bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mating behaviour and light conditions cause seasonal changes in the dispersal pattern of the satyrine butterfly Lethe diana
Authors: Ide Jun‐Ya 
Published: March 2003

Summary1. The spatial arrangement of resources and climatically favourable sites affects the dispersal pattern of butterflies.2. The microdistribution of the satyrine butterfly Lethe diana changes seasonally, meaning that the relative spatial arrangement of resources also changes seasonally. The seasonal change in the dispersal pattern of this butterfly was studied.3. Males of the May–June generation tended to stay in a restricted habitat patch while females of the same generation did not. A number of the May–June generation males became resident at prime forest edge sites, where a territorial behaviour that was rarely seen in other generations was prevalent. Females of the May–June generation moved to these territorial sites for mating but left after copulation to avoid male harassment; their residency was therefore weak.4. In both sexes, the July–August generation tended to be more mobile than the September–October generation. This was because the July–August generation butterflies utilised dark environments for thermoregulation and, because these conditions were widespread throughout the forest, the butterflies were able to move widely. The September–October generation, however, preferred intermediate light conditions, which tended to be restricted to the forest edge; as this was a relatively small area, butterfly movement was restricted.
Natural enemy ravine revisited: the importance of sample size for determining population growth
Authors: Jarošík Vojtěch , Honěk Alois , Dixon Anthony F. G. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract.1. The population growth of three aphid species,Metopolophium dirhodum(Walker),Rhopalosiphum padi(L.), andSitobion avenae(F.), on winter wheat, was analysed by regression. The calculations were based on censuses of aphids made in 268 plots at 3‐ or 7‐day intervals for 10 years on leaves and 6 years on ears. The calculations were made separately for each plot each year, then repeated on the pooled data from all plots monitored in a year.2. At the level of individual plots, no population growth was detected at very low densities. At high densities, the populations grew exponentially and the growth rates did not decrease with increasing aphid density.3. Significant growth was always detected in the pooled data. These growth rates decreased significantly at the highest densities. Field estimates of the intrinsic rate of increase derived from these data ranged from 0.010 to 0.026 forM. dirhodum, 0.0071–0.011 forR. padi, and 0.00078–0.0061 and 0.0015–0.13 forS. avenae, on leaves and ears respectively.4. The apparent lack of growth in the individual plots at low densities is attributable to small sample size. It is concluded that thenatural enemy ravinein the population dynamics of cereal aphids, identified by Southwood and Comins (1976), is a consequence of low population densities at which population increase is undetectable unless very large samples are taken.
Body composition and energy expenditure of patients with chronic cardiac failure
Authors: Steele  , Young  , Stevenson  , Maguire  , Livingstone  , Rollo  , Scrimgeour  , Rennie  , Nicholls  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundPatients with acute cardiac failure have excess body water, and it is commonly assumed that this is also so in patients with stable chronic cardiac failure (CCF).MethodsTo investigate this, we measured total body water (TBW) using stable isotope dilution and single‐frequency bioelectrical impedance (BIA), and also extracellular volume (ECV) using bromide dilution in 12 patients with CCF and eight matched control subjects.ResultsTBW (kg−1 body weight) was similar in the two groups [median 18O dilution 53.2% (range 46.5–57.1%) in patients vs. 54.8% (47.9–62.7) in control subjects; BIA 56.6% (42.7–73.1) vs. 58.0% (52.0–68.6)]. ECV was also similar in the two groups [0.25 L kg−1 (0.20–0.29) vs. 0.25 (0.19–0.35)]. There was a strong correlation between stable isotope and BIA measurements of TBW for all subjects (r = 0.76), but BIA overestimated TBW by a mean difference of 2.4 kg (limits of agreement of –4.1 kg to +8.9 kg). Body fat content was similar in the two groups, whether measured by skinfold anthropometry, whole‐body densitometry or by 18O dilution. Resting energy expenditure (REE), calculated from indirect calorimetry, and total energy expenditure (TEE), calculated from the ratio of 2H to 18O elimination rate after drinking doubly labelled water, were also similar in the two groups.ConclusionIt is concluded that the patients with stable CCF in this study had normal ECV and TBW, and so excess body water did not account for their persistent symptoms.
