bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psychiatric Symptoms and Psychological Profile of Patients with Near Fatal Asthma:Absence of Positive Findings
Authors: Rocco Pier Luigi , Barboni Enrico , Balestrieri Matteo 
Published: April 2003

<b>Background:</b> We examined the presence of psychiatric symptoms and personality characteristics in patients with asthma and near fatal asthma (NFA). An NFA attack is defined by the presence of one or more of the following symptoms: respiratory arrest, alteration in consciousness, need for mechanical ventilation, Pa CO<sub>2</sub> > 50 mm Hg. <b>Methods:</b> To assess the relevance of a specific psychiatric profile or the difference in personality characteristics existing in patients that survived an NFA attack and asthmatic patients. The authors interviewed a sample of 17 asthmatic patients who experienced one or more NFA attacks. A control group of 17 control patients with asthma who never experienced NFA attacks was enrolled. After a baseline assessment, the patients underwent an interview concerning their personal and familiar psychiatric history and a psychodiagnostic investigation using Hamilton scales for anxiety and depression, Zung scales for anxiety and depression, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. The study was performed in a 6-month period. <b>Results:</b> No significant differences in the results of psychodiagnostic tests between NFA patients and the control group were reported. Psychiatric history was similar in the two groups. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results suggest that psychiatric symptoms and personality characteristics are not related to the presence of asthma with or without NFA.
Reducing Relapse in Depressed Outpatients with Atypical Features: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jarrett Robin B. , Kraft Dolores , Schaffer Martin , Witt-Browder Amy , Risser Richard , Atkins Deborah H. , Doyle Jeanette 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and atypical features have reactive mood plus at least two sympoms: hypersomnia, hyperphagia, leaden paralysis or a lifetime sensitivity to rejection. These patients respond to cognitive therapy (CT) or phenelzine (PHZ) significantly more than pill placebo (PBO). The purpose of this report is to motivate research on tolerable continuation phase treatment designed to reduce the significant risk of relapse and recurrence which depressed patients with atypical features face. <i>Methods:</i> Outpatients with DSM-III-R MDD and atypical features who responded to acute-phase CT, clinical management plus PHZ or PBO (n = 31) were randomized to continue or discontinue treatment for 8 months and participate in 16 months or treatment-free follow-up. <i>Results:</i> A log-rank test showed that the relapse and recurrence-free survival over the 24 months after the acute phase was significantly greater for the responders who continued treatment than for those who discontinued treatment. Kaplan-Meier estimates of relapse and recurrence were significantly higher for patients whose treatment was discontinued than for those whose treatment continued (83 vs 49% based on unblinded ratings of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for MDD or of self/other referral for treatment of depressive symptoms). <i>Conclusions:</i> We note several important limitations of the design and analysis of these pilot data. We hypothesize that not only pharmacotherapy, but also CT used as a continuation phase threatment may reduce relapse in this population. This hypothesis warrants rigorous evaluation in samples of outpatients with MDD and atypical features that are large enough to allow comparative tests.
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Anchored Proteins in Human and Pig’s Milk
Authors: Kunz Clemens , Rudloff Silvia , Gundlach Kai , Schuler Frank , Egge Heinz 
Published: April 2003

Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) are a recently discovered class of glycoconjugates that anchor either proteins, polysaccharides or small oligosaccharides to cellular membranes via a covalent linkage. To investigate the presence of soluble GPIs, individual human milk samples and mature pig’s milk were defatted and casein removed by acid precipitation and ultracentrifugation. Soluble proteins were subjected to FPLC gel filtration (Superdex 200) and high molecular weight proteins were separated into fractions I–V. Immunological studies have been performed using Western blotting of whole milk, casein and whey fractions, and Superdex fractions I–V followed by incubation with a monoclonal antibody against the purified GPI anchor of the variant surface glycoprotein from <i>Trypanosoma brucei brucei</i>. We found that significant amounts of GPI-anchored proteins are secreted into human milk and pig’s milk. The antibody which reacted only with components in the whey fractions bound to 5 different human milk proteins with a molecular weight of ≥200 (at least 3 components), 90 and 80 kD. In pig’s milk, the staining pattern was found to be different from human milk. Similar to other GPI-anchored cell structures the functions of GPI-containing proteins in human milk and pig’s milk as well as the specific components carrying these anchors remain to be investigated.
Galacto-Oligosaccharides Relieve Constipation in Elderly People
Authors: Teuri Ulla , Korpela Riitta 
Published: April 2003

