bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involvement of molecular mimicry between human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 gp46 and osteoprotegerin in induction of hypercalcemia
Authors: Sagara Yasuko , Inoue Yukiko , Sagara Yasuhiro , Kashiwagi Seizaburo
Published: January 2009

Human T‐cell leukemia virus type‐1 (HTLV‐1) causes adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), frequently associated with hypercalcemia and bone destruction. A positive correlation between the appearance of an antibody recognizing the central region (Asp197 to Leu216) on Gp46, gp46‐197, and the severity of ATL has been demonstrated. In this study, five male Nihon Hakusyoku rabbits were immunized with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the gp46‐197 region to clarify its action and mechanism. Two of the rabbits showed piloerection, anorexia, and somnolence, and died soon after booster administration. The serum calcium level of the dead rabbits was significantly high, compared to those of surviving rabbits. Interestingly, amino acid sequences homologous with gp46‐197 were found in the carboxyl‐terminal half of osteoprotegerin (OPG), an osteoclast inhibitory factor. To confirm the effect of the gp46‐197 region on osteogenesis in vivo, the peptide was intraperitoneally administered to male Sprague‐Dawley rats. The administration of the gp46‐197 peptide resulted in a decrease of bone mineral density (BMD), a significant increase of serum calcium level, and inhibition of normal bone growth in both short‐ and long‐term experiments. In rats, femoral growth inhibition by the gp46‐197 peptide was restored by the coadministration of recombinant human OPG. Improvement by OPG in the adverse effect indicates that the central region of HTLV‐1 Gp46 acts as an antagonist for OPG and leads to hypercalcemia. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 490–496)
Progress towards the understanding and control of sugar beet rhizomania disease
Authors: MCGRANN GRAHAM R. D. , GRIMMER MICHAEL K. , MUTASA‐GÖTTGENS EFFIE S. , STEVENS MARK
Published: January 2009

Rhizomania is a soil‐borne disease that occurs throughout the major sugar beet growing regions of the world, causing severe yield losses in the absence of effective control measures. It is caused by Beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV), which is transmitted by the obligate root‐infecting parasite Polymyxa betae. BNYVV has a multipartite RNA genome with all natural isolates containing four RNA species, although some isolates have a fifth RNA. The larger RNA1 and RNA2 contain the housekeeping genes of the virus and are always required for infection, whereas the smaller RNAs are involved in pathogenicity and vector transmission. RNA5‐containing isolates are restricted to Asia and some parts of Europe, and these isolates tend to be more aggressive. With no acceptable pesticides available to restrict the vector, the control of rhizomania is now achieved almost exclusively through the use of resistant cultivars. A single dominant resistance gene, Rz1, has been used to manage the disease worldwide in recent years, although this gene confers only partial resistance. More recently, new variants of BNYVV have evolved (both with and without RNA5) that are able to cause significant yield penalties on resistant cultivars. These isolates are not yet widespread, but their appearance has resulted in accelerated searches for new sources of resistance to both the virus and the vector. Combined virus and vector resistance, achieved either by conventional or transgenic breeding, offers the sugar beet industry a new approach in its continuing struggle against rhizomania.
TheMagnaporthe griseaclass VII chitin synthase is required for normal appressorial development and function
Authors: ODENBACH DOMINIK , THINES ECKHARD , ANKE HEIDRUN , FOSTER ANDREW J.
Published: January 2009

The plant pathogenic fungusMagnaporthe griseais able to enter its host via appressorium‐mediated penetration. Earlier investigations have shown that these infection structures are rich in the cell wall polysaccharide chitin. Previously, we have described how the transcription of a class VII chitin synthase‐encoding geneCHS7is completely dependent on the putative transcription factor Con7p during the germination of conidia, and howcon7−mutants are unable to form appressoria under any conditions tested. Because of the pleiotropic effects of thecon7−mutation, we examined the consequences of the targeted deletion ofCHS7. Thechs7−mutants generated were unable to form appressoria on artificial surfaces, except following the application of the exogenous inducers 1,16‐hexadecanediol and cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The appressoria formed had a reduced chitin content and were often found to be smaller and misshapen compared with the wild‐type.chs7−mutants were significantly reduced in their ability to enter rice plants, but growthin plantawas not affected. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated thatCHS7transcription was strongly induced on germination of spores, and a green fluorescent protein‐tagged Chs7p protein was found to be produced abundantly during infection‐related morphogenesis. Together, these data suggest that the class VII chitin synthase Chs7p ofM. griseais required for normal appressorium formation and function.
Histopathological and molecular features of persistent polyclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (PPBL) with progressive splenomegaly
Authors: Del Giudice Ilaria , Pileri Stefano A. , Rossi Maura , Sabattini Elena , Campidelli Cristina , Starza Irene Della , De Propris Maria S. , Mancini Francesca , Perrone Maria P. , Gesuiti Paola , Armiento Daniele , Quattrocchi Luisa , Tafuri Agostino , Amendola Angela , Mauro Francesca R. , Guarini Anna , Foà Robin
Published: January 2009

