3He MRI-based assessment of posture-dependent regional ventilation gradients in rats.

A recently developed method for quantitative assessment of regional lung ventilation was employed for the study of posture-dependent ventilation differences in rats. The measurement employed hyperpolarized (3)He MRI to detect the build-up of the signal intensity after increasing numbers of (3)He breaths, which allowed for computation of a regional ventilation parameter. A group of six anesthetized rats was studied in both supine and prone postures.

Contribution of defects in glucose uptake to carbohydrate intolerance in liver cirrhosis: assessment during physiological glucose and insulin concentrations.

It is well established that subjects with liver cirrhosis are insulin resistant, but the contribution of defects in insulin secretion and/or action to glucose intolerance remains unresolved. Healthy individuals and subjects with liver cirrhosis were studied on two occasions: 1) an oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and 2) insulin secretion was inhibited and glucose was infused in a pattern and amount mimicking the systemic delivery rate of glucose after a carbohydrate meal. Insulin was concurrently infused to mimic a healthy postprandial insulin profile.

Hyperthyroidism and cation pumps in human skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle constitutes the major target organ for the thermogenic action of thyroid hormone. We examined the possible relation between energy expenditure (EE), thyroid status, and the contents of Ca2+-ATPase and Na+-K+-ATPasein human skeletal muscle. Eleven hyperthyroid patients with Graves' disease were studied before and after medical treatment with methimazole and compared with eight healthy subjects.

Primary human glomerular endothelial cells produce proteoglycans, and puromycin affects their posttranslational modification.

This article describes the possible role of the endothelial cell-surface coat, containing proteoglycans (PGs) with connected glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), in maintaining glomerular permselectivity. Primary human glomerular endothelial cells (HGEC) in culture were treated with the nephrosis-inducing agent puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN). Analysis was made by TaqMan real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and by metabolic labeling with [(35)S]sulfate.

Identification and localization of sodium-phosphate cotransporters in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes of rat liver.

Hepatocytes and cholangiocytes release ATP into bile, where it is rapidly degraded into adenosine and P(i). In rat, biliary P(i) concentration (0.01 mM) is approximately 100-fold and 200-fold lower than in hepatocytes and plasma, respectively, indicating active reabsorption of biliary P(i).

Increased protein level of PEPT1 intestinal H+-peptide cotransporter upregulates absorption of glycylsarcosine and ceftibuten in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

In chronic renal failure (CRF), dietary protein is one of the factors that deteriorates residual renal functions. Numerous studies have indicated that the products of protein digestion are mainly absorbed as small peptides. However, how small peptides are absorbed in CRF remains poorly understood.

Echocardiographic parameters discriminating myocardial infarction with pulmonary congestion from myocardial infarction without congestion in the mouse.

Our aim was to establish parameters describing systolic and diastolic function in mice after myocardial infarction (MI) that distinguish MI with pulmonary congestion from MI without congestion. Echocardiography, left ventricular (LV) catheterization, and infarct size measurements were performed on days 3, 5, 7, and 14 after ligation of the left coronary artery in C57BL/6 mice. Sham-operated mice were used as controls (Sham).

Ergonomic aspects of five different types of laparoscopic instrument handles under dynamic conditions with respect to specific laparoscopic tasks: an electromyographic-based study.

Background: The ergonomic deficiencies of various minimally invasive surgery (MIS) instrument handles are well-known. In the past, many studies have been performed to gain a better understanding of ergonomics in MIS. The current study investigates muscle strain during various dynamic tasks with different instrument handles.

The prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems in institutionalized childcare clients.

The objective of the study was to investigate the gender-specific prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents in out-of-home childcare, compared with patients in child and adolescent psychiatric institutions. The total population of clients in residential childcare institutions in Oslo, Norway, was investigated by the use of standardized questionnaires (Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist and Youth Self Report) and compared to all same-aged patients residing in child and adolescent psychiatric institutions in the same area at the same time. Boys in residential childcare had emotional and behavioural problem levels comparable to boys in child and adolescent psychiatric institutions, as measured by the questionnaires.

Mechanics and hemodynamics of esophageal varices during peristaltic contraction.

Our hypothesis states that variceal pressure and wall tension increase dramatically during esophageal peristaltic contractions. This increase in pressure and wall tension is a natural consequence of the anatomy and physiology of the esophagus and of the esophageal venous plexus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate variceal hemodynamics during peristaltic contraction.

Rat intestinal ceramidase: purification, properties, and physiological relevance.

Neutral ceramidase activity has previously been identified in the intestinal mucosa and gut lumen and postulated to be important in the digestion of sphingolipids. It is found throughout the intestine but has never been fully characterized. We have purified rat intestinal neutral ceramidase from an eluate obtained by perfusing the intestinal lumen with 0.

