bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postoperative Impairment of Cognitive Function in Rats
Authors: Wan Yanjie , Xu Jing , Ma Daqing , Zeng Yinming , Cibelli Mario , Maze Mervyn 
Published: February 2007

Background
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is being increasingly reported as a complication. The authors investigated the role of cytokine-mediated inflammation within the central nervous system in the development of cognitive dysfunction in a rat model.

Methods
Adult rats were subjected to neuroleptic anesthesia (20 microg/kg fentanyl plus 500 microg/kg droperidol, intraperitoneal) for splenectomy or no surgery. On postanesthetic days 1, 3, and 7, cognitive function was assessed in a Y maze. To evaluate the immune response in the hippocampus, the authors measured glial activation, as well as transcription and expression of key proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha. To determine propensity for apoptosis, they measured expression of Bax and Bcl-2.

Results
Cognitive function in splenectomized animals was impaired at days 1 and 3 after surgery compared with cognitive function in nonanesthetized rats. At all times, anesthetized rats that were not subjected to surgery were no different from control rats. Glial activation was observed in the hippocampus only in splenectomized rats at postsurgery days 1 and 3. Interleukin-1beta messenger RNA (mRNA) was significantly increased at postsurgery days 1 and 3, with an increase in protein expression detected on day 1. There was a significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA on day 1 after surgery, although this was not associated with an increase in protein expression. The ratio of Bcl-2:Bax was significantly decreased in the splenectomized animals.

Conclusion
These results suggest that splenectomy performed during neuroleptic anesthesia triggers a cognitive decline that is associated with a hippocampal inflammatory response that seems to be due to proinflammatory cytokine-dependent activation of glial cells.
Multicenter Randomized Comparison of Xenon and Isoflurane on Left Ventricular Function in Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery
Authors: Wappler Frank , Rossaint Rolf , Baumert Jan , Scholz Jens , Tonner Peter H. , van Aken Hugo , Berendes Elmar , Klein Jan , Gommers Diederik , Hammerle Alfons , Franke Andreas , Hofmann Thomas , Schulte am Esch Jochen 
Published: February 2007

Background
Volatile anesthetics are commonly used for general anesthesia. However, these can induce profound cardiovascular alterations. Xenon is a noble gas with potent anesthetic and analgesic properties. However, it is uncertain whether xenon alters myocardial function. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate left ventricular function during anesthesia with xenon compared with isoflurane.

Methods
The authors performed a randomized multicenter trial to compare xenon with isoflurane with respect to cardiovascular stability and adverse effects in patients without cardiac diseases scheduled for elective surgery. Two hundred fifty-nine patients were enrolled in this trial, of which 252 completed the study according to the protocol. Patients were anesthetized with xenon or isoflurane, respectively. Before administration of the study drugs and at four time points, the effects of both anesthetics on left ventricular function were investigated using transesophageal echocardiography.

Results
Global hemodynamic parameters were significantly altered using isoflurane (P < 0.05 vs. baseline), whereas xenon only decreased heart rate (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). In contrast to xenon, left ventricular end-systolic wall stress decreased significantly in the isoflurane group (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). Velocity of circumferential fiber shortening was decreased significantly in the xenon group but showed a more pronounced reduction during isoflurane administration (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). The contractile index (difference between expected and actually measured velocity of circumferential fiber shortening) as an independent parameter for left ventricular function was significantly decreased after isoflurane (P < 0.0001) but unchanged using xenon.

Conclusions
Xenon did not reduce contractility, whereas isoflurane decreased the contractile index, indicating that xenon enables favorable cardiovascular stability in patients without cardiac diseases.
Fluorescence Dilution Technique for Measurement of Cardiac Output and Circulating Blood Volume in Healthy Human Subjects
Authors: Maarek Jean-Michel I. , Holschneider Daniel P. , Rubinstein Eduardo H. 
Published: February 2007

Background
The authors previously validated in an animal model a new indicator dilution technique for measuring cardiac output and circulating blood volume by recording transcutaneously the fluorescence of circulating indocyanine green with an optical probe placed on the skin surface. The current study compared fluorescence dilution recordings recorded from several locations on the human face in terms of signal intensity and stability and estimated the subjects' cardiac output and circulating blood volume from the recordings.

