bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glycogen depletion in intrafusal fibres in rats during short‐duration high‐intensity treadmill running
Authors: Yoshimura A. , Toyoda Y. , Murakami T. , Yoshizato H. , Ando Y. , Fujitsuka N. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAim:  The recruitment patterns of the intrafusal and extrafusal fibres in the soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of rats were investigated during brief‐intensity exercise by assaying their glycogen content histochemically.Methods:  Six adult male rats were assigned to each of four groups that ran up a 6° incline on a motor‐driven treadmill, at 40 m min−1 for either 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 min. Six adult male rats in the control group did not run. Extrafusal and intrafusal fibres were classified by myosin ATPase staining. Optical densities for glycogen content were evaluated in serial periodic acid Schiff (PAS) stained‐sections from the B and C regions of intrafusal fibres.Results:  The glycogen content of type IIA fibres in the SOL and EDL muscles decreased significantly in the early phase of exercise whereas the glycogen content of type I fibres in these muscles decreased later than that of type IIA fibres. The glycogen content of bag2 fibres decreased after 1 min of exercise in the SOL muscle and after 2 min of exercise in the EDL muscle. On the other hand, the glycogen content of bag1 and chain fibres decreased significantly after 2 min in the SOL muscle but not in the EDL muscle.Conclusion:  The results suggest that during brief‐intensity exercise, as the glycogen content of type IIA fibres is reduced earlier than that of type I fibres, bag2 fibres are most important early in this type of exercise.
The effect of fluoxetine in patients with pain and constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome: a double‐blind randomized‐controlled study
Authors: VAHEDI H. , MERAT S. , RASHIDIOON A. , GHODDOOSI A. , MALEKZADEH R. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Irritable bowel syndrome has been treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors but there is not enough evidence from controlled trials to prove their effectiveness.Aim : To compare the effects of fluoxetine and placebo in the treatment of pain and constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome in a double‐blind randomized‐controlled trial.Methods : Forty‐four cases meeting Rome II criteria for irritable bowel syndrome with predominance of pain and constipation were included in this study. Organic causes were ruled out by detailed history, physical examination, laboratory tests and colonoscopy. Participants were then randomly assigned to receive either fluoxetine or placebo for 12 weeks. Symptoms addressed by the Rome II criteria were recorded during treatment and 4 weeks after termination of treatment.Results : Fluoxetine was significantly more effective than placebo in decreasing abdominal discomfort, relieving feeling and sense of bloating, increasing frequency of bowel movements and decreasing consistency of stool. Mean number of symptoms per patient decreased from 4.6 to 0.7 in the fluoxetine group vs. 4.5 to 2.9 in controls (P < 0.001).Conclusions : Fluoxetine is an effective and well‐tolerated short‐term treatment for pain and constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
Direct and indirect costs in a prospective cohort of patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: MÜLLER‐NORDHORN J. , BRÜGGENJÜRGEN B. , BÖHMIG M. , SELIM D. , REICH A. , NOESSELT L. , ROLL S. , WIEDENMANN B. , WILLICH S. N. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive cancer with a low survival time. So far, there have been no studies assessing direct and indirect costs in individual patients.Aim : To assess prospectively the cost of illness in patients with pancreatic cancer.Methods : Patients were consecutively included at first admission to hospital. Sociodemographic factors, medical resource use and employment status were assessed by patient interviews and from medical records in a standardized way. Costs were calculated from the perspectives of the hospital, social insurance and society. Linear regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with costs.Results : A total of 57 patients were admitted with suspected pancreatic cancer. Of these patients, 45 (79%) had pancreatic cancer as final diagnosis, 11 (19%) pancreatitis and one patient cystadenoma. The median survival was 10.9 months in patients with pancreatic cancer. Per month of observation from societal perspective, total costs were €4075 for patients. Costs of hospitalizations were responsible for 75% of total costs. In multivariable analyses, surgery, a lower educational level, younger age, and the prevalence of metastases were significantly associated with higher total costs.Conclusions : Costs are considerable in patients with pancreatic cancer. Our results may facilitate further economic evaluations and aid health policy‐makers in resource allocation.
