bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spongiform leucoencephalopathy following intravenous heroin abuse: Radiological and histopathological findings
Authors: Robertson Alasdair S , Jain Sanjiv , O'Neil Ross A 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYA case of spongiform leucoencephalopathy in a known intravenous heroin abuser is presented. To our knowledge, this is the only case of heroin‐related spongiform leucoencephalopathy reported in Australia. The relationship to intravenous rather than inhaled heroin is particularly unusual with only one other possible case documented in the literature. The imaging and histopathological findings are described.
Choroid plexus carcinoma in an adult
Authors: Wyatt Sarah S , Price Richard A , Holthouse David , Elsaleh Hany 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYChoroid plexus carcinomas are rare in adults. They can behave aggressively and their optimal management is uncertain. An adult patient with choroid plexus carcinoma who was treated with an incomplete surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy is reported. Despite an identifiable local response to radiotherapy, disease progression resulted in death 4 years after presentation. This report reviews the current literature and discusses the management issues regarding this uncommon adult malignancy.
Imaging with F‐18 FDG PET is superior to Tl‐201 SPECT in the staging of non‐small cell lung cancer for radical radiation therapy*
Authors: MacManus Michael P , Hicks Rodney J , Ball David L , Ciavarella Filomena , Binns David , Hogg Annette , Kalff Victor , Ware Rob , Wirth Andrew , Salminen Eeva , McKenzie Allan 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThallium‐201 (Tl‐201) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is funded for evaluation of malignancy in Australia and may have utility for staging of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) if CT results are equivocal. Fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose (F‐18 FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is superior to CT for staging NSCLC but is more expensive and less widely available than Tl‐201 SPECT. Therefore, these techniques were prospectively compared in 27 radical radiation therapy candidates. Patients were allocated a conventional, PET and Tl‐201 stage. Tumour to background ratios (TBR) were recorded for the primary on both techniques. Metastatic disease was confirmed by surgical pathology, serial imaging or clinical follow up. Tumour to background ratios were consistently higher for FDG PET than Tl‐201 SPECT (P < 0.0001). Positron emission tomography detected all known primary tumours but Tl‐201 failed to image four primary tumours (15%). In 10 of 18 cases of discordance between PET and Tl‐201 SPECT regarding stage, corroboration was available from pathology or disease progression. Positron emission tomography was shown to have a 100% positive predictive value, including all three patients with PET‐detected distant metastases (P = 0.002). Results indicate that PET is superior to Tl‐201 SPECT scanning in the staging of NSCLC for radical radiation therapy, and that the low sensitivity for detection of local and metastatic disease is likely to limit the clinical impact and cost‐effectiveness of this technique despite its lower cost.
Colour duplex Doppler ultrasonography evaluation of non‐vasculogenic male erectile dysfunction: An Indian perspective
Authors: Bhargava R , Srivastava DN , Thulkar S , Berry M , Gupta NP 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYWe present the study of colour duplex Doppler ultrasonography on Indian patients with non‐vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. Patients with a history suggestive of psychogenic impotence along with a normal clinical response to intracavernosal papaverine were presumed to have non‐vasculogenic erectile dysfunction. In our patients, the incidence of psychogenic impotence was much higher and the mean age of patients presenting with erectile dysfunction was lower as compared to patients from developed countries reported in research. The Doppler flowmetry showed much higher mean peak systolic velocities (PSVs) with a negative correlation between age and PSV. End diastolic velocity, resistive index and acceleration time values conformed to the literature.
MRI of perforated gall bladder
Authors: Sood Bimal , Jain Manoj , Khandelwal Niranjan , Singh Paramjit , Suri Sudra 
Published: March 2003

SummaryGall bladder perforation is a dreaded complication of acute cholecystitis that, if not diagnosed early in the course, might have a poor prognosis. Both CT and ultrasonography have been used until now extensively for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, but diagnosis of perforation is always difficult. Magnetic resonance, by its superior soft tissue resolution and multiplanar capability, is a better modality and should fare better than ultrasonography and CT, as demonstrated in our case. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates the wall of the gall bladder and defects to a much better advantage and more convincingly. In addition, MR colangiopancreatography images demonstrate the biliary tree better than other modalities. We suggest that in the case of acute cholecystitis, if perforation is suspected and CT and ultrasonography are not conclusive, MR should be the modality of choice. It can be used as a first line of investigation; however, it might not be cost‐effective.
