bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of pneumoperitoneum and head‐down position on intraocular pressure
Authors: Kayacan Nurten , Arici Gulbin , Akar Munire , Karsli Bilge 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTObjective  Increased intraperitoneal pressure and head‐down position are associated with physiological changes including alterations of intraocular pressure.Subjects  We investigated haemodynamic, respiratory and intraocular pressure changes at each phase of gynaecological laparoscopy, in 20 women of ASA I status. The same anaesthetic medication protocol was used. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, end‐tidal carbondioxide, pulmonary airway pressure and intraocular pressure changes were recorded continuously during pneumoperitoneum and head‐down position. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased after induction of anaesthesia, increased after laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Peak airway pressure increased significantly during pneumoperitoneum and decreased after deflation. Intraocular pressure decreased significantly after induction of anaesthesia and remained unchanged during the pneumoperitoneum and head‐down position.Conclusion  In conclusion, adequate depth of anaesthesia may prevent intraocular pressure increase caused pneumoperitoneum and head‐down position. Further studies are required to clarify the picture both in experimental animals and in human.
Life events and psychiatric symptoms in adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Hastings R. P. , Hatton C. , Taylor J. L. , Maddison C. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground  Previous research has indicated that children and adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) may respond to traumatic and other life events in a similar way to the general population. However, few studies have charted the extent of exposure to recent life events in samples of adults with ID and the association of such exposure with general psychiatric problems.Methods  Adults with ID (n = 1155) in community and residential services in a county district in North‐east England were assessed using the Psychiatric Assessment for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Checklist (PAS‐ADD Checklist), which includes a checklist of recent life events. Data were provided by informants who knew the index client well.Results  Within the 12 months before data collection, the five most frequently experienced life events were: moving residence (15.5% of sample), serious illness of close relative or friend (9.0%), serious problem with close friend, neighbour or relative (8.8%), serious illness or injury to self (8.5%), and death of close family friend or other relative (8.3%). Overall, 46.3% had experienced one or more significant life events in the previous 12 months and 17.4% had experienced two or more. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of one or more life events in the previous 12 months added significantly to the classification of psychiatric caseness predicted by demographic variables (age, sex, residence in community or hospital) on the PAS‐ADD Affective Disorder scale. Overall, the odds ratio for affective disorder given exposure to one or more life events was 2.23 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.56, 3.18].Conclusions  Small, but potentially significant relationships were found between life events exposure and psychiatric problems in adults with ID. Further research is needed to explore the causal direction of this relationship and also to develop more sensitive measures of life events relevant to the situation of adults in residential and community service environments.
Screening for psychiatric symptoms: PAS‐ADD Checklist norms for adults with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Taylor J. L. , Hatton C. , Dixon L. , Douglas C. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground  The Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Checklist (PAS‐ADD Checklist) is a screening instrument designed to help carers recognize likely mental health problems in people with intellectual disabilities (ID). To date there are no published PAS‐ADD Checklist data on a large nonpsychiatric population of adults with ID, an important step towards developing norms for comparative purposes.Methods  Informants who had known participants for a median 24 months completed the PAS‐ADD Checklist on 1155 adults with ID living in community, residential care and hospital settings in a county district in the North‐east of England.Results  Normative data were obtained for the PAS‐ADD Checklist for the study population with reference to gender, age, and type of residence. The overall prevalence of mental health problems was 20.1%, and the rates for affective/neurotic, organic and psychotic disorders were 14%, 3.9%, and 10.2%, respectively. Significant differences in the rates for particular disorders were found across gender, age and, residence type.Conclusions  The rates of mental disorders found in the study population were consistent with previous studies of general populations of people with ID using over‐inclusive screening instruments. The PAS‐ADD Checklist appears to be an easy‐to‐use and sensitive tool for identifying mental health cases in ID populations, but further investigation is required concerning the specificity of the instrument.
