bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening for C283Y γ-Sarcoglycan Mutation in a High-Risk Group of Bulgarian Gypsies: Evidence for a Geographical Localization and a Non-Random Distribution among Gypsy Subgroups
Authors: Todorova Albena , Tournev Ivailo , Ninova Nadya , Georgieva Veneta , Kremensky Ivo
Published: April 2003

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2C (LGMD2C) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the γ-sarcoglycan gene. A ‘private’ Gypsy C283Y mutation was detected in this gene. Recently, a number of LGMD2C-affected families belonging to a Xoroxane Gypsy group have been detected in eastern Bulgaria and all of these cases were due to the same mutation. We have screened 300 unrelated individuals of reproductive age from this high-risk Xoroxane Gypsy group, settled in Sliven. The genetic test by PCR-SSCP analysis for the C283Y mutation revealed a carrier frequency of 7.7%. The screened sample was ethnically not homogeneous. It was divided in ethnonym groups on the basis of social and economic status, language characteristics and trades. We found that the C283Y was not randomly distributed among the Gypsy subgroups. The disease seemed to be limited to the Xoroxane Gypsy group and geographically localized in eastern Bulgaria.
Eradication Therapy with Rabeprazole versus Omeprazole in the Treatment of Active Duodenal Ulcer
Authors: Catalano F. , Terminella C. , Branciforte G. , Bentivegna C. , Brogna A. , Scalia A.
Published: April 2003

Background: Rabeprazole has been demonstrated to be a potent antisecretory agent and has been shown to be clinically effective in the treatment of acid-related diseases. Aims: It was to determine the efficacy of rabeprazole at 20 and 40 mg in addition to amoxicillin and clarithromycin in the treatment of active Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers compared with omeprazole 40 mg. Patients and Methods: One hundred and twenty-seven patients were randomised into three treatment groups: 40 patients were treated with rabeprazole 40 mg daily, 42 patients with rabeprazole 20 mg daily and 45 patients with omeprazole 40 mg daily for 10 days. All patients received amoxicillin 1 g twice a day and clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day for 5 days. All patients were re-assessed at least 4 weeks after the end of the treatment. Results: According to the intention-to-treat (ITT) protocol, ulcer healing was observed in 90% of patients in the rabeprazole 40 group, in 85.7% in the rabeprazole 20 group and in 93.3% in the omeprazole 40 group. We observed H. pylori eradication in 90% ITT in the rabeprazole 40 group, in 80.9% ITT in the rabeprazole 20 group and in 88.8% ITT in the omeprazole 40 group. Statistical analysis did not show significant differences among the three groups. Conclusions: A 10-day rabeprazole 20 mg regimen represents an efficacious and safe regimen for H. pylori eradication and ulcer healing.
Modified ESHAP as Salvage Chemotherapy for Recurrent or Refractory Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Results of a Single-Center Study of 32 Patients
Authors: Öztürk Mehmet Akif , Barışta İbrahim , Altundağ M. Kadri , Türker Alev , Yalçın Şuayib , Çelik İsmail , Güllü İbrahim H. , Güler Nilüfer , Özışık Yavuz , Kars Ayşe , Kansu Emin , Baltalı Eşmen , Tekuzman Gülten
Published: April 2003

Background: We have evaluated the clinical efficacy and toxicity of a modified etoposide, methylprednisolone, cytarabine and cisplatin (ESHAP) chemotherapy regimen that has been used by the Hacettepe University Department of Medical Oncology (Ankara, Turkey) since 1993. Methods: Thirty-two patients (18 men and 14 women) with refractory or recurrent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) were treated with this protocol. The median age of the patients was 39 years (range 21–66 years). Patients were hospitalized during therapy. On the first day, 2 g/m2 cytarabine was given, followed on days 2–5 by 60 mg/m2 etoposide, 500 mg of methylprednisolone and 25 mg/m2 cisplatin. After two cycles of chemotherapy, clinical efficacy was assessed by clinical examination, chest radiography, ultrasonography and/or computed tomography. The complications were assessed on the basis of the World Health Organization criteria. Results: Nine patients (28%) had a complete response and 8 patients (25%) had a partial response. In responders, the median duration of remission was 6 months. By the end of the first year, 27% of the patients were still disease free and 66% were alive. High serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase had an adverse effect on disease-free survival, but no effect on overall survival (OS). The only unfavorable prognostic factor for OS was the presence of bulky disease. Neutropenia developed in 59% of patients, and febrile neutropenia developed in 74% of these patients, requiring hospitalization for an average of 8 days. Three patients died of neutropenia-associated sepsis despite broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Thrombocytopenia was detected in 10 patients and anemia in 3 patients; among these, 7 patients with thrombocytopenia and 1 patient with anemia required transfusions. Conclusions: The modified ESHAP regimen induced remission in more than half of the patients with refractory or recurrent NHL. However, the duration of remission was brief. Moreover, significant myelotoxicity was common, and the risk of treatment-related death was 9%.
Association between Mite Allergen (Der p 1, Der f 1, Blo t 5) Levels and Microscopic Identification of Mites or Skin Prick Test Results in Asthmatic Subjects
Authors: Medeiros Jr Manoel , Figueiredo Joanemile P. , Almeida Maria C. , Atta Ajax M. , Taketomi Ernesto A. , Silva Deise A.O. , Terra Silvia A. , Amorim Welma W. , Pinho Ricardo S. , Araujo Maria I. , Carvalho Edgar M.
Published: April 2003

