bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parenteral Nutrition and Coma Therapy with Amino Acids in Hepatic Failure
Authors: Striebel J.P. , Holm E. , Lutz H. , Storz L.W.
Published: January 2017

Patients with liver cirrhosis show typical changes in plasma and brain amino acid levels. If symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) have not yet developed, the concentrations of phenylalanine and tyrosine are already enhanced. With increasing HE there is a rise in the levels of methionine and free tryptophan, valine, leucine and isoleucine are generally diminished. In order to conduct safe parenteral nutrition and coma therapy in hepatic failure corrective amino acid solutions have been proposed. In 103 cirrhotic patients, the effects of 4 amino acid mixtures, glucose, and a diet containing 40 g of protein were investigated. Amino acids given intravenously in a dose of 50 g/day. There were no differences between the groups in carbohydrate load (147 k J/kg BW), and with the adapted solutions (A, B, and C) enhanced plasma levels of methionine returned to normal in most instances. Physiological methionine and free tryptophan concentrations generally remained in the normal range. No constant alterations were observed in phenylalanine and tyrosine levels. The initially subnormal values for valine, leucine, and isoleucine could be elevated into the lower normal range. Solution D, composed for requirements of patients with intact liver function, caused excessively high values of methionine and free tryptophan, whereas the levels of phenylalanine and tyrosine were not increased, nor could correction of the levels of the branched chain amino acids be achieved by the solution. Glucose reduced methionine and aromatic amino acids in plasma but diminished valine and leucine as well. Nitrogen balances, calculated from the renal nitrogen excretion improved during the treatment with 2 of the solutions (A and B), but positive balances with the third solution (C) could be achieved only when 10 to 15 g protein was added to the diet. The amino acid solutions adapted to the metabolism in hepatic failure to a normalisation of pathological amino acid levels, to an acceleration of the EEG, and with one solution (A) to a positive nitrogen balance.
Urinary Excretion of 3‐Methylhistidine in Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Kim Chang‐Woong , Okada Akira , Itakura Takeo , Kawashima Yasunaru , Konishi Hiroyuki , Nakajima Teruo
Published: January 2017

In an attempt to investigate the kinetics of the muscle protein during parenteral nutrition (PN) and surgical stress, the urinary output of 3‐methylhistidine (3‐Mehis) was measured in patients receiving PN, then the validity of urinary 3‐Mehis excretion as an index for the patient's status of protein nutrition was examined. The amounts of 3‐Mehis excreted in 24 hr urine in the 19 healthy males and 10 healthy females were 74.8 ± 17.1 mg/day and 46.3 ± 12.4 mg/day, respectively. The changes of daily urinary 3‐Mehis output in 6 cases receiving PN for more than 4 weeks were also examined. The average urinary 3‐Mehis excretion increased gradually during the course of PN, and by the third week was nearly twice as high as the level before PN. In a further study the influence of surgery upon the urinary excretion of 3‐Mehis was examined in 9 patients. Finally, a comparison was made of the nutritional status before and 4 wks after PN in the 6 patients without surgical stress. Urinary 3‐Mehis was found to be a good index of both the status of protein nutrition and the fluctuation of muscle protein catabolism.
Learning from Incidents and Incident Reporting
Authors: Rossignol Nicolas , van Oudheusden Michiel
Published: January 2017

This article examines how incidents are governed in a Belgian Nuclear Research Center by way of an incident reporting system (IRS) named Retour d’Experiences (REX). Drawing on a documentary analysis of incident reports, interviews, and focus groups with personnel, it illustrates how REX enacts a safety governmentality centered on identifying incident causes and culprits. As this governmentality mode obscures the epistemic and political character of incidents, it closes down important opportunities for collective learning about safety and safety governance. It is argued that joint reflection about incidents and resistances toward incident reporting serve as fruitful starting points for a more reflexive safety governance that makes explicit how decisions are made in high-risk contexts. Social scientists can enhance governance of this kind by pointing to different perceptions and evaluations of incidents and by insisting that contending interpretations are confronted and accounted for.
A Flexible Formula: Indirect Teaching and Assessment: Are They Mutually Exclusive?
Authors: Pope Carol A.
Published: January 2017

Principals may wonder how to evaluate teachers who use student-centered, indirect teaching strategies when their assessment instrument is one that appears to reward a more teacher-centered, direct teaching strategy. Some suggestions are offered here.
A Model for Supervisors: Self-Assessment in the Evaluation Process
Authors: Koehler Michael
Published: January 2017

Here's a process that enables supervisors to incorporate teacher self-assessments into their observation reports. The majority of teachers are capable of such activity, and having done so are more willing to engage in follow-up activities, according to this writer.
Performance-Based Accounting: Teacher Evaluation in Special Education
Authors: Katims David S. , Henderson Richard L.
Published: January 2017

A performance-based accounting system may be one answer to the growing challenge of appropriate and equitable teacher evaluation in special education. By incorporating the model described here, teacher evaluators can use their state-mandated system and meet the needs of special education teachers.
Guidelines for Development: Mentor Programs: Focus on the Beginning Principal
Authors: Daresh John C. , Playko Marsha A.
Published: January 2017

