bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bovine Herpesvirus 5 (BHV-5) Us9 Is Essential for BHV-5 Neuropathogenesis
Authors: Chowdhury S. I. , Onderci M. , Bhattacharjee P. S. , Al-Mubarak A. , Weiss M. L. , Zhou Y.
Published: July 2002

Bovine herpesvirus 5 (BHV-5) is a neurovirulent alphaherpesvirus that causes fatal encephalitis in calves. In a rabbit model, the virus invades the central nervous system (CNS) anterogradely from the olfactory mucosa following intranasal infection. In addition to glycoproteins E and I (gE and gI, respectively), Us9 and its homologue in alphaherpesviruses are necessary for the viral anterograde spread from the presynaptic to postsynaptic neurons. The BHV-5 Us9 gene sequence was determined, and the predicted amino acid sequence of BHV-5 Us9 was compared with the corresponding Us9 sequences of BHV-1.1. Alignment results showed that they share 77% identity and 83% similarity. BHV-5 Us9 peptide-specific antibody recognized a doublet of 17- and 19-kDa protein bands in BHV-5-infected cell lysates and in purified virions. To determine the role of the BHV-5 Us9 gene in BHV-5 neuropathogenesis, a BHV-5 Us9 deletion recombinant was generated and its neurovirulence and neuroinvasive properties were compared with those of a Us9 rescue mutant of BHV-5 in a rabbit model. Following intranasal infection, the Us9 rescue mutant of BHV-5 displayed a wild-type level of neurovirulence and neural spread in the olfactory pathway, but the Us9 deletion mutant of BHV-5 was virtually avirulent and failed to invade the CNS. In the olfactory mucosa containing the olfactory receptor neurons, the Us9 deletion mutant virus replicated with an efficiency similar to that of the Us9 rescue mutant of BHV-5. However, the Us9 deletion mutant virus was not transported to the bulb. Confocal microscopy of the olfactory epithelium detected similar amounts of virus-specific antigens in the cell bodies of olfactory receptor neuron for both the viruses, but only the Us9 rescue mutant viral proteins were detected in the processes of the olfactory receptor neurons. When injected directly into the bulb, both viruses were equally neurovirulent, and they were transported retrogradely to areas connected to the bulb. Taken together, these results indicate that Us9 is essential for the anterograde spread of the virus from the olfactory mucosa to the bulb.
Pit2 Assemblies at the Cell Surface Are Modulated by Extracellular Inorganic Phosphate Concentration
Authors: Salaün Christine , Gyan Emmanuel , Rodrigues Pierre , Heard Jean Michel
Published: July 2002

Pit2 is a type III sodium-dependent phosphate transporter and the cell surface receptor for amphotropic murine leukemia virus. Indirect arguments have previously suggested that retrovirus receptor assembly play a role in triggering membrane fusion. Using CHO cells expressing physiological amounts of functional versions of human Pit2 fused to various tagging epitopes, we provide evidence that Pit2 forms assemblies at the cell surface. Living cells were exposed to cross-linking reagents and protein extracts were treated with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a chemical that destroys all protein interactions but covalent links. Assemblies were also detected in the absence of cross-linking and TFA treatment, indicating that they are partially resistant to detergent denaturation. The formation of homo-oligomers was documented by the coimmunoprecipitation of differently tagged molecules. The amounts of Pit2 assemblies detected in the presence or in the absence of cross-linking reagents varied with extracellular inorganic phosphate concentration ([P
i
]). Variation of signal intensity was in the range of twofold, occurred in the absence of de novo protein synthesis and took place at the cell surface. These results indicate that Pit2 assemblies exhibit variable conformations at the surface of living cells. Susceptibility to virus infection and phosphate uptake also vary with extracellular [P
i
]. A model is proposed in which cell surface Pit2 assemblies switch from a compacted to an expanded configuration in response to changes of extracellular [P
i
], and possible relationships with the variation of biological activities are discussed.
Involvement of the Matrix Protein in Attachment of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus to a Heparinlike Receptor on Porcine Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Delputte P. L. , Vanderheijden N. , Nauwynck H. J. , Pensaert M. B.
Published: July 2002

The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has a very restricted tropism for well-differentiated cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage, which is probably determined by specific receptors on these cells. In this study, the importance of heparinlike molecules on porcine alveolar macrophages (PAM) for PRRSV infection was determined. Heparin interacted with the virus and reduced infection of PAM up to 92 or 88% for the American and European types of PRRSV, respectively. Other glycosaminoglycans, similar to heparin, had no significant effect on infection while heparinase treatment of PAM resulted in a significant reduction of the infection. Analysis of infection kinetics showed that PRRSV attachment to heparan sulfate occurs early in infection. A heparin-sensitive binding step was observed which converted completely into a heparin-resistant binding after 120 min at 4°C. Using heparin-affinity chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), it was observed that the structural matrix (M) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins attached to heparin. Nonreducing SDS-PAGE revealed that M bound to heparin mainly as a complex with glycoprotein GP5and that the N protein bound to heparin as a homodimer. GP3, which was identified as a minor structural protein of European types of PRRSV, did not bind to heparin. Since the N protein is not exposed on the virion surface, it was concluded that the structural M protein and the M-GP5complex contribute to PRRSV attachment on a heparinlike receptor on PAM. This is the first report that identifies a PRRSV ligand for a cell surface heparinlike receptor on PAM.
On the Nature of the So-Called Methoxychelidonine
Authors: Slavík Jiří , Táborská Eva , Bochořáková Hana
Published: July 2002

