bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ROLE OF CARDIAC HYPERTROPHY IN REDUCING THE SENSITIVITY OF CARDIOPULMONARY REFLEX CONTROL OF RENAL SYMPATHETIC NERVE ACTVITY IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: De Andrade Tadeu Uggere , Abreu Gláucia R , Moysés Margareth R , De Melo Cabral Antônio , Bissoli Nazaré S 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY

The gain of the volume‐sensitive cardiopulmonary reflex (VSCR) is impaired in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Sensitivity of VSCR control of efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in SHR is restored when cardiac hypertrophy and hypertension are reduced by enalapril treatment.
The present study investigated which of these two parameters, cardiac hypertrophy or hypertension, has more influence on the impairment of VSCR control of RSNA in SHR.
Rats (SHR or Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats) were treated with enalapril (10 mg/kg per day; SHRE and WKYE groups, respectively) or hydralazine (5 mg/kg per day; SHRH and WKYH groups, respectively) mixed in their food for 1 month. Control SHR and WKY rats were fed a normal diet. After the treatment regimen, the VSCR was evaluated by determining the decrease in RSNA elicited by acute isotonic saline volume expansion. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was assessed via an intrafemural catheter and cardiac hypertrophy was determined by the left ventricular (LV) weight/bodyweight (BW) ratio.
Afferent baroceptor nerve activity (BNA) was also evaluated during volume expansion to verify participation of the baroreflex.
Volume expansion produced an attenuated renal sympathoinhibitory response in SHR compared with WKY rats. Enalapril treatment restored the volume expansion‐induced decrease in RSNA in SHRE (–41 ± 8%) compared with WKY rats (–44 ± 3%). Although both enalapril and hydralazine treatment reduced MAP in SHR (P < 0.01; 126 ± 5, 133 ± 6 and 160 ± 6 mmHg in SHRE, SHRH and SHR, respectively), hydralazine did not restore the sensitivity of VSCR control of RSNA in SHRH. Spontaneously hypertensive rats with established hypertension had a higher LV/BW ratio compared with WKY rats (3.22 ± 0.14 vs 1.98 ± 0.06 mg/g, respectively; P < 0.01). Enalapril reduced the LV/BW ratio in SHRE (2.30 ± 0.07 mg/g; P < 0.01). Although hydralazine reduced LV hypertrophy, there was a weaker reduction in SHRH (2.68 ± 0.04 mg/g; P < 0.05) compared with SHRE. There was no statistically significant difference among the WKY rat, WKYE and WKYH groups (P > 0.05). There was no change in afferent BNA during volume expansion in normal or hypertensive animals.
Taken together, these results indicate that the impairment of VSCR control of RSNA in the SHR model of hypertension correlates better with the magnitude of cardiac hypertrophy than the level of arterial pressure.
Nitrofuran‐based regimens for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Buzás György M , Józan Jolán 
Published: September 2007

AbstractSeveral aspects of Helicobacter pylori eradication have been meta‐analyzed; however, nitrofuran‐based therapies constitute an exception. The aim of this study was the systematic review and meta‐analysis of the effect of furazolidone‐ and nitrofurantoin‐based regimens in the eradication of infection. Studies evaluating the effects of nitrofurans on H. pylori were identified from Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and congress abstracts. The studies were classified into groups based on first‐, second‐ and third‐line regimens. The pooled eradication rates and combined odd ratios of the individual studies were calculated and compared with the published meta‐analysis. The factors influencing the efficiency of the regimens were also analyzed. Side‐effects of nitrofuran‐based regimens were also analyzed. The pooled eradication rate of primary proton pump inhibitor‐based regimens containing furazolidone was 76.3% (CI 67.8–84.2). The odds ratio for furazolidone‐based regimens versus standard triple therapies was 2.34 (CI 0.76–3.92). Ranitidine bismuth citrate + furazolidone‐based triple regimens were equally efficient (83.5%, CI 74.0–93.0, P = 0.06 versus triple therapies). Schedules including a H2 antagonist + furazolidone + one other antibiotic achieved pooled eradication rates of 79.9% (CI 67.8–89.9, P = 0.04). Bismuth‐based triple therapies achieved 84.5% (CI 72.6–93.0, P = 0.002). Primary quadruple regimens containing furazolidone were superior to triple therapies (83.4%, CI 69.7–92.3, P = 0.01). Second‐line schedules containing furazolidone obtained eradication rates of 76.1% (CI 66.4–85.0, P = 0.28 versus primary regimens). Third‐line ‘rescue’ therapies were efficient in 65.5% of the cases (CI 56.3–75.5, P = 0.0001). Side‐effects of the regimens containing furazolidone were more frequent than in standard therapies (P = 0.02). The combined odds ratio of side‐effects for furazolidone‐based versus standard therapies was 0.74 (CI 0.32–1.98). The duration of treatment, but not the furazolidone dose, influenced the treatment outcome. Primary triple regimens containing furazolidone are slightly less efficient than the standard primary combinations; primary quadruple regimens were more efficient than triple therapies. Furazolidone is also efficient as a component of second‐line or rescue therapies.