Beginning school administrators can gain valuable insights by working with a veteran principal—a mentor. To be effective these mentors should possess several important characteristics. These characteristics are outlined here.
Answering Wicked Questions: Dealing With Opposing Truths as a Nursing Associate Professor
Authors: Topp Robert , Hershberger Patricia E. , Bratt Marilyn
Published: January 2017

Nursing associate professors frequently are confronted with increasing responsibilities and fewer resources. These challenges commonly contribute to declines in job satisfaction and may result in departing academe. This article addresses these challenges by providing answers to four common “wicked questions” experienced by nursing associate professors: (a) How do I decline a request from a supervisor to take on additional responsibilities while continuing to support the mission of the school and advance my own scholarly productivity? (b) How do I handle the workload of multiple doctoral students with a variety of content areas that are different from my own and maintain my own level of productivity? (c) How do I handle expectations for more service, and leadership for the school, university, and professional organizations, yet the teaching and research responsibilities have not changed or have increased? and (d) What are some additional tips to being a more productive nursing associate professor?
Price Discoveries and Volatility Spillovers in S&P CNX Nifty Future and its Underlying Index CNX Nifty
Authors: Karmakar Madhusudan
Published: January 2017

In a perfectly functioning world, every piece of information should be reflected simultaneously in the underlying spot market and its futures markets. However, in reality, information can be disseminated in one market first and then transmitted to other markets due to market imperfections. And, if one market reacts faster to information than the other, a lead-lag relation is observed The lead-lag relationship in returns and volatilities between spot and futures markets is of interest to academics, practitioners, and regulators. In India, there are very few studies which have investigated the lead-lag relationship in the first moment of the spot and futures markets This study investigates the lead-lag relationship in the first moment as well as the second moment between the S&P CNX Nifty and the Nifty future. It also investigates how much of the volatility in one market can be explained by volatility innovations in the other market and how fast these movements transfer between these markets. It conducts Multivariate Cointegration tests on the long-run relation between these two markets. It investigates the daily price discovery process by exploring the common stochastic trend between the S&P CNX Nifty and the Nifty future based on vector error correction model (VECM). It examines the volatility spillover mechanism with a bivariate BEKK model. Finally, this study captures the effects of recent policy changes in the Indian stock market.

The results reveal the following: The VECM results show that the Nifty futures dominate the cash market in price discovery. The bivariate BEKK model shows that although the persistent volatility spills over from one market to another market bi-directionally, past innovations originating in future market have the unidirectional significant effect on the present volatility of the spot market.

The findings of the study thus suggest that the Nifty future is more informationally efficient than the underlying spot market. These findings may provide insights on the information transaction and index arbitrage between the CNX Nifty and futures markets.
Incentive to Finance under the Shoup Corporate Income Tax Concept—Focus on Shoup Semi-Imputation Credit Method
Authors: Kimura Konosuke
Published: January 2017

Reform of the Japanese tax system was undertaken after the second World War and was greatly influenced by Carl Shoup, then Professor at Columbia University. Shoup’s recommendations were made during a unique historical period which allowed for an experimental designing of tax reform in Japan to occur under occupation. In this article we review and criticize Shoup’s recommendations and explain the problems inherent in their implementation. Cultural transference problems such as attempted imputation of corporate tax to individual income tax based on the theory of net asset increases tax are discussed. Comparisons are also made with French and German imputation credit methods.
Isothermal Chemisorption upon Oxide-Supported Platinum
Authors: Berzins A. R. , Vong M. S. W. Lau , Sermon P. A. , Wurie A. T.
Published: January 2017

The extent of isothermal chemisorption (q in μmol g−1) of gaseous carbon monoxide, oxygen, and hydrogen on the surfaces of platinum crystallites supported upon silica, alumina, titania, molybdena, tungsta and sodium-tungsten bronzes has been investigated at 77–523 K and 0–5 kPa. The extent of adsorption under these conditions rarely reaches a saturation value (qmax) and in general the gradient dq/dp is not zero. Platinum dispersion and surface area, the nature of the support and the adsorbate, pressure and temperature all affect the value of dq/dp, which is interpreted in terms of the effects of weak secondary chemisorption on the platinum, physical adsorption, and spillover onto the support. The optimum conditions for differentiating chemisorption are described and methods of estimating monolayer adsorption capacity and specific surface areas of supported platinum from adsorption data measured at optimum temperatures and pressures are considered in detail. The accuracy of the derived surface areas are found to depend upon the conditions of pretreatment and adsorption chosen, the method of interpretation of the monolayer adsorption capacity qm and the variable stoichiometry of adsorption n.
Nitrogen Adsorption and Surface Texture of High-Area Manganese Oxides Derived from Potassium-Contaminated NH4MnO4
Authors: Nohman A.K.H. , Zaki M.I.
Published: January 2017