Five cases of persistent polyclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (PPBL) with progressive splenomegaly are reported; three were splenectomized. BCL2/IGH rearrangements were found in three cases; HLA‐DRB1*07 in all. Bone marrow (BM) trephines showed a moderate lymphoid infiltrate with intrasinusoidal distribution resembling a splenic marginal‐zone lymphoma. Splenic white pulp revealed an enlargement of the marginal‐zone area; red pulp was infiltrated by the same lymphocytes engulfing the sinuses. Splenic and BM B‐lymphocytes were CD79a+/CD20+/IgM+/IgD+/bcl‐2+/CD27+/DBA.44−/CD31− and polyclonal by immunophenotype/polymerase chain reaction. PPBL features an expansion of splenic marginal‐zone B‐lymphocytes, which infiltrate BM sinusoids and circulate in the blood with no evidence of clonality, even in cases with progressive splenomegaly.
Children's drawings as a self‐report measurement
Authors: Hamama Liat , Ronen Tammie
Published: January 2009

The present exploratory paper addresses school‐aged children's assessments of treatment outcomes using drawing as a self‐report measure with usefulness for assessment and therapy. The process of using drawing in therapy can provide information on how a particular child perceives and conceives his or her own world. Examples are presented of drawings by three children with oppositional defiant disorder aged 10–11 years who participated in group intervention aiming to reduce aggressive behaviour. All three were asked to draw themselves twice on the same day at the end of treatment: (1) a retrospective drawing of themselves as they had been at the beginning of intervention; and (2) a drawing of themselves as they were now, after intervention. Children then described what they had drawn, revealing the change they perceived. Drawing as a self‐report measure added information regarding: the child's ability for self‐awareness; the link between thoughts, emotions and behaviours; and the process of change.
hnRNP K interacts with RNA binding motif protein 42 and functions in the maintenance of cellular ATP level during stress conditions
Authors: Fukuda Toshiyuki , Naiki Takahiro , Saito Marie , Irie Kenji
Published: January 2009

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) is a conserved RNA‐binding protein that is involved in multiple processes of gene expression, including chromatin remodeling, transcription, RNA splicing, mRNA stability and translation, together with diverse groups of molecular partners. Here we identified a previously uncharacterized protein RNA binding motif protein 42 (RBM42) as hnRNP K‐binding protein. RBM42 directly bound to hnRNP K in vivo and in vitro. RBM42 also directly bound to the 3′ untranslated region of p21 mRNA, one of the target mRNAs for hnRNP K. RBM42 predominantly localized within the nucleus and co‐localized with hnRNP K there. When cells were treated with agents, puromycin, sorbitol or arsenite, which induced the formation of stress granules (SGs), cytoplasmic aggregates of stalled translational pre‐initiation complexes, both hnRNP K and RBM42 localized at SGs. Depletion of hnRNP K by RNA interference decreased cellular ATP level following release from stress conditions. Simultaneous depletion of RBM42 with hnRNP K enhanced the effect of the hnRNP K depletion. Our results indicate that hnRNP K and RBM42 are components of SGs and suggest that hnRNP K and RBM42 have a role in the maintenance of cellular ATP level in the stress conditions possibly through protecting their target mRNAs.
Crystal structure of the Bach1 BTB domain and its regulation of homodimerization
Authors: Ito Nobutoshi , Watanabe‐Matsui Miki , Igarashi Kazuhiko , Murayama Kazutaka
Published: January 2009

The BTB/POZ domain is known as a protein–protein interaction motif that mediates homodimer and higher order self‐associations. Proteins containing the BTB domain exist throughout eukaryotes; however, there is little information about the mechanism that determines the oligomeric state of the BTB domain. To address this question, we have determined the X‐ray structure of the mouse Bach1 BTB domain. The present structure is similar to the previously determined BTB domain folds, including the human Bach1 BTB domain; however, distinct structural features are present, such as a novel homodimer interaction surface. The homodimer formation was found to involve a novel hydrogen bond network and interactions between hydrophobic surfaces of the kinked N‐terminus (N‐hook) and the partner's C‐terminal residues. The deletion of the N‐hook resulted in the conversion of the homodimer into a monomer in solution, indicating that the N‐hook promotes the homodimerization of the mBach1 BTB domain. We have also found that the BTB domain of Bach2, a protein highly related to Bach1, is present as a monomer due to a short peptide insertion at the N‐hook. These results represent the first example of the key modulatory element of BTB domain homodimerization.
Regularized derivatives of potential fields and their role in semi‐automated interpretation methods
Authors: Pašteka R. , Richter F.P. , Karcol R. , Brazda K. , Hajach M.
Published: January 2009

Evaluation of higher derivatives (gradients) of potential fields plays an important role in geophysical interpretation (qualitative and/or quantitative), as has been demonstrated in many approaches and methods. On the other hand, numerical evaluation of higher derivatives is an unstable process – it has the tendency to enlarge the noise content in the original data (to degrade the signal‐to‐noise ratio). One way to stabilize higher derivative evaluation is the utilization of the Tikhonov regularization. In the submitted contribution we present the derivation of the regularized derivative filter in the Fourier domain as a minimization task by means of using the classical calculus of variations. A very important part of the presented approach is the selection of the optimum regularization parameter – we are using the analysis of the C‐norm function (constructed from the difference between two adjacent solutions, obtained for different values of regularization parameter). We show the influence of regularized derivatives on the properties of the classical 3D Euler deconvolution algorithm and apply it to high‐sensitivity magnetometry data obtained from an unexploded ordnance detection survey. The solution obtained with regularized derivatives gives better focused depth‐estimates, which are closer to the real position of sources (verified by excavation of unexploded projectiles).
The use of domination and legitimation in information systems implementation
Authors: Hussain Zahid I. , Cornelius Nelarine
Published: January 2009