Assessing the needs of people with learning disabilities and mental illness: development of the Learning Disability version of the Cardinal Needs Schedule
Authors: Raghavan R. , Marshall M. , Lockwood A. , Duggan L. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground  People with learning disability (LD) experience a range of mental health problems. They are a complex population, whose needs are not well understood. This study focuses on the development of a systematic process of needs assessment for this population.Methods  The Cardinal Needs Schedule used in general psychiatry was adapted for people with learning disabilities (LD). The Learning Disability version of the Cardinal Needs Schedule (LDCNS) was tested on a sample of 35 people with LD and mental illness for its inter‐rater reliability.Results  The inter‐rater reliability (Kappa) was calculated for 22 areas of functioning assessed by the LDCNS. Overall, there was very good agreement in seven areas, moderate agreement in six areas, fair agreement in three areas and poor agreement in one area. In four areas of functioning, Kappa could not be calculated. More needs were found in the social domain than in the clinical domain.Conclusion  A systematic needs assessment schedule (LDCNS) was developed for people with LD and mental illness. The inter‐rater reliability is generally acceptable, but requires further examination.
Solarization of soil in piles for the control of Meloidogyne incognita in olive nurseries in southern Spain
Authors: Nico A. I. , Jiménez‐Díaz R. M. , Castillo P. 
Published: December 2003

The potential of solarization to control Meloidogyne incognita in piles of soil used at olive nurseries in southern Spain was studied in 1999 and 2000. Kaolin and soil infested with free eggs and egg masses of the nematode in nylon bags were buried 20 and 40 cm deep inside conical piles of soil 80 cm high and with a base diameter of 1 m. Soil piles were solarized for 3 weeks in July and August. The effect of various periods of solarization was assessed by egg hatch bioassays in sterile water, and by infectivity to tomato plants. Maximum soil temperature at 20 cm depth in solarized piles was 47·4°C in 1999 and 48·2°C in 2000, compared with 32·9°C and 31·7°C in nonsolarized piles. Solarization reduced egg hatch by > 95% compared with nonsolarized samples, irrespective of type, burial depth and location of inocula in a soil pile. Egg hatch of egg mass‐infested samples buried at 20 cm depth was higher than that of free eggs buried at the same depth. The differential effect associated with burial depth and type of inoculum was not found in solarized piles. In nonsolarized piles, hatch of free eggs from samples buried at 40 cm depth was higher than that from samples buried at 20 cm depth. Egg hatch in samples from solarized piles was lower than that from nonsolarized piles. A bioassay of tomato plants in 2000 confirmed the reduction in infectivity of free eggs buried in solarized soil piles. Under the conditions in southern Spain, solarization of 40 cm‐high piles of soil for 3 weeks can therefore be used for the control of root‐knot nematodes in potting soil for olive nursery production.
Population differentiation in the banana leaf spot pathogen Mycosphaerella musicola, examined at a global scale
Authors: Hayden H. L. , Carlier J. , Aitken E. A. B. 
Published: December 2003

Single‐copy restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers were used to determine the genetic structure of the global population of Mycosphaerella musicola, the cause of Sigatoka (yellow Sigatoka) disease of banana. The isolates of M. musicola examined were grouped into four geographic populations representing Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Australia and Indonesia. Moderate levels of genetic diversity were observed for most of the populations (H = 0·22–0·44). The greatest genetic diversity was found in the Indonesian population (H = 0·44). Genotypic diversity was close to 50% in all populations. Population differentiation tests showed that the geographic populations of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Australia and Indonesia were genetically different populations. Using FST tests, very high levels of genetic differentiation were detected between all the population pairs (FST > 0·40), with the exception of the Africa and Latin America‐Caribbean population pair. These two populations differed by only 3% (FST = 0·03), and were significantly different (P < 0·05) from all other population pairs. The high level of genetic diversity detected in Indonesia in comparison to the other populations provides some support for the theory that M. musicola originated in South‐east Asia and that M. musicola populations in other regions were founded by isolates from the South‐east Asian region. The results also suggest the migration of M. musicola between Africa and the Latin America‐Caribbean region.
