bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NITRIC OXIDE AND SUPEROXIDE INTERACTIONS IN THE KIDNEY AND THEIR IMPLICATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SALT‐SENSITIVE HYPERTENSION
Authors: Majid Dewan SA , Kopkan Libor 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

Enhanced superoxide () activity as a result of the inhibition of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme results in vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic responses in the canine kidney; these responses were shown to be greatly enhanced during inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Glomerular filtration rate remained mostly unchanged during SOD inhibition in the intact nitric oxide (NO) condition, but was markedly reduced during NOS inhibition. These findings indicate that endogenous NO has a major renoprotective effect against by acting as an anti‐oxidant. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition was also shown to enhance endogenous activity.
Experiments in our laboratory using dogs, rats and gene knockout mice have shown that renal vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic responses to acute or chronic angiotensin (Ang) II administration are mediated, in part, by generation. In the absence of NO, enhanced activity largely contributes to AngII‐induced renal tubular sodium reabsorption. Acute or chronic treatment with the scavenger tempol in experimental models of hypertension (induced by chronic low‐dose treatment with AngII and NO inhibitors) causes an improvement in renal haemodynamics and in excretory function, abolishes salt sensitivity and reduces blood pressure.
The present mini review also discusses related studies from many other laboratories implicating a role for and its interaction with NO in the development of salt‐sensitive hypertension.
Overall, the collective data support the hypothesis that an imbalance between the production of NO and in the kidney primarily determines the condition of oxidative stress that alters renal haemodynamics and excretory function leading to sodium retention and, thus, contributes to the development of salt‐sensitive hypertension.
SEX DIFFERENCES IN OXIDATIVE STRESS AND THE IMPACT ON BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Authors: Sartori‐Valinotti Julio C , Iliescu Radu , Fortepiani Lourdes A , Yanes Licy L , Reckelhoff Jane F 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARY

In the present review, we addressed studies in humans and rats to determine the role that oxidative stress may play in mediating cardiovascular outcomes.
Biochemical evaluation of oxidative stress in both humans and spontaneously hypertensive rats gives equivocal results as to the relative levels in males versus females. Clinical trials with anti‐oxidants in humans have not shown consistent results in protecting against detrimental cardiovascular outcomes. In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), blockade studies using tempol or apocynin reduce renal oxidative stress and blood pressure in male SHR, but not in female rats. In addition, increasing oxidative stress with molsidomine increases blood pressure in male, but not female, SHR. Treatment with vitamins E and C reduces blood pressure in young male, but not aged, animals. Furthermore tempol is unable to reduce blood pressure in young male SHR in the absence of a functional nitric oxide system.
Neither human nor animal studies are consistent in terms of whether oxidative stress levels are higher in males or females. Furthermore, anti‐oxidant therapy in humans often does not ameliorate, or even attenuate, the negative cardiovascular consequences of increased oxidative stress. Our studies in SHR shed light on why these outcomes occur.
Factors associated with the mental health of adolescents when a parent has cancer
Authors: LINDQVIST B. , SCHMITT F. , SANTALAHTI P. , ROMER G. , PIHA J. 
Published: April 2007

This study explored factors associated with the mental health in adolescents (ages 11–17;n = 54) within 12 months after a parent had been diagnosed with cancer. A control group was included (ages 11–17;n = 49). A demographic questionnaire, the SF‐8TMHealth Survey, the Youth Self Report and the McMaster Family Assessment Device were used. Similar levels of psychological distress and healthy family functioning were reported in the clinical and the control group. No effect of gender of the ill parent and that of the adolescent was found. A negative correlation was found between the physical health of the ill parent and the mental health of the adolescent. Healthy family functioning correlated with less psychological distress in adolescents with a parent with cancer. Open communication, flexible problem solving and appropriate affective involvement were significant predictors for less psychological distress in the adolescents. The study concludes that a healthy family functioning facilitated the adolescent's adjustment to parental cancer.
Safety of benzyl benzoate lotion and permethrin in pregnancy: a retrospective matched cohort study
Authors: Mytton OT , McGready R , Lee SJ , Roberts CH , Ashley EA , Carrara VI , Thwai KL , Jay MP , Wiangambun T , Singhasivanon P , Nosten F 
Published: April 2007

