bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Latex Sensitization by Dermal Exposure Can Lead to Airway Hyperreactivity
Authors: Howell Michael D. , Weissman David N. , Meade B. Jean 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Using non-powdered, low-protein natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves has been shown to reduce the elicitation of respiratory symptoms in latex-allergic individuals; however, the role of dermal exposure in the induction of sensitization is not completely understood. <i>Objective:</i> These studies were conducted to (1) determine levels of NRL protein in gloves currently in use and (2) evaluate, using a murine model, the potential for dermal exposure to induce NRL sensitization and subsequent airway hyperreactivity upon respiratory challenge. <i>Methods:</i> Total extractable protein and NRL allergen levels were evaluated from 38 glove samples using the Lowry and CAP inhibition assays, respectively. BALB/c mice were dermally exposed to non-ammoniated latex (NAL, 6.25–25 µg) 5 days/week for 13 weeks and monitored weekly/biweekly for IgE levels. Airway hyperreactivity was determined following respiratory challenge with methacholine (MCH) or NAL proteins on days 60 and 93, respectively. <i>Results:</i> Glove total protein and NRL allergen levels ranged from below the limit of detection to 946 µg/g and from 0.002 to 112 µg/g, respectively. Mice demonstrated dose-dependent increases in total serum IgE levels by day 58 with increased airway hyperreactivity observed upon respiratory challenge with MCH (day 60) or NAL proteins (day 93). <i>Conclusions:</i> These studies investigated the continued use of gloves with high levels of total extractable protein and NRL allergen. The potential for dermal exposure to induce NRL-specific IgE and airway hyperreactivity upon respiratory challenge suggests there should be continued concern regarding the induction of sensitization in individuals using non-powdered latex gloves.
Hypogammaglobulinemia in Steroid-Dependent Asthmatics Correlates with the Daily Dose of Oral Prednisolone
Authors: Kawano Tetsuya , Matsuse Hiroto , Obase Yasushi , Kondo Yuki , Machida Ikuko , Tomari Shinya , Mitsuta Kazuko , Fukushima Chizu , Shimoda Terufumi , Kohno Shigeru 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Steroid-induced adverse effects including suppression of humoral immunity should be considered in steroid-dependent severe asthma. Only a few studies have determined the exact steroid dose that could potentially suppress humoral immunity in asthmatics. <i>Methods:</i> Randomly selected 100 adult asthmatics treated with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) were classified into three groups based on the dose of steroid to determine the serum IgG, IgA and IgM levels by radioimmunoassay. Relationships between serum immunoglobulin levels and the daily dose and duration of oral prednisolone (PSL) therapy were examined. <i>Results:</i> None of the patients on inhaled corticosteroid alone had hypogammaglobulinemia. Patients on oral PSL at a dose >12.5 mg/day for at least 1 year had low serum IgG. There was no significant correlation between the duration of oral PSL therapy and serum IgG. <i>Conclusions:</i> Oral PSL can potentially suppress humoral immunity in severe asthma. In asthmatics, hypogammaglobulinemia could develop in those on a daily dose of PSL >12.5 mg, but is independent of the duration of such treatment. No suppression of humoral immunity was noted on inhaled corticosteroid therapy alone, either at low or high dose.
Glutathione Treatment Protects the Rat Liver against Injury after Warm Ischemia and Kupffer Cell Activation
Authors: Bilzer Manfred , Baron Andreas , Schauer Rolf , Steib Christian , Ebensberger Stefan , Gerbes Alexander L. 
Published: April 2003

Background/Aim: The generation of reactive oxygen species by activated Kupffer cells (KC) may contribute to reperfusion injury of the liver during liver transplantation or resection. The aim of our present studies was to investigate (1) prevention of hepatic reperfusion injury after warm ischemia by administration of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) and (2) whether GSH confers protection through influences on KC toxicity. Methods: Isolated perfused rat livers were subjected to 1 h of warm ischemia followed by 90 min of reperfusion without (n = 5) or with GSH or catalase (n = 4–5 each). Selective KC activation by zymosan (150 µg/ml) in continuously perfused rat livers was used to investigate KC-related liver injury. Results: Postischemic infusion of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mM GSH, but not 0.05 mM GSH prevented reperfusion injury after warm ischemia as indicated by a marked reduction of sinusoidal LDH efflux by up to 83 ± 13% (mean ± SD; p < 0.05) and a concomitant significant improvement of postischemic bile flow by 58 ± 27% (p < 0.05). A similar protection was conveyed by KC blockade with gadolinium chloride indicating prevention of KC-related reperfusion injury by postischemic GSH treatment. Postischemic treatment with catalase (150 U/ml) resulted in a reduction of LDH efflux by 40 ± 9% (p < 0.05). Accordingly, catalase as well as GSH (0.1–2.0 mM) nearly completely prevented the increase in LDH efflux following selective KC activation by zymosan in continously perfused rat livers. Conclusion: Postischemic administration of GSH protects the liver against reperfusion injury after warm ischemia. Detoxification of KC-derived hydrogen peroxide seem to be an important feature of the protective mechanisms.