Results and costs of intensive care in a tertiary university hospital from 1996–2000
Authors: Parviainen I. , Herranen A. , Holm A. , Uusaro A. , Ruokonen E. 
Published: December 2003

Background:  Costs of intensive care may be 20% of all hospital costs. Population aging likely increases the demand for intensive care services, while health care has financial limitations. Therefore data about outcome and costs of intensive care are needed. We studied changes in patient characteristics, outcome, intensity of care and costs of intensive care in a tertiary university hospital in Finland.Methods:  We analyzed retrospectively data of patients admitted to the ICU between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 2000 using the patient data management system. Postoperative and ICU patients were analyzed separately. Data included age, Apache II score, cause of intensive care admission, length and intensity of ICU care. ICU, hospital and 6‐month mortality were analyzed. Intensity of care was assessed by TISS points and the annual costs of intensive care were evaluated.Results:  The number of ICU admissions from 1996–2000 was 11,323. The proportions of ICU and postoperative patients were 39% and 61%, respectively. The mean age of the patients did not change. The mean Apache II score increased over time both in the ICU and postoperative patients. There was no change in crude hospital mortality. Total ICU costs decreased from 8,660,000€ (in 1997) to 7,480,000€ (in 2000). In the ICU patients, the costs of hospital survival decreased towards the end of the study period.Conclusions:  We treated more severely ill patients with unchanged outcome but at lower costs towards the end of the study period. Costs of intensive care are not necessarily increasing.
Tetrodotoxin‐induced conduction blockade is prolonged by hyaluronic acid with and without bupivacaine
Authors: Stevens M. F. , Hoppe M. , Holthusen H. , Lipfert P. 
Published: December 2003

Background:  In isolated nerves, tetrodotoxin (TTX) blocks nerve conduction longer than bupivacaine. In vivo, however, both substances block nerve conduction to an equal duration, presumably because the hydrophilic TTX binds only weakly to the perineural tissue. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) prolongs the action of local anaesthetics several‐fold. We tested whether admixture of HA enhances the binding of TTX to the perineural tissue and thus induces an ultralong conduction block after a single application.Methods:  In 12 anaesthetized rabbits, the minimal blocking concentrations of TTX, TTX and HA (TTX/HA) and bupivacaine with HA (bupivacaine/HA) were determined by blocking the natural spike activity of the aortic nerve. In 18 other animals, equipotent concentrations of either TTX, TTX/HA or TTX/bupivacaine/HA were applied topically to the aortic nerve. After disappearance of the spike activity, the wound was closed to simulate the clinical situation of a single shot nerve block. The time until recovery of spike activity was determined. The nerves were examined for signs of neurotoxicity 24 h after the application of the drugs. Data are presented as means ± SD and compared by ANOVA and Student's t‐test for unpaired data.Results:  The conduction block by TTX/bupivacaine/HA (10.1 ± 1.9 h) or TTX/HA (9.3 ± 1.0 h) was significantly longer than that of plain TTX (7.9 ± 1.0 h). Neurotoxicity was not observed.Conclusions:  Both HA and HA/bupivacaine prolong the TTX‐induced conduction blockade of the aortic nerve of rabbits in vivo. No signs of neurotoxicity were observed.