Comparison of cost and outcome of endovascular and neurosurgical procedures in the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Bairstow Phillip , Dodgson Andrew , Linto Jennie , Khangure Mark 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYEndovascular techniques for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms have gained rapid acceptance in some countries as an alternative to conventional neurosurgical treatment. The International Subarachnoid Aneurysm Trial (ISAT) is the first multicentre prospective randomized trial comparing neurosurgery with endovascular coil (Guglielmi detachable coil) treatment of acute subarachnoid haemorrhage. The cost and outcome of endovascular procedures was compared with neurosurgical procedures in the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms within the context of the ISAT. Two groups of patients (Endovascular group with 10 patients and the Neurosurgical group with 12 patients) were drawn from admissions to Royal Perth Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, as detailed in the ISAT trial protocol. Data were collected in the following categories: patient, procedure, hospitalization, morbidity and mortality. While the endovascular procedure tended to be the more expensive in terms of the cost of consumables, this expense was more than compensated by savings in staffing costs, and the period and cost of hospitalization. Following an endovascular procedure, patients tended to return to normal activity or paid employment sooner and have a favourable functional outcome compared with patients following a neurosurgical procedure.
Hypertensive encephalopathy
Authors: Phal Pramit , Molan Maurice , Clare Ian 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe case report of a patient with hypertensive encephalopathy is presented here. The findings of reversible bilateral thalamic changes on T2‐weighted MR imaging is an atypical manifestation of the reversible posterior leucoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS), which is the neuroradiological correlate of hypertensive encephalopathy. The importance of prompt and accurate diagnosis of hypertensive encephalopathy / RPLS is stressed.
MRI in ankle tuberculosis: Review of 14 cases
Authors: Zacharia TT , Shah JR , Patkar D , Kale H , Sindhwani V 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYWe reviewed the MR imaging features of ankle tuberculosis and determined the role of MR in its diagnosis. A retrospective analysis of 14 cases of ankle tuberculosis imaged with MRI was performed. Plain radiographs were also reviewed where available, and the imaging characteristics were noted. We also reviewed the medical records in order to assess the impact of the imaging findings on management of these patients. Magnetic resonance imaging is extremely helpful for detection, mapping the extent and resolution of the disease. It can identify cases, enables early institution of antituberculous chemotherapy and might obviate the need for surgery.
TENSION OSCILLATION IN ARTERIES AND ITS ABNORMALITY IN HYPERTENSIVE ANIMALS
Authors: Shimamura Keiichi , Sekiguchi Fumiko , Sunano Satoru 
Published: March 2003

1. The mechanisms of oscillatory contraction of arterial smooth muscle in vitro are discussed.2. The membrane potential and cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration in smooth muscle cells oscillate in the presence of agonists.3. The oscillatory change in the membrane potential of smooth muscle cells is related to Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.4. Gap junctions between smooth muscle cells play important roles in the synchronized oscillation of the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration in this population of cells.5. Endothelial cells may increase or decrease the tension oscillation of smooth muscle cells.6. In arteries from hypertensive rats, an increase in membrane excitability and the number of gap junctions between smooth muscle cells and impaired endothelial function are the main factors responsible for the modulation of tension oscillation.
INCREASED OXIDATIVE DNA DAMAGE IN STROKE‐PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Negishi Hiroko , Ikeda Katsumi , Sagara Miki , Sawamura Makoto , Yamori Yukio 
Published: March 2003

1. The amount of urinary 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), a biomarker of the total systemic oxidative stress in vivo, in stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) was not different from that in control normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats at 6 weeks of age, but became higher than control values after the development of severe hypertension at 14–17 weeks of age.2. The amount of urinary 8‐OHdG was not significantly different between SHRSP treated with anti‐hypertensive agents and those not treated at 14 weeks of age.3. Stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats were exposed to DNA damage by oxidative stress at the early stage when they developed severe hypertension, but this increase in DNA damage was not the secondary effect of hypertension.