Nitrogen sorption isotherms have been determined at 77 K on pre-characterised MnOx bulk samples obtained by calcination at 423–873 K of K+-contaminated NH4MnO4. The isotherms have been analysed for estimating the surface area and pore structure of the test samples adopting the αs-method and standard adsorption data determined on a local reference material (calcination product of the permanganate at 1273 K for 20 h). The most prominent result of the present investigation is that the presence of K+ leads to the formation of a channel-structured KMn8O16 bulk phase at 573 K and the following consequent textural modifications: (i) a considerable increase in the surface area to 205 m2/g, (ii) the construction of a uniform pore system consisting of slit-shaped pores with narrow entrances, and (iii) the evolution of energetically uniform internal surfaces of considerable area (= 92 m2/g). The results also reveal that the test surfaces generally exhibit a low heat towards N2 adsorption.
The Role of Mesoporosity in the Transport of Displaced Water during the Adsorption of Benzene by Prehumidified Charcoal Filters
Authors: Bailey A. , Lawrie G.A. , Williams M.R.
Published: January 2017

Active carbons have been characterised by nitrogen adsorption isotherms and mercury intrusion. Penetration tests with benzene vapour have been made on carbon filters in dry and humid conditions. The filter efficiency under humid conditions was found to be greater for carbons having a greater number of meso- and small macro-pores (2–100 nm). The effect is probably related to the storage and transport of displaced water in the carbon filter bed.
‘Specific’ Interaction of Organic Compounds with Polyethylene
Authors: Nikolenko Nikolai V. , Smirnova Helen S. , Shmarova Irina A.
Published: January 2017

The ultraviolet absorption spectra of substituted benzenes incorporated in thin films of low-density polyethylene have been studied. Conclusions have been drawn regarding the 'specific' interactions between the polymer and pyridine, N,N-dimethylaniline, nitrobenzene and benzaldehyde based on a comparison of the absorption peak positions of the various molecules when in the gaseous state, dissolved in octane and adsorbed in polyethylene.
Parents’ expectations and perceptions concerning the provision of communication aids by the Communication Aids Project (CAP)
Authors: Newton Caroline , Clarke Michael , Donlan Chris , Wright Jannet A. , Lister Claire , Cherguit Jasmina
Published: January 2017

This paper reports findings from part of an evaluation study of the Communication Aids Project (CAP), a government-funded project in England which provided communication aids to school-aged children. The paper focuses on parents’ views of the CAP process and the impact of the aid. Fourteen parents were interviewed twice over the telephone: once before or just as their children received communication aids and again six to eight weeks later. Parents expressed satisfaction with the impact of the aid on their children’s lives and showed they had realistic expectations concerning potential short-and long-term benefits. They raised two main concerns regarding the provision of aids, namely the timescale involved and access to accurate information and advice.
Preoperative exercise training prevents functional decline after lung resection surgery: a randomized, single-blind controlled trial
Authors: Sebio García Raquel , Yáñez-Brage Maria Isabel , Giménez Moolhuyzen Esther , Salorio Riobo Marta , Lista Paz Ana , Borro Mate Jose María
Published: January 2017

Objectives:

To investigate the effects of a preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation programme in patients with lung cancer undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Design:

Randomized, single-blind controlled trial.

Setting:

Teaching hospital.

Subjects:

Patients with suspected or confirmed lung cancer undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Intervention:

Participants were randomized to either a prehabilitation group or a control group. Participants in the prehabilitation group underwent a combination of moderate endurance and resistance training plus breathing exercises three to five times per week.

Main measures:

The primary outcome of the study was exercise capacity. Secondary outcomes were muscle strength (Senior Fitness Test), health-related quality of life (Short-Form 36) and the postoperative outcomes. Patients were evaluated at baseline (before randomization), presurgery (only the prehabilitation group), after surgery and three months post-operatively.

Results:

A total of 40 patients were randomized and 22 finished the study (10 in the prehabilitation group and 12 in the control group). Three patients were lost to follow-up at three months. After the training, there was a statistically significant improvement in exercise tolerance (+397 seconds, p = 0.0001), the physical summary component of the SF-36 (+4.4 points, p = 0.008) and muscle strength ( p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between groups after surgery. However, three months postoperatively, significant differences were found in the mean change of exercise capacity ( p = 0.005), physical summary component ( p = 0.001) and upper and lower body strength ( p = 0.045 and p = 0.002).

Conclusions:

A pulmonary rehabilitation programme before video-assisted thoracic surgery seems to improve patients’ preoperative condition and may prevent functional decline after surgery. Clinical Registration Number: NCT01963923 (Registration date 10/10/2013)
Low doses of mirtazapine or quetiapine for transient insomnia: A randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Karsten Julie , Hagenauw Loes A , Kamphuis Jeanine , Lancel Marike
Published: January 2017