Epinephrine infusion increases adipose interleukin-6 gene expression and systemic levels in humans.

Exercise increases IL-6 mRNA in subcutaneous adipose tissue; however, the immediate signal for the IL-6 induction is unknown. We, therefore, explored the possible role of epinephrine in the induction of IL-6 in adipose tissue. Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies and blood samples were obtained from eight healthy men (mean age 27 yr, mean height 184 cm, mean weight 83 kg) in response to epinephrine infusion or in response to saline infusion.

[Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in a child with complete immunisation].

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae b (Hib) diseases are rarely observed in children with vaccination against Hib. Immunisation of infants against Hib was introduced in the Czech Republic in 2001. The first case of meningitis with isolation of Hib in child immunised with Hib vaccine since starting routine vaccination is described.

[Clinical manifestations and treatment of Lyme disease].

Survey of criteria necessary to establish the diagnosis of Lyme disease according to its definitions by various organizations and institutions in the USA and Europe (European Union Concerted Action on Lyme Borreliosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society). In the discussion the authors present other possible clinical manifestations connected with the involvement of various organs. In the second part of their paper they describe patterns of therapy for individual forms of Lyme disease in Europe and the USA and their differences.

Homografts: a review.

Since their introduction into clinical practice in 1965 homografts have become established in clinical routine. The storing and sterilization procedures have been improved over time. Long-term results showed that homografts had a superior durability compared to xenogenic biological prostheses.

Pituitary control of lipoprotein and bile acid metabolism in male rats: growth hormone effects are not mediated by prolactin.

Previous studies have established that growth hormone (GH) has many important effects on the regulation of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. However, human GH (hGH) can also bind to prolactin receptors, eliciting prolactin receptor-mediated effects. In this study, we evaluated whether hGH can exert such responses in currently used animal models and whether prolactin affects lipoprotein and/or hepatic cholesterol metabolism.

Comparison of bone loss with changes of bone architecture at six different skeletal sites using measures of complexity.

We explore the structural deterioration of human bone tissue in osteoporosis as a model for bone loss in microgravity conditions. Measures of complexity are applied to quantify the structural composition of bone tissue at six different skeletal locations. The complexity of the bone architecture and the rate of its decay during the bone loss are analyzed and compared with each other at the different locations.

Altered expression of urea transporters in response to ureteral obstruction.

Urea plays an important role in the urinary concentrating capacity. Renal inner medullary (IM) urea transporter expression was examined in rats with bilateral (BUO) or unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). BUO (24 h) was associated with markedly increased plasma urea (42.

Programming of adult cardiovascular function after early maternal undernutrition in sheep.

The prenatal nutritional environment influences the subsequent risk of hypertension in adulthood. Animal studies have used, generally, the rat as a model species to illustrate the association between maternal nutrient intake and blood pressure in the resulting adult offspring. No study to date has shown programming of adult cardiovascular function in the sheep through maternal dietary intervention.

Effect of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia on the response of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and FFAs to low-dose endotoxemia in humans.

Insulin therapy to maintain euglycemia increases survival in critically ill patients. To explore possible mechanisms of action, we investigated the effect of endotoxin on circulating cytokines, free fatty acids (FFA), and leukocytes during manipulated plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Ten volunteers underwent three trials each, receiving an intravenous bolus of endotoxin (0.

Early release of neonatal ureteral obstruction preserves renal function.

The incidence of congenital hydronephrosis is approximately 1% and is often associated with renal insufficiency. It is unknown whether early release is essential to prevent deterioration of renal function. Rats were subjected to partial unilateral ureteral obstruction (PUUO) on postnatal day 2.

Role of liver-enriched transcription factors and nuclear receptors in regulating the human, mouse, and rat NTCP gene.

Hepatic uptake of bile acids is mediated by the Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP; SLC10A1) of the basolateral hepatocyte membrane. Several cis-acting elements in the rat Ntcp gene promoter have been characterized. However, little is known about the mechanisms that control the expression of the human or mouse NTCP/Ntcp.

Pathways to care and psychological problems of general practice patients in a "gate keeper" and an "open access" health care system: a comparison of Germany and the Netherlands.

Background: The comparison of different health care systems is one way to give empirical evidence to health care reform and policy. The differences between health care systems in which general practitioners serve as gate keepers in comparison to systems in which patients are free to contact every physician and specialist they like are a question of high interest.

Method: This study compares the Netherlands and Germany, two countries with very similar political, social, and health system structures, but different types of access to the health care system.

C/EBP transcription factors in the lung epithelium.

During recent years, the biological roles of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) in the lung have started to be uncovered. C/EBPs form a family within the basic region-leucine zipper class of transcription factors. In the lung epithelium C/EBPalpha, -beta, and -delta are expressed.