bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Morpheme Boundaries on Intergestural Timing: Evidence from Korean
Authors: Cho Taehong 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThis paper examines the effects of morpheme boundaries on intergestural timing, and demonstrates that low-level phonetic realization is influenced by morphological structure, i.e. compounding and affixation. It reports two experiments, one using electromagnetic midsagittal articulography (EMA) and one electropalatography (EPG), examining Korean data. The results of the EMA study show that intergestural timing is less variable for adjacent gestures across the word boundary inside a lexicalized compound than inside a nonlexicalized compound, and inside a monomorphemic word than across a morpheme boundary. The EPG study (which examined the timing in palatalization of a coronal) shows that both [ti] and [ni] have more variability in gestural timing when heteromorphemic than when tautomorphemic. Furthermore, the phonetic details of gestural overlap shed light on the asymmetry on palatalization between tautomorphemic and heteromorphemic gestural sequences (e.g. ni vs. n-i), presumably driven by paradigmatic contrast and preference of overlap. In short, what emerges from two experiments is that gestures are coordinated more stably within a single lexical item (a morpheme or a lexicalized compound) than across a boundary between lexical items. In accounting for the stability of intergestural timing within a lexical entry, several hypotheses were discussed including the Phase Window, Bonding Strength, Phonological Timing and Extended Phase Window model newly proposed here. The implication is that the morphological structure may be encoded in the phonetic realization, as is the case with other linguistic structure (e.g. prosodic structure).
Perception of Vowel-to-Vowel Transitions with Different Formant Trajectories
Authors: Carré R. , Ainsworth W.A. , Jospa P. , Maeda S. , Pasdeloup V. 
Published: April 2003

Abstract
In this paper, the perceptual effects of vowel-to-vowel transitions determined by different temporal variations of model parameters which specify the shapes of the vocal tract area function are investigated. It is shown that, (a) the method of deformation of the vocal tract area function between two targets can be perceptually important and (b) conversely, within certain limits, the time course of parameters from one state to another, and the precise synchronization of two parameters is not important for the correct identification of a vowel series. These characteristics are necessary but not sufficient to prove the existence of a phonetic gesture percept.
Effects of a Meat Meal on Renal Sodium Handling and Sodium Balance
Authors: Cirillo Massimo , Anastasio Pietro , Spitali Lucia , Santoro Domenico , De Santo Natale G. 
Published: April 2003

Protein ingestion increases renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). This study investigated in healthy adults if the renal response to protein ingestion includes changes in urinary sodium (Na) excretion rate and Na balance. Renal clearance of Na and inulin (used as index of GFR) were measured in 25 healthy adults before (90 min) and after (180 min) a standard meal and, as control, before and after administration of water and Na-chloride (saline). The meal consisted of red lean meat (2 g protein/kg body weight); in control experiments, water and Na were given to match water and Na content of the meal. ANOVA for repeated measures, Student’s t-test, and linear regression were used for statistical analysis. GFR and urinary Na excretion increased over baseline after the meal (p < 0.001), not after saline. The post-meal natriuretic response was accounted for an early (0–90 min) increase in glomerular filtered load of Na (p < 0.001) and a late (90–180 min) reduction in tubular Na reabsorption (p < 0.02). Urine flow rate and plasma Na did not significantly change after the meal and in control experiments. Analysis of Na balance showed that post-meal Na excretion was significantly higher than baseline also after Na balance returned to pre-meal values. In healthy individuals, a meat meal stimulates natriuresis and causes a net decrease in Na balance. The renal natriuretic response to the meal appears secondary to the meal-induced changes in renal hemodynamics. The data are in keeping with the hypothesis that dietary protein intake affects also renal Na handling.
Irinotecan (CPT-11) in Patients with Advanced Colon Carcinoma Relapsing after 5-Fluorouracil-Leucovorin Combination
Authors: Tsavaris N.B. , Polyzos A. , Gennatas K. , Kosmas Ch. , Vadiaka M. , Dimitrakopoulos A. , Macheras A. , Papastratis G. , Tsipras H. , Margaris H. , Papalambros E. , Giannopoulos A. , Koufos Ch. 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between performance status (PS) and mean dose of irinotecan (CPT-11) in patients with recurrent advanced colorectal cancer relapsing after 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin chemotherapy. Patients who had completed their last chemotherapy course with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin for at least 6 weeks and progressed were included. Based on PS, we administered a starting dose of 250 mg/m<sup>2</sup> in patients with a PS 70–80 (group A), and 350 mg/m<sup>2</sup> for those with a PS > 80 (group B). Of a total of 90 treated patients, all were evaluable, 18 had a partial response (PR) (20%), 39 stable disease (43%), and 15 progressed (37%). No significant difference was noticed between patients with PS ≧ 90 or ≤ 80 (p = 0.925), or between those who received a mean dose of CPT-11 ≧300 or ≤300 (p = 0.602), for response, survival and time to progression. Toxicity was increased in group B as expected, with significant differences for acute cholinergic syndrome (p = 0.02), diarrhea after the first 24 h (p = 0.03) and severe diarrhea (p = 0.03). According to these results, we conclude that response to CPT-11 is independent of its dose, and that a dose of 250 mg/m<sup>2</sup> every 3 weeks might be a cost-effective and less toxic alternative in this setting. However, further adequately powered phase II or III randomized studies might be required in order to confirm this observation.
Investigation of Irritant Skin Reaction by 10% Povidone-Iodine Solution after Surgery
Authors: Iijima Shigeruko , Kuramochi Miyako 
Published: April 2003