Low doses of the antidepressant mirtazapine or the neuroleptic quetiapine are often prescribed off-label for insomnia. However, studies on the effects on sleep and hangover effects the following day are scarce. In this randomised, double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled trial, the influence of 7.5 mg mirtazapine and 50 mg quetiapine on both normal sleep and sleep disturbed by acoustic stress (traffic noise) as a model for transient insomnia was assessed. Additionally, hangover effects on next-day alertness and cognitive functioning were examined. A total of 19 healthy men without sleep complaints completed three treatment sessions, each session consisting of three consecutive nights in one of the mirtazapine, quetiapine or placebo conditions. Sleep was assessed using polysomnography and the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire. Daytime sleepiness and cognitive functioning were assessed using the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire, Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, Digit Symbol Substitution Task, Psychomotor Vigilance Task and an addition task. Under acoustic stress, both mirtazapine and quetiapine increased total sleep time by half an hour and reduced the number of awakenings by 35–40% compared to placebo. While quetiapine specifically increased the duration of non-rapid eye movement sleep, stage N2, mirtazapine mainly increased deep sleep stage N3. Subjects reported that both mirtazapine and quetiapine eased getting to sleep and improved sleep quality. Both drugs caused daytime sleepiness and lessened sustained attention. These findings support the use of low doses of mirtazapine and quetiapine for the treatment of insomnia. Further prospective studies on the long-term effects regarding effectiveness and adverse effects are needed.
Functional deficits induced by cortical microinfarcts
Authors: Summers Philipp M , Hartmann David A , Hui Edward S , Nie Xingju , Deardorff Rachael L , McKinnon Emilie T , Helpern Joseph A , Jensen Jens H , Shih Andy Y
Published: January 2017

Clinical studies have revealed a strong link between increased burden of cerebral microinfarcts and risk for cognitive impairment. Since the sum of tissue damage incurred by microinfarcts is a miniscule percentage of total brain volume, we hypothesized that microinfarcts disrupt brain function beyond the injury site visible to histological or radiological examination. We tested this idea using a mouse model of microinfarcts, where single penetrating vessels that supply mouse cortex were occluded by targeted photothrombosis. We found that in vivo structural and diffusion MRI reliably reported the acute microinfarct core, based on spatial co-registrations with post-mortem stains of neuronal viability. Consistent with our hypothesis, c-Fos assays for neuronal activity and in vivo imaging of single vessel hemodynamics both reported functional deficits in viable peri-lesional tissues beyond the microinfarct core. We estimated that the volume of tissue with functional deficit in cortex was at least 12-fold greater than the volume of the microinfarct core. Impaired hemodynamic responses in peri-lesional tissues persisted at least 14 days, and were attributed to lasting deficits in neuronal circuitry or neurovascular coupling. These data show how individually miniscule microinfarcts could contribute to broader brain dysfunction during vascular cognitive impairment and dementia.
Students’ and Parents’ Perceptions of Disciplinary Policy: Does Symbolic Representation Matter?
Authors: Roch Christine H. , Elsayed Mahmoud A. A. , Edwards Jason
Published: January 2017

This article examines the effects of symbolic representation and strict disciplinary policy on how students and their parents perceive school discipline. We use data from the 2011-2012 New York City School Survey, combined with data on disciplinary actions from the Office of Civil Rights. Our results suggest that strict disciplinary actions send negative messages to students and their parents about school discipline. We find that as more strict disciplinary actions are administered within a school, students are less likely to perceive discipline as fair or legitimate. The negative effects of disciplinary actions, however, tend to be smaller in schools for which there is a closer racial match between students and teachers and, consequently, a greater likelihood of symbolic representation. We also find that passive representation influences parents’ attitudes toward school discipline in their children’s schools.
Development and validation of a predictor of insufficient enhancement during the hepatobiliary phase of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Cui Enming , Long Wansheng , Luo Liangping , Hu Maoqing , Huang Liebin , Chen Xiangmeng
Published: January 2017

Background

Insufficient enhancement of liver parenchyma negatively affects diagnostic accuracy of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Currently, there is no reliable method for predicting insufficient enhancement during the hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

Purpose

To develop a predictor for insufficient enhancement of liver parenchyma during HBP in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

Material and Methods

In order to formulate a HBP enhancement test (HBP-ET), clinical factors associated with relative enhancement ratio (RER) of liver parenchyma were retrospectively determined from the datasets of 156 patients (Development group) who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI between November 2012 and May 2015. The independent clinical factors were identified by Pearson’s correlation and multiple stepwise regression analysis; the performance of HBP-ET was compared to Child-Pugh score (CPS), Model for End-stage Liver Disease score (MELD), and total bilirubin (TBIL) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The datasets of 52 patients (Validation group), which were examined between June 2015 and Oct 2015, were applied to validate the HBP-ET.

Results

Six biochemical parameters independently influenced RER and were used to develop HBP-ET. The mean HBP-ET score of patients with insufficient enhancement was significantly higher than that of patients with sufficient enhancement ( P < 0.001) in both the Development and Validation groups. HBP-ET (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.895) had better performance in predicting insufficient enhancement than CPS (AUC = 0.707), MELD (AUC = 0.798), and TBIL (AUC = 0.729).

Conclusion

The HBP-ET is more accurate than routine indicators in predicting insufficient enhancement during HBP, which is valuable to aid clinical decisions.
A Comparison of a Short Course of Single Daily Dosage Therapy of Tinidazole with Metronidazole in Intestinal Amoebiasis
Authors: Misra N P , Gupta R C
Published: January 2017

Sixty patients with symptomatic intestinal amoebiasis were treated for 3 days with a single dose of 2 g of either tinidazole or metronidazole respectively by random order. Tinidazole cured 90% of patients (27/30) and metronidazole cured 53.3% of patients (16/30). The difference was significant (p < 0.01). Mild side-effects were reported by 26.7% of patients (8/30) in the tinidazole group as compared to mild to moderate side effects reported by 53.3% of patients (16/30) in the metronidazole group. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).