The so-called methoxychelidonine, an alkaloid isolated in 1924 from Chelidonium majus L. (Papaveraceae), is not an individual compound, but a mixture of three related alkaloids (+)-chelamine (III), (+)-homochelidonine (V) and (+)-chelamidine (IV) as it was deduced from high resolution mass spectral, thin-layer chromatographic and high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses of the authentic Gadamer's sample. The content of III, V and IV in "methoxychelidonine" found by HPLC technique was 67, 28, and 5 wt.%, respectively.
Chemometrical Analysis of Substituent Effects. III. Additivity of Substituent Effects in Dissociation of 3,4-Disubstituted Benzoic Acids in Organic Solvents
Authors: Pytela Oldřich , Kulhánek Jiří , Ludwig Miroslav , Říha Václav
Published: July 2002

Sixteen 3,4-disubstituted benzoic acids (with all combinations of CH3O, CH3, Cl/Br, and NO2 substituents) have been synthesized and their dissociation constants measured in seven organic solvents (methanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, pyridine, 1,2-dichloroethane). The effect of disubstitution and the validity of additive correlation relationships based on the Hammett equation have been analyzed by means of the analysis of variance, comparison of overall residual standard deviations of correlation equations of additive and additive multiplicative type, and application of the Hammett equation with internal (latent, defined in various ways) parameters and external (taken from literature) parameters describing the substituent effects. The effect of disubstitution has been found to be additive and describable within the validity range of the substituent constants adopted - by applying the additivity principle without any additional correction for interactions between the two substituents. The same conclusion has been drawn from the comparison of overall residual deviations in correlation equations for mono- and disubstituted derivatives. The analysis of differences between the reaction constants of the Hammett equation applied to mono- and disubstituted benzoic acids has shown that in organic solvents the solvation of substituents makes various contributions. The substituent influence is stronger in polar aprotic solvents (acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile) than that in the protic, basic, and less polar ones in which the stabilization by hydrogen bond becomes important, the role of proton donor being played either by the solvent itself (methanol) or by its conjugated acid (pyridine) or by a molecule of the dissociating acid as a consequence of homoconjugation (1,2-dichloroethane).
Sorption of Cadmium and Lead by Chelating Ion Exchangers Ostsorb DITHIZON and Ostsorb SALICYL
Authors: Svoboda Ladislav , Jech Stanislav
Published: July 2002

The pH and I (ionic strength) dependences of exchange capacity of chelating ion exchangers Ostsorb based on spherical cellulose modified with functional groups of dithizone and salicylic acid have been studied in the sorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions. The cellulosic selective sorbents Ostsorb DITHIZON and Ostsorb SALICYL can be used for sorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions of I = 0 - 1 mol l-1 (Pb) and I = 0 - 5 mol l-1 (Cd); the dithizone ion exchanger retains both metals most effectively at pH 7 - 8, the salicyl ion exchanger at pH 5.5 - 6.5 (Pb) or pH 4 - 9 (Cd). Because of the formation of precipitates of hydrolytic products of the two metals in neutral and alkaline media, it is suitable to carry out the sorption in media of mild acidity if possible, particularly so at the metal concentrations above 1 mg l-1. Increasing ionic strength affects the exchange capacity for both metals in a negative way.
Electrostatic Effects in Ionization Equilibria: An AM1 Study of Reversed Substituent Effect in 5-Fluorobicyclo[3.3.3]undecane-1-carboxylic Acid
Authors: Friedl Zdeněk , Böhm Stanislav
Published: July 2002

Relative proton transfer enthalpies δ ∆H0 of sp and ap conformers of 5-fluorobicyclo[3.3.3]undecane-1-carboxylic acid have been calculated by the AM1 method and the results were compared with the prediction of the electrostatic theory. It is shown that the great reversed substituent effect in the sp conformer (δ ∆H0 = 32.1 kJ mol-1) is substantially overestimated largely due to sterical Baeyer strain and non-bonded interactions.
Chemometrical Analysis of Substituent Effects. IV. Additivity of Substituent Effects in Dissociation of 3,5-Disubstituted Benzoic Acids in Organic Solvents
Authors: Pytela Oldřich , Kulhánek Jiří , Ludwig Miroslav
Published: July 2002

Ten 3,5-disubstituted benzoic acids have been synthesized containing all possible combinations of the following substituents: CH3O, CH3, Cl/Br, NO2. The dissociation constants of these acids have been measured in seven organic solvents (methanol, acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, pyridine, 1,2-dichloroethane). It has been found that the effect of disubstitution is smaller than that due to interaction of substituents or their solvation and represents only about 0.2% of the effect caused by the individual substituents. The additivity in 3,5-disubstitution is about 2 - 3 times as good as that in 3,4-disubstitution. The quantitative description of substituent effects at the 3 and 5 positions is additive within the range of validity of the Hammett equation irrespective of the type of the substituent constants adopted, the addition of the multiplicative term being statistically insignificant. The solvent effect on 3,4- and 3,5-disubstituted derivatives is somewhat different at the same value of the reaction constant, due predominantly to the specific solvation of the 4-CH3O and 4-NO2 groups.
Thermal Stability of Human Blood Serum Orosomucoid (Acid α1-Glycoprotein) in Water and Water-Ethanol Systems
Authors: Janáčková Ludmila , Karpenko Vladimír
Published: July 2002

