bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue-to-Blood Transport of Radiolabelled Immunoglobulin Injected into the Web Spaces of the Hands of Normal Subjects and Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphoedema
Authors: Pain S.J. , Barber R.W. , Ballinger J.R. , Solanki C.K. , Mortimer P.S. , Purushotham A.D. , Peters A.M.
Published: March 2004

Aim: The ability to return interstitial protein to central blood is key to the defence against oedema. The aim of this study was to quantify this ability by measuring the rate at which radiolabelled human immunoglobulin (HIgG) accumulated in blood following injection into the subcutis of the hand in normal volunteers and in patients with breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL). Methods: A total of 37 control subjects (healthy normal volunteers or breast cancer patients prior to treatment) and 18 women with BCRL were studied with dual-isotope lymphoscintigraphy. Each received bilateral subcutaneous depot injection in the dorsal web space of HIgG labelled with Tc-99m on one side and In-111 on the other. Activities remaining at the depot and accumulating in blood were measured at regular intervals for 3 h. Clearance from the depot was exponential and expressed as the rate constant kdepot (min–1). Accumulation in blood was essentially linear and, using an estimate of blood volume based on height and weight, was expressed as the linear constant bblood (% administered activity·min–1). The time axis intercept of this linear fit was recorded as an index of the minimum time to arrival of radioprotein in blood. The efficiency with which radioprotein that has left the depot (extra-depot activity) is transported into blood [tissue-to-blood (T-B) transport] was quantified (1) as the quotient bblood/kdepot, and (2) as a function of time after injection by comparing the total amount of radioprotein in blood at any time with the total amount of radioprotein that was no longer in the depot at the same time. Results: Tc-99m-HIgG and In-111-HIgG behaved similarly and are interchangeable. At all times between 60 and 180 min in controls, about 50% of protein that had left the depot was present in blood. T-B transport was reduced to about 20% in BCRL arms in which the hand was involved in swelling (p < 0.001 versus controls), but remained unchanged in patients in whom the hand was spared. The minimum time to arrival of radioprotein in blood was not reduced in BCRL; on the contrary, there appeared to be a small proportion of injected activity that arrived rapidly in blood in BCRL patients but not in controls. Conclusion: We conclude that T-B transport is only impaired in BCRL when radioprotein is injected into swollen tissue. Significant quantities of radioprotein may escape from the arm via local access to blood. Individual variation in this capacity may explain the regional sparing observed in BCRL.
Pentoxifylline Does Not Prevent Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Authors: Erdener Dilek , Bakirtas Figen , Alkanat Murat , Mutaf Isil , Habif Sara , Bayindir Oya
Published: March 2004

Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced intestinal injury plays a significant role in the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We experimentally explored the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on an NEC model. Twenty-one newborn rabbits were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (H/R) and group 3 (H/R + PTX). Five minutes of reoxygenation following 5 min of hypoxia was performed three times a day during 3 days. Before each H/R procedure in the H/R + PTX group, the rabbits were treated with PTX 25 mg/kg intraperitoneally. Animals were sacrificed on the third day and ileum samples were taken for histopathological examination and biochemical enzyme studies [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST)]. There was a significant difference in the grade and number of the intestinal lesions between controls and the H/R and H/R + PTX groups (p < 0.001), but no significant difference was found between the H/R and the H/R + PTX groups (p > 0.05). Intestinal SOD, GR and GST activities in the H/R and H/R + PTX groups were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference between the H/R and H/R + PTX groups (p > 0.05). Significantly reduced GPx activity was found in the H/R and H/R + PTX groups compared with the controls (p < 0.05). No significant difference in GPx activity existed between the H/R group and the H/R + PTX group (p > 0.05). Ischemia/reperfusion injury was responsible for mediating hypoxia-induced intestinal necrosis in NEC and PTX pretreatment did not have a protective effect on NEC.
Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Serum Creatinine Concentration in Patients with Chronic Renal Insufficiency Who Are Undergoing Coronary Angiography
Authors: Agrawal Malay , Wodlinger Anna M. , Huggins Chad E. , Tudor Gail E. , Pieper John A. , O’Reilly Kevin P. , Denu-Ciocca Cynthia J. , Stouffer George A. , Ohman E. Magnus
Published: March 2004

Background: Prior studies have produced conflicting results on whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduces the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CA). The dosing regimens of NAC in these studies seemed impractical for everyday clinical practice. Objective:We studied the effect of NAC, with a novel dosing strategy, on serum creatinine concentration (SCr), and the incidence of CIN, in patients who were undergoing CA and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Twenty-five subjects with baseline renal insufficiency who were undergoing CA and/or PCI were randomized to either NAC or placebo.The treatment schedule was 800 mg of NAC 12 h prior to angiography, 600 mg of NAC 2 h prior to angiography, and 600 mg of NAC 6 h after angiography or matching placebo. All subjects were hydrated with 1 ml/kg of 0.45% saline and received non-ionic contrast for angiography. The primary endpoint was change in SCr and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of CIN as defined by an increase of 0.5 mg/dl or 25% in SCr at 48 h. Results:The average SCr at enrollment was 1.7 mg/dl and average dye exposure was 171 ml. The average change in SCr in the NAC and placebo groups was 0.14 and 0.06 mg/dl, respectively (p = 0.60). The incidence of CIN was 18 and 14% in the NAC and placebo groups, respectively (p = 1.0). Conclusion: In this small study, there was no significant difference in the change inSCr nor the incidence of CIN in patients with baseline renal insufficiency undergoing CA and/or PCI who were treated with NAC or placebo.
Biliary Ascariasis as a Cause of Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome in an Endemic Area
Authors: Shah Omar Javed , Dar Manzoor Ahmad , Wani Nazir Ahmad , Robbani Irfan , Zargar Showkat A.
Published: March 2004