Knowledge of Stimulus Repetition Affects the Magnitude and Spatial Distribution of Low-Frequency Event-Related Brain Potentials
Authors: Clementz Brett A. , Barber Stefanie K. , Dzau Jacqueline R. 
Published: April 2003

Rate effects are defined as a reduction in amplitude of an evoked brain response with increasing stimulus frequency. In auditory paired-stimulus paradigms, a smaller amplitude evoked response to the second stimulus at a latency of 50 ms has been proposed to index a preattentive sensory gating mechanism. The present study investigated the possibility that expectancy and/or attentional biases could alter evoked potentials associated with rate effects. EEG data were recorded from 30 channels while subjects received 240 trials of 1, 2 or 3 click stimuli (with successive stimuli being separated by 500-ms intervals). Half of the subjects knew (blocked condition) and half of the subjects did not know (mixed condition) how many stimuli they would receive on a given trial. Subjects in the blocked condition had a significantly larger rate effect than subjects in the mixed condition. This effect was present only for low-frequency components of the event-related brain potential (ERP; below 10 Hz) and occurred from 30 to 60, 90 to 160 and 190 to 260 ms after stimulus presentation (P<sub>1</sub>-N<sub>1</sub>-P<sub>2</sub> complex). Mixed condition subjects also had larger contributions to their ERPs from temporal channels. These results suggest that the rate effect can be significantly altered by expectancy, and they are inconsistent with the thesis that ERPs near 50 ms in a paired-stimulus paradigm solely index a preattentive sensory gating mechanism.
Bladder Pheochromocytoma: A 3-Year Follow-Up afterTransurethral Resec tion (TURB)
Authors: Baima C. , Casetta G. , Vella R. , Tizzani A. 
Published: April 2003

We report a case of a 75-year-old female with pheochromocytoma of the bladder. Clinical evaluation included ultrasonography, intravenous pyelography, CT scan, I-MIBG scintiscan. A transurethral resection was performed for a exophytic tumor of 2 cm diameter. The histological result indicated the diagnosis of bladder pheochromocytoma. Three years later the patient remains disease free. Preoperative diagnosis is established by determination of blood and urine levels of catecholamines and their metabolites is a nonspecific diagnostic tool. The sensitivity of CT scan is 82%. Iodine-methyliodobenzylguanidine (I-MIBG), used by scintiscanning, specifically accumulates in pheochromocytomas. Life-long follow-up is necessary to diagnose late recurrences.
Autonomic Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis: Correlation with Disease-Related Parameters
Authors: Gunal Dilek Ince , Afsar Nazire , Tanridag Tulin , Aktan Sevinc 
Published: April 2003

Cardiovascular autonomic functions were investigated in a prospective, controlled study of 22 consecutive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 22 healthy subjects using 5 simple noninvasive tests and sympathetic skin response testing. Tests included the heart rate response to deep breathing, valsalva maneuver and standing, blood pressure response to standing and sustained hand grip, and were graded according to the Ewing and Clark classification as early, definite or severe impairment. The relationship between autonomic dysfunction and disease-related parameters such as the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and disease duration was studied. Ninety percent of the patients had symptoms related with autonomic dysfunction, and 45.5 % had abnormal results in cardiovascular autonomic function testing with 4 patients also having abnormal sympathetic skin responses. Statistical analysis indicated that patients with a long disease duration rather than high EDSS carried a risk of autonomic involvement in MS. Both parasympathetic and sympathetic functions were impaired and this could have been easily overlooked by a standard EDSS follow-up. In this regard, autonomic function testing seems necessary in order to detect subclinical changes in MS patients and should be considered in outcome measures.