Methods
Fluorescence dilution traces were recorded transcutaneously in six healthy human volunteers after rapid intravenous injection of 1 mg indocyanine green. Three placements of the optical probe were tested: the nose ala, the ear lobe, and the temple area. In three subjects, the recordings were calibrated in terms of circulating indocyanine green concentration to estimate cardiac output and circulating blood volume.

Results
Fluorescence dilution traces had the same duration for the three locations, but the recordings obtained from the nose ala and the ear lobe were twice as intense as those from the temple. The fluorescence intensity at each site was linearly related to the local laser Doppler perfusion index. The coefficient of variation for the area under the first pass curve (inversely proportional to cardiac output) was approximately 6% for triplicate measurements at the same location. Cardiac output and circulating blood volume derived from the fluorescence recordings were in the normal range.

Conclusions
The study demonstrates that intense and reproducible fluorescence dilution signals can be measured transcutaneously in healthy humans and could potentially be used to measure cardiac output and circulating blood volume minimally invasively.
Combined Spinal and General Anesthesia Attenuates Liver Metastasis by Preserving Th1/Th2 Cytokine Balance
Authors: Wada Hiroki , Seki Shuhji , Takahashi Tetsuya , Kawarabayashi Nobuaki , Higuchi Hideyuki , Habu Yoshiko , Sugahara Shinya , Kazama Tomiei 
Published: February 2007

Background
Many studies have shown that regional anesthesia improves postoperative outcome and particularly lessens infection by attenuating perioperative immunosuppression related to the stress response to surgery and general anesthesia. However, it remains to be determined whether regional anesthesia improves oncologic outcome after surgery.

Methods
C57BL/6 mice were subjected to laparotomy during sevoflurane general anesthesia alone or combined with spinal block achieved with bupivacaine (5 microg) and morphine (1.25 microg). Control groups were anesthetized only or were untreated. Liver was removed 5 h after surgery to assess antitumor killer cell activity and production of interferon gamma and interleukin 4 by liver mononuclear cells, or mice were inoculated intravenously with liver-metastatic EL4 cells and hepatic metastases were counted 12 days later.

Results
Laparotomy during sevoflurane anesthesia significantly increased the number (+/- SD) of liver metastases from 15.5 +/- 8.7 (control) and 19.4 +/- 5.4 (sevoflurane alone) to 33.7 +/- 8.9. Sevoflurane anesthesia plus spinal block significantly reduced this increase to 19.8 +/- 9. The in vitro killer activity of liver mononuclear cells against EL4 cells decreased from 32.7% (control) and 29.4% (sevoflurane alone) to 18.5% after sevoflurane plus laparotomy, and the addition of spinal block increased activity to 26.6%. The interferon-gamma/interleukin-4 ratio decreased from 89.3 (control) and 95.7 (anesthesia alone) to 15.7 after sevoflurane plus laparotomy, and the addition of spinal block increased the ratio to 46.5.

Conclusions
The addition of spinal block to sevoflurane general anesthesia accompanying surgery attenuates the suppression of tumoricidal function of liver mononuclear cells, presumably by preserving the T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) balance, and thereby reduces the promotion of tumor metastasis.
Differential Effects of Etomidate and Midazolam on Vascular Adenosine Triphosphate–sensitive Potassium Channels
Authors: Nakamura Akiyo , Kawahito Shinji , Kawano Takashi , Nazari Hossein , Takahashi Akira , Kitahata Hiroshi , Nakaya Yutaka , Oshita Shuzo 
Published: February 2007

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two imidazoline-derived intravenous anesthetics, etomidate and midazolam, on vascular adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activity.

