bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations of Rat Liver Phospholipid Composition Induced by Oral Thalidomide
Authors: Kalofoutis A. , Monastirli A. , Papapanagiotou A. , Georgiou S. , Pasmatzi E. , Sakkis T. , Bolsen K. , Goerz G. , Merk H.F. , Tsambaos D. 
Published: April 2003

In an attempt to elucidate the effects of oral thalidomide on liver phospholipid composition, doses of 1 and 3 mg/kg/day of thalidomide were orally administered to two groups of female Wistar rats (7 animals each), respectively, over a period of 60 days. Control animals (n = 7) received corresponding quantities of the vehicle alone. Chromatographic analysis and quantitative determination of the isolated phospholipid classes revealed statistically significant alterations of phospholipid fractions in the liver of the animals treated with the higher thalidomide dose (3 mg/kg/day). These alterations may be associated with changes in the metabolic activity, ionic transport and cell-cell interactions of the hepatic cellular components.
Changes in the Skin Moisture Contents, Skin Color, and Skin Protein Conformational Structures of Sprague-Dawley Rats after Ultraviolet B Irradiation
Authors: Li Mei-Jane , Lin Shan-Yang , Liang Run-Chu 
Published: April 2003

The influence of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on the skin moisture contents, skin color, and protein secondary structure in the skin of alive Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was investigated. The UVB irradiation source emitted 725 ± 10 μW/cm<sup>2</sup> of UVB range with a peak at 302 nm during the exposure course of 6 h/day for 3 successive days. The moisture content of SD rat’s skin first decreased with the UVB irradiation, then returned to normal level on days 1 and 2, and, finally, decreased significantly with the increase of UVB irradiation on day 3. After the 6-hour irradiation on days 1 and 2, the moisture contents of the irradiated skin of SD rat returned to normal values, suggesting repairability of the irradiated skin of SD rat during the following 18 hour period without irradiation. By increasing frequency and duration of UVB irradiation, the skin color parameters exhibited a lower L* value, a greater a* value, and a higher ΔE value, indicating that the skin color darkened and reddened. The slight modification of protein secondary structure of the skin of SD rats after repeated UVB irradiation was evidenced. However, the infrared spectrum during the initial course of irradiation, from day 1 to day 3, exhibited a similar pattern. Thus, the alive SD rat’s skin was repairable during the 18-hour period without irradiation.
Dose-Dependent Inhibition of Ribonuclease P Activity by Anthralin
Authors: Drainas D. , Papadimou E. , Monastirli A. , Tsambaos D. , Merk H.F. 
Published: April 2003

The effect of five different anthralin concentrations on tRNA biogenesis was investi- gated employing the ribonuclease P (RNase P) of the slime mold <i>Dictyostelium discoideum</i> as an in vitro cell-free experimental system. RNase P is an ubiquitous and essential enzyme that endonucleolytically cleaves all tRNA precursors to produce the mature 5′ end. Anthralin revealed a dose-dependent inhibition of RNase P activity indicating that this compound may have a direct effect on tRNA biogenesis. Taking into account that anthralin has no structural similarities to the substrate (pre-tRNA) of RNase P, it seems reasonable to suggest that this compound may bind to allosteric inhibition sites of the enzyme.
Use of Infrared Attenuated Total Reflectance Spectroscopy for the in vivo Measurement of Hydration Level and Silicone Distribution in the Stratum corneum following Skin Coverage by Polymeric Dressings
Authors: Branagan M. , Chenery D.H. , Nicholson S. 
Published: April 2003

The ability of wound dressings to hydrate the stratum corneum has been tested experimentally using attenuated total reflectance (ATR) infrared spectroscopy. A silicone gel dressing was able to hydrate the stratum corneum to the extent that its water content within the sampled volume was >60% after 5 h of contact compared with about 15% of normal exposed skin and about 30% for a highly permeable hydrophilic polyurethane dressing. An ATR method was devised to determine the presence and depth of penetration of silicone in the stratum corneum as a result of skin coverage by the polymeric dressing.
Urinary Tract Infection in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Bonadio Mario , Meini Micaela , Gigli Cristina , Longo Benedetta , Vigna Armando 
Published: April 2003

