bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated Salt and Nitrate Levels in Drinking Water Cause an Increase of Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren
Authors: Pomeranz Avishalom , Korzets Ze’ev , Vanunu Daniel , Krystal Haim , Wolach Baruch 
Published: April 2003

<i>Aim:</i> To assess the influence on blood pressure in schoolchildren, of elevated sodium (Na<sup>+</sup>) and nitrate (NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub>) levels in the drinking water. <i>Methods:</i> The blood pressure was recorded in three groups of age- and weight-matched schoolchildren (fourth and fifth graders) ingesting differing Na<sup>+</sup> and NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> concentrations with their drinking water. Group 1 (n = 452) imbibed high-Na<sup>+</sup>, high-NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> water (196 and 49 mg/l, respectively); group 2 (n = 418) consumed low-Na<sup>+</sup>, high-NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> water (25 and 49 mg/l, respectively) and group 3 (n = 86) drank low-Na<sup>+</sup>, low-NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> water (35 and 25 mg/l, respectively). The chloride (Cl<sup>–</sup>) concentrations varied in parallel to those of Na<sup>+</sup>. <i>Results:</i> Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly increased in group 1 versus groups 2 and 3 (115.6 ± 12.2 and 86.4 ± 9.6 mm Hg vs. 111.1 ± 11.6 and 83 ± 8.3 and 107 ± 8.8 and 81 ± 7.2 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.05). The SBP in group 2 was also significantly higher than in group 3 (111.1 ± 11.6 vs. 107 ± 8.8 mm Hg; p < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> Elevated Na<sup>+</sup> (and possibly Cl<sup>–</sup>) in combination with high NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> concentrations in drinking water leads to an increase of SBP and MAP in fourth and fifth graders. The effects of Na<sup>+</sup> (and/or Cl<sup>–</sup>) and NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> on SBP and MAP appear to be additive, yet independent of each other.
Lung Function and Severity of Mitral Stenosis
Authors: Nour Mahmoud M. , Shuhaiber Hani , Yousof Abdul Mohsen 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To correlate the degree of severity in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis to pulmonary function data and to their respiratory symptoms. <i>Methods:</i> Pulmonary function and the MCR questionnaire on respiratory symptoms were made in 43 patients with simple mitral stenosis (SMS), and 79 patients with advanced mitral stenosis scheduled for valve replacement surgery (MVR). <i>Results: </i>All the patients in the two groups had restrictive and obstructive patterns. They had reduced forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV<sub>1</sub>), peak expiratory flow rate, maximal flow after exhalation of 75, 50 and 25% of FVC and single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL<sub>CO</sub>) and increased total airway resistance, resistance during expiration, and residual volume (RV). The SMS group tended toward more normal values. The MVR group had lower values for all the parameters, specially FVC, FEV<sub>1</sub>, DL<sub>CO</sub> and higher RV. The MVR group had a significantly higher prevalence of cough, phlegm and acute chest illness than the SMS group. <i>Conclusion:</i> The study confirmed the restrictive and obstructive pattern of pulmonary dysfunction in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis which related with the severity of mitral stenosis and with respiratory symptoms.
Acute Splenic Infarctionfollowing Air Tr avel in a Child with Hb SD Disease
Authors: Adekile AdekunleD. , Al-Harbashy HossamA. , Kalaoui Malak , Gharbawy Fatma 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The relative hypoxia, dehydration and immobility associated with air travel predispose sickle cell disease patients to acute splenic crises; however we are not aware of previous reports involving children with Hb SD. <i>Clinical Presentation:</i> We report on a previously healthy 2-year-old Kuwaiti girl who developed a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain while traveling on a commercial jet aircraft. This was followed by vomiting and fever. On examination in the emergency room she was very irritable with abdominal tenderness maximal over the left hypochondrium. The spleen was palpable 7 cm below the costal margin, and abdominal ultrasonography and CAT scan confirmed a diagnosis of acute splenic infarction. Hematological investigations showed that the patient was a compound heterozygote for Hbs S and D. <i>Intervention:</i> The patient was managed with intravenous fluids and analgesics and made a full recovery. <i>Conclusion:</i> Acute splenic infarction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a sudden onset of abdominal pain associated with air travel in patients with Hb SD.
Endotoxin-Stimulated Release of Cytokines by Cultured Cells from the Murine Neurohypophysis: Role of Dexamethasone and Indomethacin
Authors: Hansen Erik W. , Malling Dorte , Christensen Jens D. 
Published: April 2003