Aging and metabolic syndrome effect on carotid atherosclerosis assessed by ultrasonography
Authors: Kawamoto Ryuichi , Ohtsuka Nobuyuki , Ninomiya Daisuke , Nakamura Shumpei , Inoue Ai 
Published: September 2007

Objective:  To investigate the relationships between carotid atherosclerosis, age and metabolic syndrome (MetS), by ultrasonographically examining the carotid arteries of subjects who ranged from young adults to centenarians.Methods:  Carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) was evaluated by B‐mode ultrasonography in 1540 patients (685 men, aged 70 ± 15 years, and 855 women, aged 74 ± 13 years) in the Medical Department of Seiyo Municipal Nomura Hospital. We investigated the association between carotid IMT as well as plaque, and confounding risk factors including MetS by using the 2005 Japanese criteria.Results:  MetS increased with age until the fifth to seventh decade of life but began to decrease in the more elderly subjects. Carotid IMT increased in a linear manner with age (r = 0.442, P < 0.001) and occurrence of plaques also increased up to the ninth decade of life (P for trend <0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis for carotid IMT ≥1.10 mm and plaque occurrence was performed using age, sex, smoking status, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and MetS as variables. In subjects less than 80 years old, male sex and MetS were significant factors for carotid IMT ≥1.10 mm. However, in subjects 80 years or older, MetS was not related to carotid IMT ≥1.10 mm. The appearance of plaque was associated with age and smoking status, but not with MetS.Conclusion:  MetS confers an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity in subjects aged less than 80 years, and its identification may thus be important in risk assessment and treatment of patients.
Family relationships for self‐care‐dependent older people at home
Authors: Kodama Hiroko , Suda Yuko , Takahashi Ryutaro , Nishimura Masanori , Izumo Yuji , Watanabe Makoto , Kudo Hisashi , Kudo Hideaki , Sasaki Hidetada 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Although the government recommends self‐care‐dependent older people be cared for at home, family relationships between caregivers and self‐care‐dependent older people surely would be one of the key factors for care at home. Good memories of family caregivers for self‐care‐dependent older people before self‐care‐dependence would overcome negative psychological symptoms to care at home.Methods:  We investigated family relationships before and after having self‐care‐dependent older people at home in a rural town of Oodate, Akita Prefecture, and an urban district of Katsushika, Tokyo. Among 12 261 dependent elderly (2668 in Oodate and 9593 in Katsushika), 9606 stayed at home (2009 in Oodate and 7597 in Katsushika) and 1036 family caregivers (381 in Oodate and 655 in Katsushika) completed the questionnaires and entered the present study.Results:  Good and medium relationships were dominant and bad family relationships were limited in number after self‐care‐dependence. Family relationships after self‐care significantly correlated with family relationships before self‐care for all main caregivers. There was no significant difference in family relationships between Oodate and Katsushika.Conclusion:  Keeping a good relationship with main caregivers before self‐care would be one of the important factors in caring for self‐care‐dependent older people at home.