Thermal stability of human serum orosomucoid (acid α1-glycoprotein) was studied in water and in water - ethanol systems by the differential scanning microcalorimetry and temperature perturbation difference spectrometry. This investigation has led to the following results: (i) the change in heat capacity Cp of isoionic orosomucoid with temperature was irreversible; different values of ∆H were obtained on repeated heating; (ii) in buffered solution at pH 7, hysteresis in temperature perturbation difference spectra was observed within the wavelength range of 250 - 266 nm; (iii) a strong destabilizing effect of ethanol on the orosomucoid molecule was observed in the alkaline region at an alcohol volume fraction of 20%. This effect corresponds to the anomalous behaviour of the water ethanol systems.
Conformation of Methylsulfonyl Group: A Comparison of the Data for 2-Chlorophenyl Methyl Sulfone in Solution and in Crystal
Authors: Všetečka Václav , Císařová Ivana , Podlaha Jaroslav
Published: July 2002

The conformation of methylsulfonyl group attached to 2-substituted benzene ring was studied in the crystal and in solution. X-Ray crystal structure determination of the title compound demonstrates single conformation with the dihedral angle of 66.9(2)° between the planes defined by the aromatic ring and by the pivot atom of the ring, sulfur and the methyl carbon. In solution, dipole moment measurement leads to the conclusion that the compound also adopts a similar single conformation with slightly different dihedral angle of 53(5)°.
Conformational Features of a Synthetic Cyclic Peptide Corresponding to the Complete V3 Loop of the ELI HIV-1 Strain in Water
Authors: Vranken Wim F. , Buděšínský Miloš , Fant Franky , Boulez Kris , Gras-Masse Hélène , Borremans Frans A. M.
Published: July 2002

The disulfide bridge closed cyclic peptide corresponding to the whole V3 loop of the envelope protein gp120 of the ELI HIV-1 strain was synthesized and examined by proton 2D NMR spectroscopy in water. Although the peptide is mainly conformationally flexible, a turn appears to be present at an N-terminal glycosylation site, while in the C-terminal half of the peptide the data point toward nascent helical structures. Similar conformational preferences in aqueous solution were observed in other V3 loop peptides, especially for the Ile28-Gly30 tripeptide part.
Diagrams Er-mKOH for Cobalt at 25-125 °C and at Total Pressure of 1-30 Bar
Authors: Balej Jan , Divisek Jiri
Published: July 2002

Diagrams Er-mKOH for cobalt were calculated in the range of molality mKOH = 2-18 mol kg-1, temperature t = 25-125 °C and total pressure P = 1-30 bar (0.1-3.0 MPa) on the basis of recent reliable data for individual reaction components. The water activity aH2O, the equilibrium pressure of the water vapour pH2O in or above the KOH solutions was considered. The results displayed differences from the original E-pH diagram for cobalt after Pourbaix. The direct oxidation of Co3O4 to CoO2 without any intermediate stage of Co(III) oxo compounds was found to be thermodynamically more favourable. Consideration of the reduced water activity in concentrated KOH solutions led to the finding that solid Co(OH)2 can be dehydrated to CoO at elevated temperatures in contact with KOH solutions. With rising temperature, dehydration can occur at lower KOH molality. CoO2, not known in a pure form, was assumed to exist as a pure substance in mixtures with other solid Co oxo compounds in lower states of oxidation.
Azaoxa Macrocyclic and Acyclic Complexesof Lanthanides
Authors: Patroniak-Krzyminiewska Violetta , Radecka-Paryzek Wanda
Published: July 2002

The template reactions of 2,6-diacetylpyridine with 3,6-dioxaoctane-1,8-diamine in the presence of dysprosium(III), thulium(III) and lutetium(III) chlorides and erbium(III) perchlorate produce the complexes of 15-membered macrocyclic ligand with an N3O2 set of donor atoms as a result of the [1+1] Schiff base cyclocondensation. In contrast, analogous reactions involving the lighter lanthanide ions (lanthanum(III), samarium(III) and europium(III)) yield the acyclic complexes with terminal acetylpyridyl groupings as products of the partial [2+1] condensation. The complexes were characterized by spectral data (IR, UV-VIS, 1H NMR, MS), and thermogravimetric and elemental analyses.
Counterpoise-Corrected Potential Energy Surfaces of Simple Hydrogen-Bonded Systems
Authors: Hobza Pavel , Havlas Zdeněk
Published: July 2002

Geometric and energetic characteristics of various simple hydrogen-bonded complexes (water dimer, hydrogen fluoride dimer, formamide dimer, formic acid dimer, glycine dimer) have been studied by gradient optimization, which a priori eliminates the basis set superposition error (BSSE) by using the counterpoise (CP) method, as well as by the standard gradient optimization. Calculations were done at the Hartree-Fock, correlated MP2 and DFT levels with small- and medium-basis sets. The CP-corrected and standard PESs differ, depending on the theoretical level used. Larger differences were found if the correlation energy was included. Intermolecular distances from the CP-corrected PES are consistently longer, and the respective difference may be significant (≈0.1 A). The stabilization energies obtained from the CP-corrected PES are always larger than those from the standard PES. Optimization at the standard PES might result in a wrong structure. For example, the "quasi-linear" structure of the (HF)2 (global minimum) does not exist at the standard MP2/6-31G** and DFT/B3LYP/6-31G** PESs and it is found only when passing to the respective CP-corrected PESs.
Syntheses with Organoboranes. X. Monohydroboration of Conjugated Enynes with Catecholborane Catalyzed by Nickel(II) Chloride Complexes with Diphosphines
Authors: Zaidlewicz Marek , Meller Jerzy
Published: July 2002