Mitochondrial DNA A4336G Mutation in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases
Authors: García-Lozano José Raúl , Mir Pablo , Alberca Román , Aguilera Isabel , Gil Néciga Eulogio , Fernández-López Olga , Cayuela Aurelio , Núñez-Roldan Antonio 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> To determine whether the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) A4336G mutation represents a risk factor for Spanish patients with both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). <i>Material and Methods:</i> One hundred and sixty-one AD and 106 PD unrelated patients were included in the study. Seventy-eight age-matched and 144 randomly chosen healthy subjects served as controls. The frequency of the A4336G mutation in these groups was compared using the χ<sup>2</sup> and Fisher’s exact tests. p < 0.05 was established as a statistically significant differential value. <i>Results: </i>The mtDNA A4336G mutation was present in 1/161 of AD patients (0.6%), in 3/106 of PD patients (2.8%), in 1/78 of age-matched controls (1.3%) and in 2/144 of the randomly chosen controls (1.4%). These differences were not statistically significant. <i>Conclusion:</i> Our results do not support the hypothesis that this mutation represents a risk factor for either AD or PD patients, at least in the case of this Spanish sample.
Renoprotective Effect of Small Doses of Losartan and Enalapril in Patients with Primary Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Tylicki Leszek , Rutkowski Przemyslaw , Renke Marcin , Rutkowski Boleslaw 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> The renin-angiotensin system is thought to be involved in progression of chronic renal diseases of both diabetic and nondiabetic origin. It is confirmed that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduce urinary protein excretion (UPE) and attenuate the development of renal injury. The angiotensin II receptor blockers are an alternative class of drugs inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system activity with preliminarily confirmed renoprotective activity. However, there is lack of data concerning renoprotective action of very small doses of these drugs. <i>Methods:</i> Prospective, randomized, 3-month study of the effects of losartan 25 mg (n = 17) vs. enalapril 10 mg (n = 17) vs. combination of losartan 25 mg and enalapril 10 mg (n = 15) on proteinuria, kidney function and metabolic profile in 51 patients with biopsy proven chronic glomerulonephritis with normal or slightly declined kidney function [creatinine clearance (CRCL) between 36 and 93 ml/min] was performed. Clinical evaluation and laboratory tests were estimated before treatment (basal), during the first week and after 3 months of therapy. <i>Results:</i> Both, monotherpy with losartan and enalapril significantly reduced proteinuria by 25.35 and 45.07%, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups. Combined therapy induced a more remarkable reduction of proteinuria (65.96%) than either of the drugs administered alone. This antiproteinuric effect was significantly more pronounced only in comparison with the losartan group (p = 0.009). Decreasing of blood pressure was most pronounced in the combined group. In all groups, no correlation between fall of UPE and reducing the systolic or diastolic blood pressure was found. Significant decline in CRCL was observed with enalapril treatment just after 1 week of therapy (p = 0.039) and at the end of observation (p = 0.043). CRCL remained stable in losartan-treated subjects. No changes in serum creatinine level, metabolic profile and sodium excretion were observed during therapy in studied groups. <i>Conclusions:</i> These results indicated that even very small doses of losartan and enalapril reduce proteinuria in patients with primary glomerulonephritis. Combination of these drugs could cause significantly greater antiproteinuric effect than either of the agents in monotherapy. It is likely that the treatment with losartan, compared to enalapril, is associated with less risk of acute fall of glomerular filtration at the beginning of therapy.