The aim of the study was to investigate whether galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) relieve constipation in elderly people. The final study population consisted of 14 female subjects, mean age 79.6 (69–87) years, who suffered from constipation. The study was a double-blind two-period cross-over study. Both study periods lasted 2 weeks. The subjects ingested either 2 control yoghurts or 2 GOS-containing yoghurts daily. The yoghurts were otherwise similar, but the daily dose of GOS (Elix’or, BWP, Holland) from the GOS yoghurt was 9 g. The regular use of laxatives was stopped during the study periods and laxatives were used only when necessary. All the subjects reported the function of their intestines daily in a questionnaire. The defecation frequency per week (mean, range) was higher during the GOS period (7.1, 3–15) than during the control period (5.9, 1–14). GOS had no statistically significant effect on the use of laxatives, the consistency of feces or the ease of defecation, although GOS seemed to make defecation easier (p = 0.07). The adverse gastrointestinal symptoms were similar during both the control and the GOS periods. GOS seem to relieve constipation in most elderly people but the responses differ individually.
Replacing Saturated Fat with PUFA-Rich (Sunflower Oil) or MUFA-Rich (Rapeseed, Olive and High-Oleic Sunflower Oil) Fats Resulted in Comparable Hypocholesterolemic Effects in Cholesterol-Fed Hamsters
Authors: Trautwein Elke A. , Rieckhoff Dörte , Kunath-Rau Angelika , Erbersdobler Helmut F. 
Published: April 2003

Recent studies have suggested that monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich dietary fats do not have the same plasma cholesterol-lowering effects whereby rapeseed oil was more effective than olive oil. This phenomenon could be explicable by the content of other fatty acids or plant sterols. To further evaluate the effects of different MUFA-rich oils (18:1-rich sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, olive oil) in comparison to polyunsaturated (PUFA)-rich oils (18:2-rich sunflower oil) and saturated fat (palm stearin) on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, male Syrian golden hamsters were fed semipurified diets containing 5% fat and 0.2% cholesterol for 5 weeks. To test whether oil refining would have an impact on the cholesterol-lowering potential, unrefined and refined varieties of rapeseed and olive oil were included. After 5 weeks, plasma total cholesterol (TC) was highest with palm stearin (10.0 ± 2.6 mmol/l) while the MUFA- or PUFA-rich fats significantly lowered TC. The lowest TC concentrations were found with refined rapeseed, cold pressed rapeseed and 18:2-rich sunflower oil (6.7 ± 1.2; 7.1 ± 0.7 and 7.1 ± 0.7 mmol/l, respectively), whereas TC was 10–15% higher (not significant) with 18:1-rich sunflower, virgin and refined olive oil. Liver cholesterol concentrations were lowest in hamsters fed palm stearin or 18:2-rich sunflower oil while MUFA-rich fats increased hepatic cholesteryl ester accumulation, especially of cholesteryl oleate. There were no significant differences in the fecal neutral sterol and bile acid excretion. These data demonstrate that MUFA-rich dietary fats, e.g. rapeseed, olive and 18:1-rich sunflower oil, are comparable in their hypocholesterolemic potential and cause similar effects on plasma cholesterol as 18:2-rich sunflower oil in hamsters when the dietary cholesterol intake is moderate.
Dietary Habits and Cardiovascular Risk in the Spanish Population: The DRECE Study (II) Micronutrient Intake
Authors: Ballesteros-Pomar M.D. , Rubio-Herrera M.A. , Gutiérrez-Fuentes J.A. , Gómez-Gerique J.A. , Gómez-de-la-Cámara A. , Pascual O. , Gárate I. , Montero R. , Campiña S. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective: </i>To evaluate the dietary micronutrient intake in the adult Spanish population participating in the DRECE study. <i>Methods:</i> The cross-sectional study was performed in two stages in 1991 and 1996 in 43 primary care clinics. One thousand two hundred people ‘with cardiovascular risk’ and 600 ‘without risk’ answered a food frequency questionnaire. <i>Results:</i> Significant increases in vitamin C, retinol, lycopenes, β-cryptoxanthin and vitamin E intakes were found. Vitamin A, α-carotenoid and lutein intakes decreased. Vitamin B<sub>12</sub>, B<sub>6</sub> and folic acid intakes increased in people with cardiovascular risk, whereas only the last two increased in the control group. Nearly 100% of the people consumed the recommended dietary allowances for vitamins B<sub>12</sub> and B<sub>6</sub> and >70% for folic acid. Calcium, iron, and zinc intake increased in both groups, but magnesium and selenium intake increased only in people at risk. Vitamin A, B<sub>1</sub> and zinc intakes have decreased, and >50% of the people do not consume the recommended dietary allowance. <i>Conclusion:</i> Antioxidant vitamins and vitamin B<sub>12</sub>, B<sub>6</sub> and folic acid intakes seem to be adequate in the adult Spanish population, no significant differences appear regarding their cardiovascular risk status. Vitamin A, B<sub>1</sub> and zinc intakes are not appropriate.
Parathyroidectomy Does Not Correct Hypertension in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Ifudu Onyekachi , Matthew Jocelyn J. , Macey Leila J. , Hong Joon S. , Sumrani Nabil , Sommer Bruce G. , Friedman Eli A. 
Published: April 2003