As the average patient has only a limited understanding and toleration of extended treatment courses, the advantages of a short course employing a single daily dose are obvious. With such a regimen, tinidazole was found to be superior to metronidazole in intestinal amoebiasis.
Some Aspects of the Psychopharmacological Activity of Maprotiline (Ludiomil®): Effects of Single and Repeated Treatments
Authors: Delini-Stula A , Radeke E , Vassout A
Published: January 2017

Three different aspects of the psychopharmacological activity of the antidepressant maprotiline were investigated:

its influence on serotoninergic functions the effects produced by chronic treatment its central nervous depressant and anxiolytic properties.

Study of the effects of maprotiline on 5-HTP-induced head-twitch in mice pre-treated with pargyline or on hyperpyrexia in rats provided no evidence that the drug interferes with serotonin-mediated functions in the central nervous system even after quite high doses. These findings corroborate the results of extensive neurobiochemical investigations, which failed to demonstrate any influence of maprotiline on the metabolism of serotonin.

Chronic studies showed that classical effects of maprotiline such as antagonism against reserpine-induced ptosis or tetrabenazine-induced catalepsy do not change in their intensity after daily administration of the drugs in a dose of 30 mg/kg p.o.for 11 days. A new component of the action of the compound, not detectable after one single dose, seems to appear, however, after repeated treatment (8 days). This effect is manifested in the restoration of conditioned avoidance behaviour after its suppression by pre-treatment with reserpine. The same effect is produced by imipramine. It is suggested that this restorative effect may be due to an additional activation of the dopaminergic nervous system and may have a bearing on the appearance of clinical antidepressant effects.

Maprotiline was found to potentiate central nervous depressant effects of drugs like chlorpromazine, phenobarbitone and propranolol. This affords further confirmation that, in addition to its antidepressant qualities, it possesses sedative actions. An anxiolytic component was also demonstrated in rats in which maprotiline suppressed the conditioned, fear-induced rise in body-temperature.
Pindolol: A Potent Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agent in the Treatment of Hypertension
Authors: Jaroonvesma Nibha , Charoenlarp Kawi
Published: January 2017

Two groups of twenty-five hypertensive patients each were treated with a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (pindolol), either alone or in combination with classical antihypertensives. In the group under monotherapy a significant lowering of the blood pressure was observed. The effect was, however, not so consistent as in the group under combined therapy. The trial shows the efficacy and safety of pindolol in the treatment of hypertension mainly if applied in combination with a diuretic.
Preventive Treatment of Migraine Headache with a New Isoergolenyl Derivative
Authors: Herrmann W M , Krištof M , Hernandez M Sastre y
Published: January 2017

In the present double-blind clinical trial an isoergolenyl derivative with periphal antiserotonin, central dopaminergic activity and a-increasing effect on the human EEG, lisuride hydrogen maleate, was tested against placebo in a six-month trial involving 240 patients. Lisuride in long-term administration significantly reduces the frequency of migraine attacks in comparison to placebo.

Its advantages are good tolerance and minimal side-effects. It is therefore concluded that lisuride is a suitable and effective drug for the prevention of migraine.
Effect of Vaporub on the Restlessness of Children with Acute Bronchitis
Authors: Berger H , Madreiter H , Jarosch E
Published: January 2017

In this study pneumographs of children with acute bronchitis treated with Vicks Vaporub®* or Petrolatum were used. Movement artifacts were used as a measure of the so-called “restlessness” of the children.

The experimental schedule consisted of a 10-minute phase of recording before a 3-minute treatment with Vaporub® or Petrolatum, followed by a 70-minute observation period, during which time pneumograms were also recorded.

Thirty-four Vaporub®-treated children showed an increase in periods without movement artifacts of up to 213.8%, the Petrolatum controls, twenty-six children, up to 62.4% as compared to the corresponding pre-treatment values. It is concluded that Vaporub® is effective in decreasing restlessness in children suffering from acute bronchitis. This effect is quite marked and cannot be due solely to psychological effects of the rub therapy, or to effects of petrolatum without aromatics.
Trasidrex (A Fixed Combination of Slow Trasicor 160mg and Navidrex 0.25mg) in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Multicentre Clinical Trial in General Practice
Authors: Ebbutt A F , Elsdon-Dew R W , Murphy J E
Published: January 2017

Sixty-two patients with hypertension who were treated with a free combination of Slow Trasicor or Trasicor and Navidrex K were transferred to a fixed combination tablet, Trasidrex (slow oxprenolol 160 mg + cyclopenthiazide 0.25 mg). Blood pressure control was marginally improved and there was no increase in side-effects.
Effects of Pimobendan (UDCG 115) on Renal Function in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Martin P , Tindall H , Rice P , Jones P , Tregunno G , Davies J A , Prentice C R M
Published: January 2017

A phase I, double-blind, single-dose, randomized, two-period crossover study was conducted to investigate the effects of pimobendan on renal function to assess whether renal events were a contra-indication to its administration. Results in eight healthy volunteers indicated no significant adverse events on renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, or laboratory safety screens; side-effects were also found to be minimal. Further studies are indicated to assess whether, in the proposed treatment group, i.e. patients with heart failure (in whom compromised renal function is common), pimobendan similarly elicits no serious adverse renal effects.