We report 19 patients who developed extensive patchy or linear erythema on both sides of the buttocks, the back and the posterior areas of the thighs within a few days following operations or cardioangiography. The erythema was sometimes deeply infiltrative and was also accompanied by bullae and erosion. Patch tests of the patients were strongly positive for 10% povidone-iodine (PVP-I, Isodine<sup>®</sup>) solution; however, they were negative for 10% PVP-I solution with the same amount of 8% sodium thiosulfate and for 5% potassium iodide in petrolatum. In all control individuals, the only positive result was that of a patch test with 10% PVP-I solution within 8 h after application. We diagnosed our patients as having irritant contact dermatitis caused by 10% PVP-I solution during the procedure, which might have drained along the skin to the side of the buttocks or the back. We here indicate that prolonged contact with a large quantity of 10% PVP-I solution should be avoided to prevent this problem.
Improving the Power of Sib Pair Quantitative Trait Loci Detection by Phenotype Winsorization
Authors: Fernàndez José R. , Etzel Carol , Beasley T. Mark , Shete Sanjay , Amos Christopher I. , Allison David B. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> In sib pair studies, quantitative trait loci (QTL) identification may be adversely affected by non-normality in the phenotypic distribution, particularly when subjects falling in the tails of the distribution bias the trait mean or variance. We evaluated the robustness and power of reducing the influence of subjects with extreme phenotypic values by Winsorizing non-normal distributions in three versions of Haseman-Elston regression-based methods of QTL linkage analysis. <i>Methods:</i> Data were simulated for normal and non-normal distributions. Phenotypic values that correspond to cutoff points at the ω and 1 – ω percentiles of the distribution were identified, and phenotypic values falling outside the boundaries of the ω and 1 – ω cutoff points were replaced by the ω and 1 – ω values, respectively. One million replications were performed for the three tests of linkage for Winsorized and non-Winsorized data. <i>Results:</i> Winsorization reduced conservatism in the tails of the empirical type I error rate for the vast majority of the tests of linkage, increased the power of QTL detection in non-normal data and created a slight negative bias in symmetrical phenotypic distributions. <i>Conclusions:</i> Winsorizing can improve the power of QTL detection with certain non-normal distributions but can also introduce bias into the estimate of the QTL effect.
Angiotensin Actions on the Isolated Rat Uterus during the Estrous Cycle: Influence of Resting Membrane Potential and Uterine Morphology
Authors: Accorsi-Mendonça D. , Corrêa F.M.A. , Anselmo-Franci J.A. , Paiva T.B. , de Oliveira A.M. 
Published: April 2003