Objective  To assess the safety of benzyl benzoate lotion (BBL) and permethrin, topical treatments for scabies, during pregnancy.Design  A retrospective controlled cohort study.Population  Refugee and migrant women attending antenatal clinics (ANC) on the Thai–Burmese border between August 1993 and April 2006.Methods  Women treated with either BBL (25%) or permethrin (4%) were identified from a manual search of antenatal records. Each case of scabies was matched with four scabies‐free controls for gravidity, age, smoking status, malaria, period of treatment and gestational age at treatment. Conditional Poisson regression was used to estimate risk ratios for outcomes of pregnancy (proportion of abortions, congenital abnormalities, neonatal deaths, stillbirths and premature babies), mean birthweight and estimated median gestational age, for scabies and scabies‐free women, independently for BBL and permethrin.Results  There were no statistically significant differences in pregnancy outcomes between women who were treated with either BBL (n= 444) compared with their matched controls (n= 1,776) or permethrin (n= 196) treated women and their matched controls (n= 784). Overall, only 10.9% (n= 66) of treatments were in the first trimester. Retreatment rates were higher with BBL 16.4%, than permethrin 9.7%, P= 0.038. Scabies was more common during cooler periods.Conclusion  We found no evidence of adverse effects on pregnancy outcome due to topical 25% BBL or 4% permethrin.
The diagnostic accuracy of external pelvimetry and maternal height to predict dystocia in nulliparous women: a study in Cameroon
Authors: Rozenholc AT , Ako SN , Leke RJ , Boulvain M 
Published: April 2007

Objective  In many developing countries, most women deliver at home or in facilities without operative capability. Identification before labour of women at risk of dystocia and timely referral to a district hospital for delivery is one strategy to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Our objective was to assess the prediction of dystocia by the combination of maternal height with external pelvimetry, and with foot length and symphysis‐fundus height.Design  A prospective cohort study.Setting  Three maternity units in Yaoundé, Cameroon.Population  A total of 807 consecutive nulliparous women at term who completed a trial of labour and delivered a single fetus in vertex presentation.Methods  Anthropometric measurements were recorded at the antenatal visit by a researcher and concealed from the staff managing labour. After delivery, the accuracy of individual and combined measurements in the prediction of dystocia was analysed.Main outcome measures  Dystocia, defined as caesarean section for dystocia; vacuum or forceps delivery after a prolonged labour (>12 hours); or spontaneous delivery after a prolonged labour associated with intrapartum death.Results  Ninety‐eight women (12.1%) had dystocia. The combination of a maternal height less than or equal to the 5th percentile or a transverse diagonal of the Michaelis sacral rhomboid area less than or equal to the 10th percentile resulted in a sensitivity of 53.1% (95% CI 42.7–63.2), a specificity of 92.0% (95% CI 89.7–93.9), a positive predictive value of 47.7% (95% CI 38.0–57.5) and a positive likelihood ratio of 6.6 (95% CI 4.8–9.0), with 13.5% of all women presumed to be at risk. Other combinations resulted in inferior prediction.Conclusion  The combination of the maternal height with the transverse diagonal of the Michaelis sacral rhomboid area could identify, before labour, more than half of the cases of dystocia in nulliparous women.
Eleven new microsatellite markers for the tropical sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla and cross‐amplification in Tripneustes ventricosa
Authors: CARLON DAVID B. , LIPPÉ CATHERINE 
Published: April 2007