Background: Mite allergens have been involved in airway sensitization and allergic diseases. Immunoassays for the identification and quantifiction of house dust mite (HDM) allergens are useful to improve the knowledge of regional mite fauna and the remediation of mite allergens in allergic diseases. The present study analyzed the association between levels of HDM allergen and results of mite identification or skin prick test (SPT) in two different areas of Bahia, Brazil. Methods: Forty-two asthmatic subjects from a rural area (group I; n = 21) and a slum (group II; n = 21) were evaluated through SPT with HDM allergens and had dust samples collected at their homes for mite identification and allergen measurements. Results: Positive SPT to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and Blomia tropicalis allergens were observed in 42.9, 38.0 and 42.9% subjects from group I and in 47.6, 19.0 and 33.3% subjects from group II, respectively. D. pteronyssinus and B. tropicalis  were identified in approximately 76 and 50% of samples from both groups, respectively. D. farinae was identified in 38.0 and 9.5% of samples from groups I and II, respectively (p < 0.005). Der p 1, Der f 1 and Blo t 5 detection were associated with mite identification (p < 0.05). Association between HDM allergen levels over 2 µg/g of dust and positive SPT occurred only with D. pteronyssinus (p < 0.0001). Conclusions:D. pteronyssinus was the most prevalent mite species in this study followed by B. tropicalis and D. farinae. Immunoassays done to measure mite allergens were associated with mite-species identification. We conclude that these three mite species must be included on panels for the diagnosis of allergic airway diseases in subjects living in such regions.
Effect of Synthetic Retinoid, TAC-101, on Experimental Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Miyagawa Naoki , Homma Takeyasu , Kagechika Hiroyuki , Shudo Koichi , Nagai Hiroichi
Published: April 2003

The effect of 4-[3,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzamido] benzoic acid (TAC-101), one of the synthetic retinoids, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats was studied. TAC-101 at doses of 5 and 20 mg/kg clearly inhibited the development of CIA in terms of the swelling of fore- and hind-limbs and bone destruction in knee joints. TAC-101 also suppressed the production of anti-type II collagen (CII) IgG antibody and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) against CII. In addition, TAC-101 delayed the onset and development of EAE but did not affect the maximum symptom of EAE in rats. The elevation of serum antimyelin basic protein (MBP) antibody and DTH to MBP on day 13 clearly suppressed by TAC-101 in EAE rats. Moreover, TAC-101 inhibited the IL-1β-induced PGE2 production by MG-63 cells, human osteoblast-like cells, through the suppression of cyclooxygenase II mRNA expression. These findings suggest that TAC-101 inhibits CIA in mice and EAE in rats due to the suppression of immune response to auto-antigen and the production of PGE2.
A Role for Protein Kinase C in the Supersensitivity of the Rat Vas deferens following Chronic Surgical Denervation
Authors: Abraham S. Thomas , Robinson Mitchell , Rice Peter J.
Published: April 2003

Chronic surgical denervation of the rat vas deferens leads to an enhanced contractile response of the tissue to norepinephrine in vitro. Norepinephrine produces a higher rate of protein kinase C translocation to the particulate fraction of denervated tissues as compared with the paired, control vas deferens. Diacylglycerol generation in response to norepinephrine and contractile responses to phorbol diacetate were not altered by chronic denervation of the vas deferens. However, the contractile response to norepinephrine in these tissues was less susceptible to the inhibitory effects of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine. A potential role of protein kinase C in sensitizing the contractile apparatus to mobilized calcium in denervation supersensitivity is discussed.
Attenuation of Glycerol-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Rats by Trimetazidine and Deferoxamine
Authors: Chander Vikas , Singh Devinder , Chopra Kanwaljit
Published: April 2003

The pathogenesis of glycerol-induced myoglobinuric acute renal failure involves, among other causes, ischaemia, vascular congestion, and reactive oxygen metabolites. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of ischaemia and iron-induced oxidative stress by employing trimetazidine, an anti-ischemic drug with an additional antioxidant effect, and deferoxamine, an iron chelator, in glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats. Five groups of rats were employed in this study: group 1 served as control group, group 2 was given 50% glycerol alone (8 ml/kg i.m.), group 3 was given glycerol plus trimetazidine (3 mg/kg), and groups 4 and 5 were given glycerol plus deferoxamine (50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively). Renal injury was assessed by measuring plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and creatinine and urea clearances. The oxidative stress was measured on the basis of the renal malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels and the activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase. Glycerol treatment resulted in marked renal oxidative stress and deranged renal functions which significantly improved by trimetazidine and deferoxamine treatments. Deferoxamine, by interacting with Fenton reaction chemistry, and trimetazidine, by its anti-ischaemic and antioxidative properties, protected the kidney against the oxidative stress and the resultant renal dysfunction produced by glycerol. Based on these results, this study points towards renal ischaemia and iron as potential mediators and demonstrates the potential beneficial effects of deferoxamine and trimetazidine in glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats.
Measuring Cell Adhesion Forces with the Atomic Force Microscope at the Molecular Level
Authors: Benoit Martin , Gaub Hermann E.
Published: April 2003