Intraindividual Reproducibility of Postprandial Hypotension
Authors: Puisieux François , Court Dominique , Baheu Eddy , Dipompeo Christophe , Bulckaen Hélène , Dewailly Philippe 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Postprandial hypotension (PPH) is increasingly recognized as a common cause of falls and syncopes in the elderly. The diagnosis of PPH is based on the measurement of meal-induced blood pressure (BP) changes. Although the problem of intraindividual reproducibility of PPH is of clinical importance, it has not been extensively studied. <i>Objective: </i> To assess the intraindividual reproducibility of PPH. <i>Methods:</i> 50 patients (42 women and 8 males, 83 ± 8 years) were included in the study. To evaluate PPH, we measured the BP before and every 15 min for 2 h after the start of a standardized mixed meal. The PPH was defined as a decrease in systolic BP of 20 mm Hg or more. Three sets of BP were obtained for each subject on 2 successive days: (1) between 08.00 and 10.00 h and (2) between 16.00 and 18.00 h on the 1st day and (3) between 08.00 and 10.00 h on the 2nd day. <i>Results:</i> 32 participants (64%) experienced PPH on at least one test. Among them, 19 (38%) had PPH on the first test, 16 (32%) had PPH on the second test, and 21 (42%) had PPH on the third test. The intraindividual reproducibility of PPH was good when the results of the two morning tests were compared together (kappa coefficient = 0.6), but was low when the morning test results were compared with the afternoon test results of the 1st day (kappa coefficient = 0.1). <i>Conclusions:</i> Because of the good reproducibility of postprandial BP changes, we conclude that the diagnosis of PPH may be based on a single standardized test. However, the test must be performed under circumstances (time of the meal, medications) similar to those in which the symptoms occurred.
Smoking Is Associated with Alterations of Blood Thiol-Group Related Antioxidants in Patients on Hemodialysis
Authors: Wang Nai-Phon , Lim Paik-Seong , Chen Tsen-Tsai , Thien Lee-Moi , Wang Tsung-Hsiu , Hsu Wei-Ming 
Published: April 2003

Cardiovascular disease is the major complication and cause of mortality in the dialysis population, accounting for about 40% of deaths. Oxidative stress has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of these events. As patients in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are in a state of elevated free radical activity, the aim of the present study was to investigate the negative impact of smoking in 45 male hemodialysis (HD) patients. These patients, who were 40–85 years of age (mean age 60.9 ± 13.3 years), had been on hemodialysis for at least 12 months before participating in this study. Fasting blood sampling for serum lipid, albumin, urate, lipid peroxides total blood glutathione (tGSH), non-GSH free sulfhydryl compounds (non-GSH fSH), plasma glutathione peroxidase (pGSHPx), erythrocytes glutathione peroxidase (rGSHPx), plasma glutathione S-transferase (pGST) and erythrocytes glutathione S-transferase (rGST) were determined. Our study showed that the plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly higher in HD patients who smoked than in those who were non- smokers (1.99 ± 0.53 vs. 1.55 ± 0.46 nmol/ml, p = 0.008). No association was found between levels of MDA in smokers and BMI, serum cholesterol and triglycerides and smoking index. We also found that the circulating plasma levels of tGSH and non-GSH fSH was lower in the HD patients who smoked (tGSH 164.9 ± 41.5 vs. 203.4 ± 45.3 µg/ml; fSH 271.1 ± 55.8 vs. 308.8 ± 46.7 µg/ml; p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in the plasma levels of uric acid, pGSHPx, rGSHPx, pGST, rGST, albumin, and age between the 2 groups. Partial correlation analysis of the plasma levels of the measured antioxidants and the smoking index revealed a negative correlation between the plasma levels of tGSH and smoking index (r = –0.62, p < 0.003). Similarly, the plasma levels of tGSH was found negatively correlated with the levels of plasma MDA (r = –0.32, p < 0.05) of the HD patients. In conclusion, our data suggest that cigarette smoking has a negative impact on plasma-circulating products of lipid peroxidation in HD patients. The lower blood levels of the tGSH and non-GSH fSH in HD patients who smoked suggests that these patients may be more susceptible to oxidative damage caused by smoking.
Is Aortic Valve Replacement with Bileaflet Prostheses Still Contraindicated in the Elderly?