The involvement of AT<sub>1</sub> and AT<sub>2</sub> receptor subtypes in the response of the isolated rat uterus to angiotensin II (AngII) was studied throughout the estrous cycle. The AngII potency varied during the different estrous cycle phases, as indicated by significantly different pD<sub>2</sub> values. No significant differences were observed in AngII metabolism among different estrous phases. Morphological analysis indicated that external and internal myometrium layers were thicker during estrus. In addition, the highest resting membrane potential was also observed during this phase, when compared with the proestrus and diestrus phases. The AngII-induced uterine contractions were blocked by losartan. Different losartan pD<sub>2</sub> values were observed. PD123319 had no effect on the contractile response to AngII. The results also indicate that estrous cycle-dependent changes in AngII potency are correlated with uterine morphological and/or membrane potential changes.
Actigraph Analysis of Diurnal Motor Fluctuations during Dopamine Agonist Therapy
Authors: Katayama Soichi 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Generally, clinicians use rating scales or descriptive writing to characterize diurnal changes in motor signs and symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, these ratings are subjective and are not easily reproducible. <i>Objective:</i> To examine the usefulness of actigraphy as an objective indicator of akinesia by long-term, continuous measurement of limb motor activity (MA), visualize 24-hour circadian profiles of akinesia, and quantitatively detect cabergoline (CBG) efficacy in both hospitalized patients and outpatients with Parkinson’s disease. <i>Methods:</i> MA was continuously recorded with a wrist-worn activity monitor (actigraph) in 29 hospitalized PD patients without tremor or abnormal involuntary movements. In another series consisting of 8 outpatients, the response duration of CBG was measured by using averaged actigraphy. <i>Results:</i> By averaging data gathered every 24 h over several days, it was possible to quantify the circadian patterns of akinesia. These cumulative evaluations of the patients’ motor status determined 4 types of akinesia: (1) a wearing-off pattern seen in advanced efficacy stages, (2) stable response, (3) afternoon akinesia, and (4) morning akinesia. Following CBG therapy, the MA increased significantly throughout the daytime, i.e.: by 40% in the morning (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon), by 60% in the afternoon (12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.), and by 60% in the next early morning (from time to get up until 8:00 a.m.). <i>Conclusion:</i> In averaged motor activity, the charting of cumulative evaluations of motor status revealed the long-acting efficacy of CBG in ameliorating existing motor fluctuations throughout the daytime and even promoting sleep benefit in the next morning. Averaged actigraphy is considered to be useful in the quantitative detection of drug responses to parkinsonian akinesia and its circadian variations. This enables titration of the lowest dose of drugs needed to alleviate akinesia.
Ischaemic Hepatitis in the Elderly
Authors: Rashed Khalid A. , McNabb W. Robin , Lewis Roger R. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Ischaemic hepatitis is centrilobular necrosis which is usually associated with an acute cardiovascular event and in a general hospital setting has been considered to be a rare condition. It is though thought to be frequently unrecognized, which is important as it has implications for both investigations and drug therapy. Previous reports have not focused on the elderly. <i>Objectives:</i> (1) To determine the incidence of ischaemic hepatitis in elderly patients admitted to a Department of Geriatric Medicine and (2) to assess both the clinical and biochemical features of the condition. <i>Methods:</i> 1,905 elderly patients (1,270 F, 635 M) admitted consecutively to our department over a 2-year period were assessed prospectively. All were aged ≧65 years (mean 78, range 65–98). Ischaemic hepatitis was diagnosed by a rapid development of abnormal liver function tests of hepatocellular type in acutely ill patients in whom a fall in blood pressure occurred and other causes of liver dysfunction were excluded. The admission, lowest and subsequent blood pressures were recorded. Daily renal and liver function tests, including prothrombin times, were measured during the acute illness. <i>Results:</i> Nineteen patients (1%) developed ischaemic hepatitis. The clinical picture was dominated by the causal condition, the commonest being left ventricular failure (12 patients). The mean fall in systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were 61, 44 and 48 mm Hg, respectively. Within 3 days the alanine aminotransferase increased to more than 5 times normal and there were marked elevations of the lactic dehydrogenase. In those who survived, the liver enzymes returned to normal within 7–22 days (mean 13). The prothrombin time was prolonged to >20 s in 6 patients (32%). Six patients died, 5 from left ventricular failure; the mean creatinine in 5 of those who died was 244 µmol/l (range 174–355) and in each the urea was >25 µmol/l. <i>Conclusion:</i> Ischaemic hepatitis is an uncommon but not rare condition in elderly patients admitted acutely to a Department of Geriatric Medicine. There was a dramatic rise in liver enzymes which in survivors returned to normal within 3 weeks. Clinical features were dominated by the causal condition and a third of the patients died.
Effects of Angiotensins II and IV on Blood Pressure, Renal Function, and PAI-1 Expression in the Heart and Kidney of the Rat
Authors: Abrahamsen Christian T. , Pullen Mark A. , Schnackenberg Christine G. , Grygielko Eugene T. , Edwards Richard M. , Laping Nicholas J. , Brooks David P. 
Published: April 2003

