bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impressive lipid changes following hypolipidaemic drug administration can unveil subclinical hyperthyroidism
Authors: Liberopoulos E. , Miltiadous G. , Elisaf M. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIt is well known that thyroid hormones modulate lipoprotein metabolism. Thus, the presence of clinical or subclinical hyperthyroidism may influence lipid parameters of dyslipidaemic patients and the efficacy of hypolipidaemic therapy. Here we present a patient with mixed hyperlipidaemia whose impressive improvement of his lipid profile following ciprofibrate administration pointed towards the diagnosis of asymptomatic underlying subclinical hyperthyroidism.
Metformin improves lipid metabolism and attenuates lipid peroxidation in high fructose‐fed rats
Authors: Anurag P. , Anuradha C. V. 
Published: March 2003

Aim: Insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia and disturbances in glucose metabolism can be produced in normal rats by feeding them a fructose‐enriched diet. Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, enhances insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients. Previous studies have shown that metformin improves insulin sensitivity in fructose‐fed rats. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of metformin treatment on overall lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation in rats that were fed a fructose‐enriched diet, which leads to insulin resistance. The relationship between hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia with lipid peroxide levels was also investigated.Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into two batches. One batch received a standard diet and the other was fed a fructose‐enriched diet (72 g/100 g feed). After 2 weeks, each batch of rats was subdivided into two groups. One group received metformin (50 mg/kg per day in water) and the other received the standard diet and served as control.Results: High fructose feeding resulted in hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglycaemia and alterations in lipids and lipid metabolism, and plasma and tissue lipid peroxides were significantly elevated. Administration of metformin (50 mg/kg/day) was associated with significant normalization of plasma insulin level and lipid alterations. These rats also showed significantly higher lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activities in plasma than untreated, fructose‐fed rats. Lipid peroxides content was also decreased in plasma and tissues. Significant positive correlations were observed between the levels of plasma insulin and plasma glucose with plasma lipid peroxides.Conclusions: We conclude that enhanced lipid peroxidation occurs in addition to disturbances in lipid metabolism in fructose‐fed rats. Plasma insulin level probably contributes to this increased peroxidation. Improved insulin action in metformin‐treated rats could be responsible for the amelioration of these abnormalities induced by fructose feeding.
Effects of a water‐soluble extract of maitake mushroom on circulating glucose/insulin concentrations in KK mice
Authors: Manohar V. , Talpur N. A. , Echard B. W. , Lieberman S. , Preuss H. G. 
Published: March 2003

Aim: We examined benefits of a water‐soluble extract of maitake mushroom designated as Fraction X (FXM) on the glucose/insulin metabolism of insulin‐resistant KK mice, and compared the results of FXM with those of a sulphonylurea, Glipizide.Design: In several acute studies, insulin‐resistant KK mice were gavaged with a single dose of varying concentrations of FXM, or a single dose of one concentration of the oral hypoglycaemic drug, Glipizide. In the one chronic study, KK mice were gavaged with FXM, Glipizide, or an equal volume of isotonic saline (baseline control) twice daily. Retro‐orbital blood was drawn on the morning of the 4th and 7th days before the early gavage. Blood glucose was measured by routine laboratory procedures, and serum insulin was estimated by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) assay developed specifically for rodents.Results: At a dose of FXM (140 mg/mouse), a statistically significant lowering of circulating glucose concentrations was again seen at 8–12 h and 16–18 h after oral gavage. The lowering approximated 25% of the original concentration. Oral gavage of Glipizide resulted in statistically significantly lower values of circulating glucose (25–37% lower compared with baseline) at 8–24 h post dosing. In the chronic study, the circulating concentrations of glucose and insulin of mice taking 140 mg FXM per day were decreased significantly at days 4 and 7.Conclusions: FXM, a natural extract obtained from maitake mushroom, favourably influences glucose/insulin metabolism in insulin‐resistant KK mice. The lowering of both circulating glucose and insulin concentrations suggests that FXM works primarily by enhancing peripheral insulin sensitivity.
Rosiglitazone amplifies the benefits of lifestyle intervention measures in long‐standing type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Reynolds L. R. , Konz E. C. , Frederich R. C. , Anderson J. W. 
Published: March 2003