Cyclic GMP protein kinase activity is reduced in thyroxine‐induced hypertrophic cardiac myocytes
Authors: Yan Lin , Zhang Qihang , Scholz Peter M , Weiss Harvey R 
Published: December 2003

Summary1. We tested the hypothesis that the cGMP‐dependent protein kinase has major negative functional effects in cardiac myocytes and that the importance of this pathway is reduced in thyroxine (T4; 0.5 mg/kg per day for 16 days) hypertrophic myocytes.2. Using isolated ventricular myocytes from control (n = 7) and T4‐treated (n = 9) rabbit hypertrophic hearts, myocyte shortening was studied with a video edge detector. Oxygen consumption was measured using O2 electrodes. Protein phosphorylation was measured autoradiographically.3. Data were collected following treatment with: (i) 8‐(4‐chlorophenylthio)guanosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate (PCPT; 10−7 or 10−5 mol/L); (ii) 8‐bromo‐cAMP (10−5 mol/L) followed by PCPT; (iii) β‐phenyl‐1,N2‐etheno‐8‐bromoguanosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphorothioate, SP‐isomer (SP; 10−7 or 10−5 mol/L); or (iv) 8‐bromo‐cAMP (10−5 mol/L) followed by SP.4. There were no significant differences between groups in baseline percentage shortening (Pcs; 4.9 ± 0.2 vs 5.6 ± 0.4% for control and T4 groups, respectively) and maximal rate of shortening (Rs; 64.8 ± 5.9 vs 79.9 ± 7.1 µm/ s for control and T4 groups, respectively). Both SP and PCPT decreased Pcs (−43 vs−21% for control and T4 groups, respectively) and Rs (−36 vs−22% for control and T4 groups, respectively), but the effect was significantly reduced in T4 myocytes. 8‐Bromo‐cAMP similarly increased Pcs (28 vs 23% for control and T4 groups, respectively) and Rs (20 vs 19% for control and T4 groups, respectively). After 8‐bromo‐cAMP, SP and PCPT decreased Pcs (−34%) and Rs (−29%) less in the control group. However, the effects of these drugs were not altered in T4 myocytes (Pcs −24%; Rs −22%). Both PCPT and cAMP phosphorylated the same five protein bands. In T4 myocytes, these five bands were enhanced less.5. We conclude that, in control ventricular myocytes, the cGMP‐dependent protein kinase exerted major negative functional effects but, in T4‐induced hypertrophic myocytes, the importance of this pathway was reduced and the interaction between cAMP and the cGMP protein kinase was diminished.
Hepatic hydropericardium
Authors: CHEUNG TING KIN , TAM WILLIAM , BARTHOLOMEUSZ DYLAN , HARLEY HUGH , JOHNSON RICHARD 
Published: December 2003

AbstractA 41‐year‐old man with chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis presented with pericardial effusion and tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis. Nine liters of pericardial fluid was drained with complete resolution of his ascites. He represented with recurrent pericardial effusions despite salt restriction and diuretic therapy. Subsequent radionuclide scans demonstrated a direct connection between the peritoneal and pericardial spaces. A pericardial window was formed but despite this there was recurrence of pericardial effusion and pleural effusion. The patient underwent orthotopic liver transplantation 7 months later and no recurrence of pleural or pericardial effusion was observed following transplantation. We believe this is the first case report of pericardial effusion secondary to cirrhotic ascites and a communication between the peritoneal and pericardial cavities.
Evaluation of the hepatic reduction of a nitroxide radical in rats receiving ascorbic acid, glutathione or ascorbic acid oxidase by in vivo electron spin resonance study
Authors: TADA MIKA , YOKOYAMA HIDEKATSU , ITO OSAMU , OHYA HIROAKI , OGATA TATEAKI 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground:  A nitroxide radical, 4‐hydroxyl‐2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (TEMPOL), is directly reduced to hydroxylamine by ascorbic acid (AsA). Ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) by ascorbic acid oxidase (AAOx), and DHA is reduced to AsA by glutathione (GSH). In the present study, in vivo and ex vivo reduction of  TEMPOL in the rat liver under various conditions of AsA supply was investigated using an electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometer equipped with a surface coil‐type resonator.Methods:  To investigate in vivo hepatic reduction of  TEMPOL, an ESR study of the liver of living rats which orally received AsA or intravenously received GSH or AAOx was made. To investigate direct interactions between TEMPOL and GSH or AAOx, an in vitro ESR study was conducted. To investigate TEMPOL reduction in the hepatic homogenate, an ex vivo ESR study was performed.Results:  Ascorbic acid and GSH administration increased the in vivo hepatic reducing ability of TEMPOL. In contrast, AAOx administration decreased the reducing ability. In vitro TEMPOL was not reduced by GSH and hydroxylamine was not oxidized by AAOx. Reducing ability in the hepatic homogenate of AAOx‐treated rats decreased, but that for GSH‐treated rats was unchanged.Conclusion:  Ascorbic acid administration directly increases hepatic reducing ability. Ascorbic acid, which increased in the plasma due to GSH administration, entered the liver and enhanced the hepatic reducing ability. Administration of AAOx impaired the hepatic reducing ability by oxidizing AsA in the plasma and/or the liver.
