bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endothelin receptor blockade improves endothelial function in atherosclerotic patients on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition
Authors: BÖHM F. , BELTRAN E. , PERNOW J. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract.Objectives.  Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) and angiotensin II may contribute to endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with increased risk of events in patients with coronary artery disease. The objective was to test whether dual ETA/ETB receptor antagonism improves endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation (EDV) in atherosclerotic patients, also on treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.Design and setting.  EDV and endothelium‐independent vasodilatation were determined in 37 patients with atherosclerosis during measurement of forearm blood flow (FBF) with venous occlusion plethysmography. The patients were then randomized to treatment with ramipril 10 mg o.d. (n = 21) or placebo (n = 16) for 3 months in a double‐blind fashion.Results.  Intra‐arterial infusion of the ETA receptor antagonist BQ123 and the ETB receptor antagonist BQ788 (both 10 nmol min−1) increased basal FBF by 42 ± 4% (P < 0.001) and enhanced EDV (P < 0.001). Following 3 months ramipril treatment, ET receptor blockade still enhanced EDV. Acetylcholine 10 and 30 mg min−1 increased FBF by 68 ± 12 and 64 ± 12 mL min−1/1000 mL before vs. 101 ± 17 and 101 ± 16 mL min−1/1000 mL following ET receptor blockade in the ramipril group (P < 0.001).Conclusions.  Dual ETA/ETB receptor blockade improves endothelial function and exerts direct vasodilator effects in patients with atherosclerosis, also on treatment with ramipril suggesting that ET receptor blockade may have important therapeutic effects when added to ACE inhibition in these patients.
Chronic fatigue syndrome: assessment of increased oxidative stress and altered muscle excitability in response to incremental exercise
Authors: JAMMES Y. , STEINBERG J. G. , MAMBRINI O. , BRÉGEON F. , DELLIAUX S. 
Published: February 2005

Abstract.Objectives.  Because the muscle response to incremental exercise is not well documented in patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), we combined electrophysiological (compound‐evoked muscle action potential, M wave), and biochemical (lactic acid production, oxidative stress) measurements to assess any muscle dysfunction in response to a routine cycling exercise.Design.  This case–control study compared 15 CFS patients to a gender‐, age‐ and weight‐matched control group (n = 11) of healthy subjects.Interventions.  All subjects performed an incre‐mental cycling exercise continued until exhaustion.Main outcome measures.  We measured the oxygen uptake (Vo2), heart rate (HR), systemic blood pressure, percutaneous O2 saturation (SpO2), M‐wave recording from vastus lateralis, and venous blood sampling allowing measurements of pH (pHv), PO2 (PvO2), lactic acid (LA), and three markers of the oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, TBARS, reduced glutathione, GSH, and ascorbic acid, RAA).Results.  Compared with control, in CFS patients (i) the slope of Vo2 versus work load relationship did not differ from control subjects and there was a tendency for an accentuated PvO2 fall at the same exercise intensity, indicating an increased oxygen uptake by the exercising muscles; (ii) the HR and blood pressure responses to exercise did not vary; (iii) the anaerobic pathways were not accentuated; (iv) the exercise‐induced oxidative stress was enhanced with early changes in TBARS and RAA and enhanced maximal RAA consumption; and (v) the M‐wave duration markedly increased during the recovery period.Conclusions.  The response of CFS patients to incremental exercise associates a lengthened and accentuated oxidative stress together with marked alterations of the muscle membrane excitability. These two objective signs of muscle dysfunction are sufficient to explain muscle pain and postexertional malaise reported by our patients.
The effects of ketamine and propofol on bacterial translocation in rats after burn injury
Authors: Yagmurder H. , Akca G. , Aksoy M. , Arslan M. , Baltaci B. , Dikmen B. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Bacterial translocation (BT) occurs after thermal injury and may result from an ischemic intestinal insult. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of ketamine and propofol as anesthetic agents on BT in an animal model of burn injury.Methods:  Sixty male Wistar Albino rats were randomly assigned to six groups of 10 rats each. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with ketamine in groups 1, 2 and 3 and with propofol in groups 4, 5 and 6 during 6 h. Groups 2, 3, 5 and 6 received 30% total body surface area (TBSA) third‐degree burns. Groups 1 and 4 had no burn injury. Then, they were allowed to recover from the anesthesia at the end of 6 h. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was monitored continuously and maintained within 10% of baseline (before burn injury) levels in all animals. Animals in groups 3 and 6 had a laparotomy to obtain a tissue sample from the terminal ileum for determination of intestinal lipid peroxidation by‐product malondialdehyde (MDA) before (baseline) and 6 and 24 h after burn injury (ABI). So these animals were not included in the BT studies. At postburn 24 h, animals in groups 1, 2 and 4, 5 were sacrified and samples were taken from the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver and spleen for bacteriologic cultures.Results:  The incidence of BT was found to be significantly higher in group 2 than in all the other groups. Bacterial translocation incidence of group 5 was not significantly different from that of groups 4 and 1. Group 5 was associated with a significantly reduced number of enteric organisms per gram of tissue compared to group 2. Baseline MDA contents of groups 3 and 6 were similar. Ileal MDA levels were increased in group 3, but there were no significant changes in group 6 at 6 and 24 h ABI compared to baseline.Conclusion:  Our results suggest that propofol as an anesthetic agent may prevent BT by scavenging reactive oxygen species and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in an animal model of burn injury.
Inhaled and intravenous corticosteroids both attenuate chlorine gas‐induced lung injury in pigs
Authors: Wang J. , Winskog C. , Edston E. , Walther S. M. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  The accidental release of chlorine gas is a constant threat in urban areas. The purpose of this randomized, blinded, controlled experiment was to examine the effects of post‐injury administration of inhaled or intravenous corticosteroid in chlorine gas‐injured pigs followed for 23 h.Methods:  Anaesthetized, ventilated pigs (n = 24) in the prone position were exposed to chlorine gas (400 parts per million in air) (1160 mg/m3) for 15 min, then randomly allocated to receive inhaled budesonide (BUD) and intravenous placebo, intravenous betamethasone (BETA) and inhaled placebo or inhaled and intravenous placebo. Haemodynamics, gas exchange and lung mechanics were evaluated for 23 h after exposure to chlorine gas.Results:  Airway and pulmonary artery pressures increased and arterial oxygenation fell sharply (from 13.5 ± 0.8 to 6.7 ± 0.9 kPa, P < 0.001) after chlorine gas exposure. These immediate changes were followed by a gradual improvement over 5–7 h to a stable level of dysfunction for the rest of the experiment in placebo animals. Arterial oxygen tension, pulmonary vascular resistance and airway pressure recovered faster and more completely in the budesonide and betamethasone groups than in the placebo group (P < 0.01). Lung wet weight to dry weight ratios were greater in the placebo group than in the budesonide and betamethasone groups (6.34 ± 0.59 vs. 5.56 ± 0.38 and 5.53 ± 0.54, respectively, P < 0.05). There was a trend towards lower histological injury scores compared with placebo in animals that received budesonide (P = 0.05) or betamethasone (P = 0.07).Conclusion:  Treatment of chlorine gas lung injury with nebulized budesonide or intravenous betamethasone had similar positive effects on recovery of lung function.
Plasma concentration of procalcitonin and systemic inflammatory response syndrome after colorectal surgery
Authors: Sarbinowski R. , Arvidsson S. , Tylman M. , Öresland T. , Bengtsson A. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  To study whether plasma concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), complement 3a (C3a), C‐reactive protein and white blood cell count (WBC) correlate with the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) during the early post‐operative period after major colorectal surgery.Methods:  Prospective, observational study during the first 24 h post‐operatively. The setting for the study was the operating theatre and the recovery unit at the university hospital. Fifty consecutive patients, operated on electively with major resection of the large bowel or rectum. PCT levels increased significantly to the maximum level 18 h postoperatively. PCT levels were significantly higher in the SIRS group in comparison to the non‐SIRS group of patients 6 and 12 h after surgery (P < 0.05). The IL‐6 levels were increased directly after the surgery and then decreased gradually in both study groups. Twenty‐four hours after the surgery, C3a levels decreased and then returned to normal levels. Twenty‐four hours post‐operatively, patients with SIRS had a higher plasma concentration of C3a compared with patients without SIRS (P < 0.05). CRP and WBC increased during the study period in both groups (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  During the early post‐operative period after uncomplicated major abdominal surgery, SIRS was reflected by the increase in plasma PCT and C3a concentrations. IL‐6, CRP and WBC increased to the same extend in both the SIRS and the non‐SIRS group of patients.
Antithrombin III pretreatment reduces neutrophil recruitment into the lung in a rat model of abdominal sepsis
Authors: Koca U. , Olguner Ç. , Özkardeşler S. , Karcı A. , Çoker C. , Tuncel P. , Taşdöĝen A. , Duru S. , Ulukuş Ç. , Elar Z. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Antithrombin III (AT III) is a serine protease inhibitor and the mechanism of its anti‐inflammatory action is still not understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti‐inflammatory action of AT III on lung injury in a rat model of sepsis.Methods:  Three groups of animals were used in this controlled study: the sham‐operated group (sham, n = 3) which only underwent a laparotomy; the control group (control, n = 7) which underwent cecal ligation and perforation (CLP); and the AT III‐treated group (AT III, n = 6) which underwent CLP and received intravenous (i.v.) 250 U/kg AT III 30 min before induction of sepsis. Rats were killed 24 h after induction of sepsis by needle aspiration of the right ventricle after a sternotomy, and the lungs and trachea were removed en bloc under ether anesthesia.Results:  Pulmonary accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was assessed by measuring lung tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Lipid peroxidation in lung tissue was assessed by tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels. The plasma prostacyclin level was assessed by the plasma 6‐keto prostaglandin F1α(6‐keto‐PGF1α) level, which is a stable derivative of prostacyclin. Histopathological changes in lung tissue were assessed by PMN count in the capillaries and alveolar spaces. The lung tissue TBARS level, MPO activity and PMN count in the control group were significantly higher than in the AT III group (P < 0.05). The change in plasma 6‐keto‐PGF1α level in the AT III group was insignificant compared with the control group (P = 0.15).Conclusions:  AT III prevented pulmonary infiltration of PMN and subsequent injury by the endothelial release of prostacyclin in CLP‐induced sepsis.
Requirements of propofol at different end‐points without adjuvant and during two different steady infusions of remifentanil
Authors: Mustola S. T. , Baer G. A. , Neuvonen P. J. , Toivonen K. J. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Some reports show no interaction between propofol and opioids, whereas others state such interactions. We evaluated the influence of remifentanil on propofol requirements at certain anesthesia end‐points.Methods:  Elective surgical patients were randomly assigned to three groups of 15 patients each. Premedication was with oral diazepam 0.1 mg kg−1. Patients were blindly given equal volumes of saline or remifentanil (7.5 or 30 µg kg−1· h−1) 1 min before induction of anesthesia with infusion of propofol, 30 mg kg−1· h−1. We recorded times to, propofol requirements, and bispectral index at loss of counting (LC), loss of verbal command (LVC), loss of reaction to tetanic stimulation (LRT), and onset of burst suppression pattern (BSP) of electroencephalography.Results:  In the remifentanil groups end‐points were attained significantly faster and with lower doses of propofol than in the saline group. BIS‐values were significantly different at LRT and BSP end‐points.Conclusions:  We conclude that remifentanil infusion started before induction of propofol anesthesia significantly reduces propofol requirements at all end‐points. The results suggest that remifentanil accelerates the hypnotic onset of propofol.
Intrathecal edaravone, a free radical scavenger, is effective on inflammatory‐induced pain in rats
Authors: Nishiyama T. , Ogawa M. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Free radicals have some roles in inflammation and systemic and local tissue injuries. (Free radical scavengers are neuroprotective against excitotoxic insults.) Therefore, we hypothesized that free radical scavenger would be analgesic on pain induced by excitotoxicity or inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate analgesic effects of intrathecally administered edaravone, a free radical scavenger, on thermal and inflammatory pain.Methods:  Sprague‐Dawley rats were implanted with lumbar intrathecal catheters. Edaravone 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg per 20 µl or saline 20 µl (control) were administered intrathecally, and the withdrawal response to thermal stimulation to the tail (tail‐flick test) or flinch responses to subcutaneous formalin injection into the hind paw (formalin test) were tested. General behaviour and motor function were also examined. In each dose group, eight rats were used.Results:  No dose‐dependent analgesic effects were observed in the tail‐flick test. However, dose‐dependent analgesia was obtained in both phase 1 and 2 of the formalin test. The 50% effective dose values were 0.25 mg (95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.56 mg) in phase 1 and 0.25 mg (95% confidence interval, 0.061–1.05 mg) in phase 2. No behavioural side‐effects nor motor dysfunction was observed, even with the maximum soluble dose (1 mg/20 µl).Conclusion:  Intrathecally administered edaravone, a free radical scavenger, had analgesic effects on inflammatory‐induced acute and facilitated pain but not on acute thermal pain, without any behavioural side‐effects.
Fit and seal characteristics of a new paediatric tracheal tube with high volume–low pressure polyurethane cuff
Authors: Dullenkopf A. , Gerber A. C. , Weiss M. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  To evaluate a new paediatric tracheal tube (Microcuff, Weinheim, Germany) with an ultrathin high volume–low pressure polyurethane cuff.Methods:  With approval of the Hospital Ethics Committee tracheas of children undergoing general anaesthesia were intubated using a Microcuff tube. Tube sizes were selected according to: internal diameter (mm) = age/4 + 3.5 in children aged ≥2 years. In newborns (≥3 kg) ≤1 year, ID 3.0‐mm tubes, and in children from 1 to 2 years, internal diameter 3.5‐mm tubes were used. Tubes were classified too large if no air leakage was obtained at an airway pressure of 20 cm H2O with the cuff not inflated. Sealing pressure was assessed by auscultation. Post‐extubation croup requiring therapy was noted.Results:  Five‐hundred children were studied. In eight children the tubes were too large. Sealing pressure was 9.7 ± 2.5 cm H2O (4–20). In two patients postextubation croup required singular short‐term therapy.Conclusions:  Microcuff paediatric tracheal tubes provided tracheal sealing with cuff pressures considerably lower than usually accepted. The rate of tube exchange was very low (1.6%), as was the rate of airway morbidity (croup requiring therapy; 0.4%).
Effects of coagulation factor deficiency on plasma coagulation kinetics determined via thrombelastography®: critical roles of fibrinogen and factors II, VII, X and XII
Authors: Nielsen V. G. , Cohen B. M. , Cohen E. 
Published: February 2005

Background:  Thrombelastography (TEG®) is used to assess coagulopathy. However, a comprehensive characterization of the effects of specific coagulation factor deficiencies and mode of activation on TEG® data does not exist.Methods:  Thrombelastography® was performed for 15 min with control plasma and plasmas deficient (<1% activity) in Factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, or XIII activated with celite (0.28 mg ml−1) or tissue factor (TF, 0.1%) (n = 6 per condition). Additional fibrinogen concentration activity (75–345 mg dl−1) and Factor II, VII, X and XII activity‐response relationships (1%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 100% activity) were obtained (n = 8 per condition). Thrombelastography® parameters included reaction time (R), angle (α), and clot strength (A, amplitude; G, elastic modulus).Results:  Celite activation of FXII‐deficient plasma, TF activation of FVII‐deficient and FX‐deficient plasma, and celite or TF activation of FII‐deficient plasma resulted in an almost undetectable clot. Compared to control values, celite activation of plasmas deficient in FXI, FIX and FVIII resulted in prolonged R and decreased α values, whereas TF activation resulted in decreased α values. Celite and TF activation of FV‐deficient plasma resulted in prolonged R and decreased α values, whereas FXIII‐deficient plasma had decreased α, A and G‐values compared to control values.Conclusions:  The fundamental finding of this study is that coagulation factor deficiencies affect TEG® parameters in both a factor‐dependent and activation‐dependent fashion. Utilizing both celite and TF activation improves the diagnostic power of TEG®. Based on such TEG® data, more targeted administration of blood products could potentially help improve perioperative hemostatic outcomes.
Sperm competition and male ejaculate investment in Nauphoeta cinerea: effects of social environment during development
Authors: Harris W. E. , Moore P. J. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSelective pressure arising from sperm competition has been predicted to influence evolutionary and behavioural adjustment of ejaculate investment, but also may influence developmental adjustment of ejaculate investment. Immature males able to target resources strategically based on the competitive environment they will experience when they become sexually mature should be at a selective advantage. In our study we investigated how the presence of potential competitors or mates affects ejaculate and testes investment during development in the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea, a species where males control female remating via their ejaculate size (large spermatophores prevent females from remating and therefore function to avoid sperm competition for males) and females store sperm. Our aim was to determine whether the social environment influences developmental adjustment of ejaculate investment and the relative importance of ejaculate components with different functions; avoidance of or engagement in sperm competition. We conclude that the social environment can influence developmental and behavioural flexibility in specific ejaculate components that may function to avoid or engage in sperm competition.
A comparative analysis of predator‐induced plasticity in larvalTriturusnewts
Authors: Schmidt B. R. , Van Buskirk J. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractSpecies that occupy similar habitats are expected to show convergent phenotypes. If habitats are defined by the presence of predators, then traits that modify vulnerability to predation, including predator‐induced phenotypic plasticity, should be similar within habitats. We tested this idea using larvae of six syntopic newt species belonging to the twoTriturusclades. Behavioural plasticity induced by odonate predators was strongly dissimilar between the two main clades but similar within them. Morphological plasticity was variable among species, even between one pair of closely related species. A predation experiment tested whether differences between clades could be caused by differences in body size. Size‐specific vulnerability differed between newts in the small‐bodied and large‐bodied clades, indicating that similar predators may affect the two clades differently. The results showed both similarity and dissimilarity in predator‐induced phenotypic plasticity in syntopic larval newts although theory suggests that divergence is unlikely in such ecologically similar species.
The influence of territoriality and mating system on the evolution of male care: a phylogenetic study on fish
Authors: Ah‐King M. , Kvarnemo C. , Tullberg B. S. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractEvolution of male care is still poorly understood. Using phylogenetically matched‐pairs comparisons we tested for effects of territoriality and mating system on male care evolution in fish. All origins of male care were found in pair‐spawning species (with or without additional males such as sneakers) and none were found in group‐spawning species. However, excluding group spawners, male care originated equally often in pair‐spawning species with additional males as in strict pair‐spawning species. Evolution of male care was also significantly related to territoriality. Yet, most pair‐spawning taxa with male care are also territorial, making their relative influence difficult to separate. Furthermore, territoriality also occurs in group‐spawning species. Hence, territoriality is not sufficient for male care to evolve. Rather, we argue that it is the combination of territoriality and pair spawning with sequential polygyny that favours the evolution of male care, and we discuss our results in relation to paternity assurance and sexual selection.
Light quantity and quality induce shade‐avoiding plasticity in a marine macroalga
Authors: Monro K. , Poore A. G. B. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractLight‐induced plasticity in plant morphology is considered adaptive in terrestrial habitats that vary in light, but remains unexplored for marine habitats. This is despite similar modes of growth, development and photosynthetic equipment in terrestrial and marine photoautotrophs and similarly dynamic light environments. We tested whether manipulations of light quantity and quality induce morphological plasticity in the marine macroalga, Asparagopsis armata. Using multivariate analyses (principal components analyses and multivariate analyses of covariance), we show that correlated morphological traits underlie a fundamental growth strategy characterized by the production of phalanx and guerrilla phenotypes in environments that mimic light and shade respectively. This foraging response is not under simple genetic or environmental control, but influenced by interactions between genotype and environment. Evidence of plasticity and genetic variation in plasticity in a marine modular organism generates additional, testable hypotheses on the ecological consequences of variation in growth form that may further explain the evolution of plasticity.