The monohydroboration of representative conjugated enynes - but-1-en-3-yne (1), 2-methylbut-1-en-3-yne (2), pent-3-en-1-yne (3), hex-1-en-3-yne (4), 2-methyl-4-phenylbut-1-en-3-yne (5), 4-methyl-1-phenylpent-3-en-1-yne (6) and 1-ethynylcyclohex-1-ene (7), with catecholborane in the presence of the nickel(II) chloride complex with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane gave the corresponding 1,3-dien-1-yl organoboranes in 54-87% yield. High regioselectivity of the addition leading to the boron atom at the 4-position of the 1-en-3-yne system was observed for 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Epalons: Synthesis of 7-Norallopregnanolone
Authors: Kasal Alexander
Published: July 2002

The title compound 2 was prepared from (20R)-pregn-5-ene-3β,20-diyl 3-acetate 20-benzoate (3) via (20R)-3β-acetoxy-20-benzoyloxy-5-oxo-5,6-secopregnan-6-oic acid (5) and (20R)-3β-acetoxy-20-benzoyloxy-7-nor-5β,6α-pregnane-6,5-carbolactone (6). An intermediate 7-norpregn-5-ene derivative - (20R)-7-norpregn-5-ene-3β,20-diyl 3-acetate 20-benzoate (7) - was hydrogenated using diimide in statu nascendi. The inversion of configuration at carbon C-3 was carried out via (20R)-7-nor-5α-pregnane-3β,20-diyl 3-tosylate 20-benzoate (12) and (20R)-7-nor-5α-pregnane-3α,20-diyl 20-benzoate 3-formate (13).
Epalons: Synthesis of New 16α-Carboxymethyl Derivatives
Authors: Slavíková Barbora , Kasal Alexander
Published: July 2002

The title compounds (16α-carboxymethyl-3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one and its sodium and triethylammonium salts) were prepared from 20-oxopregna-5,16-dien-3β-yl acetate by conjugate addition of dimethyl malonate and decarboxylation. Inversion of configuration at carbon C-3 was carried out by Mitsunobu acylation with diethyl azodicarboxylate and formic acid in the presence of triphenylphosphine.
Complexes of Light Lanthanides with 3,4-Dimethoxybenzoic Acid
Authors: Ferenc Wiesława , Walków-Dziewulska Agnieszka
Published: July 2002

The complexes of light lanthanides with 3,4-dimethoxybenzoic acid, Ln(C9H9O4)3·4 H2O, where Ln = La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III) and Gd(III), have been synthesized as polycrystalline solids and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and magnetic studies and X-ray diffraction measurements. The complexes possess colours typical of Ln(III) ions (La, Ce, Eu, Gd white, Pr greenish, Nd violet and Sm cream). The carboxylate group in these complexes binds as a symmetrical, bidentate chelating ligand. On heating in air to 1 273 K the 3,4-dimethoxybenzoates of Ce(III), Pr(III), Sm(III), Eu(III) and Gd(III) first dehydrate to anhydrous salts that further decompose to oxides of the respective metals. The 3,4-dimethoxybenzoates of La(III) and Nd(III) decompose in three steps. Firstly, they dehydrate to anhydrous salts that further decompose to the oxides with the intermediate formation of oxycarbonates. The solubilities of the studied complexes in water at 293 K is in the order of 10-4-10-3 mol dm-3. Their magnetic moments were determined in the temperature range 77-298 K and found to obey the Curie-Weiss law. The values of μeff calculated for the all compounds (except that for Eu) are close to those obtained for Ln(III) by Hund and van Vleck. The results show that there is no influence of the ligand field on 4f electrons of the lanthanide ions in these polycrystalline compounds; 4f electrons probably do not participate in the formation of the Ln-O bonds.
Preparation and Properties of Isomeric N-(4-Substituted Benzylidene)-4-ethynylanilines and 4-Substituted N-(4-Ethynylbenzylidene)anilines
Authors: Balcar Hynek , Čejka Jiří , Kubišta Jiří , Petrusová Lidmila , Kubát Pavel , Blechta Vratislav
Published: July 2002

4-SubstitutedN-(4-ethynylbenzylidene)anilines (4-HC≡C-C6H4-CH=N-C6H4-4-R; R = Me,t-Bu, OMe, F, Cl, Br, I, CF3and NO2) have been prepared by condensation of 4-ethynylbenzaldehyde with appropriate anilines under mild conditions in good yields. The products obtained were fully characterized by GC-MS, IR, NMR and UV-VIS spectroscopies and their properties were compared with a series of 4-ethynyl-N-(4-substituted benzylidene)anilines (4-HC≡C-C6H4-N=CH-C6H4-4-R; R = H, Me,t-Bu, F, Br, NO2, CN, NMe2). The influence of substituent R on spectroscopic characteristics is discussed.
Potentiometric Study of Carbisocaine Micellization and Inclusion Complexation with α-Cyclodextrin, β-Cyclodextrin, Methyl-β-cyclodextrin, and (Hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin
Authors: Kopecký František , Vojteková Mária , Vrana Miloš , Čížová Katarína
Published: July 2002