Background: Post-cholecystectomy syndrome encompasses numerous biliary, pancreatic and other entities. Biliary ascariasis is a common cause of adult biliary disease in an endemic area. Post-cholecystectomy biliary ascariasis, a cause of post- cholecystectomy syndrome although not yet defined is frequently seen in this part of the world. Method: Between Jan. 1990 and Jan. 2001, 104 cases of post-cholecystectomy biliary ascariasis were seen. Ultrasonography was found to be an excellent tool for diagnosing and monitoring of the worms inside the biliary tract. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography had both diagnostic and therapeutic value. Results: The majority (68.2%) of patients responded to conservative treatment. Surgical treatment was advocated in 18.2%, which included 2 patients with liver abscesses. Endoscopic extraction of worms was successful in 48.2%. Conclusion: Post-cholecystectomy biliary ascariasis as a cause of post-cholecystectomy syndrome needs to be included in the list of causes for post-cholecystectomy syndrome. Although the majority of patients respond to conservative treatment but endoscopic extraction or surgical intervention may be needed. Routine deworming of patients undergoing cholecystectomy both preoperatively and postoperatively should be done in all patients in endemic areas of ascariasis. Although this entity is rare in Europe and United States, due to population migration and increased travel, it is necessary for surgeons in these countries to be aware of this condition.
Common Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Patients with Brain Infarction and Intracerebral Haemorrhage
Authors: Vemmos Konstantinos N. , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Spengos Konstantinos , Papamichael Christos M. , Zakopoulos Nikolaos , Daffertshofer Michael , Lekakis John P. , Mavrikakis Myron
Published: March 2004

An increase in the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) is generally considered as an early marker of atherosclerosis and has been associated with a higher risk of stroke and myocardial infarction. There is no evidence of an association between the IMT and cerebral bleeding. We investigated cross-sectionally the diagnostic ability of vascular risk factors, including CCA-IMT, to distinguish between brain infarction (BI) and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Patients suffering from BI (n = 126) had significantly (p < 0.05) higher CCA-IMT when compared to the ICH population (n = 30). The multinomial logistic regression procedure selected CCA-IMT as an independent factor able to discriminate between BI and ICH. The risk of BI versus ICH increased continuously with increasing CCA-IMT. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors the odds ratio for BI per 0.1 mm CCA-IMT increase was 1.29 (95% CI: 1.03–1.61). The present results demonstrate the possible predictive power of non-invasive measurement of the CCA-IMT with respect to BI versus ICH and deserve further investigation.
What Is the Lowest Dose of Aspirin for Maximum Suppression of in vivo Thromboxane Production after a Transient Ischemic Attack or Ischemic Stroke?
Authors: Dippel Diederik W.J. , van Kooten Fop , Leebeek Frank W.G. , van Vliet Huub H.D.M. , Mehicevic Ajnira , Li Simon S.C. , Koudstaal Peter J.
Published: March 2004

Background: There is still worldwide disagreement about the optimal lowest dose of aspirin to be used in patients after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or nondisabling stroke. We measured the urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane-B2 (uTXB2) excretion to compare the degree of suppression of in vivo platelet activation by various low doses of aspirin. Methods: 60 patients were randomly allocated to treatment with either 30, 50, 75 or 325 mg of aspirin. All patients received a 413-mg loading dose of carbasalate calcium (equivalent to 325 mg of aspirin) on day 0. The study population was stratified into a subgroup with acute ischemic stroke (AIS; n = 20; onset of symptoms <48 h) and a subgroup with a recent TIA or minor stroke (TIA/mS; n = 40) with onset of symptoms beyond 30 days, but less than a year previously. Urine samples were collected on day 0, 1, 5, 11 and 28 in patients with AIS, and on day 0, 11 and 28 in the patients with a TIA/mS. Results: On day 28, mean uTXB2 levels were 241, 130, 217 and 187 pmol/mmol creatinine in the four treatment groups (ANOVA, p = 0.43). In the AIS subgroup, uTXB2 remained suppressed on days 5 and 11 in all except the patients with the lowest dose (mean uTXB2 on days 5 and 11: 475 and 392 pmol/mmol creatinine; log-transformed ANOVA, p = 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with a TIA or nondisabling stroke, a daily dose of 30 mg of aspirin provides sufficient suppression of thromboxane synthesis. No indication of a dose-effect relationship was found. However, whether such a low dose adequately suppresses thromboxane synthesis in patients with acute stroke is uncertain.
Incidence of Cerebral Hemorrhage in the Changsha Community
Authors: Yang Qi-Dong , Niu Qi , Zhou Yan-Hong , Liu Yun-Hai , Xu Hong-Wei , Gu Wen-Ping , Tian Fa-Fa , Xie Yi-Qun , Zhang Le , Xia Jian
Published: March 2004