Both hypertension and secondary hyperparathyroidism (2° HPT) are common features of the uremic syndrome. It has been suggested that 2° HPT causes hypertension in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We compared predialysis blood pressure (BP), weight and dose of antihypertensive medications (AHM) prescribed in 19 hemodialysis patients 1 month before total parathyroidectomy (PTx), during the first month after PTx, and long-term (mean 16 months) in 12 of 19 patients.At the time of PTx, study patients had a mean age of 47 ± 9 years, mean duration of ESRD was 112 ± 57 months, and mean intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level of 1,181 ± 552 pg/ml. Mean BP and predialysis weight were equivalent during the month before and the month after PTx.Of 12 patients followed long term, 8 (67%) were receiving AHM before PTx; after PTx; 3 (36%) of 8 discontinued AHM within 1 year, 2 (25%) of 8 required more AHM, while 2 (25%) of 8 continued on their original AHM, and 1 patient who was not on AHM prior to PTx required initiation of AHM after PTx.There was a clinically significant increase in predialysis weight at 1 year after PTx (median 13 lb) and over time (r = 0.7; slope = 0.5; p = 0.07). However, there was neither a clinically nor statistically significant change in either systolic (r = –0.18; slope = –0.01; p = 0.61) or diastolic (r = –0.6; slope = –0.24; p = 0.12) BP over time. We conclude that PTx fails to correct hypertension in hemodialysis patients with 2° HPT.
A Simple Assessment of Peritoneal Transport in Stable Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Lai Kar Neng , Szeto Cheuk Chun , Ho Kelvin K.L. , Yu Alex W.Y. , Mak Tony W. , Lam Christopher W.K. 
Published: April 2003

We studied the peritoneal transport properties in 175 stable continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients seeking a simple and handy assessment of peritoneal permeability to small solutes. Measurement of creatinine in biological fluid was known to suffer from interference by high glucose concentration in the sample. Furthermore, the interference is also affected by the creatinine concentration of the specimen. Peritoneal transport properties were studied by determining the dialysate to plasma ratio of creatinine concentration (D/P) at the fourth hour of the peritoneal equilibration test, and the mass transfer area coefficient of creatinine (MTACCr) or glucose (MTACGlu). The ratio of glucose concentration in peritoneal dialysate effluent (PDE) at 4 and 0 h (G4/G0) was examined and compared with various peritoneal parameters. There were significant logarithmic correlations between D/P or G4/G0 with MTACCr (r = 0.96 and 0.79, respectively, p < 0.0001). The correlation between G4/G0 and D/P was linear (r = –0.82, p < 0.0001). A fairly good agreement was present between G4/G0 and D/P by Bland and Altman’s method. The bias was –0.93% with 95% confidence interval –23.29% to 21.43% of the measured value. Systematic error was found when D/P or G4/G0 were compared with MTACCr. D/P under estimated MTACCr in the high range. The reverse happened for G4/G0. Net ultrafiltration (NUF) also correlated with MTACCr, D/P and G4/G0 (r = –0.32, p < 0.001; –0.26, p < 0.01; and 0.16, p < 0.05, respectively.In conclusion, the use of G4/G0 as a measure of peritoneal transport in CAPD is an acceptable alternative to D/P. It is highly reproducible and avoids correction of interference when creatinine transport parameters are measured. Because of the logarithmic relations of G4/G0 (or D/P) with MTACCr, the former should not be directly converted to MTACCr. Such a simple measure of peritoneal permeability is, however, most convenient for serial monitoring and can be useful to detect early loss of ultrafiltration or solute clearance.
Pseudo-Normal Osmolal and Anion Gaps following Simultaneous Ethanol and Methanol Ingestion
Authors: Haviv Yosef S. , Rubinger Dvora , Zamir Ehud , Safadi Rifaat 
Published: April 2003