In the past 25 years many techniques have been developed to characterize cell adhesion and to quantify adhesion forces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to measure forces in the pico-newton range, an experimental technique known as force spectroscopy. We modified such an AFM to measure adhesion forces between live cells or between cells and surfaces. This strategy required functionalizing the surface of the sensors for immobilizing the cell. We used Dictyostelium discoideum cells which respond to starvation by surface expression of the adhesion molecule csA and consequent aggregation to measure the adhesion force of a single csA-csA bond. Relevant experimental parameters include the duration of contact between the interacting surfaces, the force against which this contact is maintained, the number and specificity of interacting adhesion molecules and the constituents of the medium in which the interaction occurs. This technology also permits the measurement of the viscoelastic properties of single cells or cell layers.
Junctional Adhesion Molecules and Interendothelial Junctions
Authors: Aurrand-Lions Michel , Johnson-Leger Caroline , Lamagna Chrystelle , Ozaki Harunobu , Kita Toru , Imhof Beat A.
Published: April 2003

Similar to epithelia, endothelial cells are linked to each other via intercellular junctional complexes including gap junctions, adherens junctions and tight junctions. While polarized epithelial cells show a high degree of spatial sorting of junctional complexes, endothelia organize their junctions randomly. For this reason the nature of endothelial contacts may be highly adaptable to the need of permeability and leukocyte transmigration. For instance, high endothelial venules (HEVs) in lymphoid organs, where lymphocytes continuously exit the bloodstream, generally show more leaky contacts than brain with its impermeable blood-brain barrier. We recently identified an Ig superfamily molecule named JAM-2 which is specifically expressed in junctions of lymphatic endothelial cells and HEVs. We showed that JAM-2 belongs to the novel CTX molecular family and we now cloned the human equivalent of JAM-2. The presence of JAM-2 at sites of constitutive lymphocyte circulation argues for a role of this molecule in facilitating transmigration. This is supported by the increased transmigration in vitro across endothelial cells overexpressing JAM-2 at intercellular contacts.
Comparative Single- and Multiple-Dose Pharmacokinetics of Levodopa and 3-O-Methyldopa following a New Dual-Release and a Conventional Slow-Release Formulation of Levodopa and Benserazide in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Crevoisier C. , Monreal A. , Metzger B. , Nilsen T.
Published: April 2003

The objective was to assess the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of levodopa and 3-O-methyldopa following administration of a new dual-release and conventional slow-release formulation of levodopa/benserazide in the dose ratio of 4:1. In an open-label, two-way cross-over study, 20 healthy volunteers were randomized to receive first either Madopar® DR or Madopar® HBS for 8 days. Then they crossed over to the other formulation. A first dose of 200 mg levodopa and 50 mg benserazide (‘250’ mg) was given on day 1, ‘125’ mg t.i.d. on the subsequent 6 days (days 2–7), followed by ‘250’ mg on day 8. The two treatment periods of 8 days were separated by a wash-out period of at least 7 days. Blood samples were taken at specific times over a 12-hour period (day 1) or a 36-hour period (day 8). Plasma concentrations of levodopa and 3-O-methyldopa were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography for pharmacokinetic evaluation. The pharmacokinetics of levodopa after a single-dose administration (day 1) of Madopar DR and Madopar HBS were significantly different as reflected by the respective mean values of maximum plasma concentration (Cmax 1.99 vs. 0.82 mg·l–1), time to reach maximum concentration (tmax 0.7 vs. 2.6 h) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0–∞ 4.52 vs. 3.18 mg·h·l–1). The respective values after multiple doses (day 8) were: Cmax 1.98 vs. 0.93 mg·l–1, tmax 0.7 vs. 2.3 h and AUC0–∞ 4.84 vs. 3.96 mg·h·l–1. The relative bioavailability (Madopar DR vs. Madopar HBS) was 1.73 on day 1 and 1.32 on day 8. Bioequivalence could not be demonstrated for log-transformed data of AUC and Cmax within a predefined range of 80–125 and 70–143%, respectively. In conclusion, the observed differences in Cmax, tmax and AUC are consistent with a faster rate and higher extent of levodopa absorption after administration of Madopar DR. Statistical evaluation of these kinetic data showed that Madopar DR is not bioequivalent to Madopar HBS.
The Timing of Antiparkinsonian Treatment Reduction after Subthalamic Nucleus Stimulation
Authors: Thobois S. , Corvaisier S. , Mertens P. , Di Guardo C. , Mollion H. , Guenot M. , Rochefort F. , Chazot G. , Sindou M. , Broussolle E.
Published: April 2003