Background and Purpose: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) constitutes an important subtype of stroke. In a prior study, we found that the city of Changsha, People’s Republic of China, not only had a high incidence of stroke, but also had almost the highest incidence of cerebral hemorrhage. To provide information for preventing and managing ICH, we undertook this study supervising and determining the annual first-ever average incidence of cerebral hemorrhage from 1986 to 2000 in Changsha. Methods: In January 1986, people from 6 well-defined communes in the Kai-fu district in Changsha were selected as the study population. Since 1991, we added another 18 well-defined communes of the same district. Data on these residents were obtained from the census register of the local administrative office. Persons who had a history of stroke were excluded from our study at the beginning. Every year, we checked up on the population and carried out door-to-door inquiries to verify the new cases of ICH and stroke. If the patients were diagnosed in hospital, as many as possible were examined with CT and/or MRI. The incidence rate adjusted to the World population in 1985 for age and sex, as well as the prevalence of risk factors were calculated. Results: An accumulative total of 551,163 people were supervised in 15 years (from 1986 to 2000); the annual average incidences of stroke and ICH were 236.6/100,000 (adjusted rate: 154.7) and 131.0/100,000 (adjusted rate: 73.1), respectively. From 1986 to 2000, the total annual average rate of stroke confirmed by CT and/or MRI in Changsha was 70.8%, and for ICH it was 64.7%. The incidences of stroke and ICH confirmed by image analysis were 167.5 (adjusted rate: 110.8) and 84.7 (adjusted rate: 55.1), respectively. The mean annual mortality rate of ICH was 78.3/100,000 (adjusted rate: 49.3) and that of stroke was 124.5/100,000 (adjusted rate: 97.0). The percentage of ICH among stroke cases was 55.4%. Among patients with ICH, 79.8% had hypertension, 30.6% had cardiovascular disease, 7.6% had diabetes mellitus, and 12.5% had an abnormal high level of lipid. Among patients with other subtypes of stroke apart from ICH, the percentages were 76.6, 40.6, 15.5, and 22.5%. Conclusions: The incidence of ICH in Changsha is very high, so is the proportion of ICH among all stroke cases. Changsha is an area with a high incidence of ICH in the world. Hypertension is the prominent risk factor. The study demonstrated the importance of ICH as a significant subtype of stroke.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Elderly Patients with Stroke
Authors: Ngeh Joseph , Gupta Sandeep , Goodbourn Colin , McElligott Geraldine
Published: March 2004

Background and Purpose: Previous studies have suggested certain infections as potential risk factors for stroke. Chlamydia pneumoniae, an atypical respiratory pathogen, has been linked to atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Mycoplasma pneumoniae, another atypical respiratory micro-organism, can rarely cause stroke. We investigated whether serological markers of M. pneumoniae infection were associated with acute stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in elderly patients. Methods: This case-control study was nested within the C-PEPS study – a case-control study on the seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae in elderly stroke and medical patients. Ninety-five incident cases of patients admitted consecutively with acute stroke or TIA, and 82 control subjects admitted concurrently with acute non-cardiopulmonary, non-infective disorders, were included in this study (both groups aged 65 years or older). Using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, the presence of M. pneumoniae immunoglobulins IgA, IgG and IgM in patients’ sera was determined. Results: The seroprevalence of M. pneumoniae IgA, IgG and IgM in the stroke or TIA group (median age = 80) were 79, 61 and 6%, respectively. In the control group (median age = 80), the seroprevalence of respective M. pneumoniae IgA, IgG and IgM were 84, 50 and 11%. Using a logistic regression statistical model, adjusting for history of hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, age and sex, history of ischaemic heart disease, and ischaemic electrocardiogram, the odds ratios of having a stroke or TIA in relation to M. pneumoniae IgA, IgG and IgM were 0.63 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26–1.52, p = 0.31), 1.32 (95% CI = 0.66–2.64, p = 0.43) and 0.52 (95% CI = 0.14–1.92, p = 0.32), respectively. Conclusions: The study showed a high seroprevalence of M. pneumoniae in an elderly hospital population, using ELISA. Although the study ruled out M. pneumoniae seropositivity as a major risk factor for stroke in this elderly population, a smaller effect could not be excluded due to the small sample size. Future larger studies may be required to determine the precise role of M. pneumoniae infection in the pathogenesis of different subtypes of ischaemic stroke, in all age groups, and in different ethnic populations.
The Prognostic Significance of Changes in Lesion Size of Established Cerebral Infarcts on Computed Tomography of the Brain
Authors: De Reuck J. , Paemeleire K. , van Marter G. , Goethals M.
Published: March 2004

Background: As a second part of our prospective study, we assessed the size of the infarct lesion on computed tomography (CT) of the brain at two fixed time points after stroke in order to investigate its influence on the clinical outcome. Methods: From 220 consecutive stroke patients, admitted within 24 h after onset with symptoms lasting more than 24 h, we selected 150 displaying an anterior circulation infarct or syndrome. All included patients had CT scans without contrast enhancement on day 3 (± 8 h) and on day 10 (± 8 h) after stroke onset. The size of the X-ray hypoattenuation zone was determined by superimposing the CT slices on digital cerebral vascular maps, on which the contours of the infarct area were delineated. The lesion size was expressed as the fraction of the total surface area of these digital cerebral maps. The patients were divided into four groups according to their degree of disability at 3 months on the modified Rankin (R) scale as follows : R 0–1, R 2–3, R 4–5, R 6. Results: There was a clear association between lesion size on CT, on day 3 and on day 10, and the clinical outcome. Lesion size decreased between day 3 and day 10 in the groups R 0–1 and R 2–3, remained unchanged in the group R 4–5 and further increased in group R 6. Conclusion: Lesion size on CT is a significant predictor of stroke outcome. It decreases from day 3 to day 10 in patients with no or low disability at 3 months, but increases in those who do not survive their stroke.
Hemoglobin Content Is Increased in the Human Erythroleukemia K562 Cell Line by a 56.2-kD Peptide from Uremic Plasma
Authors: Fontanellas Antonio , Navarro-Ordoñez Susana , Morán-Jiménez María-José , Guolo Marcelo , Franco Carlos , García-Bravo María , Pataro Luis , Batlle Alcira , de Salamanca Rafael Enríquez
Published: March 2004