Clinico‐biochemical prediction of biliary cause of acute pancreatitis in the era of endoscopic ultrasonography
Authors: LIU C. L. , FAN S. T. , LO C. M. , TSO W. K. , WONG Y. , POON R. T. P. , LAM C. M. , WONG B. C. , WONG J. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Occult biliary stones escape detection on conventional investigations, and clinico‐biochemical systems proposed for predicting biliary pancreatitis has low predictive values.Aim : To evaluate the accuracy of clinico‐biochemical parameters for prediction of biliary pancreatitis in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasonography.Methods : Early endoscopic ultrasonography was performed on 139 patients presenting with acute pancreatitis within 24 h of admission. The aetiologies of all patients were determined after complete evaluations, and clinico‐biochemical characteristics of patients with a biliary cause (biliary group) and non‐biliary causes (non‐biliary group) were compared.Results : Biliary pancreatitis was diagnosed in 107 patients and 32 patients had non‐biliary causes. The biliary group belonged to a significantly older age group, had a female predominance, significantly more derangement of liver function and a higher incidence of severe attack of acute pancreatitis. On multivariate analysis, female sex, age >58 years and serum alanine aminotransferase >150 U/L were independent predictive factors for biliary cause of acute pancreatitis. Using these three factors for prediction of biliary cause, the sensitivity was 93% and overall accuracy was 85%.Conclusion : Clinico‐biochemical prediction for biliary cause of acute pancreatitis improves in the era of endoscopic ultrasonography with a higher sensitivity and overall accuracy. In centres where endoscopic ultrasonography is inaccessible or local expertise is unavailable, clinico‐biochemical prediction of biliary cause of acute pancreatitis may provide a useful alternative in the initial management of this group of patients.
On the limitation of 6‐tioguaninenucleotide monitoring during tioguanine treatment
Authors: DE BOER N. K. H. , DE GRAAF P. , WILHELM A. J. , MULDER C. J. J. , VAN BODEGRAVEN A. A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Tioguanine (thioguanine) has been proposed as a rescue thiopurine for azathioprine or mercaptopurine intolerant inflammatory bowel disease patients. The use of tioguanine leads to high 6‐tioguaninenucleotide (6‐thioguaninenucleotide) levels in red blood cells but, contra‐intuitively, these have yet not been associated with an increased risk of myelotoxicity.Aim : To assess the role of 6‐tioguaninenucleotide concentrations in developing myelotoxicity during tioguanine treatment.Methods : Database analysis of 25 patients treated with tioguanine. Clinical findings and laboratory parameters were related to 6‐tioguaninenucleotide levels.Results : One patient developed a myelodepression (21 mg TG/day for 3 months and 6‐tioguaninenucleotide 714 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells). 6‐Tioguaninenucleotide levels varied greatly between individuals (mean 6‐tioguaninenucleotide level 621 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells, s.d. 340 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells and range 34–1653 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells). The TG dosages (mean 20.6 mg/day and median 20 mg/day) did not correlate with 6‐tioguaninenucleotide levels (r = 0.31, N.S.). High 6‐tioguaninenucleotide levels (>450 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells) did not effect haemoglobin concentrations (mean 8 mmol/L), peripheral leucocyte (mean 7.5 × 109/L) or platelet counts (mean 298 × 109/L). No correlations were established between laboratory parameters, type of disease and 6‐tioguaninenucleotide level.Conclusion : High 6‐tioguaninenucleotide levels in erythrocytes (>450 pmol/8 × 108) during TG treatment compared to azathioprine or mercaptopurine treatment are not indicative for (developing) myelotoxicity.