Micellization of the local anesthetic drug carbisocaine hydrochloride (BHCl) was studied by potentiometry with both cation- and anion-selective membrane electrodes in aqueous solution at 25 °C. The found critical micelle concentration 0.022 mol dm-3 and the concentration course of the free carbisocaine cation and chloride counterion in the micellar solution corresponded to the characteristic of cationic surfactants. In a more dilute aqueous solution, below critical micelle concentration, the complexation of carbisocaine cation BH+ with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD), β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and its random substituted methyl (M-β-CD) and hydroxypropyl (HP-β-CD) derivatives was followed using the prepared cation-selective electrodes. The potentiometric data corroborated formation of the carbisocaine-cyclodextrin complexes (BH+)CD (1 : 1) with all the cyclodextrins and the respective complexation constants K11 were estimated using a modified Scatchard method. Slight deviations from 1 : 1 plots were marginally observed with α-CD and HP-β-CD. Bigger K11 value of the complexation with α-CD in comparison with β-CD indicated inclusion of the carbisocaine C7 alkyl chain into the cyclodextrin cavity and the role of the hydrophobic interaction in complexation with β-CDs was emphasized by the increasing magnitude of K11 in the order of HP-β-CD < β-CD < M-β-CD.
Efficacy and safety of nitrous oxide in alleviating pain and anxiety during painful procedures
Authors: Kanagasundaram S A , Lane L J , Cavalletto B P , Keneally J P , Cooper M G
Published: July 2002

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nitrous oxide for children undergoing painful procedures.

METHODS

Ninety children requiring repeated painful procedures (lumbar puncture, bone marrow aspirate, venous cannulation, or dressing changes) were given nitrous oxide at a variable concentration of 50–70%. Procedure related distress was evaluated using the Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress–Revised (OSBD-R). OSBD-R scores were obtained for each of the following phases of the procedure: phase 1a, waiting period; phase lb, during induction with nitrous oxide; phase 2, during positioning and cleaning of the skin; phase 3, during the painful procedure; and phase 4, immediately following the procedure and withdrawal of nitrous oxide. Side effects were monitored and recorded by a second observer.

RESULTS

OSBD scores reached a maximum during the induction phase with lower scores during subsequent phases. Children over the age of 6 showed a lower level of distress during nitrous oxide administration and the painful procedure. Eighty six per cent of patients had no side effects. The incidence of vomiting, excitement, and dysphoria was 7.8%, 4.4%, and 2% respectively. Eight patients developed oxygen desaturation (Sao2< 95%), but none developed hypoxia, airway obstruction, or aspiration. Ninety three per cent of patients fulfilled the criteria for conscious sedation, and 65% had no recollection of the procedure. Mean recovery time was three minutes.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhalation of nitrous oxide is effective in alleviating distress during painful procedures, with minimal side effects and short recovery time.
Non-invasive quantitative assessment of oxidative metabolism in quadriceps muscles by near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Ding H , Wang G , Lei W , Wang R , Huang L , Xia Q , Wu J
Published: July 2002

Background—Near infrared spectroscopy can be used in non-invasive monitoring of changes in skeletal muscle oxygenation in exercising subjects.

Objective—To evaluate whether this method can be used to assess metabolic capacity of muscles. Two distinctive variables abstracted from a curve of changes in muscle oxygenation were assessed.

Methods—Exercise on a cycle ergometer was performed by 18 elite male athletes and eight healthy young men. A measuring probe was placed on the skin of the quadriceps muscle to measure reflected light at two wavelengths (760 and 850 nm), so that the relative index of muscle oxygenation could be calculated. Exercise intensity was increased from 50 W in 50 W increments until the subject was exhausted. During exercise, changes in muscle oxygenation and blood lactate concentration were recorded. The following two variables for assessment of muscle oxygenation were then abstracted and analysed by plotting curves of changes in muscle oxygenation: the rate of recovery of muscle oxygen saturation (RR) and the relative value of the effective decrease in muscle oxygenation (Deff).

Results—Data analysis showed a correlation between muscle oxygenation and blood lactate concentration at the various exercise intensities and verified the feasibility of the experiment. Data for the athletes were compared with those for the controls using the Aspin-Welch test of significance;t= 2.3 and 2.86 for RRand Deffrespectively. There were significant differences (p = 0.05) between the athletes and the control group with respect to these two variables.

Conclusion—RRand Deffmay be distinctive variables that can be used to characterise muscle oxidative metabolism during human body movement.
SOX10is abnormally expressed in aganglionic bowel of Hirschsprung's disease infants
Authors: Sham M H , Lui V C H , Fu M , Chen B , Tam P K H
Published: July 2002

BACKGROUND

The primary pathology of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a congenital absence of ganglion cells in the caudal most gut. The spastic aganglionic bowel is often innervated by a network of hypertrophied nerve fibres. Recently, mutations ofSOX10have been identified in patients with HD but only in those with Waardenburg-Shah syndrome.