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of a lifestyle intervention programme including meal replacements and increased physical activity upon body weight, diabetes control and other cardiovascular risk factors in obese, poorly controlled, insulin‐treated, type‐2‐diabetic individuals and to assess the impact of concomitant rosiglitazone (RSG) therapy.Methods: This 6‐month intervention study included 21 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) requiring insulin therapy with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) > 7% and with a body mass index (b.m.i.) > 27. All subjects were enrolled in a 6‐month lifestyle intervention programme and randomized to placebo or RSG 4 mg/day. Participation in the lifestyle programme included meal replacements, increased intake of fruits and vegetables and increased daily physical activity. Measured end‐points included body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, HbA1c and serum lipids, before entry into the study.Results: The baseline mean b.m.i. was 36.4 and the mean HbA1c was 9.0%. The greatest weight losses occurred during the first 12 weeks (19 lbs for RSG, 13.4 lbs for placebo) with a greater weight loss at each point for the group receiving RSG. Waist circumference declined by 2.8 and 4.0 inches for the placebo and RSG groups. Systolic BP declined 16.2 mmHg in the placebo group and 14.3 mmHg in the RSG group. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by 12.8 mmHg in the placebo group. HbA1c was reduced significantly by 1.3% for the placebo group and 1.1% in the RSG group.Discussion: This study demonstrates the benefits of lifestyle intervention using meal replacements and increased physical activity with resultant modest weight loss in long‐standing, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. RSG did not impede weight loss and, in fact, amplified some of the positive benefits of lifestyle intervention.
Relationship of glycation, antioxidant status and oxidativestress to vascular endothelial damage in diabetes
Authors: Wen Y. , Skidmore J. C. , Porter‐Turner M. M. , Rea C. A. , Khokher M. A. , Singh B. M. 
Published: March 2003

Aims: To examine the inter‐relationships of various microvascular pathogenic mechanisms in diabetic patients.Methods: Patients with diabetes (n = 18) and non‐diabetic subjects (n = 18) were studied.Results: Blood markers of glycaemic control and glycation differed between the two groups (glucose 10.9 ± 7.6 vs. 4.7 ± 0.63 mmol/l, p < 0.01; HbA1c 7.0 ± 1.3 vs. 4.5 ± 0.3%, p < 0.001; glycated LDL 8.8 ± 2.5 vs. 6.1 ± 1.2%, p < 0.001) but plasma antioxidant status did not. LDL oxidation resistance, measured as lag time to maximum oxidation initiated by copper ions, was decreased in diabetes (58. ± 14.3 vs. 76.3 ± 21.5 min, p < 0.01). Both soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), markers of endothelial dysfunction, were significantly higher in diabetes (ICAM 491 ± 128 vs. 403 ± 131 µg/l, p < 0.05; VCAM 546 ± 157 vs. 393 ± 106 µg/l, p < 0.01). Linear correlations were significant between HbA1c and lag time of LDL oxidation (r = −0.39, p < 0.05), ICAM (r = 0.40, p < 0.05) and VCAM (r = 0.38, p < 0.05). LDL oxidizability correlated with vitamin C (r = 0.51, p < 0.01) but not any adhesion molecule. In multivariate analysis, both ICAM and VCAM correlated with HbA1c only (r2 = 0.16, F = 6.3, p < 0.01; r2 = 0.14, F = 5.4, p < 0.01 respectively).Conclusion: In diabetes, glycation, tissue oxidation and endothelial function are all abnormal and predisposing to microvascular complications but interrelationships are complex with glycation appearing most direct.
Aldose reductase gene polymorphism is associated with progression of diabetic nephropathy in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Yamamoto T. , Sato T. , Hosoi M. , Yoshioka K. , Tanaka S. , Tahara H. , Nishizawa Y. , Fujii S. 
Published: March 2003