It is well established that many cell types produce inflammatory cytokines and we were interested to see whether cells in the neurohypophysis had this ability. This study examines the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on cytokine production in cultured murine neural lobe (NL) cells. Cells were cultured from the neurohypophysis of mice not older than 5 days and the experiments were performed after 12 days in culture. The majority of cells in culture were immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, indicating that the cells were pituicytes. Cytokines were measured in 24-hour samples using commercial ELISA kits. Cells growing in a medium free of endotoxin released 94.3 ± 6.6 pg IL-6/NL/24 h (mean ± SEM, n = 21). The release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was reversible and increased concentration dependently with LPS in the concentration range of 0.1–1 ng/ml. The addition of 1 ng/ml LPS increased the IL-6 release 12-fold to a maximum value of 1,134 ± 85.5 pg IL-6/NL/24 h (mean ± SEM, n = 6). No trace of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (<3 pg/NL/24 h) or tumor necrosis factor-α (<10 pg/NL/24 h) was detected after LPS stimulation. We examined the effect of dexamethasone (10<sup>–6</sup> <i>M</i>) and indomethacin (10<sup>–4</sup> <i>M</i>) on the release of IL-6 in submaximally stimulated cells. Dexamethasone inhibited the unstimulated and the LPS-stimulated release of IL-6 by 70 and 81%, respectively. Indomethacin had no influence on the release, and it is concluded that cyclooxygenase is not involved in the response. A close association exists between the membrane of the neurosecretory endings and the pituicytes in the neurohypophysis. This naturally raises the question as to whether IL-6 might reflect a physiological connection between the two cell types.
Maternal Exposure to the Synthetic Cannabinoid HU-210: Effects on the Endocrine and Immune Systems of the Adult Male Offspring
Authors: del Arco Ignacio , Muñoz Raúl , Rodríguez de Fonseca Fernando , Escudero Leticia , Martín-Calderón Jose Luis , Navarro Miguel , Villanúa María Angeles 
Published: April 2003

Natural and synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists have been described to exert profound effects on both the neuroendocrine integration and the functional responses of the immune system. In the present study, Wistar rats were exposed to the highly potent cannabinoid agonist HU-210 (1, 5 and 25 μg/kg) during gestation and lactation and the ensuing effects on several endocrine and immune parameters of the adult male offspring were analyzed. Perinatal exposure to HU-210 partially affected the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen and peripheral blood. The major changes observed occur after maternal exposure to the 25 μg/kg dose of HU-210. There was a reduction in the T-helper subpopulation in the spleen and a dose-related decrease in the rate of T<sub>helper</sub>/T<sub>cytotoxic</sub> in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Concanavalin-A and lipopolysaccharide-induced proliferation were normal in all the groups tested. In the same animals, perinatal exposure to HU-210 did not affect basal levels of growth hormone, IGF-1, prolactin, or follicle-stimulating hormone. Basal values of luteinizing hormone were elevated in animals given the 1 μg/kg dose of HU-210. Corticosterone levels were reduced in the animals exposed to the higher dose of HU-210 during gestation and lactation. These animals exhibited a decreased responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to the stimulation with a single injection of HU-210 (20 μg/kg, i.v.) at adult ages, which may reflect the onset of long-lasting tolerance to the HPA-activating properties of cannabinoids. The opposite pattern of response was found in the animals given the 1 μg/kg dose, in which a sensitization of the corticosterone response to acute HU-210 was observed. The present work reveals that maternal exposure to cannabinoids results in minor changes in the development of the immune system, but may induce long-lasting alterations in the functional status of the HPA axis.
Activation of the Adrenocortical Axis by Surgical Stress: Involvement of Central Norepinephrine and Interleukin-1
Authors: DeKeyser Freda G. , Leker Ronen R. , Weidenfeld Joseph 
Published: April 2003