Systemic, portal and renal effects of terlipressin in patients with cirrhotic ascites: Pilot study
Authors: THERAPONDOS GEORGE , STANLEY ADRIAN J , HAYES PETER C 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Terlipressin is a vasopressin analog that may improve renal function in hepatorenal syndrome by mechanisms as yet unknown. The authors investigated the effect of the drug on systemic, hepatic and renal hemodynamics in cirrhosis.Methods:  Six patients with cirrhosis and ascites were studied (five Child's B and one Child's C). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG), reverse thermodilution unilateral real‐time renal blood flow (RBF), urinary flow, and sodium concentrations were measured before and 1 h after an intravenous bolus of 2 mg of terlipressin.Results:  Following terlipressin administration, HR fell significantly (84.2 ± 6 to 70.8 ± 4.9, P = 0.013), MAP increased (72.7 ± 3.6 to 87 ± 5.3 mmHg, P = 0.027), CO fell (7.4 ± 0.8 to 6.4 ± 0.8 L/min, P = 0.02) and SVR increased (1368.5 ± 236 to 2079.7 ± 458, P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in HVPG (12.3 ± 1.6 to 14 ± 0.9 mmHg, P‐value not significant [NS]), RBF (255 ± 0.02 compared with 249 ± 0.02 mL/min, P‐value NS), urinary volume (49.1 ± 8.9 compared with 49.6 ± 16.7 mL/ h, P‐value NS) and urinary sodium excretion (4 ± 1.1 compared with 5.9 ± 3.5 mmol/ h).Conclusion:  In the present small study, the authors were able to demonstrate that a bolus injection of terlipressin produced an increase in MAP and SVR, along with a reduction in cardiac output without a reduction in renal blood flow. Further studies are necessary to define the effects of terlipressin on renal hemodynamics and sodium excretion.
Age as a predictor of hyperphosphatemia after oral phosphosoda administration for colon preparation
Authors: GUMURDULU Y , SERIN E , OZER B , GOKCEL A , BOYACIOGLU S 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim:  It has been reported that oral phosphosoda (OPS), commonly used in bowel cleansing, may cause complications such as hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. This has been observed in patients with normal kidney function and in those with renal insufficiency. Few controlled studies have been performed with respect to age on healthy subjects after OPS administration.Methods:  Seventy patients (38 men and 32 women; mean age 47 ± 12 years, range 25–80 years) were enrolled in the present study. Half of the 90 mL total volume of OPS was ingested 18 h before colonoscopy, and the other half 6 h before the procedure. Creatinine clearance rate (CCR) and serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate were measured before and after OPS administration.Results:  After OPS administration, serum calcium and potassium were significantly lower (P < 0.05), and serum phosphate and sodium were significantly higher than pretreatment levels (P ≤ 0.01). The statistically significant changes in serum sodium, potassium and calcium were within normal laboratory ranges. The mean change in serum phosphate was positively correlated with age (Pearson's r = 0.705; p < 0.001).Conclusion:  Administration of OPS causes a significant rise in serum phosphate, even in patients with normal CCR. The elevation is significantly greater in elderly patients. Administration of OPS can be considered safe for young and middle‐aged patients with normal renal function; however, it should be used with caution in elderly patients, even in those with normal CCR and serum creatinine values.