Methods
In isolated rat aorta, isometric tension was recorded to examine the anesthetic effects on vasodilator response to levcromakalim, a selective KATP channel opener. Using the patch clamp method, the anesthetic effects were also examined on the currents through (1) native vascular KATP channels, (2) recombinant KATP channels with different combinations of various types of inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir6.0 family: Kir6.1, 6.2) and sulfonylurea receptor (SUR1, 2A, 2B) subunits, (3) SUR-deficient channels derived from a truncated isoform of Kir6.2 subunit (Kir6.2DeltaC36 channels), and (4) mutant Kir6.2DeltaC36 channels with reduced sensitivity to adenosine triphosphate (Kir6.2DeltaC36-K185Q channels).

Results
Etomidate (> or = 10 m), but not midazolam (up to 10 m), inhibited the levcromakalim-induced vasodilation, which was sensitive to glibenclamide (IC50: 7.21 x 10 m; maximum inhibitory concentration: 1.22 x 10 m). Etomidate (> or = 3 x 10 m), but not midazolam (up to 10 m), inhibited the native KATP channel activity in both cell-attached and inside-out configurations with IC50 values of 1.68 x 10 m and 1.52 x 10 m, respectively. Etomidate (10 m) also inhibited the activity of various types of recombinant SUR/Kir6.0KATP channels, Kir6.2DeltaC36 channels, and Kir6.2DeltaC36-K185Q channels with equivalent potency.

Conclusions
Clinical concentrations of etomidate, but not midazolam, inhibit the KATP channel activity in vascular smooth muscle cells. The inhibition is presumably through its effects on the Kir6.0 subunit, but not on the SUR subunit, with the binding site different from adenosine triphosphate at the amino acid level.
Structural Requirements of Human Ether-a-go-go– related Gene Channels for Block by Bupivacaine
Authors: Siebrands Cornelia C. , Friederich Patrick 
Published: February 2007

Background
Local anesthetics interact with human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) channels via the aromatic amino acids Y652 and F656 in the S6 region. This study aimed to establish whether the residues T623, S624, and V625 residing deeper within the pore are also involved in HERG channel block by bupivacaine. In addition, the study aimed to further define the role of the aromatic residues Y652 and F656 in bupivacaine inhibition by mutating these residues to threonine.

Methods
Alanine and threonine mutants were generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Electrophysiologic and pharmacologic properties of wild-type and mutant HERG channels were established using two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings of Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing HERG channels.

Results
Tail currents at -120 mV through HERG wild-type channels were inhibited with an IC50 value of 132 +/- 22 microm (n = 33). Bupivacaine (300 microm) inhibited wild-type tail currents by 62 +/- 12% (n = 7). Inhibition of HERG tail currents by bupivacaine (300 microm) was reduced by all mutations (P < 0.001). The effect was largest for F656A (inhibition 5 +/- 2%, n = 6) in the lower S6 region and for T623A (inhibition 13 +/- 4%, n = 9) near the selectivity filter. Introducing threonine at positions 656 and 652 significantly reduced inhibition by bupivacaine compared with HERG wild type (P < 0.001).