In the present study, we examined the mechanisms involved in the activation of the adrenocortical axis following surgical stress. Adult male rats underwent surgical laparotomy or craniotomy under ether anesthesia while control rats were only ether-anesthetized. Four hours following laparotomy or craniotomy, serum adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone (CS) were significantly increased and returned to almost basal levels after 24 h. Laparotomy also caused a significant depletion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH-41) in the median eminence (ME). Pretreatment with dexamethasone 50 μg/kg completely abolished the pituitary-adrenal response while pretreatment with type II corticosteroid receptor antagonist caused a significant hypersecretion of both ACTH and CS and inhibited the effect of dexamethasone. The response to laparotomy was markedly attenuated in rats injected with 6-hydroxydopamine into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) which significantly depletes norepinephrine (NE) PVN content. Intracerebroventricular injection of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) also inhibited the pituitary-adrenal response to laparotomy. The results suggest that (1) surgical stress activates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis via a mechanism which involves the release of CRH from the ME and NE input to the PVN; (2) the adrenocortical response is sensitive to the negative feedback of glucocorticoids via the mediation of type II glucocorticoid receptors, and (3) central IL-1 may be a mediator in the HPA axis response to surgical stress.
EEG Changes following Scopolamine Administration in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Kikuchi Mitsuru , Wada Yuji , Nanbu Yuko , Nakajima Akiko , Tachibana Hiroyuki , Takeda Tsutomu , Hashimoto Takuma 
Published: April 2003

This study examined the effects of the anticholinergic drug, scopolamine (0.25 mg) in 16 right-handed healthy volunteers. EEGs were recorded before and 60 min after intramuscular administration, and spectral analysis was performed on EEGs recorded at rest and during photic stimulation. Each subject was also evaluated by the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS; form 1 or 2) before and 90 min after drug administration. In the resting EEG, the scopolamine administration resulted in a significant increase in the absolute power on the delta band (2.0– 3.8 Hz) and in the relative power on the delta and theta-1 bands (4.0–5.8 Hz) mainly over the central and parieto-occipital regions. In contrast, scopolamine significantly decreased the relative alpha-2 band (9.2–12.8 Hz) power mainly over the frontal regions and the absolute alpha-2 band power at most of the recording sites. The analysis of stimulus data showed that scopolamine significantly decreased fundamental photic driving responses elicited by photic stimulation at 15 Hz, with significant effects confined to the occipital regions. These EEG changes occurred in association with a significant reduction in total WMS scores as well as in scores of logical and visual memory subtests. These findings suggest that, in addition to cognitive impairments, central cholinergic dysfunction can cause EEG changes under both nonstimulus and stimulus conditions.
Antibiotic-Impregnated Fibrin Glue in Ocular Surgery:In vitro Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Marone Piero , Monzillo Vincenza , Segù Çatia , Antoniazzi Elena 
Published: April 2003

A strategy to reduce postoperative ocular infections might consist in maintaining a high antibiotic concentration in the eye by using a topical slow-release drug formulation. Fibrin glue is widely used in ocular surgery. Vancomycin, teicoplanin, cephalothin and gentamicin were added to a 500 IU/ml thrombin solution, their concentrations in 1 g fibrin glue being 500 µg for vancomycin and 400 µg for the other drugs. The in vitro antibacterial activity of antibiotic-impregnated fibrin glue was evaluated against a recent clinical isolate of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Moreover the antibiotic elution from fibrin discs in saline was assayed for up to 96 h. Fibrin glue properties were maintained when thrombin was reconstituted with a CaCl<sub>2</sub> solution additioned with the antibiotics tested. All antibiotic fibrin mixtures exhibited good antistaphylococcal activity immediately after the preparation. A prolonged inhibition (4 days) of S. epidermidis growth was observed with teicoplanin discs. Gentamicin and teicoplanin levels were higher than those of the other antibiotics. The results suggest that the fibrin glycopeptide and/or gentamicin mixtures can be used, both prophylactically and therapeutically, in ocular surgery.
Origin of Innervation in the Feline Ophthalmic Artery
Authors: Chou Ping-I , Shaw Kai-Ping , Liu Jiang-Chuan , Lu Da-Wen 
Published: April 2003