Measurement of free fatty acid kinetics during non‐equilibrium tracer conditions in man: implications for the estimation of the rate of appearance of free fatty acids
Authors: Riemens  , Dullaart  , J .F. Franssen  , Piers  , Reitsma  , Sluiter  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThis study aimed to document the applicability and variability of free fatty acid (FFA) kinetic parameters during non‐equilibrium and equilibrium tracer conditions in man.MethodsFFA kinetic parameters were assessed after an overnight fast in six healthy non‐obese and three obese subjects as well as in three patients with non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) by infusion of [14C]‐palmitate of 60 min (study A) and 10 min duration (study B).ResultsThe kinetic parameters estimated from the upstroke and downstroke of the plasma FFA specific activity curve (non‐equilibrium) were not statistically different within studies A and B. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in any of the FFA kinetic parameters between studies A and B. The averaged plasma levels of FFA obtained during the up‐ and downstroke from studies A and B were higher in obese subjects and NIDDM patients than in non‐obese subjects (P < 0.01). The averaged total rate of appearance (TRa) of FFA was higher in obese subjects than in non‐obese subjects (P < 0.02). The TRa and metabolic clearance rate (MCR), estimated from non‐equilibrium conditions, were about 25% higher than the apparent values obtained from steady‐state measurement in all subjects combined (P < 0.01), suggesting considerable recirculation of label from hydrolysis of labelled esterified fatty acids. Indeed, in three non‐obese subjects, the radiolabel in esterified fatty acids was approximately 50% of labelled FFA at 60 min of label infusion. The coefficients of variation of the kinetic parameters were consistently larger in study A than in study B.ConclusionFFA kinetic parameters can be estimated with sufficient precision using non‐equilibrium data from short‐term labelled palmitate infusion. Short‐term label infusion has the advantage that label recirculation is prevented and exposure to radiation is limited.
Lack of relationship between the PlA1/PlA2 polymorphism of platelet glycoprotein IIIa and premature myocardial infarction
Authors: Scaglione  , Bergerone  , Gaschino  , Imazio  , Maccagnani  , Gambino  , Cassader  , Di Leo  , Macchia  , Brusca  , Pagano  , Cavallo‐Perin  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe PlA1/PlA2 polymorphism of the platelet glycoprotein IIIa has been variably associated with an increased risk of coronary thrombosis.MaterialsWe investigated the linkage between the PlA1/PlA2 polymorphism and the risk of myocardial infarction in 98 patients who suffered their first myocardial infarction at the age of 45 years or less and 98 well‐matched control subjects without coronary artery disease. Lipid parameters were measured using conventional methods of clinical chemistry; PlA genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the prevalence of PlA2‐positive genotypes (either PlA1/PlA2 or PlA2/PlA2) between patients and control subjects (χ2 = 0.66, d.f. = 1, P = 0.41).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the PlA2 polymorphism of the platelet glycoprotein IIIa does not contribute to the genetic susceptibility to premature myocardial infarction.