AbstractWe describe the isolation, characterization, and application of 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci from the tropical sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla. We genotyped a total of 73 individuals in three subpopulations (two in Hawaii, and one in the Philippines) and found between eight and 33 alleles per locus. We found significant heterozygote deficits within at least one subpopulation at seven out of 11 loci. We were successful at cross‐amplifying four loci in the congeneric Tripneustes ventricosus. When used appropriately, this set of loci will be useful for quantifying population structure in Tripneustes urchins across broad geographical ranges.
Polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers for the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
Authors: PAUSE KIMBERLY C. , NOURISSON CORALIE , CLARK ANNMARIE , KELLOGG MARGARET E. , BONDE ROBERT K. , McGUIRE PETER M. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractFlorida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) are marine mammals that inhabit the coastal waters and rivers of the southeastern USA, primarily Florida. Previous studies have shown that Florida manatees have low mitochondrial DNA variability, suggesting that nuclear DNA loci are necessary for discriminatory analyses. Here we report 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci with an average of 4.2 alleles per locus, and average heterozygosity of 50.1%. These loci have been developed for use in population studies, parentage assignment, and individual identification.
Isolation of 10 microsatellite markers in Crepidula coquimbensis (Gastropod, Calyptraeideae) for parentage analyses
Authors: DAGUIN CLAIRE , BRANTE ANTONIO , FERNANDEZ MIRIAM , VIARD FRÉDÉRIQUE 
Published: April 2007

AbstractMarine invertebrates show a high diversity of embryonic developmental modes and reproductive behaviour. However, little is known about the factors that are promoting the evolution of different strategies. The gastropod Crepidula coquimbensis has a direct embryonic development with encapsulated embryos showing a cannibalistic behaviour. Preliminary observations suggest that victim embryos are not randomly chosen. With intracapsular multipaternity, the intensity of cannibalism might vary according to the relatedness of the siblings. Paternity analyses based on highly polymorphic markers can provide valuable insights into this cannibalism behaviour. Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were thus developed: the level of polymorphism is large enough to perform paternity analysis and investigate relatedness in this species.
Once‐Daily Cefepime Versus Ceftriaxone for Nursing Home–Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Paladino Joseph A. , Eubanks David A. , Adelman Martin H. , Schentag Jerome J. 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVES: To compare once‐daily intramuscular cefepime with ceftriaxone controls.DESIGN: Double‐blind study.SETTING: Six skilled nursing facilities.PARTICIPANTS: Residents aged 60 and older with nursing home–acquired pneumonia.INTERVENTION: Cultures were obtained, and patients were randomized to cefepime or ceftriaxone 1 g intramuscularly every 24 hours.MEASUREMENTS: Clinical success: cure or improvement. Cure was defined as complete resolution of all symptoms and signs of pneumonia or a return to the patient's baseline state. Improvement was defined as clear improvement but incomplete resolution of all pretherapy symptoms or signs or incomplete return to the patient's usual baseline status. Safety and pharmacoeconomics were also assessed.RESULTS: Sixty‐nine patients were randomized; 61 were evaluable: (32 to cefepime, 29 ceftriaxone). Patients were predominately female (76%). They had a mean age±standard deviation of 85±6, with a mean 5.8±1.9 comorbidities; they had age‐appropriate renal dysfunction, with a mean estimated creatinine clearance of 35±7 mL/min. Clinical success occurred in 78% of cefepime‐ and 66% of ceftriaxone‐treated patients (P=.39). Fifty‐seven patients (93%) were switched to oral antibiotics after 3 days. Antibiotic‐related adverse events occurred in 5% of patients. Seven patients (11.5%) were hospitalized. The overall mortality rate was 8%. Mean antibiotic costs were $117±40 for cefepime‐ and $215±68 for ceftriaxone‐treated patients (P<.001). Cost‐effectiveness analysis of total costs showed that cefepime would cost $597 and ceftriaxone $1,709 per expected successfully treated patient. One‐ and two‐way sensitivity analyses using a generic price for ceftriaxone and improving its comparative efficacy revealed that the results were robust.CONCLUSIONS: Once‐daily cefepime was a cost‐effective alternative to ceftriaxone for the treatment of elderly nursing home residents who developed pneumonia and did not require hospitalization.
Systemic Markers of Inflammation and Cognitive Decline in Old Age
Authors: Schram Miranda T. , Euser Sjoerd M. , De Craen Anton J. M. , Witteman Jacqueline C. , Frölich Marijke , Hofman Albert , Jolles Jelle , Breteler Monique M. B. , Westendorp Rudi G. J. 
Published: April 2007