Methanol, ethylene glycol, and isopropyl alcohol are associated with acute intoxication. The diagnosis is dependent upon high anion-gap metabolic acidosis, and an osmolal gap between the calculated and the measured osmolality. Normal anion gap has been reported in some cases of concomitant methanol and ethanol ingestion, where the high serum levels of ethanol inhibited the metabolism of methanol by alcohol dehydrogenase. The osmolal gap in these cases was higher than expected for methanol, and served as a constant marker for a metabolic derangement. Herewith, we present a patient who presented with normal osmolal and anion gaps 36 h after ethanol and methanol ingestion, yet progressively developing ocular toxicity. Normal anion and osmolal gaps should not rule out earlier methanol poisoning.
A New Treatment forInterdialytic Hyperkalemia – The Use of Fosinopril Sodium
Authors: Mousa Dujanah , Rassoul Zalmai , Popovich William , Hassan Abdalla , Margate Veronica , Hawas Fahad , Suleiman Mohammed , Al Khader Abdulla 
Published: April 2003

Fosinopril sodium is the first of the phosphinic acid class of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). It is used as an antihypertensive agent, but differs from other ACEI in its dual routes of excretion (liver and kidney), and less incidence of hyperkalemia and cough. We conducted a study in known chronic hemodialysis patients who developed interdialytic hyperkalemia in spite of other treatments to control hyperkalemia. We used fosinopril in this group of patients to assess the effect of fosinopril on serum potassium (K) levels. Twenty-four patients were given fosinopril 10 mg at 18:00 h daily for 8 weeks. K levels were measured before and after each dialysis treatment. Interdialytic weight gains were recorded. The average pretrial potassium level was 6.57 mmol/l (± 0.47), and the posttrial level was 5.34 (± 0.76); p ≤ 0.0001. No statistically significant interdialytic weight gain or reduction occurred. No first dose hypertensive effect or cough were reported. We have found the use of fosinopril to be successful in lowering predialysis serum K levels in hyperkalemic dialysis patients.
Protein Intake Seems to Respond to Increases in Kt/V despite Baseline Kt/V Greater than 1.2
Authors: Marcus Roy G. , Cohl Edith , Uribarri Jaime 
Published: April 2003

The nutritional status is a strong predictor of outcome in hemodialysis patients. Adequate delivery of dialysis is necessary for hemodialysis patients to maintain their protein nutrition. In general, a single-pool Kt/V of 1.2 has been considered adequate dialysis. We recently decided to maximize the blood flow during hemodialysis in all of our patients; this enabled us to increase the dose of delivered dialysis in those patients who were not initially utilizing their maximum blood flow. There were 18 patients who already received a Kt/V greater than 1.2. We were able to increase Kt/V even further in 10 of them, resulting in a significant increase in nPCR and a trend to increase serum albumin over the next 6 months of follow-up. The mean normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) and serum albumin remained unchanged in the remaining 8 patients whose Kt/V could not be increased. Our data provide evidence that protein intake in hemodialysis patients will increase with an increase in delivered dialysis above the level generally considered to be adequate.
Treatment with a Ca<sup>2+</sup> Channel Blocker, Barnidipine, Reduces Platelet-Derived Growth Factor B-Chain mRNA in Glomeruli of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Hashimoto Masami , Yamauchi Takayoshi , Ogura Toshio , Oishi Tetsuya , Mimura Yukari , Otsuka Fumio , Kashihara Naoki , Makino Hirofumi 
Published: April 2003