Conclusions
The authors' results indicate that not only the aromatic residues Y652 and F656 but also residues residing deeper within the pore and close to the selectivity filter of HERG channels are involved in inhibition of HERG channels by the low-affinity blocker bupivacaine.
Long‐term Outcome of Children Receiving Home Parenteral Nutrition: A 20‐year Single‐center Experience in 302 Patients
Authors: Colomb Virginie , Dabbas‐Tyan Myriam , Taupin Pierre , Talbotec Cécile , Révillon Y , Jan D , De Potter Sophie , Gorski‐Colin Anne‐Marie , Lamor Michèle , Herreman Karen , Corriol Odile , Landais Paul , Ricour Claude , Goulet Olivier 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTBackground:More information is needed regarding the prognosis of children receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). This article describes 20‐year outcome data in children receiving HPN and provides separate profiles for the major pediatric diagnostic subgroups.Patients and Methods:This retrospective study included children who started receiving HPN between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1999, in a single pediatric HPN center.Results:A total of 302 children were recruited, 230 (76%) with primary digestive disorders and 72 (24%) with nonprimary digestive disorders. Median age at HPN onset was 1.5 years. Median duration of HPN was 1.3 years. By January 1, 2000, 54% had weaned from HPN, 26% were still receiving HPN, 16% had died, and 4% had undergone intestinal transplantation. The survival probabilities at 2, 5, 10, and 15 years were 97%, 89%, 81%, and 72%, respectively. The likelihood and cause of death depended on the underlying diagnosis. Nine percent of children with primary digestive disorders died, 24% from their primary disease and 48% from liver disease or sepsis. Children with intractable diarrhea of infancy had the highest mortality rate (25%) and the highest incidence of liver disease (48%; P = 0.0002). Thirty‐eight percent of children with primary nondigestive diseases died, 94% from their primary disease and 6% from liver disease or sepsis.Conclusions:Outcome and survival of children receiving HPN are mainly determined by their underlying diagnosis. Nearly all children with primary digestive disease survive if referred early to an expert center.
Pediatric Crohn Disease: Clinical and Genetic Characteristics in Taiwan
Authors: Hsiao Cheng‐Hui , Wei Shu‐Chen , Wong Jau‐Min , Lai Hong‐Shiee , Chang Mei‐Hwei , Ni Yen‐Hsuan 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTObjectives:Crohn disease (CD) is a heterogeneous disorder. The nucleotide oligomerization domain 2/caspase activating recruitment domain 15 (NOD2/CARD15) gene located at 16q12 is strongly associated with susceptibility to CD in white people but is absent in adult Asian patients, whereas the role of Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) polymorphisms has also been reported. Because clinical and genetic data in Asian children with CD are lacking, the aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical and genetic characteristics of Taiwanese children with CD.Patients and Methods:All of the children hospitalized at the National Taiwan University Hospital between January 2000 and July 2005 who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for CD were enrolled. Their clinical characteristics were recorded, and genomic DNA was extracted from their white blood cells. After polymerase chain reaction was performed, direct sequencing was done to detect the 4 NOD2 hotspot mutations (P268S, R702W, G908R, 1007fs) and TLR4 polymorphisms (Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile).Results:CD was diagnosed in 10 children (6 boys and 4 girls; age range at diagnosis, 14 months to 13 years; median age, 11.1 years). There were 5 children with ileocolonic region involvement, 3 with colonic region involvement, 2 with ileal region involvement, 4 with additional upper gastrointestinal tract involvement, and 2 with additional perianal fistula. Half of the children had growth retardation at diagnosis. Neither NOD2/CARD15 mutations nor TLR4 polymorphisms were found in the 10 patients.Conclusions:Ileocolonic location and inflammatory behavior constitute the most frequent phenotype of CD in Taiwan. Mutations in the NOD2/CARD15 and TLR4 genes that are common in the West are not associated with CD in Taiwanese children.
Wasting and Intestinal Barrier Function in Children Taking Alanyl‐Glutamine–Supplemented Enteral Formula