Background: Some abnormalities in porphyrin metabolism have been described in erythrocytes from patients with end-stage renal failure. A peptidic fraction of 56.2 kD isolated from plasma of these patients was previously identified as an aminolevulinate dehydratase inhibitor. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro effect of this peptide on heme synthesis in the erythroleukemia K562 cells. Methods: The 56.2-kD fraction was purified from uremic plasma by protein electroelution and, its action on the mitochondrial rate-limiting steps of heme synthesis, as well as the hemoglobin content during erythroid differentiation induced by sodium butyrate, was investigated in K562 cells. Results: Two hours after addition of the 56.2-kD peptide, the activities of aminolevulinate acid synthase and aminolevulinate dehydratase were reduced while the activity of the ferrochelatase was enhanced, indicating that this peptide easily across the membranes. A 3-day incubation with this peptide enhanced approximately twofold the hemoglobin and porphyrin levels during erythroid differentiation of K562 cells without variation of cell growth. Conclusion: This study shows that the addition of the 56.2-kD uremic factor to K562 cells was clearly implicated in heme disturbances existing in chronic renal failure but it did not play a negative role in the pathogenesis of the uremic anemia.
Effect of Body Position on PaO2 and PaCO2 during Pregnancy
Authors: Spiropoulos K. , Prodromaki E. , Tsapanos V.
Published: March 2004

Background: The body position may have an effect on gas exchange though the magnitude of this effect has not been studied thoroughly during the three trimesters of pregnancy. Objectives: This study analyzes the effect of body position change on arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) in healthy pregnant women. Methods: We examined 21 lung healthy pregnant women at the end of the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy. Blood was drawn from the radial artery first in the sitting and subsequently in the supine position. Peak expiratory flow rate was determined as well. Results: No statistically significant difference was detected between the mean values of PaO2 in the supine and in the sitting position at the end of the first trimester. On the contrary, at the end of the second trimester the mean value of PaO2 in the supine position was 92.39 ± 1.95 mm Hg, while in the sitting position the mean PaO2 was 96.56 ± 1.83 mm Hg (p < 0.001). At the end of the third trimester the mean PaO2 in the supine position was 90.48 ± 2.91 mm Hg while in the sitting position the mean PaO2 was 97.48 ± 1.46 mm Hg (p < 0.001). Conclusions: According to our data we conclude that the statistically significant difference in PaO2 in the sitting and supine positions clearly shows that the position needs to be considered both when attempting to establish reference values and when evaluating gas tensions at the end of pregnancy.
Effects of Histamine and the H2 Receptor Antagonist Ranitidine on Ischemia-Induced Acute Renal Failure: Involvement of IL-6 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Authors: Vannay Ádám , Fekete Andrea , Müller Veronika , Strehlau Jürgen , Viklicky Ondrej , Veres Tibor , Reusz György , Tulassay Tivadar , Szabó Attila J.
Published: March 2004

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exerts cytoprotective, antiapoptotic and proangiogenic effects; its synthesis is induced by hypoxia, several cytokines and histamine. The effects of histamine and the H2 receptor antagonist ranitidine on renal VEGF and IL-6 synthesis were investigated in a well-established rat model of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: Following 7 days of pretreatment with histamine (H group; n = 12), ranitidine (R group; n = 10) or vehicle (controls; n = 13), the left vascular pedicle was clamped for 50 min in uninephrectomized male rats and survival assessed in the different treatment groups. Additionally, renal IL-6 mRNA expression, as well as VEGF mRNA and protein abundance were measured in the three treatment groups following pretreatment only, 2 and 16 h after 50 min of renal ischemia (n = 6/group/timepoint). Results: Ranitidine significantly increased, while histamine significantly decreased survival following renal ischemia. Renal IL-6 mRNA expression increased 2 h after reperfusion in all groups and decreased thereafter, with the lowest level observed in the R group. While VEGF mRNA did not change in controls, histamine increased, whereas ranitidine decreased its expression during the follow-up. Two hours after ischemia a twofold increase in renal VEGF protein abundance was observed in controls and the H group and significantly higher values were noted in the R group at this time point. A further increase in VEGF protein was only present in the H group 16 h after reperfusion. Conclusion: These results indicate an important role of histamine in kidney damage following renal ischemia. The beneficial effects of ranitidine were partly mediated by decreased IL-6 and VEGF mRNA expression and significant early increase in renal VEGF abundance.
What Is Going on with Natural Killer Cells in HIV Infection?
Authors: Dines Ilana , Rumjanek Vivian M. , Persechini Pedro Muanis
Published: March 2004