The objective of this work was to precisely analyse the reduction of the antiparkinsonian treatment in 18 consecutive patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) operated on for bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation, first after 1 month of follow-up, then at 1 year postoperatively. Trihexyphenidyle, selegiline, entacapone, apomorphine and lisuride could be withdrawn shortly after starting STN electrical stimulation. The levodopa mean daily dose was reduced by 57% at 1 month after surgery and remained stable at 1 year. The mean ropinirole and bromocriptine daily dose decrements after surgery corresponded to 54 and 63%, respectively, at 1 month and to 77 and 40% at 1 year. At 12 months postoperatively, one third of the patients no longer received any antiparkinsonian drugs and the others were on monotherapy of either levodopa or dopamine agonists or received a combined treatment of a dopaminergic agonist and levodopa. In conclusion, STN stimulation allows a major reduction and simplification of antiparkinsonian treatment which can usually be achieved during the early postoperative period.
Protective Action of Nipradilol against Ischemia-Induced Retinal Damage in Rats
Authors: Taniai Mariko , Sato Eiju , Mizota Atsushi , Adachi-Usami Emiko
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether nipradilol, a β-blocker having both vasodilating and α1-blocking activities, can protect retinal cells from the injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion. Rats were anesthetized and, after an intravitreal injection of nipradilol, the intraocular pressure was raised for 45 min to induce retinal ischemia and reperfusion. Before, and 3 and 7 days after the ischemia, electroretinograms were recorded. After the ischemia, the mean amplitude of the b-waves in rats receiving 5 µl of 1.0 × 10–6 M nipradilol was significantly larger than of controls (injected with phosphate-buffered saline). Histologically, the reduction in the number of retinal ganglion cells (1.0 × 10–6 M), and the thickness of the inner and outer plexiform layers and the inner nuclear layer (1.0 × 10–6, 10–7 and 10–8 M) was suppressed by nipradilol. These results indicate that nipradilol protected the retina against retinal ischemia and reperfusion and should be considered for therapeutic use in cases of transient retinal ischemia.
Brain Cancer in a Residential Area Bordering on an Oil Refinery
Authors: Neuberger John S. , Ward-Smith Peggy , Morantz Robert A. , Tian Chunqiao , Schmelzle Kristin H. , Mayo Matthew S. , Chin Tom D.Y.
Published: April 2003

Both in response to community concerns about brain cancer related to an oil refinery and in order to more fully understand the etiology of primary site brain cancer (glioma), a highly focused cancer cluster investigation was conducted. The components included: (1) a literature review of occupational exposures in the petroleum refining and petrochemical industries, (2) comparisons between observed and expected cases, (3) comparisons between mean age at diagnosis and median survival time and (4) interviews concerning exposures of cases. Evidence from the literature review revealed little, if any, effect of petroleum refinery or petrochemical exposure on the risk for brain cancer. There was no statistically significant increase in the number of brain cancer cases in the community (observed = 12, expected = 9.46, standardized mortality ratio = 1.27). There was no statistically significant decrease in mean age at diagnosis or median survival time among those most exposed. Reports of exposure from the case interviews were highest for eating processed meats (98.5%), dental X-rays (96.6%), dog ownership (91.2%) and swimming (80.3%). There were no major occupational exposures identified. It seems unlikely that petrochemicals are involved in any significant way in the etiology of most brain cancers (gliomas). A follow-up case-control study should focus primarily on those risk factors mentioned frequently by the cases.
Triiodothyronine Modulates Extracellular Matrix-Mediated Interactions between Thymocytes and Thymic Microenvironmental Cells
Authors: Ribeiro-Carvalho Marilza Moura , Farias-de-Oliveira Désio Aurélio , Villa-Verde Déa Maria Serra , Savino Wilson
Published: April 2003

Objectives: Thyroid hormones exert immunomodulatory activities and the thymus is one of their target organs. We previously showed that triiodothyronine (T3) modulates thymic hormone production and extracellular matrix (ECM) expression by mouse thymic epithelial cells (TEC). This concept is enlarged herein by studying the effects of T3 in human TEC preparations including primary cultures derived from thymic nurse cell complexes, as well as human and murine TEC lines. Methods and Results: We observed that in all cases, ECM ligands and receptors (such as fibronectin, laminin, VLA-5 and VLA-6) are enhanced in vitro, as ascertained by immunocytochemistry, ELISA and cytofluorometry. Moreover, thymocyte adhesion to these TEC preparations is augmented by T3. Interestingly, TEC-thymocyte adhesion is also upregulated when thymocytes from T3-treated mice adhere to untreated TEC cultures. Such an enhancing effect of T3 upon TEC-thymocyte interactions is likely due to the increase in the expression of ECM ligands and receptors, since it is prevented when T3-treated TEC cultures are incubated with anti-ECM antibodies prior to the adhesion assay. We then tested whether T3 could modulate interactions between thymocytes and nonepithelial microenvironmental cells, exemplified herein by the phagocytic cells of the mouse thymic reticulum. In fact, in vitro treatment of these cells with T3 increases ECM ligands and receptors and augments their ability to adhere to thymocytes. Lastly, using immunochemistry-based assays, we showed the presence of the nuclear T3 receptor in all thymic microenvironmental cell preparations. Conclusion: Our data show that T3 upregulates ECM-mediated heterocellular interactions of thymocytes with distinct thymic microenvironmental cells, in both humans and mice.
Perivascular Endothelial Implants Inhibit Intimal Hyperplasia in a Model of Arteriovenous Fistulae: A Safety and Efficacy Study in the Pig
Authors: Nugent Helen M. , Groothuis Adam , Seifert Philip , Guerraro J. Luis , Nedelman Mark , Mohanakumar T. , Edelman Elazer R.
Published: April 2003