<i>Aim:</i> The aim of the study was to compare the epidemiological, microbiological and clinical features of diabetic patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) to those of nondiabetic ones. <i>Methods:</i> A prospective study was performed on 490 consecutive patients with proven UTI. The patients were studied on the basis of a specific questionnaire and hospital records. <i>Results:</i> Of 490 enrolled patients, 89 (18.1%) had diabetes mellitus. The mean age of diabetics and nondiabetics was respectively 64.9 ± 13.2 (SD) and 54.4 ± 23.3 years. Most diabetics had asymptomatic bacteriuria and had undergone bladder catheterization more frequently than the nondiabetics. The most frequent causative agents of UTI in diabetics and nondiabetics were: <i>E. coli</i> (respectively, 56.1 vs. 56.8%), <i>Proteus</i> sp. (7.9% vs. 7.2%), <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp. (6.7 vs. 8.2%), <i>Enterococcus</i> sp. (6.7 vs. 7.2%). More than 50% of the isolated <i>Pseudonomas</i> sp. strains in both groups were resistant to gentamicin, piperacillin and norfloxacin. Both diabetics (52.8%) and nondiabetics (42.2%) had recurrent UTI during the follow-up period; the difference in the incidences did not reach statistical significance. <i>Conclusion:</i> No significant differences in epidemiological, clinical and microbiological evaluated features of diabetics and nondiabetics were pointed out, except for the higher frequency of bladder catheterization of diabetics than nondiabetics. However, the eradication of UTI seemed to be more difficult in diabetics than in nondiabetics.
Effectiveness of Oral <i>L</i>-Arginine in First-Line Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in a Controlled Crossover Study
Authors: Klotz T. , Mathers M.J. , Braun M. , Bloch W. , Engelmann U. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background and Aims:</i> Relaxation of cavernous smooth muscle is a parasympathetic and non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic mediated process which requires nitric oxide (NO). NO is synthesized from <i>L</i>-arginine by NO synthase (NOS). Some studies report good clinical results under oral <i>L</i>-arginine medication in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We examined the effectiveness and safety of <i>L</i>-arginine in the treatment of mixed-type impotence. <i>Methods:</i> 32 patients (mean age 51.6 years) with mixed-type impotence diagnosed according to the results of sexual history and urological examination were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover comparison of an oral placebo with 3 × 500 mg <i>L</i>-arginine/day. A validated questionnaire (KEED) was used to define the grade of impotence with a score. The treatment consisted of two 17-day courses (50 tablets). After a 7-day washout period the patients who initially received the placebo for 17 days were switched to <i>L</i>-arginine and vice versa. We assessed the efficacy with the validated questionnaire at the end of each drug period. <i>Results:</i> 30 patients (94%) completed the whole treatment schedule. Five (17%) patients reported a significant improvement in erectile function at the end of the <i>L</i>-arginine phase and 6 (20%) patients after the placebo period. 17 (56%) patients showed little improvement with <i>L</i>-arginine and 13 (43%) with placebo. In 8 patients (27%) of the verum group there was either no change in the ED score or even a slight worsening. No statistical difference in the impotence scores were found. No drug-related adverse effects occurred with <i>L</i>-arginine treatment. <i>Conclusion:</i> Oral <i>L</i>-arginine 3 × 500 mg/day is not better than placebo as a first-line treatment for mixed-type impotence.
Renal Function in Adult Beta-Thalassemia/Hb E Disease
Authors: Ong-ajyooth Leena , Malasit Prida , Ong-ajyooth Sompong , Fucharoen Suthat , Pootrakul Pensri , Vasuvattakul Somkiat , Siritanaratkul Nopadol , Nilwarangkur Sanga 
Published: April 2003

