bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of a Probiotic Yoghurt on the Status of Vitamins B<sub>1</sub>, B<sub>2</sub> and B<sub>6</sub> in the Healthy Adult Human
Authors: Elmadfa Ibrahim , Heinzle Cornelia , Majchrzak Dorota , Foissy Helmut 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background/Aims:</i> The main reason for this study was to determine whether yoghurt bacteria, being rich in some water-soluble vitamins, release them or utilize vitamins from their surroundings. Our study was trying to determine for the first time, if the viable bacteria of probiotic yoghurt are able to influence the parameters of the B-vitamin (B<sub>1</sub>, B<sub>2</sub>, B<sub>6</sub>) status of the healthy adult human. <i>Methods:</i> The test yoghurt was commercially available probiotic yoghurt prepared with <i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i> and <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i>, enriched with <i>Lactobacillus casei</i> GG. Different chemical forms of all investigated B-vitamins were determined by HPLC methods. In order to determine the influence of the yoghurt flora, each of 12 subjects consumed four yoghurt portions 125 g each ( = 500 g) a day, containing thermally inactivated cultures during the first 2-week period and yoghurt without heat treatment during the second 2-week period. <i>Results:</i> The heat treatment of the probiotic yoghurt caused negligible changes in vitamin contents. The plasma levels of thiamin decreased significantly (p < 0.01) after the first 2-week period and kept on decreasing during the second 2-week period. A similar trend was found in the urinary excretion. The plasma levels of the B<sub>2</sub>-vitamers were different. The flavin adenine dinucleotide concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.01) after the consumption of heat-treated yoghurt and decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after the following 2 weeks, in which the subjects received the untreated yoghurt. In contrast, the flavin mononucleotide plasma levels decreased during the first 2-week period and increased during the second part of the study, but the change was not statistically significant. The free riboflavin concentrations in plasma and urine showed a continuous but not significant increase. The concentrations of pyridoxal-5-phosphate in plasma increased after the consumption of yoghurt with the inactivated bacteria and decreased in the second part of the study. However, the differences were not significant. The excretion of thiamin, B<sub>2</sub>- and B<sub>6</sub>-vitamers in the faeces did not significantly change throughout the study period (p > 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> Our observations show that the bacterial flora of the examined yoghurt does not influence the vitamin B<sub>1</sub>, B<sub>2</sub> and B<sub>6</sub> status of man. It seems likely that even lactobacilli of the ‘probiotic’ type which are vitamin B consumers can decrease the bioavailability of these vitamins for man. Obviously a thermal death of the cells did not induce a release of physiologically active vitamins.
Effects of Cisapride on Ventricular Depolarization-Repolarization and Arrhythmia Markers in Infants
Authors: Zamora Samuel A. , Belli Dominique C. , Ferrazzini Giovana , Friedli Beat 
Published: April 2003

To study prospectively the effects of cisapride on ventricular repolarization, depolarization, and arrhythmia markers in neonates, we determined before and three days after starting cisapride (1 mg/kg/day): corrected QT interval (QTc) and QT dispersion (QTd) on standard ECGs, and duration of filtered QRS (fQRS) and of low amplitude (<40 µV) terminal signals (LAS40, ms) and root mean square of the last 40 ms (RMS40, µV) using high-gain signal-averaged ECG (SAECG). Twenty-four term and 11 preterm infants (gestational age 23–35 weeks) were studied at a median chronological age of 32 days. QTc and QTd were not different between term and preterm infants. Cisapride lengthened QTc (mean ± SD; ms: 396.6 ± 24.8 before vs. 417.0 ± 35.2 after, p < 0.001). Three term and two preterm infants (5/35 = 14%; 95% CI: 5–30%) had a QTc >450 ms after cisapride. QTd after cisapride increased significantly in all infants with prolonged QTc. Filtered QRS, LAS40, and RMS40 before and after cisapride were within our normal values. We conclude that cisapride prolongs ventricular repolarization in neonates and infants without altering depolarization. Although no clinical arrhythmias were observed the dose of 0.8 mg/kg/day should not be exceeded.
Liver Lipid Accumulation in Duck Embryos and Hatchlings Change with Parental Age<sup>1</sup>
Authors: Braun Christie M. , Burgess John R. , Latour Mickey A. 