Natural killer (NK) cells represent 10–15% of circulating lymphocytes and are important mediators of both natural and adaptive immunity. They participate in immune surveillance against malignancies and virus infection and are involved in the complex immune responses of transplantation, autoimmune diseases and immunosuppression. They can also mediate physiological regulation of hematopoiesis, homeostasis of reproduction and placentation. In recent years new advances have been achieved in understanding the mechanisms whereby NK cells exert their cytotoxic and regulatory roles. Here, we review the physiology of NK cells with special attention to its role in HIV infection.
Novel Protein Kinase C and Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors of Vegetable Origin as Potential Modulators of Langerhans Cell Migration following Hapten-Induced Sensitization
Authors: Staquet M.J. , Piccardi N. , Piccirilli A. , Vincent C. , Schmitt D. , Msika P.
Published: March 2004

Background: Migration and maturation of epidermal dendritic cells, the Langerhans cells (LC), are central events in the initiation of the cutaneous immune response. LC migration from skin to draining lymph nodes is regarded as an indispensable step for the early phase of antigen-specific sensitization. Among the several agents which influence the ability of LC to migrate, previous studies have revealed that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and protein kinase C (PKC) contribute to promoting LC migration. In this work, we studied the effect of two recently developed PKC and MMPs inhibitors of vegetable origin on the migration of in vitro activated LC. Methods: The migratory capacity of epidermal and in vitro generated LC was assessed using a reconstituted basement membrane assay (Matrigel), mimicking the prerequisite passage through the dermal-epidermal basement membrane on the way to the lymph nodes. Results: Contact with chemical allergens, Bandrowski’s base or 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS), triggered migration. In the presence of PKC inhibitors, D-erythro-sphingosine and OX100, or an inhibitor of MMPs, LU105, allergen-induced migration of LC was strongly decreased. The association between OX100 and LU105 was more efficient in modulating the migration of activated LC compared to each molecule tested separately. Conclusions: These results showed that PKC and MMPs inhibitors act in synergy to inhibit the migration of activated epidermal dendritic cells in vitro. They underscore the role of PKC and MMPs inhibitors and suggest they may be of relevance for therapeutically regulating epidermal dendritic cell migration in inflammatory dermatoses.
Efficacy and Safety of Ebastine 20 mg Compared to Loratadine 10 mg Once Daily in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Ratner P. , Hampel Jr. F. , van Bavel J. , Howland, III W.
Published: March 2004

Background: Few randomized studies have compared loratadine to ebastine in the symptomatic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) patients. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-group, comparative trial compared the efficacy and safety of ebastine 20 mg (E20), loratadine 10 mg (L10) and placebo (P), administered once daily, in the control of SAR symptoms over a 2-week period. An additional 2-week treatment period was included in order to check sustained efficacy and tolerability. Results: A total of 703 patients were enrolled: 282 patients in the E20 group, 279 in the L10 group and 142 in the P group. E20 showed a greater decrease from baseline in the main efficacy variable (mean daily reflective total symptom score) than L10 (p = 0.0018) or P (p = 0.0024), whereas the difference between L10 and P was not significant. Moreover, reductions from baseline in all composite/individual daily reflective rhinitis symptom scores were significantly larger in patients receiving E20 than in patients receiving L10 or P. Most significant differences between E20 and L10 or P were maintained after 4 weeks of treatment. Overall, all treatments were safe and well tolerated. There was no significant difference in the percentage of patients who reported one or more adverse events (AEs) between the groups, and most AEs were mild to moderate (89.9%). Conclusions: E20 given once daily for 2 weeks was more effective in the treatment of SAR symptoms than L10 or P. E20 also showed a sustained efficacy after 4 weeks of treatment, and overall was well tolerated and proved safe.
A Solitary Peutz-Jeghers-Type Hamartomatous Polyp in the Duodenum
Authors: Kitaoka Fumio , Shiogama Toshiaki , Mizutani Akimasa , Tsurunaga Yasutaka , Fukui Hiroshi , Higami Yoshikazu , Shimokawa Isao , Taguchi Takashi , Kanematsu Takashi
Published: March 2004

Background/Aims: We report a case of solitary Peutz-Jeghers-type hamartomatous polyp of the duodenum in a 22-year-old Japanese woman along with the results of genomic analysis. Methods/Results: The patient was almost asymptomatic, though endoscopic examination revealed a solitary lobular polypoid lesion measuring 3 cm in diameter in the first portion of the duodenum. The lesion was resected endoscopically. Histopathological examination showed hyperplasia with a tree branch-like extension of the lamina propria derived from the muscularis mucosae, consistent with histological features of polyps of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS). No mucocutaneous pigmentation of the skin was evident and family history was negative. Analysis of the loss of heterozygosity at the locus of 19p 13.3 and mutation analysis of the STK11/LKB1 gene, which has recently been recognized as a susceptible gene in PJS, were performed. However, no evidence of genomic abnormality was found. Conclusion: The clinical and investigative findings in our case suggest that the solitary Peutz- Jeghers-type hamartomatous polyp can be regarded as a clinical entity separate from PJS.
Sono-Guided Endometrial Biopsy: Comparison with Hysteroscopy Biopsy
Authors: Metzger Ulrike , Bernard Jean-Pierre , Camatte Sophie , Lelièvre Loïc , Robin François , Lefrère-Belda Marie-Aude , Lécuru Fabrice
Published: March 2004

