bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevention of liver cirrhosis in rats by curcumin
Authors: Bruck Rafael , Ashkenazi Michal , Weiss Sigal , Goldiner Ilana , Shapiro Haim , Aeed Hussein , Genina Olga , Helpern Zamir , Pines Mark 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim: Curcumin, the major polyphenolic compound in turmeric, has been shown to attenuate hepatic damage in several animal models of liver injury. The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of curcumin in preventing thioacetamide‐induced cirrhosis and to unravel the mechanism of curcumin's effect on hepatic fibrosis in rats.Methods: Liver cirrhosis was induced by thioacetamide (TAA; 200 mg/kg, i.p.) twice weekly for 12 weeks. One group of rats concomitantly received curcumin (300 mg/kg/day, by gavage for 12 weeks); the control group received the solvent at identical amounts and duration.Results: TAA administration induced liver cirrhosis, which was inhibited by curcumin. Liver histopathology, hydroxyproline levels and spleen weights were significantly lower in the rats treated with TAA+curcumin compared with TAA only (P<0.001). Immunohistochemical studies and in situ hybridization demonstrated inhibition of hepatic stellate cell (α smooth muscle actin‐positive) activation and collagen αI (I) gene expression in the livers of the TAA+curcumin‐treated rats. Curcumin reduced oxidative stress as shown by the decreased hepatic nitrotyrosine staining in the curcumin+TAA‐treated rats. Curcumin treatment had no effect on pre existing liver cirrhosis. As determined by in vitro studies using the rat HSC‐T6 cell line, curcumin had no direct inhibitory effect on collagen α1 (I) messenger RNA expression. Further studies in these cells using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that curcumin had no effect on the expression of PDGF‐induced TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2, TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and MCP‐1 but significantly inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha expression. Curcumin had no effect on hepatic stellate cells proliferation. Zymography showed that curcumin had no effect on matrix metalloproteinase‐2 activity.Conclusions: Curcumin inhibited the development of TAA‐induced liver cirrhosis mainly due to its anti‐inflammatory activities and not by a direct anti‐fibrotic effect. As curcumin ingestion is safe in humans, it may be reasonable to assess in clinical studies the beneficial effect of curcumin in slowing the development of liver cirrhosis.
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba phytosomes in carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver injury in rodents
Authors: Naik Suresh R. , Panda Vandana S. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim: The protective effects of Ginkgo biloba phytosomes (GBP) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced hepatotoxicity and the probable mechanism(s) involved in this protection were investigated in rats.Methods: Liver damage was induced in Wistar rats by administering a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of CCl4 and olive oil (1 ml/kg, i.p.) once daily for 7 days. GBP at 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, i.p. and reference drug silymarin (200 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered for 10 days to CCl4‐treated rats, this treatment beginning 3 days prior to the commencement of CCl4 administration. The degree of protection was evaluated by determining the marker enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and SALP), albumin (Alb) and total proteins (TP). Further, the effects of GBP on lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were estimated in liver homogenates to evaluate antioxidant activity.Results: GBP (25 and 50 mg/kg) and silymarin elicited significant hepatoprotective activity by decreasing the activities of serum marker enzymes and lipid peroxidation and elevated the levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPX, GR, Alb and TP in a dose‐dependent manner.Conclusion: The present findings indicate that the hepatoprotective effects of GBP against CCl4‐induced oxidative damage may be due to its antioxidant and free radical‐scavenging activity.
Anticonvulsive Effect of a Selective mGluR8 Agonist (S)‐3,4‐Dicarboxyphenylglycine (S‐3,4‐DCPG) in the Mouse Pilocarpine Model of Status Epilepticus
Authors: Jiang Feng Li , Tang Yong Cheng , Chia Shwn Chin , Jay Therese M. , Tang Feng Ru 
Published: March 2007