Vascular access complications are a major problem in hemodialysis patients. Native arteriovenous fistulae, historically the preferred mode of access, have a patency rate of only 60% at 1 year. The most common mode of failure is due to progressive stenosis at the anastomotic site. We have previously demonstrated that perivascular endothelial cell implants inhibit intimal thickening following acute balloon injury in pigs and now seek to determine if these implants provide a similar benefit in the chronic and more complex injury model of arteriovenous anastomoses. Side-to-side femoral artery-femoral vein anastomoses were created in 24 domestic swine and the toxicological, biological and immunological responses to allogeneic endothelial cell implants were investigated 3 days and 1 and 2 months postoperatively. The anastomoses were wrapped with polymer matrices containing confluent porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAE; n = 14) or control matrices without cells (n = 10). PAE implants significantly reduced intimal hyperplasia at the anastomotic sites compared to controls by 68% (p <0.05) at 2 months. The beneficial effects of the PAE implants were not due to differences in the rates of reendothelialization between the groups. No significant immunological response to the allogeneic endothelial cells that impacted on efficacy was detected in any of the pigs. No apparent toxicity was observed in any of the animals treated with endothelial implants. These data suggest that perivascular endothelial cell implants are safe and reduce early intimal hyperplasia in a porcine model of arteriovenous anastomoses.
Diet and Feeding Behaviour of Indri indri in a Low-Altitude Rain Forest
Authors: Britt Adam , Randriamandratonirina Nicolas J. , Glasscock Kellie D. , Iambana Bernard R.
Published: April 2003

The diet and feeding behaviour of Indri indri were investigated in the Betampona Reserve, eastern Madagascar, over 12 months from February 2000 to February 2001. The highly folivorous diet of this species was confirmed – feeding on foliage (leaves and petioles) accounting for 82% of feeding records. Immature leaves were the preferred dietary item, but at times of relative scarcity mature leaves, fruit, seeds, flowers and bark were substituted. The indri were observed to feed on parts from 22 plant families, 37 genera and at least 42 species. The most important plant families in the diet of Indri were Lauraceae, Clusiaceae and Myristicaceae. Most feeding at Betampona was observed at 5–20 m above the forest floor amongst small (2.1–5.0 cm), oblique/horizontal supports (0–45o). The indri spent 41.4% of their active period feeding most commonly in above-branch postures. Studies such as this are important for the development of conservation management plans for this endangered species.Introduction
OCT Findings in Patients with Retinopathy after Watching a Solar Eclipse
Authors: Codenotti Marco , Patelli Fabio , Brancato Rosario
Published: April 2003

Purpose: To evaluate the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in patients with solar retinopathy after watching a solar eclipse. Methods: Complete ocular examinations and OCT were done in 4 patients presenting with acute solar retinopathy soon after observation of an eclipse. All 4 patients repeated the examinations about 1 month and 1 year after the first visit. Results: The symptoms and fundus findings were similar in all patients; all eyes were emmetropic. However, the OCT images were different in all patients, and the alterations were at different levels. The most evident alterations shown by OCT were: a reduction in the intensity of reflectivenesss of the retinal pigment epitelium in 3 cases; intraretinal nonreflective spaces between the inner retinal layers in 2 cases; increased reflectiveness of the inner retinal layers in 2 cases, and a round hyperreflective formation in the vitreous just in front of the fovea in 1 case. All these OCT alterations disappeared after 1 month. Conclusions: The retinal damage arising soon after exposure to sunlight showed many different aspects in the OCT images of the 4 cases examined. All retinal layers seemed to be altered, but these alterations disappeared after 1 month, and the OCT findings remained the same after 1 year.
Pattern Visual Evoked Potentials in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Ikejiri Mitsuya , Adachi-Usami Emiko , Mizota Atsushi , Tsuyama Yoshihiko , Miyauchi Osamu , Suehiro Shintaro
Published: April 2003

To evaluate the characteristics of pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEPs) in traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) compared with optic neuritis (ON), we retrospectively studied 47 patients with TON and 64 patients with unilateral ON. PVEPs elicited by the stimulation with 3 reversals/s were recorded in all patients. A PVEP could be recorded in 29.8% of the TON patients and 49.6% of the ON patients at their first visit. In the 14 patients with TON and recordable PVEPs, the mean amplitude ratio (affected/fellow eye) was 0.29 ± 0.03 (SE) and the mean delay of the peak latency was 17.9 ± 2.9 ms. In the 30 patients with ON and recordable PVEPs, the mean amplitude ratio was 0.48 ± 0.04 (SE) and the mean delay of the peak latency was 23.5 ± 2.5 ms. The amplitude ratio was significantly lower in patients with TON than in those with ON.
Ocular Blood Flow in Healthy and Primary Open-Angle Glaucomatous Eyes
Authors: Birinci Hakkı , Danacı Murat , Öge İhsan , Erkan N. Dilek
Published: April 2003

Purpose: To evaluate blood flow parameters in the ophthalmic artery, in the posterior ciliary arteries and in the central retinal artery in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma. Methods: Hemodynamic parameters were evaluated by color Doppler imaging in 48 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 42 age-matched normal control subjects. Peak systolic velocity (Pv), end-diastolic velocity (Ev), and resistive index (RI) were calculated in the central retinal artery, short posterior ciliary arteries and the ophthalmic artery. Results: The analysis of the ocular blood flow velocities in the central retinal artery, short posterior ciliary arteries and the ophthalmic artery revealed a significant reduction in peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity with an increase in resistive index in primary open-angle glaucoma compared with controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our data indicate primary open-angle glaucoma to be associated with a decreased flow velocity and increased resistive index in the ocular vasculature.
Ante mortem Ruptures of the Endolymphatic Membranes in Children: Real Finding or Artifact?
Authors: Bachor Edgar , Karmody Collin S.
Published: April 2003