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate cross‐sectionally and longitudinally whether polymorphism of the (A‐C)n dinucleotide repeat sequence of the aldose reductase (AR) gene may modulate risk for diabetic nephropathy or retinopathy in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes.Methods: We obtained DNA samples from 101 patients followed up after the onset of type 1 diabetes and analysed a (A‐C)n dinucleotide repeat polymorphic marker in the AR gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.Results: Ten alleles ranging from Z−10 (128 bp) to Z+8 (146 bp) in repeat number were identified. In cross‐sectional studies, the prevalence of the Z+2 allele was higher than that of any other allele in patients with diabetic nephropathy (37.5% of patients in a microalbuminuria group, and 41.7% of those in a macroalbuminuria group including patients with chronic renal failure and maintenance haemodialysis treatment). Prevalence of the Z+2 allele was not increased in patients with diabetic retinopathy. In longitudinal Kaplan–Meier plots, the cumulative incidence of nephropathy was significantly associated with homozygosity for the Z+2 allele (log rank test, p = 0.031); respective prevalence of nephropathy after diabetes durations of 10 and 15 years was 42.9% and 100% in Z+2 homozygotes (n = 8), 17.6% and 27.4% in Z+2 heterozygotes (n = 44), and 6.1% and 17.4% in patients without the Z+2 allele (n = 49). However, occurrence of retinopathy was not influenced by the Z+2 allele (log rank test, p = 0.926).Conclusions: Homozygosity for the Z+2 allele was associated with accelerated early progression of diabetic nephropathy in Japanese type 1 diabetic patients.
Establishment of mouse as an animal model for study of diabetic cataracts: biochemical studies
Authors: Hegde K. R. , Henein M. G. , Varma S. D. 
Published: March 2003