In vitro culture growth of erythroid progenitors and serum erythropoietin assay in the differential diagnosis of polycythaemia
Authors: Shih  , Lee  , See  , Ou  , Dunn  , Wang  , Kuo  , Wu  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundWe assessed the in vitro culture growth of erythroid progenitors [burst forming unit‐erythroid (BFU‐E)] and serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels in different groups of polycythaemia to determine the discriminative power in the differential diagnosis of polycythaemia.MethodsWe used the methylcellulose culture technique to study the growth of endogenous erythroid colonies (EECs) and EPO‐dependent BFU‐E from bone marrow (BM) and/or peripheral blood (PB) cells from 40 patients with polycythaemia vera (PV), 13 with secondary polycythaemia (SP), 19 with pure erythrocytosis (PE), five with PE and PV evolution later (PE‐PV), and 12 with relative polycythaemia (RP). The serum EPO levels were measured by radioimmunoassay before treatment in 47 PV patients, 23 SP patients, 19 PE patients, five PE‐PV patients and 16 RP patients, as well as after treatment in 38 PV patients, five PE‐PV patients and 12 PE patients.ResultsThe results of the erythroid progenitor culture assay showed that the numbers of EPO‐dependent BFU‐E in BM did not differ significantly among groups. The PB BFU‐E were significantly higher in PV than in SP or PE, and no statistical differences were found among patients with SP, PE and RP. There was a correlation between BM BFU‐E and PB BFU‐E in the individual PV and PE patients. EECs were present in all BM and PB cultures of untreated and phlebotomy‐treated PV and PE‐PV patients, but were absent in 6 of 17 PV patients who had received cytotoxic therapy. EECs were not found in SP, PE and RP. PB could substitute for BM in the EEC or the BFU‐E assay. Both pretreatment and post‐treatment serum EPO levels of PV and PE‐PV were similar, which were significantly lower than SP, PE or RP. The serum EPO levels in treated PV or PE‐PV patients who had normal haematocrit values were not significantly different from those in untreated patients. In contrast, the phlebotomy‐treated PE patients had significantly higher serum EPO values than untreated PE patients. In the differentiation between PV and PE, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of post‐treatment serum EPO levels at a cut‐off level of 9 U L−1 were 74%, 92%, 97% and 52% respectively. The discriminative power of post‐phlebotomy serum EPO levels was even higher with a positive predictive value of 80% and negative predictive value of 92% for the prediction of PV evolution in patients with pure erythrocytosis of unknown origin.ConclusionThe present study showed that apart from EEC assay, the post‐phlebotomy serum EPO level was a sensitive and specific parameter in the differential diagnosis of polycythaemia, in particular for the identification of PV among patients with unclassifiable polycythaemia.
Increased circulating cytokine receptors and ex vivo interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist and interleukin‐1β production but decreased tumour necrosis factor‐α production after a 5‐km run
Authors: Drenth  , Krebbers  , Bijzet  , Van Der Meer  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 5‐km run on blood leucocytes, acute‐phase proteins and cytokines. In addition, cytokines were measured in the supernatants from whole‐blood cell cultures incubated with lipolysaccharide (LPS).MethodsTen healthy, recreational trained, athletes (three women, seven men) volunteered for this investigation. Samples were drawn just before, immediately after and at 3 h, at 24 h and at 48 h after the race.ResultsExercise induced a transient leucocytosis (P = 0.0002) and a mild acute‐phase reaction with increase in plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) (P = 0.0115) but not in serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations. Although plasma interleukin 6 (IL‐6) was undetectable and soluble interleukin‐1 receptor type II (IL‐1sRII) remained unchanged, interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra) concentrations were elevated directly after the race with a further increase at 3 h (P < 0.0001). Soluble tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors were increased immediately after the run, but the effect was more marked for sTNFr p55 (two‐fold increase; P < 0.0001) than for sTNFr p75 (1.16‐fold increase; P = 00007). In cell cultures, the LPS‐induced release of the inflammatory cytokines doubled for IL‐1β (P < 0.0001) and for IL‐1ra (P < 0.0001). In contrast, TNF‐α production decreased after the run, and a nadir was reached at 24 h (P < 0.0001).ConclusionThese results suggest that a 5‐km run elicits both the production of acute‐phase mediators (leucocytosis and elevation of CRP) and anti‐inflammatory counter‐regulation as judged by the increase in circulating concentrations of IL‐1ra, sTNFr p55, and sTNFrp75 and down‐regulation of LPS‐stimulated TNF‐α production.