β-Thalassemia hemoglobin E (β-thal/Hb E) is the commonest form of hemoglobinopathy in Thailand. Shortened red cell life span, rapid iron turnover and tissue deposition of excess iron are major factors responsible for functional and physiological abnormalities found in various forms of thalassemia. Increased deposition of iron had been found in renal parenchyma of thalassemic patients, but no systematic study of the effect of the deposits on renal functions has been available. The purpose of this study is to describe the functional abnormalities of the kidney in patients with β-thal/Hb E and provide evidence that increased oxidative stress might be one of the factors responsible for the damage. Urine and serum samples from 95 patients with β-thal/Hb E were studied comparing with 27 age-matched healthy controls. No difference in the creatinine clearance was observed. β-thal/Hb E patients excreted significantly more urinary protein (0.8 ± 0.5 vs. 0.3±0.1 g/day, p < 0.001). Aminoaciduria was found in 16% of the patients. Analysis of urinary protein by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and silver staining revealed abnormal pattern of protein with increased small molecular weight (<45 kD) bands. Morning urine analysis showed significant lower urine osmolality (578.3 ± 164.6 vs. 762.4 ± 169.9 mosm/kg, p < 0.001) in patients. Patients excreted more NAG (N-acetyl beta-<i>D</i>-glucosaminidase, 26.3 ± 41.3 vs. 8.4 ± 3.9 U/g Cr, p < 0.0001) and β<sub>2</sub>-microglobulin, 124.3 ± 167 vs. 71 ± 65.5 µg/g Cr, p = 0.001. Plasma and urine MDA (malonyldialdehyde) levels were both raised (p < 0.0001). Nine patients were selected for renal acidification study. All were found to be normal, but showed poor response to DDAVP challenge (urine osmolality 533 ± 71). This is the first report of renal tubular defects found associated with β-thal/Hb E disease. The mechanism leading to the damage is not known but it might be related to increased oxidative stress secondary to tissue deposition of iron, as indicated by the raised levels of serum and urine MDA. It is not known whether these functional defects would have any long-term effects on the patients. Further studies are warranted and means of prevention of these defects should urgently be sought.
Impaired Antioxidant Defense System in the Kidney Tissues from Rabbits Treated with Cyclosporine
Authors: Durak İlker , Karabacak H. İbrahim , Büyükkoçak Serap , Çimen M.Y. Burak , Kaçmaz Murat , Omeroglu Ethem , Öztürk H. Serdar 
Published: April 2003

Enzymatic antioxidant defense system and antioxidant defense potential (AOP) were studied in kidney tissue from rabbits treated with cyclosporine (CsA, 25 mg/kg/day), antioxidant vitamins (E, 100 mg/kg/day plus C, 200 mg/kg/day), and CsA plus antioxidant vitamins, and in kidney tissue from control animals. Although no change was observed in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities were found decreased in kidney tissue exposed to CsA for 10 days compared with control tissue. The level of thiobarbituric acid-reagent substances (TBARS) was higher and antioxidant defense potential (AOP) lower in the CsA-treated group compared with the other groups. Histopathological examination reveals important subcellular damage in the renal tissue from the animals treated with CsA. Antioxidant vitamin therapy caused full improvement in the enzyme activities, TBARS levels and AOP, but the subcellular damage was partly ameliorated in the CsA plus vitamin group. Results suggest that CsA impairs the antioxidant defense system and reduces the antioxidant defense potential in the renal tissue. Antioxidant vitamin treatment protects the tissue in part against toxic effects of the drug.