In this paper, we present the results of a longitudinal case study on information systems (IS) implementation conducted in a community healthcare organization. Using structuration theory as a sensitizing framework, we highlight how the information technology (IT) Management improved their influence through gaining legitimation from other organizational stakeholders, and how the nature of this evolved over time. Our results highlight how an appropriate, sophisticated use of what Giddens refers to as the duality of structure contributed to the consolidation of the IT Manager's credibility and authority. We also report on how the IT Management had most of their actions legitimated as an integral element of their actions. The results also highlight the distributed nature of power, such that even those at the lower end of organizational hierarchy were able to influence the success or failure of IS implementation.
Holliday junction formation by the Borrelia burgdorferi telomere resolvase, ResT: implications for the origin of genome linearity
Authors: Kobryn Kerri , Briffotaux Julien , Karpov Victor
Published: January 2009

Spirochetes of the genus Borrelia include the causative agents of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. They possess unusual, highly segmented genomes composed mostly of linear replicons with covalently closed hairpin telomeres. The telomeres are formed from inverted repeat replicated telomere junctions (rTels) by the telomere resolvase, ResT. ResT uses a reaction mechanism with similarities to that employed by the type IB topoisomerases and tyrosine recombinases. Here, we report that the relationship of ResT to the tyrosine recombinases extends to the ability to synapse‐replicated telomeres and to catalyse the formation of a Holliday junction. We also report that ResT can use asymmetrized substrates that mimic the properties of a recombination site for a tyrosine recombinase, to form Holliday junctions. We propose a model for how this explains the origin of genome linearity in the genus Borrelia.
The control of shoot branching: an example of plant information processing
Authors: LEYSER OTTOLINE
Published: January 2009

Throughout their life cycle, plants adjust their body plan to suit the environmental conditions in which they are growing. A good example of this is in the regulation of shoot branching. Axillary meristems laid down in each leaf formed from the primary shoot apical meristem can remain dormant, or activate to produce a branch. The decision whether to activate an axillary meristem involves the assessment of a wide range of external environmental, internal physiological and developmental factors. Much of this information is conveyed to the axillary meristem via a network of interacting hormonal signals that can integrate inputs from diverse sources, combining multiple local signals to generate a rich source of systemically transmitted information. Local interpretation of the information provides another layer of control, ensuring that appropriate decisions are made. Rapid progress in molecular biology is uncovering the component parts of this signalling network, and combining this with physiological studies and mathematical modelling will allow the operation of the system to be better understood.
Physiology and proteomics of the water‐deficit stress response in three contrasting peanut genotypes
Authors: KOTTAPALLI KAMESWARA RAO , RAKWAL RANDEEP , SHIBATO JUNKO , BUROW GLORIA , TISSUE DAVID , BURKE JOHN , PUPPALA NAVEEN , BUROW MARK , PAYTON PAXTON
Published: January 2009

Peanut genotypes from the US mini‐core collection were analysed for changes in leaf proteins during reproductive stage growth under water‐deficit stress. One‐ and two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (1‐ and 2‐DGE) was performed on soluble protein extracts of selected tolerant and susceptible genotypes. A total of 102 protein bands/spots were analysed by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI–TOF MS) and by quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry (Q‐TOF MS/MS) analysis. Forty‐nine non‐redundant proteins were identified, implicating a variety of stress response mechanisms in peanut. Lipoxygenase and 1l‐myo‐inositol‐1‐phosphate synthase, which aid in inter‐ and intracellular stress signalling, were more abundant in tolerant genotypes under water‐deficit stress. Acetyl‐CoA carboxylase, a key enzyme of lipid biosynthesis, increased in relative abundance along with a corresponding increase in epicuticular wax content in the tolerant genotype, suggesting an additional mechanism for water conservation and stress tolerance. Additionally, there was a marked decrease in the abundance of several photosynthetic proteins in the tolerant genotype, along with a concomitant decrease in net photosynthesis in response to water‐deficit stress. Differential regulation of leaf proteins involved in a variety of cellular functions (e.g. cell wall strengthening, signal transduction, energy metabolism, cellular detoxification and gene regulation) indicates that these molecules could affect the molecular mechanism of water‐deficit stress tolerance in peanut.
The allergic sensitization in infants with atopic eczema from different countries
Authors: De Benedictis F. M. , Franceschini F. , Hill D. , Naspitz C. , Simons F. E. R. , Wahn U. , Warner J. O. , De Longueville M. ,   on behalf of the EPAAC Study Group
Published: January 2009

Background:  No study has compared allergic sensitization patterns in infants with atopic eczema from different countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of allergic sensitization in a cohort of infants with atopic eczema participating in a multicentre, international study.

Methods:  Two thousand one hundred and eighty‐four infants (mean age 17.6 months) with atopic eczema from allergic families were screened in 94 centres in 12 countries to participate in a randomized trial for the early prevention of asthma. Clinical history, Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis Index, measurements for total serum IgE and specific IgE antibodies to eight food and inhalant allergens were entered into a database before randomization to treatment. A history of type of feeding in the first weeks of life and exposure to animals was recorded.

Results:  A total of 52.9% of the infants had raised total IgE, and 55.5% were sensitized to at least one allergen. There was a wide difference in the total IgE values and in the sensitization rates to foods and aeroallergens among infants from different countries. The highest prevalence rates of allergen‐sensitized infants were found in Australia (83%), the UK (79%) and Italy (76%). Infants from Belgium and Poland consistently had the lowest sensitization rates. In each country, a characteristic pattern of sensitization was found for aeroallergens (house dust mite > cat > grass pollen > Alternaria), but not for food allergens.