Authors: De Feo Marisa , Renzulli Attilio , Vicchio Mariano , Della Corte Alessandro , Onorati Francesco , Cotrufo Maurizio 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background: </i>Prolonged survival in the Western world has increased the number of elderly patients referred for open-heart surgery during the last decade. Aortic valve disease is the most common heart valve disease in aged patients. Which aortic valve substitute is best employed in the elderly is still a debated matter. The main concern is about the thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risks related to mechanical valves and anticoagulation. <i>Objective:</i> The study aimed at reviewing clinical results after isolated aortic valve replacement with bileaflet prostheses in patients over 70 years and at retrospectively comparing them with those of a group of otherwise comparable patients under 50 years of age who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement with a mechanical device. <i>Methods:</i> The study population included 118 consecutive elderly patients (group A) operated on between January 1988 and January 1999 and 122 young patients (group B) who underwent aortic valve replacement during the same time period. Patients with associated coronary artery disease, mitral stenosis or regurgitation, type A aortic dissection, and infective endocarditis were excluded from the study. Preoperative clinical data, early and late postoperative mortality, all valve-related complications, and all data concerning the anticoagulation status – including the mean international normalized ratio (INR) and the mean time interval between each INR assay – were compared between the two groups. <i>Results:</i> The hospital mortality was significantly lower in group B (2.45%) than in group A (9.3%; p = 0.022). The mean follow-up period was 50.98 ± 2.23 months. The 12-year actuarial survival was significantly lower (69.6 ± 0.08%) in group A than in group B (94.4 ± 0.02%; p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in terms of valve-related and anticoagulation-related complication rates and actuarial freedom as well as mean interval between consecutive INR checks (p = 0.219) and mean INR value (p = 0.914). <i>Conclusions:</i> Bileaflet prostheses in elderly patients can achieve excellent early and late clinical results, with a low incidence of anticoagulation-related complications and an extremely low risk of a reoperation. Older age can no longer be considered a contraindication to bileaflet prosthesis implantation in the aortic position.
Effect of Mannitol on <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>-Induced Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Gastric Epithelial AGS Cells
Authors: Kim Hyeyoung , Seo Jeong Yeon , Kim Kyung Hwan 
Published: April 2003

Oxygen radicals have been considered to be important regulatory molecules in <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>-induced gastric ulceration and carcinogenesis. <i>H. pylori</i>-induced inflammation has been shown to be associated with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in experimental animals and human patients. This study aimed to determine if <i>H. pylori</i> produces oxygen radicals and induces COX-2 expression in gastric epithelial cells. A further aim was to resolve whether or not the <i>H. pylori</i>-induced COX-2 expression could be inhibited by mannitol, a known hydroxyl radical scavenger, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme, which was used as a positive control. A human gastric epithelial cell line, AGS, treated with or without mannitol or SOD, was incubated in the presence or absence of <i>H. pylori</i>. mRNA expression and protein levels for COX-2 were determined by Northern blot and Western blot analysis, respectively. Levels of the COX-2 products, 6-keto-prostaglandin F<sub>1α</sub> (6-keto-PGF<sub>1α</sub>) and thromboxane B<sub>2</sub> (TXB<sub>2</sub>) and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> were measured in the medium. The results showed that <i>H. pylori</i> induced H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production, COX-2 mRNA and protein expression and increased the levels of 6-keto-PGF<sub>1α</sub> and TXB<sub>2</sub>. The <i>H. pylori</i>-induced COX-2 expression and the increase in the COX-2 products were inhibited by both mannitol and SOD. The inhibitory effect of mannitol on <i>H. pylori</i>-induced COX-2 expression suggests the possible involvement of oxygen radicals in the transcriptional regulation of the inflammatory mediators in gastric epithelial cells.
OPS Imaging of Human Microcirculation: A Short Technical Report
Authors: Lindert J. , Werner J. , Redlin M. , Kuppe H. , Habazettl H. , Pries A.R. 
Published: April 2003

Despite the pivotal role of microcirculation in numerous diseases, techniques for the direct assessment of human microcirculation are limited. A new approach based on orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging (Cytoscan™ microscope) allows noninvasive observation of human microcirculation in all accessible tissue surfaces. Limitations remain: application of pressure with the instrument affects blood flow, lateral movement of tissue precludes continuous investigation of a given microvascular region, and blood flow velocities above 1 mm/s cannot be measured. We addressed these problems by (a) constructing an attachment to the probe, preventing direct contact of the instrument with the observed tissue area and allowing fixation of the tissue, and (b) implementing a double-flash spatial correlation technique extending the measuring range for blood flow velocities up to ∼40 mm/s. The modified approach was tested in vitro and in vivo. Velocity readings correlated well with velocities of an external standard (r<sup>2</sup> = 0.99, range 1.9–33.8 mm/s). Pulsatile flow patterns synchronous with heart rate with maximal velocities of about 10 mm/s could be detected in arterioles of the human sublingual mucosa. The modified instrument may prove useful to investigate the microcirculation in the context of research, diagnosis and therapy control.