Objective: To assess the feasibility, tolerance and diagnostic accuracy of endometrial biopsy (EB) during sonohysterography (SH) compared to EB after hysteroscopy (HSC) in endometrial disorders. Methods: 105 consecutive patients with irregular uterine bleeding were included prospectively in the calendar year 2001. SH and flexible HSC were performed in an office setting, subsequently and in a random order, by two different practitioners blind to the former experiment. SH-EB was performed using a 3.1-mm ultrasound-guided Bernard catheter in the uterine cavity still partly distended and with a gentle 20-ml syringe vacuum aspiration. The biopsy was directed on focal lesions or else randomly when no targets had previously been found. A Cornier Pipelle® was used to perform EB after HSC. We investigated all patients by biopsy, independent of the endometrial thickness. HSC-EB was the gold standard. Results: For both methods, cervical catheterism was impossible in 20 patients, 75 of them successfully underwent both exams. Duration and tolerance were similar. SH was effective in the distinction between normal and pathologic cavities, as well as in the diagnosis of polyps. Endometrium appeared significantly thinner with HSC (1.8 mm) when compared to SH (2.9 mm, p < 0.05). Histological endometrial assessment failed in 30 cases of SH-EB and in 22 cases in HSC-EB (NS). There was a poor correlation of the histological results of both techniques. Hyperplasia has never been diagnosed by SH-EB, whereas 3 EB issued from HSC-EB brought up this diagnosis. Conclusion: SH-EB with our technique did not improve the diagnostic potential of SH and severe diagnosis was missed. Histological assessment should fail less when we exclude endometrial atrophy. The diameter of the catheter and the aspiration technique must be revised and the learning curve must be considered. Our technique cannot replace EB by HSC.
Endothelial Cells Modulate Osteogenesis in Calcifying Vascular Cells
Authors: Shin Victoria , Zebboudj Amina F. , Boström Kristina
Published: March 2004

The potential role of vascular endothelium in atherosclerotic calcification is unknown. Endothelial cells (EC) express bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), and EC-conditioned medium is osteoinductive in marrow stromal cells. To test whether EC are osteoinductive in vascular cells, we used calcifying vascular cells (CVC) that form nodules and mineralize in vitro. We established a coculture model with EC grown opposite CVC on membranes coated with collagen I or collagen IV, both of which are expressed in atherosclerotic lesions. On collagen I, EC did not alter CVC nodule formation, calcification or expression of the osteogenic marker Cbfa1, the chondrogenic marker collagen IX or smooth muscle cell α-actin. However, on collagen IV, EC abolished nodule formation and calcification, and expression of cell markers decreased, suggesting dedifferentiation. Matrix GLA protein (MGP), also expressed in atherosclerotic lesions, was added to CVC in coculture. Unexpectedly, MGP enhanced Cbfa1 expression in CVC on both collagen I and IV. The enhancement was most apparent on collagen IV, where calcification also increased. However, MGP did not restore nodule formation on collagen IV, suggesting that nodule formation and cell differentiation are separate processes. The effect of EC on CVC calcification was suppressed by noggin, an inhibitor of BMP activity, and in part mimicked by replacement of EC by BMP-2. Our results support a role for endothelium in vascular calcification, modulated by collagens and MGP.
Biocompatibility of Cellulosic and Synthetic Membranes Assessed by Leukocyte Activation
Authors: Hernández Maria Rosa , Galán Ana Maria , Cases Aleix , Lopez-Pedret Jose , Pereira Arturo , Tonda Raul , Bozzo Jordi , Escolar Gines , Ordinas Antonio
Published: March 2004

Background/Aims: The contact of blood with artificial surfaces may activate blood leukocytes and platelets and initiate the leukocyte inflammatory response. We have investigated the effect of a hemodialysis (HD) with a cellulosic- and a synthetic-based membrane on circulating leukocyte activation. Methods: Samples were obtained from patients with ESRD at baseline, and at 15 and 120 min of a hemodialysis session from both the arterial and venous lines. Leukocyte respiratory burst was analyzed by luminol chemiluminescence. Actin polymerization, expression of CD11b, and heterotypic aggregation were studied by flow cytometry, leukocyte labeling with NBD phallacidin and monoclonal antibodies, respectively. Results: HD with a cellulosic membrane induced a transient fall in neutrophil (1.2 ± 0.5 × 109 vs. 3.6 ± 0.6 × 109 cells/l; p < 0.05) and monocyte counts (0.2 ± 0.1 × 109 vs. 0.7 ± 0.1 × 109 cells/l; p < 0.05). There was also an increase in respiratory burst in the venous line during a HD with a cellulosic membrane, at 15 and 120 min (100 ± 41 and 143.2 ± 45.3 vs. 23.8 ± 15.7; p < 0.05). Polymerized actin, expressed as fluorescence arbitrary units, was increased in baseline samples from uremic patients versus control subjects (327.8 ± 60.8 for a cellulosic membrane, p < 0.005, and 205 ± 26.5 for a synthetic one, p < 0.05 vs. 97.8 ± 27.6 in controls). The percentage of CD11b+ cells increased in samples during a HD with a cellulosic membrane at the venous line at 15 and 120 min (9.6 ± 4.5 and 18.4 ± 7.1% vs. 3.3 ± 1.9%; p < 0.05%). Changes in heterotypic aggregation during HD did not reach statistical significance, but levels were higher in patients treated with a cellulosic membrane at all points than in patients dialyzed with a synthetic one. Conclusion: There is evidence of a priming state of leukocytes from uremic patients, which is more evident in patients dialyzed with a cellulosic membrane. Cellulosic membranes also induce greater leukocyte activation than synthetic membranes during hemodialysis.
Exogenous BH4/Bcl-2 Peptide Reverts Coronary Endothelial Cell Apoptosis Induced by Oxidative Stress
Authors: Cantara S. , Donnini S. , Giachetti A. , Thorpe P.E. , Ziche M.
Published: March 2004