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to understand the pathogenesis of diabetic cataracts at biochemical level in an animal model where lens aldose reductase (AR) activity is low, similar to that in the human lens.Methods: Mouse, which is known to have low lens AR, was selected for these studies. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin. Biochemical changes in the lens were monitored in freshly isolated lenses with standard chromatographic, enzymatic and culture experiments described in the section on methods.Results: The present studies provide evidence of significant biochemical changes associated with such cataract formation despite very low levels of aldose reductase. The level of glycated proteins increased to 9 mg/100 mg of total water‐soluble lens protein in the diabetic lenses, as compared with the normal lenses where it was only about 1.3 mg/100 mg of total protein. Glutathione (GSH), the major antioxidant in the lens, decreased from 2.35 µmol/g in the normal lenses to about 1.17 µmol/g in the diabetic lenses. Malonadehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation, increased from 50 µmol/100 g in the normal to 70 µmol/100 g in the diabetic lens. The level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an indicator of the overall metabolic status of the tissue, also decreased from 962 ± 154 nmol/g in the normal to 487 ± 130 nmol/g in the diabetic lenses. The function of the Na+–K+ ATPase was also adversely affected in diabetes, as indicated by the ability of the lens to accumulate 86rubidium ions against its concentration gradient. The transport activity, expressed as CL/CM, was 24 in the normal lens, whereas it was only 12 in the diabetic lens. The level of sorbitol in the diabetic lens was only in the micromolar region. Hence, it was considered osmotically insignificant.Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that induction of cataracts in diabetes can be related to multiple biochemical effects such as oxidative stress and glycation. Sorbitol accumulation in low aldose reductase situations, being minor, could, however, act synergistically with other factors.
Histology of the fusion area between the parasitic male and the female in the deep‐sea anglerfish Neoceratias spinifer Pappenheim, 1914 (Teleostei, Ceratioidei)
Authors: Munk Ole 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe article deals primarily with the histology of the fusion area between the head of the male and the skin of the female in two female Neoceratias spinifer, each of which had a single parasitic male attached. In this area, comprising the whole flattened upper part of the male head, the dermis of the male is completely fused with that of the female, leaving no remnants of the epidermis of either. In all other known cases permanent attachment of the parasitic male is accomplished by fusion of separate outgrowths from the male snout and lower jaw and the female skin. In the fusion area of N. spinifer two interconnected blood vascular plexus are present, the one located in the connective tissue of the male head, the other in that of the female skin. It is not known, however, whether the plexus in the female skin is provided with blood from the female blood vascular system, i.e. there is no critical proof of a real continuity between the female blood vascular system and that of the male. The eyes of both parasitic males are very degenerate. There is no histological evidence of degenerative changes in the male digestive system, heart or gills.
Sperm storage in females of the smooth newt (Triturus v. vulgaris L.): II. Ultrastructure of the spermathecae after the breeding season
Authors: Sever David M. , Halliday Tim , Moriarty Emily C. , Araño Begona 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSperm storage in cloacal spermathecae was studied in females of Triturus v. vulgaris from southern England killed at the end of the breeding season in June. This species mates and oviposits eggs in ponds from March to June. Included in the sample were 12 unmated females collected in terrestrial situations in March and mated in the laboratory. Some of these females oviposited viable eggs in the laboratory whereas others did not oviposit after mating. In addition, we examined five females with unknown mating histories that were collected from a breeding pond in June. We found that all of the specimens contained some stored sperm and were similar in spermathecal ultrastructure. The spermathecae exhibited characteristics of secretory epithelium at the end of a cycle, including irregular heterochromatic nuclei surrounded by scant cytoplasm, absence of organelles involved in synthetic activities, few secretory vacuoles, and wide intercellular canaliculi. Spermiophagy by the spermathecal epithelium was extensive. In contrast, spermathecae from females at the beginning of the breeding season as reported in our previous study were actively producing a PAS+ secretion and did not exhibit spermiophagy. Spermiophagy is a means of eliminating sperm prior to the next breeding season.
Ultrastructure of opisthosomal chaetae in Vestimentifera (Pogonophora, Obturata) and implications for phylogeny
Authors: Schulze Anja 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSchulze, A. 2000. Ultrastructure of opisthosomal chaetae in Vestimentifera (Pogonophora, Obturata) and implications for phylogeny. —Acta Zoologica(Stockholm)82: 127–135The posterior segmented body region of Vestimentifera bears rows of uncini that function to anchor the animal within its tube. SEM studies of five vestimentiferan species reveal intraspecific and interspecific variation in the number of chaetigerous segments and the arrangement of uncini within a given segment. The portion of an uncinus that extends beyond the epidermis comprises two opposing groups of teeth that probably correspond to the capitium and subrostral process of polychaete uncini, and a distinct protuberance between them, interpreted as a rostrum. InRidgeia piscesae, the uncini are formed by chaetal follicles, consisting of a chaetoblast, a follicle cell and an epidermis cell. The chaetal shaft is elongate and composed of up to 40 hollow cylinders that are invaded at their base by microvilli from the apical part of the chaetoblast. Opisthosomal chaetae in perviate Pogonophora are usually restricted to four per segment and are of a rod‐shaped type. It is hypothesized that the rod‐shaped chaetae represent reduced hooked chaetae probably derived from a condition such as found in Monilifera. Uncini of Pogonophora, Sabellida, Terebellida and Oweniida are considered homologous but details of chaetal design may be due to functional adaptations and thus do not represent reliable characters for phylogenetic studies on higher taxonomic levels than genera or potentially families.
Retrograde ureteropyeloscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for large renal calculi
Authors: El‐Anany F.G. , Hammouda H.M. , Maghraby H.A. , Elakkad M.A. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of the retrograde ureteropyeloscopic holmium laser for treating renal stones that are too large to treat with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Patients and methods Thirty patients (22 men and eight women, mean age 43 years, range 18–62) with a renal stone burden of > 2 cm were selected for laser treatment. The stones were in the renal pelvis in 16 patients, lower calyx in five, middle calyx in two, upper calyx in one and multiple pelvic and calyceal in six. Lithotripsy was undertaken using a holmium laser through 550 µm and 200 µm laser fibres passed through a semi‐rigid fibre‐optic long ureteroscope or the actively deflectable flexible ureteropyeloscope, respectively. Success was defined as total fragmentation of the stone to < 2 mm in diameter and/or clear imaging on renal ultrasonography and plain films within the 3‐month follow‐up. Patients in whom the treatment failed received either alternative therapy or complementary ESWL. Results Endoscopic access and complete stone fragmentation was achieved in 23 of the 30 patients (77%). The treatment failed in seven patients because of poor visualization, the initial presence of stones in, or migration of their large fragments to, an inaccessible calyx. There were no major intraoperative complications. Minor complications after treatment included haematuria that persisted for 2 days in one patient and high‐grade fever in two patients; all were treated conservatively. Conclusion Large renal calculi that are not amenable to ESWL monotherapy can be safely and effectively treated with a retrograde endoscopic technique that seems to compete well with the more invasive percutaneous or open surgical manoeuvres.
Further experience with the tubularized‐incised urethral plate technique for hypospadias repair
Authors: Elbakry A. 
Published: March 2003