Authors: Lima Noélia L , Soares Alberto M , Mota Rosa MS , Monteiro Helena SA , Guerrant Richard L , Lima Aldo AM 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTObjective:We examined the effect of a diet supplemented with alanyl‐glutamine (AG) or placebo glycine (G) on intestinal barrier function and growth in children in northeastern Brazil.Patients and Methods:One hundred seven children ages 7.9 to 82.2 months with a weight‐for‐age (WAZ), height‐for‐age (HAZ), or weight‐for‐height (WHZ) z‐score less than −1 were studied. From July 2003 to November 2004, 51 study patients received AG (24 g/d) and 56 received G (25 g/d; isonitrogenic concentration) control for 10 days. Lactulose/mannitol excretion ratio was used as a measure of intestinal permeability and was performed on days 1 and 10 of nutritional supplementation. Weight and height were measured on days 1, 10, 30, and 120 of the protocol.Results:The patients were similar on admission with regard to age, sex, birth weight, nutritional status, lactulose/mannitol ratio, and serum concentrations of glutamine and arginine. The percentage of lactulose urinary excretion significantly improved (decreased) in children receiving AG for 10 days but not in those receiving glycine controls. AG significantly increased cumulative change over 120 days in WHZ and WAZ scores but not HAZ scores after adjustment for age and season in comparison with the placebo glycine group.Conclusions:Children tolerated AG‐supplemented enteral formula well, and it significantly improved cumulative WHZ and WAZ over 120 days in comparison with children in the placebo glycine group. The data also suggested a beneficial effect of AG in the barrier function paracellular pathway, albeit with reduced mannitol excretion. Thus, although the effect of AG on reduced mannitol concentration requires clarification, AG appears to improve nutrition and barrier function.
Term Infants Fed Formula Supplemented With Selected Blends of Prebiotics Grow Normally and Have Soft Stools Similar to Those Reported for Breast‐fed Infants
Authors: Ziegler Ekhard , Vanderhoof Jon A , Petschow Bryon , Mitmesser Susan Hazels , Stolz Suzanne I , Harris Cheryl L , Berseth Carol Lynn 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTObjectives:The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of 2 different combinations of prebiotic ingredients, polydextrose (PDX), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and lactulose (LOS), at 2 different intake levels on the overall growth and tolerance in healthy term infants up to 120 days of age.Patients and Methods:Healthy, formula‐fed, term infants (n = 226) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 study formula groups: control group (n = 76), PG4 group (control formula supplemented with 4 g/L of a prebiotic blend, n = 74), or PGL8 group (control formula supplemented with 8 g/L of a prebiotic blend, n = 76). Anthropometric measurements were taken at 14, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of age, and 24‐hour dietary recall and 24‐hour tolerance recall were recorded at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of age. Adverse events were recorded throughout the study.Results:There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 formula groups for weight growth rate or length growth rate at any time point. Significant differences in stool consistency were detected among the 3 formula groups at 30, 60, and 90 days of age (P < 0.001, P = 0.025, P = 0.004, respectively), with the supplemented formula groups having looser stools than the control group. The PGL8 group had significantly higher stool frequency compared with the control and PG4 groups at 30 days of age (P = 0.021 and P = 0.017, respectively), but all of the groups were similar at 60, 90, and 120 days of age. A statistical difference was detected among the formula groups in 3 categories of adverse events: diarrhea (control vs PG4, 4% vs 18%, P = 0.008), eczema (PG4 vs control, 18% vs 7%, P = 0.046; PG4 vs PGL8, 18% vs 4%, P = 0.008), and irritability (control vs PGL8, 4% vs 16%, P = 0.027).Conclusions:Infants fed formula supplemented with a prebiotic mixture achieved normal growth and stool characteristics more similar to those of breast‐fed infants in comparison with infants fed an unsupplemented formula. A pediatrician needs to consider the risk of possible intolerance against the benefits of prebiotics.
Delay discounting and the alcohol Stroop in heavy drinking adolescents
Authors: Field Matt , Christiansen Paul , Cole Jon , Goudie Andrew 
Published: February 2007

ABSTRACTAims  To investigate whether adolescent heavy drinkers exhibit biased cognitive processing of alcohol‐related cues and impulsive decision making.Design  A between‐subjects design was employed.Setting  Classrooms in a single sixth‐form college in Merseyside, UK.Participants  Ninety adolescent students (mean age 16.83 years), of whom 38% were identified as heavy drinkers and 36% were identified as light drinkers, based on a tertile split of their weekly alcohol consumption.Measurements  Participants provided information about alcohol consumption before completing measures of alcohol craving, delay discounting and an ‘alcohol Stroop’ in which they were required to name the colour in which alcohol‐related and matched control words were printed.Findings  Compared to light drinkers, heavy drinkers showed more pronounced discounting of delayed hypothetical monetary and alcohol rewards, which is indicative of a more short‐term focus in decision making in heavy drinkers. Heavy drinkers were also slower to colour‐name alcohol‐related words, which indicates an attentional bias for alcohol‐related cues. In all participants, measures of delay discounting and attentional bias were correlated moderately with each other, and also with the level of alcohol consumption and with alcohol craving.Conclusions  In adolescents, heavy alcohol use is associated with biased attentional processing of alcohol‐related cues and a shorter‐term focus in decision making.