We investigated the effect of barnidipine hydrochloride, a Ca<sup>2+</sup> channel blocker, on the glomerular level of mRNA expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B-chain and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β<sub>1</sub> in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction. Thirteen-week-old SHR were provided with food containing barnidipine (0.6 mg/g of food, average dose during treatment: 53 mg/kg of body mass/day) for 3 weeks. A stable reduction in systolic blood pressure relative to that of age-matched control SHR was recorded after week 1 of therapy. Although no renal histological changes were observed after 3 weeks of treatment with barnidipine, the level of expression of PDGF B-chain mRNA in glomeruli was significantly reduced relative to that in control SHR. The glomerular level of TGF-β<sub>1</sub> mRNA expression was not affected by the treatment. Treatment with barnidipine significantly reduced the excretion of urinary protein. Thus, the stable reduction in systemic blood pressure by barnidipine is associated with a reduction in PDGF B-chain mRNA expression in the glomerulus and reduction in urinary protein excretion in SHR.
Use of Cefazolin for Peritonitis Treatment in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Agraharkar Mahendra , Klevjer-Anderson Paula , Rubinstien Eytan , Galen Malcolm 
Published: April 2003

For over two decades, intraperitoneal administration of vancomycin and an aminoglycoside has been an accepted regimen for the empiric treatment of peritonitis in the peritoneal dialysis patient, until definite identification of the organism has been made. The recent emergence of vancomycin-resistant organisms has been of great concern in many centers. The current treatment recommendation therefore is to use cefazolin in place of vancomycin. We analyzed peritonitis data from January 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997, prior to switching over to cefazolin. Seventy-five percent (27 episodes) in 1997 as compared to 78% in 1996 were due to gram-positive organisms. Twenty-two percent (8 episodes) were due to gram- negative organisms in 1997, 21% in 1996, and 3% (1 episode) due to yeast in 1997, 3% in 1996. <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> (SE) caused 33% of the gram-positive peritonitis episodes in 1997 as compared to 37% in 1996. Twenty-two percent of the gram-positive episodes were due to <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (SA) in 1997 and 46% in 1996. Enterococcal infections were 26% in 1997 and 1% in 1996. All of these were confined to only 1 patient. The antibiogram revealed 100% sensitivity of both SA and SE to vancomycin and 100% sensitivity of SA to cefazolin, but only 11% sensitivity of SE to cefazolin. The same patient population had a 48% sensitivity of SE to cefazolin in 1996, showing a sudden and substantial increase in resistance to SE. Even though SE is thought to be a less virulent organism, treating patients with a high probability of being infected by SE with an antibiotic showing 89% resistance is not warranted.
Developmental Change in Na,K-ATPase α1 and β1 Expression in Normal and Hypothyroid Rat Renal Cortex
Authors: Nakhoul Farid , Thompson Curtis B. , McDonough Alicia A. 
Published: April 2003

Renal Na,K-ATPase drives active reabsorption of sodium and cotransported solutes along the nephron. There is a large increase in net Na<sup>+</sup> reabsorption in the postnatal rat kidney. It has previously been established that the postnatal increase in expression of sodium pump isoforms in the brain, but not the heart, is blunted in the hypothyroid neonate. The aims of this study were to establish whether the developmental increase in renal sodium transport is associated with coordinate increases in the abundance of the sodium pump α<sub>1</sub> catalytic and β<sub>1</sub> glycoprotein subunits and Na,K-ATPase activity, and to determine whether thyroid status influences the postnatal increase in renal Na,K-ATPase expression. Pregnant rats were made hypothyroid with low iodine diet, propylthiouracil and perchlorate. Offspring were hypothyroid assessed by triiodothyronine/thyroxine RIA. Renal cortical membranes were prepared from euthyroid and hypothyroid rats from 6 to 24 days of age. There was no change in Na,K-ATPase activity or expression between 6 and 15 days. Between 15 and 24 days, Na,K-ATPase activity increased 1.35-fold while sodium pump α<sub>1</sub> and β<sub>1</sub> subunit abundance increased coordinately to 1.7- and 2-fold over the previous period, respectively. In hypothyroid neonates, kidney weight was less than in euthyroids, and Na,K-ATPase activity, α<sub>1</sub> and β<sub>1</sub> subunit pool sizes did not significantly increase as a function of age between 6 and 24 days. We conclude that the postnatal increase in sodium pump activity can be accounted for by coordinate increases in the pool sizes of α<sub>1</sub> and β<sub>1</sub> subunits and that, like in brain, this increased Na,K-ATPase expression is dependent on normal thyroid status.