Allopurinol safely and effectively optimizes tioguanine metabolites in inflammatory bowel disease patients not responding to azathioprine and mercaptopurine
Authors: SPARROW M. P. , HANDE S. A. , FRIEDMAN S. , LIM W. C. , REDDY S. I. , CAO D. , HANAUER S. B. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Many non‐responders to azathioprine or mercaptopurine (6‐mercaptopurine) have high normal thiopurine methyltransferase activity and preferentially metabolize mercaptopurine to produce 6‐methylmercaptopurine instead of the active 6‐tioguanine (6‐tioguanine) metabolites.Aim : To describe the use of allopurinol in mercaptopurine/azathioprine non‐responders to deliberately shunt metabolism of mercaptopurine towards 6‐tioguanine.Methods : Fifteen thiopurine non‐responders whose metabolites demonstrated preferential metabolism towards 6‐methylmercaptopurine are described. Subjects were commenced on allopurinol 100 mg po daily and mercaptopurine/azathioprine was reduced to 25–50% of the original dose. Patients were followed clinically and with serial 6‐tioguanine and 6‐methylmercaptopurine metabolite measurements.Results : After initiating allopurinol, 6‐tioguanine levels increased from a mean of 185.73 ± 17.7 to 385.4 ± 41.5 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells (P < 0.001), while 6‐methylmercaptopurine decreased from a mean of 10 380 ± 1245 to 1732 ± 502 pmol/8 × 108 RBCs (P < 0.001). Allopurinol led to a decrease in white blood cell from a mean of 8.28 ± 0.95 to 6.1 ± 0.82 × 108/L (P = 0.01).Conclusions : The addition of allopurinol to thiopurine non‐responders with preferential shunting to 6‐methylmercaptopurine metabolites appears to be an effective means to shift metabolism towards 6‐tioguanine.
Fatigue in adult coeliac disease
Authors: SINISCALCHI M. , IOVINO P. , TORTORA R. , FORESTIERO S. , SOMMA A. , CAPUANO L. , FRANZESE M. D. , SABBATINI F. , CIACCI C. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground : Fatigue is reported by many adults at the moment of diagnosis of coeliac disease and during follow‐up.Aim : To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics and associations of fatigue in adult coeliac disease patients.Methods : The investigated sample comprised adults from Campania, Italy. A total of 130 coeliac disease patients were consecutively recruited in both treated (59 on gluten‐free diet) and untreated conditions (71 on normal diet). The control group was made up of 80 healthy controls. Coeliac disease patients and healthy controls underwent laboratory tests, a set of questionnaires for studying fatigue: visual analogue scale for fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome questionnaire, fatigue severity scale and a modified version of the Zung self‐rating depression scale.Results : Coeliac disease patients showed a significantly lower body mass index than controls (P = 0.0001), lower serum iron (P = 0.04). The entire cohort of coeliac disease patients reported greater modified version of the Zung self‐rating depression scale score (P = 0.001), greater visual analogue scale for fatigue score (P = 0.0001) and greater chronic fatigue syndrome questionnaire score (P = 0.0001) compared with healthy controls. Coeliac disease patients on a gluten‐free diet had a significantly higher modified version of the Zung self‐rating depression scale score than coeliacs on a normal diet (P = 0.001). The prevalence of pathological modified version of the Zung self‐rating depression scale score was 17% in all coeliac disease patients and 0% in healthy controls. A significant correlation was found between modified version of the Zung self‐rating depression scale score and fatigue scale scores in coeliacs on a normal diet. Presence/absence of gastrointestinal symptoms did not show any significant correlation with modified version of the Zung self‐rating depression scale score and fatigue scale scores. In coeliacs on a gluten‐free diet, modified version of the Zung self‐rating depression scale and fatigue scales scores did not significantly differ from coeliacs on a normal diet and were not related to dietetic compliance.Conclusion : In coeliacs, fatigue is a common finding, which ameliorates with the gluten‐free diet and is strictly correlated to depression although coeliacs on a gluten‐free diet showed more frequent and more severe depression symptoms than coeliacs on a normal diet.
Malic enzyme 1genotype is associated with backfat thickness and meat quality traits in pigs
Authors: Vidal O. , Varona L. , Oliver M. A. , Noguera J. L. , Sànchez A. , Amills M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryMalic enzyme 1 (ME1) is a part of the tricarboxylate shuttle that provides NADPH and acetyl‐CoA required in fatty acid biosynthesis. The pigME1locus maps on the proximal end of chromosome 1, where a quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting fat deposition has been previously described. We amplified fragments of 1457 and 1459 bp that corresponded to the complete coding region and the 3′‐untranslated region (UTR), respectively, of the pigME1gene. The sequences of these two fragments in pigs from three breeds (Landrace, Large White and Piétrain) contained five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the 3′‐UTR: C1706T, G1762T, A1807C, C1857A and T1880A. Three haplotypes were found in two generations of a selected Landrace population: H1 (C1706G1762A1807C1857A1880), H2 (C1706G1762A1807C1857T1880) and H3 (T1706T1762C1807A1857T1880). Using Bayesian association analyses, significant associations (highest posterior density at 95%) betweenME1genotype and backfat (BF) thickness at 171 days and muscular pH were found in a Landrace population.