Summary: Purpose:We sought to investigate the anticonvulsive and neuroprotective effect of a selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 (mGluR8) agonist (S)‐3,4‐dicarboxyphenylglycines (S‐3,4‐DCPG) on pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (PISE) and subsequent loss of hilar neurons in the dentate gyrus after systemic (intravenous) or local (intracerebroventricular) administration. We compared the difference in granular cell responses after paired‐pulse stimulation of the perforant pathway and the sensitivity to local injection ofS‐3,4‐DCPG into the stratum granulosum in the control and mice at 2 months after PISE.Methods:We used intravenous, intracerebroventricular, or intrahippocampal administration ofS‐3,4‐DCPG to mice with status epilepticus or temporal lobe epilepsy and neurophysiologic recording of somatic field excitatory postsynaptic potential (sfEPSP) and population spike (PS) of granular cells in response to perforant‐pathway stimulation orS‐3,4‐DCPG treatment.Results:Intracerebroventricular (1.91 μmol) but not systemic administration ofS‐3,4‐DCPG (at doses of 12.5, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,200 mg/kg) could control PISE with no neuroprotective effect. In epileptic mice, mGluR8‐mediated inhibition of fEPSPs was reduced significantly in granular cell bodies.Conclusions:At doses ranging from 12.5 to 1,200 mg/kg, intravenous administration ofS‐3,4‐DCPG may not be effective in controlling status epilepticus. Down‐regulation of mGluR8 may be related to reducedS‐3,4‐DCPG–mediated inhibition and the subsequent occurrence of spontaneously recurrent seizures.
Bilateral White Matter Diffusion Changes Persist after Epilepsy Surgery
Authors: Concha Luis , Beaulieu Christian , Wheatley B. Matt , Gross Donald W. 
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Bilateral white matter diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) abnormalities have been reported in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and unilateral mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), but it is unknown whether these are functional or structural changes. We performed a longitudinal study in patients with unilateral MTS who were seizure‐free for 1 year after surgery to determine whether the observed presurgical white matter diffusion abnormalities were reversible. Methods: Eight TLE patients with unilateral MTS who were seizure‐free after anterior temporal resection and 22 healthy subjects were recruited. DTI was performed before surgery and at 1‐year follow‐up. Tractography and region‐of‐interest (ROI) analyses were performed in the fornix, cingulum, genu, and splenium of the corpus callosum and external capsules. Diffusion tensor parameters were compared between groups and before and after surgery in the patient group. Results: The fornix, cingulum, and external capsules showed preoperative bilateral abnormal diffusion parameters (i.e., decreased diffusion anisotropy and increased mean and perpendicular diffusivities). The fornix and cingulum ipsilateral to the resected mesial temporal structures showed signs of wallerian degeneration at 1‐year follow‐up. The contralateral tracts of the fornix, cingulum, and external capsules, as well as the genu of the corpus callosum, failed to show a normalization of their diffusion parameters. Conclusions: The irreversibility of the white matter DTI abnormalities on seizure freedom suggests underlying structural abnormalities (e.g., axonal/myelin degradation) as opposed to functional changes (e.g., fluid shifts due to seizures) in the white matter.
Neocortical Gliosis in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Gender‐Based Differences
Authors: Doherty Michael J. , Rostad Steven W. , Haltiner Alan M. 
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Objective: Sex hormones can influence the timing and frequency of seizure activity. In addition, gender may influence the age of epilepsy onset and hemispheric location of focal epilepsy. Whether gender alters temporal lobe pathologies differentially is not clear. In this study, we assess if neocortical or hippocampal pathologies from patients who underwent en bloc anteriomedial temporal lobectomy (AMTR) for medically refractory epilepsy differ by gender. Method: Consecutive en bloc AMTR resections (n = 128), including hippocampal tissues, were systematically studied. Cortical and intracortical gliosis from a standardized location, 1.5 cm from the temporal lobe tip, was assessed for quantifiable gliotic change. Corresponding hippocampal sections were characterized according to Watson grade. These outcomes were then compared by gender. Other correlates such as age of epilepsy onset, age of risk exposure, and duration of epilepsy were similarly compared. Results: Subpial and intracortical gliosis was more pronounced in women (p = 0.02, p < 0.01). Cortical thickness was reduced in women compared to men (p < 0.05). No similar gender effects were seen in Watson grade of hippocampal sclerosis or CA1‐4 neuronal dropout. Conclusions: Gender may differentially influence neocortical pathologies in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. No gender effect was seen when studying hippocampal pathologies.
Reorganization of Verbal and Nonverbal Memory in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Due to Unilateral Hippocampal Sclerosis
Authors: Powell H. W. Robert , Richardson Mark P. , Symms Mark R. , Boulby Philip A. , Thompson Pam J. , Duncan John S. , Koepp Matthias J. 
Published: March 2007