Conclusions:  In infants with atopic eczema, there is a wide variation in the pattern of allergic sensitization between countries, and data from one country are not necessarily generalizable to other countries.
Benzylpenicillin skin testing is still important in diagnosing immediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins
Authors: Romano A. , Bousquet‐Rouanet L. , Viola M. , Gaeta F. , Demoly P. , Bousquet P.‐J.
Published: January 2009

Background: The fact that both Hollister‐Stier and Allergopharma ceased the production of penicilloyl‐polylysine (PPL) and minor determinant mixture (MDM) in 2004 is severely hampering the diagnosis of β‐lactam hypersensitivity and may produce negative consequences.

Objective: To assess the contribution of skin testing with benzylpenicillin to the diagnosis of immunoglobulin E‐mediated hypersensitivity to penicillins, in order to determine how much such testing could compensate for PPL and MDM unavailability.

Methods: We selected patients with histories of immediate reactions to penicillins and positive results to skin tests for one or more penicillin reagents (PPL, MDM, or benzylpenicillin), one or more semi‐synthetic penicillins (ampicillin, amoxicillin, or piperacillin), or both.

Results: A total of 300 patients were selected, 105 in the French center and 195 in the Italian centers. Amoxicillin and ampicillin were the main responsible drugs. The most common clinical manifestation was anaphylaxis. The reagents most frequently positive to skin tests were amoxicillin (188, 62.7%), ampicillin (151, 50.3%), and benzylpenicillin (111, 37.0%). Among the 300 subjects, 113 (37.7%) were positive only to semi‐synthetic penicillins, 109 (36.3%) to both semi‐synthetic penicillins and the classic penicillin reagents, and 78 (26.0%) only to the latter. In the last group, 64 (21.3% of the 300 subjects) were positive only to PPL and/or MDM and 14 (4.7%) to benzylpenicillin, of whom 8 (2.7%) were positive only to the latter.

Conclusions: Skin testing with benzylpenicillin can partially compensate for PPL and MDM unavailability. Moreover, it can slightly increase the allergologic workup’s sensitivity and therefore reduce the number of potentially dangerous challenges.
Variants within protectin (CD59) and CD44 genes linked to an inherited haplotype in a family with coeliac disease
Authors: Vidal C. , Borg J. , Xuereb‐Anastasi A. , Scerri C. A.
Published: January 2009

Coeliac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder characterised by inflammation, villous atrophy and hyperplasia of the small intestinal mucosa that affects genetically susceptible individuals. A genome‐wide scan was performed in 17 family members with high incidence of CD. Highest nonparametric linkage (NPL) and logarithm of odds (LOD) scores were of 6.21 (P = 0.0107) and 2.57, respectively, to a region on chromosome 11p13‐12. Following fine mapping, NPL and LOD scores did not change, but the linkage interval on chromosome 11 was narrowed to a region that is approximately 50.94 cM from pTer. Two inherited haplotypes on chromosomes 11p13‐12 and 9q21 were observed in all affected members but not in the majority of clinically normal individuals. Sequencing of genes at region 11p13‐12 showed a number of sequence variants, two of which were linked with the inherited haplotype. One of these variants in the CD59 gene was found at a very low frequency in the population and could possibly affect pre‐messenger RNA splicing. This study is of particular importance for the identification of novel genes that might be responsible for CD other than human leukocyte antigen.
Blood Level of Marcaine® (LAC‐43) in Axillary Plexus Blocks, Intercostal Nerve Blocks and Epidural Anaesthesia
Authors: Yoshikawa K. , Mima T. , Egawa J.
Published: January 2009

The blood concentration of Marcaine® after axillary nerve blocks, intercostal nerve blocks and lumbar epidural anaesthesia was determined in man.

The blood concentration remained low when Marcaine was injected with adrenaline. Slow onset and long duration of anaesthesia coincided well with a slow increase to peak concentration, low peak concentration and slow decrease thereafter.

Nach der Vornahme von Nervblockaden, axillar und intercostal, sowie lumbalen Epiduralanaesthesien wurde die Blutkonzentration von Marcain beim Menschen bestimmt. Wenn Marcain gemeinsam mit Adrenalin injiziert worden war, blieb der Blutspiegel niedrig. Langsamer Wirkungseintritt und lange Dauer der Anaesthesie waren in guter Übereinstimmung mit dem lang‐samen Anstieg zur Höchstkonzentration, der niedrigen Höchstkonzentration und dem langsamen anschliessenden Abfall derselben.
Arterial Oxygen Tensions Preceding Surgery in Patients With Cardiovascular or Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Martinez Leonardo R. , Norlander Olof P.
Published: January 2009

Arterial oxygen tensions (PaO2) were measured pre‐operatively in 66 patients awaiting elective major intrathoracic or peripheral vascular surgery.

A wide range of (PaO2) levels was found within the group, and this was attributed to the direct influence of the age and physical status of the patients. The means of the values obtained were 80 mm Hg in patients of 45 years or under, and 74 mm Hg in those over 45 years of age. Equations of the lines were drawn to show the relationship between age and (PaO2) levels in the two groups.

We feel that it is possible to establish more realistic “normal” pre‐operative (PaO2) levels in patients in hospital awaiting surgery if careful attention is paid to the assignment of the subjects to groups according to their age and state of health.