In this study, we investigate the innervation to the feline ophthalmic artery by the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) tracing method. Five adult cats with body weights ranging between 2.0 and 3.0 kg were used. Under microscopic dissection, the ophthalmic artery was identified and isolated. A gelfoam (Upjohn Co.), 1 × 3 mm in size, containing 0.1 ml of HRP was applied to the prepared artery segment for 2 h. The cat was sacrificed 3 days later. The trigeminal, stellate, superior cervical, middle cervical and nodal ganglia, and oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nuclei were removed, sectioned and stained for HRP-positive cells. HRP-labeled neurons were found in the ipsilateral trigeminal (TRG) and superior cervical ganglia (SCG). The middle cervical, stellate, Edinger-Westphal, trochlear and abducens nuclei were all deemed negative for HRP-labeled cells. In the TRG, HRP-labeled neurons ranged from 21 to 250 (mean ± SE = 93.8 ± 42.5/ganglion). The labeled neurons were distributed primarily in the ophthalmic branch. In the SCG, the HRP-labeled neurons were distributed evenly in the ganglion, ranging from 6 to 180 (mean ± SE = 91.6 ± 31.5/ganglion). Two additional cats having received a sham operation revealed a negative finding. The feline ophthalmic artery is innervated by the ipsilateral TRG and SCG. Such innervation may play a role in regulating blood flow to the optic nerve.
Tumor Growth of a Choroidal Malignant Melanoma and Aqueous Flare
Authors: Nguyen NhungX. , Küchle Michael , Naumann GottfriedO.H. 
Published: April 2003

We report the use of the laser flare-cell meter (LFCM) in monitoring blood-ocular barrier breakdown induced by a choroidal malignant melanoma in an 88-year-old white male, who refused enucleation or radiation treatment. During a follow-up of 16 months, aqueous flare values measured with the LFCM increased from 12.8 to 26.5 photon counts/ms with continuous tumor growth from a height of 7.9 to 18 mm. Our finding of increasing flare values with tumor growth appears to confirm the observation that aqueous flare is influenced by the size of uveal malignant melanomas. Quantification of aqueous flare with the LFCM may be helpful in the follow-up of eyes with intraocular tumors.
In vitro Viability of External Eye Microbial Flora in Hydroxy-Propyl-Methylcellulose
Authors: Mastropasqua Leonardo , Piccolomini Raffaele , Carpineto Paolo , Ciancaglini Marco , Falconio Gennaro , Di Bonaventura Giovanni , Costagliola Ciro , Gallenga Pier E. 
Published: April 2003

The aim of this study was to verify the in vitro influence of various dilutions of a viscoelastic substance containing 2% hydroxy-propyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) on the viability of some microbial strains representative of the normal flora of the external eye. Pure reference strain cultures of <i>Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> and a fresh clinical isolate of <i>Proteus mirabilis</i> were selected for this study. Serial twofold dilutions of 2% HPMC, prepared so as to obtain a final concentration ranging from 50 to 0.78% of the product in sterile saline solution (0.85% NaCl), were taken out with a pipette that delivered 1.0 ml per tube. One hundred microliters of the abovementioned microbial inocula, used for the evaluation of the positive control of the test organism, were dispensed into each tube. After 24 h of incubation, 100 μl of samples were taken from each tube and plated into the specific medium for the growth of the test organism. After 24–48 h of incubation, these agar plates were examined and the colony-forming-unit count of each test organism was compared to the corresponding total colony count, acting as a positive control, in order to determine the quantitative variation of the test organism grown in the presence of the viscoelastic compounds. <i>C. albicans</i> and <i>P. aeruginosa</i> showed a statistically significant increase in growth with HPMC dilutions varying from 1:2 to 1:16. <i>P. acnes</i> and <i>P. mirabilis</i> growth was significantly reduced by all dilutions except for the 1:128 one. <i>S. epidermidis</i> growth was also significantly reduced in the presence of HPMC dilutions varying from 1:2 to 1:64. <i>S. aureus</i> growth was not significantly influenced. The viability of <i>P. aeruginosa</i> in HPMC dilutions needs to be carefully considered because of the ability of this organism to induce endophthalmitis, and the possibility that during cataract surgery, a small amount of HPMC may be left in the eye, trapped behind the intraocular lens optic.
Reliability of Applanation Tonometry Readings Obtained with a Disposable Latex Cap
Authors: Lotti Raffaella , Frau Barbara , Cerruti Simonetta , Trillo Carlandrea , Traverso Carlo Enrico 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> To verify the accuracy of applanation tonometry through disposable latex caps used to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. <i>Methods:</i> Tonometry was performed in 80 patients. Each patient underwent two intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements with and without the latex. In group A patients tonometry was performed first without the cap; in group B tonometry was performed first with the cap. Each group was also divided into patients with IOP, ≥20 mm Hg (A1; B1) and patients with IOP <20 mm Hg (A2; B2). <i>Results:</i> The mean difference of tonometry readings was equal to –0.36 ± 1.62 mm Hg in group A, –0.03 ± 1.77 mm Hg in group A1, –0.61 ± 1.45 mm Hg in group A2, 0.23 ± 1.44 in group B, 0.64 ± 1.41 mm Hg in group B1, 0.05 ± 1.42 in group B2. A statistically significant correlation was found in group A, in group A2, B, B1 and B2; a less significant correlation was found in group A1. <i>Conclusions:</i> The use of the latex caps does not alter the reliability of tonometry readings as long as the cap is applied tightly. Measurement variation in our study is comparable to published data on applanation tonometry.
Variability in the Measurement of Corneal Temperature Using a Noncontact Infrared Thermometer
Authors: Koçak Inci , Orgül Selim , Flammer Josef 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> To assess the variability of corneal temperature and the reproducibility of its measurement by means of a noncontact infrared thermometer in healthy subjects. <i>Methods:</i> The THI-500 noncontact infrared thermometer (Tasco Japan, Osaka, Japan) was used for the measurement of corneal temperature. The reproducibility of corneal temperature measurements was assessed for 5 consecutive temperature readings obtained within 45 min or within 5 days. In addition, the interocular difference in corneal temperature and the diurnal temperature changes of the cornea were assessed. For each experiment, 10 healthy subjects were recruited. <i>Results:</i> The reliability of 5 consecutive corneal temperature measurements obtained within 45 min and within 5 days was 97.92 and 85.35%, respectively. Interocular differences in corneal temperature were not statistically significant (p = 0.70). Average corneal temperature varied significantly during the day (p < 0.0001), with lower corneal temperature readings during the morning hours compared to those obtained during the afternoon. <i>Conclusion:</i> The assessment of corneal temperature by means of noncontact infrared thermometry is highly reproducible. Corneal temperature varies throughout the day, and this variation is independent of variations in environmental temperature.
Evaluation of Phacotrabeculectomy versus Trabeculectomy Alone
Authors: Guggenbach Monica , Mojon Daniel S. , Böhnke Matthias 
Published: April 2003