Antepartum detection of cord presentation by transvaginal ultrasonography for term breech presentation: Potential prediction and prevention of cord prolapse
Authors: Kinugasa Masato , Sato Tetsuya , Tamura Maki , Suzuki Hiromi , Miyazaki Yoshihiko , Imanaka Motoharu 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim:  We evaluated the efficacy of antepartum screening for cord presentation by trans‐vaginal ultrasonography (TVS) on predicting and preventing umbilical cord prolapse (UCP) in term breech delivery.Methods:  We investigated every woman with a breech‐presenting fetus for cord presentation by weekly TVS after 36 weeks of gestation since 1995. If the cord was found in advance of fetal presenting parts, we recommended her to undergo elective cesarean section to avoid UCP. We studied the incidence of cord presentation by TVS and the clinical courses of the cases with it for 198 women who delivered breech after 36 weeks from 1995 to 2005 (group A). Further, the incidence of UCP was compared between group A and another 230 women who delivered breech at term from 1983 to 1994 (group B).Results:  Cord presentation was detected by TVS at least once in eight (4%) group A patients. Seven of them underwent elective cesarean section and, in six of these (86%), cord presentation was still found at the time of operation. The eighth patient became free of cord presentation at the later examinations and delivered vaginally without UCP. A hundred and twenty‐one (61%) women in group A and 159 (69%) women in group B delivered vaginally. No UCP occurred in group A, while it occurred in 10 (4%) cases of group B (P < 0.01), and one baby died of it.Conclusions:  Detection of cord presentation by TVS has a potential to predict and reduce UCP in breech delivery at term.
Association of Chlamydia trachomatis serology with tubal infertility in Nigerian women
Authors: Omo‐Aghoja Lawrence O. , Okonofua Friday E. , Onemu Samson O. , Larsen Ulla , Bergstrom Staffan 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim:  To determine the association between tubal infertility and Chlamydia trachomatis in Nigerian women.Methods:  This case‐control study is from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology of two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. One hundred and sixty‐two infertile patients with tubal occlusion had 162 pregnant women matched for age as controls. Information on sociodemographic variables, sexual and reproductive risk factors, and history of previous pelvic infections were elicited using a study protocol. The prevalence of Chlamydia Trachomatis antibody was determined for cases and controls.Results:  The prevalence of serum Chlamydia antibody was significantly higher in cases (65.8%) compared with controls (17.3%; P < 001). The effects of Chlamydia antibodies on infertility were strengthened in the multivariate model controlling for Chlamydia antibodies and gynecologic symptoms, compared to the univariate model. However, the association was attenuated and non‐significant when the effects of gynecologic symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics, contraceptive and sexual history were controlled in the conditional logistic regression model. The strongest independent predictors of infertility in the model were vaginal discharge, education less than tertiary and more than three lifetime sexual partners (proxies of sexually transmitted infections).Conclusions:  There was no strong independent association between Chlamydia antibodies and the risk of being infertile in Nigerian women. By contrast, the proxies of sexually transmitted infections were significant predictors of infertility in the women. Efforts to address these factors, which are proxies of sexually transmissible infections, Chlamydia infection, and health‐seeking behavior for these infections, will likely contribute to reducing the burden of infertility in Nigerian women.
Aromatase inhibitor‐induced bone mineral loss and its prevention by bisphosphonate administration in postmenopausal breast cancer patients
Authors: Yonehara Yukie , Iwamoto Ichiro , Kosha Shoichiro , Rai Yoshiaki , Sagara Yoshiatsu , Douchi Tsutomu 
Published: September 2007

AbstractAim:  To investigate aromatase inhibitor‐induced bone mineral loss and its prevention by bisphosphonate administration in postmenopausal breast cancer patients.Methods:  Subjects were 17 postmenopausal breast cancer patients (mean age, 63.3 ± 9.9 years) receiving non‐steroidal aromatase inhibitor (AI; anastrozole, 1 mg daily) only and 10 such patients (mean age, 65.0 ± 5.1 years) receiving AI + bisphosphonate (risedronate sodium, 2.5 mg daily) for 6 months. All of the subjects had undergone surgical resection and had positive estrogen receptor tumor status. Age, age at menopause, years since menopause, height, weight, and body mass index (Wt/Ht2) were recorded. Lumbar spine (L2–4) bone mineral density (BMD), T‐, and Z‐scores were assessed on dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry before and after therapy.Results:  In the AI‐only group BMD, T‐, and Z‐scores significantly decreased from the baseline during the 6‐month therapy period (P < 0.05). Mean decreases in L2–4 BMD and Z‐score were 2.5% and 3.0%, respectively. In the AI + bisphosphonate group, however, BMD, T‐, and Z‐scores significantly increased from the baseline values (P < 0.01). Mean increases in L2–4 BMD and Z‐score were 4.5% and 3.3%, respectively.Conclusion:  AI carries a potential risk of bone mineral loss despite the short therapy duration. Bisphosphonate has a preventive effect on this loss.