Mutations in the carboxy terminus of the β and γ subunits of the epithelial sodium channel are not present in patients with hypertensive crisis
Authors: Födinger  , Hirschl  , Schedler  , Herkner  , Bur  , Laggner  , Hörl  , Sunder‐Plassmann  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe pathophysiology of hypertensive crises is poorly understood. To date, no information is available about genetic determinants underlying the individual risk for development of hypertensive urgencies or emergencies. Recently, mutations in the β subunit (hβENaC) and the γ subunit (hγENaC) of the human epithelial sodium channel (hENaC) have been shown to result in excessive elevation of blood pressure in patients with Liddle's syndrome.MethodsUsing polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of amplification products we have screened 90 consecutive out‐patients with hypertensive urgency or hypertensive emergency for the presence of mutations in the carboxy terminus of these genes. Furthermore, serum potassium concentrations were determined in all 90 patients, and serum aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity were measured in a subset of 34 patients.ResultsAmong 71 patients with hypertensive urgency (78.9%) and 19 patients with hypertensive emergency (21.1%) not one individual showed a mutation in genomic DNA extending from codon 532 to codon 637 of hβENaC and from codon 525 to codon 651 of hγENaC. Twelve of 90 patients showed mild hypokalaemia (13.3%), 16 of 34 patients had a plasma renin activity below the lower normal range (47.1%) and one of 34 patients had a low serum aldosterone concentration (2.9%).ConclusionsThe present study clearly demonstrates the absence of mutations in the carboxy terminus of the hβENaC and hγENaC gene of hENaC in an Austrian cohort of 90 patients suffering from hypertensive crisis.
Leptin levels in smokers and long‐term users of nicotine gum
Authors: Eliasson B. , Smith U. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of cigarette smoking and other forms of long‐term nicotine consumption on circulating leptin levels as well as the relationship between leptin levels and insulin sensitivity, measured with the euglycaemic hyperinsulinaemic clamp, in healthy middle‐aged men.Study designSamples from 73 subjects were analysed: 23 non‐smokers, 31 smokers and 19 long‐term nicotine gum chewers (NGCs) with similar ranges of age, body mass index (BMI) and per cent body fat.ResultsLeptin levels were higher in NGCs and smokers than in the non‐smoking matched control subjects. Smoking cessation for 8 weeks further increased the leptin levels, probably due to the concomitant increase in body fat (mean ± SD, 2.2 ± 1.8 kg). Acute administration of one dose of nicotine nasal spray or smoking one cigarette did not significantly change the circulating leptin levels during the following 60 min. Plasma leptin concentrations were positively correlated with the proportion of body fat and negatively correlated with the degree of insulin sensitivity in each of the three subject groups. In a stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, plasma leptin concentrations were significantly correlated with the proportion of body fat, degree of insulin sensitivity and smoking status.ConclusionThese data show that long‐term use of nicotine is associated with elevated circulating leptin levels. The increased leptin levels may be an important reason for the lower body weight in smokers. The results of this study also support the view that leptin is directly or indirectly related to insulin sensitivity in men.
Cell death by overload of the elastin–laminin receptor on human activated lymphocytes: protection by lactose and melibiose
Authors: Péterszegi G. , Texier S. , Robert L. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundActivated human lymphocytes were shown to express the elastin–laminin receptor in vitro and also in vivo in atherosclerotic plaques. In the presence of the agonist, elastin peptides, this receptor was shown to mediate an increased cell proliferation and an increased synthesis and excretion of an elastase‐type serine endopeptidase. In this study, we investigated the variation of the above reaction as a function of agonist concentration.Materials and methodsHuman lymphocytes were obtained by tonsillectomy and cultured in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin and elastin peptides. Cell viability was evaluated by vital dye exclusion. Elastase and cathepsin G activities were determined in culture supernates and cell lysates using synthetic substrates. Apoptotic cells were identified by the TUNEL method and by electron microscopy.ResultsAt increasing concentrations of elastin peptides, a dose‐dependent increase in cell death was observed. Up to 100 μg mL−1 elastin peptides and an increasing fraction of lymphocytes were found permeable to trypan blue, and a large proportion was in apoptosis. Elastin peptide‐induced cell death was inhibited by 1 μg mL−1 lactose and melibiose.ConclusionWe describe here cell death of human activated lymphocytes expressing the elastin–laminin receptor in the presence of increasing concentrations of elastin peptides, agonists of the receptor. The mechanism of cell death appears to be related to the triggering of the release of elastase and free radicals mediated by the elastin–laminin receptor. Antagonists of this receptor, lactose and melibiose, protected the lymphocytes from the receptor‐mediated cell death.