Der arterielle Sauerstoffdruck (PaO2) wurde präoperativ bei 66 Patienten vor grösseren elektiven intrathorakalen oder peripheren Gefässoperationen bestimmt.

Die gefundenen Werte zeigten eine weite Streuung innerhalb der Gruppe, was auf den direkten Einfluss des Alters und des körperlichen Zustandes der Patienten zurückgeführt wurde. Bei den Patienten von 45 Jahren oder weninger lagen die Mittelwerte bei 80 mm Hg, bei denen oderhalb des 45. Lebensjahres bei 74 mm Hg. Es konnten lineare Gleichungen aufgestellt werden, die die Abhängigkeit zwischen Alter und Sauerstoffdruck in den beiden Gruppen zeigten.

Wir glauben, dass es möglich ware, etwas realistischere «normale» präoperative PaO2‐Werte für Patienten aufzustellen, die einer Operation entgegensehen, wenn darauf geachtet wird, dass die betreffenden Personen entsprechend ihrem Alter und Gesundheitszustand eingeordnet werden.
The Cardiovascular Effect of Propanidid (Epontol®)
Authors: Bernhoff Albert
Published: January 2009

The cardiovascular effect of the new ultrashort‐acting nonbarbituric intravenous anaesthetic agent propanidid (Epontol®) was investigated and compared with anaesthetically equipotent doses of methohexital (Brietal®) in open‐chest rabbits under pentobarbital anaesthesia. With the doses used, propanidid had a more distinct effect on myocardial contractile force, blood pressure and right atrial pressure than methohexital. The differences were statistically significant.

Die kardiovaskulären Wirkungen des neuen ultrakurzwirkenden intravenösen Anaesthetikums Propanidid (Epontol) wurden untersucht und mit gleich stark wirkenden Dosen von Methohexital an Kaninchen mit offenem Thorax unter Pentobarbitalanaesthesie verglichen. In den angewandten Dosierungen hatte Propanidid einen deutlichen Effekt auf die Kontraktionskraft des Myocards, den Blutdruck und den rechten Vorhofsdruck gegenüber Methohexital. Die Unterschiede waren statistisch signifikant.
Influence of Changes in Arterial PCO2 on Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebral Energy State during Hypothermia in the Rat
Authors: Hägerdal Magnus , Harp James R. , Siesjö Bo K.
Published: January 2009

In order to study the relationship between arterial PCO2 and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in hypothermia, the body temperature of artificially ventilated rats was decreased to 22d̀C, and changes in CBF were evaluated from arteriovenous differences in oxygen content (AVDO2) at PaCO2 values of 15, 30, 40 and 60 mm Hg. The results were compared to those obtained at normal body temperature (37d̀C) over the PaCO2 range 15–60 mm Hg. Separate experiments were performed to evaluate CBF and CMRO2 at 22d̀C and a PaCO2 of 15 mm Hg, using an inert gas technique for CBF. The tissue contents of phosphocreatine, ATP, ADP, AMP and lactate were measured in hypothermic animals at Paco2values of 15, 30 and 60 mm Hg.

The results showed that changes in CBF were of the same relative magnitude in hypothermia and normothermia when Paco2 was increased from about 35 to about 60 mm Hg. However, with a decrease in PaCO2 the reduction in CBF was much more pronounced in hypothermia, and at PaCO2 15 mm Hg CBF was less than 20 % of the value measured in normothermic and normocapnic animals. The results of the metabolite measurements gave no evidence of tissue hypoxia in spite of the pronounced reduction in CBF. Although the results demonstrate that the brain of a hypothermic animal is protected against the harmful effects of a lowered CBF, it may not warrant recommending hyperventilation in clinical cases of hypothermia, especially not in patients with arteriosclerosis or cerebrovascular diseases.
A Simple Technique for the Determination of the Ventilatory Response to Rising Arterial CO2Tensions, Suitable for Patients with Neurological Disorders
Authors: Brandt Lars , Granholm Lars , Thomson Dick
Published: January 2009

Patients with neurological disorders may have a reduced ventilatory response to a rising PaCO2. This is often unpredictable and may become apparent only when other complications, e.g. infections (pneumonia), occur or when the patient is subjected to general anaesthesia. This paper describes a simple method suitable for screening patients who may have an impaired capacity of eliminating CO2when stressed. Ventilatory changes were determined during the continuous recording of the CO2concentration in end‐tidal air in 20 healthy subjects, who were breathing first air and then gas mixtures containing 21% O2and 2.5 or 5% CO2. A prediction interval with 90 and 95% probability limits was constructed for healthy individuals. The normally expected change in minute ventilation per m2body surface area per change in PACO2(ΔVE/m2, l/min/ΔPACO2) for this technique is also given.
Patient Material in Multidisciplinary Intensive Care Units*
Authors: Dannert Friedrich , Hedstrand Ulf , Holmdahl Martin Hason
Published: January 2009

The patient material in the multidisciplinary intensive care unit of Uppsala University Hospital is compared with the material from a recently performed nation‐wide study on different intensive care units. A registration chart to record intensive care work and a time and motion study of nursing personnel are presented. It is concluded that such records are necessary to allow valid comparisons of the need for intensive care beds and personnel in hospitals of different sizes and degrees of specialization.
Thoracic Epidural Analgesia I‐A Double‐Blind Study between Bupivacaine and Etidocaine
Authors: Renck H. , Edström H.
Published: January 2009