Low Nitric Oxide Production in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: Blum M. , Yachnin T. , Wollman Y. , Chernihovsky T. , Peer G. , Grosskopf I. , Kaplan E. , Silverberg D. , Cabili S. , Iaina A. 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background:</b> Rats with chronic renal failure have a low nitric oxide (NO) production and a diminished NO excretion. The supplementation of <i>L</i>-arginine has an inhibitory effect on the progression of renal insufficiency. <b>Methods:</b> The present study was designed to determine whether chronic renal failure patients have a low NO production. Plasma and urine nitrate (NO<sub>3</sub>) and nitrite (NO<sub>2</sub>), stable metabolites of NO, were measured in 83 consecutive patients with chronic renal failure. The 83 chronic renal failure patients were divided into three groups: group 1, mild renal failure (creatinine clearance >60 ml/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>); group 2, moderate renal failure (creatinine clearance >30 <60 ml/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>), and group 3, severe renal failure (creatinine clearance <30 ml/min/1.73 m<sup>2</sup>). Thirty-three healthy volunteers served as controls. <b>Results:</b> The daily urinary NO excretion was significantly lower in patients with moderate and severe renal failure as compared with those with mild renal failure and normal controls. The lowest values were found in the severe renal failure group. When the 24-hour urinary NO excretion or NO per milligram creatinine and the NO clearance were correlated with the renal function in all patients as a group, these parameters were directly correlated with the creatinine clearance and inversely correlated with the serum creatinine level. The plasma NO concentration was not different between the three chronic renal failure groups, but higher than in the controls. Plasma NO in renal failure patients was not correlated with the creatinine clearance or serum creatinine levels. <b>Conclusions:</b> Chronic renal failure is a state of NO deficiency. Treatment strategies to increase NO production (<i>L</i>-arginine supplementation or other NO compounds) may prove to be useful in maintaining the renal function and slow the progression of renal disease.
Renoprotective Effects of Captopril in Hypertension Induced by Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition in Experimental Nephritis
Authors: Uhlenius Nina , Tikkanen Tuula , Miettinen Aaro , Holthöfer Harry , Törnroth Tom , Eriksson Anders , Fyhrquist Frej , Tikkanen Ilkka 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To investigate effects of angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in experimental nephritis during chronic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. <i>Methods:</i> Rats with and without autoimmune Heymann nephritis were treated with a NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (50 mg/100 ml) and/or an ACE inhibitor captopril (20 mg/100 ml) in drinking water for 12 weeks. Urinary cGMP excretion was used as an indirect measure of NO activity. Blood pressure, urinary albumin, nitrite and nitrate levels, plasma ANP, and plasma renin activity were measured. Kidneys were examined with light microscopy and immunohistochemical methods. <i>Results:</i> Captopril treatment protected rats receiving L-NAME and none of the captopril-treated rats died. Mortality was greatest in the nephritis-L-NAME (57%) and L-NAME (43%) groups. Captopril normalized cGMP excretion, blood pressure, and prevented partly the appearance of albuminuria. Peritubular infiltration of mononuclear cells was clearly enhanced in the nephritis-L-NAME group (found in 80% of the rats) as compared with the nephritis (20%), L-NAME (40%), and control (0%) groups. The peritubular cell infiltration caused by L-NAME was prevented by captopril treatment. L-NAME-induced hypertension was associated with cardiac hypertrophy and this was prevented by captopril. <i>Conclusions:</i> NO may play an important renoprotective role in disease progression of chronic membranous glomerulonephritis. Captopril prevents L-NAME-induced hypertension, improves survival, and ameliorates renal damage in this type of nephritis. Dysfunction of renal NO pathways may be an important factor causing progressive renal damage in chronic nephritis. Our results suggest that the dysfunctional renal NO system may be beneficially activated by ACE inhibitors.
Relationship between Polymorphism in the Angiotensinogen, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme or Angiotensin II Receptor and Renal Progression in Japanese NIDDM Patients
Authors: Tomino Yasuhiko , Makita Yuichiro , Shike Toshihide , Gohda Tomohito , Haneda Masakazu , Kikkawa Ryuichi , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Baba Tsuneharu , Yoshida Hiroaki 
Published: April 2003