Late onset of pulmonary embolism caused by lymphocyst following pelvic lymphadenectomy
Authors: Tsuji Yoriko , Kawaguchi Ryuji , Haruta Shoji , Shigetomi Hiroshi , Ueda Sachiyo , Kanayama Seiji , Yoshida Shozo , Sakata Mariko , Sado Toshiyuki , Yamada Yoshihiko , Kitanaka Koji , Kobayashi Hiroshi 
Published: September 2007

AbstractHerein is reported a case of late‐onset pulmonary embolism following pelvic surgery, despite prophylactic measures in the perioperative period. Twenty‐six days after hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy for endometrial carcinoma, an 83‐year‐old woman developed a pulmonary embolism. This was caused by pelvic lymphocyst, which, in turn, led to chronic compression of the right external iliac vein. This case strongly suggests that prolonged postoperative thromboembolic prophylaxis should be considered in elderly patients undergoing lymphocyst following pelvic surgery.
Simple sling resection and a second, intermediate polypropylene mesh for treatment of vaginal tape protrusion concurrent with recurrent urinary stress incontinence after TVT procedure
Authors: Lo Tsia‐Shu , Lee Shu‐Jane 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure is a simple, effective and minimally invasive method for the surgical treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). Yet, complications such as mesh protrusion and recurrent urinary leakages after TVT have been reported. A case of recurrent USI complicated with vaginal mesh protrusion following a TVT procedure was referred. Video‐urodynamics and introital ultrasonography confirmed that the recurrence of USI was secondary to mal‐position of the protruded TVT. A simple salvaging procedure was carried out. The mal‐positioned distal protruded TVT was resected and a second intermediate piece of polypropylene (Prolene) mesh was replaced at mid‐urethra. The operation time was short and blood loss was minimal. The patient was objectively continent at 6 months follow‐up with no defect of healing. Considering the cost‐effectiveness and invasiveness of the surgeries, the method of inserting an intermediate mesh is clinically useful.
Presynaptic regulation of dendrodendritic dopamine transmission
Authors: Beckstead Michael J. , Ford Christopher P. , Phillips Paul E. M. , Williams John T. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe amount of dopamine release from terminals in the forebrain following an electrical stimulus is variable. This dynamic regulation, both between and within trains of electrical stimuli, has fostered the notion that burst firing of dopamine neuronsin vivomay be a determinant of dopamine release in projection areas. In the present study dendritic dopamine release was examined in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area in mouse brain slices using whole‐cell recording of a dopamine‐mediated inhibitory postsynaptic current (IPSC). Paired stimuli produced a depression of the IPSC that was not observed with paired pulses of exogenously applied dopamine. Increasing the number of electrical stimuli from one to five produced an increase in the amplitude the dopamine IPSC but the increase was less than additive, indicating a depression of transmission with each successive stimulus. Analysis with fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry demonstrated that presynaptic D2‐autoreceptors did not contribute to the depression. Facilitation of the IPSC was observed only after the probability of release was reduced. Thus the regulation of dopamine release in the cell body region was dependent on dopamine neuron impulse activity. Under circumstance where there was initially little activity the probability of dopamine release was high and repetitive activation resulted in depression of further release. With increased activity, the release probability decreased and a burst of activity caused a relative facilitation of dopamine release. This form of regulation would be expected to limit activity within the cell body region.
Bax‐dependent and ‐independent death of motoneurons after facial nerve injury in adult mice
Authors: Park Ok‐hee , Lee Kea Joo , Rhyu Im Joo , Geum Dongho , Kim Hyun , Buss Robert , Oppenheim Ronald W. , Sun Woong 
Published: September 2007

AbstractNerve injury‐induced neuronal death may occur after accidental trauma or nerve inflammation. Although the response to facial root avulsion has been examined in rodent models, there are conflicting results as to whether motoneuron (MN) death is mediated by apoptosis or necrosis. We examined the response of MNs and proximal nerves after facial nerve avulsion in adult mice. Following facial nerve avulsion in 4–5‐week‐old mice, we observed a progressive reduction of MNs such that by 4 weeks less than 10% of avulsed MNs remained compared with the control side. The profile of MN degeneration was distinct from axotomy‐induced responses. For example, the onset of MN death was more rapid, and the extent of MN loss was greater compared with axotomy. Furthermore, the degeneration of oligodendrocytes and the activation of microglia were increased in the proximal nerve after avulsion. Ultrastructural observations suggested that root avulsion mainly induces non‐apoptotic neuronal death, although a small subset of neurons appeared to die via apoptosis. To evaluate the contribution of apoptotic death, we evaluated MN responses in Bax‐knockout (KO) mice in which neurons are rescued from apoptotic death. Surprisingly, although the majority of Bax‐KO mice exhibited only a moderate MN loss after avulsion, a subset of Bax‐KO mice (25%) exhibited extensive MN death and injury‐induced changes in the nerve that were indistinguishable from events in wild‐type littermates. These results suggest that both Bax‐dependent and ‐independent forms of cell death are evoked by root avulsion, and that programmed cell death may be involved in triggering a robust necrotic response.