Summary:  Purpose: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) due to hippocampal sclerosis (HS) often suffer from material‐specific memory impairments. The purpose of this study was to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the organization of specific memory functions in these patients. Methods
: We report 14 patients with unilateral TLE and HS, and 10 controls, performing an fMRI memory paradigm of word, picture, and face encoding. Results: Compared with controls, patients with left TLE demonstrated less left MTL and greater right MTL activation and patients with right TLE demonstrated less right MTL and greater left MTL activation. Correlations between fMRI activation and memory performance revealed greater activation in the damaged left hippocampus to be correlated with better verbal memory performance in left TLE patients and greater right hippocampal activation to be correlated with better nonverbal memory in right TLE patients. Conversely, greater fMRI activation in the contralateral hippocampus correlated with worse memory performance. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that memory function in unilateral TLE is better when it is sustained by activation within the damaged hippocampus and that reorganization to the undamaged MTL is an inefficient process, incapable of preserving memory function.
Prediction of the Efficacy of Pulmonary Vein Isolation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation by the Signal‐Averaged P‐Wave Duration
Authors: OKUMURA YASUO , WATANABE ICHIRO , OHKUBO KIMIE , ASHINO SONOKO , KOFUNE MASAYOSHI , HASHIMOTO KENICHI , SHINDO ATSUSHI , SUGIMURA HIDEZOU , NAKAI TOSHIKO , KASAMAKI YUJI , SAITO SATOSHI 
Published: March 2007

Background: The noninvasive methods for predicting a successful pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) have not been well described. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the P‐wave signal‐averaged electrocardiogram (P‐SAECG) in predicting the chance of a successful PVI in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Methods: A P‐SAECG was recorded before (pre), 1 day after, and 3–4 months after the PVI in 51 AF patients (41, paroxysmal AF; 10, persistent AF). Three‐dimensional electroanatomic mapping (3D‐EAM) of the right and left atria and left PVs was performed before PVI in 10 patients to analyze the biatrial conduction time (BAT).
Results: Fifteen patients suffered from AF recurrences 3 months or more after the PVI. The pre‐filtered P‐wave duration (FPD) was significantly longer in patients with recurrence than in those without (166.8 ± 14.8 ms vs 145.9 ± 12.6 ms, P < 0.0001). In both patient groups, PVI shortened the FPD, which continued for 3–4 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that a pre‐FPD >150 ms was a powerful predictor for recurrence, but persistent AF, the left atrial dimension, and structural heart disease were not predictors for recurrence. 3D‐EAM showed that the delayed activation point was located within the left PVs and the BAT was identical to the pre‐FPD.
Conclusions: The pre‐FPD may strongly reflect atrial dysfunction, and thus may be useful for predicting a successful PVI. Shortening of the FPD after the PVI and similar FPD and BAT values suggest that the last component of the FPD represents the activation of the left PVs.
Impact of Varying Ablation Patterns in a Simulation Model of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: ROTTER MARTIN , DANG LAM , JACQUEMET VINCENT , VIRAG NATHALIE , KAPPENBERGER LUKAS , HAÏSSAGUERRE MICHEL 
Published: March 2007

Background: Several strategies of endovascular ablation with varying success rates and proarrhythmic effects have been proposed to treat persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Evaluation of ablation patterns by computer simulation provides a tool for examination of its effectiveness and side effects.
Methods and Results: A biophysical model of the human atria based on magnetic resonance imaging derived geometry and a membrane kinetics model was used. Uniform conduction properties were assigned to the monolayer surface representing the atria. After induction of AF by burst pacing, progressively broader ablation patterns were applied: (A) individual pulmonary vein isolation (PVI); (B) double ipsilateral PVI; (C) double PVI with a roofline; (D) double PVI with a lateral mitral isthmus line, and (E) double PVI with both linear lesions. In addition, the influence of incomplete linear lesions and dilated atria were simulated. The incidence of AF termination was found to increase from pattern (A) to (E). Atrial flutter rate increased with incomplete ablations and in dilated atria.
Conclusion: Computer simulation of various ablation patterns in persistent AF is feasible and can reproduce clinical results of catheter ablation. This model can be used to develop and simulate new ablation patterns and anticipate success rates and potential adverse effects.
Predicting Arrhythmia‐Free Survival Using Spectral and Modified‐Moving Average Analyses of T‐Wave Alternans
Authors: COX VERONICA , PATEL MITUL , KIM JASON , LIU TAYLOR , SIVARAMAN GOWRI , NARAYAN SANJIV M. 
Published: March 2007