Unter Verabreichung einer Einzeldosis wurde eine randomisierte, über zwei Zeitspannen stattfindende gekreuzte Doppelblindstudie der Phase I durchgeführt, um die Effekte von Pimobendan auf die Nierenfunktion zu untersuchen. Diese Untersuchung diente der Beurteilung, ob eine gestörte Nierenfunktion als Gegenanzeige für die Verabreichung dieses Präparates zu bewerten ist. Die an acht gesunden Freiwilligen ermittelten Ergebnisse ließen keine signifikanten, unerwünschten Ereignisse auf den renalen Plasmafluß, auf die glomeruläre Filtrationsrate oder auf die Ergebnisse der im Labor durchgeführten Sicherheits-Screening-Tests erkennen. Darüber hinaus wurde auch festgestellt, daß die Nebenwirkungen geringgradig waren. Es sind weitere Studien angezeigt, um zu beurteilen, ob in der vorgeschlagenen Behandlungsgruppe, das heißt bei Patienten mit Herzversagen, bei denen eine gestörte Nierenfunktion häufig vorkommt, Pimobendan auf ganz ähnliche Weise keine schweren unerwünschten Effekte auf die Nieren hervorruft.
Combined Zidovudine and Interferon-α2a Therapy in Children with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Giovannini M , Zuccotti G V , Locatelli V , Riva E
Published: January 2017

A study was carried out in five children with acquired immune deficiency syndrome to assess the effect of combined zidovudine/interferon-α2a therapy with that of zidovudine given alone on immunological profiles and plasma zidovudine concentrations. Immunoglobulins A, G and M, total and absolute CD4 lymphocyte counts, and p24 antigen concentrations did not differ significantly when children were treated with 300 mg/m2 zidovudine given orally once every 12 h, or with 150 mg/m2 zidovudine plus 1.5 or 3 MIU interferon-α2a given intramuscularly three times weekly. Peak plasma zidovudine concentrations were significantly ( P < 0.05) lower when combined treatment with 150 mg/m2 zidovudine/1.5 MIU interferon-α2a was administered compared with 300 mg/m2 zidovudine alone, or combined 150 mg/m2 zidovudine/3 MIU interferon-α2a The results suggest that combination zidovudine/interferon-α2a therapy may be more efficacious than zidovudine alone and that the normal zidovudine dose may be reduced if interferon-α2a is given in addition, thus reducing the side-effects associated with zidovudine.
Suppression of Mesangial-Cell Proliferation by Trapidil in Glomerulonephritis Induced by Anti-Thymocyte Serum in Rats
Authors: Razzaque M S , Cheng M , Taguchi T
Published: January 2017

Trapadil (Mochida Pharmaceuticals, Japan), an antiplatelet drug, suppresses the growth of several cell types and is thought to antagonize platelet-derived growth factor. The effects of trapidil on mesangial-cell proliferation in glomerulonephritis induced by anti-thymocyte serum in Wistar rats were investigated. Control rats were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (group I); group II rats were injected with a single dose of anti-thymocyte serum (8 ml/kg body weight), and group III rats were treated with both a single dose of anti-thymocyte serum (8 ml/kg body weight) and with trapidil (5 mg/kg body weight/day). Three rats in each group were killed on day 3, and the other three on day 10. Control rats showed no significant histological changes on day 3 or day 10. In group II, on day 3, there was a marked decrease in glomerular cell numbers, with mesangiolysis. Histologically severe mesangial-cell proliferation with expansion of mesangial areas was noted on day 10. None of the rats in group III showed mesangial alterations, histologically, indicating that mesangial-cell proliferation was suppressed by trapidil. This suppression may result from antagonism of the binding of platelet derived growth factor to the specific surface receptors in the mesangial cells. Trapidil may have clinical value in the treatment of mesangial-cell proliferative glomerular diseases.
Relationship between Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy and Diabetic Microangiopathies and Macro Angiopathy in Patients with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Okada S , Ishii K , Hamada H , Tanokuchi S , Ichiki K , Ota Z , Shimizu M , Hiraki Y
Published: January 2017

The relationship between cardiac autonomic neuropathy and diabetic microangiopathies and macroangiopathy was investigated in 103 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Cardiac autonomic nerve function was assessed by determining the uptake of [123I]metaiodobenzyl-guanidine into the myocardium. Cardioparasympathetic nerve function was assessed by comparing electrocardiographically the expiratory and inspiratory respiratory rate (RR) interval ratios, during a period of deep breathing, and the coefficients of variation of the RR intervals. Nerve conduction velocity measurements were used to assess diabetic somatic neuropathy, and measurement of pulse-wave velocity provided an indication of the extent of aortic sclerosis. The only correlations between the parameters of cardiac autonomic neuropathy and parameters of diabetic microangiopathies and macroangiopathy were between the expiratory to inspiratory RR interval ratio and both the conduction velocity of the tibial nerve and pulse-wave velocity, and between the heart to lung ratio (cardiac autonomic nerve function) and nephropathy. These correlations may have occurred by chance; alternatively they may indicate a difference in the onset mechanisms of cardiac parasympathetic and sympathetic neuropathies in diabetics.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection with Interferon α-2 a in a Turkish Population
Authors: Simsek H , Tatar G , Savas C , Telatar H
Published: January 2017