Objectives To report further experience of hypospadias repair using the tubularized‐incised urethral plate (TIP) technique and to evaluate the role of postoperative neourethral dilatation as a method of preventing complications. Patients and methods The study included 64 patients (aged 2–18 years) who underwent TIP repair of hypospadias; 47 required a primary and 17 a secondary repair. After removing the stent they were randomized into two groups; group 1 (38 patients) underwent regular neourethral dilatation for 12 weeks and group 2 (26 patients) did not. Patients were followed for a mean (range) of 28 (6–52) months. Results The functional and cosmetic results were excellent in all patients in group 1, except for slight meatal regression in one patient (3%). In group 2, 17 patients had excellent results; eight (31%) were re‐operated upon to correct complications, six developed a fistula (four of which were associated with meatal stenosis) and two developed a neourethral stricture. Conclusions TIP urethroplasty is a versatile technique that provides an excellent functional and cosmetic outcome. Regular urethral calibration after repair should be considered as an integral part of the technique, to prevent neourethral and/or meatal stenosis with subsequent fistula formation.
Testicular implants and patient satisfaction: a questionnaire‐based study of men after orchidectomy for testicular cancer
Authors: Adshead J. , Khoubehi B. , Wood J. , Rustin G. 
Published: March 2003

Objectives To assess the satisfaction of men with their testicular implants after undergoing orchidectomy for testicular cancer, and to determine their reasons for accepting or declining a prosthesis. Patients and methods In all, 424 men who had undergone radical orchidectomy and were part of the testicular cancer follow‐up programme were sent an anonymous questionnaire comprising 10 questions covering two main areas. First, the reasons for accepting or declining an implant and second (if they received an implant) their satisfaction with the size, position, feel, shape and overall comfort; 234 men (55%) responded. Results About a third (71 men) accepted an implant, a third declined and a third were not offered the choice. Of the men who replied 91% felt that it was extremely important to be offered an implant at the time of surgery. Of the 71 who received an implant, 19 (27%) were dissatisfied and felt that they had an average or poor cosmetic result. The reasons for this dissatisfaction are presented and discussed. Conclusions All men undergoing orchidectomy should be offered a testicular implant, irrespective of age. Sample implants in all sizes should be available in the outpatient department. This will give men realistic expectations and allow them to choose a suitable size of implant. The dimensions of the available implants should be improved to create a more elliptical prosthesis, to avoid dissatisfaction with the shape. Adequate fixation to the base of the scrotum is important to avoid the ‘high riding’ implant.
A new small‐calibre diagnostic flexible cystoscope
Authors: Dryhurst D.J. , Fowler C.G. 
Published: March 2003

Objective To determine whether flexible cystoscopy with a prototype slim flexible instrument is less uncomfortable than flexible cystoscopy using a standard flexible cystoscope. Patients and methods In all, 200 men scheduled to undergo flexible cystoscopy for the follow‐up of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were randomized in equal groups to flexible cystoscopy using the standard instrument or using the prototype slim‐scope. Each patient had 11 mL of 2% lignocaine gel instilled intraurethrally 5 min before the procedure. At the end of the procedure the patient was asked to complete a 100‐mm non‐graphical visual analogue scale to rate how uncomfortable the procedure was. Results The slim‐scope was very significantly less uncomfortable than the conventional instrument (anovaP < 0.001). The ease of use and views of the bladder were similar to those obtained with the conventional cystoscope. Conclusion The slim‐scope offers a significant benefit in patient comfort, with little loss of image quality or ease of use.