Published: April 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of duck breeder age on liver lipid accumulation and yolk absorption and utilization in duck embryos (day 25 of incubation) and newly hatched ducklings. One breeder flock was monitored at 24 (young breeders), 31 (mature breeders and near peak egg production) and 47 (post peak egg production) weeks of age. Electron microscopy images of duck embryo liver slices revealed a significant change in hepatic lipid accumulation as a function of breeder age. More specifically, as breeder age increased both the relative number of liver lipid droplets as well as the size of the lipid droplets increased in duck embryos (day 25 of incubation). At hatch, however, newly hatched ducklings from 31-week-old breeders exhibited the lowest number as well as the smallest sized lipid droplets when compared to ducklings from 24 or 47-week-old breeders. The trend in yolk absorption at day 25 as a function of breeder age paralleled that in liver lipid accumulation. That is, day 25 maintained a higher percentage of unabsorbed yolk when compared to embryos from 31- or 47-week-old breeders. In contrast to breeder age, time of incubation (day 25 vs. day 28 or hatch) had little effect on yolk fatty acid profiles when compared to breeder age. Although there were no clear trends in yolk fatty acid usage among the various ages of breeders, newly hatched ducklings from 31-week-old breeders did have a significantly higher proportion of 18:2 n6 compared to those from breeders at 24 or 47 weeks of age. These data would suggest that breeder age subsequently affects the relative number and size of liver lipid droplets in embryos and newly hatched ducklings.
Temperature and Heater Responses during Transition between Radiant and Incubator Thermal Environment in Newborn Preterm Lambs
Authors: Touch Suzanne M. , Greenspan Jay S. , Cullen Aaron B. , Wolfson Marla R. , Shaffer Thomas H. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> Although both incubators and radiant warmer beds can provide thermal support to infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, the transition between devices can be a stressful event. The goal of this study was to evaluate a new device that combines these methods of warming and converts between them without requiring physical movement of the infant. <i>Study Design:</i> Twin preterm lambs received thermal support from a radiant warmer bed and an incubator (control), or from the Versalet<sup>TM</sup> 7700 Care Center (treatment) in the warmer and incubator configurations. Temperature of each lamb, as well as device heater power, were monitored every 2 min before, during, and after the transition. Physiological parameters were monitored every 15 min. <i>Results:</i> There was a significant difference in response time between closed-open and open-closed conditions for both groups. More adverse events occurred in the control group during transfers. There were no differences in temperatures or physiological variables during transitions in either group. <i>Conclusions:</i> These data suggest the Versalet provides similar thermal stability to traditional devices, with fewer adverse events associated with the lack of physical movement between warming configurations. The impact of this device on the care of the preterm neonate will be evaluated in a clinical trial.
The Development of a Circadian Pattern of Salivary Cortisol Secretion in the Neonatal Piglet
Authors: Gallagher Nerida L. , Giles L. Roger , Wynn Peter C. 
Published: April 2003

Saliva was collected from neonatal piglets in order to assess the secretory dynamics of cortisol in the newborn piglet. Saliva was collected from two litters of piglets (n = 16) from multiparous sows at 07.00, 11.00, 15.00 and 19.00 h on days 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 and 30 post partum. Salivary cortisol concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. Salivary cortisol concentration was high perinatally and declined with age. The frequency of escape attempts and vocalisation intensity during collection, as well as the similarity in salivary cortisol concentration on day 22 in control piglets and piglets that had provided samples repeatedly from day 0 suggested that this was not an adaptive response. A circadian pattern was evident in female pigs from day 6, whereas males displayed a similar pattern from day 10. The collection of saliva in the piglet provides a viable alternative to blood sampling for the assessment of a glucocorticoid circadian rhythm.
Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Study of Sibutramine in Obese Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Hazenberg Bouke P. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives: </i>To compare weight loss efficacy, safety and tolerability of sibutramine and placebo in mildly to moderately obese hypertensive subjects; to assess the effect of weight loss on blood pressure. <i>Design: </i>Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group; 3-week placebo run-in and 12-week treatment phase. Setting: Nine hospital outpatient clinics and general practices in the Netherlands. Participants: 127 men and women, 18–65 years old, with body mass indices (BMI) ranging from 27 to 40 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and stabilized hypertension – mean resting diastolic blood pressure of 90–120 mm Hg – with or without antihypertensive medication. Interventions: Sibutramine 10 mg once daily; placebo. Main outcome measures: Body weight, blood pressure, routine laboratory and clinical safety monitoring. <i>Results: </i>Of 113 evaluable patients, 54 received sibutramine and 59 placebo. Weight reduction was significantly greater with sibutramine from week 2 onwards (last observation carried forward): mean, 4.4 kg with sibutramine and 2.2 kg with placebo (p = 0.002); mean percentage weight reduction, 4.7 and 2.3%, respectively (p < 0.001); mean BMI reduction, 1.6 and 0.8 kg/m<sup>2</sup>, respectively (p < 0.01). Reduction in excessive body weight was associated with a reduction in blood pressure in both groups, although the mean reduction in supine diastolic blood pressure was numerically, but not statistically significantly, greater in the placebo group (5.7 mm Hg) compared with the sibutramine group (4.0 mm Hg; p = 0.21). Similar reductions were seen in supine systolic blood pressure. Both treatments were well tolerated. <i>Conclusions: </i>Sibutramine 10 mg once daily is a useful, effective therapy for obesity in the presence of stable hypertension.
Insulin Resistance Is Increased by Transdermal Estrogen Therapy in Postmenopausal Women with Cardiac Syndrome X
Authors: Assali A.R. , Jabara Z. , Shafer Z. , Solodky A. , Herz I. , Sclarovsky E. , Strasberg B. , Sclarovsky S. , Fainaru M. 
Published: April 2003

Estrogen has been reported to have both short- and long-term effects on the cardiovascular system. However, it remains to be examined how short-term transdermal estrogen therapy (TET) affects insulin sensitivity (SI) in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX), who are characterized by elevated insulin resistance. SI was assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study by minimal model analysis in seven postmenopausal women with CSX treated by TET. SI decreased by 32 ± 8.3%, from 5.94 ± 1.14 at baseline to 3.61 ± 0.40 [(10<sup>–4</sup> × min<sup>–1</sup>)/(µU/ml)] during TET (p = 0.03). Time to the onset of symptoms increased from 414.2 ± 51.0 s at baseline to 450.0 ± 53.2 s (p = 0.04). We conclude that TET increases SI in postmenopausal women with CSX. This effect is unrelated to the beneficial anti-ischemic effects on exercise duration.
Absence of Circulating Microemboli in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Electric Cardioversion
Authors: Nabavi Darius G. , Allroggen Achim , Reinecke Holger , Kemény Vendel , Droste Dirk W. , Breithardt Günter , Ringelstein E. Bernd 
Published: April 2003

Electrical cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, and its appropriate prevention is still a matter of debate. It is known that, besides dislodgement of pre-existing intra-atrial thrombi, the ‘stunned’ atrium after CV is an important cause of thrombus formation and subsequent embolism. We investigated whether CV of AF is associated with occurrence of circulating microemboli (ME) representing a sensitive marker of the actual thromboembolic activity. Twenty-nine patients (22 men) aged 54 ± 13 years suffering from valvular (n = 5) or nonvalvular (n = 24) AF were studied. All but 1 patient (with recent-onset AF) had been put on oral anticoagulation (INR >2.0) for at least 3 weeks before and 4 weeks after successful CV. In all patients, exclusion of internal carotid artery stenosis and atrial thrombus was performed prior to CV. Five unilateral 1-hour transcranial Doppler ME monitorings over the middle cerebral artery were performed (1) before CV, and (2) immediately, (3) 4–6 h, (4) 24 h, and (5) 2–4 weeks after CV. Total absence of circulating ME was found before CV as well as during a cumulative monitoring time of 115 h after successful CV. Electrical CV of AF after at least 3 weeks of effective anticoagulation is not associated with occurrence of cerebral circulating ME. This finding requires further investigation including high-risk patients with AF undergoing CV based on different treatment protocols.
Blood Pressure in Acute Stroke
Authors: Jørgensen H.S. , Nakayama H. , Christensen H.R. , Raaschou H.O. , Kampmann J.P. , Olsen T.S. 