AIMS

To understand the molecular basis for the pathogenesis of HD we intended to determine the specific cell lineages in the enteric nervous system which normally expressSOX10but are affected in disease conditions.

METHODS

We studied colon biopsies from 10 non-syndromic HD patients, aged three months to four years, and 10 age matched patients without HD as normal controls. The absence of mutation in theSOX10gene of HD patients was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Expression and cellular distribution ofSOX10in bowel segments of normal and HD infants were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridisation.

RESULTS

We found that in normal infants and normoganglionic bowel segments of HD patients,SOX10was expressed in both neurones and glia of the enteric plexuses and in the nerves among the musculature in normal colon. In the aganglionic bowel segments of patients,SOX10expression was consistently lower and was found to be associated with the hypertrophic nerve trunks in the muscle and extrinsic nerves in the serosa.

CONCLUSION

We conclude thatSOX10is normally required postnatally in the functional maintenance of the entire enteric nervous system, including neurones and glia. In non-syndromic HD patients who do not have theSOX10mutation, theSOX10gene expressed in the sacral region may be involved in the pathogenesis of the abnormal nerve trunks through interaction with other factors.
A paradoxical severe decrease in serum HDL-cholesterol after treatment with a fibrate
Authors: Crook M A , Lynas J , Wray R
Published: July 2002

There have been a handful of reports in the literature of a paradoxical decrease in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol in patients on fibrate drugs. The reason for this decline in cardioprotective HDL-cholesterol is not known and may have potential deleterious effects on the patient. This report describes a decrease in serum HDL-cholesterol in a patient on both simvastatin and bezafibrate. This patient also developed abnormal renal function, probably interstitial nephritis. In addition, the literature of fibrate induced serum HDL-cholesterol decline is reviewed and possible mechanisms for this phenomenon discussed.
Multifocal aggressive angiomyxoma: a case report
Authors: Kaur A , Makhija P S , Vallikad E , Padmashree V , Indira H S
Published: July 2002

A case of aggressive angiomyxoma in a 25 year old woman is presented. The patient was admitted to hospital with a history of hesitancy of micturation and pain in the right iliac fossa. She was found to have a left labial mass, which was clinically diagnosed to be a Bartholin gland cyst. A pelvic ultrasound revealed an additional mass in the right paravesical region. At surgery, two distinct masses were removed, one from the right perivesical space and the other from the left labium. Both masses were rubbery, white, and gelatinous and showed similar histopathology findings of thick and thin walled vascular channels set in a loose myxoid stroma. A diagnosis of multifocal aggressive angiomyxoma was made. This is the first reported case of aggressive angiomyxoma occurring as two distinct masses in one patient
Congenital acute T lymphoblastic leukaemia: report of a case with immunohistochemical and molecular characterisation: Figure 1
Authors: Tao Jianguo , Valderrama Elsa , Kahn Leonard
Published: July 2002

A newborn infant with congenital T cell lymphoblastic leukaemia presented with hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia at birth and died on the 21st day of multiorgan failure. Biopsy and necropsy examination showed extensive atypical lymphoid infiltrates in the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. Immunohistochemically, the lymphoid cells were TdT+, CD3+, CD45RO+, and CD10−, CD79a−, CD20−. Genotypic analysis using polymerase chain reaction showed T cell receptor γ chain gene rearrangement and absence of immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement. This appears to be the first documented case of congenital T cell lymphoblastic leukaemia. The case had unusual histological and immunogenotypic features, disseminated early, and pursued a highly aggressive course. Consideration of the diagnosis is of paramount importance. The immunophenotypic studies and molecular characterisation of such congenital leukaemias are critical in arriving at a definite diagnosis.
Completeness of excision and follow up cytology in patients treated with loop excision biopsy
Authors: Zaitoun A M , McKee G , Coppen M J , Thomas S M , Wilson P O G
Published: July 2002

Aims—To assess the relation between the grade and the status of follow up cytology, the completeness of loop excision biopsies with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and the findings at follow up cytology, as well as the differences between complete and incomplete exclusion, using the odds ratio. Treatment failure was assessed.

Methods—1600 women with CIN (290 CIN1, 304 CIN2, 1006 CIN3) were followed for a minimum of six months and a maximum of 10 years. A database was created and comparisons performed. The mean age of the patients was 37 years.

Results—Excision was complete in over 84% of loops. Residual disease and recurrence of high grade dyskaryosis was more common in women with CIN 3 than CIN 2 or 1. No high grade dyskaryosis was seen in the fifth follow up smear in patients with CIN 1 and CIN 2. Residual, recurrent, and persistent disease was most common in patients with incompletely excised CIN at ectocervical and endocervical margins and deep margins of resection than in patients with completely excised CIN. The odds ratios were significantly higher in the women who had incomplete excision of CIN at ectocervical, endocervical, both ecto- and endocervical, and deep margins of resection compared with those with apparent complete excision of CIN lesions. One patient developed invasive squamous cell carcinoma 44 months after loop excision which showed CIN 3 invading endocervical crypts and extending to both ectocervical and endocervical margins of resection.