Our purpose was to evaluate phacotrabeculectomy (PT) versus trabeculectomy alone (TA). 161 eyes with primary open angle or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma operated on consecutively by one surgeon were followed prospectively. 1 year follow-up was available for 70 eyes with PT and 54 with TA (77% of all eyes). Intraocular pressure (IOP) in PT dropped from 23.4 ± 8.9 to 13.3 ± 3.4 mm Hg and in TA from 24.8 ± 7.5 to 14.2 ± 3.9 mm Hg. IOP difference between PT and TA at 1 year was nonsignificant (p > 0.1). The average number of medications in PT dropped from 1.9 ± 0.9 to 0.1 ± 0.5 and in TA from 2.2 ± 0.9 to 0.3 ± 0.6 (p > 0.1). We conclude that additional phacoemulsification does not influence intraocular pressure control at 1 years.
Immediate Increase in Aqueous Humour Endothelin 1 Concentration and Intra-Ocular Pressure after Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty in the Rabbit
Authors: Holló Gábor , Lakatos Péter , Vargha Péter 
Published: April 2003

<i>Purpose:</i> To investigate the immediate changes of aqueous humour endothelin 1 (ET-1) concentration and intra-ocular pressure (IOP) after argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) in the rabbit. <i>Methods:</i> Standard ALT was performed in one eye of 11 pigmented rabbits. IOP was measured with a Tono-Pen-2 tonometer before treatment, under general anaesthesia. Postlaser IOP measurements followed by aqueous humour aspiration were performed under general anaesthesia 30 and 60 min after treatment in 6 and in 5 animals, respectively. <i>Results:</i> The aqueous humour ET-1 concentration was significantly higher (55.0 pg/ml) after ALT than in the contralateral eyes without laser treatment (8.2 pg/ml, p = 0.001). IOP increased significantly after ALT (p = 0.007) but remained unaltered (p = 0.10) in the contralateral eyes without treatment. No statistically significant difference was found either in postlaser IOP elevation or in interocular ET-1 difference between the groups. <i>Conclusions:</i> The results suggest that in the rabbit the increase in aqueous humour ET-1 concentration after ALT is immediate, detectable even 30 min after the laser treatment, followed by no further increase during the second 30-min period after ALT, and associated with an immediate postlaser IOP elevation within 1 h after ALT. These findings may suggest a similar response to ALT in the human eye, since a similar immediate IOP elevation is frequently observed after ALT in the clinical practice.