A double‐blind comparison was made in 40 patients undergoing thoracic epidural analgesia with either bupivacaine 0.5 % or etidocaine 1.0 %, both with adrenaline 5 μg/ml. All patients were undergoing elective upper abdominal surgery. They were studied both pre‐ and postoperatively. The parameters measured were: onset time, segmental spread and duration of analgesia; and also systolic blood pressure, heart rate and peak expiratory flow rate. In respect of these parameters, no major differences were found between the two solutions under the conditions of the study. The overall results, however, differ in many respects to those found when these agents are used in lumbar epidural analgesia.
Splanchnic Oxygen Uptake in Relation to Systemic Oxygen Uptake During Postoperative Splanchnic Blockade and Postoperative Fentanyl Analgesia
Authors: Wiklund Lars
Published: January 2009

In 34 patients with gallbladder disease, but otherwise healthy, the systemic and splanchnic oxygen uptake were studied in connection with cholecystectomy. Postoperatively, 22 patients were given a posterior splanchnic blockade with 0.5 % plain lidocaine, and 12 were given fentanyl intramuscularly in a dose of 3.5 μg/kg b.w. Postoperatively, before the analgesic agent was administered, both the systemic and splanchnic oxygen uptake were increased by 40–50 %, the splanchnic fraction of the systemic oxygen uptake being the same as preoperatively. Following administration of fentanyl, as well as after splanchnic blockade, the systemic oxygen uptake decreased almost to the preoperative level. The splanchnic oxygen uptake, however, did not change after fentanyl administration but increased further significantly following splanchnic blockade. The splanchnic fraction of the systemic oxygen uptake increased rapidly after the blockade, while it incresased slowly after fentanyl administration.
The Influence of the Internal Compliance of a Respirator on the Alveolar Gas Distribution
Authors: Meier Amadeo , Baum Marcel
Published: January 2009

The occurrence of intrapulmonary redistribution “pendelfult” during the plateau phase of a respirator, with and without internal compliance, was studied in a lung‐model which simulated an obstructive inhomogeneity. Internal compliance was achieved by adding a flask, with a variable volume, to the patient circuit of a respirator which had a low compressible volume (Engström Care System ECS 2000, Jungner Instrument AB, Sweden). The amount of redistributed volume was found to be dependent upon the internal compliance. Without additional compressible volume, the ventilator produced up to 18 % redistribution, which under all conditions could be brought below the 1 % level when an internal compliance was introduced. A highly significant correlation between the amount of redistributed volume (pendelluft) and the discharge time‐constant of the plateau (rpl = C1 (RI + Rtr) could be established.

The results of mathematical considerations gained from an electrical analogue coincided with our experimental findings. From this, some consequences could be derived for the design of an internal compliance for use with a respirator.
Liver Function Following Repeated Anaesthesia Method of Study and Interim Results
Authors: Johnston S. B. , Fee J. P. H. , Black G. W. , Dundee J. W.
Published: January 2009

Preliminary analysis of a yet incomplete prospective study of liver enzyme changrs following anaesthesia shows less changes following repeated administration of enflurane than of halothane.
Enflurane or Halothane Anaesthesia for Patients with Cerebral Convulsive Disorders?
Authors: Opitz A. , Oberwetter W. D.
Published: January 2009

Of a total of 45 patients suffering from epilepsy, 29 received enflurane and 11 halothane anaesthesia, while 5 were given both agents successively during the same operative Procedure. EEGs recorded during anaesthesia were compared with the corresponding preoperative records taken while awake and during sleep. It was demonstrated that neither enflurane nor halothane exacerbates a pre‐existing susceptibility to seizure activity and that both these inhalation anaesthetics are suitable for cases suffering from cerebral convulsive disorders.
Effects of Enflurane on Splanchnic Circulation
Authors: Andreen M. , Irestedt L.
Published: January 2009

A brief summary of the anatomy and physiology of the splanchnic circulation is presented. The influence of 1 MAC enflurane anaesthesia on splanchnic circulation and oxygenation was studied in 10 dogs. Superior mesenteric arterial, portal venous and hepatic arterial blood flows decreased less than mean arterial blood pressure, due to reductions in superior mesenteric arterial, preportal vascular and hepatic arterial resistances. It is suggested that these reactions within the splanchnic circiilarion are mainly dependent on normal autoregulative responses elicited by the fall in blood pressure. Oxygen consumption of the preportal tissues and the liver was unchanged as a result of increased extraction of oxygen.
Compatibility of Enflurane and Adrenaline ‐Experiments in the Dog
Authors: Krivosic R. , Besse M. D. , Bosznai Z. , Moreau D.
Published: January 2009

Anaesthetised, intubated dogs were ventilated with 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5% enllurane and received adrenaline, 1.4 pg/kg/min, by intravenous infusion for 5 min. No further adrenaline was given if cardiac arrhythmias occurred. Depth of anaesthesia was controlled by measurement of enflurane levels in arterial blood by an original method. No relationship was observed between the inspired enflurane concentrations and the onset of cardiac arrhythmias.
Influence of Enflurane on Cerebral Blood Flow in Man
Authors: Rolly G. , Aken J. Van
Published: January 2009

Cerebral blood flow was measured by means of a 10‐channel cerebrograph in anesthe‐tised patients before and during 2% enfluranc. This investigation was carried out after carotid angiography; 2 3 mCi Xe133 was injected into the internal carotid artery. The clearance curves of Xel33 were captured by 10 scintillation counters. In addition to regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), arterial blood pressure, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output and arterial blood gases were measured in seven adult patients.