We undertook this study to determine whether or not ante mortem ruptures of the endolymphatic membranes occurred naturally in the infantile labyrinth, what were the most frequent locations and to assess the statistical correlation of an earlier finding of bulging of Reissner’s membrane in pediatric temporal bones. We examined 128 temporal bones from 80 children between the ages of newborn to 12 years with an average age of 15.4 months. All temporal bones were prepared by the celloidin technique and studied by light microscopy. The endolymphatic membranes of the cochlear duct, saccule, utricle and semicircular ducts were examined for ruptures. A rupture of the saccule and utricle was considered to be an ante mortem event if its edges were rolled and bound with fine adhesions and could be identified in adjacent sections. Ante mortem ruptures were seen in 11.1% of the specimens and occurred in 2.4% in Reissner’s membrane, in 6.3% in the saccular membrane and in 2.4% in the utricular membrane. In these specimens, the histopathological changes included atrophy of the stria vascularis and collapse of the organ of Corti, which provided further evidence of an ante mortem event. Infants with extralabyrinthine congenital anomalies or children who were treated with chemotherapy were more likely to develop ruptures of the endolymphatic membranes if they also received aminoglycosides.
Ostiomeatal Complex in Normal Semitic Adults
Authors: Al Muhaimeed Hamad , Hashash Yasser , Shafy A. , Hashash Mustafa
Published: April 2003

This is a clinicoradiological study of six components in the ostiomeatal complex (OMC) of normal adult Saudis of both sexes. It presents them through the mean values of the osseous components of the computed tomographic coronal cuts of the nose and paranasal sinuses. The maximum mean value of the maxillary ostium in males and females was 0.22 and 0.21 cm, respectively. The maximum height of the uncinate process was 1.27 and 1.26 cm, the largest surface area of bulla ethmoidalis was 0.69 and 0.52 cm2, the maximum width of the infundibulum was 0.22 and 0.21 cm, the largest width of the middle tubinate was 1.47 and 1.44 cm and the maximum width of the middle meatus was 0.83 and 0.79 cm, respectively. Their standard deviation and p value were calculated. The measured units of OMC did not show any significant variation between the two sexes as well as between the different age groups except for the bulla ethmoidalis where there was significant variation between males and females in the age group of 15–31 years. This study was done to provide endoscopic rhinologists a set of reference distances of OMC.
Selective Inhibition of Systemic Anti-OVA IgE Production in Response to Oral Pre-Treatment with OVA-Liposome Conjugates
Authors: Naito Seishiro , Taneichi Maiko , Kato Hiroshi , Tanaka Yuriko , Ami Yasushi , Suzaki Yuriko , Mori Masahito , Nakano Yoshio , Yamamura Hiroyuki , Morokuma Kazunori , Ohkuma Kunio , Miyake Hidekazu , Kiniwa Mamoru , Komuro Katsutoshi , Uchida Tetsuya
Published: April 2003

Background: We have previously reported that intraperitoneal injection with OVA-liposome conjugates induces OVA-specific and IgE-selective unresponsiveness in mice. Methods: In the present study, the effects of oral pre-treatment with OVA-liposome conjugates or with plain OVA solution on anti-OVA IgG antibody production were investigated in mice after subsequent immunization with alum-adsorbed OVA. Control mice received only the immunization. Results: The levels of serum anti-OVA IgG antibody in mice receiving oral administration of OVA-liposome were comparable to those in the control mice. However, in mice receiving oral administration of the same dose of plain OVA, levels of serum anti-OVA IgG antibody were significantly lower than those in control mice. Surprisingly, anti-OVA IgE antibody production was completely inhibited in mice receiving oral administration of OVA-liposome conjugates. Splenic CD4+ T cells of mice receiving oral administration of OVA-liposome and those of control mice produced comparable levels of cytokines, while those of mice receiving oral administration of plain OVA solution produced significantly lower levels of cytokines than those in the other two groups. Conclusion: Orally administered OVA-liposome did not affect anti-OVA IgG production but did inhibit anti-OVA IgE antibody production, while orally administered OVA solution inhibited production of both IgG and IgE antibodies. These results suggest that antigen-liposome conjugates can possibly be orally administered in order to control antigen-specific IgE antibody production, without affecting IgG antibody production.
An Eye-Opener to Protein Structures
Authors: Berezovsky Igor N. , Kirzhner Alla , Kirzhner Valery M. , Trifonov Edward N.
Published: April 2003

During the last 30 years of protein research, the main emphasis has been given to crystallographic details, while the very basics of polymer statistics have largely been ignored. This has resulted in a major detail being overlooked: the closed loops of the size dictated by the polypeptide chain flexibility, of which the globular proteins are actually built, remained unnoticed. This article describes the loop-and-lock structure of proteins, a thoroughly different picture. Consequently, new perspectives are opened for protein folding, determinants of protein stability and presentation of proteins as assemblies of standard elements. A proteomic code is suggested, whereby the proteins are viewed as linear combinations of a limited number of prototype sequence/structure loop elements. The polymer statistical revision of the very basics of protein structure challenges decades of efforts in protein research and provides a powerful basis for studies in protein evolution.
Ancestral Founder of Mutation W283X in the Porphobilinogen Deaminase Gene among Acute Intermittent Porphyria Patients
Authors: Schneider-Yin Xiaoye , Hergersberg Martin , Goldgar David E. , Rüfenacht Urszula B. , Schuurmans Macé M. , Puy Hervé , Deybach Jean-Charles , Minder Elisabeth I.
Published: April 2003