Background: Vascular endothelium undergoes apoptosis when exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals. ROS are believed to be the cause of damage to small vessels during ischemia-reperfusion injury and of arterial damage during atherosclerosis. Hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis is mediated through the inhibition of Bcl-xl activity and caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation. The BH4 domain of the Bcl-2 family members is responsible for their antiapoptotic activity. The BH4 domains of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl inhibit cytochrome c release and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. Methods and Results: The purpose of this project was to study the antiapoptotic effect of cell-permeant derivative of Bcl-2 (BH4 peptide) on endothelial cells exposed to stress conditions. BH4 peptide was conjugated to the cell-permeable peptide TAT and was applied to endothelial cells under conditions of serum starvation and hydrogen peroxide treatment. TAT-BH4 reduced caspase-3 activity and prevented apoptotic cell death. Conclusion: Our results indicate that TAT-BH4 peptide can protect endothelial cells from ROS-induced apoptosis.
Serum Protein Profile Alterations in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Langlois Richard G. , Trebes James E. , Dalmasso Enrique A. , Ying Yong , Davies Robert W. , Curzi Mario P. , Colston Jr. Bill W. , Turteltaub Kenneth W. , Perkins Julie , Chromy Brett A. , Choi Megan W. , Murphy Gloria A. , Fitch J. Patrick , McCutchen-Maloney Sandra L.
Published: March 2004

Background: Serum protein profiling patterns can reflect the pathological state of a patient and therefore may be useful for clinical diagnostics. Here, we present results from a pilot study of proteomic expression patterns in hemodialysis patients designed to evaluate the range of serum proteomic alterations in this population. Methods: Surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) was used to analyze serum obtained from patients on periodic hemodialysis treatment and healthy controls. Serum samples from patients and controls were first fractionated into six eluants on a strong anion exchange column, followed by application to four array chemistries representing cation exchange, anion exchange, metal affinity and hydrophobic surfaces. A total of 144 SELDI-TOF-MS spectra were obtained from each serum sample. Results: The overall profiles of the patient and control samples were consistent and reproducible. However, 30 well-defined protein differences were observed; 15 proteins were elevated and 15 were decreased in patients compared to controls. Serum from 1 patient exhibited novel protein peaks suggesting possible additional changes due to a secondary disease process. Conclusion: SELDI-TOF-MS demonstrated consistent serum protein profile differences between patients and controls. Similarity in protein profiles among dialysis patients suggests that patient physiological responses to end-stage renal disease and/or dialysis therapy have a major effect on serum protein profiles.
Determination of pamidronate in human whole blood and urine by reversed‐phase HPLC with ﬂuorescence detection
Authors: Wong Jaime A. , Renton Kenneth W. , Crocker John F. S. , O'Regan Patrick A. , Acott Philip D.
Published: March 2004

Pamidronate is a bisphosphonate that is effective in treating bone disease including osteopenia and osteoporosis in adults. A sensitive and reliable method for the analysis of pamidronate in whole blood and urine is key to the development of this drug for use in children. A previously described method for pamidronate analysis serum and urine did not consistently detect the drug at satisfactory levels in whole blood. The procedure involves co‐precipitation of the bisphosphonates with calcium phosphate, pre‐column derivitization with ﬂuorescamine, HPLC utilizing a Nucleosil C18 column, and ﬂuorescence detection with excitation at 395 nm and emission at 480 nm.

Changes to the original protocol included the use of a new internal standard (alendronate), the optimization of the concentration of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for dissolving the precipitate, and the elimination of the acidiﬁcation step prior to deproteinization. The optimum EDTA concentration, which had a signiﬁcant effect on the labeling capability of ﬂuorescamine, was determined to be 20 mm.

A good separation between pamidronate and alendronate was achieved using a heated (40°C ) Nucleosil C18, 10 µm particle size column. The mobile phase was an aqueous solution of 1 mm Na2EDTA–methanol (97:3, v/v) adjusted to pH 6.5 using a ﬂow‐rate of 1 mL/min. Fluorescence detection was set at 395 nm for excitation and at 480 nm for emission. The limit of quantitation for pamidronate was 0.5 µg/mL in whole blood and 0.1 µg/mL in urine. The method was applied to both whole blood and urine samples from pediatric patients. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Conformational Analysis of Novel N(OCH3)‐linked Disaccharide Analogues
Authors: Peri Francesco , Jiménez–Barbero Jesús , García–Aparicio Víctor , Tvaroška Igor , Nicotra Francesco
Published: March 2004