Recombinant interferon (IFN) α has been shown to normalize the aminotransferase levels in approximately half of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Twenty four patients with chronic HCV infection were treated with IFN α-2a subcutaneously, three times a week for 6 months. All patients responded to IFN therapy with a decrease of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Thirteen out of 24 cases (54.2%) had normal ALT levels at the end of the sixth month of therapy. However, four of these complete responders (30.8%) relapsed during the 12 month follow-up. Relapse was high in the partial responder group (45.5%). Overall relapse rate was 37.5% at 6 months. HCV genotype II, which is associated with a low response rate to IFN was prevalent (85 – 87%) in our patient population. This study shows that interferon therapy can be effective in reducing transaminase levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C in a population with a high prevalence of HCV type II. The relapse rate after discontinuation of treatment, however, remains a problem.
Efficacy and Safety of 300 μg and 400 μg Cerivastatin Once Daily in Patients with Primary Hypercholesterolemia: A Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Hanefeld M , Deslypere J-P , Ose L , Durrington PN , Farmer M , Schmage N
Published: January 2017

This study examined the action of cerivastatin, a new statin, in subjects with primary hypercholesterolemia. The effects of two oral doses of cerivastatin (400 μg/day or 300 μg/day) were compared with placebo in 349 patients using a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study design. Cerivastatin treatment lasted 8 weeks and produced significant reductions in low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) levels from baseline compared with placebo. The reduction in LDL-C was significantly greater with 400 μg than with 300 μg cerivastatin. When responder rates were examined, the higher (400 μg/day) cerivastatin dose was found to be more effective in producing larger (> 40%) reductions in LDL-C levels. Cerivastatin treatment was well tolerated. Only two withdrawals due to adverse events during active treatment occurred, neither of which was considered to be due to the study medication. In addition, no clinically relevant increases in the levels of creatine Phosphokinase and hepatic transaminases (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase) compared with placebo were seen in this study. In conclusion, cerivastatin treatment produced a significant lowering of LDL-C levels, with the higher dose providing the greatest benefit.
Comparative Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Trazodone versus Clorazepate in the Treatment of Adjustment Disorders in Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Razavi D , Kormoss N , Collard A , Farvacques C , Delvaux N
Published: January 2017

The efficacy of trazodone (mean once-daily dose 111.5 ± 36.3 mg) versus clorazepate (mean once-daily dose 17.5 ± 7.5 mg) to relieve anxious and depressive symptoms in 18 patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer was investigated in a 28-day randomized, double-blind study. Efficacy was evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Revised Symptom Checklist and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. A successful response to treatment was achieved in 91% (10/11) of patients who received trazodone and 57% (four of seven) of patients who were administered clorazepate ( P = 0.1373). Bayesian analysis revealed that the prior probability of making a wrong decision in prescribing trazodone rather than clorazepate reduced from 26% to 8%. Assessment of the clinical scales suggested a benefit of trazodone compared with clorazepate, although the differences were not significant. Safety of both treatments was similar. Trazodone is devoid of an abuse risk and dependence and, therefore, could be a valuable alternative to clorazepate in the treatment of adjustment disorders in cancer patients.
Amyloidosis of the Islets of Langerhans in a Crab-Eating Monkey (Macaca fascicularis)
Authors: Sheldon W. G. , Gleiser C. A.
Published: January 2017

A mature male crab-eating monkey ( Macaca fascicularis), killed in an acute toxic study, had idiopathic isolated amyloidosis in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Such a lesion has been reported previously only in man and the domestic cat.
Effects of Levamisole on the Ultrastructure of Mitochondria in the Liver of Beagle Dogs
Authors: Verheyen A. , Borgers M.
Published: January 2017

Purebred Beagle dogs were treated daily for 6 days with levamisole in oral doses of 10 mg/kg body weight. Liver biopsies taken before and after treatment showed no ultrastructural differences. Intramitochondrial paracrystalline inclusions before, as well as after, the drug administration were rare. Other minor abnormalities, in a few mitochondria, were as frequent before as after the drug treatment.
Degenerative Myelopathy in Three Strains of Aging Rats
Authors: Burek J. D. , van der Kogel A. J. , Hollander C. F.
Published: January 2017

Spontaneous paresis and paralysis associated with degenerative spinal cord and spinal nerve root lesions occurred in three strains of rats used in studies of aging. Focal or segmental spinal cord lesions had mild to severe demyelination, loss of nerve axons, and lipid-filled gitter cells. The lesions were limited to the white matter and were most severe in the lateral and ventral funiculi. The nerve roots had cholesterol clefts, focal hemorrhage, and demyelination. Atrophy of the skeletal muscle probably was secondary to the cord lesions. Vertebral lesions that involved the spinal canal and vascular blood flow were found, which may explain pathogenesis.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Cat with Intraocular and Orbital Metastases
Authors: Hayden D. W.
Published: January 2017