Insular cortex lesions fail to block flavor and taste preference learning in rats
Authors: Touzani Khalid , Sclafani Anthony 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe role of the insular cortex (IC) in learning to associate orosensory cues with the oral and post‐oral properties of carbohydrate was examined. Rats with either small (gustatory region) or large (gustatory and visceral regions) ibotenic acid lesions of the IC learned to prefer flavors (Experiments 1 and 3) and taste mixtures (Experiments 2 and 4) paired with intragastric infusions of maltodextrin. The rats with large IC lesions also learned a preference for a flavor cue paired with the sweet taste of fructose (Experiment 5). In fact, they showed enhanced conditioning and retarded extinction compared with controls. Collectively, these data provided no evidence that IC is essential for flavor preference learning based on associations between the orosensory cues and the oral and post‐oral reinforcing properties of nutrients.
THE NORMALITY OF DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY: BODIES, SPACES AND DISABILITY GEOGRAPHY
Authors: HANSEN NANCY , PHILO CHRIS 
Published: September 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper reflects upon treatments of the body in both disability studies and disability geography, taking seriously the impaired body in its immediate materiality: in its flesh‐and‐boneness, in how it deals with everyday practices in everyday places, as this embodiment is ‘voiced’ by disabled people themselves. The paper discusses Hansen's in‐depth research with a sample of disabled women living in Scotland and Canada, teasing out their experiences of coping with impaired bodies in non‐disabled spaces. Particular attention is given to their own bodily practices, complete with ‘timings and spacings’ that may depart from what is supposedly normal for non‐disabled people. It is also shown how these women resist ableist accommodations that entail both modifying external spaces and ‘correcting’ bodily differences. The paper concludes by identifying a key but neglected step within the ‘politics’ of better accommodating disabled people: namely, shifting the emphasis from (aiding disabled people in) doing things ‘normally’ to (underlining for all of ‘us’) simply the normality of doing things differently.
Toenail abnormalities and onychomycosis in chronic venous insufficiency of the legs: should we treat?
Authors: Shemer A , Nathansohn N , Kaplan B , Trau H 
Published: September 2007

AbstractBackground  Toenail manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) may often mimic the nail changes of onychomycosis. The current study aims to determine the frequency of toenails deformations in patients with CVI, onychomycosis prevalence among deformed toenails and the outcome of itraconazole treatment.Methods  Patients with clinical evidence of (CVI) were enrolled. All patients with toenails deformations and proven onychomycosis were treated by itraconazole pulse therapy for 4 months and then followed‐up for additional 5 to 6 months.Results  Forty‐four patients with CVI entered the study. Thirty‐seven patients (84%) had nail deformations; 28 of 37 patients (75%) had onychomycosis; and 24 patients completed the follow‐up period. Total cure was achieved in 6 of 24 patients (25%), and 14 patients (58%) had no improvement. Patients’ age and CVI duration were significantly correlated to onychomycosis cure rate.Conclusions  Nail deformations are more prevalent in CVI patients (84%) then in the general elderly population, and 75% of affected nails had also onychomycosis. In these patients, itraconazole achieved only 25% total cure rate compared with the 60% to 70% cure rate commonly cited in the literature, probably due to irreversible nail deformity caused by the CVI and due to the thickened nail that prevented penetrance of itraconazole into the nail plate. Therefore, before antifungal treatment is started for onychomycosis in patients with CVI, especially in older patients, the caregiver must stress out that the final outcome might not be as desirable as in pure onychomycosis patients.