We determined the relationship between the gene polymorphism of angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), or angiotensin II receptor (AT1R) and the progression of diabetic nephropathy in a multicenter trial of ethnically homogeneous Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM). Gene polymorphism of ACE I/D, AGT M235T and AT1R A1166C was determined by polymerase chain reaction amplification using allele-specific primers. Japanese NIDDM patients (n = 1,152) were selected from several diabetic clinics. All patients were divided into three groups as follows: (1) group I (n = 407): normoalbuminuric patients; (2) group II (n = 327): microalbuminuric patients, and (3) group III (n = 418): overt albuminuric patients. Clinical factors for investigation in all patients were the date of birth, gender, levels of urinary albumin excretion, findings of the ocular fundus, duration of diabetes, hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure. It appears that genetic polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin systems, i.e. ACE or AT1R, may affect the progression to renal failure of patients (especially females) with NIDDM.
Quality of Life in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients after Successful Kidney Transplantation: Development of the ESRD Symptom Checklist – Transplantation Module
Authors: Franke Gabriele Helga , Reimer Jens , Kohnle Mathias , Luetkes Peter , Maehner Nicole , Heemann Uwe 
Published: April 2003

The End-Stage Renal Disease Symptom Checklist – Transplantation Module (ESRD-SCL<sup>®</sup>) was developed to assess the specific physical and psychological quality of life of renal transplant recipients, with a special focus on side effects of immune system suppression therapy. A list of potentially relevant items was administered to 458 transplant recipients. The symptoms present in >20% of patients were chosen, and factor analysis was used to create the final questionnaire which consists of 43 items in six dimensions: (1) limited physical capacity (10 items; internal consistency: Cronbach’s α = 0.85); (2) limited cognitive capacity (8 items, α = 0.82); (3) cardiac and renal dysfunction (7 items, α = 0.76); (4) side effects of corticosteroids (5 items, α = 0.77); (5) increased growth of gum and hair (5 items, α = 0.78), and (6) transplantation-associated psychological distress (8 items, α = 0.80). All questions are scored on a five-point Likert scale. Validity was demonstrated in correlation with corresponding SF-36 scales and in a stepwise hierarchical regression model predicting the subscales of the ESRD-SCL by sociodemographic and medical data. The ESRD-SCL was found to have adequate reliability, test-retest correlations in a subsample of 88 stable patients after 1 year, and construct validity.
Relationship between Mast Cells in the Tubulointerstitium and Prognosis of Patients with IgA Nephropathy
Authors: Kurusu Atushi , Suzuki Yusuke , Horikoshi Satoshi , Shirato Isao , Tomino Yasuhiko 
Published: April 2003

There have been a few reports suggesting that mast cells may play an important role in the development of fibrosis and/or the degradation of extracellular matrix. We examined the relationship between the number of distribution of mast cells in tubulointerstitium and prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsy specimens were stained with mouse monoclonal antihuman mast cell tryptase antibody and then with aniline blue. Specimens from 45 patients with IgA nephropathy and from 5 patients with minimal-change nephrotic syndrome were used. There was a significant correlation between the number of mast cells per unit area of the whole tubulointerstitium and the degree of tubulointerstitial fibrosis or renal function. Patients with IgA nephropathy were divided into two groups (group 1: ‘minimal’ and ‘slight’; group 2: ‘moderate’ and ‘advanced’) according to the classification by a previously reported method. Mast cells were mainly observed in the fibrotic areas in group 1. In group 2, many mast cells were detected not only in the fibrotic but also in the nonfibrotic areas. It appears that the number of mast cells in the nonfibrotic areas may be one of the predictive factors for the prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy.
Adult-Onset Minimal Change Disease among Taiwanese
Authors: Huang Jeng-Jong , Hsu Sun-Chieh , Chen Fen-Fen , Sung Junne-Ming , Tseng Chin-Chung , Wang Ming-Cheng 
Published: April 2003

There are some racial differences in the prevalence and prognosis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome; however, reports about minimal change disease (MCD) in Chinese were rare. We retrospectively analyzed 123 Chinese adults with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, who received percutaneous renal biopsy in our institution within the last 10 years. In total, 46 patients (37.4%) were compatible with the pathological diagnosis of MCD. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1. The mean age of onset was 30.9 years, and 80% of the patients with MCD were less than 40 years. The mean daily proteinuria was 10.2 g, and serum albumin was 1.8 mg/dl. Azotemia occurred in 16 (35%) of 46 cases; hypertension, 13%; and microscopic hematuria, 13%. High selectivity index for proteinuria (SI <0.1) was noted in 12 (39%) of 31 cases; and high IgE level was found in 83.7% of the study subjects, although only one case had allergic history. Complete remission in 36 MCD patients treated with corticosteroid was achieved by 42% (15/36), 80% (29/36), and 94% (34/36) within 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. The time interval to remission was similar between the younger group (<40 years old, 1.7 months) and older group (>40 years old, 1.6 months). Nineteen (56%) of 34 cases with steroid response did not relapse, and the other cases (44%) had a mean relapse rate of 1.5 times per patient within a period of 45 months. The age of onset in MCD cases was not significantly correlated with steroid-responsive rate, and the time interval to remission. However, a tendency existed between the onset in the young age and the sequentially relapsing rate (p = 0.06). Two cases with primary steroid resistance and 5 cases with frequent relapse or steroid dependence responded well to intravenous pulse therapy of cyclophosphamide, except one refractory case. No thrombotic episode was ever noted in our group. Regarding infectious complications, primary peritonitis occurred in one, pneumonia in one, and cellulitis in 6 cases during active nephrotic stage. Two mortality cases, one with <i>E. coli</i>-related necrotizing fasciitis and one from pneumonia, were noted. In brief, compared with children, adult patients with MCD had lesser high selectivity index for proteinuria, the same steroid-responsive rate (94%), but slower response, and significantly lesser relapsing rate. The intravenous pulse therapy of cyclophosphamide may be an alternative regimen for adult patients with steroid resistance or dependency. In addition, the Asian adult-onset MCD had younger age, male predominance, and lesser relapsing rate in comparison to those of the Western population.