The Evi1 proto‐oncoprotein blocks endomitosis in megakaryocytes by inhibiting sustained cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 catalytic activity
Authors: Kilbey Anna , Alzuherri Hadi , McColl Joan , Calés Carmela , Frampton Jonathan , Bartholomew Christopher 
Published: August 2005

SummaryThe 3q21q26 syndrome leukaemias are characterised by dystrophic megakaryocytes, elevated platelet counts, ectopic EVI1 protein production and poor prognosis. To investigate the molecular basis of this disease, we developed a model system to examine the biological activity of EVI1 in a megakaryocyte progenitor cell line. For this purpose, Evi1 was conditionally expressed in human erythroleukaemia cells (HEL) that progress along the megakaryocyte lineage in the presence of 12‐O‐tetradecanoylphorbol 13‐acetate (TPA). TPA‐stimulated HEL cells normally undergo: (1) growth arrest; (2) altered morphology; (3) endomitosis and (4) characteristic changes in gene expression, including reduction of the erythroid‐specific glycophoryn A and elevation of the specific glycoproteins GPIIIa and GPVI. Enforced Evi1 expression alone had no effect upon HEL cell proliferation or differentiation but a phenotype was manifest upon stimulation to differentiate. Evi1‐expressing, TPA‐treated HEL cells still showed growth arrest, had reduced and enhanced glycophoryn A and GPIIIa mRNA's, respectively, but failed to significantly elevate GPVI mRNA. This was accompanied by inhibition of endomitosis and altered cell morphology. Sustained CDK2 catalytic activity, typically associated with megakaryocyte endomitosis, was dramatically decreased in TPA‐stimulated Evi1‐expressing HEL cells because of significantly reduced levels of cyclin A. Therefore, enforced Evi1 expression could inhibit megakaryocyte differentiation although retention of some characteristic molecular changes, in combination with a block in endomitosis and altered morphology, suggest a defect in lineage progression. These results suggest that ectopic Evi1 expression contributes to a defective megakaryocyte differentiation programme and is likely to contribute to the phenotype observed in 3q21q26 syndrome leukaemias.
Allergic airway inflammation induces tachykinin peptides expression in vagal sensory neurons innervating mouse airways
Authors: Dinh Q. T. , Mingomataj E. , Quarcoo D. , Groneberg D. A. , Witt C. , Klapp B. F. , Braun A. , Fischer A. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryBackground
Allergic airway inflammation has been shown to induce pro‐inflammatory neuropeptides such as tachykinin peptides substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) together with related peptide like calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) in nodose sensory neurons innervating guinea‐pig airways.Objective
The present study was designed to examine the effects of allergen sensitization and challenge on the SP/NKA expression in the jugular–nodose ganglion neurons innervating the murine airways.Methods
Using retrograde neuronal tracing technique in combination with double‐labelling immunohistochemistry, the expression of SP/NKA was investigated in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation.Results
Allergic airway inflammation was found to induce the expression of SP/NKA (13.2±1.43% vs. 5.8±0.37%, P<0.01) in large‐diameter (>20 μm) vagal sensory neurons retrograde labelled with Fast blue dye from the main stem bronchi.Conclusion
Based on the induction of tachykinins in airway‐specific large‐sized jugular–nodose ganglia neurons by allergic airway inflammation, the present study suggests that allergen sensitization and challenge may lead to de novo induction of tachykinins in neurons. This may partly contribute to the pathogenesis of airways diseases such as allergic airway inflammation.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) in plasma and adipose tissue in HIV‐associated lipodystrophy syndrome. Implications of adipokines
Authors: He G. , Andersen O. , Haugaard S. B. , Lihn A. S. , Pedersen S. B. , Madsbad S. , Richelsen B. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractBackground  PAI‐1, an important inhibitor of fibrinolysis, is increased in obese subjects and has been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In the present study, we investigated the association between circulating levels of PAI‐1 and locally produced PAI‐1 in adipose tissue and body fat distribution and adipokines (TNF‐α, TNF receptors, IL‐6, IL‐8) in patients with and without HIV‐associated lipodystrophy syndrome (HALS).Materials and methods  Eighteen men with HALS and 18 men with HIV but without HALS were investigated. DEXA and computed tomography scan were performed to determine total body fat and visceral adipose tissue mass. Insulin sensitivity was determined by the euglycaemic clamp technique. Plasma levels of PAI‐1 and cytokines were determined. In addition, PAI‐1, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐8 mRNA levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue were measured by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.Results  HALS patients were characterized by a 3‐fold increased visceral adipose tissue (P < 0·001) and reduced limb fat (P < 0·01) as compared with non‐HALS patients but with no difference in total fat mass between the groups. Plasma PAI‐1 was increased in HALS patients (16·7 ng mL−1 vs. 8·2 ng mL−1, P < 0·05). Plasma PAI‐1 was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0·74, P < 0·01), plasma TNF‐α level (r = 0·64, P < 0·01), sTNFR‐I (r = 0·38, P < 0·05), and visceral fat (r = 0·67, P < 0·01). Moreover, plasma PAI‐1 was negatively associated with insulin sensitivity (r = −0·57, P < 0·01) and the percentage of limb fat (r = −0·57, P < 0·01). A positive correlation was found between plasma PAI‐1 and TNF‐α mRNA level. No association was, however, found between plasma PAI‐1 and PAI‐1 mRNA level in adipose tissue.Conclusion  Plasma PAI‐1 is increased in HALS patients and it is suggested that dysregulation of the TNF‐system (high TNFα and high sTNFR1) may play a role in up‐regulating PAI‐1 in HALS.
Ischaemia or reperfusion: which is a main trigger for changes in nitric oxide mRNA synthases expression?
Authors: Pevni D. , Frolkis I. , Shapira I. , Schwartz D. , Schwartz I. F. , Chernichovski T. , Lev‐Ran O. , Sharony R. , Uretzky G. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractObjective  To investigate alterations in endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expressions and nitric oxide release in the myocardium during ischaemia/reperfusion and determine whether these changes are ischaemic and/or reperfusion dependent.Materials and methods  Isolated rat hearts were perfused by a modified Langendorff system. Following 1 h of global cardioplegic ischaemia, left ventricle haemodynamic parameters were recorded at baseline and during 30 min of reperfusion. Levels of endothelial, inducible nitric oxide synthases mRNA expression and nitric oxide release were measured at baseline, after ischaemia and at 30 min of reperfusion.Results  Global cardioplegic ischaemia caused a significant depression of left ventricular function and a decrease of coronary flow. Postischaemic intensities of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA bands were significantly lower than at baseline (P < 0·01). There were no significant differences in endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA band intensities immediately after ischaemia compared to the end of reperfusion, nor between the intensities of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA bands at baseline, at end of ischaemia and at end of reperfusion. Nitric oxide in the myocardial effluent was below detectable levels at all measured points.Conclusion  Ischaemic injury causes down‐regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression, which is then associated with reduction of coronary flow during reperfusion, representing one possible mechanism of ischaemia/reperfusion injury. We did not find expected elevations of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression during ischaemia or reperfusion and we suggest that ischaemia/reperfusion injury is not associated with nitric oxide overproduction.
Effect of soil aggregate size on infiltration and erosion characteristics
Authors: Abu‐Hamdeh N. H. , Abo‐Qudais S. A. , Othman A. M. 
Published: August 2005

SummaryDetachment of soil particles by the processes of splash from rainfall and shallow flow from surface runoff is influenced by soil cohesion, soil aggregate properties, and characteristics of this flow. We have evaluated relationships between rates of detachment, aggregate size, and tensile strength of the soil. Soil and water losses were determined in the laboratory from sieved air‐dry samples on three aggregate size ranges of two clay loam soils differing in particle‐size distribution and organic matter. Tensile strength was measured for each aggregate size range. The results showed that as clod size increased, detachment rates increased and interaggregate tensile strength decreased. Wash erosion increased as initial clod size increased despite a decrease in runoff. Final rates of loss by splash were greater from the largest clods than from the smaller clods. Finally, splashed material was larger in size than material washed off. The fact that the size of the splashed material was larger than washed‐off material shows that material in the wash suffered more impact by raindrops and thus was more likely to be fragmented.