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a low-penetrant autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the porphobilinogen deaminase gene (PBGD). Nearly 60% of all Swiss AIP patients carry a nonsense mutation W283X (G7916→A). In France, the prevalence of W283X is <5%. To determine whether W283X was a founder mutation or originated from multiple de novo events, we studied 25 apparently unrelated W283X families and index patients, 21 of Swiss and 4 of French origins. In the absence of sufficient genealogical data to verify the ancestral background of these W283X families/patients, we identified haplotypes of seven intragenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PBGD gene as well as eight microsatellites flanking the PBGD gene covering 9.88 cM in chromosome 11. Molecular cloning and sequencing experiments were required in order to completely resolve the intragenic haplotypes in this study cohort which mainly consisted of single index patients and families with limited members. Thirteen of the 25 W283X families/patients carry a SNP haplotype [C-A-A-A-G-C-W283X-G] and 12 (including four French families) carry a [T-G-G-G-G-C-W283X-G] haplotype. A less conserved microsatellite haplotype was identified among the 25 W283X alleles which allowed us to estimate the age of the mutation. Since W283X is not explained by a methylcytosine mutation, we favor the hypothesis of a single mutational event which took place on the [T-G-G-G-G-C-G] background at approximately 40 generations or 1000 years ago. Around 550 years ago, a recombination event occurred between intron 3 and 10 of the PBGD gene which resulted in the [C-A-A-A-G-C-W283X-G] haplotype only found in a restricted region.
Publication Ethics in Gastroenterology and Endoscopy
Authors: Farthing Michael J.G.
Published: April 2003

Research and the publication of research findings must be performed within an ethical framework of the highest standards. Although the majority of these principles would be regarded by most as being ‘common sense’, it is apparent that both research and publication misconduct occurs too frequently not to provide clear guidance as to what is expected by all involved in the research and publication arena. This review covers a variety of topics including study design and ethical approval, data analysis, authorship, conflict of interest, the peer review process, redundant publication, plagiarism, duties of editors, media relations, advertising and how to deal with misconduct.
Adrenomedullin Concentrations in Early 2nd-Trimester Amniotic Fluid: Relation to Preterm Delivery and Fetal Growth at Birth
Authors: Yamashiro Chizu , Kanenishi Kenji , Akiyama Masashi , Tanaka Hirokazu , Shiota Atsuko , Hata Toshiyuki
Published: April 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid predict preterm delivery or fetal growth at birth. Methods: The adrenomedullin concentrations in early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid were measured in 70 pregnancies with term delivery and in 3 pregnancies with preterm delivery. Total and free adrenomedullin concentrations were measured from early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid samples using an immunoradiometric assay. Results: The amniotic fluid total adrenomedullin concentrations in women with preterm delivery were significantly higher (129.7 ± 19.6 fmol/ml) than those in women with term delivery (92.5 ± 28.2 fmol/ml; p < 0.05). There were no significant differences for amniotic fluid free adrenomedullin concentrations and free/total adrenomedullin ratios between the two groups. Total or free adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid showed an inverse correlation both with birth weight (r = 0.27, p < 0.05, and r = 0.21, p < 0.05) and height (r = 0.30, p < 0.05, and r = 0.28, p < 0.05). There were no correlations between placental weight and total or free adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid. Conclusions: These results suggest that adrenomedullin concentrations in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid might be related to further in utero fetal growth and that high levels of adrenomedullin in the early 2nd-trimester amniotic fluid may be involved in the occurrence of preterm delivery.
Injection Therapy for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women
Authors: Meschia M. , Pifarotti P. , Gattei U. , Crosignani P.G.
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this review is to summarize the results of reports on injectable agents in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. Six agents were reviewed: Teflon; autologous fat; collagen; silicone microparticles; silicone microballoons, and pyrolytic carbon. Collagen was the most frequently reported agent and yielded a 1-year cure/improvement rate of 60–80%, but results worsened significantly with longer follow-up. Teflon has been used longer in the treatment of stress incontinence, but low long- and short-term success rates and reported complications such as particle migration have prevented its widespread acceptance. Autologous fat has been suggested as a natural injectable but its success rate has been disappointing. The injection of silicone microparticles is associated with a long-term success rate of about 70% in patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, and it can now be injected more easily without the need of urethroscopy. Silicone microballoons and pyrolytic carbon has recently been introduced into clinical practice with a short-term success rate of about 70%, but longer follow- up is needed. In conclusion, the long-term durability, cost-effectiveness, and some safety issues still have to be addressed by further clinical trials.
Paradoxical Enhancement of Bupivacaine Anesthesia in Mice by Drugs That Open Sodium Channels
Authors: Smith Forrest L. , Lindsay Raymond J.
Published: April 2003

Sodium channel drugs were used to modulate the anesthetic effects of bupivacaine in mice. Anesthesia was measured following perisciatic injection of bupivacaine with vehicle or neurotoxin in the popliteal region. The site 1 Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin alone was inactive, but increased the anesthetic effects of bupivacaine. We hypothesized that the site 2 and site 3 Na+ channel openers veratridine and anemone toxin II (ATXII), respectively, would antagonize bupivacaine. Paradoxically, both drugs enhanced bupivacaine. In bupivacaine-treated mice, a significant correlation was observed between limb weakness scores and paw withdrawal latencies. The correlation coefficients were higher when tetrodotoxin, veratridine, or ATXII was coadministered with bupivacaine. In conclusion, veratridine and ATXII may have increased the stimulus-dependent binding of bupivacaine to Na+ channels, thereby increasing the anesthetic effects of bupivacaine.
Trypanosoma cruzi: In vitro Morphological Alterations Induced by Actinomycin D
Authors: Zaverucha do Valle Tânia , Calabrese Kátia S. , Côrte-Real Suzana , Baetas Wagner C. , Gonçalves da Costa Sylvio C.
Published: April 2003