A well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma metastasized to the choroid and retrobulbar tissues surrounding the optic nerve sheath in the left eye of a 15-year-old white female domestic cat. The tumor originated either in the external auditory meatus or in the middle ear and extensively infiltrated the neighboring soft tissue and bone.
Spontaneous Frenkelia Infection in a Laboratory-Reared Rat
Authors: Hayden D. W. , King N. W. , Murthy A. S. K.
Published: January 2017

Numerous, lobulated, thin-walled protozoan cysts were found in the brain and cervical spinal cord of a male Fischer rat with granulomatous encephalitis. The cysts were compartmented, 470–1000 μm in diameter, and packed with crescent-shaped organisms. Light- and electron-microscopic features of the organism were characteristic of the protozoan Frenkelia, a parasite usually found in the brain of wild rodents. Many cysts were replaced by granulomas, whereas others elicited no inflammation. Perivascular and meningeal mononuclear cell infiltrates and gliosis were common.
Canine Leishmaniasis with Amyloidosis
Authors: George J. W. , Nielsen S. W. , Shively J. N. , Hopek S. , Mroz S.
Published: January 2017

Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a 2-year-old male Great Dane imported from Greece. The clinical signs included anemia, diarrhea, weight loss, proteinuria, and hyperglobulinemia with increases in α2- and γ-regions. At necropsy there was plasmalymphocytic and macrophage infiltration of spleen, macrophage infiltration of bone marrow, intracellular organisms of macrophages having the ultrastructural characteristics of Leishmania species, and severe amyloidosis of the spleen, liver, and kidney.
Experimental Acid-Aspiration Pneumonia in the Rabbit
Authors: Dodd D. C. , Marshall B. E. , Soma L. R. , Leatherman J.
Published: January 2017

Four anesthetized rabbits given intratracheal injections of hydrochloric acid, pH 1.5, 2 ml/kg, were killed 4 h later. A fifth rabbit was an untreated control. Each lung had a few red-brown patches of compression atelectasis. Microscopically, treated lungs had a severe exudative necrotizing bronchitis, bronchiolitis, and alveolitis. There was also intra-alveolar hemorrhage and edema. Electron microscopy showed folds, projections and focal swellings of type I cells lining affected alveoli. A morphometric study showed 69% of parenchyma to be normal, 26% edematous and 5% hemorrhagic. In the airways 58% of the epithelium was damaged.
Spontaneous Listeric
Authors: Charlton K. M.
Published: January 2017

The brainstems of four sheep with spontaneous listeric encephalitis had scattered small foci of inflammatory cells (neutrophils or macrophages, or both) with scattered fragments of degenerating nerve fibers and glial cells. In extensive areas of malacia in the pons and medulla oblongata, there was loss of parenchyma with massive accumulation of macrophages, a few neutrophils, lymphocytes and plasma cells. In both types of lesions, phagocytes contained debris of myelin and axons, lipid vacuoles and occasionally bacteria. Neutrophils contained bacteria in phagocytic and digestive vacuoles. No bacteria were detected in macrophages but were detected in neurons and in one axon in tissue previously used for paraffin sections.
Renal Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Aged Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Itakura C. , Iida M. , Goto M.
Published: January 2017

Fourteen aged Sprague-Dawley rats had typical renal secondary hyperparathy-roidism. The renal disease was severe glomerulosclerosis with tubular dilation. The parathyroid glands were enlarged and had hyperplasia of chief cells. Bone lesions were generalized osteodystrophia fibrosa and osteosclerosis. All rats had osteodystrophia fibrosa and it was severe in 10 rats. Only four rats had osteosclerosis and it was moderate. Metastatic calcification was seen in various soft tissues in 13 rats.
Heterakidosis and Nodular Granulomas Caused by Heterakis isolonche in the Ceca of Gallinaceous Birds
Authors: Griner L. A. , Migaki G. , Penner L. R. , McKee A. E.
Published: January 2017

Five pheasants and two ocellated turkeys from the San Diego Zoological Garden had multiple cecal nodules. These nodules were composed mostly of granulomas and fibrous hyperplastic tissue associated with Heterakis isolonche.
Ultrastructural Changes in the Pancreata of Selenium-Vitamin E-Deficient Chicks
Authors: Rebar A. H. , Van Vleet J. F.
Published: January 2017

Three hundred and seventy 1-day-old male, white Leghorn chicks were divided into seven groups and fed a series of semipurified torula yeast diets either deficient in or supplemented with selenium and vitamin E. Chicks in each group were necropsied sequentially and the pancreata examined by light microscopy. Selected pancreata of selenium deficient chicks in various stages of the deficiency disease were examined by electron microscopy. Supplements of either selenium (0.2 mg/kg) or vitamin E (100 IU/kg diet) resulted in protection against pancreatic lesions. Changes in pancreata of selenium deficient chicks progressed from cytoplasmic vacuolation of acinar cell cytoplasm to focal disseminated acinar necrosis. There was ductular proliferation and interstitial fibrosis in advanced lesions. Acini around islets were less frequently affected than acini further away. Ultrastructurally, the mildest lesions were focal dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum and autophagic vacuoles in acinar cell cytoplasm. Necrotic areas contained both membranous and granular debris and fragments of intact endoplasmic reticulum. In fibrotic pancreata the main acinar cell changes were uniform dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and reduction in number of zymogen granules.