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether higher circulating levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and α1‐antichymotrypsin (ACT) are associated with worse cognitive function and decline in old age.DESIGN: Two independent population‐based cohort studies.SETTING: The Rotterdam Study (mean follow‐up 4.6 years) and the Leiden 85‐plus Study (maximal follow‐up 5 years).PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand eight hundred seventy‐four individuals, mean age 72, from the Rotterdam Study, and 491 individuals, all aged 85, from the Leiden 85‐plus Study.MEASUREMENTS: Both studies assessed global cognition, executive function, and memory. Linear regression analyses were used in the current study to investigate the associations between inflammatory markers and cognitive function and decline.RESULTS: In the Rotterdam Study, higher levels of CRP and IL‐6 were cross‐sectionally associated with worse global cognition and executive function (P<.05). ACT was not associated with cognitive function. In the Leiden 85‐plus Study, estimates were similar for CRP, although not statistically significant. Higher IL‐6 levels were related to a steeper annual decline in memory function in the longitudinal analysis in the Leiden 85‐plus Study (P<.05). The effect of higher IL‐6 levels on global and memory function decline was stronger in apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 carriers (P‐interaction=.01) than in those who were not (P‐interaction=.05). In the Rotterdam Study, higher IL‐6 levels were related to a steeper annual decline in global cognition in APOE ɛ4 carriers only.CONCLUSION: Systemic markers of inflammation are only moderately associated with cognitive function and decline and tend to be stronger in carriers of the APOE ɛ4 allele. Systemic markers of inflammation are not suitable for risk stratification.
Quality of Life Among Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Recipients in the Primary Prevention Therapeutic Era
Authors: GROENEVELD PETER W. , MATTA MARY A. , SUH JANICE J. , YANG FEIFEI , SHEA JUDY A. 
Published: April 2007

Background: Although patients receiving implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators (ICDs) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death are the fastest growing segment of the ICD recipient population, the quality‐of‐life (QOL) effects of the ICD among primary prevention patients are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the health‐related QOL among primary and secondary prevention ICD recipients, and to determine predictive factors for high or low QOL in each group.
Methods: Forty‐five primary prevention and 75 secondary prevention ICD recipients receiving routine care in electrophysiology clinics within the University of Pennsylvania Health System were assessed using several well‐validated general and ICD‐specific QOL instruments.
Results: Between primary and secondary prevention patients, there were no significant differences in EuroQol 5D (medians: 0.84 vs 0.84, P = 0.71), Health Utilities Index (medians: 0.88 vs 0.85, P = 0.95), Short Form‐12 aggregate physical summary (means: 45 vs 46, P = 0.64), and Short Form‐12 aggregate mental summary (means: 46 vs 47, P = 0.93) scores. Both primary and secondary prevention patients viewed their devices favorably according to the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey scale, with no significant differences between group means (80 vs 83, P = 0.71). However, substantial fractions of both primary and secondary prevention recipients had particular concerns about lifting (40%), sexual activity (19%), and driving (14%).
Conclusions: QOL does not significantly differ between primary prevention and secondary prevention ICD recipients. Device recipients had comparable QOL to published, nationwide QOL estimates among non‐ICD patients of similar age. The ICD was highly acceptable to most primary and secondary prevention patients.
Electromagnetic Interference from Wireless Video‐Capsule Endoscopy on Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillators
Authors: DUBNER SERGIO , DUBNER YAEL , RUBIO HORACIO , GOLDIN ERAN 
Published: April 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential interference between the Pill‐cam™ video‐capsule and implanted cardio‐defibrillators (ICD) in both in vitro and in vivo test environments.
Methods: Phase I consisted of in vitro testing utilized 6 ICD models. Each was placed in a saline gel bath in conjunction with a tool designed to emit the same wave length as the Pill‐Cam™ (the Test Cap). Tests were performed at both the manufacturer's nominal and most sensitive settings with the test probe placed at 1, 5, 10, and 15 cm from three different points. There were emissions of 10‐, 30‐, and 60‐ second duration at each location. Phase II was the in vivo study utilizing patients with implanted ICDs for standard clinical reasons who were undergoing evaluation with the Test Cap.
Results: In Phase I, 864 tests were performed involving the 6 ICDs. There was totally normal behavior in 5 of the devices. The Biotronik Belos (Berlin, Germany) demonstrated oversensing and delivery of inappropriate therapy. In phase II, 6 patients underwent a total number of 288 tests (48 in each patient). There were 4 men and 2 women, mean age 61 (33–77) and none demonstrated any adverse interactions.
Conclusions: In patients with devices identical to those evaluated that showed no interference, the use of the Pill‐Cam is safe. However, in patients with a Biotronik Belos ICD (or any other nontested ICD) the use of the Pill‐Cam should be done only in‐hospital, after suspended ICD therapy and in conjunction with close monitoring.
Adaptive Bi‐Atrial Pacing Improves the Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm
Authors: BACIK BRADLEY M. , MULLER DAVID , CORBISIERO RAFFAELE 
Published: April 2007