Published: April 2003

This study examines blood pressure (BP) and independent factors related to BP in the acute phase of stroke. The study is part of the community-based Copenhagen Stroke Study. In a multivariate regression model we analyzed the impact of clinical and medical factors on admission BP. BP declined with increasing time from stroke onset with a total of 8/4 mm Hg. Independent factors related to diastolic BP were ischemic heart disease (–3.9 mm Hg), male gender (2.2 mm Hg), known hypertension prior to stroke (8.6 mm Hg), and primary hemorrhage (9.7 mm Hg). Independent factors related to systolic BP were age (3.6 mm Hg/10-year increase), atrial fibrillation (–7.2 mm Hg), ischemic heart disease (–6.0 mm Hg), intracerebral hemorrhage (13.3 mm Hg), and known hypertension prior to stroke (16.3 mm Hg). No independent relations were seen between BP and diabetes, claudication, previous stroke, smoking, daily alcohol consumption, initial stroke severity and lesion size. The increase in BP in the acute phase of stroke is a uniform response to the ischemic event per se. BP is not related to stroke severity. Several factors are independently related to the BP level in acute stroke. The clinical significance of this is yet to be tested, but these factors may contribute to the seemingly complex relation between BP and outcome.
Activity of Moxifloxacin and Twelve Other Antimicrobial Agents against 216 Clinical Isolates of <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i>
Authors: Esposito Silvano , Noviello Silvana , Ianniello Filomena 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> An increased incidence of macrolide resistance in penicillin-resistant <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> has been described. <i>Methods:</i> With this in mind, 216 <i>S. pneumoniae</i> isolates were evaluated for their in vitro susceptibility to a new fluoroquinolone, moxifloxacin, which was compared with penicillin, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, ofloxacin, vancomycin and teicoplanin. A broth microdilution assay was performed in cation- adjusted Mueller-Hinton broth with 5% (v/v) lysed horse blood according to NCCLS guidelines. <i>Results:</i> Erythromycin resistance was observed in all the 22 penicillin-resistant <i>S. pneumoniae</i> (10.1%). All the penicillin- susceptible <i>S. pneumoniae</i> were susceptible to cephalosporins, whereas all the penicillin-resistant ones showed resistance to cefuroxime and only intermediate susceptibility to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. The 216 tested strains were inhibited by sparfloxacin and moxifloxacin at concentrations of 0.12–0.5 mg/l and 0.06–0.25 mg/l, respectively, regardlesss of whether the strain was penicillin and/or erythromycin resistant. Seven penicillin-resistant strains displayed resistance to ofloxacin. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin; teicoplanin MIC values ranged from 0.03 to 0.12 mg/l. The excellent in vitro activity of moxifloxacin against <i>S. pneumoniae</i> was not affected by penicillin and/or macrolides. <i>Conclusion:</i> Moxifloxacin appears to be a promising choice for the treatment of pneumococcal infections, including situations where therapeutic choices are limited due to penicillin and macrolide resistance.
Establishing a Gradient of Risk in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes Using Troponin I Measurements
Authors: Al-Harbi Khalid , Suresh C.G. , Zubaid Mohammad , Akanji Abayomi O. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To evaluate the role of serum troponin I (TnI) estimations in the early risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) subsequently diagnosed as acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or unstable angina (UA). <i>Subjects and Methods:</i> Blood samples were collected from 86 patients admitted to the Coronary Care Unit of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, Kuwait, with a diagnosis of ACS on admission (TnI-1) and after 8 h (TnI-2) and 16 h (TnI-3). Blood was also collected from 38 age-matched healthy controls for comparison. Serum TnI was measured by paramagnetic particle chemiluminescent immunoassay. <i>Results:</i> Serum TnI of <0.05 ng/ml, corresponding to the 99th percentile, was established for healthy subjects. Patients diagnosed as UA had a 99th percentile TnI-1 value of about 0.30 ng/ml. The best specificity and sensitivity for ACS was obtained for TnI-2; indeed, TnI-2 >0.3 ng/ml gave a >80% certainty of diagnosis of AMI. Also, TnI-2 <0.3 ng/ml in ACS patients was approximately 80% sensitive for the diagnosis of UA but relatively nonspecific (approximately 40%). Specificity for TnI-2 for the diagnosis of UA improved to about 90% by narrowing the diagnostic range to 0.05–0.3 ng/ ml. TnI values in UA increased by <100% at 8 h, while in AMI, this increase was up to 1,000%. <i>Conclusion:</i> In the evaluation of ACS, admission and 8-hour serum TnI <0.05 ng/ml is probably not cardiac in origin; serum TnI >0.3 ng/ml on admission and increasing rapidly by 8 h is likely AMI, and serum TnI >0.05 and <0.3 ng/ml on admission with a mild increase by 8 h is likely due to UA.