Actinomycin (ActD) is an antibiotic that binds DNA, preventing transcription. When a Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice is treated with this drug, the parasite loses its ability to multiply, enabling protection. In this study, axenic cultured T. cruzi parasites were exposed to different concentrations of ActD (10, 20, and 50 µg/ml), all of them being able to inhibit growth and to alter the mobility. Nevertheless, the parasites remained alive and motile for at least 14 days. Scanning electron microscopy of trypomastigotes treated with 10 µg/ml of ActD for 24 h showed a modification in their morphology which suggests a change in the parasite cytoskeleton.
Possible Involvement of Prostaglandins F2α and D2 in Acetylcholine-Induced Positive Inotropy in Isolated Mouse Left Atria
Authors: Tanaka Hikaru , Nishimaru Kazuhide , Makuta Ryuji , Hirayama Wataru , Kawamura Taro , Matsuda Tomoyuki , Tanaka Yoshio , Kawanishi Toru , Shigenobu Koki
Published: April 2003

The inotropic action of prostaglandins PGF2α, PGD2 and PGE2 on isolated mouse left atria was characterized and compared with the positive inotropic action of acetylcholine, which has previously been shown to be mediated by prostaglandins released from the endocardial endothelium. PGF2α, PGD2 and PGE2 produced positive inotropic responses; the time course of the change in contractile force induced by PGF2α and PGD2 was about the same as that by acetylcholine, while that by PGE2 was slower. Fluprostenol and sulprostone, FP and EP receptor agonists, respectively, had positive inotropic effects while BW-245C, a DP receptor agonist, had no effect. AH-6809, a DP receptor antagonist, had no inhibitory effect on the positive inotropic response to PGD2. Dimethylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange, inhibited the positive inotropic response to PGF2α, PGD2 and acetylcholine, but not PGE2. Fluorometric pH measurement with carboxy-SNARF-1-loaded atrial myocytes revealed no change in intracellular pH on application of PGF2α. PGF2α and PGD2 significantly prolonged the duration of the atrial action potential while PGE2 had no significant effect. These findings suggest that prostaglandins induce positive inotropic response in mouse atria through FP and EP receptor stimulation and that the former mechanism mediates in part the positive inotropic response to acetylcholine.
Gonadectomy Eliminates Endothelium-Dependent Diethylstilbestrol-Induced Relaxant Effect in Rat Aorta
Authors: Martínez Carmen , López Covadonga , Hidalgo Agustín , Sánchez Manuel , García de Boto María José
Published: April 2003

The effects of gender and castration of rats on diethylstilbestrol-induced, endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxation in rat aorta strips were studied. For this, male and female control and castrated rats were used. Diethylstilbestrol elicited a concentration-dependent (1–30 µmol/l) relaxation of isolated rat aorta. The effect was significantly higher in the presence of endothelium in aorta strips of the control group and also in female as compared with male rats. This effect is NO-dependent, since it is inhibited by NG-methyl-L-arginine. Castration of the rats suppressed the endothelium-dependent relaxation, and it was similar to that induced in the absence of endothelium. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation was not suppressed by castration. The acetylcholine-induced relaxation was decreased in aorta strips previously relaxed by diethylstilbestrol. There are no gender differences in the diethylstilbestrol-induced, endothelium-independent component of the relaxation, nor is it modified by the hormonal environment. Therefore, diethylstilbestrol-induced, endothelium-dependent relaxation in rat aorta strips is modulated by the hormonal status of the rats.
Personality Traits and Platelet Monoamine Oxidase Activity in a Swedish Male Criminal Population
Authors: Longato-Stadler Eva , af Klinteberg Britt , Garpenstrand Håkan , Oreland Lars , Hallman Jarmila
Published: April 2003

Background: A Swedish male criminal population was grouped into personality disorder subgroups and investigated with regard to personality traits and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. The main aim of the study was to examine the possibility of a risk factor combination by having low platelet MAO activity as well as belonging to a certain diagnostic DSM-IV axis I (drug abuse in the present series) and/or II subgroup. Methods: Personality disorders were grouped into clusters according to the cluster system used in DSM-IV axis II. The prisoners were grouped into five subgroups and each subject completed the Karolinska Scales of Personality self-report questionnaire. The comparison group for the personality data comprised 51 non-criminal males from a longitudinal Swedish project. Platelet MAO activity was assessed for the criminals as well as for a control group including 60 non-criminal healthy male Caucasians. For testing the existence of syndromes, a configuration frequency analysis (CFA) was used. Results: The results showed low scores on the socialisation and high scores on the sensation seeking-related traits impulsiveness and monotony avoidance, and the somatic anxiety-related muscular tension in the criminals with any DSM-IV mental disorder, however most markedly in cluster AB and cluster B subjects. In addition, cluster AB subjects had significantly lower platelet MAO activity than controls. Two significant ‘types’ were found among the criminals: one was characterised by low platelet MAO activity, cluster B personality diagnosis as well as drug abuse disorder diagnosis; and the other by a pattern of normal platelet MAO activity, no cluster B personality disorder and no drug abuse disorder diagnosis. Conclusion: The aggregation of certain risk factors in the same individual has been shown to contribute to the development of criminal behaviour.