Conclusions—At long term follow up, patients with CIN who have residual disease are at increased risk of persistent disease and should therefore be followed up regularly with cytology and colposcopy. The findings support national policy of returning women with treated CIN of any grade to normal recall after five years except for cases of CIN3 where excision was incomplete or equivocal. In these cases follow up with annual smear for 10 years is recommended.
Comparison of in house polymerase chain reaction with conventional techniques for the detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosisDNA in granulomatous lymphadenopathy
Authors: Singh Krishna K , Muralidhar M , Kumar Arvind , Chattopadhyaya T K , Kapila Kusum , Singh Manoj K , Sharma S K , Jain N K , Tyagi Jaya S
Published: July 2002

Aims—To evaluate the usefulness of the devR based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosisin lymph node aspirates and tissues of lymphadenitis and to compare PCR with conventional diagnostic techniques.

Subjects and methods—Coded specimens of fine needle aspirates and biopsies from 22 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis, 14 patients with non-tubercular lymphadenitis, and nine patients with granulomatous lymphadenitis were processed and subjected to analysis by PCR, smear microscopy,M tuberculosisculture, histology, and cytology.

Results—Tuberculous lymphadenitis was correctly diagnosed by PCR in 18 patients, by culture in five patients, by histology in 13 patients, and by cytology in seven patients. PCR gave two false positive results in 14 patients with non-tubercular lymphadenitis. The sensitivity of the conventional techniques was significantly higher with biopsies (17 of 22 specimens; 77%) than with fine needle aspirates (nine of 22 specimens; 41%). However, the sensitivity of PCR was not significantly higher with biopsies (68%) in comparison with fine needle aspirates (55%). The sensitivity of either biopsy PCR or fine needle aspirate PCR was not significantly different from that of either histology combined with culture or cytology combined with culture. The overall combined specificity of PCR was 86%.Mycobacterium tuberculosisDNA was detected in six of nine patients with granulomatous lymphadenitis.

Conclusion—PCR is the most sensitive single technique available to date for the demonstration ofM tuberculosisin specimens derived from patients with a clinical suspicion of tuberculous lymphadenitis. The value of PCR lies in its use as an adjunct test in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis, particularly in those patients where conventional methods fail. Because fine needle aspiration is not an invasive procedure, it is the procedure of choice, and PCR should be performed initially on these samples. Excisional biopsy histology and PCR should be recommended only for patients in whom fine needle aspirate PCR is negative or when there is discrepancy with the clinical impression.
Is there an advocate in the house? The role of health care professionals in patient advocacy
Authors: Schwartz L
Published: July 2002

It remains unclear what patient advocacy actually entails and what values it ought to embody. It will be useful to ascertain whether advocacy means supportinganydecision the patient makes, or if the advocate can claim to represent the patient by asserting well-intentioned paternalistic claims on the patient's behalf. This is especially significant because the position of advocate brings with it certain privileges on the basis of of presumed insight into patient-perceived interests, namely, entitlement to take part in clinical decision making and increased professional standing. Three issues related to patient advocacy will be explored: are patient advocates necessary; what does advocacy entail, and who ought to represent patients in this way—arguments for and against prospective candidates will also be covered. The paper considers whether advocates are necessary since not only can they be dangerously paternalistic, but the salutary values advocacy embodies are already part of good professional health care.
Risk of enzyme allergy in the detergent industry
Authors: Vanhanen Markku , Tuomi Timo , Tiikkainen Ulla , Tupasela Outi , Voutilainen Risto , Nordman Henrik
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prevalence of enzyme sensitisation in the detergent industry.

METHODS

A cross sectional study was conducted in a detergent factory. Sensitisation to enzymes was examined by skin prick and radioallergosorbent (RAST) tests. 76 Workers were tested; 40 in manufacturing, packing, and maintenance, and 36 non-exposed people in management and sales departments. The workers were interviewed for work related respiratory and skin symptoms. Total dust concentrations were measured by a gravimetric method, and the concentration of protease in air by a catalytic method.

RESULTS

Nine workers (22%) were sensitised to enzymes in the exposed group of 40, whereas none were sensitised in the non-exposed group. All the sensitised people had symptoms at work; all had rhinitis and one had asthma.

Protease concentrations were generally <20 ng/m3, but occasional peak values up to 80 ng/m3were detected in the packing and maintenance tasks, and high values of >1 μg/m3in the mixing area.

CONCLUSION

Despite the use of encapsulated enzyme preparations, high enzyme concentrations in workplace air are possible, resulting in a higher risk of sensitisation than expected.
Neurovascular lessons from a pair of identical twins with cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Sharma P , Brown M J
Published: July 2002

A pair of hypertensive identical twins are reported, one of whom was non-compliant with her antihypertension medication, and after a subarachnoid haemorrhage was found to have multiple cerebral aneurysms. The other asymptomatic compliant twin was noted to have only a single small cerebral aneurysm. As both identical twins are likely to share the same cerebral vascular architecture it is suggested that good control of blood pressure contributed to the cerebral vascular integrity of the asymptomatic twin. This is the first report on the role of blood pressure in the formation of cerebral aneurysms and provides insights for an alternative approach to the controversial management of asymptomatic cerebral aneurysms.
Use of non-heart-beating donors in renal transplantation
Authors: Kimber R M , Metcalfe M S , White S A , Nicholson M L
Published: July 2002