The role of angiotensin II (AII) and angiotensin IV (AIV) as inducers of PAI-1 expression during hypertension was studied in vivo. A 2-week infusion of AII (300 ng/kg/min) via an osmotic pump increased systolic blood pressure (171 ± 2 vs. 138 ± 6 mm Hg), urinary protein excretion (32 ± 6 vs. 14 ± 2 mg/day), and renal (2.2 ± 0.5 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1) and cardiac (1.8 ± 0.3 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1) gene expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). AIV infusion did not affect any of the above with the exception of PAI-1 gene expression which was increased in the left ventricles (1.7 ± 0.3 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1). AII-infused rats displayed a decreased creatinine clearance (538 ± 75 vs. 898 ± 96 ml/min) and hypertrophic left ventricles (0.275 ± 0.006 vs. 0.220 ± 0.011 g/100 g). Our results demonstrate that AII but not AIV infusion is associated with increased renal PAI-1 gene expression.
Induction of Lipoprotein Lipase Gene Expression in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Atorvastatin, a Cholesterol- and Triglyceride-Lowering Drug
Authors: Bey Lionel , Maigret Pascal , Laouenan Hervé , Hamilton Marc T. 
Published: April 2003

Atorvastatin is a drug of choice in the treatment of coronary heart disease, because this hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme reductase inhibitor significantly decreases plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, little is known about the underlying molecular targets of this drug. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL), an enzyme with multiple functions in non-hepatic lipid metabolism, may be a potential candidate and LPL gene expression may increase in response to a treatment with atorvastatin. In order to verify this hypothesis, mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were incubated with 1 and 10 µmol/l atorvastatin for 24 and 48 h and LPL mRNA concentration was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Our data indicated that atorvastatin increased LPL mRNA concentration by a time- and dose-dependent mechanism. LPL mRNA concentration was significantly increased by 82% with 10 µmol/l atorvastatin after 48 h. LPL mRNA concentration was 28% greater (not significant) than control with 10 µmol/l atorvastatin after 24 h. No increase was obtained with 1 µmol/l atorvastatin after 24 or 48 h. The first 976 nucleotides of rat LPL promoter were transfected in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Addition of 10 µmol/l atorvastatin for 48 h resulted in a 44% increase of rat LPL promoter activity. This study demonstrates for the first time that a statin can regulate LPL gene expression transcriptionally in preadipocytes.
Cross-Linked C-Terminal Telopeptide of Type I Collagen in Serum before and after Treatment with Alfacalcidol and Calcium Carbonate in Early and Moderate Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Przedlacki Jerzy , Trębicka Jadwiga , Bijak Krzysztof , Matuszkiewicz-Rowińska Joanna , Bogdańska-Straszyńska Barbara , Małecka Grażyna , Ostrowski Kazimierz 
Published: April 2003

The diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy (RO) in chronic renal failure (CRF) in everyday practice depends on noninvasive methods. Still there is no widely accepted bone resorption marker in RO. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation of serum cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (s-CTx) as the resorption marker with clinical and biochemical data and to evaluate s-CTx level changes after treatment with low dose of alfacalcidol and calcium carbonate. Sixty patients (36 men and 24 women) with creatinine serum level 3.0 ± 1.5 mg% were examined. The result of s-CTx was normal in 27 patients and increased in 33. There was a significant positive correlation of s-CTx and serum creatinine (p < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase activity (p < 0.05) and duration of CRF (p < 0.05) in men and serum creatinine (p < 0.001) and phosphorus (p < 0.05) in postmenopausal women. Patients with increased s-CTx had significantly higher serum creatinine (p < 0.001), phosphorus (p < 0.01), alkaline phosphatase activity (p < 0.001) and longer duration of CRF (p < 0.001) than patients with normal s-CTx. Next, 25 patients were treated for 6 months with alfacalcidol in dose of 0.25 µg every other day and calcium carbonate in dose of 3.0 µg per day and 25 patients with calcium carbonate only. There was a statistically significant decrease of s-CTx in both groups of patients (p < 0.01). We conclude, that in patients with CRF, s-CTx can be taken as the marker of bone resorption changes after treatment of RO but the value of s-CTx as a diagnostic marker in these patients ought to be evaluated in comparison with histomorphometry.
Detrimental Effects of Nicotine and Endotoxin in the Newborn Piglet Brain during Severe Hypoxemia
Authors: Frøen J. Frederik , Amerio Giulia , Stray-Pedersen Babill , Saugstad Ola Didrik 
Published: April 2003