During 2% enflurane, a small, and in two regions a significant decrease in rCBF was observed. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate decreased significantly, but cardiac output did not. The decrease in PaCo2 was not significant.
Cardio‐Circulatory Effects of Enflurane Anesthesia in Health and Disease
Authors: Shimosato S. , Iwatsuki N. , Carter J. G.
Published: January 2009

The circulatory effects of enflurane (Ethranem) were studied in 10 unmedicated volunteers during anesthesia over a period of 90 min or more. Cardiac output did not change significantly at a mean alveolar concentration of 2.3 vol.% Heart rate was increased in all cases. Enflurane causes negative inotropic activity in the heart muscle but has little influence on the pump performance of the heart
Injection pain, intubating conditions and cardiovascular changes following induction of anaesthesia with propofol alone or in combination with alfentanil
Authors: SAARNIVAARA L. , KLEMOLA U‐M.
Published: January 2009

In a double‐blind study, propofol (P) 2–2. 5 mg‐kg‐1 preceded by saline (Sal) or alfentanil (A) 20–30 Hg kg‐1 was used for anaesthetic induction in 59 young patients of ASA physical class I or II, premedicated with oxycodone 0. 1 mg‐kg‐1 and atropine 0. 01 m. kg‐1 i. m. The patients were randomly allocated to one of the four groups: Group 1 Sal + P2. 5, Group 2 A20 + P2. 5, Group 3 A30 + P2. 5 and Group 4 A30 + P2. Pain on injection of propofol occurred in 67, 36 and 7% of the patients in the Sal + P2. 5, A20 + P2. 5 and A30 + P2 groups, respectively, but not at all in the A30 + P2. 5 group. Intubating conditions were assessed as good, moderate, poor or impossible on the basis of jaw relaxation, ease of insertion of the tube and coughing on intubation, each on a three‐point scale. In impossible cases, suxamethonium was used. In the Sal + P2. 5 group, the frequencies of good, moderate, poor and impossible intubating conditions were 0, 38, 8 and 54%, respectively. The corresponding figures in the A30 + P2. 5 group were 43, 46, 7 and 14% (P<0. 05 between the groups). The other groups did not differ significantly from the Sal + P2. 5 group. After injection of propofol, both systolic and diastolic arterial pressures decreased significandy in all other groups, with the exception of diastolic pressure in the Sal + P2. 5 group, whereas heart rate did not differ from the control level. After intubation, systolic arterial pressure increased statistically significantly in the Sal + P2. 5 and A30 + P2 groups and diastolic arterial pressure in all other groups with the exception of the A30 + P2. 5 group when compared with the corresponding preceding values. After intubation, heart rate decreased significantly in the A30 + P2. 5 and A30 + P2 groups. The mean QTc interval of the ECG was always in the normal range. It is concluded that the best method was the combination of alfentanil 30 Ug‐kg‐1 and propofol 2. 5 mg'kg“‘. It caused no pain on injection of propofol, offered satisfactory (good or moderate) intubating conditions in 79% of the patients and prevented the cardiovascular intubation response.
Long‐term intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine in “refractory” cancer pain. I. Results from the first series of 52 patients
Authors: SJÖBERG M. , APPELGREN L. , EINARSSON S. , HULTMAN E. , LINDER L. E. , NITESCU P. , CURELARU I.
Published: January 2009

Neither epidural (EDA) or intrathecal (IT) morphine nor EDA opiate + bupivacaine provides acceptable relief of some types of cancer pain, e. g. pain originating from mucocutaneous ulcers, deafferentation pain, continuous and intermittent visceral and ischaemic pain, and that occurring with body movement as a result of a fracture. To improve pain relief in such conditions, we gave combinations of morphine and bupivacaine through open IT‐catheters to 52 patients with “refractory”, severe (VAS 7–10 out of 10), complex cancer pain (Edmonton Stage‐3), for periods of 1–305 (median = 23) days. The efficacy of the treatment was estimated from: 1) daily dosage (intraspinal and total opiates, and intraspinal bupivacaine), and 2) scores of non‐opiate analgesic and sedative consumption, gait and daily activities, and amount and pattern of sleep. Forty‐four patients obtained continuous and acceptable pain relief (VAS 0–2), 26 of them with daily doses of IT‐bupivacaine of <30 mg/day (<1. 5 mg/h). Higher IT‐bupivacaine doses (>60–305 mg/day), not always giving acceptable pain relief, were necessary in 13 patients with deafferentation pain from the spinal cord or brachial or lumbosacral plexuses or pain from the coeliac plexus, or from large, ulcerated mucocutaneous tumours. By combining IT‐bupivacaine with IT‐morphine, it was possible to use relatively low IT‐morphine doses (10–25 mg/day during the first 2 months of treatment) in more than half of the patients. The IT‐treatment significantly decreased the total (all routes) opiate consumption and significandy improved sleep, gait and daily activities. For the whole period of observation (6 months), the IT‐treatment was assessed as adequate in 3. 8%, good in 23. 1%, very good in 59. 6% and excellent in 13. 5% of the cases. Adverse effects of the IT‐bupivacaine (paraesthesiae, paresis, gait impairment, urinary retention, anal sphincter disturbances and orthostatic hypotension) did not occur with doses of 2. 5–3. 0 mg/h (approx. 60–70 mg/day).
A comparison between morphine, meperidine and ketobemidone in continuous intravenous infusion for postoperative relief
Authors: ÖHQVIST G. , HALLIN R. , GELINDER S. , LANG H. , SAMUELSON S.
Published: January 2009