Hospital-Acquired <i>Clostridium difficile</i> Infection amongst ICU and Burn Patients in Kuwait
Authors: Rotimi V.O. , Mokaddas E.M. , Jamal W.Y. , Verghese T.L. , El-Din K. , Junaid T.A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> To prospectively study the prevalence of nosocomially acquired <i>Clostridium difficile</i>, a major cause of diarrhoea in hospitalized patients, in the intensive care units (ICUs) and burn unit (BUs) of three teaching hospitals in Kuwait. <i>Methods:</i> During a 1-year prospective study, stool/rectal swabs were obtained from 344 patients admitted into the ICUs of Mubarak Hospital (ICU-1), the Kuwait Cancer Control Centre (ICU-2), and the BU of Ibn Sina Hospital. The presence of <i>C. difficile</i> and/or its toxin was detected by serially culturing the specimens on differential, selective and enriched media and the use of TOX-A/B test, on admission and at subsequent 1-weekly interval until discharge. <i>Results:</i> Out of the 344 patients admitted into these units, over a study period of 1 year, only 263 (77%) were evaluable. All of them had negative stool culture/toxin on admission. Overall, 25 (9.5%) of these 263 patients acquired <i>C. difficile</i> during their hospitalization. Thirteen (7%) of 187 patients acquired <i>C. difficile</i> in ICU-1, 9 (36%) of 25 on ICU-2 and 3 (5.9%) of 51 patients in BU. Eight (32%) developed diarrhoea attributable only to <i>C. difficile</i> and/or toxin, and the remaining 17 (68%) were asymptomatic: none had pseudomembranous colitis. The diarrhoea in these patients was associated with antibiotic use, the main trigger-antibiotics being the third-generation cephalosporins. Acquisition occurred within 4–53 days of admission, with the majority occurring in the first 15 days. <i>Conclusion:</i> Overall, the prevalence of hospital-acquired <i>C. difficile</i> infection/colonization was less than 10%. The use of third-generation cephalosporins was high and was related to the development of diarrhoea. Once acquired, diarrhoea developed in about one third of <i>C. difficile</i>-positive cases, an indication that <i>C. difficile</i> infection/colonization endemic in the hospital ICUs studied is usually transmitted among the hospitalized patients.
Impact of Age, Gender and Cognitive Functioning on Pain Perception
Authors: Pickering Gisèle , Jourdan Didier , Eschalier Alain , Dubray Claude 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background:</i> Experimental data on nociception in the elderly have so far been contradictory and most of these have been obtained using psychophysical methods with little attention paid simultaneously to the state of cognition and the psychometric performance of the subjects. <i>Objective:</i> The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the impact of age on experimental nociception thresholds, and (2) to investigate the interactions of age, sex, cognition and psychometric performance with nociception thresholds. <i>Methodology:</i> (1) Two groups, one young and one elderly, of 42 healthy participants each, 21 males and 21 females, were compared as regards nociception thresholds with thermal and mechanical stimuli (heat and pressure detection and tolerance thresholds). (2) The elderly group took cognitive (mini-mental test), psychometric (choice reaction time) and psychophysical tests in auditory (sensibility, tolerance, discrimination) and nociceptive fields. <i>Results:</i> This study shows that (1) pressure nociception decreases with age especially in males, while thermal thresholds are not modified, and (2) correlations exist between cognitive function, psychometric performance, tolerance to loud sounds and tolerance to mechanical noxious stimuli. <i>Conclusion:</i> Our results suggest that cognitive and psychomotor parameters have to be taken into account when assessing experimental nociception in the elderly. Further studies are needed to evaluate possible report biases and to assess these interactions in old patients with pain and in mildly sensory, cognitive or motor impaired elderly subjects.