Effects of intensified lifestyle modification on the need for further revascularization after coronary angioplasty
Authors: Wallner  , Watzinger  , Lindschinger  , Smolle  , Toplak  , Eber  , Dittrich  , Elmadfa  , Klein  , Krejs  , Wascher  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundIn patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), a rate of restenosis as high as 50% is observed after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Frequently, this results in further revascularization procedures. Lifestyle intervention has been shown to slow the progression of CAD and to reduce cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction. However, no information exists whether such treatment influences the rate of restenosis in patients with CAD. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of an intensified lifestyle intervention on the need for further revascularization procedures in patients with established CAD after successful PTCA.DesignA total of 60 patients were included and randomized to either conventional treatment by cardiologists and general practitioners or additional intensified lifestyle intervention in a diabetes and metabolism outpatient clinic for 12 months. The mean observation time after successful PTCA was 26 months. The primary outcome variable was the need for further revascularization procedures because of clinical restenosis. Secondary outcome variables were lifestyle‐related measures.ResultsIntervention resulted in a reduction in body weight and blood pressure, and in increased physical activity. Furthermore, nutritional habits were changed towards less fat intake, and body composition changed towards a higher proportion of fat‐free mass. The need for further revascularization procedures was reduced from a total of 14 out of 32 in the conventionally treated group to 3 out of 28 in the intervention group. This resulted in an event‐free survival probability of 0.89 in the intervention group and 0.57 in the control group (P = 0.0055, log rank) with a resulting relative risk of 0.26 (95% CI 0.09–0.74).ConclusionIn conclusion, our data strongly suggest that intensified lifestyle modification is able to reduce the need for further revascularization procedures after PTCA in patients with CAD.
Long‐term stability of human immunodeficiency virus viral load and infectivity in whole blood
Authors: Vandamme  , Van Laethem  , Schmit  , Van Wijngaerden  , Reynders  , Debyser  , Witvrouw  , Van Ranst  , De Clercq  , Desmyter  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundWe intended to evaluate the stability of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 virions in whole blood and in culture medium.Materials and methodEDTA whole‐blood samples taken from 12 patients were left at room temperature for up to 7 days, and aliquots of a laboratory virus stock spiked in EDTA, in heparinized or in citrated whole blood, with or without the addition of Triton X‐100, or spiked in culture medium were left at room temperature for up to 120 days before plasma was separated and frozen at −80 °C. Viral load was measured for all frozen plasma samples using different viral load assays. p24 antigen and infectivity were also measured in the spiked samples.ResultsThe patient whole‐blood samples did not show any decrease in viral load during this 7‐day period. The spiked samples decayed by not more than 1 log after 120 days (about 4 months), with the fastest decay in medium. Virus infectivity decayed very slowly from 20 000 units mL−1 to undetectable amounts after 56 days.ConclusionsThese results indicate that HIV‐1 virions in whole blood possess a long‐term stability in terms of viral load, p24 antigen level and infectivity, which is not sufficiently recognized by laboratory and health care workers.
Persistent symptoms in former UNTAC soldiers are not associated with shifted cytokine balance
Authors: Soetekouw  , De Vries  , Preijers  , Van Crevel  , Bleijenberg  , Van Der Meer  
Published: March 2003

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of post‐combat syndromes, such as Gulf War syndrome, is poorly understood. Recently, it has been postulated that the symptoms of veterans with such syndromes are due to a disturbed cytokine balance shifted towards a T‐helper (Th) 2 profile. We investigated this hypothesis in 21 symptomatic former UNTAC soldiers and compared their results with those obtained in 21 healthy former UNTAC soldiers matched for age, sex and military force.DesignThe numbers of intracellular interleukin 4 (IL‐4) and interferon gamma‐ (IFN‐γ) producing CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes (CD3+) were determined after in vitro stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and calcium ionophore in the presence of brefeldin to block secretion of induced cytokines. Circulating concentrations and lipopolysaccharide‐ (LPS) or phytohaemagglutinin‐ (PHA) stimulated whole‐blood production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐1ra, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and IL‐10 and IFN‐γ were measured.ResultsThe numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes positive for IL‐4 or IFN‐γ production were not significantly different in patients and control subjects. After stimulation with LPS or PHA, the in vivo circulating concentration and concentration of IL‐10 and IFN‐γ were also similar.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates that there is no shift in cytokine balance towards a Th2 profile in former UNTAC soldiers with symptoms similar to those of the Gulf War syndrome.