AMLODIPINE, A LONG‐ACTING CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKER, ATTENUATES MORNING BLOOD PRESSURE RISE IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS
Authors: Ishimitsu Toshihiko , Minami Junichi , Kawano Yuhei , Numabe Atsushi , Shuichi Takishita  
Published: March 2003

1. The effects of once‐daily calcium channel blockers with different plasma half‐lives on diurnal blood pressure changes were examined in hypertensive patients.2. Patients with essential hypertension, nine men and 13 women aged 61±2 years, were treated with amlodipine or nitrendipine in a random cross‐over design for 12–16 weeks each. The study drugs were given once daily as monotherapy (n = 8) or in combination with other classes of antihypertensive drugs (n = 14). The plasma half‐life of amlodipine is as long as 36 h, while that of nitrendipine is 10 h. At the end of each treatment period, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure and pulse rate were monitored.3. Average office blood pressure was comparably controlled below 140/90 mmHg by either amlodipine or nitrendipine, both in the monotherapy and the combination therapy groups; however, pulse rate was greater in nitrendipine than in amlodipine either in the monotherapy (by 6 b.p.m., P < 0.05) or in the combination therapy (by 5 b.p.m., P < 0.01).4. In 24 h blood pressure monitoring, morning (05.30–09.00 h) blood pressure was higher in nitrendipine than in amlodipine by 6/4 mmHg in the monotherapy (P < 0.05) and by 7/5 mmHg in the combination therapy (P < 0.03), although the blood pressure in the remainder of the 24 h did not differ between the two treatment periods. In addition, pulse rate in the daytime (09.30–18.00 h) was greater in nitrendipine than in amlodipine by 6 b.p.m. in the monotherapy (P < 0.01) and by 7 b.p.m. in the combination therapy (P < 0.02).5. These results suggest slow pharmacokinetics of amlodipine provides an advantage in controlling morning blood pressure and mitigating reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM IN VASCULAR CELLS IN HYPERTENSION AND DURING PROLIFERATION
Authors: Lompré Anne‐Marie 
Published: March 2003

1. Multiple sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) and two types of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channels, the ryanodine receptor and the inositol 1,4,5 triphosphate (IP3) receptor are expressed. The heterogeneity of the Ca2+ pumps and Ca2+ channels in vascular cells will be discussed.2. An age‐related change in expression of the SERCA isoforms is observed in smooth muscle cells.3. The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐uptake rate and the level of SERCA 2 mRNA are different in thoracic than in abdominal aortas and in aortas from spontaneously hypertensive rats than from normotensive rats.4. Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells is associated with major changes in intracellular Ca2+‐handling mechanisms.
ANALYSIS IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS
Authors: Nara Y , Mashimo T , Tamada T , Matsumoto C , Ishinaga Y , Nabika T , Ikeda K , Sawamura M , Yamori Y 
Published: March 2003

1. Linkage analysis is performed between basal or salt‐ sensitive high blood pressure and several loci on chromosomes in F2 progenies obtained from crossing stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto rats.2. Basal hypertensive genes are mapped to a region near the D1Mit2 locus on chromosome 1 and near the D3Mgh8 locus on chromosome 3 in the male and female F2 progenies.3. Salt‐sensitive hypertensive gene is mapped to a region near RR1023 locus on chromosome 10 in the male F2 progenies.4. Salt‐sensitive hypertensive gene is mapped to a region near D3Mgh12 locus on chromosome 3 in the female F2 progenies.
ANGIOTENSIN II BLUNTS, WHILE AN ANGIOTENSIN‐CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITOR AUGMENTS, REFLEX SYMPATHETIC INHIBITION IN HUMANS*
Authors: Miyajima EIJI , Shigemasa TOMOHIKO , Yamada YUTAKA , Tochikubo OSAMU , Ishii MASAO 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY1. The role of angiotensin (Ang)II in and the effects of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on the regulation of sympathetic neural activity were examined in humans.2. We measured baseline values of muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and its reflex inhibition in 28 patients with essential hypertension with elevated plasma renin activity (PRA; >1.0 ng/mL per h = 0.28 ng/L per s) before and after either acute or chronic oral administration of an ACE inhibitor or placebo and in 20 normotensive subjects before and after infusion of either AngII (5 ng/kg per min = 4.8 pmol/kg per min) or vehicle (5% dextrose). Muscle sympathetic nerve activity was recorded from the tibial nerve and its reflex inhibition was evaluated during pressor responses to bolus injection of phenylephrine (2 μg/kg, i.v.).3. Blood pressure was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) after the acute oral administration of captopril (25 mg), accompanied by a slight increase in MSNA in patients with essential hypertension compared with control patients who received placebo administration. Reflex changes in MSNA were significantly augmented after oral administration of captopril (–4.1±0.5 vs–6.2±0.6%/mmHg, respectively; P < 0.01), with a significant reduction of plasma AngII, while they were not affected by placebo administration.4. In contrast, acute AngII infusion was accompanied by decreases in both PRA and MSNA in normotensive subjects. Reflex changes in MSNA were significantly reduced after AngII infusion (–11.0±0.8 vs–7.4±1.0%/mmHg, respectively; P < 0.01) but not after vehicle alone.5. Chronic ACE inhibition by 12 week oral imidapril administration (5–10 mg/day) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased baseline values of MSNA, which were accompanied by a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the reflex inhibition of MSNA, while plasma concentrations of noradrenaline were unaffected.6. These results indicate that AngII blunts reflex inhibition of sympathetic neural activity and that inhibition of the renin–angiotensin system by an ACE inhibitor augments reflex regulation of sympathetic neural activity and reduces baseline values in patients with essential hypertension.
GROWTH HORMONE AS A CYTOKINE
Authors: Waters MJ , Shang CA , Behncken SN , Tam S‐P , Li H , Shen B , Lobie PE 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY1. The growth hormone (GH) receptor was the first of the class 1 cytokine receptors to be cloned. It shares a number of structural characteristics with other family members and common signalling mechanisms based on common usage of the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2).2. Growth hormone receptor activation is initiated by GH‐induced homodimerization of receptor molecules. This has enabled the creation of specific hormone antagonists that block receptor dimerization.3. The details of the transcription factors used by the activated receptor are being revealed as a result of promoter analyses and electrophoretic mobility gelshift analysis.4. Growth hormone receptors are widespread and their discovery in certain tissues has led to the assignment of new physiological roles for GH. Some of these involve local or paracrine roles for GH, as befits its cytokine status.5. Four examples of such novel roles are discussed. These are: (i) the brain GH axis; (ii) GH and the vitamin B12 axis; (iii) GH in early pre‐implantation development; and (iv) GH in development of the tooth.6. We propose that the view that GH acts through the intermediacy of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 is simplistic; rather, GH acts to induce an array of growth factors and their receptors and the composition of this array varies with tissue type and, probably, stage of development.
STUDIES ON AGE‐RELATED CHANGES IN VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE AND THEIR Ca2+ MECHANISMS
Authors: Wang YY WEN, SX , Chen  
Published: March 2003

1. Increases in cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were observed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from old rats. These effects were significantly enhanced by noradrenaline but were inhibited by nifedipine.2. Ginsenosides, traditional Chinese drugs, inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis in VSMC from old rats. Cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ levels, as well as calmodulin activity, were clearly higher in old rats compared with young rats.3. Both Ca2+ and calmodulin levels rose abruptly in the late G1 phase in the VSMC cell cycle in old rats.4. The increase in inositol phosphate levels stimulated by phenylephrine in VSMC was greater in old than in young rats.5. The platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) gene was overexpressed in old rats. The results indicate that vascular ageing is related to enhanced proliferation of VSMC. Abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis as well as overexpression of the PDGF gene may be responsible.6. Nifedipine and ginsenosides may inhibit VSMC proliferation with age.
Soluble Dietary Fibre Improves Insulin Sensitivity By Increasing Muscle Glut‐4 Content In Stroke‐Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Song Young‐Ju , Sawamura Makoto , Ikeda Katsumi , Igawa Shoji , Yamori Yukio 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY1. The effects of soluble dietary fibre (psyllium) on peripheral insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle GLUT‐4 protein expression were studied in 12 male stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) fed a high‐caloric diet from 5 to 9 weeks of age.2. In the psyllium‐supplemented group, fasting plasma glucose was significantly reduced and glucose levels following an oral glucose tolerance test were significantly lower than in the cellulose‐supplemented group at 30 (P < 0.05) and 60 min (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in insulin secretion.3. In the psyllium‐supplemented group, skeletal muscle GLUT‐4 content was significantly increased in the plasma membrane (P < 0.001), but not in the intracellular membrane.4. No significant difference was found in phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3)‐kinase activity between cellulose and psyllium diet not only in the basal state but also when stimulated by insulin.5. These results demonstrate that psyllium increases blood glucose disposal by increasing skeletal muscle plasma membrane GLUT‐4 content without PI3‐kinase activation.
Multiple Inferences Using Confidence Intervals
Authors: Ludbrook John 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY1. In a recent review article, the problem of making false‐ positive inferences as a result of making multiple comparisons between groups of experimental units or between experimental outcomes was addressed.2. It was concluded that the most universally applicable solution was to use the Ryan–Holm step‐down Bonferroni procedure to control the family‐wise (experiment‐wise) type 1 error rate. This procedure consists of adjusting the P values resulting from hypothesis testing. It allows for correlation among hypotheses and has been validated by Monte Carlo simulation. It is a simple procedure and can be performed by hand.3. However, some investigators prefer to estimate effect sizes and make inferences by way of confidence intervals rather than, or in addition to, testing hypotheses by way of P values and it is the policy of some editors of biomedical journals to insist on this. It is not generally recognized that confidence intervals, like P values, must be adjusted if multiple inferences are made from confidence intervals in a single experiment.4. In the present review, it is shown how confidence intervals can be adjusted for multiplicity by an extension of the Ryan–Holm step‐down Bonferroni procedure. This can be done for differences between group means in the case of continuous variables and for odds ratios or relative risks in the case of categorical variables set out as 2 × 2 tables.
Excitation–Contraction Coupling In Skeletal Muscle: Comparisons With Cardiac Muscle
Authors: Lamb Gd 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY1. The present review describes the mechanisms involved in controlling Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal muscle, which ultimately regulates contraction.2. Comparisons are made between cardiac and skeletal muscle with respect to: (i) the role of the dihydropyridine receptors (DHPR) as Ca2+ channels and voltage‐sensors; (ii) the regulation of the ryanodine receptor (RyR)/Ca2+‐release channels in the SR; and (iii) the importance of Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release.3. It is shown that the key differences of the skeletal muscle Ca2+‐release channel (RyR1), namely the increase in its stimulation by ATP and its inhibition by Mg2+, are critical for its direct regulation by the associated DHPR and, consequently, for the fast, accurate control of skeletal muscle contraction.
Effect Of Experimental Diabetes On Gaba‐Mediated Inhibition Of Neurally Induced Contractions In Rat Isolated Trachea
Authors: Özdem Sadi S , Sadan Gülay , Usta Coskun , Tasatargil Arda 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY1. In the present study, we investigated the effect of GABA and selective GABA agonists and antagonists on neurally induced tracheal contractions in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats.2. Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) in rat tracheal rings were completely abolished by atropine and tetrodotoxin, but were unaffected by the ganglion blocker hexamethonium, indicating that they were mediated via neuronal release of acetylcholine (ACh).3. Contractions induced by EFS, but not by exogenous ACh, were inhibited by GABA and the selective GABAB receptor agonist baclofen, but not by the selective GABAA receptor agonist 3‐aminopropane sulphonic acid. The inhibitory effects of GABA or baclofen were not affected by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline, but were significantly reversed by the GABAB antagonist phaclofen.4. The inhibitory effects of both GABA and baclofen were found to be significantly greater in trachea from control rats compared with tissues from diabetic rats.5. Non‐adrenergic, non‐cholinergic relaxation responses elicited by EFS in precontracted tracheal rings from diabetic and control rats were similar in magnitude and were unaffected by GABA or GABA analogues.6. These results suggest that GABA decreases the response to EFS by directly inhibiting the evoked release of ACh through GABAB receptors in rat trachea and that STZ‐induced diabetes causes an impairment in the inhibitory effect of GABA on neurally induced contractions in this tissue.