Morphine, meperidine and ketobemidone used in continuous i. v. infusion for postoperative pain relief were compared in a double‐blind, controlled, prospective study in 81 consecutive consenting adult patients after open‐heart surgery, with permission from the hospital ethics committee. During the first postoperative period, the infusion rates were fixed. Later on, when the infusion rate could be regulated according to individual patient needs, the variation in infusion rate was large, in accordance with earlier studies. No significant differences were demonstrated between the three analgesics with respect to efficacy of analgesia or side effects like shivering, nausea or vomiting. Respiratory depression following extubation was not observed. During shivering, there was a significant increase in the arterio‐mixed venous difference of oxygen in all groups. The amounts of opioids used were relatively small compared to amounts used in patients following abdominal surgery. When interviewed some days after surgery, 18/74 patients remembered moderate pain and 11 severe pain during the stay in the ICU.
Treatment of neck and shoulder pain in whip‐lash syndrome patients with intracutaneous sterile water injections
Authors: BYRN C. , BORENSTEIN P. , LINDER L.‐E.
Published: January 2009

Ten whip‐lash syndrome patients treated with intracutaneous triggerpoint injections with sterile water for pain relief were followed for 2 months. Pain intensity was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Eight patients became free from pain (VAS 0) and two patients improved to VAS 2 immediately after the treatment. Nine patients remained free from pain, three of them after one treatment, while six patients needed 2—4 treatments. One patient responded only a few hours after each of three treatments. Remarkably, with the relief of pain mobility was normalised in all patients. The method is suggested to be a first choice in the treatment of not only whip‐lash patients but also for most acute and chronic musculo‐skeletal triggerpoint pain syndromes.
Effects of mepivacaine, prilocaine and lidocaine on the induced constriction of the maxillofacial vasculature of the rat
Authors: PATEROMICHELAKIS S.
Published: January 2009

Infusions of mepivacaine 5 or 50 μg. min‐1and prilocaine 50 μg. min‐1for 10 min into the maxillofacial arterial vasculature of the anaesthetized rat curtailed significantly rises in infusion pressure induced by the administration of adrenaline via the same route. The effect of mepivacaine was significantly greater than that of prilocaine. Such anti‐constrictory action following intraluminal infusion, also shown by lidocaine in a previous study, contrasts with the variable (dilatory or constrictory) consequences of perivascular injections of the same local anaesthetics. Moreover, the equi‐constrictory effects of (a) 1. 10‐3IU felypressin and (b) 120 ng adrenaline were attenuated to the same extent by lidocaine 5 μg. min‐1for 10 min, demonstrating that the anti‐constrictory action of local anaesthetics is not specifically anti‐adrenergic as has been suggested previously.
Autotransfusion after open heart surgery: characteristics of shed mediastinal blood and its influence on the plasma proteases in circulating blood
Authors: KONGSGAARD U. E. , TøLLøFSRUD S. , BROSSTAD F. , ØVRUM E. , BJØRNSKAU L.
Published: January 2009

Fourteen patients undergoing open‐heart surgery received intermittent or continuous postoperative autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood (minimum 400 ml during 6 h after surgery) collected in the cardiotomy reservoir. Haemotologic variables and changes in the coagulation, fibrinolytic and plasma kallikrein‐kinin systems were investigated in the reservoir blood at the beginning and after 6 h of autotransfusion, and in patient blood during and after surgery and before and after autotransfusion. Autotransfusion volume ranged from 400 to 1200 ml per patient (median 482 ml). The reservoir blood had a median haemoglobin level of 93 and 74 g/1, a platelet count of 71 and 119times 109/1, and plasma haemoglobin level of 3110 and 4100 mg/1 before and after 6 h of autotransfusion, respectively: Further examination of the reservoir blood showed that it had undergone extensive coagulation and fibrinolysis as well as a moderate activation of the kallikrein‐kinin system. Despite these extensive alterations in the reservoir blood, no major change could be found in the circulating blood after autotransfusion, except for a moderate increase in plasma haemoglobin from 180 mg/1 to 430 mg/1. The clinical safety and simplicity of this technique were confirmed for autotransfusion of shed mediastinal blood up to 1200 ml.
Asymmetric onset of sympathetic blockade in epidural anaesthesia shows no relation to epidural catheter position
Authors: GIELEN M. J. M. , SLAPPENDEL R. , MERX J. L.
Published: January 2009

A radiological study was performed of the relation between onset of sympathetic blockade in lumbar epidural anaesthesia and the position of the epidural catheter. In 20 patients scheduled for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), the onset of sympathetic blockade after epidural anaesthesia (catheter insertion at the presumed level L2–L3, and injection of 20 ml prilocaine 2% with epinephrine 5 μg/ml) was objectively evaluated by photoplethysmography. The onset was asymmetrical in 18 patients, and symmetrical in only two. Just before the start of ESWL, the position of the epidural catheter was checked by radiography after injection of 0. 5 ml iohexol 300 mg/ml (Omnipaque® 300). The radiopaque contrast medium was found median (n = 2), right (n=7) and left (n=ll) of the midline. In only 9 patients was the earliest onset of sympathetic blockade correlated with the side of the catheter position, and thus no relation between catheter position and onset of sympathetic blockade was found.