Hypoxia-ischemia is a major cause of perinatal brain damage, but evidence shows that brain injury also is associated with intrauterine infections and maternal smoking. The mechanisms are not known, and we therefore explored the effects of experimental inflammation or nicotine on perinatal brain metabolism and injury during severe hypoxemia. Twenty-eight 1-week-old piglets were anesthetized and instrumented with microdialysis probes in the striatum and brainstem. We studied three pretreatment groups: (1) 20 µg/kg i.v. nicotine (n = 9); (2) 1 µg/kg i.v. endotoxin from <i>Escherichia coli</i> (n = 11), or (3) control (n = 8). The piglets were subsequently exposed to 30 min of hypoxemia (6% O<sub>2</sub>). In order to minimize any ischemic component and increase survival, this was abrupted for 1 min if blood pressure fell to 30 mm Hg. During hypoxemia, both the pretreatment with endotoxin and nicotine induced higher levels of extracellular lactate and peak lactate/pyruvate ratio compared with controls (54.7 ± 9.6 (p < 0.01) and 65.2 ± 13.1 (p < 0.02) vs. 15.9 ± 7.4, respectively), reflecting a deterioration of the metabolic status in these groups. The two pretreated groups reached significantly higher peak levels of extracellular glycerol (30.9 ± 4.1 vs. 77.9 ± 12.7 and 89.4 ± 14.2 µmol/l, respectively, p = 0.01), indicating a higher level of cellular membrane disintegration or leakage. In addition, 3 endotoxin piglets and 4 nicotine piglets died during reoxygenation, while all controls survived (p = 0.13 and p < 0.04, respectively). Mortality was associated with a rise in extracellular glutamate at the end of hypoxemia/start reoxygenation (p = 0.02). These findings contribute in explaining how nicotine and inflammatory response to bacterial toxins could act as cofactors for hypoxic-ischemic neurologic injury in the immature brain.
Long-Term Postural Abnormalities in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Giacomini Pier Giorgio , Alessandrini Marco , Magrini Antonio 
Published: April 2003

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder in which patients suffer from acute rotatory vertigo due to the presence of free otoconial debris migrating into one or more semicircular canals during head movements and resulting in abnormal stimulation of the ampullary crest. A prolonged loss of equilibrium of unclear origin is also present. Static posturography is a useful tool for the study of postural control systems and their role in these abnormalities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of body sway and long-term instability of BPPV patients by posturography frequency analysis. Twenty patients with canalithiasis of the posterior semicircular canal and 20 normal controls were subjected to static posturography. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Patients were tested 1 h after diagnosis, and 3 days and 12 weeks after the characteristic Epley repositioning maneuver. Patients with BPPV showed significantly increased body sway both on lateral (X) and anteroposterior (Y) planes compared to normal subjects. Corporal oscillation with a broad-frequency spectrum was observed in both closed and open eye tests. The repositioning maneuver decreased the X plane body sway, while the anteroposterior sway was unchanged. Twelve weeks after treatment, a normalization of the anteroposterior sway was observed. Results of this study suggest that the long-term postural disturbance associated with BPPV differs from the acute disequilibrium that subsides after canalith repositioning: the former is a sagittal plane/broad spectrum body sway, while the latter is primarily a frontal plane/low frequency sway. The Epley maneuver was shown to reduce frontal sway, a postural abnormality that might therefore be linked to posterior semicircular canal function. Conversely, the observed sagittal body sway was only partially relieved by the restoration of canal function, and therefore, may be more related to the chronic dizziness observed in these patients.