Introduction: Multiple pacing modalities have been shown to individually decrease atrial fibrillation (AF) burden and relieve symptoms of AF. This investigation retrospectively evaluated whether a combination of bi‐atrial pacing with dynamic atrial overdrive (DAO) AF suppression would further decrease AF burden as compared to AF suppression (DAO) alone.
Methods and Results: A total of 33 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Patients (n = 16) were identified from the Deborah Heart and Lung Center pacemaker database with DAO programmed on at time of implantation. Patients (n = 17) were identified with bi‐atrial pacing leads in right atrium and mid to distal coronary sinus who also had DAO programmed on at the time of implant. Evaluation of interrogated pacing data revealed Percent Time in Mode Switch (18.2%± 7.2% vs 0.59%± 0.08%) to be significantly lower (P = 0.014) in the bi‐atrial paced group. In addition, there were less mode switches per day (MSPD) in the bi‐atrial paced group (0.62 ± 0.43 MSPD) versus control (4.40 ± 3.24 MSPD) (P = 0.06).
Conclusion: Bi‐atrial pacing while used in conjunction with an adaptive pacing suppression algorithm (DAO) may successfully be used to inhibit PAF.
A Nonfluoroscopic Approach for Electrophysiology and Catheter Ablation Procedures Using a Three‐Dimensional Navigation System
Authors: TUZCU VOLKAN 
Published: April 2007

Background: Three‐dimensional (3D) electroanatomical navigation systems decrease the fluoroscopy time of electrophysiology and ablation procedures. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a complete nonfluoroscopic approach for electrophysiologic studies and right‐sided catheter ablations for supraventricular tachycardia in patients with normal cardiac anatomy using a 3D, surface electrode‐based navigation system (NavX™, St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA).
Methods and Results: Electrophysiologic studies were performed in 26 consecutive cases (12.7 ± 7.5 years) using NavX™ without fluoroscopy. The procedure time was 98.7 ± 49.7 minutes. Nonfluoroscopic catheter ablations were performed in 24 of 28 consecutive patients. Cryoablation was used in 23 of 24. The procedure time was 193.5 ± 80 minutes. The coronary sinus access was obtained in 32.1 ± 12 (range: 15–60) seconds. No complications occurred. All patients (n = 19) who underwent cryoablation for right‐sided arrhythmia substrates with conventional fluoroscopic guidance in addition to NavX™ were used as a control group (10.1 ± 5.2 years). Catheter ablation success rate of the control group (16/19, 84%) was not significantly different compared to the patients who underwent ablation without fluoroscopy (22/24, 92%). The procedure time was also not significantly different between the two groups (P = NS).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that nonfluoroscopic electrophysiologic studies and right‐sided catheter ablations for supraventricular tachycardia can be safely and effectively performed in the majority of patients with normal cardiac anatomy using NavX™. Further studies will be necessary in order to establish the potential utility of NavX™ in eliminating or decreasing radiation exposure for other electrophysiology procedures.