N(OMe)‐linked disaccharide analogues, isosteric to the corresponding natural disaccharides, have been synthesized by chemoselective assembly of unprotected natural monosaccharides with methyl 6‐deoxy‐6‐methoxyamino‐α‐D‐glucopyranoside in an aqueous environment. The coupling reactions were found to be chemo‐ and stereoselective affording β‐(1→6) disaccharide mimics when using Glc and GlcNAc; in the case of Gal, the β‐anomer was prevalent (β:α=7:1). An iterative method for the synthesis of linear N(OMe) oligosaccharide analogues was demonstrated, based on the use of an unprotected monosaccharide building block in which an oxime functionality at C‐6 is converted during the synthesis into the corresponding methoxyamino group. The conformational analysis of these compounds was carried out by using NMR spectroscopy, ab initio, molecular mechanics, and molecular dynamics methods. Optimized geometries and energies of fourteen conformers for each compound have been calculated at the B3LYP/6‐31G* level. Predicted conformational equilibria were compared with the results based on NMR experiments and good agreement was found. It appears that N(OMe)‐linked disaccharide analogues exhibit a slightly different conformational behavior to their parent natural disaccharides.
A family of hyperbolic spin Calogero‐Moser systems and the spin Toda lattices
Authors: Li L.‐C.
Published: March 2004

In this paper, we continue to develop a general scheme to study a broad class of integrable systems naturally associated with the coboundary dynamical Lie algebroids. In particular, we present a factorization method for solving the Hamiltonian flows. We also present two important classes of new examples, a family of hyperbolic spin Calogero‐Moser systems and the spin Toda lattices. To illustrate our factorization theory, we show how to solve these Hamiltonian systems explicitly. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Computational and Experimental NMR Definition of Differences in the Conformational Behavior of Free and Lectin‐Bound Glycomimetic Aza/Carba‐Lactosides
Authors: Fernández‐Alonso María del Carmen , Cañada F. Javier , Solís Dolores , Cheng Xuhong , Kumaran Govindaraj , André Sabine , Siebert Hans‐Christian , Mootoo David R. , Gabius Hans‐Joachim , Jiménez‐Barbero Jesús
Published: March 2004

Versatile synthetic procedures make saccharide derivatives with substitution at various sites available. Because of the particular involvement of galactosides in biorecognition processes, with lectins affecting growth regulation and adhesion, lactose has become a popular starting point for systematic structure variation. Since shape and flexibility are key parameters for ligand binding, we studied the conformational behavior of aza/carba‐C/O analogues of lactose (compound 1, aza‐C; compound 2, carba‐O). Computational calculations and NMR spectroscopy revealed conspicuous differences between 1 and 2 in the extents of accessible conformational area and flexibility. The aza‐C derivative also revealed clear shifts in population density relative to lactose, attributable to the exo‐anomeric effect. The assumption that the derivatives can act as glycomimetics was substantiated by binding studies with a plant lectin. The aza‐C analogue 1 maintained a higher degree of flexibility when bound than the O‐glycosidically linked carbadisaccharide 2. The experimental detection of exclusive NOEs characteristic of different conformers of bound 1 [i.e., H1′/H4 (syn‐Φ), H1′/H3 (anti‐Ψ), and H2′/H4 (anti‐Φ) NOE cross‐peaks] argues in favor of the ligand still harboring a certain degree of flexibility when bound to mistletoe lectin (VAA). In contrast, there is unambiguous evidence for binding of the major exo‐anomeric conformer of 2 by VAA, as indicated by the presence of the exclusive NOE of H7eq′/H4. Evidently, structural variations between closely related compounds can translate into clear differences in the lectin‐bound states of glycomimetics. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Enhanced mode‐adaptive fine granularity scalability
Authors: Peng Wen‐Hsiao , Chen Yen‐Kuang
Published: March 2004

In this article, we present a scalable video compression algorithm to deliver higher compression efficiency with limited drifting error. MPEG‐4 Fine Granularity Scalability (FGS) compresses the video into a base layer and an enhancement layer. Currently, because the enhancement layer is predicted from the poor‐quality base layer, the compression efficiency is low. To improve the compression efficiency, we construct enhancement‐layer predictors from (1) macroblocks of current reconstructed base‐layer frame, (2) macroblocks of previously reconstructed enhancement‐layer frame, and (3) the average of previous two. On the other hand, the unpredictable receiving manner of enhancement layer could cause predictor mismatch error. The predictor mismatch error further results in drifting error. To minimize the drifting error, we create an adaptive mode‐selection algorithm, in the encoder, which first smartly estimates possible drifting error of the decoder side and then uses the best macroblock modes wisely. In this article, we show that predictors constructed jointly from the base‐layer frame and the enhancement‐layer frame can reduce the drifting error. And, predictors constructed from the base‐layer frame can stop the drifting error. As compared to other advance FGS schemes, our algorithm shows 0.3–0.5 dB PSNR improvement with a less complex structure. Although compared to MPEG‐4 FGS, more than 1–1.5 dB quality improvement can be gained. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 13, 308–321, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10090
Adsorption equilibrium of amino acids and antibiotics on non‐ionic polymeric sorbents
Authors: Lee Jae Wook , Shim Wang Geun , Yang Woo Chul , Moon Hee
Published: March 2004

Adsorption equilibria of two amino acids (phenylalanine and tryptophan) and two antibiotics (penicillin G and cephalosporin C) from aqueous solutions onto non‐ionic polymeric sorbents (XAD‐4 and XAD‐16) were investigated under various experimental conditions such as pH, temperature and organic solvents. The assumption that amino acids adsorbed on polymeric sorbents were desorbed by competitive adsorption with organic solvent as a desorbate was verified using binary adsorption data for amino acids (phenylalanine and tryptophan) and organic solvents (isopropyl alcohol and methanol) on XAD‐4 and XAD‐16. The experimental data were predicted by using multicomponent adsorption models of an Extended‐Langmuir (EL) equation and an ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) based on the Langmuir equation as a single‐component isotherm. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry