bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Major Depression with Ischemic Heart Disease: Effects of Paroxetine and Nortriptyline on Measures of Nonlinearity and Chaos of Heart Rate
Authors: Yeragani Vikram K. , Roose Steven , Mallavarapu Mallika , Radhakrishna R.K.A. , Pesce Vanessa 
Published: April 2003

Depression is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with preexisting cardiac illness. A decrease in cardiac vagal function as suggested by a decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) or heart period variability has been linked to sudden death in patients with cardiac disease as well as in normal controls. Recent studies have shown decreased vagal function in cardiac patients with depression as well as in depressed patients without cardiac illness. In this study, we compared 20 h awake and sleep heart period nonlinear measures using quantification of nonlinearity and chaos in two groups of patients with major depression and ischemic heart disease (mean age 59–60 years) before and after 6 weeks of treatment with paroxetine or nortriptyline. Patients received paroxetine, 20–30 mg/day or nortriptyline targeted to 190–570 nmol/l for 6 weeks. For HRV analysis, 24 patients were included in the paroxetine treatment study and 20 patients in the nortriptyline study who had at least 20,000 s of awake data. The ages of these groups were 60.4 ± 10.5 years for paroxetine and 60.8 ± 13.4 years for nortriptyline. There was a significant decrease in the largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE) after treatment with nortriptyline but not paroxetine. There were also significant decreases in nonlinearity scores on S<sub>netPR</sub> and S<sub>netGS</sub> after nortriptyline, which may be due to a decrease in cardiac vagal modulation of HRV. S<sub>netGS</sub> and awake LLE were the most significant variables that contributed to the discrimination of postparoxetine and postnortriptyline groups even with the inclusion of time and frequency domain measures. These findings suggest that nortriptyline decreases the measures of chaos probably through its stronger vagolytic effects on cardiac autonomic function compared with paroxetine, which is in agreement with previous clinical and preclinical reports. Nortriptyline was also associated with a significant decrease in nonlinearity scores, which may be due to anticholinergic and/or sympatholytic effects. As depression is associated with a strong risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, one should be careful about using any drug that adversely affects cardiac vagal function.
Development of an in vivo Animal Model for Skin Penetration in Hairless Rats Assessed by Mass Balance
Authors: Simonsen Lene , Petersen Mads B. , Benfeldt Eva , Serup Jørgen 
Published: April 2003

The aim of the study was to develop an in vivo animal model for studies of the penetration of topically applied drugs into the skin of hairless rats. Protective appliances were designed for non-occluded and finite-dose application of topical formulations. The design allowed 2 test sites for each rat and free mobility throughout the test period. By consecutive tape stripping, monitored by measurements of transepidermal water loss and confirmed by histological examination of skin biopsies, 10 tape strippings were found to remove the stratum corneum completely. For assessment of the model, <sup>14</sup>C-salicylic acid and <sup>14</sup>C-butyl salicylate were topically applied. Rapid and differentiated percutaneous absorption of both compounds were shown by urinary excretion data. For <sup>14</sup>C-salicylic acid the amount on the skin surface, in the stratum corneum and in the viable skin was determined. Total mass balance on the applied radioactivity was performed and a recovery of 90 ± 2% was achieved. The radioactivity found in the protective appliances (<10%) was explained by lateral skin diffusion of the model compounds into the dressings.
Formulation, Development and Characterization of Sustained Release Varnishes Containing Amine and Stannous Fluorides
Authors: Steinberg D. , Rozen R. , Klausner E.A. , Zachs B. , Friedman M. 
Published: April 2003

This study describes properties of potential sustained release varnishes (SRV) containing amine fluoride or amine fluoride with stannous fluoride. The release kinetics, antibacterial properties and antiadhesion properties of two potential varnishes were tested. The varnish of ethylcellulose matrix was found to release fluoride for 4 h in vitro, while the formulation based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate had a rapid release rate. Hydroxyapatite tablets coated with ethylcellulose-based SRV increased adhesion of <i>Streptococcus mutans</i>, while tablets coated with hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate-based SRV decreased bacterial adhesion. Both types of SRV demonstrated a strong antibacterial effect on bacteria in biofilm.
Generation and characterization of a 12,000-rad radiation hybrid panel for fine mapping in pig
Authors: Yerle M. , Pinton P. , Delcros C. , Arnal N. , Milan D. , Robic A. 
Published: April 2003

We have constructed a 12,000-rad porcine whole-genome radiation hybrid panel to complement the first generation 7,000-rad panel (IMpRH) and allow higher resolution mapping studies both in specific areas of interest and on the whole genome. We analyzed 243 hybrid clones on the basis of their marker retention frequency to produce a final panel of 90 hybrid clones with an average retention frequency of 35.4%. The resolution of this 12,000-rad panel (IMNpRH2) was compared to the resolution of the 7,000-rad panel (IMpRH) by constructing framework maps in the 2.4-Mb region of porcine chromosome 15 containing the acid meat RN gene. In this region, two-point analysis was used to estimate RH distances and demonstrates their reliability with the estimation of physical distances. This study demonstrates that the 12,000-rad panel constitutes a powerful tool for constructing high-resolution maps. Indeed, the resolution of IMNpRH2 (12–14 kb/cR<sub>12,000</sub>) is two to three times more than that of IMpRH (35–37 kb/cR<sub>7,000</sub>). As expected, the increase in the radiation dose allows an increase of the mapping resolution in terms of kb/cR with the same suppleness of use for mapping experiments. In addition the RH map constructed in the region investigated proved to be more homogeneous on IMNpRH2 than on IMpRH.
The Hypothalamic Mechanisms of the Hypophysiotropic Action of Ghrelin
Authors: Wren Alison M. , Small Caroline J. , Fribbens Charlotte V. , Neary Nicola M. , Ward Helen L. , Seal Leighton J. , Ghatei Mohammad A. , Bloom Stephen R. 
Published: April 2003

Ghrelin is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor, expressed in the hypothalamus and pituitary. Ghrelin, like synthetic GHSs, stimulates food intake and growth hormone (GH) release following systemic or intracerebroventricular administration. In addition to GH stimulation, ghrelin and synthetic GHSs are reported to stimulate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in vivo. The aims of this study were to elucidate the hypothalamic mechanisms of the hypophysiotropic actions of ghrelin in vitro and to assess the relative contribution of hypothalamic and systemic actions of ghrelin on the HPA axis in vivo. Ghrelin (100 and 1,000 n<i>M</i>) stimulated significant release of GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) from hypothalamic explants (100 n<i>M</i>: 39.4 ± 8.3 vs. basal 18.3 ± 3.5 fmol/explant, n = 49, p < 0.05) but did not affect either basal or 28 m<i>M</i> KCl-stimulated somatostatin release. Ghrelin (10, 100 and 1,000 n<i>M</i>) stimulated the release of both corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) (100 n<i>M</i>: 6.0 ± 0.8 vs. basal 4.2 ± 0.5 pmol/explant, n = 49, p < 0.05) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) (100 n<i>M:</i> 49.2 ± 5.9 vs. basal 35.0 ± 3.3 fmol/explant, n = 48, p < 0.05), whilst ghrelin (100 and 1,000 n<i>M</i>) also stimulated the release of neuropeptide Y (NPY) (100 n<i>M</i>: 111.4 ± 25.0 vs. basal 54.4 ± 9.0 fmol/explant, n = 26, p < 0.05) from hypothalamic explants in vitro. The HPA axis was stimulated in vivo following acute intracerebroventricular administration of ghrelin 2 nmol [adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) 38.2 ± 3.9 vs. saline 18.2 ± 2.0 pg/ml, p < 0.01; corticosterone 310.1 ± 32.8 ng/ml vs. saline 167.4 ± 40.7 ng/ml, p < 0.05], but not following intraperitoneal administration of ghrelin 30 nmol, suggesting a hypothalamic site of action. These data suggest that the mechanisms of GH and ACTH regulation by ghrelin may include hypothalamic release of GHRH, CRH, AVP and NPY.
A Randomized Prospective Trial to Assess the Role of Saline Hydration on the Development of Contrast Nephrotoxicity
Authors: Trivedi Hariprasad S. , Moore Harold , Nasr Samer , Aggarwal Kul , Agrawal Alok , Goel Punit , Hewett John 
Published: April 2003

Though simple and attractive, the role of hydration for the prophylaxis of contrast nephrotoxicity has not been definitively established. We prospectively evaluated the role of deliberate saline hydration in patients undergoing nonemergency cardiac catheterization. Patients (n = 53) were randomized on the day prior to scheduled catheterization to one of two groups – group 1 (n = 27) received normal saline for 24 h (at a rate of 1 ml/kg/h) beginning 12 h prior to scheduled catheterization, and group 2 (n = 26) were allowed unrestricted oral fluids. Serum creatinine measured 24 and 48 h postcardiac catheterization was compared to the pre-randomization baseline value. The mean baseline calculated creatinine clearance was 79.6 ± 31.9 ml/min and the mean baseline creatinine was 106 ± 28 µmol/l. An increase in serum creatinine by at least 44.2 µmol/l (0.5 mg/dl), within 48 h of contrast exposure, was considered to represent clinically significant acute renal insufficiency. Ten subjects (18.9%) developed acute renal insufficiency. The incidence of acute renal insufficiency was significantly lower in group 1 (1 out of 27) as compared to group 2 (9 out of 26; p = 0.005 for comparison between groups; relative risk 0.11, 95% confidence interval 0.015 to 0.79). Twenty-four hours after contrast exposure, the mean increase in creatinine was less in group 1 vs. group 2 (8 ± 11 vs. 20 ± 21 µmol/l, p = 0.02). The increase in creatinine was not significantly different in group 1 vs. group 2 48 h after contrast exposure (12 ± 21 vs. 29 ± 40 µmol/l, p = 0.17). Deliberate saline hydration decreases the incidence of contrast-related acute renal failure and the severity of contrast-induced renal dysfunction in patients undergoing non-emergency cardiac catheterization.
Hindbrain and Cranial Nerve Dysmorphogenesis Result from Acute Maternal Ethanol Administration
Authors: Dunty Jr. William C. , Zucker Robert M. , Sulik Kathleen K. 
Published: April 2003

Acute exposure of mouse embryos to ethanol during stages of hindbrain segmentation results in excessive cell death in specific cell populations. This study details the ethanol-induced cell loss and defines the subsequent effects of this early insult on rhombomere and cranial nerve development. Ethanol at a teratogenic dosage (2.9 g/kg) or a comparable volume of vehicle was administered in each of two intraperitoneal injections to pregnant C57BL/6J mice on gestational day (GD) 8, 8 h, and GD 8, 12 h (defined hereafter as GD 8.5). Ethanol-exposed GD 9 embryos, visualized in three dimensions using laser scanning confocal microscopy of LysoTracker Red fluorescence or Nile blue sulphate vital staining, displayed excessive apoptosis in the rostral hindbrain, specifically within rhombomeres 1–3, as well as in cranial neural crest cells and ectodermal placodes. Comparably treated embryos examined on GD 10.5–11 illustrated a disproportionate reduction in the length of the rostral hindbrain. Examination of plastic histological sections of GD 9 embryos and via scanning electron microscopy on GD 10 revealed deficiencies in the hindbrain, with a phenotype including abnormal rhombomere segmentation and an extremely small fourth ventricular roofplate. Whole-mount antineurofilament immunohistochemistry on GD 10.5 and GD 11 illustrated a variety of cranial nerve abnormalities ranging from fused or absent ganglia to ectopic or disorganized fibers. In addition, a delay in the development of the glossopharyngeal (IX) nerve/ganglia complex was observed. These hindbrain and cranial nerve abnormalities are discussed in the context of the genesis of human alcohol-related birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorder.
Influence of the Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Antagonist BB-882 on Intra-Abdominal Adhesion Formation in Rats
Authors: Otcu S. , Ozturk H. , Aldemir M. , Kilinc N. , Dokucu A.I. 
Published: April 2003

Postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation is a major clinical problem. We aimed to examine the preventive effect of treatment with the platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist (lexipafant, BB-882) on experimentally induced intra-abdominal adhesion formation in rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 and 290 g were studied. Generation of adhesions in rats by brushing a 1-cm<sup>2</sup> area of the cecum and the peritoneum on the right side of the abdominal wall was followed by intra-abdominal administration of saline and 5 mg/kg in a volume of 0.2 ml PAF receptor antagonist BB-882. After 45 days, formation of adhesions was graded and histological evaluation was processed. The severity of adhesions was significantly less in the BB-882 group than in the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). The average adhesion scores in the control and BB-882 groups were 3.2 ± 0.6 and 0.6 ± 0.6, respectively, and the difference between both groups was found to be significant (p < 0.0001). The number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and fibrotic areas was significantly decreased in the BB-882 group when compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.002). In conclusion, this study confirms the efficacy of BB-882 in the prevention of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions in a rat model.
The Role of Chronic Alcohol Intake in Patients with Spontaneous Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin Study
Authors: Herzig Roman , Urbánek Karel , Vlachová Ivanka , Křupka Bohdan , Gabryš Martin , Mareš Jan , Schneiderka Petr 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background and Purpose:</i> Chronic alcohol intake is considered to be a risk factor for spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage (SICH). However, there is a lack of objective data in this field. The aim was to assess its role in hemorrhagic stroke objectively and to evaluate its correlation with the elevation of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) plasma levels. The reliability of patients’ anamnestic data concerning alcohol intake was also assessed. <i>Methods:</i> Laboratory assessment of the plasma carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) level was performed in 105 SICH patients and in a control group of 105 patients with dorsalgia. All patients were treated at the Clinic of Neurology, Faculty Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic. GGT plasma level values and anamnestic data concerning alcohol consumption were also analyzed. χ<sup>2</sup> tests were applied when assessing statistical significance. <i>Results:</i> The CDT test was positive in 25.7% of SICH patients versus 7.6% of control group subjects (p = 0.0008). GGT plasma levels were elevated in 44.4% of SICH patients with a positive CDT test versus 25.6% of patients with a negative one. The GGT test is not reliable in the detection of alcohol intake when compared with the CDT test (p = 0.71). Only 13.0% of SICH patients with a positive CDT test (subgroup 1) stated regular and high consumption of all types of alcoholic beverages. Another 26.1% of these patients stated regular daily consumption of more than 1 liter, and 47.8% of them stated less than 1 liter of beer, with uncertain data concerning wine and spirits intake. Thirteen percent of subgroup 1 patients denied alcohol consumption altogether. <i>Conclusions:</i> Chronic alcohol consumption is at least one of several risk factors in one fourth of SICH patients in the Olomouc region of the Czech Republic. The CDT test is the most sensitive method to diagnose chronic alcohol consumption, and it is superior to the examination of GGT and the evaluation of patients’ anamnestic data.
Measurement of Global Cerebral Circulation Time Using Power Duplex Echo-Contrast Bolus Tracking
Authors: Schreiber Stephan Joachim , Kauert Andreas , Doepp Florian , Valdueza José Manuel 
Published: April 2003

Ultrasound assessment of global cerebral circulation time (CCT) using echo-contrast bolus tracking is a new approach to characterise the perfusion status of the human brain. We present the analysis of global CCT in 36 healthy volunteers and one patient with a cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM), measured by extracranial power duplex. CCT was defined as the time interval between bolus arrival in the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein. CCT in the volunteer group was 7.5 ± 1.1 s (mean ± SD). Values did not correlate with age, gender, blood pressure or blood flow velocity. Measurement in the AVM patient revealed a CCT of 1.5 s. Ultrasonographic CCT analysis is a promising new tool for the evaluation of cerebral hemodynamics.
Stage pT1 Renal Cell Carcinoma: Review of the Prognostic Significance of Size
Authors: Zucchi Alessandro , Mearini Luigi , Mearini Ettore , Costantini Elisabetta 
Published: April 2003

<i>Introduction:</i> The last TNM classification (before 1997) defined T1 kidney tumour as a tumour <2.5 cm, limited to the kidney: this cut-off point was changed in 1997 and T1 neoplasm was defined as <7 cm. This new cut-off now includes past T1 and T2 diseases, without any differences in terms of prognoses. We performed a retrospective analysis of our cases and specifically investigated if there were any differences in terms of prognosis in a group of patients, currently identifiable as pT1, if they were divided into two subgroups based on tumour pathological sizes. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Our analysis involved 128 patients (mean age 57.6 years) who underwent radical nephrectomy or nephron-sparing surgery in the period between 1990 and 2000. All these patients were pT1 according to the new TNM classification and were divided into two groups according to different cut-off point sizes (from 2.5 to 5 cm). We analysed the surgical approach, overall survival and cancer-specific mortality in the two subgroups, renamed as pT1a and pT1b, and performed a statistical analysis of the results using the Kaplan-Meier method to prove if this substaging identified changes in survival outcome. <i>Results:</i> We obtained more interesting results for a 5-cm cut-off: the two groups showed a similar follow-up and overall survival rate but different cancer-specific mortality rate (6 vs. 12.1%). The statistical analysis showed that the two survival curves (pT1a vs. pT1b disease) had a similar trend up to about 60 months; after this period the two curves diversify with a drop in survival rate among patients with larger tumours (pT1b patients). <i>Conclusions:</i> It would seem reasonable to reassess the TNM classification of stage pT1 in order to better define prognosis in this group of patients.
Effects of Castration on Nitric Oxide- Mediated Relaxations in Male Rat Corpus cavernosum Smooth Muscle
Authors: Wada Yoshihiro , Kuwahara Tomohiro , Takahashi Wataru , Yoshida Masaki , Iwashita Hitoshi , Ueda Shoichi 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The effects of castration on nitric oxide- mediated relaxations and nitric oxide synthase activity in male rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscles. <i>Methods:</i> Eight-week-old male rats were assigned to two groups: control (sham operated) and castrated animals. After 8 weeks, corpus cavernosum smooth muscle strips were mounted in an organ bath for isometric tension recordings. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) was applied to the strips precontracted with 30 µ<i>M</i> phenylephrine. The microdialysis probe was inserted into the strip, and Krebs-Henseleit solution was perfused into the probe. The dialysate during EFS and cholinergic stimulation was collected, and the amount of NO<sup>–</sup><sub>2</sub>/NO<sup>–</sup><sub>3</sub> (NOx) released in the dialysate was measured by the Greiss method. Sodium nitroprusside and carbachol were cumulatively added to the strips precontracted with 30 µ<i>M</i> phenylephrine. <i>Results:</i> EFS caused frequency-dependent relaxations and NOx releases in the strips. Pretreatment with N<sup>ω</sup>-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine (100 µ<i>M</i>) and tetrodotoxin (1 µ<i>M</i>) completely inhibited relaxations and NOx releases. The maximum relaxation in the castration group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The release of NOx was significantly greater in the castration group than in the control group. Sodium nitroprusside relaxed the tissues in both groups similarly. Carbachol failed either to relax the tissue or to increase the amount of NOx production in the tissue. <i>Conclusion:</i> The present data suggest that castration enhances nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide-mediated relaxations in the male rat corpus cavernosum.
A Malaria Vaccine Candidate Based on a Hepatitis B Virus Core Platform
Authors: Sällberg Matti , Hughes Janice , Jones Joyce , Phillips Tom R. , Milich David R. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> The recent success of a <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> malaria vaccine consisting of circumsporozoite (CS) protein (CSP) T and B cell epitopes has rekindled interest in the development of a pre-erythrocytic vaccine. Our goal was to design an efficient delivery system for known neutralizing epitopes. <i>Methods:</i> Well-characterized CSP-specific neutralizing B cell epitopes and a ‘universal’ T cell epitope were combined with a particulate carrier platform, the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg), to produce a novel pre-erythrocytic vaccine candidate. <i>Results:</i> The vaccine candidate V12.PF3.1 is a potent immunogen in mice, eliciting unprecedented levels (greater than 10<sup>6</sup> titers) of sporozoite-binding antibodies after only two doses. The antisporozoite antibodies are long-lasting and represent all IgG isotypes, and antibody production is not genetically restricted. CSP-specific CD4+ T cells are also primed by V12.PF3.1 immunization in a majority of murine strains. Furthermore, the hybrid HBcAg-CS particles can be produced inexpensively in bacterial expression systems. <i>Conclusion:</i> These characteristics suggest that V12.PF3.1 represents an efficient and economical <i>P. falciparum</i> vaccine candidate for use separately or in combination with other formulations.
A Case of Turner Syndrome with Congenital Hypothyroidism Untreated until Age 38 Years
Authors: Ishikawa Norio , Tanaka Toshiaki , Hashimoto Kinya , Wada Masaki 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective and Methods:</i> The effect of thyroid hormone on human growth and maturation is considered ‘permissive’. To evaluate the effect of a prolonged thyroid hormone defect, especially in the pubertal period, a woman with untreated congenital hypothyroidism underwent studies of thyroid function and bone maturation for the first time at age 38 years 10 months and received thyroid hormone replacement. <i>Results:</i> The karyotype was 45,X/46,XX. Menstruation had occurred for 10 years, from menarche until she was about 31 years old. Epiphyseal closure of the left hand was incomplete. The serum thyroid hormone level was virtually undetectable, and her thyroid gland was not detectable in the normal position by ultrasonography. Her height increased by 3.5 cm in the first 9 months after starting thyroid hormone replacement; after 11 months, closure of the epiphysis was complete. <i>Conclusion:</i> Thyroid hormone is necessary to achieve bone maturation and epiphyseal closure, but its role is only permissive.