Background: T‐wave alternans (TWA) is a promising electrocardiogram (ECG) predictor of sudden cardiac arrest, yet needs specialized recordings for conventional spectral analysis. Modified moving average (MMA) analysis is a new approach that can measure TWA from routine ECGs, thus widening its applicability. However, MMA‐TWA has not been calibrated against spectral TWA nor outcome in high risk patients. We hypothesized that spectral and MMA‐TWA would both predict arrhythmia‐free survival on long‐term prospective follow‐up.
Methods and Results: In 41 patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 31 ± 13%), we studied TWA simultaneously using spectral and MMA during pacing (< 110 beats/min). MMA amplified TWA over spectral analyses (13.0 ± 8.28 μV vs 1.96 ± 5.15 μV, P < 0.001). On 542 ± 311 days' follow‐up, from clinic visits, telephonic interviews, and device interrogations, there were 11 deaths or sustained ventricular arrhythmias (‘events’). Positive spectral TWA (≥1.9 μV) identified patients with from those without events (P = 0.02). Receiver‐operating characteristics for MMA‐TWA showed that the cutpoint ≥ 10.75 μV was optimal for the combined endpoint. Kaplan‐Meier analysis using this MMA‐TWA cutpoint trended to predict events (P = 0.06), while MMA combined with spectral TWA identified events (P = 0.01).
Conclusions: MMA amplifies TWA compared to traditional spectral analyses, but both likely reflect similar pathophysiology. Validation in larger populations will enable MMA‐TWA to be widely applied to stratify risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
Selective Myocardial Isolation and Ventricular Fibrillation
Authors: CHORRO FRANCISCO J. , BLASCO ESTRELLA , TRAPERO ISABEL , CÁNOVES JOAQUÍN , FERRERO ÁNGEL , MAINAR LUIS , SUCH‐MIQUEL LUIS , SANCHIS JUAN , BODÍ VICENTE , CERDÁ JOSÉ M. , ALBEROLA ANTONIO , SUCH LUIS 
Published: March 2007

Background: Few experimental studies have analyzed the effects of selective radiofrequency (RF) lesions upon ventricular fibrillation (VF). The RF‐induced isolation of selected zones would make it possible to determine whether these zones are essential for existence of the arrhythmia.
Methods: In 31 Langendorff‐perfused rabbit hearts, the characteristics and inducibility of VF were analyzed before and after the induction of RF lesions comprising: (1) the posterior zone of the septum and of the walls of both ventricles (n = 10); (2) the anterior zone of the septum and of the walls of both ventricles (n = 11); and (3) the midseptal zone (n = 10).
Results: Complete isolation of the zone encompassed by the lesions was obtained in 5, 6, and 5 experiments of series 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In these experiments, the arrhythmia was only induced from within the zone encompassed by the lesions in one experiment belonging to series 2 (P < 0.05 with respect to baseline). In contrast, in all but one of the cases in series 2, VF could be induced from outside the isolated zone (ns vs baseline). Partial isolation was obtained in five experiments of each series. In these experiments, on pacing from within the partially isolated zone, sustained VF was not induced in any experiment (P < 0.05 with respect to baseline), while in all cases VF could be induced on pacing from the external zone (ns vs baseline).
Conclusion: In the experimental model used, the three zones studied were not essential for maintaining VF. In most cases, their partial or total isolation avoided inducibility of the arrhythmia in those zones, though not in the remaining myocardium.
Impact of Renal Function on Survival in Patients with Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators
Authors: TURAKHIA MINTU P. , VAROSY PAUL D , LEE KEANE , TSENG ZIAN H. , LEE RANDALL , BADHWAR NITISH , SCHEINMAN MELVIN , LEE BYRON K. , OLGIN JEFFREY E. 
Published: March 2007

Background:

Although chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is associated with increased cardiac and noncardiac mortality, there is limited data on the relationship between CRI and survival in patients with implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs), particularly across a wide range of renal function.
Methods:

We studied 507 consecutive patients receiving first‐time ICDs from 1993–2003 at a single center. Preimplant serum creatinine measurements were used to determine glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The primary outcome was time to death.
Results:

During a mean follow‐up of 4 years, all‐cause mortality through completion of follow‐up increased stepwise by GFR stage (I: 16%, II: 20%, III: 35%; IV: 40%; V: 50%; P < 0.001 for trend). After multivariate adjustment, CRI was independently associated with death (HR = 1.7, P = 0.02), as were a serum creatinine ≥2.0 mg/dL (HR 2.5, P = 0.003) and the presence of end‐stage renal disease (HR 6.8; P < 0.001). For every 10‐unit decrease in GFR, the adjusted hazard of death increased 12% (P = 0.04).
Conclusion:

The presence of CRI prior to implant is independently associated with increased mortality in patients receiving ICDs. The risk is proportional to the degree of renal dysfunction and is apparent even when GFR is only mildly reduced. Differences in mortality are observed within the first year of implant, and patients on dialysis are at highest risk. Because randomized trials of ICDs have not included large numbers of patients with moderate or severe renal disease, our findings may have important implications in prognosis and case selection of patients who otherwise meet current indications for ICD implantation.
Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation in Pacemaker Recipients: Incidence, Progression, and Determinants Based on the Atrial High Rate Trial
Authors: ORLOV MICHAEL V. , GHALI JALAL K. , ARAGHI‐NIKNAM MOHSEN , SHERFESEE LOU , SAHR DIANE , HETTRICK DOUGLAS A. ,   for the Atrial High Rate Trial Investigators
Published: March 2007

Background: The epidemiology and clinical implications of asymptomatic atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) including both atrial fibrillation and flutter in pacemaker recipients with and without arrhythmia history are not well understood. The Atrial High Rate Episodes (A‐HIRATE) in Pacemaker Patients Trial was designed to identify and compare the incidence of AT in patients with and without previously diagnosed AT and a standard indication for dual chamber pacing, and to provide useful diagnostic information for clinical management.
Methods: Four hundred twenty‐seven patients were implanted with a pacemaker (Kappa 7‐900, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) capable of detecting and storing multiple atrial high rate episodes (AHRE) and followed for 2 years. Group I included 331 patients without prior history of AT and Group II included 96 patients with prior AT history.
Results: Pacemaker diagnostics appropriately detected 93% of reviewed AHRE. The rate of occurrence of first AHRE was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in Group II patients, as was average AHRE burden. The rate of first AHRE occurrence was 88.6% for patients in Group II and 53.8% in Group I at 24 months post‐implant. The rate of AHRE occurrence was similar in both groups after the first month post‐implant. The majority of stored AHRE were asymptomatic; symptoms did not correspond to an actual AHRE in most patients.
Conclusions: The incidence of AT in pacemaker recipients is high. Most device‐detected AHRE are asymptomatic. Prior history of AT is associated with higher arrhythmia burden. AHRE diagnostics have a high positive predictive value for identifying AT events.
Thirty‐five months experience of risperidone long‐acting injection in a UK psychiatric service including a mirror‐image analysis of in‐patient care
Authors: Niaz O. S. , Haddad P. M. 
Published: March 2007

Objective:  To report the use of risperidone long‐acting injection (RLAI) in a UK psychiatric service.Method:  Retrospective case note review of all patients prescribed RLAI over a 35‐month period. In the mirror‐image analysis patients initiated on RLAI as in‐patients had the index admission attributed to previous treatment.Results:  Patients prescribed RLAI had significantly higher baseline rates of drug misuse, alcohol misuse, unemployment and forensic markers than control patients prescribed oral antipsychotics. Most patients started RLAI because of poor compliance with oral antipsychotics. Inefficacy accounted for more discontinuations than intolerability. Fifty‐eight percent (39/67) of patients were continuing RLAI 12 months after initiation. Mirror‐image analysis (n = 74) showed that RLAI was associated with a reduction in the number of admissions (65 vs. 33, P < 0.005) and in total in‐patient days (4550 vs. 2188 days, P < 0.005). The mean reduction in in‐patient care was 29 days per patient‐year of treatment, equivalent to a net financial saving over the acquisition and administration costs of RLAI of £1172.Conclusion:  Risperidone long‐acting injection was associated with reduced in‐patient care and was cost‐effective.