The rate of renal transplantation has plateaued and is now limited by the number of donor organs available. In the past all donor kidneys came from living donors or controlled non-heart beating donors. It was not until the introduction of brainstem death criteria that cadaveric heart beating donors became the main source. Recently, there has been renewed interest in non-heart beating donors, who have already suffered cardiorespiratory arrest. Kidneys from these donors have a unique set of problems associated with increased duration of warm ischaemia. To minimise this, the kidneys are cooled in situ using an intra-aortic balloon catheter and are perfused with cold hyperosmolar citrate. Retrieval can then proceed in the normal fashion. Despite a higher level of delayed graft function, the results from non-heart beating renal transplantation are good, with long term function comparable to cadaveric organs. If used safely, they enable significant expansion of the donor pool. Techniques in the future, such as machine perfusion preservation, may further improve the results from non-heart beating programmes.
Prognosis of Japanese encephalitis patients with dystonia compared to those with parkinsonian features only
Authors: Misra U K , Kalita J
Published: July 2002

Objectives

A number of movement disorders have been reported in Japanese encephalitis (JE). The prognostic significance of these movement disorders, however, has not been evaluated. The present study reports the prognostic significance of parkinsonian features and dystonia in JE.

Patients and methods

During 1992 and 1998, 50 JE patients were managed; 35 of them developed movement disorders (the study group). The diagnosis of JE was based on clinical, radiological, and serological criteria. Parkinsonian features were rated by the unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale and dystonia by the dystonia rating scale. The patients with parkinsonian features only were classified into group I and those with additional dystonia or dyskinesia into group II. The outcome was defined at the end of three months into poor, partial, and complete recovery depending on how the patients coped with daily living activities.

Results

The patients’ ages ranged from 2 to 64 years and 11 were females. The admission mean Glasgow coma scale score was 6.9 (range 4–13). The movement disorders were noted after 1–4 weeks of ictus. There were 16 patients in group I and 19 in group II. The parkinsonian features were more pronounced in group II than in group I. At three months of follow up, fewer patients had parkinsonian features in group I than group II. Hypophonia, however, persisted in 12 patients in group I and 16 in group II until the three month follow up. In group II, the mean dystonia score was 3.2 which regressed to 1.8 at three months. Tremor was present in five patients in groups I and eight in group II. Cranial computed tomography was abnormal in six and magnetic resonance imaging abnormal in 15 patients in group I and in nine and 12 patients respectively in group II. The thalamus was most frequently involved (11 patients in each group), basal ganglia (four in group I and six in group II), and midbrain (six in group I and one in group II). Group II patients had poorer recovery compared with group I. In group I, at the end of three months functional recovery was complete in 10, partial in two, and poor in three patients. In group II, four patients had complete, seven partial, and eight poor recovery.

Conclusion

JE results in a transient form of parkinsonian syndrome, which is associated with a lower frequency of tremor and prominent hypophonia. The presence of dystonia suggests more severe illness and poorer prognosis.
Stroke care: how do we measure quality?
Authors: Walsh K , Gompertz P H , Rudd A G
Published: July 2002

The purpose of this paper is to review the methods used to measure quality of stroke care. Relevant articles were searched for on Medline using the following key words: stroke, quality, outcome of care, process of care, structure of care. Articles that examined how to measure the quality of stroke care and that examined difficulties in the measurement of care outcomes, processes, and structures were selected. Selected articles were reviewed to summarise methods used to measure quality of stroke care and the primary outcome measures of the studies were extracted. Conclusions were drawn about the best ways to measure the quality of stroke care. Practical problems in using outcome measures to monitor quality of care include the consequences of case mix and difficulties in risk adjustment. Clinicians may use process measures to understand differences in outcome. Once a process of care has been linked to an outcome measure, this care process should be measured. The national sentinel audit for stroke is an audit tool used to examine the quality of the processes of stroke care.
Variable use of endoscopic haemostasis in the management of bleeding peptic ulcers
Authors: Mahadeva S , Linch M , Hull M
Published: July 2002

Background

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that endoscopic haemostasis is beneficial for patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer. The relevance of such data to management outside of RCTs is unclear. Therefore we examined management of patients with a bleeding peptic ulcer in a UK teaching hospital.

Methods

All patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopy for bleeding peptic ulcer between 1997 and 1999 were identified from an endoscopy database and the clinical records reviewed retrospectively.

Results

A total of 872 patients underwent UGI endoscopy for presumed acute UGI haemorrhage; 179 (21%) had an endoscopic diagnosis of bleeding peptic ulcer. Seventy nine patients had a peptic ulcer with stigmata of recent haemorrhage (SRH) but only 61 (77%) of these patients received endoscopic haemostasis (77% adrenaline, 23% combination therapy). Re-bleeding occurred in 24 patients with SRH in whom transfusion requirement was the sole predictor of re-bleeding. The re-bleeding rate among patients who received adrenaline was 25% (n=12), compared with 57% (n=8) in the combination group and 31% (n=4) in those who did not receive endoscopic haemostasis. Patients who received combination endoscopic haemostasis had an increased incidence of active bleeding (p=0.007) and an increased transfusion requirement (p=0.002). Eleven of 20 patients who re-bled had repeat endoscopic haemostasis, with 45% eventually requiring surgery.

Conclusions

Results of endoscopic management of bleeding peptic ulcers in the unit studied differ markedly from those published by specialised centres. The data reported here suggest that increased standardisation of endoscopic haemostasis is required, especially in units with provision for emergency “out-of-hours” endoscopy, performed by several individuals of different grades.