , Chirkov Yuliy Y , Horowitz John D 
Published: December 2004

Summary1. Hypercholesterolaemia has been associated with impaired endothelial function. However, there are no available data as to whether hypercholesterolaemia is also associated with platelet dysfunction.2. In a group of asymptomatic adults with (n = 16) and without (n = 13) mild hypercholesterolaemia, we evaluated inhibition of platelet aggregation in response to the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as well as the augmentation index (AIx), a parameter of arterial stiffness that is impaired in the presence of endothelial dysfunction.3. Neither SNP response nor AIx varied significantly between normocholesterolaemic (NC) and hypercholesterolaemic (HC) subjects.4. Three months treatment with pravastatin (40 mg/day) in HC subjects lowered mean (±SEM) total cholesterol levels from 6.6 ± 0.2 to 5.5 ± 0.2 mmol/L. Platelet response to SNP increased in platelet‐rich plasma and tended to increase in whole blood. The AIx did not change significantly. However, falls in low‐density lipoprotein (P = 0.03) and total cholesterol (P = 0.08) correlated with reductions in AIx in individual subjects.5. These data provide evidence that moderate reduction of cholesterol levels may improve platelet responses to NO, whereas improvement in arterial stiffness may be detectable only with more extensive and/or a prolonged reduction in cholesterol levels.